SECRETARY'S REPORT. 1G7 



I. In no branch of tlio Imsbandiy of tlio county is a greater re- 

 form needed than in tlie cultivation and management of grass lands. 

 This reform is called for in several jiarticulars. First, in the prep- 

 aration of land to be seeded. Upon many of the older farms the 

 prevailing practice has been to plow up sward land and plant with 

 potatoes, applying no dressing, then to plant with corn, putting 

 on the scanty amount of manure made from a small stock of cattle, 

 after which the land is sowed to barley or oats, and seeded down. 

 In some cases a fair catch of grass is obtained, if the season is 

 favorable, but the land soon runs out and produces but a small 

 amount of forage. If mowed for several years, as is usual before 

 it is again plowed up, the yield decreases each year, and at length 

 will not pay for going over. Sometimes it is pastured for a few 

 years before being plowed. By this practice, it will be seen at 

 once, that the last possible amount of nourishment is drawn from 

 the soil before the grass seed is put on ; hence the importance of 

 having the land thoroughly tilled and well prepared by a judicious 

 and liberal system of manuring befoi*e seeding to grass. If this is 

 not done, the product of the field will be greatly lessened. To 

 obtain a fine tilth, and leave the surface of the ground as smooth 

 as possible; either by means of the roller or brush harrow, is also 

 a matter of no small consequence. 



Second, the amount of seed per acre. The universal rule among 

 farmers of the county has been, a peck of timothy (herds-grass,) 

 and ten pounds of clover to the acre. Upon rich, moist land, this 

 amount m^j be sufficient, but as a general thing, land is too lightly 

 seeded. There is a great difierence in the yield of a field seeded 

 sparingly, and one in which a liberal supply of seed has been put 

 on. If there is not a sufficient amount of grass seed sown, the 

 land is liable to come in with weeds, and the grass will suffer more 

 from drouth, and also be more apt to winter kill. In some parts 

 of the county considerable quantities of grass seed are raised and 

 prepared for market, and farmers do not generally produce their 

 own seed. Where the seed is bought at prices rather high, they 

 are liable to think a smaller quantity per acre will do, than what 

 is absolutely necessary, and hence the reason of a light seeding. 

 Farmers should all raise their own seed ; they can then rely upon 

 its being new and pure, and make a heavier application to their 

 land. 



Spring seeding is the practice followed to a great extent. When 

 wheat was cultivated more generally than for many years past, it 



