344 PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE. 



vated with the cultivator and kept clear of weeds. Ashes, 

 gypsum and lime are excellent top dressings. 



The time of cutting and the mode of curing, are precisely 

 the same as for clover, but it is fed to the best advantage in a 

 green state, or for the purpose o^ soiling, see p. 64. It may 

 be cut for this purpose from three to five times in a single 

 season, and the quantity cut from one acre, has been stated at 

 from 5 to 8 tons, in one season. The soiling of one acre is 

 sufficient to keep from 5 to 6 cows during the soiling season. 

 It is therefore an invaluable plant, where pasturage is scarce 

 or dear. But it is also an excellent hay, equal in all re- 

 spects, according to some farmers, to clover. 



5. Timothy (phleum pratense) is better known in this 

 country as herdsgrass, and in Europe, as meadoio cats-tail. 

 It is a hardy, perennial plant, growing with great luxuriance 

 in our climate and soil. It is the principal foraging grass of 

 the Northern States. 



The seed may be obtained by reaping the tops down from 

 10 to 12 inches and cutting the remainder for hay. 



This grass flourishes in almost any soil, capable of cultiva- 

 tion, but as the seeds are small, particular care should be 

 taken to pulverize the soil, and to cover the seed lightly with 

 a bush-harrow or with the roller. 



The time of sowing the seed may be, either in the spring, 

 with the spring grain, in the fiill with winter rye, or just be- 

 fore the ground thaws in the spring. It is often sown with 

 clover, a very improper practice, because the clover is ripe 

 at least two weeks earlier than the timothy. The quantity 

 may be from 4 to 5 lbs. to the acre, sown broad-cast. 



Timothy may he cured, by spreading and cocking over 

 night, and should not be cut till its seeds are formed, hence 

 it exhausts the soil more than the clover. But the value of 

 this grass is increased by allowing it to remain on the ground 

 until the the seeds are in the milk ; still, if it is cut green, 

 there is a compensation in a greater amount of the after-crop, 



