142 NATURE STUDY BY GRADES 



LESSON XV 

 SEED DISTRIBUTION PLANTING BY MAN 



Does man plant any seeds in the fall ? (Wheat and other 

 grains, lucern, and many kinds of seeds may be planted in 

 the fall.) Discuss fall wheat planting and its advantages, 

 especially on dry farms in the arid regions. 



The seed is sown very deep early in the fall when the earth 

 is very dry; if it were not, a light shower would sprout the 

 seed, which would then die in the succeeding dry weather. 

 But, being placed so deep, a heavy rain, such as we often 

 have early in September, is required to reach the seed and 

 make it grow. The ground is then so wet that the wheat 

 acquires a large stem and a long root, enabling it to survive 

 any dry weather that may follow. It goes into winter, then, 

 in a condition to take advantage of spring showers, and thus 

 succeeds in maturing its grain before the severe drought of 

 summer comes upon it. 



Some seeds, as the stone fruits, need the action of frost 

 to split open the seed covers and to prepare the seed to grow 

 when spring comes. These should be planted in the fall. 



As all seeds planted by man are valuable, he strives to place 

 them in the earth in such a way that every seed will grow. He 

 therefore takes great pains to prepare the soil in the best way 

 to receive the seeds and to sow them to the best advantage. 



Which seeds are sowed in hills? Which are sowed in 

 rows? Which are sowed broadcast? Which are placed 

 deep in the soil? Which are planted near the surface? 

 Give a reason for each way of planting seeds. 



Discuss, also, why the soil should be finely pulverized, so as 

 to surround the seed closely and bring to it the moisture and 



