200 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



August or September, and in the spring from the time 

 the ground is uncovered until the small cereal grains 

 have been sown. In the South it is usually sown August 

 1st to November 1st. As with timothy in the North, 

 when sown in the autumn it should be sown early 

 enough to secure a good growth in the plants before 

 entering the winter. In the North it is more commonly 

 sown in the early spring and on ground where it can 

 be covered with the harrow. In the South it is of tener 

 sown in the fall. 



Like the seeds of nearly all grasses except timothy, 

 it is usually sown by hand, but it is practicable under 

 certain conditions to sow it with the grain drill and 

 with the hand seed sower run like a wheelbarrow when 

 sown alone. It may be sown before the grain drill on 

 properly prepared land or after it, and in either case the 

 harrow should follow to cover the seed unless in climates 

 that are quite moist. When sown before the drill a 

 more complete covering is secured. 



Because of the slow growth made by the young plants, 

 it is important that the seed shall be sown with a nurse 

 crop, otherwise weeds will have to be mown twice or 

 of tener, in the season. Any of the small, cereals may 

 be used as the nurse crop. Winter rye and winter wheat 

 are the most suitable, all things considered, since in 

 these it may be sown autumn or spring. In the South 

 winter barley is a good nurse crop and winter oats may 

 also be used. 



Notwithstanding the value of this grass for meadow 

 and for pasture, it cannot be said that it is widely sown 

 for either purpose. The relative slowness with which it 



