72 
The Mechanical Condition of the Soil, ^'c. 
The sowings will be commenced in September, and continaed 
nt intervals to tlie end of October. Vetches may be sown about 
the middle of October, without any mixture ; but they will not 
be ready for use as quickly as the mixed seeds. In these cases 
rolling will be fomid advisable, especially when the soil is not 
covered with a fine mould, which is very necessary for the 
growth of these seeds. It is also desirable, after the use of 
the drag, to give some pressure to the soil, as they do not 
thrive well when the ground is too loose ; with rye this is not so 
material as with vetches. A dry time should be selected for 
sowing the seed, and after this the land should be left harrowed 
and not rolled. 
French Clover or Trifolium. — This plant is somewhat pecu- 
liar from the excessive firmness of soil required for its success- 
ful growth. It is usually sown after a corn-crop, and, for its 
culture, a clean stubble should be selected upon land which is 
tolerably stiff. If this is twice harrowed it will produce soil 
enough to cover the seed, and this seems to be all that is requisite 
except a light rolling. This may appear to be a slovenly mode 
of farming ; but it is decidedly the best plan, for, when the 
stubble is pared and the land cleaned, and especially if it should 
be ploughed, the trifolium will not thrive so well. As regards 
the appearance of the stubble, provided a clean stubble be chosen, 
no doubt need be entertained that successful practice will justify 
from every charge of neglect, when in the spring the stubble dis- 
appears amidst the luxuriant growth of the clover. About 
20 lbs. sown broadcast will be found a sufficient quantity of seed 
to the acre. When the soil has been loosened more than by 
moderate harrowing, the roller must precede the sowing, other- 
wise much of it will run down into the soil too deeply for ger- 
mination, and a thin plant will be the consequence. 
I have thus noticed the special requirements of each of our 
principal agricultural crops, so far as regards the mechanical 
condition of the land, and other circumstances connected with the 
successful germination of seed. So far as my limits have allowed 
me, I have endeavoured to show the chief variations in practice ; 
but it must be remarked that local peculiarities of soil and 
climate will occasion exceptions from these general rules in 
minor points of management, which are still of the greatest im- 
portance for obtaining a successful growth. I do not, therefore, 
pretend to say that the conditions named will be invariably appli- 
cable ; but, from a rather extended experience, I have reason to 
consider that they represent the most successful systems oi 
management. 
Queen's College, Birmingham. 
