68 SOWING WHEAT. 



bushels to the acre is usual. It is afterwards 

 harrowed in, and sometimes even ploughed; 

 and in a few days or weeks the tiny tender 

 blade appears, which has to endure the utmost 

 rigour of our winter season. 



Nothing but experience could persuade us 

 that this is the best way to ensure the ensuing 

 harvest. Wheat of a certain sort is, indeed, 

 sown in the spring ; but this is apt to produce 

 straw, rather than corn. The previous growth 

 of the root is needful, to sustain the productive 

 ears. The slender and blackened appearance 

 of the blade in winter does not much discou- 

 rage the farmer. The spring will impart strength 

 and freshness to the blade, unless the roots, by 

 being thrown from the earth by the frost, should 

 become, as the farmers term it, " winter killed." 

 To prevent this, a heavy roll should be applied 

 in the spring, which serves to settle the roots, 



