1846.] European JigricuUure. 241 



quantity which may be profitably sown can be determined with 

 some exactness; and yet, to do this the land must be in a certain 

 condition — for while one would profitably receive two bushels an- 

 other would be overstocked and the seed lost, at least in part. 

 Mr. Coleman remarks truly, that there may be an excess, or there 

 may be too little seed sown; in either case there is a loss. The 

 experience of a distinguished farmer seems to go to prove that 

 one bushel is sufficient ; which, if true, would save the country 

 not less than 10,628,056 bushels; this result is founded upon a 

 calculation that the common practice is to sow 2\ bushels to the 

 acre. In this practice nearly one-tenth of the produce is con- 

 sumed in seed; whereas, if less quantity was sown, more room 

 would be given to tiller out, and the result would be an increase of 

 four hundred fold. The proportions of seed which the farmer 

 already referred to, proposes, are as follows: 



Of rye 1^ bushel, Of oats 8 pecks. 



Of tares \\ bushel. Of barley 7 pecks. 



Of mangel wurtzel 6 lbs. Of wheat 3 pecks. 



Of swedes 1 quart. Of peas 8 pecks. 



Of turnips 1 quart. Of beans 8 pecks. 



Of Cabbages 1 quart every three feet. 

 The argument for the small quantity of seed rests on the more 

 perfect developement of ears, and the greater size and perfectioii 

 of kernels. When a large quantity of seed is sown, the space 

 for the crop is too little when it has attained its size, and there is 

 a want of both air and food, and hence an imperfect development 

 of both ear and seed. 



Another subject brought to our notice, is spade cultivation. 

 One thing appears to be established, namely, that land under this 

 culture is better prepared for all crops than when they are plow- 

 ed; but, in order that profit may be reaped, it is essential that 

 labor should be cheap; hence, in this country w^here labor is 

 dear, this mode of cultivation must be limited to the garden, or 

 at least greatly confined. Where too, there is a ready cash mar- 

 ket, from 8 to 10 acres can without doubt be cultivated with 

 profit, especially if put down to roots, and the miscellaneous pro- 

 Vol. III., No. II. 18 



