MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 771 



land, says: " Of late years we have been more inclined to fall 

 seeding on winter grain as more certain of a good catch for 

 Timothy and redtop;" and says, further : "A very good plan 

 is practised in Massachusetts, where meadow lands are rather 

 moist and are intended to be kept in grass without cropping. 

 Sometime in August, the ground is nicely turned over with 

 the plough, the ground rolled down, and, if to be had, a good 

 dressing of compost is spread on ; then the grass seed is sowed 

 and harrowed in evenly with a fine-tooth harrow, and made 

 smooth with the roller. Managed in this way, the land can 

 be constantly/ in grass. As to the amount of seed per acre, no 

 certain rule can be laid down. Light soils, as a general rule, 

 require more seed than moist ones. I have just now (October 

 15) seeded down two acres with wheat, with one bushel red- 

 top and a half bushel Timothy. This gives three pecks of seed 

 to the acre." Having thus followed the direct testimony for 

 the last eight years, leading to certain conclusions, we feel 

 perfect security in the authorities referred to, and only add our 

 own observation as additional evidence, and refer to the prac- 

 tise of Horatio Sargeant, of Springfield, whose operations in 

 agricultural pursuits are often referred to. He practises the 

 same rule, varying as circumstances require ; sometimes sow- 

 ing upon reversed sward and mixing turnip seed instead of 

 winter grain, or immediately after the removal of his corn, 

 potato, or tobacco crops. Other judicious cultivators in this 

 vicinity are pursuing the same course. 



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 These views are, with much deference, respectfully submitted. 



