1011. When to cut Rye-grass for Hay.—Rye-grass, if mown for hay, should be cut when in blossom, and not green. The hay made from it does not heat or sweat so much, and is very good for horses, but not for sheep and cattle. If it is suffered to stand too long before it is cut, the seeds rob the plants of their juices, and leave it no better than wheat or rye-straw.
1012. To prevent the Smut in Wheat.—The means (to prevent smut) are simple; and no other than immersing the seed in pure water, and repeatedly scouring it therein, just before it is sown or dibbled in. Whether well, spring, or river water be used, is indifferent; but repeated stirring and change of water is essential to remove the possible particles of infection that may have imperceptibly adhered to the seed; thus purified, the subsequent crop will be perfect in itself, and seed successively so likewise, if there be no adjacent fields from whence this contamination may be wafted.
The addition of any alkaline or earthy salt, by increasing the specific gravity of the water, is of advantage in floating off the unsound grains, and after the seed is washed, it should be dried immediately by rubbing it with newly slaked lime.
1013. Fertilizing Steeps for Turnips, Wheat, or Barley.—Steep turnip-seed twelve hours in train oil, which strain through a fine sieve, and immediately thoroughly mix the quantity of seed you would wish to sow on an acre, with three bushels of dry loamy earth, finely sifted, which drill (or sow) as soon as possible; and when the plants begin to appear, throw a small quantity of soot over them.
1014. Steep for Wheat, Barley, or other Grain.—Put a peck and a half of wood-ashes, and a peck of unslaked lime, into a tub that will hold forty gallons; then add as much water as will slake the lime, and render the mixture into the consistence of stiff mortar. In this state it should remain ten or twelve hours; then add as much water as will reduce the mortar to a pulp, by thorough stirring. In this state fill the tub with water, and occasionally keep stirring for two or three days. After which, draw off the clear lye into an open vessel, and gradually put the grain into it: skim off the light grains; and, after the corn has been steeped three hours, spread it on a clean floor to dry, when it will be sufficiently prepared for drilling or sowing. The lye will retain its full virtue, and may be repeatedly used.