Ch. XXIV.J UN CLOVERS. 295 



light soils, is of great service. If, however, the barley be sown broad-cast, 

 the clover then follows the last harrowing, and the whole is afterwards 

 rolled down, by which means an unnecessary tramjiling of the groimd by 

 the horses is avoided. 



The difference in the times of sowing must necessarily occasion, in many 

 instances, a corresponding difference in the growth of the seed ; but when 

 the period can be chosen, if the weather be favourable, the earlier it is put 

 into the ground the better, for it will then probably escape the danger to 

 which it may be exposed by drought and by the ravages of insects. It is 

 always sown broad-cast, and unless the operation be intrusted to a very 

 expert sower, of whose care there can be no doubt, the better way is to 

 divide the seed into two parcels — sowing the one lengthways and the 

 other across — for it is of the utmost importance to have it equally spread 

 over the land. It will not bear deep sowing, but it should be lightly covered 

 with fine mould ; the land should therefore be previously harrowed twice 

 in a place, with the finest-tined implements, so as to reduce the clods and 

 close up the holes into which the seeds might otherwise fall, and it should 

 afterwards be bush-harrowed or lightly rolled : in light soils both may be 

 proper, but on strong or stony land the rolling may be omitted. 



The success of clover depends greatly on the state of the weather, both 

 when sown and afterwards when standing for a crop. In the former case 

 it requires gentle showers to bring the plants forward and root them in 

 the ground ; and, in the latter, it may be destroyed by a severe frost, or 

 burnt up for want of rain in the following spring and summer. Upon 

 strong- land these dangers will probably, however, be avoided, if , the soil be 

 brought into a fine state of friable tilth by its careful preparation for the 

 j)revious corn crop ; for as the roots strike downwards to a considerable 

 depth, they will be thus rendered secure from the effects of any frost that 

 does not penetrate very far into the earth, and its temperate coolness and 

 moisture may also guard it from the drought occasioned by a hot summer ; 

 but on shallovv soils the crop sometimes turns to nothing. 



In order as far as possible to j^revent this, some farmers spread the land 

 in the commencement of the winter with stable-dung, which — if it can be 

 spared — doubtless affords a protection against the frost, but has been found 

 to render the plants too tender in the spring ; on light lands, however, 

 whether manure be laid on or not, it is a good precaution to roll them 

 heavily as soon after the corn-harvest as they may be well soaked with rain ; 

 and, on those of a more adhesive description, the harrows should be used 

 early in the spring. Top-dressings of lime, soaper's-vvaste, and various other 

 matters, of uhich we have already treated, have also been recommended ; 

 but none will be found more effectual than Dutch ashes and gypsum, the 

 latter of which we do not hesitate to advise as being more powerful in its 

 immediate effects upon the crop, as well as cheaper, than any other appli- 

 cation*. Notwithstanding all these precautions, and under the very best 

 system of management, it will however sometimes happen that the crop 

 partially fails, or proves patchy ; in which case no better plan can be pur- 

 sued than to harrow in tare seed upon the vacant spots, whether they 

 occur in the autumn or in spring; for in either case recourse may be had 

 to the spring or winter seed, which may be sown at the rate of two bushels 

 to the acre, or in that proportion, in such quantity as the deficiency may 

 seem to require. The seed may also be dibbled in holes made at four 

 inches apart f ; or scarlet clover^may be applied as a substitute, with perhaps 



* See vol. i. chaps, xiv. and xv. 

 f Buckinghamshire Rep. p. 201. 



