Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-09-01

SnWING RYE.

The earlier this grain is gotten IN the
better prospect will there be OF Its succeed
ing well. In most instances this grain Is
allotted to light thin soils, III which neither
the elements of mineral or nutritrVe man
ures exist, and then, because the yields are
light, the grain is condemned, when 10 Tact
-be fauIt lies in the sower,-lles IN the
fact that he had not provided ii anything to
-aat-for il is truth, that rye, like every
r-bipg else that grows, requires nourlshment.
We are aware, and readily admit the fact
that light lands suit rye best, but then, this
liehtness of soil has regard 10 IFS texture
alone, and does not imply tba, the soil also
shall be poverty stricken-exhausted and
worn out. Rye, to be sere, requires less
fertility in the soil than wheat, but still, II
is necessary that there shall be something
in the earth besides sand wherever II may
be grown. In lis straw, thsre is a very
lsrge per centum of SILICA, but before that
ran enter therein, the sand must be dissol-
we'd by potash, and reduced to conslstence
10 be taken up by the roots of the rye
plants. IF, therefore, The field on which
rye is to be sown, has been Tong IN culture
wishou. having been treated TO ashes, or
lime, the conclusion is reasonable one,
tha. its mineral constituents have beennear-
" exhausted, and it is equally reasonable
10 conclude, that they should be resupplied.
How this IS to be done, is question of
some moment. 4 moderate dressing OF
Cotr dung would furnish nearly, If not all,
that rye requires, but as there are many
who have not that manure to give, or not
perhaps the time to haul it out and spread
it. we will suggest, that a compost, formed
in the proportion 10 the acre, OF bushels
Of lime, bushels of ashes, l bushei of
salt, and Of plaster, If thoroughly mixed
together and applied TO even Thin poor land
would ensure good crop Of rye and carry
. clover crop after it. The compost above
spoken Of, is, Of course, TO be applied TO
the surface and narrowed 10 with the grain
when seeded And as we do not wish TO
be misunderstood, we will here remark,
that we do not prescribe it is an applica-
ton calculated for permanent improve
ment Of poor soil, but as ensurer Of crop
Of rye aud the setting Of clover. The clo-
YER oncs set, should 10 carry it prosper
ously through its allotted time, be treated
10 bushel Of plaster also.
Preparation Of the ground.-Plough
deep, turn the burrows fiat, and harrow
thoroughly.
Quantity of seed per 0cre.-'rhe guam
iity of seed usually sown, per acre, is
pecks; we prefer TO sow 5pecks.
Preparation of the seed.-We usually
soaked il from II to - 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 tie Seed.-This may be done
either with the plough, cuItIvator or har.
row-our method was to use the plough,
and cover the seed from 10 3 inches, then
harrow, and roll. Whatever implement
may be used, the work should be compile
ted 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
eteck.-Am. Farmer.