!14 " Cone Wheat" — Lime, a Septic or Anti-Septic. Vol. V. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 "Cone Wheat." 



Extract of a Letter, dated March 17, Carroll Co., Md. 



" I HAVE often been astonished (when think- 

 ing on the subject) that no one as yet has in- 

 troduced into this country, the wheals known 

 in England by the name of Turgid Wheat, 

 (Triticum Turgidum.) These species, of 

 which there are several varieties, says Pro- 

 fessor Low, are chiefly suited to the inferior 

 clays, upon which they are extensively cul- 

 tivated in England. Though the grain is 

 coarse and hard, tliey are, on these days, 

 very productive both of grain and stravv*. 



In this country no attention has been paid 

 to the suitableness of the soil, to any particu- 

 lar plant or variety. Here you will see them 

 planting turnips and carrots, and sowing bar- 

 ley on stiff clays; and in like manner with 

 other articles of culture, without any regard 

 to the fitness of things, and never ibink of 

 charging the failure to the proper cause. 



When a grain or plant is introduced from 

 a foreign country, it is not because of its 

 adaptation to any particular soil, but of some 

 intrinsic excellence, and the proper kind of 

 soil is left entirely out of view. Hence one 

 great cause of the difference of opnion, on 

 the many articles introduced from time to 

 time. 



Low mentions a variedly of the tnrgd wheat, 

 called "Cone Wheat," as being ihe most 

 highly esteemed ; which, if introdiced into 

 this country, would be a great acqusition to 

 such of us as have these inferior days. A 

 large portion of my farm is of this description, 

 with a great deal in the neighbouiliood and 

 some of the adjoining counties; besides, Ad- 

 ams, and part of York counties in }our state, 

 have very much of this kind. Ot many of 

 these lands, the crop of wheat faili more or 

 less every year, in consequence )f sowing 

 the finer kinds; and perhaps no oie but my- 

 self has thought on the introdu:tion of a 

 wheat to suit this kind of soil. I think the 

 individual that v.'ould introduce a variety for 

 this description of soil, would nally prove 

 himself to be a public benefactor. 



D. Z." 



We are well acquainted with the vrioty of the 

 "Tiirgidiini" here spoken of It is very oarse in the 

 straw; grows sometimes to a great heijit, and often 

 yields ahnndantly, even on poor, cold soig. The ears 

 are remarkably large, and full to the tfe, having a 

 square form and well set; but the chaflis extremely 

 thick and heavy, and covered with a whit down, which 

 covering is a most perfect preservation b the grain in 

 a wet harvest, the rain not being ableto penetrate, 

 even after days of incessant falling. Iiisuch seasons, 

 the crops of Cone Wheat are very valuale, and bring 

 the best prices of the best white and red cheats, as they 

 are in request to grind with the tiner vrieties, which, 



having suffered by the rains, cannot be made to grind 

 well wilhout a nii.xture of Cone Wheat, being added 

 periodically to clear the stones. In kindly seasons, 

 Cone Wheat never commands the highest price, for at 

 best it is an inferior sample, and the flour from it is not 

 fine; hut as a resource, or a crop for a cold and thin 

 soil, it can be taken with the expectation of a fair 

 average crop, even under adverse circumstances. No 

 wheat crop is so beautiful while growing, nor is it lia- 

 ble to be blown down, the straw being reedy and par- 

 tially solid, which quality, it is hcliesed, would be the 

 means of rendering the crop fly-proof. It is not liable 

 to be attacked while ripe by small birds, the chaff l>eing 

 so thick, hard and close. — Ed. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Lime — a Septic or Anti-Septic. 



Upon my word, Mr. Editor, the science of 

 agriculture seems yet to be but slightly un- 

 derstood: if \.\^e practice of the art had not 

 been better performed, I fear we should by 

 this time have been brought to short allow- 

 ance. Atler all that has been written and 

 said on the subject, it would appear that the 

 very simple (juestion, whether lime be a sep- 

 tic or an anti-septic, is still unsettled, and as 

 far as ever from a satisfactory adjustment. 

 Well then, since the great iolks differ so 

 widely, I feel an inclination to try my hand 

 at a theory of my own ; and should 1 be ever 

 so far from the truth, I cannot differ more 

 ti-om tliat, than your correspondents on the 

 subject do from each other. 



In the 3d vol. of the Cabinet, page 284, is 

 an article in which the writer ventures, seem- 

 ingly with much diffidence, to inquire whe- 

 ther it inight not be possible that lime acts 

 either as a septic or an anti-septic, just as the 

 article is used in excess or otlierwise; and he 

 alludes to the well-known property of table 

 salt, which operates exactly in that way — a 

 small quantity bringing on fermentation, while 

 a larger quantity prevents it altogether; act- 

 ing in the first instance as a septic, and ii^ 

 the latter as an anti-septic. Now I would 

 ask, first, whether decomposition can take 

 place without fermentation ! and second, 

 whether fermentation can take place if either 

 acid or alkali be in excess] For rniglit not 

 any animal substance be as effectually pre- 

 served from decomposition by being immersed 

 in vinegar, as in lime-water? And does it 

 not then appear pretty clear that lime, in 

 proper quantity, might be the means of neu- 

 tralizing an over-dose of acid, and thus ope- 

 rate as a septic by inducing fermentation ; or 

 if applied in quantity to form an alkali in ex- 

 cess, to prevent it altogether, and thus be- 

 come an anti-septic] I repeat, therefore, can 

 decomposition take place without fermenta- 

 tion ! and can fermentation take place, if 

 either the acid or alkaline principle be in 

 excess] And is not this a law of nature] 

 A Young Examiner. 



