GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 229 



TABLE V&quot;. Analysis of the Ash of some of the Natural and Artificial Grasses. 



TABLE VI. Analysis of Specimens of Weeds, as taken from the field, and when dried. 



Time to Sow Grass Seed. The universal practice in time of sowing grass seed was 

 formerly in the spring; sometimes sowing it on the late snow, which, when melting, aided in 

 settling the seed into- the soil, thus obviating the necessity of harrowing. The action of the 

 frost in leaving the ground, aided by the spring rains, also accomplished the same result when 

 sown upon the soil after the snow had disappeared. But a change has taken place in the prac 

 tice of this department of agriculture, within the last quarter of a century. It is now generally 

 conceded by those best acquainted with the most desirable methods of practice in this respect, 

 that the best time for sowing most varieties of grass seed, is from the middle of August to the 

 middle of September, the precise time depending on the condition of the soil. This gives the 

 grass a good start, and being early well-rooted in the soil, obviates the effect of drought, 

 which spring sowing would not do, as there is more danger from summer drought than win 

 ter-killing. If for any reason it cannot be sown until the latter part of September, it would 



