114 BTRNET. 



sheep, as it supplies an important addition of food in 

 tlie pincliing season of tlie early part of spring. But 

 if made into liay, when uncombined with other 

 grasses, it is coarse and unpalatable. By itself it is, 

 indeed, an inferior food, for although it possesses a 

 tonic and aromatic projDerty, which renders it of con- 

 siderable value when mixed with the grasses of the 

 elevated pastures of the Downs, and it is there inva- 

 riably cropped close to the ground, yet, if grown 

 separately, it is rejected by stock, unless pressed by 

 hunger. When intended for summer pasture or hay, 

 it should, therefore, be joined with other grasses, or 

 at least with white clover, which will both render it 

 more palatable, and afford a heavier crop, than if sown 

 alone. 



On poor, chalky soils it has also been tried with 

 good effect, in combination with cocksfoot, and also 

 with small quantities of meadow fescue and perren- 

 nial fescue, and its hardy nature on soils of that de- 

 scription renders it worthy of attention. 



After it has been sown, whether for seed or a second 

 crop of hay, the stock should be kept from it during 

 the whole of the autumn and winter, that there may 

 be a full bite for sheep in the spring ; for this is its 

 peculiar advantage, and its utility in a great measure 

 depends upon it ; at least Burnet is much less bene- 

 ficial under the contrary management. 



The proportion of seed is generally about one 

 bushel to the acre, and the most proper season is 

 early spring. It is usually sown with barley or 

 oats, and covered in by two harro wings. It may 

 also be sown, w^ith buckwheat in May with|much pro- 

 priety. 



