2'16 ON THE SEED. 



Let us now consider more particularly how seed should 

 be sown both in the fields and in gardens. In the for- 

 mer, the husbandman must prepare the land by ploughing, 

 in order to render it as light as possible : the more it is 

 pulverised, the more favorable it will be to germination. 

 Choice must then be made of the finest grain. 



Caroline. Is it not considered as advantageous to 

 change the grain, and not sow that which grew in the 

 same soil the preceding year ? 



Mrs. B. It is proper, we have observed, to vary the 

 nature of the crop ; but when, in the course of cropping, 

 grain is to be re-sown, I believe that it is perfectly imma- 

 terial whether the seed sown was grown on the same land 

 or elsewhere. 



The seasons for sowing are in spring and in autumn. 

 It is advisable to be done early in either season, especial- 

 ly in the latter, in order that germination should take 

 place before the frost sets in. In the spring the period 

 must be regulated by the nature of the season and the cli- 

 mate. The seed may either be sown by the hand or by 

 a drill : M. De Candolle prefers the latter, as being more 

 exact and regular in its operation. Care must be taken 

 not to sow too thickly. When more seed is thrown into 

 the earth than it can nourish, part of it will perish. But 

 this is not the only loss ; for, before it perishes, it will have 

 consumed a portion of the nourishment which otherwise 

 would have gone to the support of the surviving crop, 

 and which, in consequence of this subtraction, cannot 

 attain that vigor and perfection which is natural to it when 

 well supplied with food. 



Emily. This is very similar to the evil effects of the 

 excess of population, which you explained to us in your 

 Lessons on Political Economy, when poor weakly chil- 

 dren perish, after having languished a few years, and con- 

 sumed the food which would have fallen to the share of 

 the rest of the community, if these supernumerary chil- 

 dren had not been born. 



Mrs. B. The analogy holds perfectly good. 



1343. How should seed be sown in fields and in gardens! 1344. 

 What is said of sowing seed on the same ground, where it grew the pre- 

 ceding year ! 1345. At what season should seed be sown! 1346. 

 How may it be sown! 1347. If too much seed be sown, what will 

 be the consequence'? 1348. What comparison does Emily make be- 

 tween this and a subject of political economy! 



