THE SOWING OF GRAIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 23 September 1914, Page 7

THE SOWING OF GRAIN.

SHALL WE SOW THICK OR THIN? One often sees the question raised in the agricultural press whether better resultß are obtained by sowing cereals thick or thin.and both methods find advocates who strongly recommend one or the other according to their personal experience. This divergence of opinion is natural, because the problem depends on varying factors. It is impossible to lay down precise rules which are applicable to every case. The character of ths soil ia undoubtedly' the chief factor. If the soil is eminently suitable for the crop the seeds can be sown more sparingly than in cases where the soil is not so well adapted and in this connection the natural fertility of the land and the nature of the previous croo have to be considered. Assuming a soil rich in plant food, it will produce stronger plants, requiring more space for their proper development. The growth of each single plant is freer and better, more room is allowed to the root* to find their supply of nourishment, and the more freely their leave are exposed to the bneficient influences of sunshine and air. Therefore in good Boils a superfluous liberality of seed/is so much case, and, indeed, an injury to the crop. | On the other hand, on poor soils and on soils no 4 sufficiently prepared, lumpy, or subject to weeds, it is judicious to sow more freely. Similarly, if the ground is either very dry or wet in character, or subject to insect pests, seed Bhould not be stinted. Again, the quality of the seed is an important factor. Heavily wellformed seed with good germinating power ean b« sown more sparingly than seed of an unertain and inferior, quality. We should say also that the date of the sowing operation has - an influence on the question. As a rule, early, sowing needs less seed than a later sowing. In the first case the roots have more time to seek nourishment, and the plants may be expected to develop more strongly. And finally the method of sowing must be taken into account. Seed broadcasted must be sown more thickly than seed entrusted to the ground by a drill. It is not possible to sow by hand so evenly, nor ia the seed deposited at a uniform depth. Some grains certainly remain on the surface and fail to germinate, so that the use of a sowing machine is a real economy. a" full and satisfactory crop does not by any means always follow a thick sowing. Consideration of all the circumstances must be given if ihe best results are to be obtained. —Mark Express.