Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1898 — About Sowing Spring Wheat. [ARTICLE]

About Sowing Spring Wheat.

The Purdue University agricultural experiment station, at Lafayette, lias been making some enquiries about the advisability of sowing spring wheat, as in places winter wheat is badly killed out. The replies to the enquiries seem to have been uniformly unfavorable to the sowing of spring wheat, and Prof. Latta, the agriculturist of the station sums up the matter, as follows: The limited experience of the Experiment Station agrees with that of the farmers who have reported, in respect to low yield, and the poor quality of spring wheat and its liability to rust and insect attacks. It does not seem wise, therefore, to grow spring wheat in Indiana, excepting perhaps, as an experiment, and then only for a single season in a locality. But what shall be done with fields of injured wheat? I would suggest first, that farmers wait until the growing season opens. Perhaps the wheat will rally ns it did last spring. Second, if the wheat has been killed outright and the soil is impoverished, prepare a fine seedbed with a disc or spring-tooth harrow, followed by a spiko-tooth harrow. Sow olover seed liberally and immediately, roll. Third, if considerable wheat remains, use only a spike-tooth harrow which will not seriously disturb the wheat plants, then sow the clover seed as before, using the roll or not, as may seom best. In case clover will not catch, and if it is desired to grow some other soil renewing crop, cow peas might be sown as soon as the spring frosts are over. This crop makes a strong growth, which should be turned under before frost in the fall. Being a legume the cow peas would have an excellent effect on the soil, in addition to the vegetable matter furnished. If it is necessary to grow some crop to be harvested the same season, oats, corn, millet, or some other crop more suited to the individual needs of the farmer, may bo grown; but it will be decidedly better for tho soil in most cases if some leguminous cropcan be grown. Parties desiring to procure spring wheat or cow peas should consult the catalogues of the seedmen and not the Experiment Station. W. C. Latta, Agriculturist, Purdue University.