Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-22

No. AT a depth of ! to inch,
will be its roots, pasging out in all d.
rections and corresponding growth
of leaf.
No. AT a depth of three inches,
will form at first few roots from the
germ, with corresponding set of
leaves. This plant will subsequently,
| form another set of roots near the sur
face and gradually assume the normal
form of plant No. l while the third at
depth of six inches, will probably
terminate, throw out few feeble
roots, and corresponding shoot which
will perish before it reaches the light.
The evils of deep planting as shCwn
here are:
1st,-The germ shoots with much
less vigor, on account of its unnatural
depth below the growing forces of sun
shine and dew.
2nd.-The young plant loses much
of its vitality by the change of axis;
change in place of growth, and loss of
tissue, and the loss from these two
causes may determine whether the
plant shall throw single shoot
or stool of them, as always
desired in this plant; and if the
germ is multiple instead of one las
some claim) then the chances for ad-
ditional shoots in case of injury to the
first one, are very much reauced with
this deep planted seed.
Hence the well known fact, that "too
deep planting Of any seed will cause
spindling and sickly growth, from which
the plant seldom RECEIVERS" The depth
at which seed may terminate varies
according to the nature and condition
of the soil and subsoil. The seed
which would fail to terminate at six in
ches, would make feeble growth at
three, and most vigorous shoot at the
surface. In the loose soil and subsoil,
seed may start it's growth at such a
depth, that it would persist in its at
tempt TO reach the surface or if not,
then the change of sxcis and second
roofing, is a very costly but last resort
to save the life of the plant. This lat
ter process is an evil common to all
deep planting, of all kinds of seeds,
overcome more readily by some than
others, but to be avoided in all.
How? plant at the surface, and couer
NTH q ridge Of loose soil.
For the last ten years we have con-
structed and reconstructed tools upon
this principle for our nursery and gar.
den planting, with most gratifying re.
sults-sowing all seeds at the surface
and ridging over them with light soil.
This is especially valuable in early
spring, or in wet seasons when the soil
is heavy and cold, giving a security not
before known, in very early planting
The advantages are threefold early
and certain termination, early culture,
and vigor of growth ; thus underlying
the main points of success. 1t is adj
apted to all kinds of seeds, to all soils
and seasons. If early ard wet, light
ridge will answer. If late, a heavy
ridge will insure against drouth. A
ridge of soil will remain light and por-
Gus through long wet terms, when, if
fiat, it would become crusty and sod
den it is drainage and airation. 1t
enables the first touch of sunshine to
penetrate the seed-bed, and proves a
match against its MONDAY heats. 1t
works as well for the smallest seeds as
for the larger grains. Carrot, onion,
parsnip, and all such light seeds, are
more often lost by too deep planting
than from any other cause, and the
seedsmen are blamed for theIgnorance
the planter.
DEPTH To COVER.
One rule for this RIGGING over seeds
is, twice the height of ridge, that the
seed would be covered in level plant
ing. For example; carrots one or two
inches; corn aud peas, three to six in
cEes. This will depend somewhat up
on soil and season, but there is little
danger Of getting too much soil in the
ridge, provided the spaces are about
the usual width. Corn, or any crop
that is to be cultivated largely with
the drag, should be planted one inch
under the general surface, and have a
four inch ridge top of that.
CULTIVATION.
For sll light seeds in the garden and
flower beds, we use first the steel rake
rope, drawing it gently lengthwise the
TT2Ts, and for corn drag the same way
ps soon As seeds show termination. |
When seeds are ready to come to the |
light, the second culture with rake or
drag may be crosswise, which with most |