(89) 



The routine established before the war was hard to break 

 up, but they are looking around for some more profitable 

 method of farming. To establish meadows is the part 

 of wisdom. Just how to do this we propose to tell here as 

 fully as our space will permit. We shall consider : 



1st. The preparation of meadow lands. 



2nd. Selection of suitable seeds for sowing and method of 

 mixing. 



3rd. Times of sowing and the best methods of securing 

 stands. 



4th. Cutting, curing and storing the hay. 



5th. Improvement of meadows. 



6th. Manures and manner of their application. 



PREPARATION OF MEADOW LANDS. 



This is of the utmost importance when we reflect that 

 any want of attention to all the details necessary to insure 

 success involves a considerable loss, not only in money and 

 labor, but also in the length of time required to undo and 

 correct the error. God sows the pastures to our hands, but 

 man must sow the meadows. A man may think he is pur- 

 suing the most judicious course possible, but he may be in 

 error, and an honest mistake does not free the farmer from 

 loss. He must inform himself correctly on the character 

 of the land to be sown, and then, with every facility at his 

 command, acquaint himself with the grasses best adapted 

 to its requirements. 



In the first place, though many varieties of grass will 

 grow well on moist land, it is not to be understood that 

 they will thrive best on wet lands. When the water stands 

 on the surface all the year, the character of the hay is nearly 

 worthless, being full of moisture and with but little nutri- 

 tive principles in it. Consequently it is very important 

 to have soils properly drained, if they require it. It will 

 largely increase the quantity and greatly improve the 

 quality of the crop. With the soil full of moisture it be- 



