Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-09-13
Agricultural Affairs.

SowING RYE.-The earlier this grain
is gotten in the better prospect will there
be Of its succeeding well. In most in
stances this grain is allotted to light thin
soils, in which neither the elements Of
mineral or nutrutive manures exist, and
then, because the yields are light, the
grain is condemned, when,> in fact, the
fault lies in the sower,-lies in the fact
that he had not provided it anything to eat
for it is a truth, that rye, like every
thing else that grows, requires nourish-
ment. We are aware, and readily admit
the fact, that light lands suit rye best, but
then, this lightness ofsoil has regard to its
feature alone, and does not imply that the
soil also shall be poverty stricken-ex-
hausted and WORKOUT. Rye, to be sure,
requires less fertility in the soil than
wheat, but still, it is necessary that there
shall be something in the earth besides
sand wherever it may be grown. In its
straw, there is a very large per centom
Of silica, but before that can enter therein,
the sand must be dissolved by potash, and
| reduced TO consistence to be taken up BY
the roots of the rye plants. H, therefore,
the field on which rye is to be sown, has
been long in culture without having been
treated to ashes, or lime, the conclusion
| is reasonable one, that its mineral con-
stituents have been nearly exhausted, and
it is equally reasonable 10 conclude, tina,
they should De resupplied. How this is
| to be done, is a question Of some moment
A moderate dressing of coU dung would
furnish nearly, ifnot all, that rye requires
but as there are many who have not that
manure 10 give; or not perhaps the time
to haul it out and spread it, we will sug.
gest, that a compost, formed in the pro.
portion TO the acre, of 8 bushels of lime
bushels OF ashes, bHshel of salt, and
of plaster, if thoroughly mixed together
and applied to even thin poor land, would
ensure good crop Of rye, and carry a
clover crop after it. The compost above
spoken of, is, of course, to be applied to
the surface and narrowed in will, the grain
when seeded. And as we do not wish Il
be misunderstood, we will here remark
that we do moi prescribe it as all applica.
ton calculated for a permanent improve
ment Of poor soil, but as the ensuer of a
crop of rye and the setting Of clover
The clover once set, should, to carry it
prosperously through its allotted time, be
treated to bushel of plaster also. ss
Preparation of the Ground Plough
deep, turn the burrows fiat, and harrow
thoroughly.
Quantity Of seed per acre The quaint
ty of seed usually sown. per acre, is 4
pecks we-prefer 70 sow 5 pecks. ~...
Preparation Of the seed.-We usually
soaked it from l2t "a hours in salt brine,
made strong enough to float an egg, and
as we were about to sow drained off the
brine, and mixed ashes, lime or plaster
with the seed, SO as to divide and render
them easy of distribution.
Covering the seed.-This may be done
either with the pillow, cultivator or har-
row-our method was to use the plough,
and cover the seed from 2 TO 3 inches,
then harrow, and roll. Whatever imple-
ments may be used, the work should be
completed with the roller. ..,........-..
If the rye should prove luxuriant and
rank, it should be grazed in early spring
with sheep and calves, but not with heavy
stock .-.4m. EnrD,er. .a... e..s.... ..-.