260 MAY. 



at nine inches, it might once a year be most 

 effectively horse- hoed with Cook's scarifiers in the 

 iron beam, which would eradicate grass far better 

 than any harrowing that could be given to a broad- 

 cast crop, without a formidable expence, and some 

 danger of damaging the crop, tough as the roots are. 

 The grand object in the preparation of the ground 

 }s, to have it as free from weeds, and especially 

 grass, as skill and perseverance can effect. The crop 

 of the preceding year should have been turnips 

 fed on the land by sheep, before the Christmas 

 frosts ; the field immediately ploughed, and laid by 

 that ploughing ready for broad-casting or drilling. 

 In March it may have been scuffled on the surface, 

 cind at the end of the month, or perhaps better, the 

 beginning of April in a dry time, sown. This 

 may be done with or without corn ; if drilled, it 

 will be better alone ; if broad -cast with barley or 

 oats, under- seeded : but it may be drilled with 

 corn ; the corn first broad-cast, and then the lu- 

 cern drilled among it ; or the corn may be drilled 

 in one direction, and the lucern afterwards across 

 it. Not less than 12lb. an acre should be drilled, 

 and 20lb. sown broad-cast. It is apt to be eaten 

 by the fly, &c. ; if it escape that damage, all is 

 safe, and the farmer may be assured that his care 

 \vill be well repaid. No manuring at this period is 

 necessary : but to sow soot just as the young lu- 

 cern is got above ground, may be beneficial against 

 the fly. In regard to proportioning the quantity 

 of land thus occupied to the stock intended to be 



fed 





