GRASSES. 141 



much. It will yield, according to Mr. ?^^icholson^ one 

 half more hay, when not pastured at all, than when 

 pastured closely both fall and spring. In the richest 

 soils, and when not pastured, upwards of four tons may 

 be had from the acre, in a season, at two mowings. It 

 requires about ten or twelve quarts of the seed for an 

 acre. 



The proper time for mowing it is, when in blossom, 

 or a little later ; but if left till the stalk, or even the 

 under leaves begin to turn, the true value of the crop 

 is lost. It is a common practice to sow Timothy and 

 clover mixed ; but this should not be done when clover 

 is sown for the purpose of being ploughed in for man- 

 ure ; becnuse if clover is cut when just arrived at per- 

 fection, Timothy is then so young as to be in a very im- 

 perfect state. 



It is not so much a fertilizer of land as clover : on the 

 contrary, it is said to bind, and somewhat exhaust the 

 soil. It is perennial, and wjU last beyond the memory 

 of man, if not destroyed by close pasturing. 



Lucern^ (JMedicago Sativa) is undoubtedly the most 

 productive, and that which comes into use sooner than any 

 other of the artificial grasses. It endures drought well, 

 and grows very late. Horses, cows, sheep, and swine, 

 are very fond of it, when it is mown gnd given to them 

 green, which is the most useful application of it. It 

 does best upon rich, dryish ioams, ^vhere, if the soil is 

 clear, three to five tons of excellent hay can be cut to 

 the acre. It is said to grow well in the coldest climates ; 

 but those which are mild are most suitable for it. It is 

 supposed that our dry warm summers are more favora- 

 ble to its gro\Yth, than the cool and moist ones of Great 

 Britain. Mr. Livivgsion of New-York, has obtained 

 greater products than those mentioned by British wri- 

 ters. With the best cultivation and plentiful manuring, 

 nine tons per acre have been had in a season. It can be 

 cut several times a year. 



The ground should be prepared by deep and frequent 

 ploughings. It can be sown in May, or as soon as the 

 ground is sufficiently warm, either by itself or with a 

 crop that will not lodge, thinly seeded. About twenty 

 pounds of seed are required for ;.n acre. 



As soon as it begins to blossom, it should be mown. 

 IS* 



