^^ 



Chap. IX. LUCERNE. '- 353 



18. The fecond ftirring may be given with the cultivator with 

 two mould boards, by drawing it along the middle of the alleys. 

 This will rarn the earth towards the rows. By thefe alternate 

 flirrings, the alleys will be conftantly kept in a loofe ftate. 



1-9. This culture is fo eafily performed, and in fo fliort a time, 

 that rt may be repeated frequently. In this I differ from M. Du- 

 harnel, who orders it but feldom. My opinion is, that the alleys 

 ■fhould be ftirred once a month, during the whole time that the 

 'lucerne is in a growing ftate. 



20. If the alleys keep free from weeds, lefs ftirring them may 

 do : but the mould fliould never be fuffered to grow too hard. 



21. As foon as fome of the plants begin to bloffom, the lucerne 

 fliould be cut. It will then make excellent fodder, fuperior to 

 every other kind. 



22. The lucerne hay fhould be dried as quick as poflible, and 

 frequently turned. The lefs it is expofed to the heat of the fun, 

 the better fodder it makes. 



23. Lucerne muft not be houfed till it is dry: but at the fame 

 time care muft be taken that it be not too dry : for then, many of 

 the leaves will fall oft", as they dry fooner than the ftalks. 



24. Cattle muft not have too much given them at a time, till 

 they are accuftomed to it. 



25. No cattle fhould ever be fuffered to feed on the beds of lu- 

 cerne. If the earth is very dry, towards the latter end of the au- 

 tumn, fheep will do it the leaft hurt. If the plants are then tall 

 enough to be mowed, the beft way is to cut them, and give them 

 green to the cattle. 



Thefe rules contain all that is effentially neceffary for making and 

 keeping in good order this kind of artificial pafture. I can fafely 

 fay, that whoever tries them, will be abundantly rewarded for his 

 trou-ble and expence. Sainfoin may be cultivated in the fame 

 manner. 



Account of the produce of Lucerne planted in beds, and cultivated ac- 

 cording to the principles of the tiew hujl/andry : with fome important 

 refections on the advantages which may be obtained J rom it -, by M.. 



J de Chateau-vieux. 



** XT O judgment fhould be formed of what lucerne may produce, 



■*-^ by the crops of the firft or fecond year : it is then too young 



to be able to yield much. If we wei-e to calculate even by its third 



Z z year's 



