328 PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE. 



field when it is fully ripe, and select the longest and fullest 

 heads, from which seed loheat may he raised the folloicing year. 

 If this course is pursued, the crops will constantly increase in 

 value. 



The quantity of seed \)et acre for winter wheat, may be one 

 bushel and a half, if sowed in September so that the stalks 

 may spread themselves. If sown in the spring, at least two 

 bushels per acre should be employed. 



The soil for wheat should be a deep loam, perfectly fine, 

 dry and light; containing a good proportion of clay and car- 

 bonate of lime. It should be thoroughly and deeply pul- 

 verized. 



Wheat should not be sown on green manure, but a clover 

 ley, or a potato crop the previous year is the best prepara- 

 tion. 



The depth at which it is sown should be two inches, un- 

 less the land is very finely pulverized; in which case it will 

 flourish much better, if it is placed only one inch below the 

 surface. The ground must be thoroughly drained, and if 

 the sub-soil plough is used, it will very much increase the 

 value of the crop. Wheat requires phosphates and substan- 

 ces rich in nitrogen. It will therefore be improved, by add- 

 ing to the soil, salts of ammonia, lime, clay, saltpetre or 

 bone manure. 



There is nothing worthy of notice in the mode of harvesting 

 this crop. It should be left standing until the grain is fully 

 ripe and hard. 



Diseases and enc?nies. Wheat is subject to disease, and to the 

 attacks of insects, which are frequent causes of its failure, 

 and which render it in many places an uncertain crop. The 

 principal diseases are rust, smut, and mildew or blight. 



1. Rust is a well known disorder, in which the straw be- 

 comes covered over with a red powder like iron rust. This 

 stops the growth, and renders the grain shrivelled. Rust 

 takes place either in a season of drought, or in July and Au- 



