AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 71 



ed. While the process was kept secret, so high a reputation had this 

 wheat, that the neighbors willingly paid double the usual price for it. 



190. The quantity of seed sown to the acre varies in the 

 United States from one and a half to two bushels, broadcast; 

 and about one bushel if drilled. In Great Britain, where much 

 more seed of all the cereals is sown than with us, three to four 

 bushels is the usual quantity, when broadcast. 



191. The waste of seed in the soil is very great, especially 

 when broadcast; chiefly in consequence of the irregular depth 

 at which the grain is planted. The following calculation has 

 been made, (Stephens.) &quot; Wheat at 63 Ibs. to the bushel, gives 

 87 of its seeds to the drachm ; or 701,568 to the bushel (in 

 apothecary s weight,) or 865,170, (in avoirdupois weight.) 

 Now three bushels of seed are sown on the acre, or 2,595,510 

 grains of wheat. Suppose that each grain produces one stem ; 

 and every stem bears an ear containing the common number of 

 32 grains, the produce of the acre should be 96 bushels; but 

 the heaviest crop in Scotland rarely exceeds 64 bushels to the 

 acre, or 33 per cent, of the seed is lost in the best crops, and 58 

 per cent, in an ordinary one of 40 bushels.&quot; It is very impor 

 tant that such experiments as these should be made in the Uni 

 ted States, so as to ascertain the exact quantity of seed to be 

 sown in each soil and climate. 



192. The depth at which seeds are sown, is also very impor 

 tant. In order to germinate, a seed must have acccess to mois 

 ture, air, and warmth, but be excluded from light. If covered 

 too deep, it will not sprout ; if too shallow it is apt to perish for 

 want of moisture and from other causes. Seeds of different 

 plants germinate at various depths. It is laid down as a rule 

 that wheat sown before winter should be as deeply covered with 

 earth as to be beyond the reach of injurious frost, say four or 

 five inches ; but when sown in spring it should be lightly cov 

 ered, little exceeding one inch. In no case should wheat be 

 deeper than six or seven inches. In light dry soils it should be 



