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Newspaper
Ashton Gazette
Location
Ashton, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jul 13, 1916
Page
3
The article honors Joe Wing of Mechanicsburg Ohio as America's best known alfalfa authority. It summarizes his work on soil preparation drainage inoculation and fertilizer needs for alfalfa and cites guidance from his book Alfalfa in America, including fertilizer recommendations and a broadside on using a wide distributor to spread nutrients for profitable hay crops.
Seed wheat per acre should vary with kernel size seedbed fertility and seeding time. Experiments at five state stations over 33 years found six to eight pecks per acre yielded best results. Growers tend to use too little seed. higher rates improved both yield and grain quality on varied soils.
An agrarian discussion explains three essential plant foods ammonia phosphoric acid and potash and their roles in seed germination kernel filling and straw strength. It notes that fertilizer choice should match soil deficiencies and warns war conditions limit potash availability while urging 200 to 400 pounds per acre on loam or clay soils for best yields.
Instructions advise applying all fertilizer through the fertilizer attachment of the grain drill at seeding time. If no drill with fertilizer, apply all through broadcast lime and fertilizer distributor. Ensure the fertilizer is worked into the soil thoroughly before sowing wheat.
Wheat in the corn stubble offers a three year rotation with corn and clover, improving labor efficiency and wheat profit. Do not plow, disk stubble, plant early with a quick maturing wheat, and seed oats or barley to improve grass in spring. Maintain mellow seedbeds, frequent cultivation, and mulch from cut cornstalks to prevent heaving.
A Chicago Board of Trade member states high quality wheat earns more per bushel than lower grades. Ohio Experiment Station Bulletin 243 links high quality grain to large yields, showing fertilizer use boosts yield and kernel plumpness. Reports indicate fertilizer can nearly double profits by increasing No 1 or 2 grade wheat.
The article explains how wheat fits into rotations after corn potatoes or legume crops with highest yields after clover. It notes clover following wheat reduces early turnover and emphasizes avoiding plowing when possible. Seedbed prep is costly with plowing as the main expense, suggesting dishing for certain ground types.
Guidance on disinfection and seed treatment to prevent wheat smut and related diseases. Recommends crop rotation, early maturing varieties, and a formalin solution for seed sanitation. Describes bath and dipping methods for seed of wheat and oats, plus disinfection of equipment and seed containers.
The Illinois experiment station endorses varieties after years of testing as best adapted and most profitable for Illinois farmers. When a new variety is introduced it should receive the station’s approval.
A long report from American and European stations shows wheat yields and net profits can greatly rise. Savings from eradicating smut and controlling Hessian fly could reach tens of millions annually. Indiana and Ohio farmers report 30 to 38 bushels per acre with proper fertilizer and practices.
A central Missouri farmer compared fertilized and unfertilized plots after Hessian fly damage. The fertilized half showed far fewer flies and minimal damage, while the unfertilized stalks were rife with flaxseed. Stronger, early maturing crops resist pest damage, yielding more wheat and better prices.
Fifty years ago the German chemist Liebig stated four soil fertility principles. A fertile soil must contain all plant nutrients in proper form and quantity. Crops remove nutrients which must be replenished from the atmosphere or by man. Restoring all crop nutrients keeps soil fertility. Manure alone cannot sustain long term fertility due to annual losses of grain hay milk and livestock products.
Farmers are warned that many soils are sour or acidic, leading to poor crop yields. Lime and fertilizer improve results when used together, especially with wheat. A simple test with blue litmus paper helps confirm soil acidity, indicating lime should be used promptly.
A thorough early seedbed preparation yields larger wheat crops. Deep plowing four to six inches after harvest, repeated disking and harrowing, and keeping soil moist with a mulch improve germination. Kansas station reports up to 21 bushels more wheat with seven inch deep plowing from July 15. Early effort pays in varied climates.
The seed plot should use only plump heavy berries of one wheat variety and discard off type seed. Maintain a separate seed plot away from the main field, treat for smut, and keep weeds like rye and cockle out. Careful seed handling yields purer seed, higher bushel per acre, better grade, and premium seed prices.
Wheat requires 450 to 600 pounds of water per pound of grain from planting to maturity. Early plowing and seedbed work conserve moisture. light spring harrowings form a mulch to slow rain loss. Rich soil and ample plant food boost yields with less water. organic matter stores and releases moisture for germination and filling stages.
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