FORAGE CROPS IN NEW ENGLAND. 155 



as at the West, and that it will yield as many or more 

 bushels per acre than rye, the scarcity of seed will no longer 

 be an objection to its use. 



The earliest spring-sown crop I have grown is spring rye. 

 It is perfectly hardy, and should be got in as early as the 

 ground can be fitted for receiving the seed. 



Should the ground freeze hard, or be covered by snow 

 after the rye comes up, it will do very little harm, except by 

 retarding the growth. I have sown four bushels of seed 

 per acre ; but if the land is rich, and the weather favorable 

 to growth, a smaller quantity would be as well, as a very 

 thick stand is liable to lodge before getting its full growth. 



Spring wheat, oats, or barley, either separately or mixed, 

 may be put in to follow spring rye. I prefer keeping them 

 separate, that each crop may be cut and fed, or made into 

 hay, while in its very best condition. 



Oats are more hardy than wheat or barley, and may be 

 sown as early as spring rye, or as soon as the earth will 

 crumble behind the plough. They may be sown, at intervals 

 of a week or ten days, till the weather is warm enough for 

 planting corn. If sown much later, there is danger of loss 

 from rust and blast. Four to six bushels of seed will make 

 a fine growth, which is easily cured in favorable hay weather. 



I would never sow grass-seed with oats; but, if the mixture 

 be made, four bushels of oats would make a heavy seeding. 

 Barley-straw is softer than oat-straw : consequently thinner 

 seeding is required. Three bushels on rich land will cover 

 the ground heavily. Barley, being more tender, should be 

 sowed a little later, — after the ground begins to get warm. 

 It will also stand hotter weather without rusting, which is 

 a point in favor of later sowing. 



I have the past season been experimenting in a small way 

 with a variety of beardless barley, — the " Nepaul ; " which, 

 if it will stand up well, and make as vigorous a growth, 

 would be much more desirable than the bearded varieties, 

 that in their green state cause some cattle considerable 

 annoyance. I am not prepared to express a very decided 

 opinion concerning it, from a single year's trial. A good 

 beardless barley would be very desirable for producing 

 fodder. Of the bearded barleys, I much prefer the two- 

 rowed varieties, as they grow taller, and make a heavier 

 growth. 



