22 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



sown fall upon the surface of the soil. When they fall 

 hefore the grain tnhes they are partially covered. When 

 they fall behind them they have no covering except such 

 as may be given subsequently. Some ^'broadcast seed- 

 ers/' that is, seeders which sow grain by scattering 

 it broadcast are also furnished with grass seed attach- 

 ments. G-rass seeds are sometimes mixed with grain 

 and sown with the same, but this method of sowing in 

 many instances buries the seed too deeplv. 



The sowing of grass seeds with the grain drill or with 

 the grass seed attachment to the same, results in a con- 

 siderable saving of labor. But even this method of sow- 

 ing them cannot be said to be perfected. When the seed 

 is sown along with the grain, in addition to being buried 

 too deeply in nearly all soils, it is deposited in the line 

 of the grain row, hence the young plants are crowded 

 and shaded more than if they could be deposited be- 

 tween the grain rows. And when the seed falls on the 

 surface, additional covering is necessary. If, therefore, 

 a seed drill were invented that would deposit grass seeds 

 between the grain rows and while the grain Avas being 

 sown, and that would cover the seed at any desired 

 depth, in the judgment of the author a great advance 

 would be made in the method of sowing grass seeds. 

 More perfect machinery is also wanted for the even 

 distribution of some of the lighter seeds, as for instance 

 the seed of meadow foxtail (Alopecuras pratensis). 

 Such seeds do not feed into the distributors of the grass 

 seeds now in use with that regularity that could be de- 

 sired. But one make at least of the hand sower which 



