15 



as far as my observation extends, when luxuriant and 

 suffered to ripen, are usually nearly fatal to the grass. 

 The other grains are less harmful. 



To some extent our grasses may be allowed to 

 commence their growth under more favorable cir- 

 cumstances. Moist lands that will admit a smooth 

 turning, may be easily and profitably renovated 

 by ploughing in the month of August or Septem- 

 ber, applying a dressing of manure upon the furrow, 

 sowing the seed, harrowing and rolling. I have seen 

 enough of this method to recommend it in entire 

 confidence, that it is good. Where corn is cultiva- 

 ted without any hill, grass may be sowed among it at 

 the last time of hoeing, to great advantage. One 

 piece of ground laid down in this way, which has 

 now been mowed five successive summers, has uni- 

 formly yielded a good crop and holds out better than 

 any other piece of similar texture on which I ever 

 labored. Another piece from which two crops have 

 been taken, does thus far equally well, and gives fair 

 promises for the future. This method seems admi- 

 rably well adapted to light and sandy lands, where 

 grasses often fail to take root. The Hon. William 

 Clark, of Northampton, who was the originator of 

 this process, told me, according to my recollection, 

 that he now often succeeds in obtaining two tons 

 of clover to the acre on light soils, where no one had 

 ever before been able to form, by the old process, 

 any sward ; and where it had long been deemed en- 

 tirely useless to sow grass seed among rye. 



The raising of roots for cattle and swine is yearly, 

 becoming more common. This is an improvement, 



