The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-18
SOWING Gra.s Seed in sprlng.


philadelphia Record
II is usual to SOW grass seed as early as
possible, so that the young plants may make
a fair growth before the very warm days of
summer. The principal grass crop is clover,
which is sown upon the wheat, the young
clover being thus shaded and protected by
the growing wheat. It is common to SOW
clover seed without the use OF a harrow for
covering, though a brush is sometimes
passed over il If the field is clear Of snow,
and then, again, the seed is sometimes sown
over the snow, upon which it remains until
the snow melts. and the seed finds its way to
the soil.
Farmers who contemplate sowing grass
seed over the wheat should endeavor to first
harrow the field before sowing the seed. The
advantages are that the yield of wheat will
be increased by spring narrowing, while the
amount Of grass seed repaired for an acre
and thrown up by the frost. pass the roller
over the field after sowing the grass seed, and
the field will be smoothed, the wheat bens-
hted, and the seed covered.
AS rule timothy and clover are used to.
more at variance in regard to growth aud
periods Of ripenlng. Timothy is earlier than
clover, but still the two crops must be moved
together when grown upon the same field.
The consequence is that either the timothy
must be overripe or the clover not fully
mstured. Orchard grass is suggested as a
substitute for timothy, as 1t rlpens IN about
the same time as CLOVER. The objection to
orchard grass is its tendency to grow in tus-
socks, but this may be partially avoided by
csTe in sowing the seed evenly. 1t stands
the drought well, and grows on nearly all
kinds of soil. As pasture grass it ranks
high, due to its beginning to grow very early
in the season.
One of the most frequent causes of failure
in securing'good catches is using an in
sufficient quantity of seed. Clover especi
ally. does not always make q heavy stand.
owing IS rule to carelessaess in the use OF
seed. When il is considered that much oil
the seed sOwl over the surface is uncovered
and that large proportion is destroyed by
severe cold, birds and other causes it is best
IN use an excess rather than too little. II
the amount OF seed usually sown were in
creased, and the seed narrowed in. there
would be good crops of clover secured where
catches" are now difficult
The best fertilizer for grass lands is potash
and the next best is lime. mixture o
wood ashes and lime answers, bat the cheap
est mode is the use Of the commercial sui
phate of potash (kainit). If grass seed il
sown in the fall. after the dry season Ia:
passed, there will be no necessity for sowins
it on grain field. On pastures a small pro
portion of different grasses may be added tt
the orchard grass and clover, though fol
that purpose timothy may be freely used
such as blue grass, meadow foxtail, white
clover and sweet vernsl grass. As some
grasses do not thrive on all classes of soils. i
will be found more advantageous to rely
principally on clover, timothy, and orchard
grass. Pasture land should be prepared By
reducing it to fine condition, giving gooC
brCadcasting of manure. Cd pasture
should not be Dlowed, bat good coating o
manure, with reseeding, will prove benef
cial.