200 Mixing and Sowing of Grass Seeds. 



turf of only four years of age composed of the deep-rooting 

 grasses and plants recommended in my mixtures. 



Tke Mixing and Sowing of Geass Seeds at Olifton-on- 

 Bo'WMONT. — The grass seed mixtures are usually sown at Olifton- 

 on-Bowmont about the first week in May, on the growing oats or 

 barley which have been put in two or three weeks previously, and 

 our success has been invariable. It will be remembered that 

 CHfton-on-Bowmont farm (not including the hiU pasture) is from 

 400 to 800 feet elevation^ and is in a rather late district. It has 

 been our practice to sow the grass and clover seeds all in one 

 mixture, at one operation, using an 18 feet seed sower for the 

 purpose. The same seed sower is also used for sowing barley 

 and oats. The mixing of the seeds is done on a smooth cement 

 floor. Each species of grass and clover seed, chicory, bumet, &c., is 

 spread evenly on the floor, one kind above another, and then the 

 whole is turned over with shovels several times, from side to side 

 of the room, until the whole forms a perfect mixture. The 

 mixture is then put into bags ready for sowing, care being taken 

 not to allow the heavy seeds to settle, or be unequally apportioned. 



The Woek of the Boaed of Ageicultuee : — 



1. In grants for agricultural education and research the Board- 

 spends from £7,000 to £8,000 a year. 



2. Nearly all the suggestions and experiments given in their 

 reports tend to involve the farmer in some expenditure beyond 

 what he at present incurs. 



3. But, as a rule, farmers have no money to spare for any extra 

 expenditure, and the few who have are afraid to risk it, as the 

 outlay might be lost owing to defects of season or a fall in prices. 



4. It must, then, be clearly proved to the farmer that any sug- 

 gestion made to hini must yield distinct advantages, combined 

 with a reduction in the present cost of production, and a 

 diminution of risks as regards crops, stock, and from adverse 

 seasons. 



5. What is the essential basis of the highest agriculture ? It 

 is that the soil should contain a considerable proportion of vege- 



