INDIANA FARMER.
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, ZTIochiinics and the   Useful Arts.
;pb"t!,S-w^;,1,'1 RICHMOND, September 15, 1855. ^riv^^S;
How much Whent to Sow per Acre.
This is a subject about which farmers often
differ, and a word on the subject may not be
amiss. And'in the first place we will remark,
that the quantity "of seed to be sowu per
acre, agects the yield of the crop less than is
generally supposed. In England wc believe
the amount of seed sown, will average about
two bushels; yet one of her greatest farmers
has proved that a good crop can be grown
from two quarts of seed. This, however, was
done by putting the ground in tho very best
order, and distributing tbe seed very regularly with a drill made especially for the purpose. In this country tho quantity, varies
from 3 pecks to 2 bushels,—from 1* bushel* to
1 __ "being the ordinary allowance. From many years close observation on the subject we
have come to tbe conclusion that the amount
of-seed necessary, varies greatly..with) the
kind of land, the manner of preparing it, and
especially the-mode'of sowing. For instance
one bushel, properly sown with a good drill,
will make as much wheat, at harvest, all other
circumstances being equal, as 1^, or even
more sown' broad-cast. :Th'e'principal reason
ls,' that the grain is mbreevenly ; distributed,
as that each stoolcan spread and shoot out a
number of stalks. Again, if ground is very
uneven, that is, not harrowed smooth and level, it is useless to sow thick, as the grain ia
collected in bunches, in covering it, so that
many of tho seed, unless sown very thin, cannot produce more than two or three heads,
and those small. This kind of seeding is a
great loss to the farmer, as it is impossible to
have the plants stand evenly on the ground,
and without this, a full crop cannot ba expected. Wheat.ground should always be harrowed before sowing, unless turned over very
smoothly indeed. *..*■'
Last fall, in seeding with a new drill, a part
of a 4 acre patch was accidentally sown very
thin, say less than 3 pecks per acre, and yet
at harvest, this part seemed little thinner on
the ground than where 1 bushel or moro was
sown; yielding if our calculation is not at
fault, about 29 bushels per acre.
On a heavy clay, a black loam underlaid
•with clay, or in any situation were it is very
liable to winter.-kill, wheat should be sown
thick, especially if sown broadcast, in order1
that the tops may form a protection to the
roots, and to allow for a large number . of
plants being frozen out, and still enough left
to make a crop. The winter sometimes kills
all the plants but not often. To conclude tho
matter we should say that, under ordinary;
circumstances, ono bushel sown with the drill
will generally yield as much wheat, as a larger
quantity: 1^bushels is the greatest plenty;
and if, sown broadcast, 1 peck more should
bo added. '7
-    Save Corn Fodder... ■-,
i. Those who vsere unfortunate, as very many
were, in getting their hay crops injured with
the wet, or what ia worse, losing it entirely,
should cut off their .corn, or enough of it- to
ensure themselves plenty ot winter forage.—-
Any kind of .stock: will greatly.prefer lit, to
mtisly.hay; or that which is dead* lipe, and
will retain their flesh much better.
iln cutting off corn, the..most* economical
way is to put 64. hills in a shock. The 4 centre hills should. be brought together at the
tops and: confined, then- corn knife in hand
cut off the remaining 60- nnd sot them up
without laying them.on the ground. To lay
down inpiles, before shocking is a great loss
of labor, as well as a risk of getting tho fodder injured by wet. .
The shocks should be well secured at tho
top, otherwise, they arc liable to fall down
arid rot beforo winter. ;To do this cornstalks
aro commonly used;-because they are.handy;
but some of them are sure to give way and
the shocks fall. Hay :or straw twisted into
ropes, is preferable, sweet potato vines are often used, but broom-corn stalks, are still batter. They are quickly used, and very tough
and durable. Lynn or other tough bark is
good. Tbe shocks if well secured, may be
hauled in and husked out only as the fodder is
needed through the winter.
*te«_r*The cochineal insect, from whieh a
beautiful scarlet dye is obtained, is imported
into Great Britain to tho extent of 1,000 tons
annually, the value of which is estimated at
£149,000.