144 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The results in the last three colurans were obtained bj sowing 

 tlie seed in finely sifted dark loam, which was kept moist through- 

 out the process of germination, to which is attributable the circum- 

 stance of so many of the sorts vegetating best, as shown in column 

 fourth, without covering, and under full exposure to the light. The 

 combination of such favorable circumstances of soil and moisture 

 can, however, be rarely or never calculated upon in field sowing. 

 It would therefore seem the policy of the farmer to cover seeds, but 

 as slightly as possible. The table is suggestive and instructive as 

 to the quantity of seed to be sown, as well as regarding the proper 

 depth of covering, for a little calculation will show that the amount 

 commonly sown where a mixture of Timothy, rediop and clover is 

 used, would suffice to give from one thousand to two thousand seeds 

 to the square foot. Now as a sod can rarely be found containing a 

 half or a quarter of that number of plants, it would seem that much 

 seed fails, either from bad quality, too deep covering, or some other 

 cause, and should suggest caution as to all the points on which suc- 

 cess or failure may depend. 



The practice of fall feeding, or pasturing meadow lands, is gener- 

 ally practiced by our farmers, and almost as generally condemned 

 as injurious. The inquiry is an interesting one, whether the opinion, 

 or the practice, is more correct, and an inquiry into their merits 

 would likely show that much depends upon the manner and extent 

 in which it is done. Upon mowing fields in good condition, (and 



