The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 23 



plough; and, till it began to wear and was ruined by a 

 bungling country smith, that no plough could have done 

 better work, or appeared to have gone easier with two horses ; 

 but for want of a mould, which I neglected to order with 

 the plough, it became useless, after the irons, which came 

 with it, were much worn. 



A little of the best kind of cabbage seed for field culture. 



Twenty pounds of the best turnip seed. 



Ten bushels of sainfoin seed. 1 



Eight bushels of the winter vetches. 



Two bushels of rye-grass seed. 



Fifty pounds of hop-clover seed. 



And if it is decided (for much has been said for and against 

 it), that burnet, as an early food, is valuable, I should be 

 glad of one bushel of this seed also. Red clover seed is to 

 be had on easy terms in this country; but if there are any 

 other kinds of grass seeds, not included in the above, that 

 you may think valuable, especially for early seeding or cut 

 ting, you would oblige me by adding a small quantity of the 

 seeds, to put me in stock. Early grasses, unless a species 

 can be found that will stand a hot sun, and oftentimes 

 severe droughts in the summer months, without much ex 

 pense of cultivation, would suit our climate best. 



You see, Sir, that, with very little ceremony, I avail my- 



i Sainfoin or Asperset. &quot; A leguminous plant (Onobrychis Sativa) 

 originating in the Mediterranean Countries, but which has been culti 

 vated for centuries. The stem is about two feet high, with pinnate leaves, 

 composed of small leaflets; the pea-like flowers are rather large and of 

 a showy pink color, and are disposed in short spikes, on long axillary 

 peduncles. It is a nutritious fodder, well-liked by livestock, especially 

 sheep, makes good hay, and will grow on light, warm, chalky soils where 

 other pasturage does not thrive. The roots are long-lived and are use 

 ful for binding light soils, while the foliage not only shades the pastures, 

 but makes a good crop for plowing under. It is also recommended as a 

 honey-producing plant for bee pastures.&quot; 



&quot;The American Encyclopedia,&quot; Last Ed., 1904r-1906. 



