70 PLAIJf AND PLEASANT TALK 



it is better to err on the side of too much than of too little 

 seed. 



Time of Seeding. — We cannot pretend* to decide be- 

 tween the conflicting opinions on this subject. The positive- 

 ness of those who prefer spring-sowing is only to be 

 equalled by that of those who prefer fall-planting. Young 

 says of the month of August, "this is the best season of the 

 whole year for laying down land to grass, and no other is 

 admissible for it on strong, wet, or heavy soils." This, 

 however, is said of humid England. But if the character 

 of the season toward the close of summer favors, there can 

 be no doubt that fall-sowing will advance the crop very 

 early the next year, in all soils where it is not liable to be 

 thrown out by the frosts. If the winter proves severe, it 

 will be prudent to add an additional quantity of seed in the 

 spring. It is objected to spring sowings, that the grass is 

 grown in the shade during the early pax"t of the summer, 

 and is, of course, tender, so that when the grain is cut, it 

 is enfeebled by the powerful heat, to which, then, it be- 

 comes exposed. On the whole, we are inclined to prefer 

 the month of September, if the season favors, to any other 

 for sowing grass seed. Since writing these lines, one of our 

 best farmers informs us that he prefers August to any other 

 month. 



Method of Sowing. — ^The groimd should be very tho- 

 roughly prepared by deep and fine plowing, and the want 

 of labor in this respect is want of economy. 



If the soil is naturally well drained, no further provision 

 against wet will be required. But if it be flat, it may be 

 well to lay it off into lands, strike a furrow through the 

 centre, and then turn the furrows toward the outer on 

 each side. This will give a slight elevation at the middle 

 and a drain between each land sufficient to answer the pur- 

 pose of moderate surface draining. The seed should be sown 

 with the greatest evenness possible. The English fanner pre- 

 fers to sow some of the kinds separately on this account ; for 



