GRASS .^AUTUMN SOWING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 242, 15 February 1889, Page 2

GRASS .^AUTUMN SOWING.

(Button's Grass Seeds.) Many -writers have Taxed \ their souls, says Mr Sutton, over the relative merits of spring and autumn Mowing, without advancing the problem any nearer to a solution. It cannot be Bolved at all by generalities, although the attempt has been made. For practical ends it may be disposed of here by accepting necessity as our gide. It is satisfactory to remember that in addition to the chance it affords of making a thoroughly sound seed-bed, the temperature of the land in autumn is highly favourable to the germination of grass seeds. The danger of an autumn sowing mainly concerns the clovers. Young grasses, especially of the coarser varieties, will stand much winter cold with impunity. Not so with clovers, although when established they will also endure severe weather unharmed ; but in a young state, a wet cold winter will almost certainly make an end of them. Paradoxical as it may appear, it is nevertheless true mat a retentive soil will produce and foster a magnificent pasture containing plenty of clovers, and yet its very retentiveness will frequently prove a means of destruction to clovers sown late in the year. As to the best time for sowing in autumn, it must not be forgotten that grass seeds are peculiarly liable to be " malted" under a burning sun when the ground is not moist enough to keep the plants going. A slight thunder shower upon a dry soil, followed by scorching sunshine, is quite sufficient to do the mischief, and many failures of autumn-sown seeds are attributable to this cause alone. Even when the failure is not total, it is a serious matter if the fj.ner grasses are killed and only the coarser varieties sur vive, as it is very difficult to ge| the finer sorts to take after the ttfQQger varieties have had a six months start. Mr Sutton advises the sowing to be early in autumn, he says the earlier the better. The plants will then have some chance of becoming fairly established before winter sets in. Every field sown in autumn should undergo a searching examination in .the following spring. If it is evident that the clovers and finer grasses have failed, more seed of the missing sorts should be sown before the grasses become too strong. There need be no anxiety as to the effects of spring frosts, for the grasses will afford the young cloveis friendly and effectual shelter.