ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWEKS AND FARMING. 191 



have lost from a half to two-thirds of the plants. If the 

 weeds are kept down just about the hill, and permitted to 

 grow for a few weeks, between the rows, although it has a 

 very slovenly look, it will save the cabbages, etc., by giving 

 ample foot to the cut-worm. When the plants grow tough 

 in the stem the weeds may be lightly spaded in, and the 

 surface levelled with a rake. 



LUCERNE. 



THIS admirable plant is not so well known as it should be. 

 It resembles a clover, and is used for green food for cattle, 

 for which it is peculiarly adapted both by its nutriciousness 

 and its endurance of repeated cuttings. Care must be 

 taken to put it upon the right soil and it will bear mowing 

 four or five times a year, and will last for ten years with 

 care five years more ! The soil for it is a deep, a very deep 

 vegetable loam, which drains itself perfectly and yet with 

 out becoming dry. It has a fusiform root, which, as the 

 plant grows older, extends downward from four to six feet. 

 The subsoil is regarded by Flemish farmers as of more 

 importance than the surface soil. A stiff, cold, clay, a wet 

 and springy soil ; a hard, cold, wet subsoil of any sort, is 

 unfavorable to it. It should therefore be tried on warm, 

 dry, and rich soils, than which none are better than our 

 sandy alluvions or bottom lands. During its first year it 

 requires some care, to keep down weeds, as it is easily 

 smothered ; but when once established it rules the soil in 

 defiance of anything. If the ground is very clean, it may be 

 sown broadcast ; but it is always safer and often necessary 

 to drill it. Authors vary as to the quantity of seed 

 required per acre, Von Thaer says six to eight pounds, 

 while his French editor says from sixteen to eighteen. We 



