94 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



Sowing Grass Seeds 



The actual work of sowing grasses is simplicity itself, but as 

 the germination of the seed and the equal distribution of 

 the plant depend on the accuracy of the process, the details 

 should be carried out with due regard to the serious loss which 

 carelessness entails. The necessity for making the seed-bed 

 fine and firm has already been enforced. At sowing time 

 the soil should be dry enough to allow the implements to 

 work freely without any tendency to gather clods on the 

 roller. Waiting for suitable weather may tax the patience 

 severely, but it is worse than useless to enter into a conflict 

 with Nature. All such conflicts inevitably end in the defeat 

 of man. 



The first operation is to run the harrow over the land 

 to prepare it for the seed, which may be sown either by 

 hand or by means of the seed-barrow. Some men are very 

 skilful in spreading seeds equally, and on a still day their 

 work may be successful. But grass seeds are light, and 

 a gentle breeze is sufficient to make the sowing irregular. 

 As the barrow delivers the seed nearer to the ground, it will, 

 as a rule, distribute the grasses more evenly than the most 

 practised sower by hand. But whichever method is adopted, 

 there is a decided advantage in making two sowings. Half 

 the quantity should be sown by passing up and down the 

 land, and the other half by crossing the first sowing at right 

 angles. 



A bush-harrow is the best implement for covering the 

 seeds, but a light iron harrow will answer, and the lighter it is 



