The seed grows with a covering of small, short, stiff hairs, which
makes them adhere together; these must be very thoroughly removed
before the seed can be relied upon to flow freely from the machine.
Much of foreign grown seed reaches this country not properly cleaned.
To remove this furze, either thrash the seed with the flail very
thoroughly, when the weather is quite cold and dry, or warm the seed
slightly and rub it with the hand against the wires of a sieve, of
a right degree of fineness to let the hairs fall through. Either
winnow or sink in water, to remove all impurities. If sunk, be
careful to dry the seed at a very moderate temperature. As Carrot
seed vegetates somewhat slowly and the plants are quite small when
they first appear, weeds are apt to get the start of them before
the rows can be seen with sufficient distinctness to make it safe
to use the slide hoe. For this reason some farmers practice soaking
the seed in water and keeping it at a temperature that will nearly
develop the sprout, before planting. This may be done by soaking the
seed from 36 to 48 hours in milk warm, or rather strong manure water,
then removing it to where the air is of about the same temperature.
Stir, it slightly for a few days, and finally dry it sufficiently to
drop freely from the machine by adding plaster, charcoal or dust.
Camphor has a wonderful effect in stimulating the vitality of seed,
and the addition of a small quantity of it to the manure water would
doubtless be of advantage. This process should not be carried so far
as to develop the sprout. Should the surface of the ground be very
dry when the seed is sown, this soaking process may be fatal, for
if the germ is once started it will not live in a dormant state;
it must either grow or die: whereas, seed that have not been soaked
will vegetate after rains wet the dry surface. Be sure that the seed
planter has a good roller attached to it, and not a mere coverer,
as this will help confine the moisture and thus materially aid in
developing the seed.