2U 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



FALLOWING AND WHEAT-SOWIXG. 



Mb~ Editoe : — The question of naked fallows in 

 connection with wheat-growing is one which is of 

 great practical importance to the farmer, and respect- 

 ins which much may be said, for and against If 



cisely as our existence ceases when one of the con- 

 ditions of existence is inoperative, or as a clock 

 would stop if a single wheel is taken from it 



The next point of interest demanding our notice is 

 to inquire, What are the elements of our crv^p?, ami 

 in what proportion are they removed by cultivation 



land designed for wheat is infested with weeds, such from the soil ? We find by analysis that they con- 

 as dock, thistle, red root, &c., no substitute so eco- 1 sist chiefly of potash, soda, lime, magnesia, and sesqui- 

 nomical in time and labor for a good thorough fallow ! oxide of iron, combined with carbonic acid, sulphuric 

 can be easily found — the ground to be worked with ! acid, muriatic acid, or chlorine, and ammonia. Some 



the plow or cultivator as often as weeds shall have 

 fiurly commenced growing ; but the work must be 

 thoroughly done if you wish to clean your ground — 

 no half-way work will answer. 



To know when to fallow to advantage, presupposes 

 a knowledge of the elements of soils and plants, and 

 the effects of disintegration and pulverization of the 

 soil. All lands are not equally benefitted by this 

 process — Nature never fallows her ground unless all 

 the elements of fertility are exhausted or absent 

 Some plant is growing on nearly every soil, which, 

 by its growth, decay, and ultimate decomposition, 

 fits the land for a different growth of vegetation. 



It is a fact known to all, that, with hardly an ex- 

 ception, the constant growing of a wheat or grain 

 crop in any given locality for a term of years, causes 



of these compounds are soluble in water, viz., the al- 

 kaline salts. The earthy salts are soluble in diluted 

 muriatic acid. The silicates are mostly insoluble in 

 either water or acids. 



Sor.LT, in his Rural Chemistry, estimates that in 

 a crop of Hopetou wheat, averaging 20 bushels to 

 the acre, there are removed from the soil, in the seed, 

 about 10 flj-s. of phosphoric acid, 7 lbs. of potash, 

 I ft), of soda, and a little more than 2 lbs. of mag- 

 nesia ; in the straw, about 60 lbs. of silica, 6 lbs. of 

 phosphoric acid, 5 lbs. of sulphuric acid, 9 lbs. of pot- 

 ash, 3 lbs. of magnesia, and nearly 1 lb. of soda. 

 From the above estimate, we can easily see how com- 

 paratively easy is the cultivation of wheat on a virgin 

 soil, compared with one that has long been tilled. In 

 the one case, all these elements are present ; in the 



the return of seed to become steadily less and less — ! other, many have been entirely removed. But good 

 the rapidity of decrease depending much on the I husbandry will restore these needful elements as fast 

 original fertility of the soil, and the kind of grain [ as economy and prudence will allow. Many good 

 sown. This fact was known for thousands of years j cultivators manure the ground liberally for hoed 

 before the reason why was discovered ; and it was crops the year previous to the rotation for wheat ; 

 only by the application of inductive chemical research then by piowin? deep, and turning under aU the 

 that the cau.se became evident AU cereal or grain surface vegetation, with the cultivator and harrow 

 crops are composed of certain minerals and certain pulverize and render friable the soiL 

 gases, the proportionate quantities in combination In many sections of the country, a serious obstacle 

 varying with the kind of grain. All fertile soils con- 1 to the growing of wheat is found in the ravages of 

 tain the same mineral substances ; and it has been I the fly ; and it has been feared by some that the 

 proved by repeated experiments that if these mineral j wheat crop must be abondoned for a while, until the 

 substances are wanting in any soil, the proper growth | insect shall have disappeared. Late sowing is gene- 

 of the plant, and perfect development of the seed, ' rally recommended by tho.se who have the best 

 cannot take place. We also know that Vjy the | knowledge of its habits. Mr. Charles TAXcy, of 

 agencies of heat, light and moisture, the seed be- 1 Buckingham county, Va, in the Patent Office Report 

 comes a plant: and that the plant, by means of its ' for 18.51, .snys "that of late years the He.ssian fly is 

 spongioles, or absorbent vessels at the extremities of \ scarcely dieaded. The improvement of our lands 

 its roots, selects from the materials present in the soil | and better tillage, with a little later sowing, has 

 tho.se appropriate to its own growth and develop- j le.ssened their damage greatly." The experience of 

 ment It is also found that these elements must be I the present year, however, seems to negative the con- 



in a soluble state. 



By the influences of heat, light, moisture, and the 

 presence of the atmosphere, these inorganic elements 



elusions of former years; for in many parts late-sown 

 wheat has suffered most. So that we are stiU de- 

 pendent on a more exact knowledge of the habits and 



are constaiitly being decomposed, and becoming fitted | instincts of the iasect in question. Dr. Harris urges 

 for the food of plants. When v.e wish to analyze } the importance and necessity of destroying the larvje, 

 any snSstanc^r-, of whatever description, we reduce it or maggots, of the wheat insect left in the chaff! 

 to a state of powder, if it can be so reduced, or dis- ' He says : "It may be found expedient to reap the 

 solve it in liquids, before we apply our tests and re- 1 wheat early, or before the maggots have left the 

 agents. Precisely the same thing is accomplished ears. Theiusects will then remain in the chaff and 



by the pulverization of the soil. By the agencie- 

 before rnentionefl the organic or vegetable matter 

 contained in a soil decays, the inorganic is decom- 



dus-t after the grain is threshed and winnowed — with 

 which they should be burnt. If this be neglected, 

 and the maggots are left to descend from the grain 



po.sed ; and the greater the degree of pulverization, 1 in the field, or are scattered with the chaff and dust 

 and the greater the extent of porous surface, so to I around the barn-yard, the ground will be well seeded 

 gpeak, the more rapidly are these changes induced ' for a plentiful crop of the insects in the following 

 We should all take notice that these various sub- 1 year." 



stances mast be offered to the growing plant simul- \ To prevent smut, soak your seed over night in 

 taneously; for the perfect development of the plant | strong brine; dry it with slaked lime or strong ashes, 

 is checked if either of these elements is wanting, pre- and sow the same day. In conclusion, I wodd tirge 



