The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-05-12
THE FARM.

JUN a u VT
GREAT UTILITY Of GLASS IN HASTEN
ING VEGETATION.
Mr.. EDIToR:-It is awell-known fact
that a large proportion of the seeds
first planted in the spring Casually the
best seed is lost by rotting in the
ground. The following we'll tested plan
will, to a great extent, prevent, this
and at the same time cause the seed to
terminate more readily. After having
thoroughly p~ulverized and leveled the
ground place about two spadetuls OF
fresh stable manure in conical piles on
top of the ground in rows OF proper
distances apart according to the seeds
to be planted, This large quantity OF
manure is intended to create a warmth
and preserve the seeds, rather than
for fertilizing purposes. 1t should
only be employed for melons or other
early vegetables. Draw the dirt over
the piles of manure and plant your
seeds in the manure not exceeding two
inches from the surface. The manure
will preserve the seeds, even if planted
a little too early, until the weather
turns sufficiently warm-to crack them
to terminate. Early vegetation can be
still further promoted by placing
wooden boxes, containing glass tops,
over the hills, as will be hereinafter
- Ill o-DIoinoH
Before planting, when the weather
is .cool, or when danger is apprehended
from insects, the seeds can. be advan-
tageously soaked in a solution of car
Donate of ammonia. When seeds first
terminate they obtain acid from the
soil, and the carbonate of ammonia
supplies it. Experience has proven
that termination is thus haste1ed as
well as maturity of the crop, and that
the yield is increased, other things be-
ing equal. About four ounces of the
carbonate of ammonia to a gallon Of
water may be used. The proper time
for the seeds to soak is from twenty
four to forty-eight hours.
sPROUTING THE SEEDS BEFORE PLANTING.
r Certain seeds, especially corn, can
be sprouted to great advantage. To
do this take a headless barrel, say an
ordinary fish barrel, and fill about
half full. with fresh stable n
Pack down and wet with water, which
will cause it to heat. Place on the
manure some straw or other covering,
and then add the corn, soaked as afore-
said. Complete by covering with wet
cloths of any kind. Water, prefer
ably warm, should be occasionally
added in proper quantities, care being
taken not to let the manure get suff-
GENTLY warm to injure the corn, which
will rarely, if ever, occur When the
sprouts attain the length Of about a
half inch the corn is in proper condi-
ton for planting.
ADVANTAGES OF SPROUTING.
1. A much better stand can be Sc
cured.
3. The corn may be dropped accord
ing to the stand desired, one grain for
one stalk, and SO on, thus saving seed
and also the usual time consumed in
replanting and thinning. If the
sprouted grains only be planted
(throwing away those not sprouted, on
planting a number of seed in n hilD
they will nearly all come I'D.
3. If the ground be dry, the advan-
tage is~great; provided, that the corn.
be covered with moist dirt. I have
had corn, planted when the ground
was dry, to come uR well and attain
nearly the height of foot without rain,
when it would barely have come up at
all had it not been sprouted before
planting.
4. The young plants will have a con-
start of the grass and weeds,
thus rendering cultivation much
easier. I have had sprouted corn,
when the ground was warm,
to come up in less than forty-eight
hours.
If the first sprout that starts from
corn, being the root, be broken off, or
even cut off, close to the grain, no in
jury will follow. Other small roots
will start out and the corn will come
and do as well as if the root had
remained whole. When dropping the
corn. it will be advisable to fill the
left hand and then select and drop the
sprouted grains. AT the last we usu-
find a half dozen or more grains
not sprouted, which would ordinarily
make the missing hills. These we-can
drop in one hill or throw away, as may
be deemed best.