CULTIVATION OF GRASSES. 221 



promise the greatest permanency to the crop. A gen- 

 tleman, who has sown in drills, three feet apart, and cul- 

 tivated alternate rows of mangel wurtzel with the lucerne, 

 speaks in high commendation of the practice. Arthur 

 Young recommends drilling at nine inches. 



The quantity of seed, when the broadcast method is 

 adopted, is from fifteen to twenty pounds ; in the United 

 States, sixteen pounds is the usual quantity, — and when 

 drilled, eight to twelve pounds suffices. The ground 

 should be perfectly pulverized, the seed put in with a fine 

 harrow, and the operation of sowing finished with the roller. 



The after culture of lucerne, sown broadcast, consists 

 in harrowing, in the spring, to destroy grass and weeds ; 

 rolling, after harrowing, to smooth the soil for the scythe ; 

 and such occasional top-dressings with gypsum, ashes, or 

 rotted manure, as the plants may require, or the conve- 

 nience of the farm best afford. The harrowing may com- 

 mence the second year, and the weeds collected should 

 always be carefully removed. In succeeding years, two 

 harrowings may be applied, one in spring and the other in 

 the latter part of the summer. If in drills the crop must 

 be kept clean by the hoe, cultivator, &c. Liquid manure 

 from the cattle-yard is an excellent manure for this crop. 



The taking of lucerne, by mowing, for soiling or hay, 

 or by tethering, hurdling, or pasturing, may be consid- 

 ered the same as for clover. Lucerne frequently attains 

 a sufficient growth for the scythe from the 10th to the 

 20th May ; and in soils that are favorable for its culture, 

 it will be in a state of readiness for cutting a second time 

 in twenty or twenty-five days, being capable of undergo- 

 ing the same operation, at nearly similar intervals of time, 

 during the whole of the summer season. In the United 

 States, in a good soil, it may be cut, for soiling, four, 

 and sometimes five times in the season. 



The application of lucerne is, with us, generally for the 

 purpose of soiling, with the exception sometimes of the 

 last cutting. It is advantageously fed in its green state to 

 horses, cattle, and hogs ; but as a dry fodder, it is also 

 capable of affording much sustenance, and as an early 

 food for ewes and lambs, may be of great value in par- 

 19* 



