ESS A Y IV. On the proper METHOD of Sowing GRASSSEEDS. Theoretical writers advise that grass-feeds fhould be fowed without grain-The author, from experience, condemns that practiceReafons-Method of fowing grass-feeds where the ground is too rich to carry a crop of grain-Autumnal sowing of grass-feeds condemned-Of the different kinds of grain with which grafs-feeds may be fowed— Circumftances of importance to make the grafs-feeds germinate well-Rich clean ground recommended for fowing grass-feeds on-The farmer will be more abundantly repaid by a rich dressing for grafs than almost any other crop. I Would not have taken any notice of this. article here, had it not been to combat an error in practice ftrongly inculcated by feveral feveral fenfible writers, who feem to have been better acquainted with the theory than with the practice of agriculture; who have repeatedly advised the farmer, with the most zealous folicitude, Never to fow grass-feeds with any kind of grain; but, in all cafes, to fow it by itself; which,' it is faid, will aldo more than repay the lofs that is fuftained by the want of a crop of grain; the hay being fo much bettered by this practice.' ways Impofed upon by their fpecious reafoning, and the feeming confidence with which it was delivered, I have been induced to try the experiment more than once. And now, if I may be allowed to draw any general conclufion from these experiments, and a long continued and extensive course of practice in this respect, it would be, that even, if we were to have no regard to any other circumftance except the grass crop alone, it will always be beft to fow it with some kind of of grain; but, when we confider likewife the lofs that the farmer thus fuftains for want of a crop of grain, the practice recommended must be looked upon as highly pernicious to the farmer. When grafs-feeds alone are fowed, (I here fpeak of clover, rye-grafs, and other grassfeeds, ufually fowed for hay), upon a foil in tolerable good order, as they make but small progrefs at first, a great number of fmall annual weeds are allowed to rush up, which, quickly acquiring ftrength, fill up the whole ground so much, as to be in great danger of choaking the grafs entirely; or, if the foil is not overstocked with weeds, the drought of the fummer makes fuch an impreffion on the open porous ground, thus deftitute of plants to attract moisture to it, that the tender plants of grafs are in great danger of being fcorched and burnt up: Whereas, when the grass-feeds are fowed with any kind of grain, it quickly rushes up in abun dance, |