218 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



I have endeavored to make this essay as practical as possible; at the 

 eame time, in order to meet the wishes of scientific fiiriuers, I havo in- 

 troduced valuable analyses, for the purpose of showing the composition 

 of the vvhc^it plant, and of the soil and manure which are suited to its 

 growth. I have poiiited out "rotation of crops," and the proper se- 

 lection of seed, as matters of the greatest importance. On the subject 

 of procuring good seed, I will remark, that as there arc several farmers 

 in this State, who obtain good seed at considerable expense, and raise 

 excellent crops; it would be well if they would forward samples of grain 

 to the ofR 'e of the State Agricultural Society; by this means many 

 farmers would have an opportunity of inspecting these superior seeds, 

 and of orderi'ff them direct from the "rowers. 



Michigan is favored with an abundant stock of manures, adapted to 

 the succei^sful culti\ation of wheat, and her vast quarries of gypsum 

 and beds of marl are inexhaustible. 



It is said that gypsum has a tendency to retard the ripening of 

 wheat, for this reason it should be applied early in the spring, and if a 

 little salt, be mixed with it, it will assist in correctinj: the evil. 



Marl should be raised for a considerable time before it is used, as 

 exposure to the atmosphere dissolves its mineral ingredients, and pre- 

 pares them to become the food of plants. 



Every farmer should prove the rfficacy of manures by experiment 

 be it on ever so small a scale. If we can raise a hushd of wheat on a 

 square rod of land, we can raise 160 bushels per acre, (in some cases 

 more has been raised.) If we can grow half a bushel per rod, this is 

 at the rate of 80 bushels per acre ; one fourth of a bushel per rod, is 

 40 bushels per acre, &c. 



Market gardeners are enabled to raise immense crops of vegetables 

 by having their soil deeply iilUd, well manured and sufficiently stocked 

 with plants; and farmers might derive a useful lesson from the suc- 

 cessful gardener, who can inform him that one acre properly man- 

 aged will produce more than ten acres badly tilled and insufficiently 

 manured. 



I have pointed out the necessity of drainage; if stagnant water be 

 not removed a full crop of wheat cannot Iso obtained. 



How often do we see a fine crop injured by neglect or mismanage- 



