282 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



This is a matter of nice calculation, and well worth the 

 attention of the ingenious Farmer. 



In order to illucidate this, the proper method is, to try 

 various plants in beds of the same soil, culture, and dimen- 

 sions, but dug of different depths, and the plants set at 

 different distances, and then the results will lead to the 

 truth. 



Thus, for instance, make four beds of carrots, which shall 

 be dug equally well eight inches deep; let the roots in the 

 first bed stand at the distance of four inches from each. 

 other * those of the second, at the distance of six ; those of 

 the third, at the distance of eight 5 and those of the fourth, 

 at the distance of twelve inches ; and then let it be ascer- 

 tained which bed has the greatest weight of carrots. 



In the mean time, have four other beds dug twelve inches 

 deep: and four more dug eighteen inches deep; and plant 

 one of each of them at the respective distances above men* 

 tioned, and ascertain what is the result of each The sumo 

 experiments can be tried with equal exactness on most 

 other plants, and the results equally well ascertained. 



PEA ( Pysum ) There are a variety of peas; some of 

 which are more, and others less, valuable for cultivation. 

 The best for garden-culture are the small early, and the 

 marrowfat pea; the former for early use, and the latter for 

 an after and more abundant supply. 



The method of cultivating each, in the garden-way, is 

 too generally known to need any particular description. 

 They may be sown in the field, in the broadcast- way* for 

 family-use, which is much the easiest, as the trouble of 

 raising th* m in the garden is very considerable. 



The culiure of the common field-pea is considerably at- 

 tended to in this State, among the German Farmers, and 

 usually precedes the crop of wheat; being considered a good 

 preparative for that crop, as the ground is left mellow, and 

 but little exhausted by the crop of peas. 



They yield from sixteen to forty bushels an acre. The 

 haulm is also of some considerable value for fodder. The 

 allowance ot seed is two bushels to the acre; though, per- 

 haps, a greater allowance is advisable, as the thicker they 

 are sown the less liable they are to fall flat to the ground, 

 which in some measure prevents the filling of the pods. 



They are to be sown during the first decrease of the 

 moon, after the ground can be prepared in the Spring ; for, 

 if not sown while this planet is performing that part of its 

 revolution, the crop will ripen unevenly ; some stalks will 

 be green, while others are dead ripe. The ground should 

 be well mellowed, before sowing. Gypsum is excelent for 

 this crop, where the ground is suitable for that manure. 



