Year: 1873




been sent out over the country, sometimes sold
by sharpers at enormous prices as a valuable
new grain, and now called Montana Rye, and
Wild Goose Wheat or Poland Wheat. The
plant appears to be distinct species, peither
wheat nor rye. 1t is Of rather coarse habit,
with very large and peculiar head, and a
large long, finty kernel Of lightisb color.
Two years ago the coming summer | raised
as usual in adjoining drills great variety Of
cereals for purpose Of testing, crossing, etc,
and this plant was Of the number. As | was
operating various crosses among my varieties
Of wheat, etc, it occurred to me to attempt
hybridization between this Montana Rye and
one OF my varieties Of wheat, the Berlin
with view to obtain, if it were possible to
effect union between the two, new nam.
moth wheat, or nondescript hybrid. Ac-
cordingly performed cross-iertilzation re-
ciproeally on two plants of each. The at
tempted impregnatiOn Of the Montana Rye
with pollen of the wheat failed but from
the head Of wheat, upon which | had opera.
ted with pollen from the rye, | gathered a
few poorly formed grains. These produced
last summer two perfect and healthy plants,
idcntically the same and quite intermediate
in appearance between the two parent plants.
The plants were very strong, and their heads
about eight inches in length. As might have
been expected a considerable degree of stcr.
ility had been induced by the hybridzation
but the heads contained each few grains
These partake very much Of the character Of
the pollen parent, the Montana Rye. They
are longer in proportion to their diameter
than are the kernels of wheat, full three.
eighths of an inch in length, quite light-col-
ored, and firm in texture.,~ shall next sum
mer look to see the plants ysrS from this in-
termediate state, part going back TO one par.
ent form, and part to the other Yet, if
none remain intermediate, till by successive
generations this character becomes thorough.
ly established, shall be disappointed. The
solution Of the question whether they will all
remain partially sterile shall watch with
interest, as upon this chiefly depends the pos.
sbility Of advantage from hybrids in this i'm
portant oIder Of plants.


Use and Misuse Of SuperphOsphatrs.


Having become apprised Of tbs. value Of
phosphates in general way, it remains for us
to learn their most profitable use. This is a
question for every farmer to decide to a
great extent for himself Its solution in-
wolves many most careful experiments. 1t
is true that science has designated the partic-
ular crops which require this element in the
largest proportions; but what particular
fields on our own farms are in greatest need
Of these fertilizers to enable them to produce
good results in certain crops this Is for the
farmer himself to ascertain by trial. have
no doubt but much Of these fertilizers is wasted,
or at least placed where it is of little present
use, by applying them to some lands which by
reason Of having been well manured, or be.
cause they are still new, are not particularly
lacking in phosphates Again, many farmers
seem to regard superphosphates as complete
manure. They seem to think when they ap.
ply them 'liberally to lean soil, that they
should furnish their crop with everything it
will need. But some of the best phosphates
in the market are not designed to be COM
plcte manures, 1t is only intended to sup.
ply to the soil through them one element OF
plant food, while the others, the vegetable or
nitrogenous matter the potosh, etc, may
possibly be already in the soil, or, if not, may
be procured in other less costly ways.


With these remarks preface the follow
ing account Of a few experiments made the
past year at IngIesde, in order to ascertain
the needs Of the soil with respect to phos.
pilates


On an old field of gravelly loan, that has
been under the pillow most. Of the time for six.
ty years, sowed wheat last spring, 1t had
not borne a crop of wheat for dozen years
Last year it gave a very good crop Of corn
After the wheat was up, | sowed upon u
strip Of the field Canada Phosphate at the
rate of four hundred pounds per acre. The
result was quite striking in the thicker and
stronger growth Of grain. judge that the
crop was increased, where the phosphate was
applied, some thirty per cent, Had | sowed
phosphate over the whole field, believe the
increase of crop would have paid for the
fertilizer, and left handsome balance her,
was a strong, manured soil unable to yield {
full crop Of wheat for lack OF one element


On a ridge of pasture land, Of similar soil
| measured and staked of certain plot anC
sowed the same phosphate, at the rate Of hy'
hundred pounds per acre. All summer long
though the cattle kept the grass grazed dow
close, the plot could be distinguished at I
distance by its livelier green aud closer turf
the phosphate must have doubled the pas
t turage.


On low meadow Of peaty soil the SAM
, experiment was tried it greatly encouraged
the growth Of timothy and clover, while ii
, effect on some other plants was not marked
The experiment was repeated on heavil,