Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-10-09
Winter Wheat in the South

wise man who thought out this
statement and gave it to the world.
1t is not a generality, but funda-
mental fact. The fighting armies
in the world war were more concern
ed about bread than any other prob
| lem. The civilian populations back
of the line held steadfast to their
! national ideals as long as they had
bread. 1t was after all the one food
| which the fighting man could carry
with him and keep in an acceptable
it was prepared. 1t may be said
that in so far as the French soldier
was concerned he fought the war
largely on bread. The same state
ment applies with a good deal of
force to the soldiers of the other
armies, particularly those Of the
United States and England. The
cerned about that than any other
cereal. When it seemed as though
there would be plenty of this es-
sential food grain, there was rejoice
ing in the heart of Mr.. Hoover and
his associates. When the news about
simism reigned supreme.
This little golden grain can be
shipped all over the world and kept
in better condition than any other
ance. It is no wonder that the
ancients had a goddess of grain, for
wheat was probably more important
even in that stage of the worlds
history than today when there are
other cereals we could eat, if neces-
realize how very important wheat
has become to US as a nation. 1t
we understand and appreciate how
thoroughly dependent we are on
bread for our national success and
happiness. 1 doubt, if the children
understand the, essential character
Of Of wheat It is yell named the
famine and disaster would surely
Like so many other things that make
or mar the happiness and the prog
res Of humanity, it has become SO
common thing in our lives as to
fail ecen to. attract our attention
or consideration. I make this state
worth while reflections and brings
to mind facts which we are too prone
to overlook or forget. 1t shows US
that it is our duty as we'll as our
the wise farmer and the true patriot
will cultivate enough of it for his
own needs and for those who may
not be so fortunately situated as
himself.
In Georgia we are growing some
wheat, but not nearly enough to
meet the needs of our own people.
This is not as it should be- 1t does
not represent good practice on our
part, because our soil and climatic
f0nidltlons fully justify US in raising
TINS cereal on basis commensurate
with our needs. 1t would be profit
able for us to do this, for wheat will
make good yields in Georgia under
proper management: It is adapted
Tor growth on practically all of our
red land. 1t does especially we'll on
the Cecil clays and Cecil sandy
loans. 1t natures in most sections Of
state In time to escape the extreme.
!y hot weather. 1t fits admirably
m INTO a crop rotation system. 1t can
De harvested in time to permit of
the land being cropped a second time
a we'll distributed rainfall which
suits the wheat crop very we'll. 1t
Is not subject to many diseases in
ously in other sections.
am writing this article to call at
tention to the Importance of wheat
and to emphasize the necessity of
cult1vating it on a larger scale in the
southeastern states, In preparing
AeNAiA AOA Iilio SlOp L1SIS are certain
matters, of course, to which attention
should be directed. In the first place,
1t is best whenever possible to let
wheat follow corn. This crop ma
lures earlier in the season than cot
ton and affords; the farmer an. OPP
portunity to break and prepare his
land well in advance of the date of
seeding. While cereals do not do as
we'll on a light, friable soil as on one
that is fairly compact, it is neverthe-
less desirable to break the land to a
good depth and then compact it by
rolling. A harrow should, of course,
Immediately follow the roller. In this
way fine filth can be secured, mois-
ture conserved and an ideal seed BED
prepared. We have not found any
special benefit from using lime on
wheat. We think this soil amend
ment should be applied previously to
the planting of the legume which will
find place in any worthwhile crop
rotation adapted to our section.
Wheat, Of course, loves rather rich,
mellow soil fairly well supplied with
readily available plant food. On that
pounds of fertilizer under this crop.
This fertilizer should contain per
cent of the organic nitrogen, about 3
per cent of phosphoric acid and prob
ably from 2 to 3 per cent of potash.
We suggest organic nitrogen because
THIS Will not De r6dully lCdClleu Ii Chl
the land. Other carriers OF this ele-
ment, however, may be used. Acid
phosphate or any equivalent carrier
may be used as a source OF phos-
phoric acid. Potash may be obtained
from any reliable source and at the
lowest practicable cost. The fertll-
izer may be drilled in the wheat or it
may be broadcasted and narrowed IN.
It should not come in contact with
the grains of wheat, as their germl-
mating quality might be injured to
some extent. We prefer to drill IN
wheat to seeding it in any other
manner. t.
OF course, only standard varieties
should be planted. The record which
principal varieties have made under
fairly typical conditions at the Geor-
gia State College of Agriculture dur
ing the last three years are set down
in the following table for the lntor-
nation of our readers The D1etz
Mediterranean made the best average
weld for the last three years. ruiz
stood second, Bearded Purple Straw
third. Mammoth Red, fourth, Acme,
fifth and Australia Red sixth;
These no doubt constitute as goou
strains for planting under Georgia
conditions as we are likely to secure.
81 course in this connection 1 wish to
emphasize the advantage OF securing
a. good strain of planting seed, pc
cause the yield will certainly pc az
fected to q considerable extent IL
| low-grade seed. which mas not neeii
! carefully selected and standardized
Is pi<''''o Average Yield
/ Per Acre
| voriatv for Three Years
Dietz Mediterranean ...... az az
E Pudndod p,;rnle Straw..... 39.S
I'D d