CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. gg 



means of the harrow; and in either case, the roller may be 

 also used. 



But this tillage is given to it incidentally, and in the course 

 of another operation to be described, the sowing of the seeds 

 of clovers and the cultivated grasses; a system very prevalent 

 in the grain regions of Europe, and to some considerable ex- 

 tent known to American practice. Like all other systems, it 

 has its advocates and opponents; but so far as we are able to 

 judge from experience and the testimony of others, the mass 

 of evidence is decidedly favourable to the practice. 



The seeds of these plants arc sown as early as the state of 

 the weather and other circumstances will justify, in the spring, 

 upon the surface of land on which the grain crops have been 

 previously sown. They grow up under the shade of the latter, 

 and in the following season they are fit for use. 



When the crops of grain with which they are to be sown, 

 are sown in spring, they are generally put in the ground to- 

 gether. But when the crop, as of wheat, has been sown in 

 the previous autumn, the grass seeds are sown among the grow- 

 ing plants, and covered by being harrowed or rolled. 



The minute seeds of these plants, consisting of the clovers 

 and rye-grass, and other grasses, are, previously to being sown, 

 carefully mixed together, sown by the hand, or what is better, 

 by the broad-cast sowing machine. In either case, the harrow 

 follows, giving a double turn along the ridges; and the roller 

 may also follow, crossing the ridges, and going over the ground 

 once. In some cases the roller alone is used to cover the 

 seeds. 



The clovers and grasses thus sown, rarely flower in the first 

 year. They grow under shelter of the stems of the larger 

 crops, and they are seen in the autumn among the stubble, 

 covering the surface. They continue to grow, shoot vigorous- 

 ly forth in the spring, and are in their greatest luxuriance in 

 the following summer, when they are frequently termed new 

 or one year's old grass. 



The grass seeds being sown, no further culture can be given 

 to the wheat during its growth, nor any weeding, except 

 pulling up or cutting over above ground the larger weeds, such 

 as docks, thistles, cockle, and the like. 



Wheat sometimes becomes too luxuriant in the spring, espe- 

 cially when sown early, and then it is apt to be lodged, and 

 run to straw more than to produce grain. In this case it may 

 be pastured in the early part of spring with sheep. 



The produce of this crop varies greatly with the seasons, the 

 nature of the soil, the character of the seed, and the mode of 

 cultivation. A fair good crop may be held to be thirty bushels 

 8* 



