PREPARATION OF SEEDS. 153 



491. Other things being equal, thin sown crops ripen 

 later than thick sown ones. The greater the space allowed 

 each plant the more vigorous will be its development, and 

 consequently., the slower its growth. In thick sown crops 

 the growth is more quickly finished, and though the stalk 

 may be rank the ear will be smaller, and the number of 

 grains to a .stalk less than in thin sown crops. By thick 

 sowing we gain in time, but lose, to some extent, in 

 quality. 



492. Steeping Seeds. Some farmers are in the habit of 

 soaking the seed in warm water, or in some solution like 

 carbonate of ammonia, linie water, chloride of sodium or 

 brine, partly to hasten its germination and partly to supply 

 the place of manure. When the sowing has been delayed 

 till after the proper time, this practice may be useful, 

 but it is better to sow or plant at the right season, and so 

 avoid the necessity of any thing of the sort to make the 

 seed germinate more quickly, and as a substitute for manur 

 ing the land properly, this practice is of very little benefit. 



493. The moisture of the soil is best adapted to nourish 

 the germ, and the growth of the plant through the season 

 will, generally, be more healthy without the use of any 

 artificial preparation. 



494. Time of Planting. The time of planting varies 

 according to the season and the nature of the plant. 

 Some grains, for instance, will endure a great degree of 

 cold during the early period of their growth. It is gen 

 erally considered better to sow these in autumn, and 

 spring sowing would not do well. Others cannot bear 

 much cold and should not be sown till spring. The con 

 dition of the soil, also, makes a great difference. A dry, 

 warm soil is ready for planting much earlier in spring 

 than a cold, clayey one. 



