Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-04-13
ias1a Seeding on Winter Gra,u.


The common method of sowing grass
seed or winter Grain, is to scatter the
seed early in the spring. and trust to
the rains and crTicks in the ground TO
get il under the surface, where it may,
take root. Thisis hap-hazard sort OF
way, Trusting to luck, but notwith-l
standing its risks, il has always been
the usual way of putting in clover and
glass seed. In wet spring this sur
lace seeding will do very well, as the
continued wet will cause the seed to
terminate, and keep The plants alive
until they take ROOT. In a dry season
IL IL obvious that much of the seed
would be lost. n the circumstances
would not favor growth. Farmers
often anticipate the fact that the seed
ing may not be favorable if thsysnait
til the snow disappears, and 50 they
sow grass in March. or before tbe'win-
ter's SHOWS are melted. Their theory
is, that the melting snow will carry the
seed down into the ground. This Is
the safest way. and will insure the best
seeding. taking one year with another.
IL does not destroy the vitality Of the
seed, n many suppose, by its freezing
and thawing. after it has been fully
matured; hence lying in the snow and
settling with II to the ground Will not
iniure seed. The seed cutsor finds its
way quite rapidly TO the surface of the
ground, and the weight OF the snow
helps -toPress it into the soil, and be-
sides. the dirt. which is more or less
mixed with the snow. also settles on
top OF il, and helps to make covering.
A much better method to sow grass
seed on winter grain. is TO wait until
the ground has, settled, in the early
spring. and then sow the seed broad.
cast, and follow. with a harrow. ANY
harrow viii answer'the purpose MANY
prefer n Thomas smoothing harrow
harrow with the points of the teeth
turned backward. d, This narrowing
will not only cover the grass-seed and
cause it to grow promptly, with no loss,
but ut the mcstime it will bIrak the
crust on the surface and mellow the
earth, which will be very great adj.
vantage To the crop OF winters grain.
Many farmers shake their heads Ayhep
this idea is advanced, but " they would
try it, they would be satisfied that il j.
always an advantage to the winter
grain, and secures y good seeding.
These are not all the advantages to be
gained by a spring narrowing Of winter
grain. Many Of the weeds viii be de-
stroyed, and the surface being made
light and friable. the grain will throw
out new roots and filler more. Less
Srass-Secd will be required in seeding.
rs II Will be better covered and hence
not so much loss on this account. !
always ike to have seed well covered.
as the plants will do better whena dry
time comes on. A harrow with the
teeth moderately apart i better than
one very closely set together. IN any
case, the harrow should take hold OF
the ground and stir and cut the surface
thoroughly. This is what is wanted to
give freshness TO the surface and loosen
II zap for the rootsof the grain to spread
out and tiller, and to send up more
heads, which it will. surely do.
The possibilities of the harrow as an
auxiliary in increasing the Weld of
winter grain, by using il thoroughly in
the spring, are vet TO be learned by
most farmers, but when practiced the
results will be most gratifying. Toe
little pains are taken in seeding. and
ON this account there is much com.
plant of poor catches" This tenn i.
condemnatory of the system practced
by most farmers To trust To the rains.
which may not come, 20 wash seed into
the crusty ground and under the hard
surface. Meanwhile the hungry birds
are feeding upon them, because when
swollen they are readily discovered.
IL is good for the birds, but the system
makes light catches and light
meadows. Some farmers practice har.
rowing the winter grain first, and then
sowing the grass seed. and afterward
rolling, Unless the land is very light,
like sandy sod, 1 should prefer to sow
the grass seed first, then harrow and
not roll at all. j know such courSe
produces good rcsults.-F. d. Curtis,
iH Country Gentleman.