t& FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



with the least possible expense ; and the surplus of hay and 

 pasture will command an extra price ; as those articles are 

 always scarce, during the commencement of new settle- 

 ments. 



CLIMATE. All seeds are to be planted, or sown, at 

 such time as is suitable to the climate. In northerly cli- 

 mates, or in very elevated situations, the Spring and Au- 

 tumn press closer upon each other; and there the Spring- 

 crops must be planted, or sown, later, and the Fall-crops 

 earlier, than in more temperate climates. The right time 

 for planting and sowing must, therefore, be ascertained by 

 the judgment of the Farmer, founded on due experience, 

 and a knowledge of the climate in which he lives. 



Climate depends greatly on altitude as well as latitude. 

 This is no where more strikingly exemplified, than on the 

 sides of Mount JLtna. When, at the base of that mountain, 

 the Peasants are reaping their Spring-crops, on its highest 

 cultivable parts they are busied in sowing the same crops; 

 and at its extreme point of elevation is perpetual Winter. 

 The highest lands which He between the Mohawk and 

 Blackriver, in this State, are not fifty miles north of Alba- 

 ny ; yet the climate, on this height, is at least six degrees 

 of latitude colder, than at that city. 



From a knowledge of these facts, it is obvious, that the 

 same productions will not thrive equally well in all place*, 

 under the same degree ot latitude, even though the soil be 

 the same ; and, knowing this, it becomes necessary for the 

 Farmer to regulate iais system of farming accordingly. 

 I 



CLOVER (Tnfolium pratense.) White-clover is a 

 very fine grass, affording the sweetest pasture and hay; 

 but the product is too small, when compared with red. 

 clover, which is nearly as sweet, to be worth cultivating. 



The almost universal use of red-clover, upon dry upland 

 soils, is, it would seem, an indication of its superiority over 

 most other grasses ; but, it certainly never can be made to 

 yield so great a clear profit as Lucerne, where this grass is 

 cultivated in a suitable soil and climate. 



See also GRASSES, for the great product of the Fioria. 



One excelence of red-clover is, that it is the only grass 

 which can with advantage be turned under by the plough, 

 and thus, with one ploughing only, ensure a good crop of 

 wheat or other grain. The crop, however, will be best 

 where the clover is mowed, and not fed off by cattle. 

 Another good quality is its superiority over almost all 

 other grasses, in mellowing* and enriching the soil. It de- 

 rives most of its nourishment from a considerable depth ; 

 and, like all tap rooted plants, it exhausts the fond hut 



