SOWING GRASS SEED 285 



The machine which is perhaps most generally satisfactory for 

 this work is the wheelbarrow seeder. This gives an even 

 distribution of the seed over the entire area, something which 

 is not always easily obtained with most types of broadcast 

 seeders. When sown with any of the broadcast seeders, it 

 is customary to cover the seed by a light harrowing. The 

 spike-tooth harrow is usually used for this work, though a 

 brush harrow is sometimes employed. When clover is sown 

 on winter wheat in the spring, it is not usually covered at 

 all, the alternate thawing and freezing of the soil and the 

 beating of the spring rains being depended on to cover the 

 seed sufficiently for germination. Care should be taken 

 that the seed is not covered too deep when sown with the 

 grain drill. 



354. Depth to Cover the Seed. The depth to which 

 grass seed should be covered is important. With small 

 seeds like those of the grasses and clovers, the danger is in 

 covering too much rather than not enough. In dry seasons 

 or in sections where the rainfall is scanty, deeper covering is 

 necessary than under ordinary conditions, in order to reach 

 moist earth. Seed may be covered to a greater depth in 

 sandy soils than in those of a clayey nature. The proper 

 depth of covering may often be obtained by rolling the field 

 after the seed is sown, though a light harrowing is usually 

 more effective. Covering to a depth of from one-quarter to 

 one inch will generally produce good results, though on sandy 

 soils or in dry regions a greater depth of covering may be 

 necessary. The seeds of Kentucky blue grass and many 

 other grasses often germinate when they are not covered at 

 all except by the natural movement of the soil particles. 



355. Rate of Seeding. Definite statements with regard 

 to the proper rate of seeding will be made in the special dis- 

 cussions of the various important hay crops, so only a few 



