The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-06
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AZ the time for sowing these seed y at
hand, We cannot impress too strongly upon
our farmers the necessity Of being prepar.
"a "a SOW such varieties "a are coDgenial
ID our soil and climate Whilst there are
scarcely half dozen species Of grass seeds
known or practically ayailed Of IN this
country, in Eneland-the fertility OF whose
soil was permanently secured BY the use
AZ grass and the turnip for the feeding Of
sattle and sheep--over thirty distinct spe-
eies are employed for different soils aud
purposes The advantages Of the larger
number are that mixed grasses are found
Il feed animals more probably than one
Kind and that greater weight can be
produced per mere Some kinds are OF
Temporary duration, while others are per-
manens; The period Of maturity differs, 50
that when mixed, some are always IN the
best condition for pasture, and some for
meadow, and some prosper best in one
kind Of soil and some in another. These
and other considerations which might be
mentioned, show the advantage Of cultiya,
ting greater variety than is usually found
in the pastures aud meadows cfthe United
States. s
The Prairie Farmer, in alluding to the
question as TO the best time for seeding
SUGGESTS that, notwithstanding much has
been said in behalf Of fall seeding by the
advocates Of that season for the purpose
lyet the fact remains that spring seeding
IS preferred aud practiced BY far the greater
number Of farmers throughout the country
aud, as we believe, with them rests th'
weight of tie argument. A wide differ
euce Of opinion also exists in regard to tn
Quantity Of seed peracre. Extreme opin
ions obtain on either hand; but the prope
quantity to SOW is governed largely BY cir
cums.anecs. Thin seeding, when the seee
is fresh. may succeed well 90 rich ant
deeply pulyerized soil while with poo
seed on light, thin land, failure and dis
appointment would be the result Saset,
n auy case lies in sufficient quantity o
seed 10 ensure catch, else weeds will b
likely to usurp vacant places and injnr'
the grass. Early seeding is important Il
obtaining a good catch. Fall preparation
az the laud cnahles the farmer to SOW earl.
and obtain good crop Of hay. None ba
fresh, bright seed should be sown, what
ever may be the kind Of mixture, Mnel
of the failure that attends this branch 0
farming is the result Of using immature
foul and comparatively worthless seed,
large portion Of which fails to terminate
while The land is oyerrun with noxiou
e1owths. Clean culture is a prerequisit
Of good farming, aud the use Of foul see
generally results in requiring, at the farm
ers hands, vast amount Of additions
labor year after year in efforts to EXTERN
nate the nests thus introduced. Howeve
GOOD the appearance Of seed may be,
NAV be expected that all Of 1t will not gel
inmate because Of lack OF vitality; an;
besides this, some that is good will n'
come, on account OF being covered tC
decply Hence The utility Of sowing
sufficient quantity to insure a catch, 4
rule, tho depth at which the most sect
Of different grasses germinate IS hall a
such.
Making the land rich and seeding hea
ily are the two most essential thugs
Grass culture. Get the land covered dens
" with young plants, and feed the latt
well, that they may grow rapidly and VI
orously, and iutrudcrs will have little o
portunity to secure ioothold. On st
soils aud partially shaded places, sow {
chard and blue grass. On light, SAM
lands the tall oat grass viii do better {
damp bottoms, too wet for corn, SOW he
grass. The latter will do well also on u
lands, if rich, Rolling or very liz
narrowing viii cover the seed sufficient
II sowed on growing grain, harrow
lightly with sloping tooth harrow. /
the grasses proper, apply ammoniated f
iiliaers; for clover apply ashes, phosphat
kainit and the ike. Sowings may &C
tinuc till the middle or end Of March.