-HAP. V. SOWING GRASS SEEDS. 827 



oat stubbles, without ploughing or .using any other implement than 

 the harrow, the seed-barrow, and the roller. 



Before proceeding to lay land away in grass it is desirable to 

 acquire a clear understanding of the condition and capabilities of 

 the soil. The subsoil, too, must be taken into account, for sooner 

 or later its influence will tell decisively upon the existence of certain 

 grasses. Then the purpose of the grass crop must not be over- 

 looked. Whether it is chiefly for hay or entirely for grazing will 

 prove an important factor in determining the kinds of seed to be sown. 

 Even the nature of the stock the land is intended to carry is worth 

 consideration. Milch cows, fatting stock, sheep and horses, or a com- 

 bination of these animals, can be provided for if a definite object is 

 held steadily in view. 



A fine firm seed-bed having been prepared, it is further necessary 

 that the soil should be dry enough to allow the implements to work 

 freely without any tendency to gather in clods on the roller, though 

 waiting for this will often tax the patience of the farmer. 



The first operation, Mr. Sutton remarks, is "to run the harrow over 

 the land to prepare it for the seed, and the sowing may be either per- 

 formed by the hand or by means of the common seed-barrow. Some men 

 are skilful in spreading seeds uniformly by hand, and on a still day their 

 work answers well. But grass seeds are light, and it does not need a 

 very high wind to make the sowing irregular. As the barrow delivers 

 the seed nearer to the ground, it will, as a rule, distribute the grasses 

 more evenly than the most practised sower by hand. But whichever 

 method is adopted, there is a decided advantage in making two 

 sowings. If the grasses and clovers are mixed together, half the 

 quantity should be sown by passing up and down the land, and the other 

 half by crossing the first sowing at right angles. When the grasses 

 and clovers are sown separately, as is probably preferable, the grasses 

 can be put in in one direction, and the clovers should cross them." 



A horse-rake is the best implement for covering the seeds. " In 

 its absence a light iron harrow will answer the purpose, the lighter 

 the better. What is wanted is that as many seeds as possible shall 

 be just covered with soil, and no more. Grass seeds will germinate 

 and become established when they are merely pressed upon the surface 

 of the earth, provided that they are not consumed by birds or scorched 

 under a hot sun. But many will not germinate at all at a greater 

 depth than half an inch. Hence the necessity of a fine tilth and 

 shallow sowing. 



" The roller must promptly follow the harrow, and it makes a better 

 and more certain finish to go over the ground twice in different 

 directions with a roller of moderate weight than to accomplish the 

 task at one stroke with a heavier implement. The importance of 

 this part of the work will be made apparent if any spots are missed 

 by the roller, for on those spots there will be no grass plants. 



" A specially good plant may often be obtained by first rolling with 

 the Cambridge or ring roller, then sowing the seed, and afterwards 

 crossing the land once or twice with the ordinary smooth roller." 



