1 02 FALLOWING. 



in all cases, fine tilth, and as much strength of soil as is 

 necessary to produce heovy oats, 



A crop of fodder can be produced if sowed as late as 

 the last of Jul}^ 



SEED. 



The choice of seed intended to be sown, is an object 

 of greater importance than many farmers seem to ima- 

 gine. It is not sufficient that the finest grain be chosen 

 for this purpose, unless it be likewise clear from w^eeds. 

 In procuring seed, it should, therefore, be a rule with 

 the farmer to purchase or reserve such as is the mast 

 full, plump, sound, clean, and healthy, whatever the sort 

 may be ; as it is perhaps only in this way that crops of 

 really good grain can be ensured. It is the same in 

 some measure with plants as with animals, that the pro- 

 duce is in a degree similar to that from which it origina- 

 ted. Where shrivelled-up and imperfectly ripened seed 

 is sown, in general, but a little of it vegetates ; and that 

 Vfhich does, mostly sends forth plants of a weak and fee- 

 ble kind. 



Whenever we perceive that what we possess is dete- 

 rioting or inferior to that of others, no time should be 

 lost to obtain by purchase, exchange, and by our own 

 exertions those kinds that promise a better and more 

 certain yield. 



As it is not practicable for farmers generally to change 

 their seeds either annually, or even every few years; 

 they must select therefore with great care, the best part 

 of their own seeds and roots for future cultivation. 



Make frequent selections of the most perfect plants of 

 every kind, cultivate those by themselves, for the pur- 

 pose of raising new and improved stocks of seed of every 

 kind; and, when these are ditferent species^he careful to 

 set or plant them as much as 100 yards from each other, 

 to prevent them from mixinpc, and producing spurious or 

 degenerated seeds. Thus, in making selections in wheat, 

 search for such heads as have the largest seeds, and the 

 greatest number in each head. In flax, for the longest 

 stjilks, and such as have, at the same time, seeds of good 

 size. In pumj>kins, for such stalks as bear the greatest 

 number, and these the largest, and sweetest, &c. 



