PREPARATION OF LAND TIME OF SOWING. 179 



broadcast at the time of ploughing in the manure, or by 

 the drill at the time of sowing. If fresh dung be used, 

 from 20 to 25 tons per acre should be applied; if it has 

 been partially fermented, from 10 to 15 tons, with the 

 addition of from 2 to 5 cwts. of guano, would be a satisfac- 

 tory equivalent. 



The winter vetches should be got in as early as 

 possible after the land is cleared of the grain crop, and 

 the stubble is well cleaned, as it is of importance that 

 the plants get well rooted before the winter sets in. This 

 can generally be done in September, when, although the 

 temperature of the air is decreasing, that of the soil 

 remains still very high, and greatly assists the germina- 

 tion of the seed, and the early growth of the young plants. 

 Great care is required that the seed sown be not only the 

 true winter variety, but also the produce of that variety 

 sown in the autumn and not in the spring. If these points 

 be not attended to, and the ordinary vetches be sown, or 

 even the produce of spring -sown winter variety, the plant 

 will be sure to suffer considerable injury from the cold 

 and wet of the winter, and generally die out and dis- 

 appear altogether before the spring comes round. It 

 is equally desirable that in sowing the spring crop the 

 seed used should be the produce of the summer variety, 

 which, although more delicate in its nature than the 

 winter vetch, is more rapid in its growth, and also of a 

 bolder and more vigorous habit. The time of sowing 

 should be so arranged that the second or summer crop 

 should come to its maturity about the time the first or 

 winter crop is all consumed, so as to keep up the supply 

 of green food for the sheep and cattle. Probably the end 

 of March or the beginning of April would, under ordinary 

 circumstances, be the best time for this purpose; the crop 

 would then be ready for use about a month after the winter- 

 sown portion, which would generally be sufficient time 

 for its consumption, as the area of each portion sown 



