Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-02-07
Seeding Corn Land to Grass.

Seeding Corn Land to Grass.
In reply to a correspondent at Lud>
low, VT, who wishes advice regarding
the seeding of a corn field that is not
in high condition, and who is in doubt
whether to SOW oats on commercial
fertilizer, or spring rye to be cut for
fodder, and then, after harvesting seed
to grass alone, we would reply, that so
much depends upon the character Of
the season, that no rule for seeding
land can be laid down that will he
sure to bring best result every time.
Where the summer weather is as hot
and dry as it generally is in southern
New England, were our own farming
operations have been carried on, we
have never felt very much confidence
IN the practice OF seeding land with
grain in the spring.
The grass crop comes up well, and
othen grows finely until the grain is
removed, when the hot sun, beating
down so severely for days in succession,
without rain, dries the moisture out of
the surface soil, leaving the tender,
shallow'rooted, young grass plants to
wither and die. The heavier the grain
crop, the smaller is the chance for the
grass to live after the grain is harvested,
and as we always desire to have each
crop about as heavy as the land can
produce, we have found that one at a
time is usually enough.
In more northern latitude, where
the droughts are likely to be less severe
where the grain is sown thin and har.
vested late in the season, after the
severest heat is passed, and especially
were the land is difficult to plougq,
and so steep as to wash badly in rainy
weather, we would advise seeding with
grain rather than to re-plough and sow
the grass seed alone, after removing
the grain in the fall. If grass and
grain sown together, the grass will
generally do better if the grain is cut
for fodder as soon as it comes in bloom,
but so much depends upon the weather
at the time of harvesting, that no rule
can be given that one might not wish
had been broken.
Oats are considered the poorest of
crops to seed with grass, as they grow
rank, have broad leaves and shading
heads, Spring rye is no better, as
what it lacks in breadth it makes up
in height, and thus makes dense
shade if sown thickly, on good land.
Spring wheat and barley, because Of
their low growth and contracted heads,
give the grass plants the best show for
holding their own against dry weather.
Commercial fertilizers, if honestly
made and properly applied, can be
depended on for producing any crop
that will be benefited by the use Of
stable manures. Whether it will pay
one to use them, is question that can
only be nswered by individual expert
ment. 1t does not pay every one very
we'll to use stable manure, but the fault
is more likely to be found in the man.
agement than in the MANURE. Com.
mercial fertilizers haye now become a
necessity to many farmers, and those
manufacturers who, by long experience,
and uniform fair dealing, have gained
public confidence, can usually be de-
pended upon to furnish fertilizing mate.
rails ofstandard quality, and at fair
rates. But good fertilizers must be
used with caution on the small grains,
as, if applied too abundantly, the straw
may grow so luxuriantly as to fall and
rot on the ground, and without produe-
ing a full yield of grain. Indian corn
will bear twice as heavy manuring as