74 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



One acre is sufficient for four or five cows. It may be sown 

 in drills, if the land is foul, and kept clean by hoeing, the 

 first year ; but on clean ground it may be sown broadcast. 

 It is hardy under the infliction of severe frosts ; and sur 

 passes all grasses in endurance of drought, its enormously 

 land roots affording it moisture from a great depth. An 

 English writer says, its roots have been found from ten 

 to fourteen feet below the surface ; and an American writer 

 says, that it made, on his land, roots three feet long the first 

 summer. 



Where it is sown broadcast, it is difficult to get it through 

 the first year. But if sown in drills ten inches apart, and 

 hoed once or twice, it may be cut twice or thrice the first 

 season, and be entirely established before winter. 



A light, sandy soil is the best ; it should not be put upon 

 heavy and non-friable soils, though it will flourish on even 

 these, when fully established. Ten pounds of seed to the 

 acre is enough, if drilled ; fifteen pounds, if sown broad 

 cast. 



The only reason, that we can imagine, why this plant 

 should not be extensively cultivated, is, the disrelish which 

 our farmers too often have to any crop requiring much care. 

 To slash along with a plow is all well enough ; but to hoe 

 and weed is rather tedious. But these operations are 

 required only during the first part of the first year. 



CAMPHOE FOR FLOWERS. Two or three drops of a satu 

 rated solution of camphor in alcohol, put into half an orince 

 of soft water, forms a mixture which will revive flowers 

 that have begun to droop and wilt, and give them freshness 

 for a long time. 



