Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-02-27

1t is held that the size of the seed controls
the depth of its covering, corn requiring
more than the small grains, the small grains
more than clover, and the grasses least of all.
This rule requires depth of five or six diam
eters of the seed-a light covering for the
smaller grasses; yet we usually give them
much lighter or much heavier burial. We
leave the seed on the surface, to be busted
over by the rains, or harrow it ill., which
buries large share beyond resurrection, and
is therefore loss This shows errors en-
bracing the two extremes of too deep and too
shallow covering, leaving q comparatively
small proportion that meets the successful
requirement. 1t is true some of the rest will
yegetate, .but it comes with less vigor, and is
less enabled to Withstand the season-the
light-covered failing in drouth, the deep
buried being drowned by much rain. In good
ground, and with good season, there will be
more or less success with these extremes
but in all cases the properly covered seed
will make the bulk of the crop, and from
comparatively a small proportion of the seed
sown, the lack being made up by tillerng.
We are, therefore, annually sacrificing
large amount of seed. 1t would probably be
safe to say that half the grain and grass seed
sOwn is lost. Thus millions of dollars worth
of seed is thrown away, and every farmer
contributes his share.
depth is needed. But this depth l find va
res in different soils, sand requiring more,
clay less yet who ever makes the allowance
The blowing, narrowing and sowing are the
same in both. A clay loan, rich and in good
condition, will admit the least covering,
probably, of all soils. It is heavy and hugs
the seed closely Timothy sown on such
soil newly worked, and left So will, with ia
vOrable moist weather, make a good catch
,pl L. H..
practice in times past, and is yet to some eX-
tent. But the seasons cannot be foretold ;
the moisture may be lacking, or a drouth set
i'll Immediately after sprouting Perfection
could be obtained by sowing on an even sur
face-made even by harrow and roller-and
covering to the requisite depth by dropping
fine earth from plaster machine, enlarged
in its capacity, or some invention answering
the purpose. The fine earth could be en-
riched and a compost added. This process
probably would be too expensive and take
too much time. If practicable, it certainly
would be an improvement ON all previous
modes of covering the seed, with the advan-
tage of manuring at the same time and the
farther advantage of selecting for the cover
ing earth suited to the land. This clay might
be used ON sand, and sand on clay. This OF
course is only hint. The practical question
is rs to plan to secure the nearest approach
10 perfect covering. Advance has been made
with the drill. The wheat crop has been i'm,
proved by it, and can be improved still more
by a better adjustment of the depth to the
different kinds of soil. A mellow condition
of the seed bed is indispensable it canno
we'll be worked and fined too much not only
10 secure the proper mechanical requirement
but the fertility is increased by the working
The roller then will make il even and fit it tC
receive the seed which is best covered by
smoothing harrow, the weight of the harrow
aud the size of the teeth depending upon tn,
kind of seed that is sown For grass seed
the drag must be light and the teeth fine, 81
as to stir the soil a very little without dis
placing it, and followed by the roller Fo
grain heavier harrow with longer teeth i
needed, A harrow to cover grass seed ha
long been wanted The use of the brush
drag, the roller or the grain harrow, does no
give full satisfaction. The frost often is pre-
ferred early in the spring on winter grain
and II usually does the best, because cover
ing evenly and lightly.
BY treating land in this way less seed is re
duired, and the catch more certain-neve
failing il put in early providing a
ways that the land is sufficiently rich TO pus
the growth when started. Mellow and POI
Gus ground win allow of deeper covering, an
will thus better Withstand drouth. Cor
should be put in deeper than is the practice
so with the grains, buekwheat perhaps el
eepted, which will make a heavy yield wit
soant covering. l have known it, in moi