383 
SEEDINCx TI1E SOIL 
As a rough, general rule, seeds should be planted at a depth 
proportionate to their size. It must be understood, however, 
as being very general, and as having many exceptions. Wheat, 
for example, though the kernel is small, will hear almost as 
deep planting as potatoes; its proper depth, however, is about 
two inches, while potatoes, except under unusually favorable 
circumstances, require a depth nearly twice that. 
But here, too, as well as in the matter of quantity, the con¬ 
ditions must be inquired into,. and corresponding modifications 
be made of the general rule. For example, it is clear, that if 
the soil be tenacious and the season wet, it would be ruinous to 
plant the seed very deep, as it would be “ drowned out;” and 
equally evident that the opposite conditions of soil and weather 
would imperatively demand that it be placed at considerable 
depth. The circumstance of weather is, of course, a very va¬ 
riable and uncertain one, but the quality of the soil —its tex¬ 
ture, retentive power for moisture, its power to absorb heat, the 
quality of its natural or artificial drainage, &c.,—should al¬ 
ways be taken into the account, and may be calculated upon 
with absolute certainty.. The peculiarities of different seeds as 
to the conditions involved, should also have due consideration. 
Some have the ability to live and flourish in, and even require 
a watery bed; some are indifferent to the circumstance of mois¬ 
ture, seeming to care but little whether the soil be wet or dry; 
and others will decay before the germ gains independence of 
the seed, unless the soil be quite dry. All these matters are 
of great importance. 
Uniformity of depth for the seeds of the same sowing is 
very important, for two reasons: First, because there is & par¬ 
ticular depth at which each species of seed will do better than 
at any other; and, secondly, because simultaneousness of ger¬ 
mination and identity of condition are essential to uniformity 
of growth in the plants and to simultaneousness of maturity. 
More of this under the head of means. 
DISTANCE APART. 
This is, in part, a question of quantity, but also involves the 
