The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-24

be said against the use of bluestone for
smut we know that it will thoroughly
cleanse wheat of the stink smut We have
taken seed wheat from crops where at
least 80 per cent of the heads were stink
smut treated it as above and produced
fine crops with not a head of smut in
them. For loose smuts we have nothing
practical as a preventative to offer. The
better plan will he for the far when
he finds these in his wheat or other grain
to change his seed entirely. Get new seed
from sections where there was no smut.
Also 1t would be well to cultivate the
soil where these smuts were found in
some other crops as corn, clover or peas
before again sowing to wheat
Remember that we are a strong believ-
er in the theory that If soils are properly
prepared and cared for and kept in a
fine mechanical condition, many of these
evils will be averted Besides -'e believe
this the most practical plan to prevent
both insect and diseases In all crops.
Varieties.
The Importance of selecting varieties
suitable for local conditions has been
briefly mentioned under another heading,
but we cannot emphasize this matter
too strongly.
Most of the wheat growing sections
along the Frisco system demand a soft
variety of winter wheat. the only exeep-
tons being some sections of Oklahoma
and Kansas. where such hard varieties
as the Turl1y Red are grown. Most of
the mllers in this section desire a soft
red winter wheat. Other sections of the
country might prefer a white wheat. and
some might even prefer spring wheat.
The Fultz (red) Is one Of the most pop
ular varieties Of the soft red wheat. The
red bearded wheats have proven best for
this soil, and will come nearer making a
crop under adverse conditions than any
other of the red winter varieties. In the
selection of varieties the farmer should
take it on account of climate. the require
ments of his soil, and general cultivation
as well as the demands Of the market he
is growing for Should his miller demand
red wheat there would be no use for
the farmer to insist on growing white
wheat. The farmer can no more afford to
make a mistake In varieties than he can
in soils and good seed.
The Harvest.
For milling purposes the best time to
harvest is just as the grain is passing
out of the dough state or at a time when
the grain is beginning to harden Wheat
harvested at this time with favorable
weather will finish the ripening process
and the grains will be plump and OF
bright golden color. 1t VIII also produce
better grade of flour. But what will the
harvest be? No doubt this question has
been in the mind of fhe reader all the
way through, while he has been reading
these articles. The harvest Is what we
are all interested in, Should the farmer
follow out minutely the instructions given
in this work and in addition should he be
favored with a good season the harvest
will be a most satisfactory one. 1t will
be harvest Of pure wheat. There will
be no tares harvested nor will there be
any seed wasted by allowing 1t to fall by
the wayslde on stony ground or among
thorns where the loss In harvesting would
be so great that the farmer would be
very much dissatisfied with the harvest.
Sow good seed on good soil and 1t will
bring forth some thirty, some sixty and
some an hundred fold Remember that
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.