CROPS. 465 



saving of a bushel to an acre, in the quantity of seed ordinarily 

 sown.* The same result would follow if an additional bushel 

 could be produced in the annual average yield of the wheat crop. 

 Even this simple result would be an ample compensation for all 

 the labors and expenses of all the agricultural societies now ex 

 isting in the world, and the premiums by which, in any country, 

 the government have aimed to enlighten and stimulate produc 

 tion. I have not a doubt that, under an improved culture, not 

 only may there be such an increase as to defray all additional ex 

 penses but to add an average increase of five bushels to an acre. 

 It is impossible to exaggerate the advantages which would result 

 from such an improvement. 



In looking back upon what I have written on the culture of 

 wheat, it may not be without advantage to revert to some promi 

 nent points. 



The soil in which wheat is grown to most advantage is a deep 

 aluminous soil, but not so clayey as to prevent its being thor 

 oughly cultivated. It requires, therefore, a good mixture of 

 calcareous or siliceous matter. A soil of excessive lightness or 

 looseness is not favorable to wheat, and a hard and impermeable 

 soil equally uncongenial. 



The soil cannot be too deeply cultivated for wheat. The 

 roots of the wheat plant descend perpendicularly, and spread 

 themselves laterally and broadly in search of food. It would be 

 a mistake to plough too deeply for wheat at the time of its being 

 sown ; and it is always useful to roll or tread the soil after it is 

 sown ; but it is desirable that it should find a deep mellow bed 



* The annual amount of seed for wheat sown in France is estimated at 

 32,491,978 bushels. 



If we could suppose a third of this saved, the 



saving would amount to . ..... 1 0,830,659 bushels per year. 



Suppose an annual increase of the crops of five 



bushels per acre, this would give an increase 



of production of 54,319,795 bushels. 



Add this, under improved cultivation, to the 



amount of seed saved, and the result would 



be 65,150,454 bushels. 



I believe, under an improved agriculture, this is quite practicable. What 

 economical object could be more worthy of the government of a country, than, 

 by every means within its reach, to encourage such production ? 



