THE CTLTIVATIOX OF FARM CROPS. 543 



aero. Where practicable the ridge system of cultivation, in which the 

 seed is planted along the top of a raised drill from 28 to 30 inches wide, is 

 preferable, chiefly on account of the facilities afforded for deep and repeat- 

 oil stirrings of the soil. 



The crop should be sown during the first week in May. Much in this 



>ect depends on the season, soil and climate. In England as much as 



I '2 tons of well-made farmyard manure applied during the autumn or win- 



and a mixture consisting of 500 Ibs. of mineral superphosphate, 100 



of kainite, 100 of sulphate of ammonia, and 300 of common salt per acre, 



Dually sown broadcast at seedtime and covered in by a turn of the chain 



harrow. If sown on the flat, the seed is deposited by the ordinary grain 



drill, to which a suitable seed box is attached. If on the ridge a drill 



hilly constructed is employed. The seed being enveloped in a hard 



ase or capsule, requires to be well saturated with moisture before 



the germ can escape j and in order to facilitate germination the 



re frequently steeped in water for a period of forty-eight hours be- 



being committed to the soil. When removed from the water they are 



id thinly on a floor in order to drain off the superfluous moisture. We 



i frequently use a sufficient quantity of finely-powdered charcoal to 



mix with it, and form a thin coating to each seed. When prepared in 



tin- way the seed vegetates much more quickly than when it is sown in 



an unprepared state. Six or seven Ibs. is the usual quantity of seed em- 



'(1 per acre. 



11 it-re are several well-known varieties in cultivation. On deep strong 

 :ns the Long Reds succeed well, and produce a great weight per a< 



if overtaken by early frosts they suffer severely, as they {stand high 



above the ground. The Red Globe is less productiv^ and better adapted 



Is j the Orange and Yellow Globe are probably thejmost suit- 



e for every variety of soils. They are hardy and heavy croppers, and 



uality they win not be surpassed. 



Immediately the young plants, it* on the ridge, Inve^come^into full leaf, 

 i assoon as th- \\.-ather is favourable, the horse-hoe shouldjat once be 

 bo work, at first only stirring the surface soil, but g 'in-- deeper at each 

 i operation. If on tin.- flat, the hand-hoe should be early at \\ 

 the weed growth in check. The plants generally succeed be>t when 

 _;led or thinned whilst small : the l>e>t distance from plant t> phi' 

 ]'2 to KJ indies. When the plants have made considerable prog!--- in 

 fiv.ju, -ntly found tint .i dressing of 100 of nitrate of soda and 



coimn,.n -alt produced prolitaM The horse-hoe should 



i;aslonga>t! i of the l,. ;l \ es will admit. The man- 



