Nebraska advertiser., 1858-04-08
country

Red Clover otOlI2 iI5 tOliI2
Tall oat Grass lT2 to sI4 1II2tO sI4
The foregoing results were obtained by
careful experiments The first column
shows that the five kinds of seeds germi-
mated as well on the surface of the ground
as those that were covered from one fourth
to three fourths of an inch. But it is
proper to say that the soil used IN the ex-
periments to ascertain the proper depth
of covering, was kept moist during the
process of termination, though freely ex-
posed to the light, which accounts for the
large number of seeds terminating with
out any covering whatever.
Only one half of the several kinds of
seeds germinated when covered at the
depths specified in column second and
none of the seeds germinated when COW
cred al the depths specified IN the third
columns. The above statements viii
doubtless surprise many farmers. We
hase tinie and again known farmers 90
SOW iheiE grass seeds Al the same time
they sowed their grain. and then with a
heavy harrow, 60 over the ground from
two to four times. Such process must
bury much of the seed too deep to vege-
tate, if there is any truth In the figures
we have given.
Mr.. F. also gives the number of seeds
in bushel of red top seed; also in peck
of timothy, and in four pounds of clover
seed. The above named quantities of
seeds are used by many farmers in stock
ing down an acre of land to grass. Other
farmers, frequent yuse, in addition to the
bushel of red top,a large quantity OF tim
othy and clover.
Now it has been ascertained by care
fully counting the seeds IN an ounce of
the three kinds of seeds, how many there
are in pound or a 5ushel. From this
data it has been ascertained that the far
mer that sowS upon an acre of land one
:bushel of red top. one peck of timothy,
and four pounds of clover, puts upon his
acre no less than So $685. 900 seeds. This
gives over Is seeds to the square inch, or
about 2.200 seeds to the square foot
What farmer ever gets such number OF
grass plants upon square inch or foot OF
his newly stocked down field Z!
From many years observation, and
some recent experiments, we are led &c
; believe that not much less Than half the
grass seed sown by many farmers fails tC
germinate in consequence Of being 'co-
vered too deep"
We have frequently seen farmers SOW
! ing their grain and grass seeds upon tht
: furrow, and then cross harrow, for tht
, express purpose of burying the seeds deel
! from the mistaken idea that there was nj
danger of covering the minute seed
I 100 deep for vegetating.
D We have known others to only pass tht
: harrow over the burrows, then sow thei
2 grain and grass seeds, and then "fnisl
i off, bv going over the ground twice witt
e the cultiyator. But according to the tabl
g of depths of Towering grass seeds. it seem
that the seeds of timothy, clover an
f white clover fail to germinate when CO
vered at the depth of two inches-wher
the cultivator is used for covering tn
o seeds. ii is very probable that larg
II norton of them get buried two inches Q
!, more. II SO, LlSn lHCg AoA 10 FCSCtdtC.
e Some defer sowing the grass seeds ii
II they have done using the harrow; the
sow the seeds, and 60 over the land wit
a Ubrush harrow w''--but the brush harro
i sometimes draws the surface soil an
Il seeds too much into ridges.
Some may ask, if there is so much dan
Is ger of covering grass seeds too dee
u what is the remedy VIII it do to so
# them upon the surface of the ground, an
! leave the seeds to their fate Witho
is answering the above questions direct, v
,r will give the results of several exper
r ments we have recently made IN sowir
is grass seeds.
St In November, 1856, we sowed sma
al piece of land with winter rye; after ha
,e rowing the rye, sowed at the rate of OF
W peck OF timothy seed per acre; intends
to to have rolled the ground the next da
ID but that proved rainy; nothing farth
was done with the field till last Apr
" when we sOwed about six pounds Of clOv