Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-10

the centre had a crack in it, by
means of which some of the seed
was scattered on the ground along
the track of this defective tine; the
driver, using double lines, took a
central position behind the drill,
and walking after it trod on many
of the scattered grains, which
caused them to take root and flour
ish. The result of my observations
may be summed up as follows:
fThe wheat regularly drilled in
had from three to five blades all
standing erect, while that which had
been covered by the drivers foot,
not more than half an inch deep,
had from eight to fourteen blades,
all extended fat upon the ground,
broad -leaved and vigorous, while
the drilled plants were distinguishes
able by their sharp-pointed, grass
like blades, standing upright. l af-
forwards examined other fields
which had been cultivated in vari-
GUS ways, and without an excep-
ton / found that the wheat which
had been covered, how lightly So
ever, was sure in the month of April
to exhibit more branches and a
comparative superiority over all
other wheat of greater depth OF
covering.
"From these observations, am
satisfied that, when the land is re-
duced to proper fineness, and the
wheat is barely covered, say not
more than an inch deep (half an
inch would be better,) is the best
mode of seeding wheat which has
vet been tried. But as it is gener-
ally sown, especially in Eastern
Virginia, on rough, unrolled land
amongst the clods, it appears to me
the very worst and most costly
mode Of preparation that can be
adopted. Let every farmer test the
matter for himself. Let him this
fall select a piece of ground far
enough off from his homestead to
secure it immunity from the depre-
dations of fowls, ETC., and there
make an experiment after this man
ner: with grubbing hoe, open
trench nine or ten feet long, gradu-
ated in depth from one inch at the
beginning to nine or ten inches at
the end; then drop agrain Of wheat
every three or four inches upon this
graded bottom; then cover up
evenly with the surface of the
trench. Let him also open another
drill as nearly resembling the mark
of the drill tine as possible; then
let him drop the wheat exactly as
was done in the trench as to dis
lance; cover it with fine earth from
q half to three~quarters Of an inch
deep, thus just hiding it from the
birds; let it be examined after rain,
and if any of the grain is uncovered,
let it be again very slightly covered
as at first; then leave 1t to itself,
except to pull up any large weeds
which may spring up to obstruct It's
growth; and when all has been
completely and accurately done,
wait for results, and report them to
the Southern Planter and Farmer.
"The manner of seeding first men
toned, with shovel plow simply,
or with the plow followed with
harrows, without proper examina-
ton, would be considered deep
seeding. Let all who now think
SO, examine the field after the first
good rain, and again examine it the
following April, and my word for
it. they will find the greater portion
of the good wheat was covered very
shallow at seed time.
"Why, let me ask, is tap-rooted
clover thrown out by frost2 1t
certainly extends its main root far
below the reach of the frost. Again:
how is it that the timothy plant,
which is shallow-rooted, and has
to be sown in the fall on the sur
face, and put in by the first rain,
is never cast out Of the earth by
frost? Does it not appear that the
shallow-rooted winter plant rises
| M with the frosted earth, and re-
turns with it when thawed2 Admit
| this as true, and observe but to a
limited extent, and you will be con
WINGED of the fact that thousands
are lost every year in Virginia by
| excessively deep seeding"