MEADOWS AND PASTURES 377 



After the germination test has been completed, the 

 results of both the purity and germination tests may 

 be consulted, together with the price lists of the dealers, 

 and a selection can then be made. In case it is impos- 

 sible to secure seed of good vitality, the rate of seeding 

 should be regulated according to the percentage of viable 

 seeds. 



402. Seeding. — The time, rate, and manner of seeding 

 has been discussed in connection with several grasses and 

 legumes in preceding chapters. In general, it may be 

 said that since grass and legume seeds are small, they 

 require a firm, finely pulverized seed bed. Very small 

 seeds should not be covered deeply, if at all, while the large 

 seeds may be covered lightly with a light harrow or 

 weeder. The time of seeding varies with the different 

 grasses, but usually they may be seeded at any time during 

 the growing season, late summer seeding almost always 

 giving good results, especially in the corn belt states. 



403. Care of grass lands. — In the sections of the 

 country where hay and pasture crops enter into the regular 

 rotation, weeds frequently make a rank growth after the 

 removal of the grain or nurse crop. Weeds crowd the 

 young plants, compete with them for the soil's moisture, 

 and usually grow so rapidly as to produce a dense shade 

 and retard the growth and sometimes kill out the young 

 grass and legumes. To prevent the weeds from shading 

 the grass and also to prevent them from seeding, they 

 should be cut with a mower once or twice after the nurse 

 crop has been removed. If this practice is followed for 

 a few years, the weeds will be prevented from seeding and 

 after a time will be eradicated from the farm. Weeds 

 allowed to seed year after year soon become so abundant 

 as to form a considerable portion of the hay at harvest 



