HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF WHEAT. 
345 
the theory of its concentrating ammonia in the soil 
from the atmosphere, we have very contradict¬ 
ory authority. Liebig asserts it, Johnstone ques- 
tions it, and Dana denies it; yet the increasing 
fertility its application produces, would seem to 
give the weight of experience in favor of Liebig’s 
views. 
The chlorine and soda, if not furnished by the 
ashes in proportions sufficiently large, may be pro¬ 
cured by the application of common salt, which 
yields both. The phosphoric acid may be obtained 
in any required quantity, by the addition of bones, 
which, dry or calcined, yield both that acid and 
lime, phosphate of lime constituting 86 per cent, 
of bones. Most soils contain alumina in abundance 
to furnish the food requisite for wheat; yet as it is | 
one of the most valuable soils for this grain, both ' 
as seizing upon and retaining ammonia, and fur¬ 
nishing a firm foothold for the roots of the plants, 
it is important that lands intended for this purpose, 
should be adequately supplied with alumina as a 
top-dressing, if naturally deficient in it. 
MfeWe have, then, above, all the inorganic mate¬ 
rials for the purpose required. But there is about 
97 per cent, of the crop yet to be made up of the 
organic constituents, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and 
hydrogen. How shall they be provided for ? 
First, by the selection of a calcareous or clay soil, 
which will furnish a proper bed for the roots of 
the.plant, and by their peculiar mechanical texture 
and chemical composition, will not only hold the 
manures incorporated with them, but also draw 
some of the requisite constituents largely from the 
air; the former absorbing carbonic acid, and the 
latter ammonia. 
Second, by the liberal application of common 
farm-yard manure, to a crop preceding that of 
wheat, which will leave a rich mould highly con¬ 
ducive to an abundant yield of perfect grain. An 
instance has been recently given, of a Maryland 
farmer raising large successive crops of wheat, by 
the application of putrescent manure directly upon 
the grain, and all injurious effects were obviated 
by the use of a moderate quantity of lime. This 
is a practice, however, which has not been found 
generally to be successful, causing either blight, 
or such rapid and luxuriant growth, as to crinkle 
and lodge. This effect is also produced in peaty 
and rich alluvial soils, where the silicate of pot¬ 
ash, so essential to the formation of a strong, up¬ 
right stalk, is not furnished in a quantity large 
enough for the object. 
Third, the liberal use of charcoal scattered 
through the soil. It is claimed from its use, that 
the wheat crop of France has been largely aug¬ 
mented within the few past years. Several in¬ 
stances of its greatly beneficial effects, have been 
noticed in this country; though its influence has not 
hitherto been felt on wheat, by an extensive Virginia 
planter, in two or three recent experiments. The 
great power of condensing gases peculiar to char¬ 
coal, was noticed by some of the early chemists. 
Murray mentions it, and Saussure gives a table of 
results, in which he shows that perfectly dry char¬ 
coal from boxwood, will absorb 90 volumes of 
ammonia; 85 of muriatic acid ; 65 of sulphurous 
acid; 55 of sulphuretted hydrogen; 35 of carbonic 
acid, &c. This condensation takes place in its 
pores, and does not produce any alteration, or new 
chemical compounds of the gases thus stored up; 
but their use in an agricultural point of view, is 
invaluable; for while the coal yields no fertilizing 
matter from its own substance, being nearly indes¬ 
tructible, it takes from the atmosphere in great 
abundance, and hoards up for the future use of the 
plants, one of the most evanescent, as well as most 
useful materials for their perfection, viz., the nitro¬ 
gen contained in the ammonia. 
A fourth means for procuring a good yield of 
wheat, is by alternating with clover, and turning 
in a liberal share of it as a preparation for the 
wheat. This is practised extensively throughout 
I the wheat districts of the United States, and has 
resulted in great benefit; for besides yielding a. 
portion of food to the grain, it keeps the ground in* 
the best possible mechanical condition. 
A fifth means, is to return all the straw and 
chaff to the soil, as they contain a large quantity 
of the identical materials required for a succeeding 
crop. 
With the foregoing causes in full action, and 
an adequate supply of moisture, whether from 
rains, dews, or artificial irrigation, the crop will 
draw largely from the atmosphere for the supply 
of its required organic constituents. Carbon will 
be furnished from its carbonic acid; nitrogen from 
its ammonia; hydrogen from its vapor, dews, and 
ammonia; and oxygen from air, water, and soil. 
The use of all these materials, together with the 
selection of the best varieties of seedy will give 
the first three requisites of a wheat crop; large 
measure, heavy weight, and much flour. 
Manures peculiarly adapted to the object, will 
tend in the highest degree to produce the greatest 
quantity of gluten , the most valuable portion of 
the flour. It is true, that climate has much to do 
in condensing, ahd of course, improving the value 
of wheat. It is a general principle, that the 
warmer and drier the climate where it is grown, 
the more valuable the grain. Wheat from the 
south of Europe, is worth more than when grown 
in the north; and that from any portion of the 
United States, owing to our superior dryness of 
climate, is more nutritive than what is produced 
in Great Britain. This difference is increased from 
8 to 14 per cent, in favor of the American. Gluten 
varies in wheat from 8 to 35 per cent.; in rye, 9 to 
13 ; barley, 3 to 6; and oats 2 to 5. The quality of 
wheat with regard to the quantity of gluten it con¬ 
tains, is nicely estimated and fully regarded by 
accomplished bakers. 
The nitrates of potash, or soda, are frequently 
used in England to increase not only the quantity, 
but especially the quality of their flour, a practice 
the high prices of land and produce may render 
profitable there, though it is hardly to be expected 
they could generally be used in this country to a 
profit. In an experiment lately tried in England, 
one acre of wheat dressed with one cwt. of nitrate 
of soda, gave 42-£- bushels, weighing 60£ lbs. per 
bushel; another acre dressed with two cwt. yield¬ 
ed 471 bushels, weighing 60| lbs.; while an un¬ 
dressed acre, in every other respect similar to the 
others, yielded only 21\ bushels, weighing 61 lbs. 
