144 
be sown in the month of March, even if it becomes necessary to wade 
over shoes in mud to do the work. I am of the opinion that this is ex¬ 
travagant talk, and do not think the writer manifested very extensive 
knowledge of practical farming. The idea of wading ‘ over shoes in mud" 
for the sake of having wheat sown in March, is a rule that will not work 
well with us in Wisconsin. But just as soon as the ground is fit for stir¬ 
ring, which is generally in this country about the first of April, the seed 
should be put in and covered, first with a cultivator, then follow with a 
harrow, which will leave the ground in excellent order. Many farmers 
practice rolling wheat ground after the crop is put in ; the advantage of 
this is said to be this—it presses down the soil and enables it to retain the 
. moisture, if the season happens to be dry. On the contrary, I think it 
may be said that if the season happens to be wet the rolling will render the 
ground harder and cause it to bake. The quantity of seed that is generally 
sown to an acre in this country is not far from one and one half bushels 
on new ground, and from one bushel and three pecks to two bushels on 
old ground. I am in favor of sowing wheat rather thick. The reason 
why a less quantity is required on the sod is, that the crop having the 
full strength of the soil the grain spreads and makes as much straw, or 
more, as two bushels of seed on old ground. The danger of too great a 
growth of straw with heavy seeding, is feared too much in Wisconsin; 
as also the idea that it will be liable to lodge and to be struck with rust 
if it is sown thick ; the fact is, the crop is greater if the ground is well 
seeded. The land is evidently strong enough to sustain heavy seeding, 
and with it, in favorable seasons for wheat, I have no doubt but that the 
yield will be from three to six bushels per acre more, and, as I believe, 
with no more liability to rust or become injured than that which is thinly 
sown. It matures and ripens just as fast, or faster, than half or two- 
thirds of a crop. The best course then that I can advise farmers to pur¬ 
sue, if they desire to raise wheat, is to endeavor to grow a full crop by 
putting in plenty of seed. Crops are liable to fail, but be not afraid of 
rust or blight, nor be alarmed if now and then a spot in a field lodge 
down, it only indicates a heavy crop ; the chances are, that but little in¬ 
jury thereby will happen to it in the aggregate. The injuries that have 
befallen the wheat crop, since the settlement of the country, have princi¬ 
pally been occasioned by winter killing, which has successively happened 
to winter wheat, and the blight or rot as some term it, to spring wheat. 
