PLAOTINQ. 



The best advice, then, that can be given to the 

 cultivator in this case, as in a previous one, is to carry 

 his inquiries directly to the soil, and obtain his an- 

 swers there. All the information necessary for his 

 purpose, in regard to these points, he can obtain in a 

 single season, by a series of well-managed experi- 

 ments. 



There are two modes of distributing the grain in 

 planting, in regard to which agriculturists are divided 

 in opinion and practice, some maintaining that plant- 

 ing in hills is most successful, while others are equally 

 strenuous in favor of drills. The preponderance of 

 opinion, however, is in favor of the latter method. 

 Our own experience is entirely in favor of drills, which 

 seems to be the mode of planting that will secure the 

 largest product. Still this point, like most others in 

 husbandry, is one that every farmer can determine 

 for himself. But let him adopt which he may of these 

 methods, the same question of spaces remains to be 

 solved. 



This investigation is somewhat complicated, and 

 resolves itself into two inquiries : 



1st. What is the average distance between the 

 grains, or, in other words, what is the area of soil to 

 each grain, that will give the largest yield per acre ? 

 Now, when this is determined, it will be found that 

 there are various modes of distribution that will give 

 the same area to each grain, and yet no two of these 

 would probably give the same result per acre. For 

 instance, suppose it were ascertained that three square 

 feet of ground to each grain would give a larger yield 



