Preparing the Seed for Sowing. 329 



sidered to be sufficient ; but the addition of salt is of use, 

 by increasing the specific gravity of the liquor, and conse- 

 quently bringing up grain, in a lesser degree deficient in 

 weight. The solution should be made so strong that an egg 

 will swim in it. 



2. Steeping seed for its preservation against vermin, (as 

 insects, birds, field-mice, &c.), is principally effected, by 

 employing some article, as train oil ( 93 ), stale urine, &c., that 

 has an offensive smell, and deters them from approaching 

 it. For that purpose, the Romans used the lees of oil, de- 

 coctions of cypress-leaves, juice of house-leeks, &c. and they 

 placed great dependence on the virtues of these applications. 

 In modern times, saline and caustic particles are applied to 

 the seed of barley and oats, as well as of wheat, to preserve 

 it from the attacks of vermin, or to destroy such as may ven- 

 ture to eat it. 



3. Attempts have also been made, to promote the germi- 

 nation, and the growth of plants, by steeping them in water, 

 and other substances, with a view of securing in spring a 

 few days' start in vegetation. 



Some farmers have steeped barley in pure water, from 16 

 to 24 hours, if it is to be sown in light soils, where there is 

 not a likelihood of sufficient moisture being in the land, to 

 promote germination ; and some accounts have been pub- 

 lished, of considerable success attending that practice. It is 

 very hazardous, however, to oversteep the seed, lest it should 

 destroy the embryo plant ; and it is recommended, to roll 

 the soil afterwards, that the moisture in it may be retained. 

 The application of dung-hill water, however, to seed-corn, 

 seems to be still more useful ( 94 ), more especially if the urine 

 of cows is made use of; but as it contains a great proportion 

 of ammonia, no seed can be safely kept in it above an hour. 



Gardeners frequently steep beans to accelerate their 

 growth, and some farmers have found it of advantage, in 

 late situations, to adopt this practice, to a considerable ex- 

 tent. 



They have a practice in Switzerland, of steeping the seed 

 of clover, in common oil, for an hour or two, to prevent the 

 attacks of insects. It should then be mixed with powdered 

 gypsum, to promote a rapid vegetation. The same plan 

 might have similar effects on turnip seed, and prevent those 

 risks to which the crop is liable in its early stages. Oil is 

 peculiarly destructive to insects when applied outwardly, as 

 it stops up the pores of the skin, by which their respiration 

 is performed. When taken inwardly, it is not so injurious. 



