GENARAL FARM MANAGEMENT. 
313 
that in case one should fail, the other might succeed; the folly 
of relying on one sort was clearly demonstrated by the repeat¬ 
ed failures of Hedge-row years ago, and by the general failure 
of club last year. To prevent smut, the seed must be careful¬ 
ly brined and limed, or what is better, sprinkled with a solution 
of blue vitriol; 1 1-2 oz. dissolved in sufficient water to wet the 
seed will do for eight bushels. 
Sowing.— This may be done by hand, or by drill, but it 
should be well done, that there may be no loss, and that the 
fields may not present those streaky looks, which make one 
doubt whether they were sown by wind or man. On the prai¬ 
ries, a drill immediately followed by a roller, would do admira¬ 
ble work, insuring to the farmer a saving of labor and of seed, 
and to the seed, uniformity of depth, and evenness of planting. 
The quantity of seed to the acre, must be regulated mainly by 
the quality of the soil, and the nature of the cultivation ; for 
it has been proved by experience that on good land well tilled, 
1 1-4 bushels, drilled in, is enough, and that more would be 
hurtful; this is the quantity used by Mr. Mechi, of Tiptree 
farm, near London, who is universally acknowledged to be the 
most scientific, as well as the best practical farmer in England, 
and yet, as we are informed by himself, his wheat crops always 
average over 50 bushels to the acre. As a general rule 1 1-2 
bushels is enough for most lands. But let not the farmer de¬ 
lude himself with the fallacy, that thick sowing is the only con¬ 
dition necessary to insure big crops. 
Cutting. —Wheat should be cut when the kernel is in a 
doughy state, or when the narrow end of the straw has turned 
yellow. But though farmers must be acquainted with this 
rule, as well as convinced of the reasons for it, yet either from 
neglect, or from the w'ant of proper resolution, farmers every 
year let their wheat get too ripe before they begin to cut it ; 
not thinking that the loss from shelling must be much greater 
than what would occur from shrinking, had it been cut earlier; 
but the fact is, that it will not shrink at all, but on the contra- 
40 
