90 



Mediterranean Wheat. 



Vol. VII. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Mediterranean Wheat. 



Six years ago, which was about the time 

 of the general failure of the crops through- 

 out the union, the Mediterranean wheat was 

 first introduced into this section of the coun- 

 try. It was said to possess some good pro- 

 perties and many bad ones, — among the lat- 

 ter, were its short ears, coarse grain and weak 

 straw, which occasioned it always to fall be- 

 fore harvest. In the consideration of most 

 farmers who had not tried it, and of some 

 who had, its bad qualities outweighed the 

 good, and they therefore concluded that the 

 culture of rye would be more safe and profit- 

 able, than that of wheat of such an inferior 

 kind. Had they all, in the beginning, given 

 it a fair trial before they passed judgment, 

 the result would, no doubt, have led to a dif- 

 ferent opinion, and have removed the preju- 

 dice they entertained against it. 



In every fair experiment which has been 

 made with this wheat, from first to last, it 

 has proved successful, and under circum- 

 stances where other kinds, which were con- 

 sidered the best and most hardy, have en- 

 tirely failed. Let the soil and the season be 

 as they may, it always appears healthy, and 

 is certain proof against most of the accidents 

 to which other wheat is liable. The grain, 

 it is true, appears coarse and of a dark com- 

 plexion, and it is certainly very large, so 

 much so, as almost to lose its resemblance 

 to its species; but in the quantity and quality 

 of flour from the bushel, it is quite equal to 

 the finest varieties of wheat. In weight it 

 never lacks, but usually overruns from three 

 to five pounds in a bushel; and even this sea- 

 son, when all other wheat falls far below the 

 standard weight, this exceeds it. Notwith- 

 standing its short ears, which have always 

 been regarded as an objection to it, being 

 considered as an indication of a small pro- 

 duct in grain, it generally yields about seven 

 bushels to the hundred sheaves, though some- 

 times less, where it has to struggle against 

 bad farming; yet often more, where it has 

 the advantage of a favourable season and 

 proper cultivation. 



This season, on a soil and under circum- 

 stances where other wheat yields only from 

 ten to fifteen bushels of inferior grain to the 

 acre, this produces from twenty to thirty, 

 and that of superior quality; and the straw 

 of the latter is perfectly bright and free from 

 rust, while that of the former is blackened 

 by it, and very much injured. On a soil too 

 thin for other wheat, this will grow and 

 prosper. It will resist, effectually, the fly, 

 rust, mildew and smut, and everv other ob- 



stacle, except bad farming, — it will not grow 

 for a poor tanner, and if in any instance it 

 does fail, it is from this cause alone. 



In preparing the ground for this wheat, 

 where the soil is naturally strong and healthy, 

 barn yard manure should not be applied, as 

 it would prove an injury, rather than a bene- 

 fit, by causing too rank a growth of straw, 

 and occasion it to fall before it is ripe or fit 

 to gather. The land in other respects, 

 should be treated and cultivated as for other 

 wheat, or better if possible. It should be 

 two or three times properly ploughed, and 

 also well harrowed, and be completely pul- 

 verized throughout, to the depth of eight or 

 ten inches, — as this wheat delights peculiar- 

 ly in a deep mellow seed bed, and has an 

 aversion to slovenly and imperfect tillage. 

 To ensure a good crop, it should be sown, in 

 this latitude, at any time between the 1st 

 and 10th of September, but never later. It 

 is for that reason I do not recommend it to 

 lazy farmers, as they would not have their 

 ground in proper order for it so early in the 

 season, and it is never willing to wait for 

 " three white frosts," as sluggish farmers al- 

 ways do, before they sow their wheat. This 

 wheat is generally ripe ten days, or a fort- 

 night sooner than other wheat, and should 

 then be gathered. It should also be stored 

 away as soon as the straw is dry after it is 

 cut, and if possible, before it gets wet, as 

 much moisture will darken the colour of the 

 grain, and also soon cause it to grow in the 

 sheaf. P. W. 



Rural Retreat, Northampton co. Pa., Sept. 6, 1842. 



To make home happy. — Nature is indus- 

 trious in adorning her dominions ; and man, 

 to whom this beauty is addressed, should feel 

 and obey the lesion. Let him, too, be indus- 

 trious in adorning his domain — making his 

 home, the dwelling of his wife and children, 

 not only convenient and comfortable, but 

 pleasant. Let him, as far as circumstances 

 will permit, be industrious in surrounding it 

 with pleasant objects — in decorating it, with- 

 in and without, with things that tend to make 

 it agreeable and attractive. Let industry 

 make home the abode of neatness and order ; 

 a place which is enticing to every inmate, 

 and which in absence draws back the heart 

 by the fond associations of comfort and con- 

 tent. Let this be done, and home will be- 

 come doubly dear. Let parents who would 

 have their children happy, be ambitious to 

 bring them up in the midst of a pleasant, a 

 cheerful, and a happy home. Waste not 

 your time in accumulating wealth for them ; 

 but strive rather to plant in their minds the 

 seeds of virtue. — Sdected. 



