1.8 
THE farmer’s HANUALi 
and flax are not incompatible with each other, and 
that /lax is no mean crop. 
Seminatio7i. 
The European writers make very nice and curious 
disquisitions and calculations upon the drilling sys- 
tem, and generally extol, and condemn the practice 
at the same time, as requiring a great nicety of judg- 
ment, both in its operation, and the different soils on 
which it will, and will not answer. I shall leave them 
to their own methods, both in theory and practice, and 
treat this subject entirely upon the broad cast plan. 
1. Because this plan answers well, and our com- 
mon seeds-men can sow any quantity they choose to 
the acre with great precision, from three quarts, to 
three busnels, and give every cast its due proportion. 
2. This answers best on both smooth, and stony 
soils, and the harrow may be made to answer best, 
either for a light or deep covering. 
3. Weeds will not so readily grow upon a broad 
cast seeding, as between the rows upon a drill seeding. 
4. AU- unnecessary expense of tools in husbandry, 
goes so^ar to lessen the profits, and increase the cares 
of the farmer. 
5. By the broad cast method, the seeds-man can best 
a ortion his seed to his diflferent crops, and different 
Is, or even different parts of the same field, and 
this mode may therefore be accounted the best. 
Peas. 
Plough such a light sand, or sandy loam, as you de- 
sign for the white, green, or blue boiling pea, as early 
in March, or April, as the frosts will permit; the 
earlier the better ; (once will generally answer ;) and 
sow your peas upon the furrows, about 2 bushels to 
the acre, and cover with the harrow. Experience 
can be your only guide whether your land will pro- 
duce good boilers, and when you have proved which 
