200 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



very carefully upon this point with the following results, which are embraced in a report to 

 the Highland Society: 



&quot; The seeds weighed sixty-four pounds to the bushel. There were 1 6,000 seeds in an ounce 

 (the number of seeds in a pound may of course be found by multiplying this number by sixteen, 

 and if the number of seeds in a busfeel is required it may be found by multiplying the latter 

 product by sixty-four). From to inch in depth the greatest number of seeds sprouted. 

 When covered from an inch and a quarter to one inch and a half only half of the seeds came 

 up; and when they were covered two inches deep none of them came through the surface. 

 When the seeds cannot be sown on a snow on winter wheat or rye, as above recommended, 

 it will be advisable to stir up the wheat with a light harrow before sowing it, as it germi 

 nates so much more freely in fresh-stirred soil. All that will then be necessary for this, or 

 in case of sowing with spring crops, is to go over the seeds with a light roller. 



&quot; In nothing is there a greater difference of opinion and of practice among farmers than 

 with regard to the amount of seed required for an acre. Some sow only four pounds, and 

 some go as high as sixteen pounds. I have seen crops of clover sufficiently large to satisfy 

 any farmer grown from four pounds of seed; but in this case the circumstances were all 

 favorable; the seeds were all full of vitality; the soil was exactly adapted to the growth of 

 clover; the temperature, at the time of sowing, and the succession of showers after it, were 

 exactly adapted to promote its growth, and it was not infested with injurious insects. 



&quot; But such a combination of favorable circumstances is very rare, and to provide for con 

 tingencies it will always be safe, even on good soils, to sow eight pounds to the acre, and in 

 proportion to the poverty of the soil we may go up to sixteen pounds. In all cases the 

 greatest amount of seed must be sown on the poorest soils.&quot; 



The best time to sow clover seed in New England, is in the spring. It is frequently 

 sown upon the late snows in March or April, by the gradual melting of which it finds its way 

 to the soil, where the moisture soon causes it to germinate and take root. 



Clover is sometimes sown broadcast in August or September, but the best results are 

 usually attained, other conditions being favorable, when sown in the early spring. It may 

 be sown with grains, cultivated grasses, or by itself. The quantity of seed required per acre 

 varies according to the kind of soil. Clay soils require more than loams. The usual amount 

 for well-prepared loams is from eight to ten pounds per acre; for heavy clays, from fourteen 

 to sixteen pounds. When sown with grasses, the proportionate quantity of clover-seed is 

 from a third to one-half of the amount sown. The larger the amount of seed, as a general 

 rule, with any of the grasses or forage plants, the greater the number of stalks; consequently 

 &amp;lt;the finer the quality of the product. 



The sowing should be liberal, but not so large as to cause the crowding of plants, which 

 will prevent as heavy and strong growth as would otherwise be secured. The covering, as 

 has been previously stated, should be very slight. When sown early in the spring on well- 

 pulverized soil, it will germinate freely without the use of the harrow. Rolling the field will, 

 however, press the seed into the soil, and cause it to germinate quicker than without this pro 

 cess. Gypsum, sown broadcast at the rate of from one to three or four bushels per acre, is 

 very beneficial to the crop, when the soil on which it is grown is suited to its use. This 

 should be done in the spring, just as the leaves are developed. 



When grown too frequently on the same soil, land will sometimes become incapable of 

 producing a good crop, and will become what is commonly termed by farmers, &quot;clover-sick.&quot; 

 In such cases other crops should follow for four or five years, for the benefit of a change. 



It is stated by good authority that little interest had been taken in the cultivation of 

 clover in this country until the wonderful effects of gypsum in stimulating its growth was 

 discovered. 



Dr. Benjamin Franklin seems to have been among the first to recognize in this country 



