THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
ately plump wlieat, are spread over 87,130 
linear feet, thus depositing the grains about an 
inch and three-quarters apart. Nevertheless, 
we are asked to believe by those who are in¬ 
terested in disposing of a novel kind of drill 
(which is claimed to make a broad furrow, and 
so spread the grain more than a common drill) 
that the seed is crowded, one grain upon an¬ 
other, when the furrow is an inch and a half or 
two inches broad. A little figuring sets this 
matter right, and no one who uses a drill need 
fear to lose seed from the grains crowding each 
other when even a bushel and a half of seed 
are sown. 
The Quantity and Selection of Seed. 
From the above it may be gathered that a 
bushel per acre is pretty thick seeding, and 
that if we could drill a peck per acre so that 
the seed could he dropped evenly six inches 
apart each way, the ground would be entirely 
covered. Tbe fact is, our seeding is too thick, 
if the seed is good and no plants arc winter- 
killed. It is questionable if a large number of 
plants are not killed out during the winter 
by reason of thick sowing. It is common 
enough to find wheat tiller and spread so much 
that 30 or even 50 seed stalks grow flora one 
root. This cannot happen without room. If 
Buch roots grew one foot apart each way and 
each root bore 20 stalks having each 50 grains, 
the crop would be 70 bushels per acre. If each 
ear had 100 grains, the crop would he 140 bush¬ 
els per acre. I have just counted the grains in 
an average ear of wheat (Clawson) aud find 
35, aud in tbe best ear I could pick out, 1 find 72 
grains. I have grown Treadwell wheat with 
ears having 110 grains, and have counted 35 
ears on one stool where three peeks of seed 
were sown and that was badly thinned out by 
a neighbor's pigeons. An English seed-grower 
by the constant selecting of seed from the longest 
oars aud plumpest graius from those ears, has 
produced what he calls “pedigree seed,” 
which is vastly more prolific than the ordinary 
grain. We see that it is in the length of the ear 
that we can gain in our yield, as well as iu tbe 
multiplication of stalks from each root, and 
here a largo field opens for individual effort of 
each wheat-grower iu the improvement of 
varieties, 
Professional Seed-Growing. 
In every locality there is an opening for a 
business in geed-growing. Farmers at a dis¬ 
tance from tire larger cities and from seed 
dealers, find it difficult to procure good seed 
and would gladly pay double price, or more, 
for an extra selected quality. There is every 
inducement for an enterprising farmer to 
make money iu this way. Let him prepare a 
piece of grouud now in the very best manner, 
manure it well aud apply superphosphate lib¬ 
erally ; sow thinly, in drills; hoe and cultivate, 
if he will; pick out by hand before harvesting 
every cockle, garlic aud other weed, which 
usually infest wheat; harvest carefully, se¬ 
lecting the longest, fullest ears; thrash by 
hand; winnow aud sift again and again ; and 
not content with that, follow the ancient max¬ 
im and “pickout by hand” the plumpest seed. 
Part of this he may sell to his neighbors who 
will soon find out what he is about, and the 
best he may sow for himself. Let him repeat 
this year by year until he makes a well-de¬ 
served reputation, and his fortune is made; he 
will certainly find more than he can do to sup¬ 
ply a very narrow locality, and need fear com¬ 
petition but very little, for there is not one 
man in a hundred or a thousand, who possess¬ 
es the pertinacity, perseverance, industry and 
carefuluess, that are needed to succeed in such 
a work. 
--♦ ♦ ♦ - 
EARLY PLOWING FOR WHEAT. 
It is extremely dry in this locality and this 
fact has brought to my mind the importance 
of plowing early for wheat. Our best farmers 
throughout this section of the country, begin to 
plow the oat aud barley stubble as soou as the 
gram is cut, and find that the yield is from 20 
to 50 per cent, better than when the ground is 
plowed merely in time for sowing. At present 
it is impossible to put the ground In good con¬ 
dition because of tbe drought; while that 
which was prepared from four to six weeks 
ago, had the advantage of the rains at that 
time and is now iu fair condition. 
The difference iu the yield when the soil is 
plowed early and when it is plowed late, is 
probably due to this fact:—the free plant-food 
when the oats and barley are cut, has been 
nearly, if not entirely, exhausted, and the soil 
needs to be aerated aud pulverized and mois¬ 
tened iu order that. it may set free a uew sup¬ 
ply for the coming crop of wheat. When the 
soil i6 plowed late, it is evident'that it has had 
no opportunity to set free the proper amount 
of plant-food, and the yield of wheat is neces¬ 
sarily less thau in the former ease. 
This half summer-fallowing,so to speak,I have 
found to be very advantageous. OurUniversity 
wheat experiments—about thirty in number— 
are not yet thrashed, bat after four years’ 
careful experimenting. I am convinced that 
superphosphates are useless upon pine aud 
’hemlock lands, although they work like magic 
on maple and beech lands. I can assign, as 
yet, no reason for this, but the majority of the 
farmers in this locality have come to the same 
conclusion. I should be glad to hear the ex¬ 
perience of others upon different kinds of 
soil, with phosphates. 
The farmers here are, many of them, sowing 
Fultz instead of Clawson wheat, because the 
millers complain that the Clawson does not 
makegood Hour; but there is, nevertheless, a 
general opinion that the Clawson yields the 
most half-bushels. Prof. I. P. Roberts. 
Ithaca, N. Y. 
(Etitomo logical. 
WHEAT INSECTS. 
PROFESSOR CYROS THOMAS. 
Wheat, having traveled over a large part 
of the world since it left its native habitat, has 
gathered on its march a host of insect ene¬ 
mies until now there is not a stage of its 
growth, from germination to maturity, in 
which it is not subject to tbe attack of one 
or more of these Iocs. Nor do they leave it 
when it is harvested, but follow it to the stack 
aud barn ; and thence to the granary, store¬ 
house and mill. Iu the short space allowed 
here I can but briefly notice a few of the mere 
destructive species. 
Wire-worms.—(Elatkrs). It is probable 
that there are several species of these insects 
tbat injure the wheat in our country; but so 
far only one has been traced to the perfect 
state. This is a little black beetle about three- 
eights of an inch long, and is scientifically 
known as the Agriotes mancus—Say—As I 
have elsewhere stated, I have but little faith 
in 6ueli applications as 6alt, lime, soot etc. 
The starving process Is the only sure remedy; 
plow up the grouud and leave it fallow for a 
season; stir it repeatedly and keep it free from 
vegetation. 
The Joint-worm. —(Isosoma hordei, Harr.) 
This is a minute yellowish-white, footless, 
maggot, which forms and resides in little 
swellings at the base of tbe stalk near the 
first or second joint, on the sheath of the 
blade or in the joint. In its perfect state it 
is a minute, black, four-winged liy or kymen- 
opterous insect. Us presence is indicated 
by the growth of the plant being checked 
when some eight or ten inches high, the low¬ 
er leaves turning yellow, and the stalks be¬ 
coming bent. As it remains in the stubble or 
straw during winter, tbe remedy is to burn 
the straw aud stubble immediately after har¬ 
vest. 
The Chinch Bug. —(Blissus lencopterus, 
Say.). The U. S. Entomological Commission 
is now gathering facts in reference to this in¬ 
sect and studying its history, preparatory to 
an article in their next report. I have re¬ 
cently been studying the relation between its 
development aud the meteorological condi¬ 
tions, aud have been somewhat surprised 
at the approach to regular periodicity in 
Illinois, although this evidently depends on 
the character of the season. In Illinois the 
years of chief development were as follows: 
1840. 1845, 1850, 1854-7, 1862, 1808, 1871,1874. 
Cleau culture, burning rubbish, etc, in 
which they eau winter, are the best remedies 
yettried, where irrigation is impracticable. 
From letters received by the Commission, 
this species appears to be almost unknown 
south of the latitude of Tennessee. 
The Hessian Fey. —(Ceeidomyla destructor, 
Say.). The CJ. S. Eutomologieul Commission 
is also studying the history and habits of this 
species with a view of noticing it in their 
next report. Space is too limited here to 
attempt the history and habits of it or the 
chinch-bug. 
As the pupae (in the flax-seed stale) are on 
the lower part of the stalk, aud usually not 
perfected until after the wheat is cut, burning 
the straw immediately after the harvest, if 
proper co-operation could be obtained, would 
ultimately eradicate this pest. The remedy is 
within the farmers’ reach, if they will make 
use of it. Where winter wheat is cultivated, 
late sowing may be resorted to with good re¬ 
sults, if the fall is favorable. 
The Army-Worm. (Heliophila unipuncta. 
Haw.), Although this species is chiefly destruc¬ 
tive to timothy meadows, it generally does 
more or less, aud occasionally serious injury 
to the wheat crop. It is, in fact, a cut-worm 
< in its normal condition, developing largely and 
assuming a migratory lmblt under certain con¬ 
ditions and from certain causes not yet 
thoroughly understood. 
Iu my controversy a number of years ago, I 
took the position that this species was two- 
brooded iu Southern Illinois, aud that it passed 
the winter in the pupa state or chrysalis. Not¬ 
withstanding all that has been said to the con¬ 
trary, recent investigations made by myself 
and Prof. French, have proven beyond reason¬ 
able doubt that both my positions were correct. 
That it ever passed the winter In the egg state 
I think cannot be shown; hibernating in the 
perfect state is the exception. Of a large num¬ 
ber of moths taken the past spring not one had 
wintered over. It may, therefore, be truly said 
that the history of this species remains yet un¬ 
written. That the worm is not essentially 
migratory, I am confident from the fact that I 
have noticed in the same inclosure a portion 
remaining during the entire larval stage seden¬ 
tary, acting as true cut-worms, while others of 
slightly different age were migrating. The 
sedentary ones were traced to the perfect state 
in order to be certain of their specific identity. 
Ditcbingagaiust them is, so far,the best prac¬ 
tical means known of preventing them from 
eutaring into and destroying wheat or other 
crops. Fortunately a kind Providence has pro¬ 
vided an ample cheek in (lie shape of a host of 
parasitic insects, so that we never see them 
largely developed for two consecutive years. 
The Wheat Aphis. —(Sipkonophora avenai 
Fab ). This plant-louse appears occasionally on 
the wheat in great numbers, exciting the fears 
of the farmers who often suppose them to be 
the Hessian fly or wheat-midge. As a general 
rule they dr> but little injury, and soon disap¬ 
pear, especially if one or two copious rains 
fall. If the season should bo dry, their drain 
upon the sap may result iu serious injury,and 
especially iu preventing the grain from filling 
out. No practical remedy for them has been 
discovered. It is easy to kill them on a small 
scale, but the attempt to do this over the 
field would cost more than the crops saved 
w ? ould be worth. 
Tbe Wheat-Midge. —(Ceeidomyia (Deplosis) 
tritiea. Kirb.). “ Minute orange-red maggots, 
one-eighth of an inch long, crowding around 
the kernels of wheat, causing them to be 
shriveled and dry when ripe. Tbe maggots 
descend into the ground and spin minute co¬ 
coons from which, iu the following June, come 
bright orange-colored midges." [Fitch.) 
The eggs of this insect are deposited iu the 
chaffy scales of the flowers ; where they hatch 
in eight or ten days, producing the little 
orange-colored maggots which, at first, are 
almost transparent; when fully grown they 
are about one-eigbtJi of an Inch long. They 
crowd around the growing gram, and by with¬ 
drawing the nourishment, cause it to become 
shriveled and aborted. Before assuming the 
pupa state, they usually go into the ground, 
where they at length spin a little silken cocoon, 
in which they remain until the following June, 
when they are transformed into bright yellow, 
minute two-wiuged flics. 
In addition to the foregoing we can only 
allude to the following in the space allowed. 
The Wheat-head Army Worm.— (Helio¬ 
phila Harveyi. Grotc.). This species is closely 
allied to the common army-worm, but differs 
from it slightly in habits. It feeds upon the 
heads of wheat and other small grains and 
grasses in various partB of the northern 
United States. I have observed the common 
army-worm do the same thing. 
The Wheat-Turips.— (Semothrips tritiea. 
Fitch.) A minute insect found iu the flower, 
aud on the head of wheat, sucking the juices 
and thus dwarfing the grain. 
TnE Grain Weevil.— (Sitophilus granarius 
Lion.). This is well kuowu as Injuring stored 
wheat, the little grub living aud undergoing 
its transformations iu the graiu. The perfect 
insect is a little snout beetle about one-eighth 
of an iuch long, with cylindrical body of red¬ 
dish-brown color. 
The Rice-Weevil. — (Sitophilus oryzae. 
Linn.) is similar to the preceding, the habits 
being nearly the same, the beetles differ only in 
this having two bright red spots on each wing 
cover. It usually infests rice, but often does 
serious injury to wheat, attacking it iu the 
shock, stack and barn, and even before being 
harvested. 
Stored wheat may be bust protected by fre¬ 
quent winuowiugs and airings; if badly 
affected, drying by the Aldine process will 
prove effectual, 
The Grain-Tinea.— (Tinea granclla. Linn.), 
is a minute caterpillar devouring the interior of 
stored wheat, tying tbe grains together and thus 
rendering them unsuitable to be manufactured 
into flour. This caterpillar is transformed 
into a minute niotk the following season. It 
is an imported insect and very injurious, and 
generally well known. 
The Angocmois Grain-Moth.— (Geleehia 
cerealella. Linn.) The usual lmbit of this 
species is to devour stored grain, it being one 
of the most troublesome species with which 
those who have stored grain have to contend 
in this country. I have also found that it, like 
the Rice Weevil, will sometimes attack the 
jrain before the wheat is thrashed, aud even 
while standing uncut. 
For this and all species found iu the granary, 
the best practical remedy is frequent winnow¬ 
ing, stirring aud airing the graiu. Kiln-drying 
will be effectual, but It is almost impracticable, 
[f these insects should become very bad at a 
point where large quantities of wheatare stored 
and the winnowing should fail to eradicate 
them, it might be profitable to pass it through 
an Alden or some similar drier. In elevators 
nrAolalnn fnr more thoroui/b W innOWinH 
can be made if necessary, and this and frequent 
stirriugs will generally prove effectual. 
There are several other species that attack 
this valuable cereal, but these are all we can 
allude to at present. 
^Iictji gustmnki). 
MUTTON AND WOOL—No 1. 
PROFESSOR K. W. STEWART. 
The present discouragements in dairying 
will, uo doubt, tempt niauy to change from 
tbat to w'ool-growiog. I certainly do not ad¬ 
vise any one to change from an established 
business, but to those who have determined 
to change from cows to sheep, or to those 
who are about to enter as fresh experimenters 
upon sheep husbandry, I wish to present a 
few points for their consideration. The con¬ 
ditions of sheep-keeping have very materially 
changed within the last twenty years, and 
more rapidly within the last leu. Formerly 
sheep were kept almost wholly for the fleece. 
The flesh of sheep was counted on more as 
horse flesh is now in France—to be utilized 
when notbing else could be done with tbe an¬ 
imals. When the sheep was too old to be 
profitably as a wool grower, its carcass was 
disposed of for any price offered. Perhaps 
more than half of all the carcasses were merely 
used for the tallow. Mutton has not been a 
popular food in the United States until with¬ 
in a few years, aud oven now it is not ap¬ 
preciated as it is in England. But the con¬ 
sumption of mutton is increasing rapidly, aud 
sheep husbandry is destined to be prosecuted 
here as in England:—first, for the mutton and, 
second, lor the wool. It is therefore impor¬ 
tant that the enterprise should be considered 
iu all its aspects before entering upon it. 
Not ouly lias increased attention been given 
to mutton iu this country, but a large market 
has opened for our best mutton in England, 
aud this is likely to be extended to the Con¬ 
tinent. Those who understand and will fol¬ 
low the best English system of mutton breed¬ 
ing aud feeding, need have uo fear of the 
want of a market. But the old system of 
sheep breeding and feeding—making the 
lleece the principal object—has no louger a 
profitable footing in this country, except on 
the Western plains and the Pacific slope. 
When land has more than a nominal value, 
the mere wool product can never pay. But 
sheep husbandry is destined to a great revival 
in the older States, and to be carried on with 
as much system, and every part of the busi¬ 
ness to be utilized as carefully as is done in 
England. If English farmers are able to produce 
mutton at a profit on laud worth $200 to 
$300 per acre, surely the farmers of 
the Middle aud Eastern 8tates must be able to 
accomplish this on land worth only from one- 
fourth to one-third of these prices. It must 
be done with a breed of mutton sheep—good j 
feeders, maturing early aud bearing a profita¬ 
ble fleece. There are several breeds perhaps 
that might come under this description; but 
tbe writer believes the best result may as 
likely be reached with a judicious cross of 
mutton breeds upon the American Merino or 
Its high grades. If the Cotswold, Leicester, or 
South Down be crossed upon the Merino or 
its good grade ewes, the result is a great im¬ 
provement in both the fleece and carcass. 
The wool sells for a top price, and the lambs 
are sought by the butcher. The breeder should 
never use a grade ram, for then uo one eau 
tell the result, as the teudeucy is so strong to 
breed back toward one or the other of the 
origiual types, that there can be no uniformity 
iu such a flock; whereas, by using a prepotent 
thoroughbred ram, bis get will have a uni¬ 
formity toward the fixed type desired. 
Great care must be taken to select a male 
with an even and properly developed carcass, 
as well as a Eound and vigorous constitution, 
aud also an even fleece as regards fineness of 
fiber, as well as length and strength of staple. 
Iu other words, the breeder must have a stan¬ 
dard toward which he seeks coustautly to 
progress to perfect his flock. lie will succeed, 
best if ho fully understands that the sheep is 
plastic in his bauds, that he may mold it al¬ 
most at will, aud soou create a breed of 
sheep to suit his ideal form aud purpose. 
He Is not confined to the types now ex¬ 
isting, but lie may modify them in the man¬ 
ner mentioned. As he 13 breediug for mutton 
first, and fleece second, he takeB the male from 
the mutton type, aud crossing upon the Mer¬ 
ino or its grades—the most perfect wool-pro¬ 
ducing breed—he progresses toward the mutton 
type rapidly without materially losing iu value 
of fleece, whilst he is greatly improving the 
Merino for mutton. The cross animal pro¬ 
duced will have an Increased vigor, of consti¬ 
tution given by the Merino dam, and this cross 
continued, with proper judgment in selection, 
will become more adapted for the purpose 
intended—mutton and wool. The breeder 
having a purpose In view, keeps his eye 
l\. _ _I .1_!_ A mnlnhoa t Vlti 
_il . 
