328 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



in finding the best remedy for sncli evils. The farmers could gather much that 

 is valuable from the experiments and teachings of the professors ; while on the 

 other hand he believed the professors would not go back empty-handed to the 

 College after listening to the practical experiences of the farmers. 



The chairman announced that Lieut. Gov. Sessions, of Ionia was unable to 

 be present, but that he had prepared a paper which would now be read by Rev. 

 L. B. Potter, subject 



A^^IEAT CULTURE. 



Wheat has long been an article of prime necessity in all civilized countries. 

 It enters largely into the commerce of the world. For its transportation ships 

 are built, canals and railroads are constructed, and large forces of men are 

 employed in liaudling it. An immense amount of machinery is used in its 

 manufacture into flour and feed for men and animals. 



The soil and climate of Michigan are remarkably well adapted to the produc- 

 tion of wheat; and where the methods and circumstances have become suitable, 

 both the quality and the product have been satisfactory. To-day Michigan wheat 

 holds a leading position in the markets of the world. Xo other single product 

 of the soil has done so much for the comfort and indej^endence of our people. 

 In our early settlement it Avas the main, and at times almost the only reliance 

 for food and supplies, and the payment of debts. For long 3^ears we had no 

 surplus but wheat, and nothing else has done so much to aid in the improve- 

 ment, progress, wealth, and jirosperity of the State. 



The important questions now are: 1st, Can we increase the product? 2d, 

 Can we do it without exhausting the soil? 



The statistics furnished by township supervisors in 18 Ti show that the pro- 

 duct of wheat per acre in Michigan for the year 1873 was a trifle over 134- bush- 

 els. Though these statistics are often inaccurate, and sometimes based on 

 unreliable estimates, yet they contain the best information within our reach, and 

 evidently are not far from the truth. Is there any farmer who is proud of or 

 pleased with such an average? or who believes it to be a fair indication of the 

 capacity of Michigan soils for the production of wheat? What man of tiiem 

 all would perform the labor and furuisli the seed, knowing the return would be 

 so small? 



It requires the same amount of seed, and often equal and perhaps more labor 

 is expended in raising poor crops ; and yet tiie fact remains — no one disi)utes 

 or questions it — that more than half the acres sown to wheat in Michigan pro- 

 duce less than thirteen bushels, while other and often contiguous acres prodiice 

 two, three, or four times that amount. Labor so employed as to produce good 

 results is both creditable and honorable ; but to labor to no purpose is waste and 

 folly, and the labor and seed wasted in vain elforts to produce wlieat, when 

 it ought not to be sown, and by methods that are unwise, is an immense item in 

 the losses occasioned by misdirected effort. 



Any farmer who has a good dry pasture or meadow which needs re-seeding 

 to grass, is in a condition to produce a good crop of wheat. The land should 

 be once plowed in June, and well plowed, in such a manner, if possible, as to let 

 all surface water run off. The fallow should be kept clean, the surface made 

 mellow, and sown with good clean seed, on or near Sei)t. 1. If the weather after 

 sowing is wet and warm, and the wheat is making a rank and tender growth, it 

 should be fed by cattle enough to check it and give it a sound, healthy condition, 

 before winter is too near ; as wheat may grow so rank and tender as to be unable 



