lily utilize the ingredients. Even under the best conditions 

 for top there is a lose in the value of the manure by 



evaporation of the ammonia. 



When compost or stable manure is broadcast over the land, it 

 is best to mix it either with powdered charcoal or plaster, so that 

 the ammonia, and other volatile substances, may be absorbed 

 held ready for the plant as its needs demand. Phosphate of lime 

 in the shape of ground bone, or one of the commercial fertilizers 

 containing phosphoric acid and lime, will produce a luxurienl 

 growth in grass. An excellent fertilizer is also obtained for grass 

 fields or lawns by composting well rotted stable manure with leaf- 

 mould obtained byrakingthe surface from the forests. Ashes or 

 lime is a useful application once in three or four years, where the 

 soil is not calcareous. It is well to give a top dressing of compost 

 each mowing, if the best results are to be obtained. This me- 

 thod of treatment will enable the rains to carry down to the roots 

 a quantity of nutrition, and will prevent the ground from baking 

 and getting dry and hot. 



A reliable and careful observer states, that in preparing land 

 for grass seed, the soil should he worked not less than two ieet deep 

 about the beginning of September, and thoroughly incorporated 

 with well rotted manure. In the furrows, as deep below the surface 

 le, should be placed long straw litter or rubbish, and 1 he 

 whole covered up and smoothed over. The straw will serve, not so 

 much for manure as a means for retaining moisture during a dry 

 <n. The roots of the grass are thus induced to penetrate deep in 

 the soil and will stand a much better chance for obtaining food for 

 the rapid and luxuriant growth ofthe plant. As soon as the fall 

 rain- set in the grassseeds should he sown. 



I: is hot to mix most gras to give a continuous growth for 



pasturage, and also to permit of frequent cutting for hay. I give 



several formulae, either of which will make good pasturage when 



d on well prepared land: 



For winter use these formulas may he modified so as to contain 



er tall oat meadow grass [Arrhenatherwm avenaceuni], orchard 



- [Dactylis glomerata]^ Italian rye grass [Lolium ItalicuTn], wild 



[Elymui\ : and wild meadow hurley \_Hardewm praten&e]. 



TIic- - will thrive well on moderately Bandy soil-, but yield 



much better results when seeded on rich uplands. The special val- 



orcliard grass consists in the rapidity with which it springs 



up after being grazed down by Btock. 



'S 



