180 Agricultural Section [PT n 



CHAPTER XI 



THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF GRASS LAND, AND THE EFFECTS 

 OF VARIOUS FERTILISERS UPON THE DIFFERENT SPECIES 



It seems desirable, in such a work as this, to make a few brief 

 observations on the general treatment of grass land. 



Drainage. Before laying down land to permanent grass 

 drainage must be attended to if necessary. So long as the ground 

 is effectively drained, either by natural or artificial means, it is 

 rather an advantage for grass production that the soil should be 

 inclined to be moist. But for good grass there must be no possi- 

 bility of stagnant water remaining on or near the surface. 



Seed-bed and Sowing of Seed. Land is best prepared for sow- 

 ing down with grass seeds either by (1) a bare fallow, or (2) a root 

 crop or potatoes. A clean seed-bed with fine tilth and a firm surface 

 are the important conditions to secure. 



The equal distribution of the seed is another important matter. 

 This is best secured by using a low delivery seed barrow, or other 

 low delivery broadcast sowing-machine. Messrs James Hunter, Ltd., 

 seed merchants, of Chester, recommend Turnbull's Broadcast Sow- 

 ing Machine as being very suitable. With this machine one sowing 

 operation is said to be sufficient. Two sowing operations are 

 however preferable to one, and when this is practised the light 

 seeds can be sown in one direction and the heavy seeds (Timothy, 

 Clovers, etc.) at right angles to the first direction. Very light 

 harrows should be used to cover the seed, and the operations 

 should then be completed by rolling twice by preference with 

 a roller of moderate weight. 



In dry districts, when the larger and stronger growing seeds 

 such as Clovers and Rye-grasses are sown they may be drilled at a 

 shallow depth with the coulters set very close. 



Time of Sowing. Sufficient soil moisture and a suitable tem- 

 perature are required to give the seedlings a good start. These 

 conditions are obtained in England most frequently in April and 



