192 FORAGE PLANTS. 



in spring with oats or some other grain formerly 

 prevailed, bnt the droughts of summer very often killed 

 out the young plants, made tender and weak by the 

 shade of the grain crop, and great losses were the 

 consequence. 



670. To form a good seed bed it is desirable that the 

 land should be under cultivation and well manured for 

 two or more hoed crops. It is then deeply and thoroughly 

 ploughed and harrowed, so as to leave it in a mellow and 

 friable condition. 



671. The seeds mixed as already recommended, may 

 then be sown by hand and simply rolled in. They should 

 not be covered to any considerable depth, and a heavy 

 harrow will bury many of them too deep. If no roller 

 is at hand, or if the ground is so wet that it cannot be 

 used to advantage, its place may be supplied by a bush 

 harrow. 



672. It has been found by experience that in general 

 the grasses do better when sown in the fall by themselves ; 

 but on clayey, undrained soils, where fall sowing is 

 impracticable on account of the great liability to injury 

 by being thrown out by the frost, it would be better to 

 sow with wheat or barley in the spring. Such lands will 

 not be liable to suffer from drought. 



673. If clover is to be sown on land laid down to grass 

 in September, the March following is the best time. 

 The seed may be strewn on the last light snows of that 

 month, and will vegetate without any covering, though 

 if the land be sufficiently dry a roller may be passed over 

 the surface and will be beneficial. 



674. The artificial grasses comprise red, white and 

 other clovers, lucerne, sainfoin, medic and some others. 



