54 



THE FARMER'S MONTHLY VISITOR. 



Raising Wheat ia the Connecticut Hirer 

 Valley. 



We take pleasure in layinu- bcfbie tlie readers of 

 tire Viaitor the following essay froui our old friend, 

 jVI.nj. JoiiM \V. Weeks, whose example as a cul- 

 tivator of the soil is no Jess worthy of imitation 

 than his courage and noble daring during the last 

 war with Great Britain, particularly on tlie Niaga- 

 ra frontier, are worthy of the thanks and gratitude 

 of his country. Maj. Wcekr-, wliile not engnged 

 abroad, cither in militarj' or civil life, has long pur- 

 sued tlie honorable profession of .a firmer: his farm 

 is situated in the upper region of the fertile valley 

 of the Connecticut, probably three hundred miles 

 from its mouth, on whose meandering banks are 

 some of the most proliiic meadows in the United 

 States, and in the rear of which to the top of the 

 mountains the lands are of almost equal fertility. 

 Farmers of so much judgment aud diserimination 

 as Maj. Weeks, who have watched the progress of 

 vegetation in all the variety of seasons, arc able to 

 furnish more useful information than the mere the- 

 orist : May the following be but the comraence- 

 jnent of a series of essays in the Visitor from the 

 same hand. 



Lancaster A". II., March 31, ld39. 



Hon Isaac Hill, — Dear Sir : — I have been a 

 wheat grower in small quantities for thiity seven 

 years, and during that period, have endeavored to 

 discover the causes of disease in that grain, and otli- 

 ers of the small kind, but with less success than 

 could be wished. The many essays, theories and 

 opinions oti tliis subject, published in our agricultur- 

 al papers, have been even more unsatisfactory, 

 which induces me to hazard what 1 believe may be 

 true, yet possibly may not. 



It is probably apparent to all observers, that soils 

 of a calcareous character, with a due proportion of 

 decomposed vegetable matter, are best adapted to 

 the growth and perfection of the whe.it crop, with- 

 out much regard to latitude, and limited only, by 

 the scorching rays of a tropical sun, or the 'frin-id 

 reg'ions of the iSorth. 



The cause of smut, it is believed, has bafiled ev- 

 ery enquiry ; its cure has not been so unsuccess- 

 ful. Seed wheat washed until it gives no color to 

 the water, and undergoing a small degree of fric- 

 tion, from the hand or in some other wav, so as to 

 be sure it is perfectly clean, tlien mi.\-pd with stronn- 

 wood ashes, in such quantity that each kernel 

 may become coated, is probably the most cheap aud 

 elfectual remedy. 



With regard to rust, without controverting the 

 chimerical idea of animalcule urged with so much 

 zeal by certain writers in Maine, and mnny other 

 theories equally destitute of even plausibility. 1 

 shall at once state what is believed to be correct on 

 that subject. When, during the vicissitudes of most 

 climates, about the time the kernel is formino', the 

 growth is unusually propelled by a succession of 

 verj' humid and warm days and nights, t!ie nutri- 

 tive lluid, of course, passingwilh much force, and 

 the stalk being very tender, it will burst into many 

 small apertures, through whicli the sap will jiass to 

 the outside, ami when dry, form what me call rust, 

 tliereby leaving the kernels without that nourish- 

 ment essential to their developement. 



Farmers distinguish a red and black rust, both 

 having the same cause ; but tlie latter actitiT v.'ith 

 more force, is injurious in the same ratio. Old farm- 

 ers can judge by the weather when the wheat is 

 injured by the rust, without e.\ainlning the stalk. 



Blight is probabl}' occasioned by a want of lime 

 in the soil. 



I have not been able to even fancy tlie cause of 

 Mildew. 



About thirty years ago, wheat was very much in- 

 jured by the Hessian fly ; it commenced operations 

 as soon as two leaves were out of the ground. 1 have 

 found them where the sprout was attached to the 

 kernel, but much more frequently at the first joint 

 of the stalk. In both cases, by depriving the root 

 of its food, it changes color, withers and dies. 



But the great destroyer of wheat lately, is what 

 is perhaps improperly called the wcvil. Its ap- 

 pearance, nature and operations are identical ivith 

 the Hessian fly, except tlie wcvil (as it is calledj 

 in its chrysalis state is deposited by its parent in 

 the hull, at the time the wheat is in blossom, and 

 the hull open for impregnation. The fly and its 

 chrysalis has been so often accurately described, 

 that I shall say nothing on the subject. I have seen 

 twelve of the young craft in one cell, where the 

 kernel should be, and nearly in that ratio thromrh- 

 out the head. Their depredations cease the mo- 

 ment the kernel is "out of the milk," or becomes 

 hard, so that if but one is in operation on tlie same 

 kernel, something may be saved to the farmer, per- 

 haps half a kernel, one or two thirds, accordin"- to 

 the health and voracity of the animal. This, how- 



ever, is contrary to the opinion :% of a writer (I think 

 in the iS'ew England Fanner) who contended that 

 these depredations were carried on even in the mow, 

 and that his cars were so acute, he had heard tiiem 

 feeding. The story reminded me of two Irishmen, 

 who were walking within half a mile of a very liigh 

 steeple. Says one to the other, "Can you see tliat 

 horse fly on the top of yon steeple .•"' "No, fath," 

 replied tiie other, "but I can hear him step." 



In the spring of 1630, my wheat ground was in- 

 undated by Connecticut river, till ne.ar the first of 

 June. On that day my wheat was sown. The 

 croj) wa? great : no wevil to injure, or early froot. 

 Since that year we invariablj' liave sown between 

 the 25th and 31st of May, and have suffered com- 

 paratively nothing from the wevil, receiving from 

 eighteen to twenty-nine bushels from the acre, on 

 our alluvial lands. Our hills, v/hicli are elevated 

 two or three hundred feet, produce wheat in great- 

 er perfection; the north side being preferable to the 

 south, owing to the wind being usually in that 

 quarter. This drives away the flies, scatters an un- 

 due quantitv of hninidity, and equalizes the tem- 

 perature of the air, Vhich is very essential v/h'.le 

 the kernel i.s forming. These grounds produce 

 from tv/enty to thirty-five bushels to the acre, 

 v/eighing si.xty to sixt3'-two p lunds to the bushel, 

 and yielding forty pounds of fine flour. 



I have known in two or three instances forty 

 bushels grown on the acre, but such cases are very 

 rare. 



Animal manure, in soils having little or no lime, 

 is essential to the wheat crop ; but if laid on in 

 large quantities, it will produce an abundance of 

 straw, fatal to the wheat. This, however, is an 

 evil not often encountered. That proportion usu- 

 ally found on old pastures is perhaps about right. 



My mode is the following; after haying we turn 

 over the green sward, the later in the fall the bet- 

 ter, with as even a surface as possible. The next 

 spring, after harrowing lengthwise of the furrows, 

 sow v/ith oats ; reap when many are rather green. 

 Tiien cross-plough immediately. The ne.xt sprino-, 

 again cross-plough and harrow well. Then in the 

 hill and by spreading, use twenty or twentv-five 

 loads of n-ood nranure. Plant to corn and potatoes, 

 hoe the first three times without raising much of a 

 hill; the latter twice, raising a hill of some size ; 

 the last hoeing to be before tlie potatoes begin to 

 set. When tlie crop is off, again plough, and a- 

 gain in the spring. Then liarrnw ; sow somethino- 

 short of two bushels of wheat to the acre, (prepar- 

 ed :is before mentioned) then cross harrow and sow 

 one peck of herds gr.ass seed and four pounds of 

 clover seed to the acre. Again harrow and roll. 

 Trust Providence, who has not disappointed me. 

 I have sowed the white bearded wheat twenty-five 

 years ; j'et often trying samples of other kinds, but 

 thus far, have reverted back to the old stock. A 

 kind of Siberian bald wheat on poor soil does well, 

 and if one must sow early, is less injured by the fly, 

 but it is more likely to crinkle and lodge. 



In England, six hundred years ago, eight and ten 

 bushels to the aero was considered fair. Two hun- 

 dred years since, the culture of wheat there was 

 much as it is here now. Yet at this time, in some 

 counties, forty bushels to the acre is an average 

 crop, weighing sixty-three pounds to the bushel, 

 and with so thin a hull, that it affords more than 

 fifty pounds of flour. And will not the Anvn-ican 

 people improve their wheat crop, with such induce- 

 ments before them.' 



My 'yarn' has unconsciously been 'spun' to a 

 much greater length, than was anticipated when I 

 sat down, but you will do with it as you please. 

 With high respect,! am, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



JOHN W. WEEKS. 



Treatment of Cattle in Winter. 



Jlmlorc-r, March Vt, 1830. 

 Dear Sir: — Many expedients have been resort- 

 ed to for the purpose of keeping cows and other 

 cattle clean in winter. The first I ever noticed, 

 was tried in a village of Holland, celebrated for the 

 neatness of its farmers : they tied up their cows' 

 tails in such a manner that they could not reach 

 the floor. This would only effect it in part, and 

 that too wlih considerable trouble. The next I now 

 think of was the plan pursued by Mr. Wm. Bart- 

 lett, on his farm some ten miles out of Newbury- 

 port. The occupant, Capt. Joseph Brown of this 

 town, informed ine that it was quite a task to obey 

 the old gentleman's orders in this respect, which 

 were peremptory. He would have his cattle look 

 right when he rede out to see his farm : it v.-as no 

 matter about the profit. His manner was to drop 

 one jilank behind the cattle, perhaps four or six 

 inches; aud as some of the cattle were shorter 

 than others, I cTpect tills was somcv.hat difficult. 



I think he also put straw under them. Another 

 plan recommended by Esq. Searle of Franklin was, 

 to keep cows in stalls, a.j team horses are now 

 kept, with beds, fastened with length enough to 

 stir themselves. This would be a good phin, but 

 too expensive to be likely to be adopted by a large 

 portion of farmers. Then the recommendation in 

 the Visitor for Feb. 183:t,headed "cattle leanto,"all 

 can see. I will only mention what I think excep- 

 tionable. And first, I think the floor or bed recom 

 mended if there was enough of it would make ma- 

 nure well, but no better than my plan ; and, sec- 

 ► ondly, it would destroy all idea of the cleanliness 

 unless there was a large amount of bedding. Any 

 one would readily see that a creature placed more 

 than half the time for six months in the same spot 

 would require considerable attention and hibor to 

 keep them clean as they are in summer. Thirdly, 

 if gentlemen farmers should visit each other and 

 should be invited to look at the stock, this kind 

 of floor would not be so nice as a clean barn floor 

 of plnnk or some other material for tiiera to walk 

 on. My leanto for the cows is fii'tcen feet wide. 

 Fourthly, I do not think it a good plan to have cat- 

 tle, and especially calves, kept confined close for 

 so much of the time during our long winters. A 

 part of the time they may be fed abroad in the yards; 

 but when the snow is falling or it is very bluster- 

 ing, many farmers put up their cattle early and let 

 them remain until late the next day, thereby de- 

 priving them of water too long, and of an opportu- 

 nity to stir about, lick and rub as they generally 

 do. 



The recommendation to keep cattle in cellars or 

 basements, is the best plan, so far as it goes, that I 

 know any thing about, and the only reason why I 

 have not pursued it, is because mj- barns and sheds 

 were built before it was thought of, and on level 

 ground. They are now so arranged that the sheds 

 are directly behind the leantocs. 



But there are objections to the plan as it is laid 

 down in the Visitor, which I am unable to over- 

 come ; first and smallest, the cows are more un- 

 wilf nir to be troubled for their milk in winter than 

 in summer, and it is more iiecessarj- to confine them 

 when tliey are milked. Secondly, I can think of 

 no way to prevent the older and stronger ones from 

 takino- the best ])laccs and best locks of hay or other 

 fodder, and if there should not be quite a plenty at 

 all times, from driving away those we would wish 

 to have fare best. Thirdly, and last I shall now 

 mention,is the impossibility of feeding them as they 

 should be with tlie rut:i baga and carrots, which 

 you all know must not be d.spensed v.-ith. I rais- 

 ed one hundred and twenty bu.shels of the above 

 roots in my garden the last seascn. I understand 

 they have been raised at the rate of one thousand 

 bushels to iiie acre. This information I received 

 from Mr. Loomis of Fairlee, Vt. who had himself 

 rai,5ed tliem, t tliink year before last. Beets I have 

 not tried; tiiey may be better yet. 



Now for my plan, very simple, easy and cheap. 

 I go to the barn in the morning, throw some hay in- 

 to the floor, then open the door, and the cattle will 

 be in their places almost as soon as I can convcn- 

 ientlj' place the hay before them. A light touch 

 of the fork to each sf-ntlal and they are safe. 

 Some rough bo»rds are placed between them in 

 such a manner, that each has its separate propor- 

 tion, and the otliers cannot rc.b him. Here, if I find 

 that one needs a better lock of hay or a larger amount 

 of roots than anotiier, wliich is, I may say, always 

 the case, I can easily make the difference. When 

 they are properly fed, being clean as in autumn, 

 they are curried or carded nice, for this is the most 

 profit of any thing we do, costing almost nothing : 

 it in fact gives us some employ, which is rather a 

 blessing than a curse. For this purpose I have a 

 pair of common wool cards, in order to rub them 

 together for the purpose of removing the hair and 

 dust from both. 



Then comes the time for obtaining the milk, and 

 if vour cows are well fed as above, you will be able 

 by milking them clean, at intervals of about tvv'olve 

 hours, to have milk all the year without any farrow 

 cow. The caltle are now loosed. V.'e throw orts, 

 straw, &c. into tlie yards, when they are clean by 

 being frozen and covered with snow. Something 

 of this kind should be put under the sheds for lit- 

 ter, but it can be dispensed with in case of a scar- 

 city. 



About 5 o'clock, P. M. we again invite our herds 

 into the barn, which invitation is very readily ac- 

 cepted : they are again fed and turned out, aud 

 seldom, if ever, lie down in the barn. The manure 

 is now a second time nicely removed from the floor, 

 and of course is never frozen down, and as they 

 have been in the barn only long enough to eat, this 

 will be found a very light task compared with that 

 when they arc kept in eighteen hours. 



