Ch. XXV.] ON LUCERNE. 309 



of the horse-hoe, and the plants grow more vigorously when at nearly 

 equal distances from each other. Very little advantage can therefore be 

 gained by drilling ; whereas, by sowing broad-cast, the saving in labour 

 will equal the additional cost of the seed, and the land when sown with a 

 crop which takes such firm hold of it, can be equally as well, if not better, 

 cleaned by the operation of the harrow. 



Some farmers object to this, as conceiving that, if effectually done, it must 

 tear up the plants; and, in the first year, it should certainly be so cautiously 

 effected as to guard against that danger. The plants will however have 

 struck their roots so deep into the earth by the second season, that no risk 

 of destroying them need then be apprehended, and in that and every suc- 

 ceeding year the scufflers and the harrows should be set to work early in tiie 

 spring, to scarify the land in every direction and as deep as possible ; so as, 

 in short, to give it the appearance of a new-ploughed field. The plants will 

 spring again with increased vigour ; and the operation may, if necessary, be 

 repeated without fear, even between the different cuttings. It is in fact so 

 essential, that lucerne plantations which have appeared worn out have been 

 thus restored*. 



The seed of lucerne may be either sown separately, or along with any grain 

 the crop of which it is meant to follow ; and, as its produce during the first 

 year is very trifling, farmers generally put it into the ground either 

 with barley or oats : others prefer peas podded for the markets, or tares 

 cut green ; though perhaps flax, pulled before being seeded, would, in 

 consequence of its being well adapted to the soil on which lucerne is gene- 

 rally grown, be preferable to either. On lighter land, buck-wheat has also 

 been strongly recommended t. It is however the opinion of many men of 

 experience that lucerne should always be sown alone, as it requires great 

 care and nursing during the first season, and its future growth may be 

 injured by its being sown in conjunction with any other crop. If danger of 

 that be apprehended, then certainly the practice is injudicious ; for as the 

 lucerne stands many years upon the ground, and tiie corn being then 

 always a slender crop, the value of the grain sown along with it will be 

 trifling in comparison with the loss which may be thus sustained. What- 

 ever plan may be adopted, the ground should, however, be ploughed to the 

 utmost depth of which it is susceptible ; and indeed, if hands can be got, 

 the preferable mode is to dig tiie land to a proper depth. It will thus be 

 sufficiently loosened, as well as brought into fine condition; and although 

 the expense may startle persons who are unacquainted with the effects of 

 spade husbandry, yet, if well performed, we venture to say that the addi- 

 tional produce will more than pay the cost. 



The onlv sort of seed sold in the shops is that called " French lucerne," 

 though in France several varieties are distinguished which may be worthy 

 of attention. The seed is covered with a hard compact coat, and if dry 

 weather should set in after it is sown, it is very long before it vegetates; 

 it may therefore be not unadvisable to steep it in milk and water, made 

 more than blood warm, for about six hours. The quantity of seed usually 

 sown is from 14 to 18 lbs., if broad-cast, and about 10 if drilled ; but 

 considering the accidents to which it is exposed, and the uncertainty of 



* Von Thaer, Principes Raisonnes d'Agric. 2n(le edit. torn. iv. §. 1327. 



f Von Thaer says that long exiieiience has convinced him that Uicerne grows in every 

 case both more equally and stronger alter being sown along with flax or buck-wheat 

 than with any other kind of grain ; and that they leave the land in cleaner condition. The 

 ]>lants of flax should however be pulled with precaution, to avoid dislodging those of the 

 lucerne : the buck-wheat may either be allowed to stand for seed, or cut when in blos- 

 som ; but the latter plan is the best. — Prin. Rais. d'i\gric, 2nde edit, torn. iv. p. 438. 



