242 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL AND SEEDING. 



manured water meadow, tliere were 1,703 grasses and DO clovers 

 and other plants. The smaller the number of species the smaller 

 is the number of distinct plants to the square foot. In the words 

 of I. A. Lapham, " ^[uch caution must be used in applying the 

 /ules laid down in books (or given in practice) for the culture 

 and management of grasses." 



There always will be an opportunity for the farmer to experi- 

 ment and use all the good judgment at his command. In 

 connection with the account of each grass recommended for culti- 

 vation is given the amount usually sown to the acre, provided 

 only one kind Avere used. 



The following is by Prof. J. AV. Sanljorn, of ^NLissouri, formerly 

 of Xew Hampshire, and like the six following is from the Rural 

 New YorTccr : 



"The amount of seed should vary from six quarts to about as 

 many bushels. The poorer the farming and the more dishonest 

 the seed dealer, the more seed will be required. Given a soil in tine 

 tilth — that is, plowed well, harrowed by a harrow that lifts and 

 pulverizes it, is smoothed off and fined Avith a harrow on the 

 Thomas Harrow principle; if the seed is brushed in Avith a light 

 brush-harrow, and if the soil is an open one, or if it's a little 

 dry, rolled ; if the seed is home raised, or not over a year old, and 

 well kept, and the soil is fat Avith good available jilant food — six 

 quarts of Timothy or six pounds of clover Avill seed an acre. 

 Per contra, if, instead of a fine, rich soil open to, and inviting 

 tiny rootlets in uii directions, Ave luiA'e a -ddy soil, ploAA'ed 

 badly Avhen Avet, half tilled, Avhere dry lumps repel the minute 

 roots of the small seeds of grass, and Avhere cavities are dry and, 

 of course, foodless ; if the seed used is poorly preserA'c 1 or has 

 been moist, and has heated, and if to it, when fresh, is added the 

 seed of the past and of the previous year, and so on, "ad infin- 

 itum,^^ and if the soil is as poor as Job's turkey, then an unlim- 

 ited amount of seed will be needed, and no amount will be enough 



