WHEAT GROWING.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 206, 31 March 1877, Page 2

WHEAT GROWING.

Tne following paper was read at a meeting of the Cambridge Farmer’s Club, by Mr John Fisher- —“I have always ploughed twice, the first time in April or early in May, removing with the harrows as much as possible of the rubbish, and cross-ploughing about 44inches deep for the seed furrow in June for winter, and early in August for spring wheat. By sowing early there is less danger of the caterpillar injuring the crop as in ordinary seasons. The grain, too, will be commencing to harden before the pest gets into full swing. Next to a clean seed bed, it is important to, have good seed. 1 prefer spring to winter wheat. It is loss time in the ground, ripens nearly as soon as winter" wheat, and I have found the average yield to be larger. As it does not filler so much, it requires more seed to theaero, but tire growth is more, vapid, therefore more effectual in keeping down weeds. The time of sowing has a powerful influence in changing the nature of wheat, as by repeatedly growing at any one season wheat can easily bo changed in its habits as regards the time of ripening. Wheat is liable to certain diseases, of which smut is one of the most common ; a great number of preparations are recommended, for preventing this disease, bluestone being among the surest. My practice has been to place the wheat in a heap and to every bushel of wheat apply 14 oz. of bluestone dissolved in water, at the rate of one gallon to five bushels of seed, turning over the heap until it is thoroughly well mixed ; the grain will absorb the whole of the moisture, and be ready for sowing in the course of two or three hours, and will keep as long 1 nsAif it had never been steeped at all. It

eighteen years ago since I tided this plan, and although my crops have never been entirely free from smut it has been confined to an odd head here and there; and, as far as I have noticed, answers as well as the more laborious one of steeping in tanks or casks. It has this great advantage, there is no danger of the wheat sprouting if the sowing is delayed by wet weather or other cause. Of rust I cannot speak, as I have never been troubled by it. Sowing broadcast by the hand requires some care to spread the seed evenly over the ground, not overlapping or leaving a vacant space between the casts. The drill is gradually coming into nse in the neighborhood of Auckland. By it the farmer is enabled to regulate the exact quantity of seed, to sow it equally all over the field, at a regular depth, to ensure it being properly covered, thereby securing it from the attacks of the sparrow. Dibbling and even transplanting are completed with the drill in the old country.

An old lawyer, who had retired from praeth e. exclaimed, in reply to a statement iiy Ida no hew : “ Yon say that Peters was lined for contempt simply for making a motion in open court! What monstrous tyranny ! In my time tho bar would not have submitted to it. What was the nature of Peters's motion?” “ Very simple, uncle ; It was merely a motion to tliiow an inkstand at die judge’s head !” Strangers and country settlers coming to ('arlyle. are very often at a loss to know which is the best and cheapest General Drapery and Clothing Establishment in the ’ district. K. A. Adams’ Cardigan House, offers special advantages that can hi> mot with nowhere else in the district. He keeps the largest and best assorted stock of every description of drapery goods, imported direct—and from the best colonial bouses; which, being bought on the most advantageous terms, and having thorough knowledge of the business, enables him to offer goods of sterling quality at pi ices that cannot bo improved on hy'any other house in Kew .Zealand. Every article is marked in plain figures, fn.m which there is no deviation ; so that inexperienced people arc as well served i/s the best judges, the terms being net cash, without rebate or abatement of any kind. Note the address —lv. A. Adams ; Cardigan House, nearly opposite Town Hall, Carlyle.— advt. .Holloway's Ointment and Pith. — A. Cure for Abcesses, Piles, Fistula, and Sores of every description. —The very satisfactory results arising from the use of this Ointment when patients have wttk’ suffering from any of the above disorders, have induced the Medical Profession to introduce it into the hospitals and their private practice, and in many instances where the sufferer was considered incurable, Holloway’s Ointment in conjunction with bis Pills has healed the most desperate cases. These medicines are also unequalled for the cure of scrofula, scurvy, and all diseases of the skin ; the cures they effect arc not or imperfect for their purifying powers bring about a marvellous and most beneficial change in the whole system, and enable it, with renovated powers, to resist future attacks of the same disease.