16 



I shall proceed to give an account of tliese crops. 

 CROPS. 



Grasses. The grasses usually cultivated are the Herds Grass 

 or Tirnoiliy, the Red Clover, the Red Top ; and besides these, ex- 

 periments have been made with Orchard Grass, Lucerne, Tall 

 Meadow Oats, and Foul Meadow. 



The principal grasses on the salt meadows, are black grass, Ibx 

 grass, and thatch, goose grass, and branch grass. 



The usual rotation, where the land is broken up from greensward, 

 is, first, potatoes, which are commonly planted with manure ; the 

 second year Indian corn with manure ; and the third year oats with 

 grass seed. It is then continued in grass at the pleasure or con- 

 venience of the cultivator three or four years ; and then again 

 taken up and subjected to the same rotation. Indian corn is some- 

 times planted two years in succession. Oats being a sure crop, and 

 at once available, are much cultivated, but almost universally dis- 

 approved to be sowed with hay seed for the purpose of laying down 

 land to grass. Wheat is preferred to any other crop, with which to 

 sow grass seed. I found one instance in which the land had been 

 laid down with pease. The grass seed had taken perfectly ; and 

 the practice was strongly commended by the intelligent farmer who 

 had made the experiment. The pease would completely cover the 

 ground while growing ; and the coarse stubble would furnish a good 

 protection for the young plants, when exposed by the removal of the 

 crop. The laying down of lands with grass only, or with winter rye 

 in the autumn, is a frequent practice and greatly cotnmended. This 

 is done at a season of comparative leisure in the first part of Sep- 

 tember ; or, in some cases, after the corn or potaioe crop is taken 

 off; and the success is almost certain. 



The quantity of grass sown to the acre, varies very much with 

 different individuals. I subjoin the practice of some of the best 

 farmers in the country, whose crops are among the largest ob- 

 tained. (I.) half bushel Herds Grass; (II.) half bl. h. g. and qr. 

 bl. Red Top ; (III.) three pecks h. g. ; (IV.) half bl. h. g., qr. bl. 

 r. t., 1 pint clover ; (V.) half bl. h. g., half bl. r. t. ; (VI.) 



