X, C, 6 
Rundles: Studies in Rice 
363 
seed bed containing 600 square meters. At the same rate of 
sowing, 1 cavan of group B would necessitate a bed of 840 square 
meters, and 1 cavan of group C would take a bed of 1,080 square 
meters. In short, when the rate of sowing remains the same, 
the variation in the area of seed bed to correspond to the varia- 
tion in number of seed per cavan may be expressed by the num- 
bers 2, 3, 4. 
The table also shows that the area of the seed bed required for 
a cavan of any one group varies according to the rate of sowing. 
The maximum rate given in the table requires a seed bed one- 
tenth as large as the one needed when the palay is sown at the 
minimum rate. The practical question is : What is the optimum 
rate of sowing? It is a common tendency to sow the seed too 
thickly, since this requires a seed bed of smaller area, and con- 
sequently much less work. 
Ordinarily the palay is scattered by hand on the seed bed and 
is not distributed uniformly. The amount of seed used varies 
greatly not only for different regions, but also for the same 
grower and the same region. Actual counts of the number of 
seeds scattered on 1 square meter of seed bed showed that num- 
ber to vary from 3,000 to 15,000. The latter number allows 
for 150 seeds per square decimeter, or 59 seeds per square inch. 
Ordinary judgment dictates that this larger number is excessive. 
The smaller amount, which averages 12 seeds per square inch, 
more nearly represents the optimum when the seeds are properly 
graded. It is commonly maintained that allowance must be 
made for inferior seed, dirt, and insects, but this practice is 
not founded on sound agricultural principles. Good seed is the 
first essential, and the amount used per unit of area should be 
based upon a uniformly first-class product. The number of seeds 
used should nearly correspond with the number of plants which 
are desired per unit of area. The use of a greater amount, just 
to make allowance for poor seed, is sure to end in nonuniformity 
and poorer average results. 
When the seedlings are transplanted before they are fifteen 
days old — the practice in some regions 7 — the bad results of 
overcrowding in the seed bed may possibly be avoided. Thin- 
ning after transplanting, which is sometimes practiced, usually 
requires more work than would be necessary in the preparation 
of a larger seed bed for the same amount of seed. 
Ordinarily seedlings which require a growing period of from 
thirty to forty-five days are in demand. However, the time re- 
: Rizal Province. 
