The Osceola times., 1886-10-16
WHEAT CULTURE.
sowing Too Much Seed a Mistake Mads
by Very Many Grovers

iuiiy SIX pecks. Each year of observa-
tlon or experience the more convlnces
me that this, save in few cases. is too
much; and that not only would seed be
saved, but much larger yield would be
made by sowing less seed. 1t can be
shown that a quart of seed per acre
should produce very heavy yield; for a
grain can be made to produce one thou
sand fold-the plant tillering till twenty
culms are produced, and each culm will
bear head containing fifty grains.
But, OF course, this does not hold good
in practice. With our present imple-
ments and methods of farming it is i'm
possible TO so prepare the ground and
SOW the seed as to give TO each grain
those conditions without which It can
not reach IFS highest estate. and hence
more seed is required. More than this,
we can not altogether prevent the
action of frost or the ravages OF
insects and Larvae, and the destruc-
ton wrought by these must be pro.
vided for in advance by sowing a greater
amount of seed. How great this amount
should be will depend upon circum-
stances. Generally speaking, the min
mum quantity per acre which should
be sown is three pecks, and the maxi
mum quantity is six pecks. The guam
tlty should vary with the fertility of the
land, the character of the soil. the eli
mate, the situation and lay of the land.
the variety of wheat and the condition
of the seed-bcd. Where the situation of
the land and the climate are favorable,
the soil is suitable and the seed-bed
in good condition, three pecks per acre
is an abundance upon the most fertile
soil. Less seed is required now than
forty years ago. For, aside from the
change in the fertility of the soil we
now have better implements and prac-
tice better methods, and therefore pro-
vide for the seed those conditions which
conduce to complete termination of the
seed and vigorous growth of the plant.
Forty years ago the ground could not
be plowed so well as now. and il is GER
tain that the secd-bed was not nearly so
well fined and compacted as it is at the
present time. Nor was the manner of
sowing so favorable to the germina-
ton of the seed. Broadcasting was
thcn the only method BY it the
seed was uncyenly distribute and COW
cred. at the lest. In some spots twice
the seed fell that should have been
there, while other spots were compara-
lively bare. OF course more seed was
required than if each spot of ground
had received its share of seed. Then,
again, more seed was required because
it was covered unevenly. The man who
put in wheat thirty years ago need not
be told that, on account OF the rough
seed-bcd and the manner of covering
the seed, some grains were covered six
inches deep, while others were left ex-
posed upon the surface. The latter
could not germinate and rotted or were
picked up by birds; the former might
but the plant could not push
It's way to the surface. With the force
feed grain drill the seed is distributed
very nearly as evenly as could be done;
and if the seed bed has been properly
the seed will be covered so
that none will be lost by rea-
son of having too much or too little
earth above it; while on account of more
even distribution and covering. and the
better condition Of the seed-bed, fewer
plants will be weakly and fail to reach
hence less seed will be re.
luired to produce a good yield
If we can secure as large yield by
sowing three pecks as by sowing six
pecks, we can make groat saving in
the aggregate. Ii will amount to tens
of millions of bushels; but by sowing the
proper amount of seed we gain more.
Sowing too much seed reduces the weld
rs surely as not sowing enough seed.
There are so many plants that all can
not gam sustenance. Ii six pecks We're
evenly distributed over an acre. there
would be one grain in each space of two
and onc-half inches square. This is
certainly not enough for plant to live
upon. and if restricted TO this space it
must be weakly, and it certainly can not
tiller. At the beginning of growth
some plants, on account of the greater
vitality and size of the seed and more
favorable condition surrounding it, have
the advantage; and, in the struggle for
existence, made bitter by over-crowd-
ing, these stronger plants will kill out
the weaker ones. The weaker ones are
lost; but this is not the full extent of the
loss. The stronger plants, though they
triumph, are weakened by the struggle,
and lack the vigor and thrift they would
have were they only to exist at the be-
ginning of growth Thus there is a
loss not only of seed, but also of vitality
ON the part of those plants which sur
yiye. 1t is apparent that it is of the
greatest Importance TO sow enough
seed, but no more, and the proper
amoJnt should be determined by each
grower for himself, since it will vary
With the soil, etc. peculiar to each farm
or farssa-. In my opinion, the man
who sec& TO determine the proper
amount is r.1H in beginning by sowing
less seed that Ne has been.
II will be oh 'erved that | am in favor
Of drilling in 'lt9 wheat. using two
horse force-fced gtNn drill and | would
say that another mistake of wheat
grower, vas in rot using the drill. |
know that some vc.y successful wheat
growers are advocates of broadcasting,
but can not avoid thinking that there
must be something exceptional about
their farms or methods, or that they
would be yet more successful if they
used the force-feed drill. For my part
can not see how it can be otherwise,
for the drill certainly distributes the
seed more evenly than the most careful
can, and covers it more uni
lormly than can be done with harrow
Or brush. Evenness in distribution and
in covering are certainly ia.
vorablc TO the termination of the seed
and the growth of the plant And |
have found the ridges made by the drill
Of great benefit in holding the snow on
tbe wheat This covering has often