CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 271 



to wheat in the autumn of 1905, and anticipating less 

 available fertility we sowed twenty-two pounds of seed 

 and the 1906 yield was 49J bushels per acre, testing 63 

 pounds per bushel. Several similar instances have been 

 observed with like results, showing conclusively that we 

 must gauge the quantity of all kinds of seeds per acre by 

 the physical condition of the soil. The more ideally per- 

 fect the soil is fitted, the greater is the amount of available 

 fertility, consequently the less seed is required by nature 

 for the best results. As a rule summer tilled fields that 

 are scientifically handled require about one-third the amount 

 of wheat, oats or barley that has been commonly sowed by 

 the farmer, but careful observation in testing fields only 

 can give the farmer the correct idea as to the proper quan- 

 tity for certain conditions. 



It should be borne in mind that with coarse plump seed 

 slightly more is required; on the other hand fine, somewhat 

 shrunken seeds with a healthy germ require less ; also that 

 early seeding requires slightly less seed than late planting. 

 Keep in mind that the proper quantity of seed with thor- 

 oughly fitted fields gives the highest yield, that above or 

 below this ideal quantity will diminish the yield. The rule 

 today is too much seed per acre; the quantity as well as the 

 quality is frequently less from over seeding. 



For well fitted summer tilled fields the following quan- 

 tity of good seeds is most desirable when the seeding is done 

 sufficiently early: Winter wheat, 18 to 20 pounds; spring 

 wheat, 22 to 25 pounds; oats, 20 to 25 pounds; barley, 35 

 to 40 pounds per acre. 



Corn to do best in the more arid sections should never 

 carry more than two kernels to the hill. Potatoes should 

 be planted early with from one-fourth to one-third less 

 seed than is commonly planted in the more humid sections. 



