70 AGRICULTURE ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



hand, and are often mixed with from four to ten times 

 their bulk of sand or earth, as it is otherwise quite diffi- 

 cult for a sower to distribute so small a bulk of seed 

 (say three or four gallons) evenly over the large surface 

 to be covered. 



Most large seeds, such as beans, corn, pumpkins, and 

 the like, are sown in hills or drills only. For hill plant- 

 ing the "corn planter " is to some extent used. 



Depth of planting and covering seeds. As has been 

 shown (page 6), the depth to which the seeds should 

 be put underground in order to germinate is very im- 

 portant. If we put the seed in too deep, we may 

 never see it again. If we put it in too shallow, the 

 ground may dry out before the seedling can send its 

 roots into the soil; or the seed may not germinate 

 at all. The best depth to which to sow or cover varies 

 with different seeds and soils, and with the weather. 

 The farmer cannot always foresee the weather to come, 

 whether dry or wet, so he must use his judgment. 

 Small seeds are frequently " brushed in" when sown 

 broadcast, by means of a leafy branch or bush drawn 

 over the surface. The grains are almost always har- 

 rowed in; in very sandy lands, and in the dry season 

 in the arid region, they are sometimes put under with 

 the cultivator or plow. Small garden seeds we some- 

 times cover with boards or shingles to keep the ground 

 from drying out, until the seeds have sprouted, when the 

 covers must be taken away. In sandy lands we often 



