FERTILIZING. 161 



should be given immediately, but never in the day-time, 

 unless the weather is cloudy, or it is raining. In the 

 evening, after sundown, the water may be given, and soon 

 after sunrise it should be turned off, unless it is in very 

 moderate quantity. 



When a water meadow is flooded, it is necessary to 

 watch the water, and the moment a white scum is ob- 

 served to float upon the surface, the water should be 

 drawn off. Meadows that are flooded by streams, should 

 not be watered in time of freshets, if there is any sedi- 

 ment in the water, unless very early in the Spring, or 

 immediately after hay has been made. If the grass is of 

 any considerable length, the suspended matter will be re- 

 tained amongst it and make it gritty or sandy, and seri- 

 ously interfere with the cutting. The flooding of a water 

 meadow is preferably done during the Winter, when the 

 solid matter, deposited by the water, is of the greatest 

 value as a fertilizer ; the Summer-watering is to supply 

 the needed moisture only, and not to fertilize the crop in 

 the sense of adding manurial matter. Summer irrigation 

 is therefore only moderate in quantity, and an excess of 

 water will be injurious at this season. 



The most suitable fertilizers for irrigated meadows are 

 nitrate of soda and Peruvian guano, used alternately, and 

 not mixed together. Where the growth of grass is forced 

 so much as under irrigation, active and soluble fertilizers 

 given in small quantities, and frequently, are required. 

 The proper periods for their application are early in 

 Spring, and immediately after the cutting of the grass ; 

 80 pounds per acre, or half a pound to the square-rod of 

 either, will be a sufficient quantity to apply at once, and 

 the repetition of this top-dressing may be given only 

 when the condition of the grass seems to call for it. 

 Every fifth or sixth year a dressing of lime may be given 

 in Winter, and should be spread upon the snow if pos- 

 sible, (for the preservation of the surface) rather than in 



