240 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL AND SEEDING 



CHAPTER X. 

 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL AND SEEDING. 



Drainage. — The iulviintagos of clrainiige are nxuny, even for 

 growing grass, thongli it is probably true that grass hmd does not 

 require to be drained as tliorouglily as tliat which is arable. 

 Drainage prevents dam.age from flooding for long periods when 

 not desired. It is a ])roteetion against drought; it enables the 

 grasses to start earlier in spring and grow later in autumn; it 

 deejiens the soil and prevents baking in dry weather; it allows 

 the plant to receive greater benefit from fertilizers applied to the 

 soil; it allows air to jienetrate the soil; it prevents frost from 

 he^.,ving out the plants; it makes hauling of loads easier, and 

 renders the land less liable to injury from the treading of cattle; 

 it improves the better grasses, Avhich thereby encroacli on those 

 of less value, including many sedges, ruslies and useless weeds. 

 Much of our grass land, especially that in permanent pasture 

 and meadow, would be vastly improved by thorough drainage. 



If water, in a wet season, stand nearer than two feet of the 

 surface in a small hole dug in the ground, the land needs 

 draining. 



Preparation of tlie Soil. — Strong, deep, calcaroiis soil, with 

 a clay subsoil, is the best adapted for our most nutritious grasses. 



It is most important that the land be clean, finely pulverized 

 and of good tilth wdien the seeds are sown. If the land can be 

 liglitly liarrowed immediately before sowing the seeds or imme- 

 diately after, the seeds will be more likely to get a good start. 

 A Lrush harrow is a very good substitute for a light one with 

 slanting steel teeth. 



How Mnch Seed to Sow. — That depends on the size and 

 vitality of the seed, the number of seeds to the bushel, the con- 



