22 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



nutriment they draw from the atmosphere, and the less from 

 the soil.) clovers are entitled to the high commendation they 

 have obtained among American farmers. But as these plants 

 are liable to permature destruction by the frosts of winter, 

 it is both prudent and wise to intermix with their seeds those 

 of some other grasses more to be depended on. 



For this purpose, 



On sands, loams, and gravels, and these constitute the soils 

 usually employed in convertible husbandry, the orchard 

 grass or tall meadow oat grass appear to be best calculated 

 to insure profit. They grow early, delight in a clover sod, 

 and are fit for the scythe when clover is in the bloom, the 

 time it ought to be cut. The hay from this mixture may 

 be made before harvest commences ; and if the soil is good, 

 a second crop may be cut almost equal to the first. If in- 

 tended for pasture the second year, either of these grasses 

 will afford more abundant food than timothy. 



In clays, the meadow fox tail, an excellent grass, might 

 be substituted, though, according to Sinclair, the tall oat 

 grass will do well here also. In wet soils, where cl-^vers do 

 not grow well, timothy and meadow reed grass would be a 

 good selection, sown either separate or together. 



Lucjrne and sain foin require a deep dry soil, and are 

 generally sown without other seeds. The first does not at- 

 tain to perfection before the third year ; and both, where 

 successfully cultivated, are permitted to occupy the ground 

 from six to eight years. 



2d. Meadow grasses. In selecting these the object is to 

 obtain the greatest burthen of good hay, and to mix those 

 kinds Avhich may be profitably cut at the same time. 



For clayey and moist soils, many valuable and nutritious 

 kinds seem to be well adapted ; that is to say, meadow fox 

 tail, timothy, tall oat, meadow soft grass, floating fescue, 

 rye grass, reed meadow, smooth-stalked meadow, Ameri- 

 can cock's foot, upright bent or herd's grass, and tall fes- 

 cue. And the five last are peculiarly suited to swamp or 

 bog soils. For dry loams, sands, and gravels, which never 

 ought to be kept long in grass, the cock's foot or orchard 

 grass, and tall oat, are probably the best ; and to these might 

 be added red and white clover. 



The great difficulty is to prevent the deterioration of 

 meadows. This takes place from the better grasses running 

 out, and gi-ving place to coarser kinds, in moss, and to use- 

 less or noxious plants, aided often by a neglect to keep 



