U78 AGRICtfLTCRAL ESSAYS. 



old to vegetate, this previous trial should by no means be neg- 

 lected. 



But if we wish to have seeds in the best condition for sow- 

 ing, they should be well ripened on their plants, before they 

 are gathered in; afterwards they should be kept perfectly dry, 

 that they may not contract the least mouldiness ; and never be 

 secluded from the air. Mr. Miller found that air was absolute- 

 ly necessary to maintain the principle of vegetation in seeds* 

 Havmg saved a parcel of fresh seeds, of several kinds, he took 

 some of each, and sealed them up in glass phials ; the other 

 parts of the same seeds he put into bags, and hung them up in 

 a dry place, in a free air. After a year had passed, he took 

 some of the seeds from each phial and each bag, and sowed 

 them at the same time, and on different parts of the same bed. 

 The result was, that almost all the seeds hd took out of the bags 

 grew well, but of those which had been kept in phials not one 

 came up. His discovery was further confirmed by experiments 

 afterwards. How careful then should both farmers and gar- 

 deners be, that no seed designed for sowing, be kept totally se- 

 cluded from the air. 



All kinds of seeds are best kept in their pods or husks ; es- 

 pecially they should be so kept when they are designed to be 

 transported to distant countries or places. 



Accordingly some of the best writers recommend the lying of 

 seed wheat in the sheaf, to the time of sowing. And that none 

 but the best of the grain may be sown, instead of threshing, 

 it is advisable to strike a handful at a time gently against 

 a post, and collect what falls out ; because the heaviest and 

 best grain is always the most easily detached from the ear. 



Being furnished with good seeds, the time for committing 

 them to the earth must in a great measure be determined by 

 the judgment of the experienced husbandman ; because, from 

 various circumstances, it comes to pass, that the true time ad- 

 mits of some latitude. The time for spring sowing will vary 

 according to the variation of the forwardness of the season f 



