The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-18
Sowing Rye.

The earlier this grain Il gotten in the better pros
pect will there be Of it, succeeding we'll. In
instances this grain IL allotted 10 light, thin soils,
ia which neither the elements Of mineral or nutri
tive manures exist, and then, because the yields
are light, the grain Is condemned, when, in fact,
the fault lies in the sowerlies in the fact that he
had not provided IL any thing 20 eat-for IL il a
truth, that rye, like every thing else that grows,
requires nourishment. We are aware, and readily
admit the fact, that light lands suit rye best but
then this ghness Of soil has regard 10 it, torture
alone, and does not imply that the soil also shall be
ty-strickcn--eKhausted and WORKOUT. Rye
10 be sure requires less fertility in the soil than
wheat but still il il necessary that there shall be
something in the earth besides sand wherever il
may be grown In its straw, there Is very large
per centum Of silica, but before that can enter
therein, the sand must be dissolved by potash, and
reduced cOnsistence 10 be taken up by the roots
Of the rye plants IT, therefore, the field on which
rye il 20 b. has been long IN culture without
having been treated TO ashes or lime, the conclu-
sion i reasonable one, that it, mineral constitu-
ents have been nearly exhausted and IL is equally
reasonable TO conclude that they should be resup-
piled. How this is 10 BE- done IL a question Of some
moment. A moderate dressing Of COR dung would
furnish nearly, II not ALL that rye requires; but
there many who have not that manure 70 give
not perhaps the time 10 haul II out and spread H.
We will suggest that compost, formed in the pro-
portion ~ the Of bushels Of lime 5 bushels Of
ashcs, bushel Of salt, and Of plaster, II tho
roughly mixed together and applied TO even thin,
poor ianus NDuiu insure gov crop 81 rye ana
carry q clover crop after IL. The compost above
spoken Of H. Of course, 20 BE- applied 10 the surface
and narrowed in with the grain when seeded. And
we do not wish 10 be misunderstood, We will
here remark, that do not prescribe il as an ap-
plicstion calculated for permanent improvement
~ poor soil, but the ensurer Of crop Of rye and
the setting If clover. The clover once set should
a. carry ID prosperously through it, allotted time,
BE- treated % a bushcl Of plaster also.
Preparation Of the gTOund.-Pioug deep, turn
the burrows fat, and harrow thoroughly.
Quantity ~ seed per acre.--Tbc quantity 81 seed
Usually -O~n pr acre y pecks We prefer 20 sOw
5 pccks.
Preparation " The seed. - We usually soak ed il from
y 10 p hours in salt brine, made strong enough To
hOsi an egg, and a. were about 20 SOW drained
ofl the brine, and mixed ashes lime or plaster with
the seed, 10 divide and render them easy Of
distribution.
C0veing he seed. This may be done either with
the plough, cultiystOr, or harrow-Our method was
70 use The plough, and cover the seed from 2 10 3
inches, then harrow and roll Whatever nipple.
nent may b. used the work should be completed
with the roller
II the rye should prove luxuriant and rank il
should be grazed ia early spring with sheep and
calves but not with heavy stick liner Farmer.