Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-05-06

IL u nelu tnht the size VI VIC sSS~ ~~
trolls the depth of its covering, corn re-
curing more than the small grams, the
small grains more than clover, and the grass
es least of all. This rule requires depth
of FIVE or six diameters Of the seed-a light
covering for smaller grasses; vet 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 II
in. which buries a large share beyond resur-
rection. and is therefore a loss. This shows
errors embracing the two extremes OF two
deep and too shallow covering, leaving
comparatively small proportion that meets
the successful requirement Ii j. true
some ofthe res; will vegetaie. bu, it comes
with less vigor, and is less enabled TO stand
the season, the light covered failing in a
drouth. the deep buried being drowned b,
much rain In good ground and with a
good season there will he more or less cue
cess with the 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 ullering.
We are. therefore, annually sacrificing a
large amount of seed. |, 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 ever!
farmer contributes his share. ! have said
for each seed certain depth is needed.
Blu, this depth find varies in different
soils. sand requiring more, clay less; yet
who ever makes the allowance The plow-
ing. narrowing and sowing are the same IN
both. 4 clay loan, rioh and in good con
dition, will ADM; the least covering. prob
ably Of all soils. II IL heavier and hugs the
seed closely. Timothy sown on such soil
newly worked. and left 80 wall. in favorable
moist weather, make good catch and pro
duce a good crop. This has been the prao-
tee in time past. and i. We; to some extent
Blu; the season canno; he fore,old; the
moisture may be lacking, or drouih ma,
set in immediately after sprouting. Per-
fiction could be obtained by so~iag on an
even surface-msde even by harrow and
roller-and covering to the requisite depth
By dropping fine earth from a plaster ma
chine enlarged in its capacity. or some IN
yeniion answering the purpose. The fine
l. / I'D
ed This process would probabl, be 'ooex-
pensi,e and take too much time. II prac-
tIcahle. 1t would oertainl, be an improve
men, on all previous modes Of covering the
seed. with the advantage Of manurlng al the
same time. and the farther advantage o.
selecting for the covering earth suited 10
the land Thus clay might be used on sand.
and sand on clay. This i 81 course only a
hint The practical question i a. TO plan
10 secure the nearest approach to perfect
covering.
Advance has been made uiih the dTill
The " hea, crop has been improved by IL,
and can be improved siill more by better
adjustment Of the depth TO the ditfcrcn,
kinds Of soil. \ mellow condition Of the
seed bed IS indispensable; it eAnno; be we'll
worked and fined too much. not only TO Sc
cure the proper mechanical requirement,
but fertility j. increased by the working.
The roller then will make il even and &, to
receive the seed. which Is beet covered b.,
a smoothing harrow, the weight Of the har-
row and the .ize Of the teeth depending on
the size Of the seed sown. For grass seed
the drag must be light and the teeth fine,
50 as To stir the soil yery little without
di.placing it and follow by the roller. For
grain heavier harrow with longer teeth
is needed. A harrow to cover grass seed
has long been wanted. The use Of the
brush-drag, the roller or the grain harrow
does not give satisfaction. The fro,; often
is preferred earl, in the spring on winter
gram. and 1t usually does the best. because
covering evenly and lightly.
BY treating land in this way less seed Is
required, alu lilt CAlGn j. mort etlIA4la-
never failing if put IN the ground early
enough-providing AWAY. tina; the land il.
sufficiently rioh 10 push the growth when
started. Mellow and porous ground will
allow Of deeper covering; and will thus the
better withstand drouth. Corn should be
put in deeper than is the practice; so with
the grains. buck~hea; excepted, which will
make heavy Yield with scan, covering.
have known il in moist weather on mel
low soil on small scale, to grow without
any covering e1cep, wha, i, received from
the rains Country Gentleman.