PROPER DEPTH TO SOW WHEAT. 



123 



7 set of roots, branches, <.tc. On examining many 

 ts of wlieat, some had a Ivuob between the semi- 

 aiul coronal roots, &c., appearing to be an effort 

 nature which proved abortive, being not near 

 lugli the surface to obtain air. If the seed is 

 ced anywhere between six inches and two from 

 surface, there will be a sot of coronal and semi- 

 roots and branches; but if the seed be placed 

 where between the surface and two inches below, 

 re will be only one set of roots and branches, and 

 se immediately progressing in their different direc- 

 is from the seed. 1 have said the stem or thread 

 es from the seminal roots to within two inches of 

 surface in the autumn; but this depends on the 

 noss and porosity of the soil at the time of vege- 

 for, after the soil has settled by rains, and 

 Drding to the tenacity and specific gravity of the 

 also its moisture, which increases the specific 

 rity and prevents the access of atmospheric air, 

 fill it be found nearer the surface; so that in the 

 ug of the year, if any branching takes place at a 

 period, it will be found to be entirely on the sur- 



rom the above statement of Tacts, I draw thisin- 

 ice: that if a grain of wheat is deposited upwards 

 wo inches below the surface, that it has an ex- 

 rdinary effort of nature to make, to come up to 

 point beneath the surface where it has access to 

 osphcric air; and is proportionately great accor- 

 to the depth, quality of the soil, moisture, &c., 

 •h must occupy a proportionable length of time, 

 consequently is equal to having been sown so 

 h later, if put its proper depth, 

 he next inference I make is, that the branching 

 heat being within that distance to which the 

 5ian fly is know'n to penetrate, and that its 

 ches become shallower and shallower according 

 le lateness of its branching, that deep seeding is 

 reventive against the ravages of the fly. 

 lie last inference, and not the least, is that where 

 ieed deposited is deep, and out of the influence 

 tmospheric air, that should the season be moist 

 et at the time of seeding, the specific gravity of 

 soil being increased, and its pores closed with 

 ture before the veg-etation has reached the branch- 

 joint, the seed will rot in the ground, and either 

 ially or totally destroy, or rather prevent a crop 

 o- made. This happened to several of my friends 

 last fall, and is a circumstance that I have seen 

 1 happen, notwithstanding the strong disposition 

 erg have discovered of late years for deep seed- 

 To conclude, from a consideration of the above 

 :, and thirty years' experience, I am of opinion 

 the best depth for seeding wheat is, from one to 

 inches. 



bus I have endeavored to communicate my ideas 

 2Cting the growth and depth of seeding the 

 It crop, and as connected with the Hessian fly; 

 ,ld it prove acceptable to the society, I shall be 

 ly rewarded for the trouljle I have taken. 

 . The grain of wheat deporfted six inches be- 

 ll the surface of the earth, where it sprouts and 

 ws out roots and two leaves which are called its 

 nal leaves and roots, and a central thread denom- 

 ii cauilfx. 

 . A bulb formed on the caudes, being an effort 



of nature to form branches and roots at that place; 

 but being too far out of the influence of the air, 

 goes on to within two inches of the surface. 



D. Tlie coronal roots and branches, formed two 

 inches below the surface, having now reached within 

 the influence of atmospheric air. 



HEAT FROM THE GRAIN TILL IT BRANCHES. 



c c. The two seminal or first leaves, dead w hen the 

 wheat haa branched on the surface, and are hardly 

 discernablo without the aid of a magnifyinfj I'ns. 



d d. 'I'he seminal roots also dead after the coronal 

 roots appear, and then are no longer useful to the 

 plant. 



E. The surface of the ground. 



1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Dotted lines marking the number of 

 ii ches beneath the surface at E — Win. Mcviwether 

 in Plough, Loom and Anvil. 



Eight in one thing becomes preliminary towards 

 rii^ht in everything; the transition is not distant from 

 the feeling which tells us that we should do harm to 

 no n an, to that which tells us that we should do 

 sood to all men. 



Hops, mustard and caraway seed, came to perfec- 

 tion as wild plants in Germany. 



