CROPS. 269 



squires a good deal of labor at first in keeping down the weeds ; 

 id that it does not take its place in any rotation of crops, it 

 oeing expected to occupy the ground for a length of years, where 

 it is once planted. 



All agree that it affords a most excellent feed for horses or milch 

 cows ; and it is advised that, after being cut, it should be kept 

 over a day before it is given to cattle, as, in that case, it will un 

 dergo a degree of fermentation, which will prevent its being in 

 jurious to them. The yield of an acre of good lucern, it is said, 

 will fully keep four horses from May to October. The time for 

 cutting it is when it is in flower ; and, though it is almost always 

 given green, yet it makes excellent fodder when converted into 

 hay. Some persons advise that the first cutting should be before 

 the plant comes into flower, believing the succeeding crops will 

 be more vigorous for this early cutting. It is commonly be 

 lieved that a plant is more nutritious when in flower than at 

 any previous stage of its growth ; though this conclusion is not 

 conformable to some of the deductions of Sinclair, in his experi 

 ments upon grasses at Woburn. 



It requires a deep, rich, and dry soil, as it sends down its tap 

 root far into the ground, and in time of drought draws moisture 

 from a great depth, which keeps it in a green state when most 

 grasses fade and are burnt up. The ground should be deeply 

 ploughed, or, better, should be spaded or trenched, and thoroughly 

 drained, as a clayey, wet, or retentive soil is unfavorable to it. 

 Great pains must be taken to keep it clean from weeds. 



It is cultivated in two ways either by being sown broadcast, 

 in which case, where it is kept thoroughly clean from weeds for 

 two or three years, it will acquire such a hold as to dispossess 

 the weeds, but will be benefited by being rather heavily har 

 rowed in the spring ; or it may be sown in drills about twenty 

 inches apart ; in that case, it may be cleaned by a horse hoe or 

 scufller, and be effectually protected from other plants or weeds. 

 When sown broadcast, it is advised to sow about sixteen pounds 

 of seed to an acre, and this may be sown with barley or rye ; 

 but when sown in drills, ten pounds of seed are deemed suffi 

 cient. The broadcast method is likely to give the best crops. 



It is said that it will not endure severe frosts, and consequently 

 is not suited to a cold climate : but I have known it cultivated 

 successfully for many years by the late excellent &quot; farmer s 

 23* 



