Timothy and other grasses can well be sown with fall grains. 
From September 1 to October 15 is the most favorable period for 
sowing almost all grasses. Orchard grass, which is sometimes 
winter-killed, is an exception, but even orchard grass is frequently 
successful when sown in the fall. Kentucky bluegrass is so much 
safer when sown at this time that every possible effort should be 
made to sow lawns, pastures and other seedings containing bluegrass 
in the fall. Bluegrass does not form the root stocks which consti- 
tute a true sod until it has gone through one winter. Timothy is 
much more certain and much less seed is needed when fall sown 
than when spring sown. 
Except for hairy vetch and crimson clover in the extreme south- 
eastern part of Pennsylvania and in areas south of there, legumes 
should preferably be sown in the spring or summer — before Sep- 
tember 1. 
Rate of Seeding 
The most desirable rate of seeding varies considerably with con- 
ditions. Factors which call for less seed are high germination, 
purity and general quality of the seed, a well prepared seedbed, 
high fertility of the soil, uniformity in distribution and in depth of 
covering, and timeliness of seeding. 
With Eastern States seed of high germination, purity and general 
quality on medium fertile soil, 100 pounds of wheat or rye per acre is 
suggested. On highly productive soils with a well-prepared seed- 
bed and early seeding, 60 to 75 pounds is sufficient. With winter 
barley these amounts should be increased by about 25 pounds per 
acre. 
When a fall grain is to serve as a companion crop for fall and 
spring sown grass and legumes for forage, the amount of seed grain 
sown should not be so large that the grain smothers out or seriously 
inhibits the growth of the forage crop. Because of the ability of a 
grain crop to stool out and to a considerable extent to compensate in 
yield for fewer plants, a light seeding often yields as much grain asa 
heavy seeding with less injury to the accompanying grasses. 
Vetch seeded alone needs 40 to 50 pounds per acre, while a mixture 
of 70 pounds of rye or wheat and 30 pounds of hairy vetch is a liberal 
seeding per acre. 
When timothy is sown with wheat in the fall to be followed by 
clover or alfalfa in the spring, the rate of seeding should not exceed 
3 to 5 pounds; otherwise the proportion of clover in the hay and the 
total yield of hay both in the year after seeding and the next year 
will be reduced. When brome grass is also sown 10 pounds of it per 
acre is a desirable amount. 
In a grass mixture, 3 pounds of bluegrass and 2 pounds of redtop 
are usually enough per acre. | 
In the limited southern area where it is adapted, 10 pounds of 
crimson clover per acre can be added to a seeding of rye-vetch or 
wheat-vetch mixture. 
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