FARMERS’ COLUMN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 898, 4 July 1879, Page 3

FARMERS’ COLUMN.

At the special request of a number of farmers, we purpose from this time devoting a column to rural topics. The article this week is from the Australasian, on PINCHED GRAIN". The next paper was read by Mr Roberts on pinched grain, as to wdicthor pinched grain will yield so good a crop as plump grain, this subject being of vital importanoe to most farmers this year. Mr Roberts’s remarks were attentively listened to, and the pros and cons fully discussed. Mr Roberts said that in giving his views on pinched wheat v. plump grain, ho was no doubt at variance with most modern writers, but as the object of this paper was to evoke discussion, he begged that those present would express their views on the subject, as the matter was of extreme importance, net only to the district, but to the whole of the farming districts of the Colony. His lirst experience of pinched wheat was 15 years ago, when it will bo remembered the rust was extremely bad in the Bcualla district, so bad on some farms that the wheat was more like carraway seed than anything else. Ho related an instance . of a farmer who could not afford to buy all 1 good plump grain for seed, and was compelled to fall hack upon the rusty (carraway seed) grain ; not for one moment thinking that the pinched grain would yield anything like a crop, but more as an experiment, when, judge of his surprise when the rusty seed gave as good a crop as the good plump seed. The sample of wheat off the rusty seed was equally as good as that grown from the plump grain. He went on to say that ho had tried pinched seed on I several occasions, and always found the ■ yield and samples equal to wheat grown from good plump grain. Of course in speak-

ing of pinched grain, ho did not wish it to bo understood that ho meant screenings from good wheat, but wheat that bad been stopped from coming to maturity by rust oxother causes. In the fust place, ho was of opinion that fully half tho good plump wheat was destroyed in tho process of threshing. In tho second place, plump grain is more liable to damage immediately after sowing, either from too much heat or drought, and also before sowing, when in pickle; if the grain is plump it is very liable to burst, which never happened with pinched grain. And in the third place, his observations led him to believe that a grain of wheat is just the life of tho plant, and when the plant strikes root it derives no more nourishment from the grain, in proof of which he called attention to good and had places in a field. In the good places the wheat will come up a fine, strong, healthy plant, and in the bad patches the plant will be puny and sickly thus showing that if the plant derived its nourishment from the grain after taking root, it would all come up alike in good or had places, and that the plant would fall away in tho bad patches afterwards. Several of the most experienced farmers of this district spoke on the subject, and 1 believe they were all of opinion that the pinched grain was equally as good for seed as plump grain. If such is a fact quid experience tells us that it is), the knowledge of same will be a great boon to the farmers this year, as 1 have heard ninny enquiring for seed wheat, which cannot be purchased under 4s C lor 5s per bushel, while at tho same time they could get “ clean pinched grain ” for about 3s G 1 per bushel, thereby saving Is C l per bushel, and also obtaining equally as good, it not better, seed than the plump) grain.” A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Roberts for his valuable papjer, and in reply Mr Roberts said that he was sorry the subject had not fallen into abler bands than his- hut ho had given his experience, ami trusted the discussion that had taken pilace would be of some benefit to all present, and hoped next season to speak more fully on the matter, as he intended trying experiments with different seeds this sea° sou. -(Cheers.)