Veemont Agricultural Report. 



(4) It sweetens the soil by aeration, and the consequent removal 

 of acids. (5) It makes the soil warmer. (6) It provides a bet- 

 ter place for the activities of soil bacteria. These bacteria are 

 very essential for the preparation of plant food for the young 

 plants. 



Whether the large amount of cultivation recommended by 

 the Clark system would be economical on all farms is perhaps 

 doubtful, yet the writer does not hesitate tO' urge the importance 

 of more thorough tillage than is commonly practiced. One who 

 has not tried it will be surprised at the benefits to be derived by 

 harrowing a soil eight or ten times before seeding. 



The second important point in the Clark method is the use 

 of liberal quantities of commercial fertilizer consisting chiefly 

 of finely ground bone mixed with nitrate of soda and muriate 

 of potash. The use of 500 to 800 pounds at the time of seeding 

 (about Sept. ist) and of 500 pounds more in the spring is 

 recommended, and furnishes a generous supply of plant food 

 when added to what is prepared by the heavy tillage, which pre- 

 cedes seeding. In order to encourage a second crop, 200 pounds 

 more is added after the first crop is cut. 



The use of large quantities of seed helps to keep every inch 

 of ground occupied with thrifty plants. By using a mixture of 

 timothy and red-top the Clark method claims that greater weight 

 of hay can be obtained than from timothy alone. The finer red- 

 top occupies the spaces between the coarser and taller timothy and 

 the two together no doubt occupy the land more fully than either 

 alone. The rate of seeding advised is 14 quarts of timothy, and 

 14 quarts of cleaned red-top. 



SEEDING GRASS LANDS. 



There is probably no question relating to the cultivation of 

 grasses in which there is so wide difference of opinion or of 

 practice as regarding the best method and time of seeding. In 

 general, methods of seeding may be divided into two. ( i ) Seed- 

 ing with a nurse or protecting crop, and (2) Seeding to grasses 

 or clover alone. Under the first of these methods fall seeding or 

 spring seeding may be practiced. Probably the best nurse crops 

 are rye and wheat. The use of these crops allows for fall seed- 

 ing and gives the tender grasses and clovers a longer period in 

 which to become established. In the more northerly climates on 

 heavy, clayey soils, this method of seeding is often the best be- 

 cause the winter grain is not as likely to become thrown out by 

 the heaving of the soil resulting from freezing and thawing as is 

 the newly seeded grass when seeded without a protecting crop. 



