130 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the common harrow. Seed sown in this manner, we must 

 admit, " is at the mercy of the harrow, the winds, the birds, 

 the insects, and the clouds." The practice of the best Enghsh 

 and Western wlieat-growers is, to plant with the drilling 

 machine. The advantages claimed for this method, over broad- 

 cast sowing, are, that time and labor are economized, seed is 

 saved, and a larger yield secured. It is estimated that other 

 things being equal, drill-sown grain will yield one-fifth more 

 than that sown broad-cast. We trust tlie time is not distant, 

 when the extent of our wheat fields will justify our farmers in 

 the expense of using this instrument of cultivation. 



The proper time and manner of harvesting wheat are items 

 of great importance. The general practice is believed to be 

 far from correct. Klippart, an able writer on the wheat plant, 

 makes the following judicious remarks on this topic : " The 

 most judicious millers and grain dealers are decidedly in favor 

 of early harvesting, and certainly their opinion is worth some- 

 thing. In New York, and indeed in all the great grain-growing 

 States, the practice of cutting grain before it is dead ripe, 

 universally prevails. With them, the exact time when it 

 should be cut is no longer a matter of doubt, all being perfectly 

 convinced that the right period is indicated by that change 

 which the grain experiences when passing from a milky state, 

 to that of complete hardness ; or, in other words when it is in 

 the dough, and when the kernels without being sticky are 

 not sufficiently hard to resist the pressure of the thumb and 

 finger. The proper maturity for cutting may be judged of 

 more accurately, perhaps, if described as that when the stalk 

 immediately below the head, for two or three inches, becomes 

 yellow and dry, consequently cutting off the circulation — and 

 the grain, though soft and doughy, ceases to yield any milk 

 on pressure. This occurs about a fortnight before the seed 

 becomes dead ripe." 



In early harvesting, greater care and attention must of 

 course be given to the curing of the crop. It should be 

 allowed to lay in the swarth but a few hours, especially if 

 the sun be shining clear and warm at the time, but be bound 

 in small bundles, lest the grain should dry too quickly, and 

 immediately place the bundles in stacks, of a circular form, 

 six or eight bundles in a stack, and cover them with a 



