THE PICKLING OF SEED WHEAT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 706, 30 May 1879, Page 2

THE PICKLING OF SEED WHEAT.

The best means of 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. When we turn to the opinions of experiencad farmers we tind that there is far from being unanimity among, them on the subject, the conclusions of one being frequently opposed to the apparently equally trustworthy fact of another. A sblu- : tion of biuestone is a good and safe pickle, and the quantity recommended is I,lb. tj the sack. The ' biuestone ? should be pounded fine and dissolved in warm water. Haifa 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 not safe to trust to the'' chance of half a pound being sufficient, ! so that the quantity recommended will be found the best. The chief danger to be guarded against in pickling of the' wheat in Buch a way as to cause it t6 : 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 ttie ' seed is sown it sprouts and dies for want ,of moisture in the soil. Ab it. is desirable to sow early, and while the land is dry, too much care cannot be : taken* to 1 avoid this mistake. If the wheat be properly pickled, and sown in- 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 ) proportion of the grain in the manner referred to. Obtain a large tub or cask with one end taken out, and fill with the prepared liquid. Then take a branbag or good strong gunnybag, 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 ldng 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 in which it is conveyed to the field to be immediately sown. If it is intended to keep the seed for any length of time aftetl pickling before sowing it should W spread out upon a tarpaulin and 1 thoroughly dried. 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 into 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, but that while there are many instances in which this course, accompanied with a good pickle, has resulted in a good clean crop, there are many others in whioh the contrary has been the case. As the failure of fc a orop means the loss 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.