AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 129 



from the surface down to perpetual moisture, and there be a 

 reasonable prospect of its continuing so by rains or otherwise 

 long enough for the seeds to germinate and take root, sow ; the 

 earlier the better. I have succeeded in all the months indicated. 

 But as I expected, I had some failures not so many however, 

 as I was prepared to expect. If one carefully observe these di- 

 rections, he will rarely be disappointed in results. 



In order to have a good crop the first year, it is important to 

 sow in the fall, if the proper conditions concur ; and especially 

 so for the velvet and rye grasses. By autumnal sowing, too, 

 one can have opportunity of seeding in January, February or 

 March, any spots on which there may be a defective catch. 



All that I have said in regard to preparation of ground, times 

 and mode of sowing is equally applicable to the Medicagos, Mel- 

 ilots and Trifoliums, or the clover family ; except that lucerne 

 succeeds better by sowing in drills twelve or fifteen inches apart, 

 so that it can be cultivated the first year. It is difficult to suc- 

 ceed in any other way with lucerne. All these seeds can be 

 sown satisfactorily only when the air is motionless. For sow- 

 ing all grass and clover seeds, small grain of all kinds, peas, etc., 

 broadcast, Pearce's improved Cahoon hand sower is a most ad- 

 mirable implement, very cheap, the work light and expeditious. 

 It is fully what it professes to be. For sowing very large areas 

 horse machines may be used. 



The various millets and other larger grains should be harrow- 

 ed or rolled, or both after sowing ; the preceding paragraphs 

 having reference only to the smaller seeds, which often sink too 

 deep in loose land to get out even when not harrowed. 



FOR AN ORCHARD 



I know no better combination than red clover and orchard 

 grass. Both fertilize and otherwise improve the land. The 

 seeds of timothy or clover should 



NOT BE MIXED 



with those of grasses before sowing. While sowing, the heavy, 

 smooth clover seeds will accumulate at the bottom of the con- 

 tainer and the lighter grass seeds rise to the top, so that parts of 

 the field will show only grass and other parts clover alone. If 

 possible to keep them mixed in the bag, the same cast will scat- 

 ter the clover seed over ten times more surface than the grass 

 seed can be made to reach.- Seeds of different specific gravity, 

 size or smoothness, should not be mixed together for sowing ; 

 but first one sown, then another. 



TO KEEP DOWN WEEDS 



in an orchard use the mower as often as necessary, turn in calves 

 and sheep whenever proper, and pigs during fruit season. 

 Calves and sheep destroy young or small trees and must not 



