Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-09

the land by deep blowing and narrowing
down 10 a fine filth.
The more fully the land Is pulverized the
better will be the yield. no matter how
fertile the soil or how heavy the applca-
lions OF fertilizers may be. This is
matter which should be borne In mind,
because IL is highly important. Experi-
ments have proven conclusively that land
prepared like an ashbank furnished heav-
Ter yields OF wheat than similar plats OF
ground adjoining gave without such prep
aration. though a much higher percentage
OF fertilizers were applied 10 the latter. A
corn and pea field. with the stubble WHIP
ned under with a good turner or disc, and
then narrowed over two or three times
presents an ideal field for sowing down in
wheat Barnyard manure or cotton seed
can then be broadcasted and a disc har-
row run over the 6eld. or II the seed is
put I'm with a drilling machine and com
mercial fertilizers used the Whole can be
done at one time. Wheat ordinarily should
be covered 10 a depth Of three inches, not
deeper on heavy clay soils. With good
clean seed wheat. sow from one bushel TO
one and one-fourth bushels per acre. II
sown BY hand, endeavor to so scatter the
grains that by spreading the full width
OF one hand on the ground five grains will
be covered. II with a drill the machine
can be regulated TO do the work automati-
cally. After the field is sown. by whatever
method employed. It is best TO run heavy
roller over the ground TO smooth down all
clods and olner Instructions which will
interfere with proper harvesting. All small
seed terminate better and grow of more
vigorously when the soil under which they
are planted is rolled TO a firm and COM
pact texture.
Probably the best general fertilizer
which can be secured for crop Of wheat
to meet all requirements, especially
when the land to be sown has grown a
crop OF peavines this year. is as follows:
Nitrogen, 2 per cent; available phosphoric
acid, 9 per cent: actual potash, 6 per cent.
This formula can De secured from any OF
the fertilizer companies making a first
class wheat fertilizer. Apply at from 800 to
500 pounds per acre. It is not necessary to
secure a large stalk; the point is to have
a full head containing well developed
grains. A yield of 20 bushels per acre
should be secured ordinarily under proper
tillage and fertility. Before planting the
grain always subject Il to a thorough
treatment Of blue-stone. One pound of
bluestone is SUFFICIENT to treat five bushels
of grain. Dissolve the bluestone in boiling
hot water, then pour into barrels or tubs
half filled with water sufficient to hold FIVE
bushels of the wheat. This can be left to
stand over night and planted next day.
or immersing few hours I'm the solution
viii be sufflciept. All that is necessary Is
to let the grains come in contact with the
solution, and the smut germ will be killed.
The smut germ is a parasitic plant, which
adheres 10 the grains, and IL not killed be-
fore planting II will terminate with the
seed and grow along with the stalk. finally
feeding on the head OF wheat. when the
mischief is done. This is a quick, simple
method OF preventing smut, which is more
disastrous TO the wheat crop than any
thing else 81 left alone TO do its work. No
wheat is immune from smut that has not
been treated. Wheat free from smut may
be thrashed on a machine covered with
smut pores and the grain infected for the
next year.
There is no safer or surer crop to plant.
Wheat viii mature crop every year and
If not wanted for bread. II Is equally as
good, IL not BETTER for stock than oats. II
planted for stock, IL should be cut and
made into hay when the heads are I'm the
early dough stage. All work animals will
keep in splendid condition fed on wheat
hay. and the fear of saving an oat crop
need not longer worry us when we can
accomplish the same end with wheat. In
many sections wheat is grown for stock
alone. and either fed upon the farm or bal
ed and shipped TO market. where ii always
commands a high price. Baled wheat hay
viii net more dollars per acre TO the
grower than the threshed wheat The cost
OF handling is less and the price obtained
is greater. The demand is always good.
not only on the farm. but in the city mar
kets. The opportunity presented this fall
for sowing wheat was never more propi-
tiOus. Ii should be generally taken advan-
tage Of. Make your bread and meat at
home. Plant for the table and for the barn
yard. Prepare your lands now and plant
IN the latter days of the present month.
Do not postpone this most important mat
ter. The returns next spring and summer
will far exceed your expectations. Georgia
especially should be a great wheat grow
ing state. The time is ripe for a revival of
interest in this important cereal crop.
and the opportunity should not be passed.
HARVIE JORDAN.