The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-08-05
Farm, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD
Sowing Glover and Grass Seeds.

Sowing Glover and Grass Seeds.
We caJnot impress too strongly upon
our farmers the necessity OF sowing such
varieties Of these seed as are o~ongeui, !
TO our soil and climate. Whilst there
are scarcely half a dozen species Of grass
seed known or practically svailed OF in
this country, in Elgland-the fertility
OF whose soil was permanently secured
by the use Of grass and the turnip for
the feeding OF cattle and sheep-over
thirty distinct species are emplo, ed for
different soils and purposes. Tne ad.
vantages OF the larger number are that
mixed grasses are found to feed animals
more pro6tably than n kind, and that
greater weight can be produced per
scIe. Some kinds are of temporary du,
ration, while others are permanent; the
period Of maturity differs, 80 that when
mixed, some are always in the best con-
ditIon 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 cult.
waiting a greater variety than is usually
found in the pastures and meadows Of
the United States.
The Prairie Farmer, in alluding to
the question as to the best time for seed.
ing, suggests that Notwithstanding much
has been said in behalf of fall seeding
by the advocates OF that season for the
purpose, yet the fact remains that
spring seeding is preferred and practiced
by far the greater number of farmers
throughout the country; and, as we
believe, with them rests the weight OF
the argument. A wide difference Of
opinion also exists in regard to the guam
tity Of seed per acre. Extreme opinions
obtain on either hand; but the proper
quantity to SOW is governed largely by
circumstances. Thin seeding, when the
seed is fresh, may succeed well on rich
and deeply pulverized soil; while with
poor seed on light, thin land, failure and
disappointment would be the result.
Safety in any case lies in q sufficient
quantity Of seed to ensure a catch, else
weeds will be likely to usurp vacant
places and ipjure the grass. Early seed
ing is important in obtaining q good
catch. Fall preparations of the land
enables the farmer to SOW early and
obtain a good crop Of hay. None but
fresh, bright seed shouldbe sown. what
ever may be the kind Of mixture. Much
Of the failure that attends This branch
OF farming is the result Of using imma-
ture, foul and comparatively worthless
seed, o large portion Of which falls to
terminate, while the land is overrun
with noxious growth. Clean culture is
o prerequisite OF good farming, and the
use of foul seed generally results in re-
curing, at the farmers hands, y vast
amount of additional labor year after
year in efforts to exterminate the pests
thus introduced. However good the
appearance of seel may be, it may be
expected that all of 1t will not germi-
nate because of q lack of vitality; and,
besides this, some that is good will not
come, on account of being covered too
deeply. Hence the utility OF sowing a
sufi ,ient quantity to insure a catch, As
u rule, the depth al which the most seeds
OF different grasses germlnate is half an
inch. @ rcumstances, however, of sea-
son snd soil, exert more or less influence
in this manner"
Making the land rich and seeding
heavily are the two most essential things
in grass culture. Get the land covered
deusely with young plants, and feed the
latter well, that they may grow rapidly
and vigorously, and intruders will have
little opportunity to secure a ioothold,
On stiff soils and partially shaded places,
SOW orchard and blue grass. On light,
sandy lands the tall oat grass will do
better. On damp bottoms, too wet for
corn, SOW herd grass. The latter will
do well also on uplands, if rich. Roll
ing or q very light narrowing will cover
the seed sufficiently. II sowed on grow.
ing grain, harrow in lightly with a slop.
ing tooth harrow. For the grasses pro-
per, apply ammoniated fertilizers; for
clover apply ashes, phosphatos. kainit
and the like. Sowing may continue till
the middle or end OF March.