MODE OF CULTIVATION FOR SEED. 395 



the end of March to the end of April, as the character 

 of the season permits. If frosts occur after it is up, it 

 is very likely to be entirely destroyed. 



The quantity sown to the acre is from half a peck 

 to a peck, which should always be deposited by the drill, 

 in rows from 12 to 18 inches apart; the plants being 

 afterwards thinned out to about the same distances in 

 the line of drill. To a plant whose habit is to throw up a 

 branching seed stem from 4 to 5 feet in height, it is good 

 policy to give plenty of room on the ground, so as to 

 secure the full effect of light and air during its growing 

 period. Vigorous, well-branched plants, at 18-inch dis- 

 tances, will always give a better yield per acre than when 

 they are left more crowded on the ground, at the usual 

 distance of 12 inches. The tillage operations during the 

 growth of the crop are the same as those already described. 

 The horse-hoe should be used during the earlier period, 

 and the hand-hoe subsequently, as long as needed for 

 keeping the surface clear from weeds, and in an open and 

 fit state for the general purposes of vegetation. 



The seed time is one of some anxiety to the grower, as 

 the pods ripen irregularly, and have a great tendency, 

 directly their maturation is complete, to open their sheath, 

 and cast out its contents. To prevent this occurrence, which 

 is not only a direct loss of crop, but inflicts a serious incon- 

 venience, by securing a growth of mustard plants, should 

 it be the black species, in all the subsequent crops, for even 

 years afterwards, the field should be carefully watched, 

 and its progress noted, so that the crop may be harvested 

 directly the seed-pods on the lower part of the stem assume 

 a brownish tint, by which time those on the upper branches 

 are generally fully ripe. They should be carefully cut 

 with a broad-bladed hook, so as to shake them as little 

 as possible, and left lying on the ground in small-sized 

 heaps, which, if the weather be fine, are ready for threshing 



