GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 235 



By tlie usual method of sowing with grain, the grass crop suffers a great injury, by the grain 

 taking possession of the fertilizing elements of the soil, and choking the growth of the grass, and 

 also by shading it too much, and when the grain is cut, the grass is not only trampled and 

 injured by the process of cutting, but is often dried up by the hot sun, being too tender to 

 bear its scorching rays. 



We do not therefore believe it a good policy, as a general rule, to sow grass seed with 

 any grain crops. By so doing we rob the grass crop for the sake of grain, and the grass 

 must in tarn deprive the grain of some of the nutritive elements of the soil, to a limited ex 

 tent; however, the grass crop is the one to suffer most by the practice. 



Whenever grass is to be sown with any kind of grain, barley is the one to be preferrid, 

 but even this is very objectionable. Grass is an important product, and should be regarded as 

 such in its cultivation. If we take a grain crop from our grass lands, the grass must of 

 necessity be injured by it, although it may not be entirely killed by such treatment. In pre 

 paring the lands, it should be plowed, and given a good supply of manure or fertilizer of 

 some kind, the quantity suited to the character of the soil; sometimes guano or grass fertilizer 

 is sown upon the surface broadcast. The soil should then be pulverized with a harrow until 

 it is mellow and fine, and the seed sown either by hand (as is still the old time practice on 

 small farms in many sections) or by a machine, which is much better, since it will distribute 

 the seed much more evenly over the surface than hand-sowing, besides greatly facilitating 

 the labor. So many seeds fail to germinate, or are destroyed by birds and insects,, that 

 we favor a liberal quantity of seed sown, as well as a large variety, in order to secure not only a 

 heavy growth, but hay of superior quality, for every farmer knows that hay is superior and 

 finer in quality where the grass grows thick and compact in the sod. It is a common fault 

 to cover grass seed too deeply. Most of our grass seeds germinate most surely when only 

 covered one-fourth of an inch, and by actual experiment it has been ascertained that when 

 covered an inch half the seeds fail. 



Grass seed, being so very small, should be slightly covered; hence, if a common tooth 

 harrow is used for the purpose of covering, as has frequently been the custom, the seed is 

 buried too deeply in the soil. A common brush harrow is better for this purpose, to be fol 

 lowed by a good roller to press the soil down, which hastens the germination of the seed. 

 Many farmers who are not in possession of a good roller use a simple wooden drag for this pur 

 pose, which is made similar to what is commonly called a &quot; stone boat,&quot; the front being beveled 

 up so as to avoid the uneven surface. From eight to ten feet long, and three and a half feet wide, 

 are very good dimensions for such a constructed harrow. The inclined portion can be about 

 a foot wide ; this answers the purpose of a brush harrow and roller combined. It is a good 

 practice in reclaiming old wornout meadows to give them a good coating of unfermented man 

 ure, and then turn the sod over. On this surface thus ploughed, a dressing of well-rotted 

 manure or compost with ashes is spread, and thoroughly harrowed lengthwise the furrows. 

 The seed is then sown and slightly harrowed in. followed with rolling; the decomposing manure* 

 with the added fertilizing properties of the stubble and roots of the sod, will give a quick and 

 luxuriant growth. Many farmers greatly improve their lands for mowing, when they do not 

 wish to plough up and seed down, by furnishing a good top-dressing of manure in the fall or 

 in early spring (fall is better) and then scattering grass or clover seed over the field. The 

 seed thus sown will catch quickly and greatly improves the crop, if sown when the soil is 

 moist, or just before a heavy rain. 



Pasture lands are often improved by running a harrow over them in a manner to cut 

 the turf slightly into small squares, an inch square being the most desirable size marked by 

 the harrow lines. This should be done when the soil is rather moist. Upon the ground 

 thus prepared, sow a mixture of grass and clover seed of various kinds suited to both early 

 and late growth, in order to insure a fresh, permanent pasturage through the season. Upon 



