THE PICKLING OF SEED WHEAT.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 426, 17 May 1879, Page 2

THE PICKLING OF SEED WHEAT.

(.Melbourne Leader .) The best means ot pickling seed wheat in order to prevent as far as possible losses from smut is a subject which at this season engages a large share of attention. Like red rust, the Burnt disease is one upon which there exists very little exact information, so that the practical experience of those engaged in wheat culture throughout the colony is the best gnide as to what steps are most effectual in its prevention. When we turn to the opinions of experienced farmers, we find there is far from being unanimity among them on the subject, the conclusion of one being frequently opposed to the apparently equally trustworthy facts of another \ but taking the bulk of evidence we give the following as being the best attested facts in connection with a Safe course to adopt in preparing the seed for sowing. A solution of bluestone is a good and safe pickle, and the quantity recommended is lib to the bag. The bluestone should be pounded fine and dissolved in warm water. Half a pound, a pound, and a pound and a half are used by different, farmers; but while it is certain that a pound and a half is not required, it is riot safe to trust to the chance 6f half a pound being sufficient, so that the quantity recommended will be found the best. The chief danger to be guarded against in pickling is the _soaking of wheat in such a way as to cause it to germinate on being put into the ground.

Many wheat growers allow the grain to remain in - the . pickling liquid for some hours, and the result is that when the seed is sown it sprouts and dies for want of moisture in the soil. As if is desirable to sow early, and while the land is dry, too ranch care connot be taken to avoid this mistake. If the wheat be properly pickled, and sown id dry soil, it will be perfectly safe, keeping as well till the rain comes as if it were in the bag, but soaking the seed in the process of pickling is almost certain to kill a large portion of the grain in the manner referred ,10. In order to avoid this danger, many farmers, both in this colony and South Australia, instead of puttingthe seed in a tub of liquid,spread it upon a shallow trough, sprinkle the pickle upon it, and . immediately stir it about with a shovel until dry; and this, no doubt, is an effective method, but the same results are obtained by less labour in the following system Obtain a large tub or cask wi{,h one end taken out, and fill with the prepared liquid. Then take a bran bag or good strong gunny bag, fill with about two bushels of wheat, and place the whole in the pickle One or two minutes will be long enough for the grain to remain in the liquid, and if it is left longer it is apt to get steeped to such a degree as to induce germination; When the seed has remained in the liquid long enough to allow all the grains to get wet, the bag is lifted upon a crossbar at the mouth of the tub or barrel, where it is allowed to drain for a feW minutes. It is then emptied into the bags iu which it is conveyed to the field, to be immediately sown. If itis intended to keep the-seed for any length of time after pickling, before sowing, it should he spread out upon a tarpaulin, and thoroughly dried. This method of pickling is simple and expeditions, while by having a lever to lift the bag into and out of the liquid, a good deal of heavy work is saved. The same end is gained by having two tubs fixed one above the other, the top one having a tap at the bottom, covered inside with a piece of perforated tin. By this means the grain and liquid are put into the upper tub, and immediately the pickle is run off by the tap into the lower tub. The wheat is next removed, and the Water from the lower tub poured back with a second quantity of wheat, and so on. Whatever method is adopted, the object aimed at is to bring all parts of the grain in contact with the pickle, and to get the seed again dry without steeping so as to cause germination. In regard to sowing smutty wheat, it may be pointed out that while there are instances in which this course, accompanied with a good pickle, has resulted in a good clean crop, there arc many others in which the contrary has been the case. As the failure of a crop means the ks? of a whole year’s time and labor, we should recommend the sowing of as clean seed as possible, and the application of a good pickle according to the method described.