Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

AGRICULTURAL.

The following remarks on harvesting wheat, are copied from the Domestick Encyclopædia, and may perhaps be serviceable to farmers, at a time like this, when it is more than probable that a considerable quantity of wheat may be affected by rust or mildew.

The proper period of reaping wheat, is by no means ascertained; some farmers asserting that it is most advantageous to cut the grain before it is perfectly ripe, while others are of opinion, that it ought to stand till nearly ready to be reaped and housed. The anonymous author of the "Farmers Calendar," observes that the safest way is that of adopting the middle course, with a particular regard to a fair time. If, however, there be any appearance of blight, Mr. A. Young thinks that farmers cannot cut their wheat too early. He remarks, that the green state of the straw is no indication that the grain is immature; because the straw of blighted corn never acquires a bright yellow colour; but remains green until it becomes black.

When the stalk is in this condition, the circulation of the sap ceases; and the grain daily decreases in size. He therefore advises the wheat to be cut, laid down in the stubble exposed to the dew; frequently turned; and, when perfectly dry the grain may be tied up in sheaves, and carried to the barn. Thus, thousands of bushels may be annually saved, that might afford good marketable grain--part of which would otherwise be never threshed out of the ears, while the remainder would be so light and brittle, as to be dispersed in winnowing.

The following observations upon harvesting wheat, on the mildew, deserve attention.

"What stage of ripeness is the best for cutting wheat, is not ascertained in America; but I have seen cutting of enough early to be convinced that it commonly is suffered to stand too long.

"At the time of reaping, we generally have a clear sky and a peculiar drying air, which in some harvests ripen wheat very suddenly, so that the plants from an apparent state of vigour, are killed in a day or two and receive no farther nourishment from the root of the blade; and even the stems become exhausted of the nourishment which they had imbibed, so that it could not reach the ear or grain. If with this sudden heat and drying state of the air, the plants be struck with rust, and are still suffered to stand longer, the grain receiving no more nourishment, can never fill; but by cutting it instantly, and setting it, sheltered, to cure gradually, the best chance is had for procuring marketable good wheat.

"The reaping corn ten or fourteen days earlier than my neighbours (says Mr. Parkinson) is an advantage I have attended to. As corn begins to decay first at the root, all the nourishment it can receive while standing uncut, after the decay of the root, must be derived from the straw. The dews may feed the grain at one time; but when nearly ripe and the root decayed, the sun and wind have so much power as to ripen it too quickly, or scorch or dry it before its natural period of maturity.

"Riding on the road about harvest time, he observed a field of wheat that had taken the mildew. The straw was of a remarkably deep green, and instead of being dead, appeared to have a greater verdure; tho' after such appearance comes on, it never receives any nourishment or grows larger. Instead whereof the straw becomes distempered, spotted and discoloured. The sooner it is then cut the better. He took 12 ears of wheat, which as well as the straw, was green as grass, and at the same time mildewed. A great deal of rain had fallen the forepart of the day; but the ears of wheat were pretty dry. He tied them in a bunch intending to hang them up in his house to dry and ripen. Several weeks afterwards having been forgot, he took them out of his great coat pocket; when the straw was found to be still green. The grain was then rubbed out, and to his astonishment he never saw better. It was fine in colour and well filled; but what remained in the field, from which he took these ears, was very small and of little value.

This is a strong case which ought to make an impression on the minds of the farmers.

He adds-- From hence it would seem, that if the farmers would cut their wheat when it is struck with mildew, and set it up in the field in small stacks of about a cart load each, so as neither to heat nor mould it would be better than to let it stand, as is the practice, uncut.

"He had at the same time, taken 12 ears from an adjoining riper field, which were likewise found in the other pocket of the great coat. Though these when gathered, appeared so much superiour to what had taken the mildew, they did not turn out near so good as the others. From the above circumstances, Mr. Parkinson was ever after partial to cutting wheat when the straw appeared of a reddish cast, or some of it green with the joints full of sap; and it fulfilled his expectations. The straw, he adds, is better for chaff; the flour fairer and heavier; and for fine flour it will grind into broad bran. But he does not think that if the wheat escapes the mildew, it ought to be cut so green;

the farmer may take into consideration at what time it will be best to cut down his wheat; for a slight degree of rust it need not be hurried; but when greatly rusted in its advanced state of ripening, and when considerably scabbed (which never happens but in the moment before it ripens) immediately cut down, and guard it against sun and wind, slightly, least by securing it too close, it heat and be entirely spoiled. What in wheat is by some called scab, by others is called empty ears."