292 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 12, 1894 
“ Seeds ” is a general term inclusive of the various mixtures 
of Grasses having coarse herbage of strong growth, and Clovers 
also in mixture, which are usually sown in spring corn fields 
after the corn plant is visible along the rows. The sowing is so 
managed in order that the corn may have a good start, and the 
seeds be kept dwarf till after harvest, a strong growth of seeds 
among the straw tending to retard the harvest, and causing 
much heating in the ricks. Sown in this way seeds afford some 
useful autumn grazing, but if sown alone without a corn crop the 
seeds would be much more useful the first season. How; t.q sow is 
therefore just a matter of expediency; what to sow is apparently 
very much a matter of fancy as regards proportion, in the 
various sorts, and not an outcome of close observation. Some 
time ago we gave the mixture recommended by Mr. Primrose 
McConnell for heavy land, as an outcome of his own trials on the 
Essex clays. In this mixture the Fescues are not used because 
Tall Fescue had not answered with him, yet we always use it, and 
are bound t' say that it thrives admirably on heavy land in the 
midlands, and is much more nutritious than Timothy as hay. 
The use of Italian Rye Grass for layers of longer duration 
than two or three years would appear to be a mistake, ye" it is 
found in all mixtures, and when 40 lbs. of seed per acre are used 
4 or 5 lb5. of Italian Rye Grass adds materially to the bulk of 
herbage for the first year or two, and the plant of other Grasses 
and Clovers quickly t^kes its place as it disappears. The Essex 
mixture consists of 12 lbs. of Clover and 28 lbs. of Grass seed for 
a six-years layer, which may be extended to seven or eight years 
For a four-years layer about 10 lbs. less seed are required, and 
so on downwards, reducing the quantity of seed by a few pounds 
for layers of shorter duration. If anything it is best to err on 
the side of thick seeding, only take care that the land is in good 
heart— i.e., well tilled and rich in fertility before sowing. Also 
see that fertility is so well sustained that there is no falling off 
in vigour of growth and bulk of the successional crops each 
season, and that the soil is not in an exhausted condition when 
the seeds in due rotation come to be ploughed in. This is 
simply a question of management, of linking the present with 
the future, of having the land always in full profit. Under 
judicious alternate husbandry seeds can be made to yield three 
or four times the quantity of fodder that is usually obtained 
from permanent pasture. Another advantage of breaking up 
the land at intervals of six or eight years is found in the 
possibility of effecting any requisite improvement in its con¬ 
dition, such as rendering it more friable, more open to the action 
of the air, and to the speedy passage of water through it by 
unchecked filtration. 
In comparison Avith permanent pasture, the advantage is 
much in favour of seeds in every way. For folding, grazing, or 
mowing seeds are equally useful, often more so if due heed is 
paid in the seed mixture to the true value of the Grasses used. 
Where early grazing or folding is required (and where is 
it not?) Meadow Foxtail should be used in larger proportion 
than is usual because of its early growth, and while giving the 
leading place to Perennial Rye Grass we would always have 
plenty of Cocksfoot, because of its vigorous growth and for 
coming into use for grazing more qu ckly than any other Grass 
in the aftermaths It answers everywhere, is much less affected 
by extremes of weather than many other fodder plants, and for 
bulk of crop it is no mean rival even of Italian Rye Grass. 
Among such mixed fodder plants, as well as on permanent 
pasture, early or late growth is much more frequently affected 
by sorts than is commonly supposed, if thought is ever given to 
the matter by the superficial ob?erver. We have mentioned 
the high value among seeds of Meadow Foxtail for its earliness. 
Where it is scarce or not present, and predominance is given to 
Crested Dogstail, Hard Fescue, and Sheep’s Fescue, growth is 
certain to be late and the bulk of first crop low. Rye Grass 
is always early, and by using nearly half of it in the mixture of 
Grasses free early growth is assured. Then use plenty of 
Cocksfoot and Tall Fescue, avoid doubtful soi’ts, apply manure 
with a free hand, and remember that to have successional 
growths of equal vigour in the same season something more 
than a February dressing of manure is wanted. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Spring work of much importance is now in hand, and upon the doing 
it well with care and discretion our successful management of live 
stock next autumn, winter—aye, and in the following spring, too—very 
much depends. So far, corn drilling, and the sowing of Italian Rye 
Grass, seeds. Tares, Lucerne and Sainfoin has gone well. Seed beds for 
every crop have been excellent—for Barley, exceptionally so. Now we 
have the drilling of Thousand-headed Kale, Early and Giant Drumhead 
Cabbages. The Early Drumhead should be ready in September to make 
quite sure of an early supply of Cabbage ; then it is also worth while drilling 
some of Sutton’s Early Sheepfold, which the Early Drumhead is certain 
to follow closely ; then should come Thousand-headed Kale, which, 
with Giant Drumhead, carries on the supply into the following January. 
Such a supply of sound nutritious green food in autumn and winter 
is invaluable. The early Cabbage are well ready before the supply of 
green Maize is exhausted, and the Kale is so hardy that it may be 
depended upon even longer than the time mentioned. 
By drilling early in rich friable soil, these crops are well established 
and growing freely by the end of the month. Sow thinly, single, and 
do any necessary transplanting early, then keep the horse hoe going 
freely between the rows. Drill Early Sheepfold Cabbage 20 inches apart, 
single to 20 inches. Early Drumhead 28 inches each way, Thousand-headed 
Kale the same. Giant Drumhead 3 feet each way. These distances 
point to full development, to ensure which the soil must be rich. Apply 
per acre 3 cwt. muriate of potash, 3 cwt. superphosphate of lime, 
cwt. nitrate of soda. Mix and sow broadcast, give a turn or two 
with light harrows, and follow at once with the seed drill. Take 
especial care that the manure is used and the seed sown on the s me 
day, or only apply manure to as much land as can be drilled daily. Get 
this work out of hand now without delay, as the root crops are pressing 
for attention, and it is always best to be a little beforehand with spring 
work. Early growth, roots well hold of the soil, plants singled as soon 
as they can be handled, weeds kept well under, are the essentials, all 
very simple, but all important. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
liame Horse (C. II .').— Rest, Elliman’s embrocation well rubbed 
in night and morning, and cold bandages should set matters right. 
Some green food, Carrots or Mangolds, with a bran mash at night rather 
frequently would do good. Age tells in this as in other ailments, a 
young horse recovering from such a sprain much sooner than an old 
one. Is the horse properly shod ? If there is a doubt about this see to 
it at once, have the shoe taken off, and keep it off for a week or so. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Oamden SguARn. London, 
Lat.51° 32'40" N.: Loa?.0°8'0'' W.: Altitude. Ill feet 
Date. 
9 A.M. 
In the Day, 
.3 
1894. 
April. 
1 Barometer 
1 at 32'-,and 
1 Sea Level. 
Hygrometer. 
Direc¬ 
tion of 
Wind. 
Temp, 
of soil 
at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
Xa 
Sun. 
On 
Grass. 
Inchs. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Inchs. 
Sunday 
1 
30-049 
53-4 
48-4 
Calm. 
45 6 
63-0 
41-3 
84-2 
33 0 
— 
Monday ., 
2 
29-947 
52-3 
48-1 
N.E. 
45-6 
63-7 
39-3 
96-7 
30 2 
0-240 
Tuesday .. 
3 
29-875 
51-1 
46-4 
E. 
45-1 
62-9 
37-5 
88 9 
30 5 
— 
Wednesday 
4 
30099 
43-3 
42-1 
E. 
45-1 
62-0 
40-1 
97-7 
3.3-8 
Thursday .. 
5 
3 1-184 
48-8 
46-6 
E. 
45-5 
62-7 
36-9 
101-9 
31-9 
— 
Friday 
6 
30-019 
49-1 
43-6 
B. 
46*6 
56-9 
44-6 
87-8 
42-3 
Saturday .. 
7 
30007 
49-4 
46-9 
E. 
46-4 
68-1 
40-0 
103-7 
36*1 
— 
30-026 
49-5 
46-5 
45-7 
62-8 
40-0 
94-4 
34-0 
0 240 
REMARKS. 
1st.—Very hazy and sultry throughout, with the appearance of an impending thunder¬ 
storm. Spots of rain at time.s, but not enough to measure. 
2nd.-Generally sunny till noon. Rain, with thunder, from 1 A.M. to 2 P.M., and heavy 
rain withlightningandthunder from 2.20 to 2.50 p.m. ; bright sun again after 3 P.M. 
3rd.—Fine and generally sunny, but overcast for a time about noon. 
4th.—Overcast earlv ; sunshine from 10.30 a.m. 
5th.—Bright sunsbine throughout with slight breeze. 
6th.—Overcast morning, with slight rain early; occasional sim.slune in afternoon. 
7th.—Overc.ist till about 11 a.m., then sunny and warm. 
Another sunny and warm week, with measureablc rain on only one day. Temperature 
nearly 6° above the average.—G. J. Symons, 
