185 
On  the  proper  Quantity  of  Seed  for  Wheat. 
harrows,  and  rollers,  all  made  with  double  shafts,  and  the  horses 
walk  between  the  stetches. 
Experiment. 
Width  of  Drills 
in  Inches. 
Seed  at  rate 
per  Acre. 
Produce  in 
Sheaves. 
Produce  in  Grain 
from  the  3 Roods. 
Produce  at  rate 
per  Acre. 
lbs.  Weight 
per  Bushel. 
9 
5 pecks. 
689 
Qrs.  R.  P. 
■10  0 
Qrs.  R.  P. 
5 2 2 
62i 
6i 
7 do. 
665 
4 0 0 
5 2 2 
62^ 
8 
G do. 
681 
4 0 3 
5 3 2 
63 
Dibbled  and  Drop- 
ped by  Hand  at 
8 inches 
6 do. 
G92 
4 1 0 
5 4 0 
61* 
It  will  be  seen  by  the  above  statement  that  the  produce  from 
each  parcel  of  land  was  very  nearly  the  same — that  which  was 
dibbled  failed  most  in  plant,  but  tillered  well,  and  yielded  rather 
more  than  the  rest,  but  in  proportion  as  the  plant  was  thin,  so  was 
the  grain  coarse  and  light. 
From  the  frequent  observations  that  I have  made,  and  judging 
from  both  the  above  experiments,  I have  come  to  the  conclusion 
that,  taking  the  average  of  seasons  and  all  other  circumstances  into 
account,  there  is  great  risk  of  loss  in  drilling  wheat  in  such  land 
as  mine,  at  a distance  of  more  than  8 inches,  and  with  less  seed 
than  6 pecks  per  acre.  In  heavy  land,  of  average  quality,  well 
drained,  and  in  good  heart  as  mine  is,  the  above  quantity  of  seed 
(6  pecks)  and  intervals  (8  inches)  will,  I think,  be  found  the  safest 
and  most  productive,  at  the  same  time  it  is  very  probable  that  less 
seed  and  greater  intervals  might  answer  as  well  or  better  in  lighter 
land  of  superior  quality,  supposing  the  system  of  cultivation  to  be 
carried  out  upon  the  most  approved  principles. 
I have  this  year  acted  upon  the  conclusion  I have  come  to,  and 
drilled  all  my  wheat  (about  80  acres)  with  6 pecks  of  seed,  and 
at  8 inches  apart,  and  up  to  this  time  I am  perfectly  satisfied  with 
the  promise. 
R.  Birch  Wolfe. 
Wood  Hall,  near  Newport,  Essex, 
February,  1850. 
