278 



EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



than he found it. Indeed, it will be found, in many cases, ar 

 enterprise, of which the result, though often beneficial, may dis 

 appoint the farmer, and which is not to be entered upon with 

 out judgment and practical skill, and a calculation of the re 

 sources within reach for ameliorating the land, and increasing 

 its productiveness. 



In laying down lands to permanent grass, it is advised to sow 

 large quantities of seed, from thirty to forty pounds, and those 

 of a great variety. In the rotation, the principal plants culti 

 vated are the clovers, and the rye and orchard grass, or cocksfoot. 



What is called the cow-clover is a permanent variety, and 

 valued more for being fed or depastured, than for being made 

 into hay. The common red clover, well known in the United 

 States, is that which is cultivated in the rotation. This is a 

 biennial; and it is, in general, advised to feed it the first year, and 

 to mow it for hay the second year. I have never seen it so large 

 in England as I have seen it at home, which I am inclined to 

 believe arises from their sowing a much greater quantity of seed 

 to the acre than we are accustomed to sow. The quality of the 

 hay is certainly much better, where it is smaller and finer, than 

 with us. Two kinds appear to be cultivated here, as with us 

 the one resembling what is called our northern clover, a coarse 

 and large variety, and the other, what is called our southern or 

 June clover, a fine variety, and well known and valued by our 

 Connecticut River farmers. I have already spoken of the 

 French red or crimson clover, (trifolium incarnatutn.) The 

 yellow clover is not valued, though sometimes sown in a mix 

 ture of grasses. The Dutch clover is greatly esteemed for pas 

 turage, and, in favorable situations, produces the richest feed 

 possible. The white clover, though excellent as a variety, is 

 not considered the most valuable as a pasture grass; and an 

 objection is made to it. where it too much abounds, that it is apt 

 most severely to scour the cattle. 



The making of clover hay, in a climate so variable, or rather 

 so certain, ordinarily, to abound in moisture, requires skill and 

 care. It is never tossed about end spread, but simply turned, and 

 made up, first into small handfuls, and afterwards into cocks ; 

 and it sometimes receives many heavy rains without being as 

 much damaged as we should suppose. The low temperature 

 prevents the fermentation which would be likely to take place 



