Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-09-05
The Nert Hay Crop.

Nc,cly Seeded Lands as Effected By The
Suggestions ia regard 10 Re
seeding.
Over large portion OF Maine. and
particularly in some Gowns in Oxford,
Androscoggin and Franklin counties, the
extreme drought that has prevailed for
two successive summers with winter
Intervening, the moSt untayora5ie for
vegetation experienced for many years,
has caused a deplorablG failing OF the
hay crop the present season. But the
evil does not stop here. Oithe thousands
of acres that were newly seeded and laid
down TO grass last year, but Il moiety OF
them made = catch sufficient 10 warrant
their being let alone with unreasonable ex'
pectation OF a fair cropot grass. The great
er part OF such lands were plowed and re.
seeded again last spring, and those with
the thousands of acres that were seeded
last spring are found this August ~ bare
of grass a when plowed in the spring,
Old fields, from the effects OF the ice OF
last winter and the drought, and grass
hOpperS of the summer, are very nearly
played out, and under ordinary circum-
stances cannot 0e counted on for but =
melger crop of grass next wear Newly
seeded lands must be- the main depend
ence, on most farms, and these are fail
urc. ToIlow up again next year Is not
practicable. No stock, uo manure, no
crops" The question resolves itself thus:
How shall these fields bc L. seeded with
grass. 50 a to get the quickest return IN
a crop Of hay ? In answer to this QueS-
ton, offer the following suggestions:
In all localities situated 50 rs to bc
exempt from winter killing, pass har-
Tow over the fields rs soon Is the crops
arc off the ground-the earlier this work
the bettrr-and seed thickly t. herds
grass and red top, and cover with Il light
brush harrow or by passing roller over
it. The roller will cover it sufficiently,
if frequent rains occur, AMI will
leave the ground smooth and in good
condition Tor the scythe or mower.
With favorable weather. the grass will
gct n good start this fall. The stubble
from the harvested crop will hold the
snow somewhat. and serve in some dc.
.rce as 4 protection from wmter-killing,
and next year u fair crop OF grass may
be expected. In localities where the
Young grass roots would Inc likely TO
suffer from freezing. il would be better
to deter sowing till early in the spring,
sowing the seed upon the snow some
time i'm March --perhaps earlier rs the
season might be Then, the thawing and
freezing ol the surface would give the
seed sufficient covering, and after the
ground become setted, at the proper time
psss the roller over 1t 20 smooth The sur
fare. If the latter way is adopted, 1t
would be we'll 10 add a quarter or third
part clover seed, say o to pounds OF
clover seed with OF 10 quarts herds
grass and 10 lbs red top, To the acre.
Glover sown now, or later would be
more liable to Kill out, think, than the
grasses would but perhaps ii might be
saved by sowing on the snow IN
spring. have frequently seeded down
TO grass with winter rye. generally
sowing in October with mixed seed anu
oct a good s.catch." and have frequently
mown the grass after the grain was har-
vested, cutting q good swath much OF
the grass being headed out. Glover will
not head out the first season, neither will
red top TO n great extent; but that Is
( little matter rs the chiel value OF this
grass is in its long green heads that grow
through the whole season.
But whether the grass seed is sown
this fall or next spring. do not be sparing
OF seed. Thin seeding will defer good
burden OF grass 4 year or two and is
always poor economy.
This question OF increasing The hay
crop in those parts Of the State where The
drouth has prevailed, is AN important
one, and now is the time 10 consider the
matter and see what can be done to avert
the recurrence of so serious calamity
as another short crop of hay. FRYE, JR.
| Le.CiSton JoRrnGl.
Aug 9TH.