DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD FOR SOILING. 
119 
Plowing in the seed has a further advantage; 
the plant strikes a deeper root, and consequently 
grows stronger than if lightly harrowed in; it 
also comes up in rows, as if drilled, which gives 
the air a much better opportunity to circulate 
among the stalks; thus promoting a more rapid 
and better growth. However rank the grain 
may grow in the fall, it is not advisable to feed 
it off in the slightest degree, except in a south¬ 
ern climate. North, the grain requires all of its 
fall growth to protect it during the winter, and 
insure a vigorous and rapid start in the spring. 
2d. Orchard Grass , Lucern , Ray Grass, and 
Clover. —These grasses come forward first in 
spring in the order mentioned, although they 
ripen for hay about the same time. In a very 
early season, we have had orchard grass in a 
dry, warm, rich soil, two feet high, and fit for 
soiling in the latitude of 40° 30', by the last of 
April; it however cannot generally be depended 
upon in this latitude before the last of May. 
Cultivation. —For orchard and ray grass the 
land must be rich, clean, and well pulverised. 
Sow each kind by itself, at the rate of at least 
two bushels of seed per acre, early in the fall 
or spring, then harrow and roll. Neither clover 
nor other seed should be sown with these grasses; 
and it is important that the seed be sown thick; 
otherwise it will come up in tufts, and in a few 
years be almost entirely rooted out by other 
grasses. The yield is very large when properly 
cultivated. We have taken upwards of three 
tons per acre of well-cured hay of the former. 
For hay, neither of these grasses is quite so 
good as Timothy, herdsgrass, or red top. This 
ray grass must not be confounded with nje grass 
nor oat grass. It is much superior to either, and 
makes the finest and best of lawns for our coun¬ 
try. It is now in great request in this vicinity 
for the purpose of soiling. 
Clover should be sown the last of Frebruary, 
or early in March, just after a fall of snow, if 
possible, at the rate of ten to sixteen pounds of 
seed per acre, at least. Whenever there is frost 
upon it, especially in the spring, not a hoof 
should be allowed to cross nor nibble it till the 
sun has dried off the frost. We have seen a 
small flock of sheep ruin a whole field in a sin¬ 
gle hour, by pasturing it on a frosty spring 
morning. 
The cultivation of lucern is attended with too 
much trouble to find favor at the present high 
price of labor in the United States. It requires 
a very rich, deep, dry, warm soil, prepared in 
the best manner. Sow fifteen to twenty pounds 
of seed per acre, in drills, nine to eighteen 
inches apart, the last of April or first of May, in 
this climate. Hoe it well during the summer, 
and keep it clear of weeds; otherwise they will 
check its growth, or almost entirely kill it. The 
following year, it may be cut several times dur¬ 
ing the season of its growth. After each cut¬ 
ting, liquid manure, or a light rich compost 
should be spread over it. 
Indian Corn .—By sowing the earlier varieties 
for the first sowings, this may be had from the 
fore part of July till late in November. The 
proper time for cutting corn for soiling, is when 
the ear is well set on the stalk, and the grain 
is in milk. If cut before this, it is apt to scour 
the stock, and it is not so nutritious for them. 
Cultivation. —Plow very deep—subsoil if pos¬ 
sible—you cannot make the land too rich. Sow 
the earlier varieties, in drills from twelve to 
eighteen inches apart; the later, from eighteen 
to thirty inches; keep the ground clear of weeds, 
either by the hand cultivator or hoes. To sow 
in drills is far better than broadcast, as the air 
then circulates freely among the stalks, and 
makes a much healthier and better growth. The 
varieties of sweet corn are decidedly superior 
for soiling, as the stalks are sweeter, and more 
nutritious. Not so great a growth of stalks, per¬ 
haps, can be got per acre ; but the superior 
quality of the stalks and ears more than com¬ 
pensates for the deficiency in quantity. 
Millet .—Prepare the ground as for orchard 
grass, and sow broadcast, or in drills, six inches 
apart, from last of April to the first of July. It 
may be harrowed, or plowed in like wheat, only 
not so deep by one inch. It should be cut for 
soiling when the stalks are in flower, or just 
as going out of flower. 
Oats and Buckwheat.—Sow and cultivate the 
same as millet. 
There are other grains and grasses which 
may be profitably cultivated for soiling, but the 
above are the most important. 
Of pumpkins, cymlins, squashes, sugar beets, 
and other roots which ripen in the fall, we shall 
not at present speak, as it would make this arti¬ 
cle too long. 
Treatment of Stock under the Soiling Systemi .— 
Stock, when soiled, should have a free range of 
a few acres at least, in a well-shaded, and if 
possible, well-watered pasture. Exercise in the 
open air, the greater part of the day, is abso¬ 
lutely essential to their good health and thrift. 
Their food may be thrown in small bundles on 
the clean grass ground ; but a better manner for 
feeding is, to place the food in common hay 
ricks, standing on legs two or three feet from 
