FARMERS ASSISTANT. 23.3 



Soaking the seed in some fertilizing liquor, before sowing, 

 such as a solution of saltpetre, 010 unm- , kept tor the pur- 

 pose, lie of wood-ashes, or perhaps all united, would, no 

 doubt, be of service to the crop. If the soil be inclining to 

 clay, let the seed be dried with lime ; but with gypsum, 

 if it be suitable to the ground. 



The crop, to make it sufficiently profitable, should be of 

 luxuriant growth ; and as such will cover ihe ground more 

 completely, it will, on that account, be in better condition 

 for the succeeding crop of wheat. 



In regard to harvesting, the practice we have seen is, to 

 let the crop stand till it is dead ripe, If it were harvested 

 while the haulm was partly green, it would be much better 

 for fodder; and we believe the grain would not be thereby 

 essentially injured; though, perhaps, a little more trouble 

 would be requisite in drying the haulm. 



It is cut by the German Farmers with a sithe-and-cradle; 

 but we believe a common mowmg-sithe is just as good for 

 the purpose. In cuting, it is at the same time, gathered 

 irro ouiall bunches; in which situation it lies till sufficiently 

 dried, and is then carted in. 



The threshing is not difficult. It is done with the flail, 

 with Horses, or with the roller described under THRESH- 

 ING. The machines for threshing, commonly in use, it is 

 believed, would not so well answer for this crop. 



Peas are subject to the depredations of a small black bug, 

 that eats into them. It does not, however, hinder them 

 from growing; but, if not destroyed, the next crop will be 

 infested with these insects. 



To kill them, let the peas designed for seed be put, a 

 few seconds", into some, or a mixture, of the liquors before 

 mentioned, made hot; and then dried in the manner before 

 directed, and sowed immediately. 



Those designed for cooking may also be cleared of these 

 bugs, by the use of hot water; as they will drop out of their 

 holes, afier they are dead, and may then be easily sifted out. 



Peas are best adapted to smooth lands; as it is somewhat 

 difficult to cut the crop in stoney grounds. Wiih the aid 

 of gypsum, they will grow very well on light sandy lands ; 

 and, generally speaking, they will grow to advantage on 

 almost every soil that is sufficiently dry, and rich, for a 

 good crop of wheat. If the ground be too rich, however, 

 they will run too much to haulm, and yield the less. 



The crops we have seen raised, which were principally 

 in the lands on the Mohawk river, appeared to be lesbened 

 in product, for want of a change of seed. 



Whether the marrowfat pea would grow too tall, and be 

 inclined to fall down too soon, to be advantageous for field- 

 culture, is a point on which we have no information. They 



