fdvonrable for the Growth of Seed. 
I'rom the middle of Soptomber to tlio end of the year to inc lude 
all the sowinj>s of autumn-wheat. Exposed situations, which 
re(juire a strong and well-rooted plant to withstand the winter- 
storms, require an early sowing and a liberal seeding,, and so 
also do soils upon whic h growth is slow from any other cause. 
The milder district of the West of England permits the sowing 
of autumn-wheat to be carried on as late as the end of December, 
for the almost unchecked growth of the winter enables the plant 
even then to get quite forward enough for making a good start 
in the spring. 
The influence of soil upon the quantity of seed is accounted 
for by the fact, that on rich land more stems will be thrown up 
from each root, than if the soil be poor ; and to make up this 
deficiency, and also to enable the crop more thoroughly to search 
for nutriment in the land, more plants are necessary ; and a larger 
allowance of seed is the consequence. 
The depth most desirable for the germination of seed-wheat 
depends upon the closeness or adhesive character of the soil. 
The seed should be placed in that position which will secure to 
it such a supply of moisture, warmth, and air, as will most 
rapidly promote healthy germination. It is clear that these con- 
ditions cannot be secured in soils of a different texture at one 
uniform depth. 
Upon loamy soils of medium character we find the depth of 
about 1 inch superior to an}- other, but as the soil becomes lighter 
and more sandy in its nature the depth may be advantageously 
increased to 1^ or 2 inches. In a dry season, a less depth than 
1 inch can seldom be looked upon as sufficient to secure to the 
seed a necessary degree of moisture ; and a greater depth than 
2 inches is not desirable, because the plant has then generally to 
raise itself in the soil so that its roots may commence their duties 
within a moderate distance of the surface. The mode of plough- 
ing in seed-wheat with a or 4-inch furrow is clearly wrong, 
for the wheat will not establish its roots in the soil at this depth, 
and the germination must necessarily be delayed in consequence 
of this increased depth. If I make any difference in the depth 
of seed upon soils of this character, I let the early sown wheat 
be deposited rather deeper than that which may be sown later, 
and my reason is because the early sowings have plenty of time 
for making their growth, and, therefore, a full depth insures a 
firmer root, whereas with late sowings this delay cannot be 
allowed, for the young wheat will then gain more by appearing 
more quickly above the ground ; but even these variations in 
depth should not range more than half an inch either way. The 
lighter the soil becomes, the more important it is to sow at a 
•considerable depth, as this favours the stability of the plant, and 
