SEEDS AND SEEDING 86 



77. Rate of seeding. In the accompanying table is 

 given the ordinary rate of seeding broadcasted forage 

 crops, with calculations showing the number of seeds 

 sown on each square foot. It will be noticed that the 

 number is large and that it varies greatly with different 

 plants. Were such plants allowed to develop undis- 

 turbed by weeds, only a small portion of the seed would 

 be required to give a satisfactory stand. It is difficult 

 to determine what constitutes a perfect stand, but the 

 numbers given are based on the room necessary for the 

 full development of a young plant. 



The rates of seeding ordinarily used are purely empirical 

 - the result of experience or of experimental field trials. 

 The effect of the heavy seeding is to secure a dense stand 

 of young plants, which in a measure restrains weeds, 

 and which further insures that in competition with the 

 weeds a majority of the survivors will be the plant desired. 

 This dense stand is especially necessary in perennial 

 grasses where the seedlings are slender and in their early 

 stages grow but slowly, and thus are relatively inefficient 

 against broad-leaved, vigorous weeds. 



It is scarcely possible to seed perennial grasses and 

 clovers so heavily that the resultant yield is seriously 

 affected. With annuals, however, too dense seeding 

 reduces the size of the individuals so much that the yield 

 to the acre is also diminished. 



In general the rate of seeding is least in regions where 

 the crop is best adapted ; that is, where the individual 

 plants are most vigorous and the natural mortality there- 

 fore least. The weediness of the soil is also an important 

 factor. 



Where seed can be drilled the amount necessary to 

 secure a good stand is about 25 per cent less than when 



