684 
quality of grain, which is the absence of hedges 
and hedge-row trees. A preparation which ap- 
pears adapted for peat-soils is to plough the Jand 
shallow, drill-roll, and hand-dibble the seed in 
the grooves annned by the roller, and then cover 
the seed with the harrow. The solidity given to 
the soil by this method is what is absolutely ne- 
cessary on the spongy peat-soils. The rolling, 
and treading, and -depth at which the seed is 
deposited prevent the plants being thrown out 
by alternate frosts and thaws; and, giving the 
root a good hold of the soil, insome measure pre- 
vent also the crops being lodged or becoming root- 
fallen. With respect to dibbling, we may observe, 
that it is acknowledged to be the means of 
obtaining a stiffer straw; and hence the pro- 
priety of hand-dibbling at a cost of 7s. or 8s. per 
acre on a loose peat.—On freshly broken-up 
grass-land, oats are preferred to wheat; though, 
after the surplus vegetable matter of the soil 
has been reduced by burning, tillage, and the 
mechanical application of suitable earthy matter, 
wheat can be grown of good quality. Of course 
these remarks on fresh broken-up land are ge- 
neral, though not applicable to every case.—It is 
an acknowledged fact, applicable to every de- 
scription of soil, that the land prepared for 
wheat cannot be too stale or solid, provided it be 
free from weeds, and the surface sufficiently 
mouldy to cover the seed. 
“Tf a sufficiency of farm-yard manure could 
be obtained, there would be little necessity for 
any other, inasmuch as it contains all the ingre- 
dients requisite for producing every kind of crop. 
But let it be understood that the dung should be 
composed of the excrements of animals well fed 
under cover. It has been before observed, that 
when dung is to be applied in liberal quantities 
for the benefit of wheat, it should, if practicable, 
be put on the land previous to sowing a preced- 
ing root or pulse crop; for thus those ingredients 
of the dung, whi . only tend in their first effect 
upon the land to .orce an over-abundant growth 
of straw, will have been extracted, leaving the 
land in a good state for wheat. Where root or 
pulse crops are not grown, the dung should be 
applied to naked fallows for wheat as early in the 
summer as possible. Though the practice of ma- 
nuring immediately before sowing the wheat is 
objectionable, it is still adhered to in many parts 
of the country. A compost of earth and dung is 
highly beneficial on light chalky and silicious 
soils. Four or five loads per acre of farm-yard 
manure and half a folding with sheep are a good 
manure for wheat, and frequently adopted by 
the farmers of the midland counties. A very 
large proportion of land is manured for wheat by 
means of the sheep-fold alone, especially upon 
dry soils, where great benefit is derived by its 
solidifying the ground; it has also a tendency to 
kill the slugs and other destructive insects, or at 
least to put a stop to their ravages. Folding up- 
on fallows is likewise adopted with advantage; 
WHEAT. 
upon loose light soils, folding after the wheat is 
sown is of advantage. Some farmers adopt the 
plan of ploughing green crops in; but others 
consider it a better plan to convert all green 
crops into animal manures, by feeding off with 
sheep or by soiling. Pigeons’ and hen-house 
dung are frequently used as a top-dressing for 
wheat, and are almost sure to be beneficial on 
any soil. From 30 to 40 bushels are used per 
acre. like all other light manures, it is best 
covered by means of harrowing or hoeing, or it 
may be drilled between the rows. Soot is much 
used as a top-dressing for wheat, and is common- 
ly found very beneficial. From 40 to 60 bushels 
per acre are generally applied. It has a tendency 
to increase the quantity and improve the quality 
of the wheat, without forcing an undue quantity 
of straw. It should be sown in February or 
March at the latest. It is however frequently 
sown as late as the month of May; but if a dry 
summer follows, it is in that case of little or no 
value. As ammonia is the principal ingredient 
of this manure, it should be covered by means of 
the hoe or harrow, being liable to waste by eva- 
poration; and, as it is a very light substance, 
calm and showery weather must be chosen for 
applying it. This manure is found to be pecu- 
liarly suited to the county of Hertford, and con- 
sequently a very large proportion of the soot 
made in the metropolis comes into this county. 
It has been used in Essex, Kent, Middlesex, and 
other counties, but in most cases without general 
beneficial results. Rape-cake is a valuable ma- 
nure for wheat. It may be applied at the time 
of sowing the seed, or drilled between the rows 
in the spring. From 8 to 16 bushels per acre 
are generally found sufficient. It is best adapted 
to ordinary heavy soils that are well drained, or 
have a dry subsoil. Malt-dust, to the extent of 
from 30 to 50 bushels per acre, is occasionally 
used as a top-dressing for wheat. Bones may be 
applied with much advantage upon dry soils pre- 
vious to sowing the wheat, at the rate of from 16 
to 30 bushels per acre. Guano, at the rate of 
from 2 to 3 cwt. per acre, is sometimes advan- 
tageously used at the time of sowing the wheat. 
This manure is found most beneficial on poor 
loamy soils. The nitrates of soda or of potash 
are occasionally used at the rate of from 1 to 3 
cwt. per acre, and applied broadcast in March or 
April. Chemical analysis has proved that wheat 
always contains a much larger proportion of 
potash than of soda; hence we may suppose that 
nitrate of potash is the best of the two: it is, how- 
ever, the most expensive. As to the application 
of nitrate of soda to wheat when it has a yellow 
or sickly appearance in the spring, if finely pul- 
verized, and sown in moist weather, it will in a 
few days alter the sickly hue to a luxuriant 
green, As it increases the quantity of straw, it 
is best suited to poor loams and gravelly soils. 
Common salt is sometimes applied before sowing 
the seed, at the rate of from 10 to 21 bushels per 
— 
Ee 
