No. 4.] THE GRASS CROP. 261 



of the excess of organic peaty matter, and to serve as a general 

 fertilizer. After ploughiiio- and smoothing the surface by 

 means of a brush harrow, the entire area was seeded down, 

 in September, into grass, to serve as a permanent meadow. 

 The more elevated portions of the field were seeded down 

 with the following mixture of grass seeds, at the rate of from 

 two to two and one-half bushels per acre : — 



Two bushels herd's grass (Phkum 2)ralense) . 



Two bushels red top (Aijrostis vulgaris). 



Two bushels Kentucky blue-grass {Poa j^ralejisis). 



Two bushels meadow fescue (Feshtca praicnsis') . 



Five pounds sweet-scented vernal grass {Anthoxanthvm odoratuni). 



The lower and still more wet portion of the meadow was 

 seeded down with the following mixture of grass seeds : — 



Twenty pounds of soft brome grass (Brofuus mollis). 



Twelve pounds herd's grass (Phleum pralcnsc). 



Nine pounds red fescue (Fesinca rubra). 



Eight pounds fowl meadow grass (Poa scrotina) . 



Seven pomids Rhode Island bent (Agrosiis vulgaris). 



Six pounds orchard grass {Dadylis glomerata). 



Five pounds crested dog-tail (Ci/nosa7'us cristatus). 



Four pounds meadow soft grass {Holcus lanatus). 



Two pounds sweet-scented vernal grass (Anthoxa7ifhuni odoratum) . 



From four to five pounds of alsike clover per acre were 

 added by broadcast seeding early in the succeeding spring 

 (1889). The seed came up well, and suffered but here and 

 there in wet spots during the first winter. Barren spots 

 were reseeded. The entire meadow was cut l)ut once during 

 the first summer season, somewhat later than usual; the 

 majority of grasses did not, as might be expected, head out. 



As soon as the first crop of hay was secured, a system of 

 manuring was planned, to show the comparative manurial 

 efifect of top-dressing, as follows : by barn-yard manure ; l)y 

 ground bone and muriate of potash ; by unleached wood 

 ashes. From 1889 to 1893 the quantity of barn-yard ma- 

 nure w^as gradually reduced, to ascertain how far different 

 quantities used per acre would affect the final results. Since 

 1893 each plat has received in succession annually the same 

 quantity of one of the different kinds of manure, to Ivy a rota- 

 tion of manures upon permanent grass lands. The annual 

 yield of hay on the different plats is stated below : — 



