BLUE GRASS. 175 



He sowed, either in the autumn or spring months indis- 

 criminately, as suited his convenience. He usually sowed 

 with rye, wheat, or barley, if sowed in an open field, but if 

 in a woods lot, he sowed with rye, or after a crop of millet. 

 At any rate, the soil must be well cleaned off and broken 

 up, as well as the nature of the land permits, then after the 

 grain is sown the land is harrowed, and if possible, rolled. 

 After this, the grass seeds were sown and brushed lightly. 

 Immediately afterwards all the cattle, horses and sheep were 

 turned in that could be secured. If there was not enough 

 on his place he borrowed his neighbors' stock, and let them 

 run on it until the ground was well packed all over the 

 surface, and then, and not until then, were they removed. 

 If after millet, (and that is greatly recommended, as it de- 

 stroys more effectively than anything else all weeds,) harrow 

 about the first of September thoroughly, sow the seed, 

 brush as before, and then turn on the stock. If it is 

 desired to sow in the spring, in the latter part of February 

 or early in March, if not practicable sooner, harrow the 

 grain field, the ground having been well prepared in the fall 

 sowing, sow the seed and then turn stock on the wheat, 

 rye, or barley, as the case may be. Oat land may be sown 

 in the same way. The treading of the stock packs in the 

 seeds and prevents the grass from drying up in the summer 

 heats, or freezing out in frosts. Dr. Gordon considered an 

 open, loose porous surface, to be unfavorable to the safety 

 of the young grass, but if packed as directed, the grass will 

 quickly spring up, get a firm hold, and the loose condition 

 of the subsoil will favor the transmission of the roots to a 

 good depth. 



The after treatment is simple, and that is to allow no 

 stock on during the first year, but as soon as the seed stalks 

 begin to shoot up the next year, pasture it so closely that 

 it can not go to seed. 



Dr. Gordon differs in this respect from other authors, who 

 allow it to seed one time for purposes stated below. He 



