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AGRKJULTURAL ESSAT8. 



It is difficult to determine the quantity of seed that is 

 best to be sown in the broad cast way. Doubtless it should 

 vary according to circumstances. When seed is very large 

 ^nd full grown, two bushels may not be more than equal 

 to one that is small and pinched, suppose the seeds equally dis- 

 posed to vegetate, which is often the case. For the true 

 quantity should be estimated, rather by the number of grains, 

 than by measure or weight. Not that pinched grain should 

 be sowed except in ease of necessity. For it may be expected 

 that the most pe rfect seeds will produce the best plants. 



Rich land will afford nourishment to a greater number of 

 plants than that which is poor. But if by furnishing more 

 Rourishment it will increase the number of sprouts from a 

 aingle seed, then it maybe supposed in some cases of sowing, 

 a less quantity of seed would produce more plants on such 

 land than could be cultivated successfully on that of a poorer 

 soil. Therefore, the proportion of seed sown on a rich or poor 

 fioil, must be determined by the nature of the seed, aa well as 

 the relative strength of the soils. 



The sowmg of winter grain is perhaps a more difficult matter 

 to manage rightly than vernal seeding. Mr. Deane thinks far- 

 mers mistake their interests when they persist in sowing win- 

 ter grain at a certain time of the year, let the weather be ever 

 so hot, and the ground be ever so dry. By heat and dryness 

 the seeds will sometimes be so scorched in the soil, that not a 

 fourth part of them ever come up. Therefore, if a drought 

 happen at the usual sowing season, it will be needful to defer 

 sowing till some rain has fallen, and the soil has got a due de- 

 free of moisture. How long it may be best to wait for such a 

 favorable opportunity, must be left to the jndgment of the ex- 

 perienced farmer. Also, a spot that has been newJy cleared 

 by burning, may be sown later in autumn than other land. It 

 ought to be sown later, if the growth before winter be wished 

 'to be only equally forward ; for the ashes will so quicken the 

 <?egetation, that if it be seeded early, it will attain to too large 



