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grain field, the ground having been well prepared in the fall 

 sowing, sow the seed and then turn stock on the whpat, rye, 

 or barley, as the case may be. Oat land may be sown in 

 the same way. The treading of the stock packs in the seeds 

 and prevents the grass from drying up in the summer heats, 

 or freezing out in frosts. Dr. Gordon considered an open, 

 loose, porous surface to be unfavorable to the safety of the 

 young grass, but if packed as directed, the grass will quickly 

 spring up, get a firm hold, and the loose condition of the 

 subsoil will favor the transmission of the roots to a good 

 depth. 



The after treatment is simple, and that is to allow no 

 stock on during the first year, but as soon as the seed stalks 

 begin to shoot up the next year, pasture it so closely that it 

 cannot go to seed. 



Dr. Gordon differs in this respect from other authors, 

 who allow it to seed one time for purposes stated below. 

 He would not let it seed at all. His great success in this 

 branch of agriculture will, in every place where he is 

 known, give weight to his authority. 



Others say no stock should go on it for at least two years, 

 or at least until after the first seeding, which will take place 

 in June of the second year. Some of the best blue grass 

 lots in Middle Tennessee have been started by following 

 either of the above plans. Of one thing there cannot be a 

 doubt, and that is, the ground should not be well broken 

 up. On the surface it should be as firmly packed as possible 

 to secure a perfect stand, and form a perfect turf. When 

 the surface is too loose, the grass easily dries up, and is much 

 easier frozen out, the seeds not going into a germinating 

 depth. Under favorable weather, seed sown in the spring 

 on a crop of oats will do as well as fall sowing. What is 

 meant by favorable weather is that no unusual dry weather 

 supervenes. But there is always the risk of meeting with 

 unfavorable weather in spring sowing, and on that account 

 we would recommend sowing in autumn. But it is better 



