MGEST OF STATE REPORTS. 493 



hay cau be raised by seeding immediately to grass tliau cau bo douc by 

 cropping "vvith corn and potatoes, to be followed witli coru and potatoes 

 again, grain tlie third year, and grass or clover the fourth. On most 

 soils three-fourths of the value of the manure applied has been con- 

 sumed in the growth of the three crops preceding the iirst hay crop. 

 This is on the supposition that the manures were applied to the first 

 and second crops, and the grain sown without manure, as is the general 

 custom. 



In answer to a question as to how long a grass-field will produce good 

 paying crops, providing it has been cut early, top-dressed, and other- 

 wise properly managed, Mr. Beedo said : 



This tlepends mucli upon the character of the soil. If it is moist, patural grass-laud, 

 or -wet land which has been thoroughly drained, it would, without doubt, produce the 

 best results to mow the held from ten to twelve years. The greatest difficulty to con- 

 tend against is, that the whole process of raising hay is an artificial one; we prolong 

 the vigor and productiveness of the grass plants by artificial means ; their natural ten- 

 dency is to die out in the course of two to five years, and new plants from seed to take 

 their places; and the best cultivated grasses will begin to disappear, except in rare 

 instances, after the tenth year, if we do all we can to i)revent it; wild grasses, vines, 

 and weeds will then make their appearance. Now is the time, sooner or later, as the 

 soil and management vary, to plow and ro-seed, if we wish to preserve the quality 

 and quantity of our hay. On light lands I should plow often — plant one year if I 

 wished to raise hoed crops, and seed down the second year. I should not mow such 

 fields more than five years — four would be better; say a six years' rotation without 

 top-dressing. I should manage light laud, if I wished to seed v>ithout a hoed crop, by 

 breaking up late in the fall, manure immediately, and work it into the soil thoroughly; 

 cultivate and harrow again as early as the ground can bo woi'ked in the spring, seed 

 with grain and grass-seed, or grass-seed alone; if a dry season it would do better with 

 the grain. I should use larger quantities of grass-seed than on richer land, as the 

 plants do not tiller as much. I have tried this method, and it works admirably. 



The great point to be observed in successful grass-culture is to perform every opera- 

 tion at the i^roper time. When the conditions that govern success are favorable push 

 the work ; keep ahead of it. Three of the most important times to observe are these : 

 fall-seeding, if possible, should be done before October; spring-seeding as early as the 

 ground cau be properly f)repared ; toii-dressing should be applied the last of October 

 and the first of November. The season for making composts is every day in the year 



At the Manchester meeting Mr. John Johusou. read an essay on the 

 same subject. As to the proper time of sowing grass-seed, and the 

 management of meadow-land, he said : 



There is no doubt, however, that August is the proper time for seeding our grass- 

 lands. That seems to be the time when nature distributes her seeds ; and I think gi'ass- 

 seed succeeds better when sown in August than any other mouth. I believe in natural 

 things, and nature cannot be easily broken down. To seed our ground in August wo 

 must hasten our haying, that we may prepare the manure heaps, attend to the plow- 

 ing, tScc; and it is a great advantage to the farmer to get his baying out of the way 

 at least by the 12th of Julj". Ilis meadows may be left a little longer ; but no English 

 grass, in my judgment, should remain uncut later than the 12th oi' July. 



It is essential that we should plow pretty deep. Many farmers, for August seeding, 

 plow shallow, manure, barrow slightlj', and sow their seed, and the first thing they see is 

 the grass growing up from the old roots ; the ground becomes nubby, rough, and uneven ; 

 aud if the next season is dry, its yield will be light and about run out. The ground 

 should bo plowed at least from 7 to 8 inches deep, aud be thoroughly pulverized before 

 the manure or seed is applied. Again, if we plow in August, and our hay is cut in good 

 season, we may reasonably expect to plow under quite a heavy grovrth'of grass, which 

 is quite valuable to the crop following. The soil should be thoroughly cultivated, and 

 stirred with the harrow and cultivator until it is made perfectly fine, Avithout bringing 

 up the old sod. It is the same with the soil as with all kinds of drugs. \Yo are tolil 

 by the druggist that the more we rub this or tliat down, the more strength we get out 

 of it for medicine. Hence the more wo Avork and mix the soil the greater will be its 

 strength, and the greater will bo the crop we take from it. Therefore follow the plow 

 with the cultivator or harrow, in order that the soil may be finely pulverizerl. TJio 

 manure must lie made very fine, and .allowed to decompose before iti is applied, so that 

 the little roots may take hold of it when the grass first springs up, and not be obliged 

 to v/ait until it l)ecomcs decomposed in the soil. The lack of nourishment will make 

 the plant Avcak aud the first crop light. 



