55 



The early spring growth, by its succulence, greatly increases the flow of 

 milk but it does not add materially to its richness. As the summer ad- 

 vances the quality of the milk grows richer and its capacity for butter- 

 making increases. 



HOW AND WHEN TO SOW IT If a wooded lot has been selected 

 for seeding to blue grass, all leaves and trash and underbrush should be 

 removed. The seed- must come in contact with the soil. Sown on a bed 

 of leaves the seed will germinate during moist weather but under such 

 conditions the rootlets will soon wither and die. The timber trees 

 should be thinne'd out if standing very thickly upon the land. At least 

 one-half or two-thirds of the area should have unobstructed sunshine 

 during a portion of the day. The tallest and best timber trees should be 

 left and the bushy trees should be removed. Blue grass does better when 

 subjected to the cool of the shade during a part of the day. 



So many seasons have been recommended as the best time for sowing 

 blue grass that it may be said each one, under favorable conditions, is a 

 good one. One Kentucky farmer says: "Any time in the winter, when 

 snow is on the ground, sow broadcast from three to four quarts of clean 

 seed to the acre. W T ith the spring the seeds germinate and the sprigs of 

 grass are then very fine and delicate. No stock should be allowed for the 

 first year, nor until the grass seeds in June for the first time, which will 

 be in the second or third year. The best plan is to turn on your stock 

 when the seeds ripen. Graze off your grass, then allow the fall growth, 

 and graze all winter, taking care never to feed the grass too closely at 

 any time." 



Another authority says: ''Follow nature and obey her dictates. The 

 seeds ripen in June and are scattered by the winds and rains as soon as 

 ripe and therefore, sow your seeds as soon as they can be gathered." 



This plan might be a proper one in a colder or moister climate than 

 that of Tennessee but here it would result in the grass being often killed 

 by the droughts that come almost invariably in the latter part of 

 summer. Many sow on winter snows, which is a very good method, but 

 care should be observed to have the ground free from leaves before the 

 snow falls. 



There are others who sow in the latter part of February or first of 

 March. This season does as well as any provided the grass gets sufficient 

 hold to resist the withering effects of the summer's drought. The main 

 point is to get the grass large enough to resist successfully the frosts of 

 winter or the droughts of summer. It can endure frost better than heat 

 and this fact justifies the statement that the most approved time of sowing 

 is in the latter part of August or first of September. If sown at that time 

 the autumnal rains will cause the seed to germinate quickly and the grass 

 to grow rapidly. At this season there is comparatively little trash on the 

 ground, the leaves having not yet -fallen. The ground being prepared 

 the seed is sown broadcast, at the rate of one bushel of seed in the chaff 

 per acre. The sower should be followed with a harrow, or if the ground 

 is very loose with a stiff brush and roller. This will give the seed a 

 sufficient covering. Blue grass seeds will vegetate best when put at a 

 depth of one-quarter of an inch. It may be supposed that, with no more 



