^4 PLAIN AXD PLEASANT TALK 



One acre is sufficient for four or five cows. It may be so-wn 

 in drills, if the land is foul, and kept clean by hoeing, the 

 first year ; but on clean ground it may be sown broadcast. 

 It is hardy under the hifliction of severe frosts ; and sur- 

 passes all gi-asses in endurance of drought, its enormously 

 land roots affording it moisture from a great depth. An 

 English writer says, its roots have been found from ten 

 to fourteen feet below the surface ; and an American Avriter 

 says, that it made, on his land, roots three feet long the first 

 summer. 



Where it is sovm broadcast, it is difficult to get it through 

 the first year. But if sown in drills ten inches apart, and 

 lioed once or twice, it may be cut twice or thrice the first 

 season, and be entirely established before winter. 



A light, sandy soil is the best ; it should not be put upon 

 heavy and non-friable soils, though it will flourish on even 

 these, when fully established. Ten pounds of seed to the 

 acre is enough, if drilled ; fifteen pounds, if sown broad- 

 cast. 



The only reason, that we can imagine, why this plant 

 should not be extensively cultivated, is, the disrelish which 

 our farmers too often have to any crop requiring much care. 

 To slash along with a plow is all well enough ; but to hoe 

 and weed is rather tedious. But these operations are 

 required only during the first part of the first year. 



Camphor fok Flowers, — ^Two or three drops of a satu- 

 rated solution of camphor in alcohol, put into half an ounce 

 of soft water, forms a mixture which will revive flowers 

 that have begun to droop and wilt, and give them freshness 

 for a long time. 



