672. Gleanings. 
grass which is beliei'ed to possess all the qualities of flax, but in 
a higher degree than any known to our spinners or manufacturers, 
surpassing the best qualities in strength, fineness, and length of 
staple. Fine linen manufactured with it greatly resembles French 
cambric, but has a more silky appearance. It would appear that 
the Chinese grass can be supplied in unlimited quantity. 
Proper depth of Planting Wheat. — "Experiments have been 
tried with respect to the depth of planting wheat. M. Moreau, of 
Paris, formed 13 beds, in which he planted 150 kernels of wheat 
at various depths. The result was as follows: 
Jt the 
depth of 
7 inches 
6^ 
a 
5| 
cc 
4h 
li 
4 
(( 
3| 
a 
2| 
u 
2^ 
t( 
2 
(( 
1| 
a 
1 
li 
h 
ii 
up. 
^''o. 
JVb. 
of Heads. 
of Grains 
53 
682 
140 
2,520 
174 
3,818 
400 
8,000 
700 
16,500 
992 
18,534 
1,417 
35,434 
1,560 
34,349 
1,590 
36,480 
1,660 
35,826 
1,561 
35,072 
529 
10,587 
107 
1,600 
Come 
5 
14 
20 
40 
73 
93 
123 
130 
140 
142 
137 
64 
On the surface, 20 
" By this experiment the maximum as the number that came 
up was 1| deep, the minimum at 7 inches; the maximum of the 
number of heads was also 1| deep, the minimum seven inches; 
but the maximum of the number of grains was two inches deep 
and the minimum 7 inches deep. The range from 2f inches 
down to 1 inch, varies in those that come up only about 20, for 
the extremes of maximum and miniumum of the heads 243, of the 
grains 2,331. Between 2i, 2 and 1 inches of those that came up, 
there is only a difference of about 10 at most; of the heads only 
30; of the number of grains, 1,476." 
" Looking at it, however, in another light, we may rate the 
depth of 2 inches as best, then 1|, then 2^:, then 1 inch, then 
2^ inches. After 4| inches, the falling off of the product is|; 
from \ inch to the surface it reached to 9-10. Where there may 
have been extraneous causes influencing, the difference between 
2^ inches and 2\ inches, which seem to vary from the general 
rule; but it may doubtless be considered, so far as this experiment 
goes, that the grain should not be sown at mrch greater depth 
than 2 inches, nor nearer than 1 inch from if e surface. The 
difference to be allowed should respect the st uson, the nature of 
the soil, &c." — Com. Pat. Report. 
