70 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
their number will daily decrease, amongst the rising generation they shall 
count but few; 1'or the diffusion of knowledge, in every department of 
life, is fast diverging to an unknown circumference. The sun of agricul¬ 
tural science has now arisen in the east, already he has attained some al¬ 
titude, nor shall he cease to ascend until he culminates and bursts with a 
flood of meridional glory upon an enlightened and happy agricultural peo¬ 
ple. I am, sir, yours respectfully, 
WM. JOHNSON. 
EFFECT OF LIME AND SALT ON WHEAT. 
On the J 7th of October last, I sowed a small lot in wheat; in passing 
through it a few days since, I was surprised to find that about one-half the 
field was pretty well set, the other part not having more than one stalk in 
a foot square, on an average, being all pulled up by the severe frost of the 
winter, and lying on top of the ground. This, at first, appeared to me.un- 
accountable. I knew I had sowed the same kind of wheat, and within 
two hours of the same time. It appeared to follow a direct line across the 
field; on one side, it stood sufficiently thick for a good crop, on the other, 
not enough for one-filth of a crop. After a little leflection, I recollected 
that with the view of taking out the chess or cheat, I had treated one- 
half the seed in the following manner, viz: I saturated a quantity of water 
with common salt, in order to increase its specific gravity, so as to cause 
the cheat to swim on the top; into this solution I threw one-half the seed, 
and removed the cheat. In order to enable me to sow the wheat imme 
diately, I rolled it in lime, to make it dry; this was the only difference in 
circumstances that occurred. In order to ascertain whether this treatment 
had any agency in producing the appearance above described, I followed 
the direct line formed by the good wheat on one side, and that which was 
ulled up hy the winter on the other, to the fence, where I recollected I 
ad made a mark in a rail with my knife, at the time of sowing, when it 
appeared, that the line across the field precisely corresponded with the 
appearance of the wheat, on one side of which the salted and limed wheat 
was sowed, on the other the dry wheat. Indeed, so distinct was the line 
of separation, that the most casual observer could not. avoid noticing it. A 
few days since, I took a friend into the field, (after relating the circum¬ 
stance.) I requested him to start in the middle, and follow the line, and 
see if he could discover the mark on the fence; he went directly to it 
On a more minute examination, there appeared to be more than four times 
as many stalks standing on equal surfaces of the limed part, than the other; 
and those on the limed part have a much more vigorous appearance. 
The foregoing is merely a statement of the facts, as they appeared at 
this time. The following questions nuturally arise: 1st. Was it the lime 
or the salt which produced the above results? 2d. Was it either? If so, 
8d. How did they operate so as to prevent the frost from destroying the 
young wheat, all other circumstances being so near alike? 
In answer to the first question, it will require farther experiments to de¬ 
cide, which, alone, exerted the influence, so as to produce the effect de¬ 
scribed. I believe it is an admitted fart with agriculturists, that both, un¬ 
der certain circumstances, exert a powerful influence on vegetation. 
In answer to the second query, I have no hesitation in saying, from the 
facts above stated, that the salt and lime, either singly or together, pro¬ 
duced the difference in the two sides of the field. 
In answer to the third query, I will make a few remarks. So far as I 
observed, the wheat came up on every part of the lot at the same time, 
about twenty days after it was sowed, (the weather was cold and unfavora¬ 
ble.) When the roots of the wheat on the limed part are examined, they 
appear longer and more numerous there than on the other part. I have 
but little doubt, therefore, that the lime and salt exerted an influence on 
the growth of the roots of the wheat, during the winter, increasing their 
number and their strength, so as to enable them to resist the severi y of 
the winter, and hold fast to the soil; whilst on the other part, the roots re¬ 
mained comparatively as they were when winter set in, being late sowed, 
the roots guned but little hold, and not increasing in number nor size, 
were readily pulled out by the. frost. I think it probable, that the same 
difference will not be observed in early sowing; full time will be given 
for the roots in both cases to attach the stalk firmly to the ground, so as 
equally to resist the influence of the frost; therefore, but little difference 
will be observed. 
Whether this view of the subject be correct or not, I leave to farther 
experiment and to those more conversant tn the matter to decide. It has 
occurred to me, that much of the benefit which is said to be derived from 
rolling seed wheat in lime,* to destroy the Hessian fly, has arisen from the 
fact, that the lime enables the young wheat to resist the winter; a much 
# From frequent experiment and minute observations, I am entirely satisfi¬ 
ed, that rolling seed wheat in lime does not exert the least influence, in pre¬ 
venting the ravages of the fly. unless as here stated; particular attention to the 
habits of that insect, for upwards of seven years, has convinced me that it ne¬ 
ver does, (as is generally supposed,) deposit? ns ova or egg in, or on, the 
grain of wheat, but invariably on the stalk, through the blade or leaf, and near 
the first joint. The first deposit© is made just alter it comes up, the second 
about the 25th of April, consequently no agent applied to the seed, with the 
view of destroying the ova or egg, can be of the least service, except as here 
stated. 
greater number of stalks remaining (as in the field just described) on the 
limed part, than on that which is not limed. The chances are much in¬ 
creased, (if the flies are not numerous,) that many stalks in the former 
will escape their ravages, when most of the latter, because of their being 
less numerous, will be attacked and destroyed. 
I have thrown these remarks together hastily, with the view of attracting 
the attention of others better qualified to examine the subject. If farther 
experience and observation should go to establish the facts which I have 
submitted, there is a probability, of that much loss sustained by late sowing, 
(to avoid the ravages of that destructive insect,- the Hessian fly,) may be 
avoided. If you, or any of your numerous correspondents, have made 
any similar observations, I would be glad if you would make them public 
through the columns of your useful paper. You will have observed, that 
the foregoing facts have not been advanced (as is too often the case,) to 
establish a favorite preconceived theory, the whole being the result of ac¬ 
cident, as I had no other object in view than the removal of the chess or 
cheat from the wheat. JEFFERSON SHIELDS. 
Emmetsburgh, Ml March 23 d, 1837. 
EXTRACTS, || 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. ~ 
A series of well written numbers upon this subject has been address¬ 
ed to the farmers of Canada, through a Montreal paper,by William Evans. 
As we consider this one of the most important subjects to bring before 
our readers, we make the following extracts from the second number of 
the series, and commend them to the particular notice of all who wish to fit 
their sons for usefulness and respectability in life. 
TO THE FARMERS OF CANADA. 
Agricultural improvement , by the education of those that are engaged 
in it as a profession. 
“ What are the advantages that are likely to result, from the useful, prac¬ 
tical, and general education of the agricultural class? 
“ To this question I reply, that an improved system of agricultural ma¬ 
nagement would inevitably tie introduced, by which it would be possible 
to augment the produce and returns obtained from the cultivated land, and 
stock in these Provinces, to double what they are at present, and in many 
instances, much more; and I am firmly persuaded, that no material im¬ 
provement will ever be effected in the agriculture of the Canadas, until 
farmers do become usefully and generally educated. I have not arrived 
at these conclusions, without giving those matters consideration. I know 
too well that farmers, above all other classes of men, have an antipathy to 
change, and object to innovation, and that there is no means of removing 
their prejudices, but by education, which would enable them to examine tho¬ 
roughly the changes that would be recommended to their notice, and look 
steadily at all the bearings of questions that would affect their interests. 
They would then, from conviction of their own minds, adopt with alacri¬ 
ty all measures that would be likely to augment the means of happiness of 
themselves, and their families. It is then that the natural fertility of this 
fine country would be taken full advantage of, the fields would be well 
cultivated, and yield abundant crops: the flocks and herds would be judi¬ 
ciously chosen, well managed and fed; good and ample means of internal 
communication would be provided. Ail matters in any way connected 
with agriculture, would clearly exhibit the industry, the skill, and intelli¬ 
gence of those engaged in husbandry, and raise the yeomanry of these Pro¬ 
vinces to that high station they are entitled to occupy in this community. 
If education can produce these results, and no doubt it would, how highly 
should it be desired and prized by those engaged in agriculture. It is true, 
that agriculture may be practised by imitation, without any knowledge of 
its theory; but in this case it will generally remain stationary. The mere 
routine practitioner cannot advance beyond the limits of his own particu¬ 
lar experience, and can never derive instruction from such accidents as 
are favorable to his object, nor guard against the recurrence of such as are 
unfavorable. He can have no recourse for unforeseen events, but ordi¬ 
nary expedients; while the educated man of science resorts to general 
principles, refers events to their true causes, and adopts his measures to 
meet each case.” 
“ I expect to be able to establish the fact clearly, that & judicious edu¬ 
cation will diminish crime, and increase the means of human happiness; 
and if I am able to do this, it is a matter of the first importance in every 
country, that the inhabitants be usefully and gtneral'y educated; and 
more particularly the agricultural class, who, I maintain, will receive 
more certain benefit from an education that is suitable for them, and in¬ 
cur less risk of injury to their habits and usefulness, from this education, 
than any other numerous class of this community. There is much more 
danger that some of the educated inhabitants of cities and towns would 
••ecotne idle and useless mem ers of society, than that properly instructed 
agriculturists should become so. But ia any situation, the education that 
will not be productive of good to the individual, must be defective. 4 The 
most enlightened are. the most reasonable—-the most reasonable feel more 
