PREPARATION FOR, AND PERIOD OF SOWING. 193 



It is a very delicate plant, due probably to its eastern 

 origin, and can only be successfully cultivated in countries 

 where, during a certain period of the year, no frosts are 

 likely to take place, as the depression of the temperature 

 below freezing point for one night would effectually arrest 

 the further growth of the plant, whether in its early 

 stages in the summer, or towards its maturity in the au- 

 tumn. It is, therefore, only suitable for such places as 

 can insure freedom from frost for the entire period re- 

 quired by the plant for its growth, which is from twelve 

 to fourteen weeks. In this country it is sown usually at 

 the end of May or the beginning of June, after all risk of 

 spring frost has passed away, and is ready for harvest 

 before the cold nights of autumn have had full influence 

 on vegetation. If sown much earlier or much later than 

 this period, the risks from frost, either at the beginning 

 or the end, are considerably increased; if, however, a 

 green crop for fodder or manure is only required, it may 

 be sown up to the middle of July. 



In preparing the land for sowing, a single ploughing 

 is generally all that is required, the roller and harrows, 

 on such soils, readily completing the tillage required. 

 It is always better to drill the seed than to sow broad- 

 cast, as the crop can then be kept free from weeds, 

 and, as far as the succeeding straw crop is concerned, 

 act, if kept clean, as beneficially as a regular fallow crop. 

 The seed should be deposited very shallow in the soil, 

 at the rate of about one bushel of seed to the acre, and 

 a dry day selected for the purpose; light seed -harrows 

 should be used in closing the drills, and the surface 

 receive a turn with a light roller. If sown as a forage or 

 manure crop, the seed is generally sown broadcast, and 

 double the quantity used. It requires but little moisture 

 during its growth ; a few showers just to start it at first, 

 and a few more at the period of flowering, will enable 



