So'wi7ig the Seed — Cei^taiii Reqitiremenls. 59 



cheapest. Any one who will give the matter a mo- 

 ment's thought will see that I cannot compete in price 

 with these cheap grades of seeds. 



It is a false view of economy that leads any one to 

 purchase cheap seed, — for a few dollars saved in the 

 beginning may make a shortage of one^half, or more, in 

 the crop. I have always made it a practice when pur- 

 chasing seed for my own use (of such varieties as I do 

 not raise, and so have been obliged to buy), to secure 

 the best^ regardhss of cost, and have always found this 

 to pay. Quality, not price, is the chief point to look 

 to in purchasing seed. 



The same rule applies to the case of the seed- 

 grower producing seeds either for his own use or for 

 sale — the expense of the process must be disregarded, 

 and the excellence of the product made the prims 

 consideration. All seeds should be gathered as soon 

 as they mature — for exposure to the weather is injuri- 

 ous to their power of vegetating when planted. They 

 should be dried in the shade, and in a warm place, 

 but not where they will be affected by the direct heat 

 of the fire. 



Sowing the Seed. 



In the preparatory stages 'of the work of raising a 

 crop, all the points we have included above are of vital 

 importance a d need close attention. The successful 

 germination of the seed, no matter how carefully the 

 sowing may be done, must depend largely upon the 

 condition of the ground; But, on the other hand, it is 

 no less true that, unless the seed is carefully and ju- 

 diciously plrxed in the ground, and properly covered, 



