88 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [March, 



ping upon each other. For fall ploughing and winter wheat 

 my opinion is, that the latter method is decidedly to be pre- 

 ferred. If the ploughing is well done, and the ground thor- 

 oughly harrowed, there is no more evil to be apprehended from 

 the starting of the grass, than in cases where the furrow slices 

 are completely shut in. But it will be seen, that by this mode 

 of ploughing a larger extent of surface is at first exposed 

 to the influences of the atmosphere, which are unquestion- 

 ably beneficial ; and, in the next place, the land will lay 

 more lightly, be less liable to suffer from wetness, which is 

 always extremely prejudicial to winter wheat in particular; 

 and the land in the spring may be more finely harrowed. 

 Whether it would be equally advisable for spring grain, which 

 it is not expedient should be planted quite as deeply as winter 

 wheat is not so plain. In any case, however, the ground can- 

 not be brought into too fine tilth ; and, as the plant depends 

 mainly for its nourishment upon its coronal roots, which are 

 thrown out near the surface, it is plain that the manure, if any 

 is applied, should likewise be kept near the surface. 



Time of Sowing. — In respect to the time of sowing, winter 

 wheat should be got in by the middle of September, that it 

 may be well established before winter ; and spring wheat can- 

 not be got in too early after the ground is opened and suffi- 

 ciently dry for the plough. It has been said that late sown 

 spring wheat has escaped injury from the grain insect, when 

 early sown wheat has been destroyed by it, the flowering sea- 

 son of the wheat having been coincident with its appearance. 

 This has no doubt been the case. But the risk of mildew in 

 late sown wheat is great ; and as I conceive there is a simple 

 and almost infallible preventive of injury from the grain insect 

 within the reach of every good farmer, the sowing of wheat 

 should not be delayed on that account. The chances are 

 very many against the success of late sown spring wheat. 

 Of the preparation of the seed, I need add nothing to what 

 has been said in speaking of smut. Excepting for this object, 

 it is not advisable to apply any steep ; but thoroughly brining 

 the seed and coating it with quick-lime, finely powdered before 



