176 FORAGE CROPS. 



later than the middle of September, whether it is to 

 be eaten down or not in the autumn. It may survive 

 though not sown until near the advent of winter, but 

 late sowing is not likely to produce an abundance of 

 pasture in the spring, although in some instances it 

 may produce a good crop of grain. 



Rye should be sown thickly when it is to be 

 pastured. Not less than two and one-half bushels 

 of seed per acre should be used, and on some soils 

 three bushels will prove more satisfactory. The less 

 favorable the conditions, the greater should be the 

 amount of seed sown. It is more satisfactory to put 

 the seed in with the grain drill than by any other 

 method. The grain drill buries the seed to a 

 uniform depth, hence all of it is more likely 

 to grow. The roots are nearer the sources of 

 moisture, and since they are deeper than would 

 result from broadcast sowing, the plants suffer 

 less injury from adverse winter weather. The 

 depth to plant the seed will vary with the con- 

 ditions, but ordinarily from two to three inches 

 will suffice. 



Cultivation. Usually no further cultivation is 

 necessary after the rye has been sown, but in some 

 instances it may be harrowed with advantage in the 

 early spring. The stirring thus given to the surface 

 of the ground tends to promote the growth of the 

 rye and to discourage the growth of weeds. In dry 

 regions it will also render good service in the extent 

 to which it will prevent the escape of ground mois- 

 ture. If grass seeds have been sown upon it, the 

 harrowing renders the "catch" of the seeds more 

 certain. But sowing grass seeds on rye that is to 

 be pastured is of doubtful advantage, owing to the 



