154 



495. The time of sowing should be suited to the nature 

 of the particular plant we wish to cultivate. Indian 

 corn, barley and buckwheat, for example, should be 

 planted when the ground is dry and warmed, by the heat 

 of the sun, while certain kiilds of wheat and oats do 

 better when sown in a colder soil. 



496. Winter grains should be sown earlier on heavy 

 soils than on sandy ones, and earlier in a cool, moist 

 climate than in a dry, warm one. There is no general 

 rule as to the time of sowing which can be applied to all 

 cases, and ihe farmer must always be governed by the 

 circumstances of his own case. 



497. Depth of Covering. The seed should be covered to 

 such a depth as to secure the amount of heat, moisture 

 and air, necessary for its germination. This depth varies 

 with the kind of plant, the nature of the soil, the climate 

 and the time of planting. 



498. It is evident that on a clay soil which is less easily 

 penetrated by air and warmth, the seed should be covered 

 less deeply than on a sandy one. Spring planting ordi 

 narily requires greater depth than autumn. 



499. Very small seeds require only a shallow covering, 

 and in many cases, a simple rolling without the use of 

 the harrow, is sufficient to secure perfect germination. 

 In common farm cultivation great losses often occur from 

 covering seed too deeply, especially the smaller seeds, 

 as those of the grasses and the clovers. 



500. Modes of Sowing. The broad cast or hand sow ing- 

 is the most common for the smaller grains. Another and 

 a better method is by the use of the seed sower or drilling 

 machine. By the first a greater amount of seed is 

 required, while it is difficult, even for a skilful workman, 

 to distribute the seed equally. By the second, the seed 



