652 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



But the vital question now is: How shall we meet these changed 

 conditions? When we have learned how best to meet them, the question: 

 Can farmers of Kosciuslio County afford to gi-ow wheat at present prices? 

 will be answered in the affirmative, and we will have the key for solving 

 many other farm problems that are worrying us at present. 



Since many of Nature's original means of enriching the soil with humus 

 and making it both absorbent and retentive of moisture have been cut off 

 by the farmer, he must provide some substitute that will accomplish these 

 ends and yet interfere least with his desired cropping. Stable manure 

 would probably best accomplish this, but there isn't enough to go around 

 as often as necessary unless it be on a stock farm growing but little 

 grain. If the farmer can afford to let his land miss a grain crop every 

 three or four years, nothing will equal clover if he can get a stand that 

 will stand long enough, and the first or second crop turned under. When 

 you get a good stand of clover don't try to cheat Nature and yourself by 

 removing all but the roots. For a (juick growing, go-between or catch 

 crop the soy bean and cowpea are best suited. They are deep rooted, 

 hence stand drouth well; make a large top growth and shade ground well 

 during the usually dry and heated month of August; and, like clover, 

 furnish both humus and nitrogen to the soil. 



I presume those following me and the general discussion will bring- 

 out the best methods of preparing the ground, seeding, etc., so will only 

 say along this line, commence to plow early so as to have a chance to 

 plow when ground is in good condition with reference to moisture — so it 

 rolls over in a grainy condition; harrow after every rain (if they don't 

 come too often) to compact the plowed-under soil and keep a loose surface; 

 then any time after the middle of September, preferably after a rain, 

 drill in good clean wheat not deeper than from i/> to IMr inches, and if you 

 expect a full brood of Hessian flies, just sow a peck or half bushel more 

 per acre for the flies' sake. 



A little study of the gi'owth of the wheat plant from tlie grain will 

 make clear my reasons for recommending the above depth and time for 

 seeding. In the germination of a grain of wheat two tilings occur: sending 

 upward a single shoot to form the stem, and downward and sidewise a set 

 of roots to support the stem. For convenience we will call these primary 

 roots and shoots, the only ones the nutriment in the grain can develop, 

 and after this the sustenance of the plant must come from the air and 

 soil. By a wise provision of nature, in the course of time new roots and 

 shoots are developed, providing the plant has sufficient vitality to accom- 

 plish this work; and when not injured by insects, and can feed in a rich 

 soil, and nourished by favorable weather, it never fails to accomplish 

 this extra work. These new shoots or "stools" we will call secondary 

 plants, and the extra set of roots secondary roots. Only one pri- 

 mary plant comes from the grain, but a score of secondary plants 

 may spring from the primary or parent one, and all start from just 



