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'r^ax^-cc

GRASSES

Forage Plants

A PRACTICAL TREATISE

COMPRISING

THEIR NATURAL HISTORY; COMPARATIVE NUTRITIVE VALUE-
METHODS OF CULTIVATING. CUTTING, AND CURING; AVD '
THE MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS IN THE UNITED
STATES AND BRITISH PROVINCES

1

IJV

CHARLES L. FLINT

LATE SECRETARY OF MA^: ACfSETTS STATE HOARD OF AGRICULTLHP
MEMBER OK BOSTO. SOCrKTV OK .AT.RA. HISTOUvTaut",0R ^
OK <■ MILCH COWS AND DAIRV FARMING," ETC ETC

REVISED EDITION

BOSTON
LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS

lo Milk Street next Old South Meeting-house
^895

G3 3'Z

i'

A COMPANION VOLUME

KY THE SAME AUTHOR.

MILCH COWS AND DAIRY FARMING.

Tlic breeds, hreediiitji ii'id m;inii(^einont, in health and disease,
of dairy and otlier stock. The selection of uiilch cows, witli a
full explanation of Guenon's Method, tlie culture of forage
plants, etc., etc.

Cloth, illustrated, $8.00.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S59, ''y

CHARLES L. FLINT,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts

Copyrighted, 1SS7

Bv CHARLES L. FLINT

All rights reserved

Grasses and Fokagk Plants

Rockwell and Churciiill, Printers
Boston

■'f

PREFACE.

etts

The object of the following pages is to embody
the most recent practical and scientific information
on the history, culture, and nutritive value, of the
grasses and the grains. To make the work practi-
cally useful, I have treated the subject with plain-
ness and simplicity, so far as it admits of it, and
have at least indicated to the reader the vast field
of study which lies open before him in this direction.

The large number of illustrations of the different
species of grasses, drawn, as they have been, with
great care and accuracy, will serve to facilitate the
study and identification of unknown specimens. Most
of these appeared in the first and second editions of
the work. I have added to this edition a f&w, drawn
by Professor I A. Lapham, of Milwaukie.

In treating the subject from an economical point
of view, I have tried to give what is known to be
of special value, and have presented the experience
of practical men upon points about which the opin-
ions of farmers differ. The reader will be best able
to judge how far I have succeeded in accomplishing
my object. id',- r- '

*^^ nraM

lUCfiLATlVg unuAn\

VI

PREFACE.

It seems unnecessary to dwell here upon the
importance of the subject. Perennial grasses, says
an eminent practical farmer, are the true basis of
agriculture in the highest condition of that best
employment of man. Grasses which are not peren-
nial are of immense value, especially as one of the
shifts in the ordinary rotation of crops, suited to the
agriculture of the great upper or northerly portion
of our continent, all of it above the cotton line.
But it is the grasses which are perpetual to which
we are to look for our chief success in farming.

Perhaps the most forcible expression of opinion
on this point may be found in a French writer, who
asserts that the term grass is only another name for
beef, mutton, bread, and clothing; or in the Bel-
gian proverb, " No grass, no cattle; no cattle, no
manure ; no manure, no crops ! "

If my researches, imperfect as they doubtless
have been, should have the effect of creating a more
general interest in the subject, and leading to more
careful inquiry, and more general and accurate in-
vestigation, I shall be amply rewarded for any
labor which I have bestowed upon the preparation
of the following pages.

C. L. F.

Boston, May^ 1887.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION,

PAOI

. 9

CHAPTER I.

NATIKAL HISTORY OF THE TRUE 0KASSE3 WHICH ARE USED FOR
FOUAOE, jj

CEIAPTER II.

THE CEUEALIA, OR GRASSES CULTIVATED FOR THEIR SEEDS, . . I55

CHAPTER III.

THE ARTIFICIAL OKASSES, OR PLANTS CULTIVATED AND USED LIK-
GRASSES, THOUGH NOT BKLOXGING TO THE GRASS FAMILY, 1 ,3

CHAPTER IV.

XUE GRASS-LIKE RUSHES, CARICES, AND SEDGES, COMMONLY CALLED
OKASSES, ...

197

CHAPTER V.

VARIOUS CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE GRASSES,

205

CHAPTER VI.

THE COMPARATIVE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THE GRASSES, .

• 217

(7)

V"I TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.

THE CLIMATE AND SKASONS, AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE ""
""^^^^^^' 239

CHAPTER VIII.

SELECTION, MIXTURE, AND SOWINO, OF OKASS-SEEDS 265

CHAPTER IX.

TIME AND MODE OF CUTTING GKASS FOR HAY 299

CHAPTER X.

CURING AND SECURING HAY, . . o.m

329

CHAPTER XI.

GENERAL TREATMENT OF GRASS LAND, . . on

CONCLUSION, .....

' .... 888

SYSTEMATIC INDEX, gg„

GENERAL INDEX 3^^

GRASSES AND FOllAGE PLANTS.

INTRODUCTION.

I PROPOsit: to speak of the grasses, a family of plants
the most extensive and the most beautiful, as well as
the most important to mankind. It embraces nearly a
sixth part of the whole vegetable kingdom; it clothes
the globe with perpetual verdure, or adorns it at fixed
seasons with a thick matted carpet of green, none the
less beautiful for its simplicity ; and it nourishes and
sustains by far the greater part of the animals that
serve us and minister to our wants.

When wo consider the character of our climate, and
the necessity that exists, throughout all the northern
and middle portions of the United States and the Cana-
das, of stall-feeding from three to five or six months of
the year, for means of which we are dependent mainly
on the grasses, it is plai^ hat, in an economical point
of view, this subject is one of the most important that
can occupy the farmer's attention.

The annual value of the grass crop to the country,
for pasturage and hay together, cannot be less than
three hundred million dollars, to say nothing of a vast
amount of roots and other plants cultivated and used as
forage crops.

I shall endeavor to give a brief account of the natural
history or description of all the useful grasses found in

(9)

i 1

10

INTROnUPTION".

our fields and pastures, partly I.eonuse it is essential to
a complete un.lersta.iding of the sul.jeet, and partly
beeanse there is at present no popnh.r treatise o^ th^
.,eetw,thm the easy reaeh of e„r fanners, an<l so.ne-
thn.gofthe k.nd.s needed for referenee; but I shall
con ,ne myself mair.ly to a plain and practical treatment
of the subjeet, making sueh suggestions as I think mav
be useful, on the cultivation, cutting, and curing, of th^
grasses (or hay, the comparative value of the different
varieties, and the general management of grass lands

1 his subject has long been fiuniliar to me, and has
especially occupied my attention for the last few yems
Jlnnng Much I have made an extensive collection, em-'
bracing a large proportion of the varieties described in
the following pages, for preservation in the Agricultural
Museum connected with my office. In a.Mition to my
own extensive observations on the subject, I have
sought infomation in the statements of intelligent
farmers ,n d.flerent parts of the country. Many of these
1 have myself conversed with, while others hav'e flivored
me, in writing, with the results of their own experience,
from which 1 shall draw with a liberal han(L for the
purpose of giving the work a practical character, and
of bringing the subject home to the general reader In
treating of the natural grasses, I shall limit myself
mainly to a description of those species which it may
be for the interest of the farmer to cultivate, o, at
least to encourage in his pastures, with such others as
should be known, to be avoided.

In the arrangement of species I shall follow mainly
the na ural order adopted by P.ofessor Gray, to whoni
as well as to many others, I am indebted for no small
assistance m studying the specific characteristics of
many of the specimens collected and presented in the
lolloAving pages.

CHAPTER I.

NATURAL HISTOUY OF THE TRUE GRASSES
WHICH ARE USED FOR FORAGE.

The gmsses, in popular lanj^uago, are variously
rl.vi.lo,! I hoy are sometimes dosifrnated as r.aturul
an.l artificial: tl.o former comprising all tl.o tru,.
grasses; that is, phiuts with long, simple, narrow
leaves, each leaf having many fine veins or lines run-
n.ng parallel with a central prominent vein or mi.lrii.,
and a long sheath, Fig. 1, divided to the base, which
«eems to clasp the stem, or through which the stem
seems to pass, the stem being hollow, with very few
exceptions, and closed at the nodes or joints ; and the
atter-the artificial -comprising those plants, mostly
leguminous, which have been cultivated and used like
the grasses, though they do not properly belong to that
tamily; such as the clovers, sainfoin, and medic. In
common language the term is often used in a sense not
strictly proper, being not unfrequently applied to anv
herbage which affords nourishment to herbivorous or
graminivorous animals, including, of course, not only
many leguminous plants, like clovers, but some others
winch would more properly be called forage plants.

But in botanical language, and speaking more pre-
cisely, the grasses, Oraniine(je, embrace most of the
grains cultivated and used by man, as wheat, rye, Indian
corn, barley, and rice : all of which will be ut once recog

(11)

12 MEANS OF DISTINGUISHING SPECIES.

nized as having leaves and stems very similar in shape
iind structure to most of the plants popularly called

grasses.

As the general appearance of plants is often greatly
modified by climate, soil, and modes of cultivation, it is
important to fix uj.ou certain characteristics which are
perniaiient and unaltered by circumstances, by means
ol which the particular genus and species may be iden-
tified with ease and certainty. It is evident that these
characteristics could not be simpiv hi the leaves, or
the stems, or the size of the plants because there 'will
be a great difference between plants growing in a poor,
thin, sandy soil, and others of the same species on a
deep, rich loam.

J3otanists have, therefore, been compelled to resort
t() other parts and peculiarities, such as flowers, &c., to
distinguish between different species; and the terms used
to express these, like the terms used in other departments
of natural history, are technical ; and hence, in detail-
mg the natural history of the grasses, the use of tech-
uical language, to a greater or less extent, cannot be
avoided. 1 shall endeavor, however, by the use of
plates and synonyms, to bring the description of species
withm the easy comprehension of every one who will
carefully examine the subject.

The flowers of the grasses are in some cases arranged
on the stem in spikes, as where they are set on h
common stalk without small stalks or branches for each
separate flower, as in Timothy fP/deum j^ratense); in
other cases in panicles, or loose subdivided clusters as
M. orchard grass {Dadylis ghmerata). A panicle is
sMid to be loose or spreading, as in redtop {Agrostis
viiUjaris), where the small branches on which the
flowers are set are open, or extended out freely in dif-
ferent directions; it is said to be dense, or crowded or

ESSENTIAL PARTS,

13

compressed, wiien the branches are so short as to give
It more or less ofthe spike form.

This whole arrangement will be seen in Fig. 1 which
represents a stalk of the common annual spear grass
{Poa annua), a plant familiar to every one as often
troublesome in gravel walks and on hard, dry soil.
Here the jomt, the stem, or culm, clasped bv the sheath
of the leaf, the leaf itself, the ligule, and tlie spikelets,
all distinctly appear ; and the reader will do well to
make himself familiar with the few technical terms used,
by a study of this figure, in connection with Fio-. 2
where the spikelet is so magnified as to show the floTetJ
and the calyx very distinr ■ , all of which are generally
very easily seen with the naked eye, and Fig. 3, show-
mg a floret still more magnified, with its two palccO, the
outer pale being the longer and generally keeled ; 'that
IS, having one, three, or more longitudinal ribs, often
having on the back, base, or summit, an awn or beard
of different lengths, as in the oat and brome grasses
the inner pale with two separate fringed ribs, each on'
a fold at the side. The calyx, cup, or outer scale
of the spikelet, is shown very much magnified in Fig.
4, composed of two glumes, the upper and lower, the
upper glume being the larger. The glumes and pales
are knowo also by the name of husks or chaff, and are
removed if possible in cleaning the seed, as in the
grains used for their meal. One or both of the glumes
are sometimes wanting.

In Fig. 5 is shown the pistil magnified, consisting of
the nectary, composed of one or two fleshy scales (in
some plants of this family both on one side, in others
entirely wanting), and the germ, ovary, or seed-bearing
portion of the pistil. The stamens are also seen in the
same figure, consisting each of a bag filled with a fine
powder or pollen, supported upon a stalk or filament

14

TECHNICAL TERMS,

iiltJtetSi

••■■SfiiJff/eTi

- ■ - £al(ral£ranohfM

Rac/iis

Inner or

' : • Stem

/lij^iUg

Sheaik of leaf

Ji'ilammts^ ..

Pistil maynified
Fig. 5.

Joutx

Fijf. 1. Annual Spenr Grass.

FERTILIZATION.

15

c/,

if

which 19 analogous to the stalk or stem of a leaf; while
the bag- which holds the pollen, called the anther, cor-
responds to the blade or body of the leaf These are
essential parts of the flower.

At a particular stage of its growth, the anther, burst-
ing, scatters its pollen, some of which, lighting upon
the summit of the stigma, is said to fertilize it, when the
new seed begins to enlarge, and a germ is formed capa-
ble of producmg other plants. The process is very
apparent to the observation of the farmer in the case of
In.han corn, on which the pollen is so abundant that it
may l,e shaken off in clouds. It falls upon the stigmas
or silks, one of which is attached to each embryo
seed or germ ; and without this particle of pollen the
seed would not be capable of attaining maturity The
same arrangement is seen less plainly in the other
grasses, as, for instance, in Timothy. It is found in
this who e family of plants, though it is more percep-
tibleni Indian corn, on account of its size, than in the
smaller grasses.

The germ is the first part of the seed that is distinctly
formed, and hence, if the seed is plucked while " in the
niil.., or in a green state, it will germinate the next
year about as well as if it were allowed to ripen

Ihe anther, it will be seen, consists of two cells -
very prominent and hanging, supported on the long
slender h laments, and forked or divided at the end
1 he two short and smooth styles rise from the summit
of the ovary, and the stigmas are featherv or rough
sometimes branched or compound. Only ^ne seed is
contained m each ovary, and each seed is covered
when mature, with a thin husk or hull called the peri^
e.up, which originally formed the germ or ovary ;^and
he ripe seed or fruit is only the ovary arrived af matu
T} . 1 lie substance or albumen of the seed of aJ! the

16

THE GRASS FAMILY.

grasses is mealy or farinaceous, as wl.eat, for instance
or rye, or Ind.an corn, which are most . sed as eed!'
on account of their size and productiveness. '

lliese are tlie prominent characteristics of this P-reat
and umversally diifused order of plants, constituti.^,^

1 hey he ong, as has been seen, to other plants than those
commonly called grasses; the. order C^.am/.ea, as
have already stated, embracing the grains, as ud.eat
barley, rye, and many others, while it does not inchulj
the clovers, which properly belong to the order of legu-
minous plants. ^

These characteristics, or at least the most important
of them, w. I be very easily kept in mind, as the long
narrow, and lance-shapcd leaves, and the mealy natu.e
of the seeds which makes so large a part of thit famih'
valuab e aiul nutritious ; but in studying the distinctive
cla ia< teristics of the different species and varieties par-
ticularly valuable or interesting to an agriculturist as
forage plants it will be necessary to depend much upon
the technical terms already referred to, though in the
following pages these will be avoided, or explained in
the context as far as possible.

It will have been observed that considerable import-
ance IS given to the flowers and seeds as distinguishing
characters of the grasses. It will often be found difl
cult from the mere external appearance of a variety of
grass to determine to what species, or even to what
genus It belongs, so great is the resemblance between
the ddlerent species of this class of plants ; but, with tJ.e
a.d of a small inagnifving glass, there will very seldom

If the plant is taken winle in blossom. Indeed it will
(^ftcn be possible to arrive at a conclusion from an
nispectiou Ufa few of the more evident characters

LIST OP GRASSES.

17

it, for instance,
used as seeds,
less.

cs of this great
constituting, as
IS well as man.
lants than tliose
rmmuiece, as I
aiiis, as wlieat,
)es not include

■ order of legu-

nost important
J, as the long,
3 mealy nature
of this family
the distinctive
I varieties par-
L-ricidturist as
lid nnich upon
hough in the

■ explained in

9rable irnport-
listinguishing
)e found diffi-
' a variety of
even to what
mce between
hut, with tiie
veiy seldom
es, especially
ndeed, it will
ion from an
iraoters.

I

.rtr^Tl^ 'T '° ^'^"''^^ ^' 2, 3, 4, and 5, will
greatly a,d the reader in becoming familiar with the
techn.ca terms applied to the organs or parts of e

In giving the scientific names, the first word that

occurs m parenthesis is the name of the genus ; tl^e

second, that of the species ; as, for instance, fn Timo tly

P e..,. ..,...), p;.,e.,. is the generic' name, ^ J

Ipecies! '^ ^ ^'""' '^'^" ^""^'""^ "W

The grasses which are described more or less
nmmtely n. the following pages are named in

_____TableJ. — List op the True Grasses.

Common Nuiiie.

Kice Grass,

White Orass, ....

Catch Fly Grass, . .

Iiiiliaii Rice, ....

Prolific Kice

Meadow Fo.\tail, .

Floating Foxtail, .

Slender Foxtail,

Wild Water Foxtail, .

Timothy,

Moi'ntain Cat's-tail, .

Rush Grass, \

Hidden Flowered Vilfa, .
Southern Vilfa,
Rush Drop-secd, . . . .
Strong-scented Drop-seed
Leaden Drop-seed,
Smootr.-leaved Drop-seed
Late Dro,.-3eed, ....
Brown Bent, ....
Tickle Grass, . . . , .
Taller Thin Grass, . '.

Thin Grass,

Redtop,

English Bent, ...
Florin

Botanical Name.

I Leersia oryzoides,
I Leersia Virginica,

2*

I ■ •

Leersia lenticularis, .

I Zizania aquatica, . .

Zizania miliacea, . .

I Alopecurus pratensis, ,

Alopecurus geuiculatus,

Alopecurus agrestis, . .

Alopecurus aristulatus, .

Phliuni pratense, . .

Phleuni alpinum, . .

Vilfa aspera, ....

\'ilfa vagiiiiEflora, . .

Vilfa Virginica, , , . .

jSixiiobnJus junoeus, . .

,|Si)oroi)olu8 heterolepis, .

Sporobolus cryptandrus,
Sporobolus compressus,
Sporobolus serotinus,
Agroatis canina, . . ,
Agrostis scabra, . . .
Agrostis elHta, ....
Agroatis perannans, .
Agrostis vulgaris, . .
Agrostis :;!hH, ....
Agrostis Btolonifera, .

Time of
Blossoming.

August, . .
August, . .
August, . .
August, . .
I August, . .
[May, . . .
May, June,
July, . . .
June to Aug.
June, July,
August, . ,
Sept.,. .
Sept., . .
Aug., . .
Aug., . .
Aug., . .
Aug., . . .
Sept., . . .
Sept., . . .
June, July,
June, July,
Oct., . . .
July, Aug.,
July, . . .
July, . . .
July, . . .

Place of Growth.

Low, wet places.

Damp woods.

Low grounds.

Borders of streams.

Wet places.

Fields and pastures.

Wet meadows, ditches.

Fields and pastures.

In wet meadows.

Fields and pastures.

Wild mountain tops.

Dry, sandy soils.

Sandy & gravelly plains.

Sandy sea-shores.

Dry soils.

Sandy soils.

Sandy soils.

Wet bogs.

Wet sands.

Fields and pastures.

Old, dry fields.

Swamps.

Moist shades.

Fields and pastures.

Melds and pastures.

Moist meadows.

18

LIST OF GRASSES.

Common Nnmo.

Botanical Name.

'lime (if
I}lo88nining.

IMuce of Growth.

Southern Heiit

Agrostis dispar, ....

July, . . .

Fields, pastures.

.\niiual Hoard Orass, .

I'ulypogon monspeliensis,

June, July,

Near tlii' coast.

Wdod-reed Grass, . . .

Cinna arundinacea, . .

July, Aug,

!<. ,idy swamps.

Drooping- reed Qrasa, .

Cinna pendula, ....

Aug

I,ow WO(«IS.

Awnless Mulileiibergia,

Muhlenbtrgia s'lbolifera.

Aug., Sept.,

Opin, rocky woods.

Clustering Mulileiibergia.

Muhlenbergia glomerata.

Aug., . . .

!<wamps.

Me.xican Muhlenbergia,

Mulilfiiborgia Mexicana,

Aug., . . .

Low grounds.

Sylvan Mutdenbergla, .

Muhlenlwrgia sylvatica,

Aug., Sept.,

Uocky woods.

Willdenow'3 Muhlenber-
fs\a,

Muhlenbergia Willdenovii

Aug., Sept.,

Open, rocky woods.

Nimble Will

Muhlenbertria diffusa, .

Aug., Sept.,
Aug., . . .

Dry hills, woods.

llair Grass,

Muhlenbergia capillaris.

Sandy snils.

Awned Brachyelytrum,

lirachyelytruni aristatum

June, . . .

Uocky woods.

Blue Joint Grass, . . .

CalaniagrostisCanadensis

July, . . .

Wet grounds.

Glaucous Small Ueed, .

Calamagrostis coarctnta.

Aug., . . .

Wet grounds.

CI(Hi-flowere<l Sm. Ueed,

Calamagrostis inexpansa,

July, . . .

Swamps.

Alpine Ueed Bent, . . .

Calamagrostis I'ickeringil

Sept.,. . .

Mountuin tops.

Purple Bent,

Calamagrostis brevipilis,

Sept.,. . .

Pine barrens.

Woolly Bent,

Calamagrostis longifolia.

Sept

Sandy sea-shores.

Beacli Grass, Sea Reed,

Ammophila arundinacea.

Aug.,. . .

Drifting sands.

Upriglit Sea Lyme Grass.

Klyinus arenarius, . . .

July, . . .

Drifting sands.

Black Mountain Uice, .

Oryzopsis melanocarpa.

Aug., . . .

Rocky woods.

Wliite Mountain Uice, .

Oryzopsis aspcrifolia, .

May, . . .

Wooded hills.

Cana<Iian Uice, ....

Oryzopsis Canadensis, .

May, . . .

Uocky hill-sides.

Feather Grass

Stipa pennata,

Aug., . . .

Gardens.

Richardson's Feather
Grass,

Stipa Uichardsonii, . .

July, . . .

Pleasant mountain.

Black Oat Grass, . . .

Stipa avenaeea, ....

July, . . .

Dry, sandy woods.

Porcupine Grass, . , .

Stipa spartea, .....

July, . . .

Prairies.

Poverty Grass, ....

Aristida dichotoma, . .

Sept., . . .

Sandy pine barrens

Three Awned Grass, . .

Aristida ramosissima, .

Sept., . . .

Dry prairies.

Slender Three Awned
Grass,

Aristida gracilis, . . .

Sept , . . .

Sanily fields.

Downy Triple Awn, . .

.\ristida strii-ta, ....

June, July,

Uocky shades.

Purple Triple Awn, . .

Aristida purpurascens.

Sept.,. . .

Uocky uplands.

Prairie Triple Awn, . .

Aristida oligantha, . .

July, . . .

Prairies.

Long Awned Poverty
Grass

Aristida tuberculosa, .

July, Aug.,

Dry prairies.

Fresh-water Cord Grass,

Spartina cynosuroides, .

Aug

Banks of streams.

Salt Ueed Grass, . . .

Spartina polystachya, .

—

Brackish marshes.

Rush Salt Grass, . . .

Spartin,-. juncea, ....

Aug

Salt marshes, beaches

Salt Marsh Grass, . . .

Spartina stricta, ....

—

Sea-coast.

Rough Marsh Grass, . .

Spartina glabra, ....

—

Salt marshes.

Smootii Marsh Grass, .

Spartina alterniflora, . .

Aug., Sept.,

Borders salt marshes.

Tiiothache Grass, . . .

Ctenium Amerlcanum, .

—

Wet, sandy plains.

Muskit Grass, . , . • .

Bouteloua oligostachya.

Aug., . . .

Dry lands.

Bristly Muskit, ....

Bouteloua hirsuta, . . .

—

Sandy plains.

Hairy Mnaklt, ....

Bouteloua eurtipendula.

July. Sept.,

Stiff anils.

Naked Beard Grass, . .

Oymnopogon racemosus,

Aus

Pine barrens.

w

LIST OF GRASSES.

19

>Wtll.

I.
ods.

3.

Common Nuiiie.

3.

tain.
)d3.

reiis

les.
jeaches

arshes.
tina.

;i

Bntanicnl Name

1 Tinu' <if
Blnshiiming.

Shiirt-leaved Beard Grass lOymmipogon hruvifolius,
Bermuda Grass, ..... Cyiuidun dactylon, . .

Daclylijfteiiium iEgj|i-

E):j-|itian Urass, .
Cni]!, or CYal) Grass,

tiacimi,
Klmsiiie Iiiilicii, ,

I'ninti'd Slender Grass, . j Lc'iitiK-'hloa iim-ronata, .
CIn^t.Ti.ii; Slender Grass. ! U'pKjcldoa ftuscicularis, .

Place oCGrowth.

Tall lledtop, ....
Sand Grass, ....
Horned Sand Grass, .
Dupoiitia Grass, , . ,
Twin (trass, ....
Oretiard Grass, . . .
Crested Kteleria, . .
Tiuncated K(L■:Jri!^ .
Pennsylvanian Eatonia,

.Melic Grass,

Uattlesiiake Grass, . ,
Olituse Sfje.ar Grass, . ,
Long Panicled Manna

Grass,

Aleadow Si)ear Grass, .
I'ale Manna Grass, . .
Water Spear Grass, . .
Common Manna Grass,

|Tricus]iis sesleroides,
[Tricus;iis purpurea, .
Trleusjiis cormita, . .
Kupontia Cooleyi, . .
Piarrliena Americana, .
Dactylis (,'I"inerata, . ,
( Ka'leria crislata, . . .
Kceleria tnincata, . , .
Katonia I'einisylvanica,
Melica niutica, . . . .
Glyceria Canadensis, . .
Glycerla obtusa, . . . .

•Sandy soils.
.) uly, . . . j LiKlit soils.

duly, . . . I Fields.

June, . . . Fields, yards.
Aug., , . . I Fields.
Aug., . . . illraekish marshes.
Aug., . . . , Sandy fields.

I Sands on the coast.

' Light soils.

, Swampy lands.

■Moist shades.

Fields and pastures.
, I'rairies.

I'ry fields.

.Moist woods
\ Fields.
, Wet hogs.

Borders of ponds.

Glyceria elongata, . . . June, July, Woods and swamps.

i Glyceria nervata, .
I Glyceria pallida, .
! Glyceria aquatica, .

Glyceria fluitans, .

(ilyceria acutiflora,

I'oiTited Spear Grass, .

Goosj Grass, Glyceria niaritinni,'

Clustered Spear Grass, . Glyceria ilistans, . .

Spike Grass, Brizoi)yrum spicatum.

Annual Spear Grass, . . Poa annua,

Wavy Meadow Grass, . Poa laxa

Short-leaved Spear Oras«
Soutlierii Spear Grass,, .

Wo(h1 Spear Grass,
Weak Meadow Grass, .
Sylvan Spear Grass, . ,
F,)wl Meadow, ....
Wood Meadow Grass, .
Rough-stalked Meadow,
June Grass,

Poa brevifolia, .
Poatlexuosa, .
Poa alsodes, .
Poa dehllis, , .
Poa sylvestris,
Poa serotina, .
Poa nemoralis,
Poa trivialis, .
Poa pratensis,

Blue Grass, p„„ compressa.

Creeping Jleadow, .
Strong-scented Meadow,
Pungent Meadow, . . .
Slender Jleadow, . . .
Sliort-stalked Meadow, .
Southern Eragrostis, . .
Branching Spear Grass,

Eragrostis reptans, . .

Eragrostis poajoides, . .
Eragrostis megastachyn,

Eragrostis pdosa, . . .
Eragrostis Frankii.
Eragrostis Purshii .

Eragrostis tenuis, . , .

June, .July,
I July, . . .
;Aug., . . .

June, . . .
I June, . . ,
,July, . . .

July, . . .

Aug., . . ,

.■Vpr. to Oct.,
July, . . .
April, May,
Mar., May,
May, June,
M.ay, . . .
June, . . ,
July & Aug,
June, . . .
July, . .
June, July,
July, Aug.
July & Aug.
Aug. & Sejit.
Aug., . . .
Aug., . , .
Aug., . . .
July, . . .
Aug., Oct.,

Moist and wet meadows

Sliallow water.
! Wet soils.
] Muddy ditches.
I Wet lands.

Salt marslies.
, Salt marshes.
I Salt marshes.
I Fields and pastures.
;IIigh, rocky liills.
I Rcwky and moist places.
I Upland woods.
r|)Iand woods.
' Woody river hanks.
Rocky banks.
In wet soils.
Fields and pastures.
Fields and pastures.
Fields and pastures.
Dry road-sides, pastures
Sandy river hanks.
.Sandy fields.
Sandy fields.
Sandy, gravelly places.
Moist sands.
Sterile plains.
Sterile plains.

20

LIST OF GRASSES.

Common Name.

Botanical Name.

Time of
BluMoming.

Ploce of Growth.

H,iii-|i,iiiiCKa .\ieii(li)iv

Unisit,

Meiiduw Conil) Grass, .
yuiikiiitf (Iras.-i, . . . ,
Small Kfsoue Urals, . .
Sheep's Fescue, . , , ,
Hard Fescui' f'rass, . .
Ked t'esi'ue (iiass, ,

KragroBtis capillaris, . . .Aug., gi^pt.. ' Sandy plains.

Eragrostis pectinacca,
Iliiza media, . .
Festuca tenella, . .
Festuca ovina, , ,
Festuca duriiiscula,
Festuca ruhra, . ,

Meailow Fescue, .... Festuca pratcnsis, .

Tall Fescue (Jrass, . . . Festuca elatior, . .

Slender Fescue, .... Festuca ioliaceo, . .

Nodding Fescue, . . . Festuca Nutans, ,

("rested Dii^r's-liiil, . . , C'ynosurus crlstatus,

M"illard's IJronuis, . . . Bnnnus secaiinus, ,

Smooth Brome Grass, . ; Bromus racemosus,

Soft Chess, Bromus mollis, . .

Wild Chess, Bromus Kalmii, . .

Fringed Brome Grass, . Bromus ciliatus, . .

Meadow llronie, .... Bromus pratensis, .

Sterile Brome Grass, . . Bromus sterilis, . .

Spiiic Grass, I'niola panlculata, .

Ilroad-leaved Spike Grass Vniola latifolia

Slender Spike Grass,
Common Ueed Grass,

Cane Grass,

Slender Tail Grass, , .
I'erennial Kje Grass, .
Italian Kye Grass, . . .
Bearded Darnel, . . . ,
Many-flowered Darnel, .
Coneli, or Twitch Grass,
Bearded M'lieat Grass, .
Siiuirrel-tall Grass, . .

Barley Grijss,

Two-rowed Barley, . ,
Four-rowed Barley,

fniola gracili», .
' Fliragmites communis,

Arundinaria macrosper'
ma,

Lepturus jianiculatus, ,
j Lolium perenne, . .

Lolium Italicum, .

Lolium tenmlentum,

Lolium multifiorum,

TritiCTmi repens, . .

Triticum canlnum, .

Ilordeum jubatum,
I Ilordeum pusillum,
I Ilordeum distichum,

Ilordeum vulgare, ■

Rye, Secale cereale,

Lyme Grass, ..... I Elymus Vlrglnlcus,
Canadian Lyme Grass, . i Elymus Canadensis,
Slender Hairy Lyme, . I Elymus striatus, . .
Soft Lyme Grass, . . . ' Elymus mollis, . .
Bottle-brush Grass, . . ' QymnoBtlchum Hystrix,
Wood Hair Grass, . . . i Aira flexuosa, . . .
Tufted Hair Grass, . . . ' Aira csespitosa, . ,
I'urple .Alpine Hair Grass i Aira atropurpurea.

Wild Oat Grass I Danthonla splcata.

Downy Persoon, .... |Trisetum molle, , .
iJowiiy Oat Grass, . . . JTrisetum pubeaceus.

Aug., S.'pt.,

Sandy plains.

June, . . .

Pastures.

jJuly, . . .

Dry, sterile soils.

June, . . .

High pastures ami hills.

June, ,

Fields and pastures.

—

Sandy places by the sea.

June, . , .

Fields and jjastures.

June, July,

Fields anil pastures.

—

Moist meadows, pastures

July, . . .

Kocky woods.

July, . . .

Fields and pastures.

June, July,

Fields, and in grain crops

June, . . .

Grain fields.

June, . . .

Fields and pastures.

June, July,

Dry, "lien woods.

July, Aug.,

Kocky hills, woods.

July, . . .

Dry, arid pastures.

July, . . .

Dry pastures.

Aug.,. . .

Sands oti the coast.

Aug., . . .

Shaded fields.

Aug.,. . .

Sands on the coast.

Sept.,. . .

Swamps, edges of ponds.

April,. . .

Rich soils.

Aug., . . .

Salt licks.

June, . . .

Fields and pastures.

.Tune, . . .

Fields and pastiu'es.

July, . . .

Grain fields.

June, July,

Fields and jiastures.

June, July,

Fields and pastures.

July, . . .

Woody banks.

June, . . .

Salt marshes.

May, . . .

Brackish soils.

June, . , .

Fields.

June, . . .

Fieldj.

June, . . .

Fields.

July & Aug.

Banks of rivers.

Aug., . . .

Hiver banks.

July, . . .

Kiver banks.

July, . . .

Moist soils.

July, . . .

Moist, rocky woods.

June, ...

Dry, rocky hills.

June, July, !

^larshy, wet bottoms.

Aug., . . .

Hill tops.

June, . . .

Dry pastures.

July, . . .

Rocky river banks.

July, . . .

Pour, dry iiastures.

LIST OP GRASSES.

21

Miirsli Out Grass,
Mi-adinv Oat (Irass, .
Vellinv Oat Ciras», , ,
I'urple Wild Oat, . .
Karly ^Vild Oat, . . .
Cominoii Oat, ....

Tall Meadow Oat Grass,

Meadow Soft Grass, .
Creephi),' Soft Grass, .
Seneca Grass, ....
Alpine Holy Grass, .
Sweet-scented Vernal,
Reed Canary Grass, . ,
Common Canary Grass,

Millet Grass,

Doul)le.l)earing Millet, .
Floating Pasiialiim, . .
Hairy Slender Paspalum
Smooth Erect Paspaliim,
Joint (irass,

Finger-sljaped Paspaluni,

Slender Crab Grass, .

Smooth Crab Grass, .

Finder Grass, ....

Agrostis-like Panic, .

Douhle-headeil Patuc,

I'rolilic Panic Grass, ,

Hair-stalked Panic, . ,

Antunm Panic, ....

Hitter Panic, ....".

Tall Smooth Punic, . .

Uroad-leaved Panic. .

Iliddon-flowered Panic, .

Small-seeded Panic, . .

Vellow I'anic,

Sticky Panic Grass, . .
Millet

Few-flowered Panic, .
Polymori)luis Panic, . .
Worthless Panic, .

Warty Panic,

Hungarian Grass, . . .

Barn Grass, j

Bristly Foxtail, . .
Bottle Grjvss, .
(ircen Foxtail, . .
Bengal Grass, . . .
Burr Grass, . . .

Trisetum palustre, . .
Avena i)ratensl3, . .
A vena fiavescens, . . ,

Avena striata,

Avena praecox, ....

Avena sativa,

Arrhenatlierum avena-
I ceum,

llolcus lanatus, ....

llolcus mollis,

I llierochloa horealis, . ,
illierochloa a)j)iua, . .

Afith ixanthuni o<loratum
Phalaris arundinacea, .
I'halaris Canariensis, .
Millium emisuni, . .
Mllliuni Piirshii, . .
I'aspalum fluitans, .
Pasi>ahim setaceum, .
j I'aspalinn liuve, . , .
|Paspidiim distichum, .
i'aspalum digitaria, .
I'anicum filiforme, . .
Panicuni glal)rum, . .
Pfcnicum sanguinale, .
Panicum agrostoides, .
Panicum anceps, . . ,
Panicam proliferum, . .
Panicum capillare, . . ,
Pfinicum autumnale, . .
Panicum amarum, . . .
Panicum virgatum, . .
Panicum latifolium, . .
Panicum clan<lestinum,
Panicum microearpon, .
j Panicum xanthophygum,
, Panicum visciduni, .
Panicum miliaceum, .
I Panicum paucifiorum, .

j Panicum dichotomum, . ,

: P'""'cum depauperatum, jjune,'
j Panicum vcrrucosum, . JAug.,
I Panicum germanicum,
Panicum crus-galli,
Setaria verticillata, .
Sctaria glauca, . .
Setaria viridis, .... _

Setaria Italica, . . . . | _
Cenchrus tribuloides, . JAug., ,

June, , .
July, . .

July. . .

June, . .
June, . , ,
July, . . ,

May, June,

June, . . ,

I Low grounds.
I Pastures.

I Fields and pastures.
I Uocky hill-sides.
[Sandy soils.
Cultivated fields.

I Fields and pastures.

'May, . .
July, . . .
May, June,
July, . . .
[July, Aug.,
June, . . .
Sept., . , .
Oct, . , .
Aug.,. . .
Aug., . . .
July, Aug.,
July, Aug.,
Aug., . . .
Aug., Sept.,
Aug. to Oct
July, Aug.,
Aug., . . ,
July, Aug..
Aug., Sept.,

Aug., Sept.,
Aug., . ,
June, July,
July, Aug.,
July, Sept.,
June, . , .
Aug., . . .
June, .
June, ,!ul.-,
June, Aug.,

Aug., Sept.,
July, . . .

,Flelil3 and pastures.
Fields and pastures.
Wet meadows.
|. Mountain lopd.
Fii'lds and pastures.
Hy running streams.
Gardens.
. I Damp, c(]|d woods.

■ I .Moist i)ine barrens.

■ j Wet swamps.
I Sandy fields by the sea.

Moist meadows.
Wet fields.
, .Moist grounds.
' Ilry sands on the coast.
Fields, waste i)lace8.
,i Neglected (ieids.
I Wet nie<i., river banlsg.
I Wet pine barrens.
i Brackish marshes.
j Dry, sandy fields,
j Sand-hills.
I Sandy shores.
j -Moist, sandy soils.
Damp thickets.
Moist tliickets.
Moist thickets.
Sandy soils,
j. Moist soils.
Cultivated grounds.
Wet soils.
, Moist fields.
I Dry wo(Kl3.
j Sandy swamps,
j Cultivated grounds.
Kich cultivated grounds.
j AlHiut farm-houses.
'Fields and harn-y.ards,
Cultivi..ed fields.
Fields.
Sands near the coast.

.)o

HOW TO EXAMINE SPECIMENS.

I I

n

Coinmcin Nuiiie.

Onma (Iniss,

Woolly lluiird (Iriiss, . ,
Slmrt-lifiinlnl Kriiiijtlm3,
FinciT-spikfd Wood, , .
I'lirplc-wwHl (Jrasa, . .

.".ilvfi- lUiHnl Oriis.s, . .
Virf:iiii!in Ileiiiil Uriiss, .

(^luster-llowuivd Ilfiinl
Ciniss,

Indian tii-ass,

Dhouna Corn, ....

Broon) Corn,

ChiiRse Supir-cane, . .

Cliocolute Corn, , . . ,

Indian Corn, . . . . ,

Bntanieal Name

Time of
Blomnmliifi.

Ann., ■ . .

Si'l't., . . .

AuK'i . . .

S<fl)t.,. . .
•lulytoSt'iit.,

Sipt., , . .

Sept., . . .

Trip/iiirmn diictyloidcs, ,
Kriaiitliua aloiiocuroldes,
KriandiiiH I)rcvibarbi8, ■
Andro|M)).'on furcatua, ,
AMilro|)oj,'on 8coi)arlu9, .
An(lriiiKit;oo arncntfus,
Androiiiigon Vir(,'inlcus,

Anilroimgon macrorus, .

Sort-'lmin nutans, . . . \ Aug., .

Sorjr luin vultiaro, ... I

Sorj,'lmm sacclmratum, . , July, .

Sorghum nigrum, . . . July, ,

Sorjiliuni liicolor, . . . Aug., .

Zeamays, July, .

Place of Growth.

Moist plaLVBon thecouBt
Moist pint' barren.
Low grounds.
Sterile, roi'liy hills.

Stcriii.', sanily plains
llarnji soils,
iiiiidy soils,

lioiv (.'rounds

Pry soils
Cultivated fleids.
Fields.

Cultivated grounds.
Cultivated grounds.
Cultivated grouiiUg.

To aid the reader in finding the true name of an
unknown specimen of grass, the following arrangement
will be found to be very convenient, and easily under-
stood. Lot the flowers of the grass be first examined.
If but one is found in each spikelet, refer to number 2,
of the left-hand column, and then examine and see
whether they are arranged in panicles or spikes ; if the
former, then refer to number 3 of the left-hand column,
and see whether they are awne^' or not. If awned,
refer to number 4, if without imu., to number 12, of
the left-hand column. If unawned, and having two
glumes, refer to 13, and so on. If without glumes
and atpiatic, it is a zizania, or wild rice.

If in the first examination the spikclets are found to
have two or more flowers, refer to number 20, of the left-
liMiid column, and see whether the inflorescence is in
panicles or spikes. If the former, refer to 27, of the
It^ft-hand column. If the latter, in spikes, refer to 39,
and then see whether the spikelets are two-rowed, or
one-sided. If the latter, refer to 45, and see whether
the spikes are digitate and the spikelets in two rows.
If they are, refer it to the genus Eleusine.

ANALYSIS OF SPECIMENS.

23

4

,s

But littlo practice will bo required tu gain lUmiliarit;
in thus iiuiilyicing- the lluwer.s of the griusses.

I. Spikulets witli but uiiu tlowur, ,,

1. Spikeletn vvitli two or luuva iluwurs .^^

'2. Flowocs iinanged in ijuuicles, j.

2. Flowers in spikes,

3. With iiwiis

3. Witiiout iiwiis y,

4. OluiiieH liu'ge , r

4. Glumes iiiimitc, uiKiiuiil, one hardly perceptible n

4. Gluiiies none, grass iniuatic o Ziz;

5 WitliDiit abortive riKliiiieiits ,.

. .,, ' I,

£>. >Vitii an abortive rudinieiit of, I secoiul Hower 52— Hole

C. Paleiu two

t). I'aleiu tliree, tipper awned flowers polygamous, . O.j—Sorsi

7. I'alea with one awn,

7. Lower palea witii three twisted awns

8, Pait'if cartilaginous or gristly,

8, Paleie herbaceous,

H. Paleio membranaceous, panicle open, . . ,

8. Palt'u membranaceims, panicle contracted,
9. Flowers sessile, or joined to the stem at t-iie base,

9. Flowers stipitate, fruit black, '...,. 14— St"

10. Flowers nakeil, with one stamen <\ nZl'

10. Flowers hairy, stamens three 12-Calamagrostis.

11. Stamens three, in Af n ? •

11. Stan.enstwo 10-Muhlenberg.a.

12. Glumes two ." .' ." .' ." ; ; ' ' "-I''-''«l'y«lytrunj.

IS p!!;^'''"r"""°''*^'^^'^«^'°»ghf'-on'the'endbaWwar(ls,\-Lee^^^
lo. 1 aieio memltranacoous,

13. Paleie leathery, sj.ikelets all cauline,' .' ." * '.

13. Paleaj leatliery, lertilc spikelets radical, . .' '.

14. Fruit coated, or covered with a husk, ... ' ' ir,

14. Fruit naked, r * « " V ,

15. Flowers stalked, . . C-Spon.bolus.

15. Flowers sessile, . 7-Agrostis.

IG. Flowers awned, ..".'. ". ". ". ■.;;;; '^^''f:

16. Flowers without awns, ....'.* J^

n. Spikes solitary, ....

17. '^PikoH two, polygamous, sterile flowera bearded,: '. W-An^'ropogo"n

18. bpikes simple, or nearly so 10

18. Spikes panic'ilate, or lobed, .'.'.".'.'""*' 21

Ifi
4

zania.
. 0

BUS.

7
;iium.
8
- 15 — Aristida.

'.I

10

. 7 — Agrostis.
• 8 — Pol^'pogon.
13 — Oryzopsis.

14

. . . 50— Milium.
57 — Amphicarpon.

!i

24 ANALVaiS OF 8PEC1AIENS.

ly. Involucre none

ll^ luvolucre ottwoormore brwti<(* . . • • • • • . • • •
Itf. luvoluuro burr.l.ko. .... Cf>-S. ana.

.„, I,,, ... oi — Cunchrus.

t l,'''''"^"""'^"'"^'""-' to three- times their Icutfth. 8_Alupecurua.

20. lulc.u.vMthu« nshve times their length. . . . 44-nLh.um
Ul. Both glumes ami puleu. awneU. ... I()_\h7

21. Ulu.ne. awnle... «,ngle ,.alea awne,!, Gi^Tvtn ""^''^"^

21. I'aleu. two. lateral ,I,...L,„.,,„, ; ' ' ' '^^^T^^^-

22. Flower, periln^t or polygamous. . . . .' .' .' [^f-;^^^

22. Spikes nionuecious ..^

23. Spikes one-«i(le<J .'.'.'.'

23. ypikes cylindrical, solitary terminal. 1 in i '"

.1. u •■ , •' 4 — rhleurn.

24. Sp kes wo or more, spikelets suborbicular. . . 58-1'a.naluni.

-4. Spikes digitate or verticiUate, linear 5'.l— I'a.in.n.

-4. Spikes pedunculate, u, a two-sided panicle, . . . Ifi-Spartina.
9ft ^ .f '^"^''^ ^!-'*^''<-'> 'n "^ •'ne-«nl'-HJ panicle 41_Leptu,U8.

26. Spikes all terminal, sterile above, fertile at Imse, . . C2-Tri,,sacum
-6. iertile sp.ke.s lateral, sterile ones terminal panided. .... GO-Zea

2G. Inflorescence in panicles 27

2(i. Inflorescence in spikes ! ' ' " ' 30

27. Flowers awne<l, '

27. Flowers without awns, ','.'.*.*' qq

28. Lower jjalca awned on the back, ! .' ! ! 29

28. Lower palea awned on the apex .'.*.'!* 32

29. Awn near the base of the palea !!!!.'*' 30

29. Awn near the apex of the palea, ............ \ . \\

30. Apex bifid, awn bent .'..'.'.' ' 50— A vena

30. Apex bifid, awn bent, lower flower sterile, 51-Arrhenatherum

30. Apex multifid, 4'— A"

81. Palene with two biistly teeth, ..........' "dO—TWsPh'.m"

31. Palete bifid, \^ 1 setura.

q., T 1 , , 3/— Bronius.

61. Lower palea rounded, obtuse, 35— Briza.

32. Lower palea entire, pointed, fruit coated, . . . 3G-Fe8tuca.

32. Awn between two teeth, twisted, 48_])..nthu!'i4'

33. Terminal flower perfect \i

33. Terminal flower abortive, or a mere pedicel, )'<\

34. Paleie entire, outer one mucronate, 35

34. Glumes uneriual, like the lower abortive pale, SO-Panicum

84. Glumes equal, longer than the palea S/")— PImlaris.

34. Lower palea truncate-mucronate, inner bifid, . . 3«— Uniola'

34. Flowers silk„'-bearded on the rnchis 39— Phragmites'

^'' .Spikelots terete, paleiB seven-nerved 31— Glyceria.

■• ■jp;-<el'*- '.vo to six, five-nerved, 33_Poa.'

3-;. ■;/Jr:!w.s two to twenty, three-nerve<l 34— PVairrostia.'

> ;. ■ :>i!i-.<!et8 flat, lor-c ■ pale laterally compressed. 32— Brizopyrum.

^

THE GRASS FAMILY 25

85. Scales two — styles two or r- .

«r,. Scales an.l Htyle« three • • 8<>-Fc8tuca.

6i>. I'aiiiule cuntracteU, ... *'

3t;. I'aiiicle lar^e ditl'use -jI, \". ,*

o> r 1 ■ . '^" — Melica.

»i. Lower palea onu-puiiitcil, or muoronate go

87. Lower palea poiiitk'MM ' ' ' ' ".

87. Lower palua three-cleft. ... .'V:''"""-

o7. Lower i)ale awiiless „r ,

.,u <t, .1 ^^ — l^upontia.

.10. otamuii.s three, ou i- i .

88. Staiiieiistwo, ,,,, ... ,

on a 1 1 . . , , •^('— JJiarrhena.

3!l. Spikelet.s two-niiiked I,,

3'J. Spikelet.s uiiiliitural '".

40. (ilumes broad

40. (ilumes subulate , .

AA ri , ■ .X. .. , '!()— Gynincstichum.

41. Oluines two, in the upper spikelet only, .... ao i i;.,„

4L Oluines two. Ill each Mpikelet, A'i t ■ ■

42. (.lurne.s collateral, spikelets in twos or more, . . 40— lllynius

4-J. Oluiue.s opposite, spikelets solitary 4,'j__sVi.,ile'

43. One perfect anionfT several neutral ones [ . iV—Cteniuni

43. One perfect tlower below several neutral ones, ........ .ji

43. Spikelets coiijrluinerate, or paniculate, ...'....." ^'T—Dnetvlis

43. Spikelets with more than one perfect flower, . ' " a'

44. Spikes dense '.'.'.■; .' islooutdoua!

44. Spikes hlitorm.racemed I'J-Gymnopogon.

44. Spikes slender, digitate, "Jit— Cynodon

45. Spikes digitate, {rlumcs and pale awnless, blunt, . . . "•'— Fleusine"
45. Spikes racemed, slender 23_Leptochloa."

The order Gi{amine.e, or the Grass Family, embraces
as ah-eady .said, plants with cyh-ndrical stein.s, for the
most part h.-llow, and closed at the joints, with leaves
in t\\ ; alternate rows, and sheaths open on the side
opposite the blade, down to the point from which (hey
start. The flowers are in littlo spikelets held in two-
rowed glumes or bracts, the outer glumes generally
two m number, and unequal. The stamens vary frotn
one to SIX, but are usually three, in number. 11, «
ovary is simple, with two styles and two feathery stig-
mas; and the fruit is enclosed in a husk, called a cary-
opsis. . ,,- gj-eat and universally diffused order is
divided by botanists into tribes, sub-tril genera,

'»

26

WHITE GRASS. — CUT GRASS.

i i

i

il

species, and varieties ; the tribes and sub-tribes em-
bracinj;' more or less genera; each genus embracing
more or less species, and a species often embracing
varieties. In tiie arrangement of the following i)ages
each genus is numbered in its order; and the first we
have is

1. Leersia. White Grass.

Spikelets one-flowered ; flowers perfect, flattened,
compressed in one-sided panieled spiUes or clusters,
jointed with tiie siiort pedicels. Glumes wa ting,pale}e
boat-shaped, flattened laterally, awnless, closed, nearly
equal in length, the lower one much the broader, and
enclosing a flat grain. Stamens one to six ; stigmas
leathery, with branching hairs; sheaths rough or prickly
upwards. Perennial ; swamps and low grounds. Ge-
neric name from Leers, a German botanist.

White Grass, Cut Grass, False Rice (Lecrsia ory-
zoick's), is very connnon in wet, swampy places, and
along the margins of' sluggish streams and ditches.
Stems from two to four feet high ; panicle erect, spread-
ing, with rough, slender branches; leaves narrow, long;
sheaths exceedingly rough and sharp to the iiand, drawn
from the end downward. Florets oval and white, or
whitish green; spikelets flat. Flowers in August. Said
to be a native of Europe and Asia, as well as the United
States, Connnon in most parts of the country, and
often known at the South as '* rice's cousin."

This beautiful grass is of no agricultural value ; and
the farmer should, by careful draining, encourage the
growth of more valuable species in its place.

Small-flowered White Grass, A'irgixlvx Cut Grass
(Lcersln lln/iiiivd), is rather smoother than the pre-
ceding. A branch of the panicle is shown m Fig. G.
The {)anicle is simple, slender, the sj)ikelets closely ap-
pressed, oblong. A magnified spikelet is shown in Fig. 7,

CATCH FLY GRASS. — KICE.

27

Fip, R.
■Virginia C

2. ZlZANIA.

Indian Rice.

f'pik let. m the samo punieles: .uhuiu's wantino- or nidi
n enhuy, fon.„.^ , H,He enp: pale.e convex ^-e^t
t^n !""•'/)"''•"' tho lower tippe.l wml a stnul"

PROLIFIC RICE.

29

IiKln.n Eice, Wild Rice, or Watfi? O^to i 7- •
a^uj.tita), k ,g. 12, iH found m swampy borders of stre-urm
in shallow water, and is common, 'it grows from iee

ranicle laige, pyramidal; lower l,ranclies sterile .nre-id
mg; upper, pistillate or fertile, erect. Flowers' in J^h-'

est toucl , an,l this furnishes food for water-fowls It is

Thrp.Ti ';?' %*'- ^^-■'^--- North Amer^
Ihis plant IS the JoUe avome of the early settlers of

all Zt' H ^^r^^^''"^'^ P^^'^fi^' growing Wld in
all the Southern States, where it is said to produce two
crop« n. a year of good hay, of which stock of eve v

In the Western States, where it is also commo^i T he
shallow water on the swampy margins of s^Im t
forms an important food for the Indtns. who mTd/e
canoe among the rice, bend it over the ide -n^f i t
out the grains with a stick. ' '"^ ^^"^*

In Fig. 13, the staminate Howers are seen as th.v
appear at the end of a branch of the naturll sLe f!I
14 represents a staminate flower, magnified F.vf*
the germ and stigmas- Fie- Id k Li ' ^'^- ^^'
flower; Fig. H^the ^am^^ p'; ,^ ^-^^'^^ig^'^f^^^'^^te

hand ?L T^T^ ^" ^"^^^" ^°^"' o» the other

I'and the grams of pollen are heavier than the surround
>ng air, and so fall from the sterile flower of he't^s"
-I upon the styles or '< silks," and thus fer^Hile them

Soutir' p'n ?r ^^''"T ""^''''"^ '' «'- f--^ at the
bouth. lanicle spreading, sterile and ferfiln flow^s

mtermixed. Awns short, styles united, grain smooth!

30

MEADOW FOXTAIL.

i

Annunl ; flowers in August. Grows from six to ten feet
high in slmllow water. Ohio, Wisconsin, and the South.

3. Alopecurus. Foxtail Grasses.

Spikelets ono-ffowered ; ghniies boat-
shaped, compressed and koel(M], nearly
equal, united at the base ; lower palea
awned on the back below the mid-
dle, upper palea wanting ; stamens
three ; styles mostly united ; stigmas
long and feathered; leaves smooth and
flat. Panicle contracted into a cylin-
drical, soft spike, like the tail ora''fox.
from which it derives its generic name.
Introduced and naturalized from Great
Britain.

Meadow Foxtail {Alopecurus pra^
tensis), Fig. 19, has an erect, smooth
stem, two or three feet high, with
swelling sheaths; spikes cylindrical,
obtuse, equalling the sharp cone-like
glumes ; awn twisted, and twice the
length of the blossom. Fig. 20. The
spike not so long as that of Timothy,
Flowers in May, in fields and pastures.
Perennial — introduced.

The meadow foxtail close-
ly resembles Timothy, but
may be distinguished from
it as having one pjilcii only.
The spike or head of mead-
ow foxtail is soft, while
that of Timothy is rough.
It flowers earlier than Tim-
othy, and thrives on oil soils
except the dryest sundcand

U)

Fig. 19. Meadow Foxtail.

Fig. liO.

SLENDER FOXTAIL.

31

gravels It i« common, but is disliked by m.nv fhrm-
ers a. a field grass, bemg very ligl.t in proporiiou to
its bulk. ^

It is a valuable pasture grass, on account „f its earlv

aru] rai^d growth, and of its being p-eatly relisi.ed by

stock of all kuKls. The stems and leaves are too few

and light to make it so desirable as a field crop It

n-.ves best on a rich, moist, strong soil, and shoot's np

Its flowenng stalks so nmch earlier than Timothy, that it

need not be mistaken ihr that grass, though at fi^st siaht

It cons.deral.ly resembles it. It is superior to Timodu

as a permanent pasture grass, enduring the croppino- of

It is justly regarded, therefore, as one of the mo.t
valuable of the native pasture grasses of England, fo."n
ing there a very considerable portion of the sward and
endurmg a great amount of forcing and irrigate"
11 ough formmg a close and permanent sod when fully
set, it does no acqnn-e its full perfecti<m and hold of
the sod unt.l three <.• four years after being sown

The nutnr.ve qualities of meadow foxtail are mo.t
abundant at the time of flowering. It is said to Zl
upwards o seventy per cent, of its weight in drying if
cut 111 the blossom. "^ "'J nig, it

The se(Hl of meadow foxtail is covered with thp ..ff
and woolly huslcs of the flower while thl,
.u>ms ,e,l w„i, an .nvn. Tl.ero a,-, five po.uKls'ol "^ed

fts:: rrt:^^ir-"lx^;;-:,:;;r

Slender Foxtail (Jlopecums agrestis) Fio- 21 i.

rarely found herr hnf i.. ^- ^ '■'"'' ^^^- -^I, is

^ uuu nerc, but i:j sometimes introduced in for-

32 SLENDER AND FLOATING FOXTAIL.

I

Fig. 21. Slender Foxtail. Fig. 22.

Fig. 21. Flouting Foxtail.

eign seed. It may be recognized by its lonp:, slender
panicle, tapering at each end, and the long awn which

FI,OATIX(; AM) WIM. Watijj; KOXTAJI.

•I'j

\

axtail.

lender
which

projects l..vo,.,l tl.o j.al.s. In Fi^s. - a.ul 23 tl.e

.ul 0 its sle.nl.T pa.nclc, ,ts Jargor spilcelets, its la.wr
l.guic.and tl.e roughness of the ste.n and leav.s '
|u-esses no pa.iieulur agrK.ultnral valne. Flowers in
•'•ily- Annual. Autive of (i.eat JJntaui.

Float.x. FoxTA,. ,JAv.r.... i,cuicalacus) has a
>«;. . as..end,ng-, Lent, and lo.,ning knees at tl e lower
)i»ints, as shown n Fi.r •>! • .,, • • lowei

mlea FiL." •>? I "■ ; " l"".)^''-f>"M- I'oyond the

.Inne.. anthers hn.ar, upper leal' as long as it< .heath^

root perennud, hlu^ous : .joints suK.oth Jong, and n™^^
"' =^ l""'l'Io tn.ge; leaves ilat. sharp n nun' . Z'

-los, ser^ted on the edge, .nllor!;::::;!': .j "
Hded: sp.kelets numerous, eoni,,ressed, en.twit
one-awned (loret as large as tl Jealvx. ' ; ; : ' :
Hea, awn slender. Found in n.oist^neadows,^,:
ponds, and slow streams, lloating on the wtter i

'h^t,ngu.shed from meadow loxt^il in hWg^leup^^^
^Kvuhahout the length or its leai; and by tC^^
!"g -V.., wlule H. the meadow foxtail the up, r S h

--i;;^iz;;;;::-ti;t:;:::t^^:;t:--

also grows m wet meadows, but is of n., .... .7^^''.'
-^IturaNalue. Native of CW Brihli" ^''"^' "^'■'-

4. PriLEUM.

CaVs-Tail.

Panicle spiked, spikelets compressed tt.I,... 1 .
than the awned <-|„mow fi, > ) """I'l^^-^seci, pa lea shorter

awnless : st-Te "is net I 'I ";'^tru.,cate, usually
• i,> jcn i-iisrnicr, f ainenK' li-m'.- . -i ^

I'ough, or harsh. So called IW, ^:>:J^:t ;'*'"-'

'•oni an ancient (Jreek ter

m

34

NMOTHY.

siu'iiilyiii,!:' cat's tail,
tV(M|ii('iuly known in

m

till' name liy wliicli it is still moat
Great Britain.

TiMOTiiv. 11 Hint's (JiiAss ( P//lcniu
jn'iitciisc). Fii^'. -•>. S[iik('s cylin-
Irieal or elon^ate<l: j^hnnes hairy
on the back, tippi'il with a bristle
loss than hall' their length; leaves
ong, Hat, rough, with long sheaths;
root perennial, lihrous on moist
soils, on dry oni's often bulbous.
(Jrows best on (lam[), peaty soils.
Fk)wer Fig. 27. The name of Tim-
t)thy, by which it is more generally
known over the country, was ob-
tained from Timothy Hanson, who
is said to have cultivated it exten-
sively, and to have taken the seed
from New York to Carolina. Its
culture was, according to some
accounts, introduced into Eng-
land, from Virginia, by Peter
Wynche, about the years 17(!<) or
ITGl.

It is freiinently called Herd's
grass in New England and New
York, and tliis was the original
name under which it was culti-
vated: it was derived
fi om a man ot'that name,
who, according to .1 ared
Eliot, found it growing
wild in a swamp in Pis-
cataqua, N. IT., more
than a century and a

Fiji

L

, i^till moat

ss ( PI ileum
likes cyliii-
nines hairy
til 11 bristle
;th; leaves
lit;' sheaths;
- oil luoist
■11 hulhous.
peaty soils.
line ol 'riiii-
■e generally
h'v, was ol»-
hiiis()ii,who
eil it exteii-
eii the seed
roliiia. Its
ig to some
into Eiiii'-
hy Peter
>ars 17<>0 or

lied Herd's
(1 and New
the original
[ was enlti-
vas derived
)t'tliat name,
lingto.lared
1 it growing
i-amp in Pis-
I. IT., more
itury and a

<.'t:ALITIi;s OF TI.M0TIIV. 35

st.ue.s hwther sonth, tins name is applied to Anrostis
c'liiar,,, or the redtop of New England.

>|nela.r states, as the result of the experiments, ahont

tliii'tv \ears a<-() 'it WmI.hi.m am S . > "^^ "•"'

of th,/r)ni f T 1 ^ '''-''' ""'^'^^•' t''^' Husj.iees

> the Dnke of Bc.hord, and with the assistaneo of Sir

'';'»n>lH-ey Davy, that the erop when ripe exceeds in

Hutritive value the erop at the time of flowering Th

coi^ usi^is sustained by the more reeent investigations

of of. Wm.v, whose elaborate analyses of the grasses

-.11 be found on a subsequent pag^. This migh be

n erred from the size and weight of the n.ealv'ed
^ l.cMi the grass ,s npe, as many as thirty bushels of which
lutvmg been known to be produced on a single acre

As a crop to cut for hay it is probably unsurpassed
'>y any other grass now cultivated. Though sle v '
coarse and hard, especially if allowec^t H^ ^
^eed, yet ,f cut in the blossom, or directiv .f er it
.;.ut^i..isliedbya,lkindsofs;oclc,andt,^^^^^
l'^ ho,..es, while ,t possesses a large percentage of

:;: :::r rr \-: ^""""'"•""^ ^^^^'' ^^^^ ^^^^

fci'i^sth. it ,s often sown w th clover but tl.n i .

pn.c..ea. fa,™., a,. ,.,,i„„,„, ,o Z::^nl I . ,:

., on account of ,l,„ dillcrcnt tin.os of l,l„s.„,„i„„ „ ■

wo crop,,. Ti„,o,l,y being i„v„,.ial,iv ia.c, ";!,:

"vci. he former mn..t oftcM, be cut too Krcen bc(h -p

36

MoirxTAix cat's T\ 11-.

other p-asscs iuc licttcr suited to tliriii.iiinl more proHt-
iilile. It <^'ri)ws very ri'iidily and yields veiy Iju-f;^ erops
on liivoraliie soils. I have known instances wliere ils
yield was lour tons to tiie aere of th" liest <piiditv of
liay, the 'J'iniothy const itnfini;' tiie ludk ol'tiie ^'rass. It
is cidtivated with ease, and yields a lar^v <|uantitv ol'
seed to the acre, varyin^^ liuin ten to thiity ImsheKs on
rich soilri.

Tn one respect, perhaps -t must l)e adnu'tted that tliis
grass is inferior to meado ,, foxtail, and that is, in the (juai-
ity of it.s aftermath : for while that of the latter is vei \
g-reat, the aftergrowth of 'J'iniothy is coniparativelv
slight, and if allowed to stand too long and then inie\ n
in a dry time, it starts so slowly as to leave the ground
exposed to the scorehnig rays of the sun, unless inileed
there ha])pens to be a rapid growth of elo\er to protect
it. The comparative value ol' this grass will be referred
to hereafter.

It IS i)roper to say, in this connection, t/iat it is fre-
quently attacked by an insect a])i)arent!y just before the
time of blossonnng, which causes the .stalk to die. The
ravages of this insect seem to have increased within
the last few years. My attention has been repeatedly
called, by observing and practical iiirmers, to the large
number of ''I'imothy-stalks killed bv this devourinu- in-
sect. Xo means of preventing its ravages are as yet
known.

^louNTAiN CatVtail {PIthnim (i/jn'num) is a grass
that grows to the height of from six to twelve inches,
on mountain and hill tops in New Ibinipsliire, and high
northern latitudes, and is easily distinguished by its
short, bristly spike or ])anicle, seldom exceeding an inch
in length. It is of little or no agricidtural \-alue. since
it is rarely eaten even by sheep. J>iossoms in July

^1

I

5

i*tl__

loro prufit-

iirgo crops

wiicrr its

(lUiility of

;^'rjiss. It
(iiiiitity ol'
bushels oil

(1 tliiil this
11 tho (|Uiil-
'or is vi!i\
parativi'U-
hen iiKiu II
he ,t;roiiii(l
L'ss indeed
to itroteet
e rei'erred

: it is liv-
boibre the
die. Tile
<ed within
■epeatedly
the IiU',!j,('
:)uring iii-
ire as vet

s a grass
vo inches,
, and high
sd hy its
ig- an inch
hie, since
1 July

TMH JiL-.sn (;ii ASSES.

\'lLI'A

37

JtH.s/t (rrnsif.

l>'"";"u:vvKi, \-,LKA, Ki-s,, (i„,«s (;•;//;,, ,,,„„,,)

.un.n-s IniiM tw,) l„ r,„,,. (;.,.( Im,,I, 1 "■^JJiitn,
' '■"" '■""■"'■''•;"■- 1"..^', Hgi,!, :„„| ,.„„., ,,i,o

ix-.hi"-nn,.,,,,,i,,,,..,»i.,,,,i|,,,i,, :»!,,,;„ ,,„,,;':

"'"■■ '•■ '■•■'■•■""-'- 'H"-..-.-.-....!...'.! value

""'■■K-V l'Y,„v,;,,,,„ \-,,,, , ,v,^;, ,„,„■„„,„,. .

i:'L ::::,:;;'■ ;^'''''"'''; — '.-.p-< ''t

' "-"' " ""■ '"■"'■l.v '■• I KiniiK.s. Tl.i, e„,s< U

' ' ,"" '■.nv„,s,„„lvs,,iki„ „M,st na,,, , :

--.t ,l.„ >„u,|. Of,,,, k„„„ „ „g,-icul„„.ai val.r •
«■ S|.,„„„;,„,, „. I)r„i,.,,,,t Or,,...,

" '' -^ <-;■ . panicle. Ilouering in August, spikelots
'"1',^' and s nn im- I'l-, ;,.;,, . w ■ ■ i"^i-i«. i.s

S„;,tl,. ^- ^'■'""^■'^ ^^i.sc.uls^l, and at the

paiiirio pyramidal, 1

oose, ui)en : glumes ve

ly nnecpial

38

Till-; (;i;ms a*; nosns.

lower ii\vl-sliiii)CHl, n|i|»('i' tii[i('i-ip<)iiitt'(|, jiiid Imi-cr tlmii
tlio lower pales. I'ereimijil, flowciiiii;- in Au};iist. Tlie
])luiit emits II strong- odor. Cuniioeticut, ^'e\v ^'oii<.
iiiKJ lli(! \Ve>terii State> to Illinois.

Ii.\i!(;i:-i'AM( i.Kii \'ii,iA {Sj ■jru/iohis ii//ji/niiifr>/s). —
I'ltniele leatl-eolored, |iyiiinii<liil : lia>e usuallv enclosed
in tlie upper slieatli, I'roni w liicli the panicle' appears to
burst with spreadiu;^' liranches; llowiis awnless: lower
giunie Very short : stem I'rom one t(» three I'eet hi^li :
stamens thiee, anthers yellowish, styles (listiiict, sti;i'ma.s
white. (Jrows on sandy soils in \ew York and at
the South and West, when* it is ciiniiudn.

('l-osK-i'/,owKi;i:i) f)i!oi' m:ki) (S/Kifo/ioh/.^i coinjircssnfi).
— A smooth, leai'y };'rass. with stout, Hat stems, found in
hogs in the pine liarrens of Xew .)ers(>y, wliei'e it forms
tussocks IVnni one to two leet high. 01' no agricultural
value.

IjX'yk Di?oi' Si-:ki) { SjtorobohiH serotmns) is sometimes
found in low, swampy |)laces, Avitli smooth, slender,
flatfish stems: leaxcs few and slender: jtanicle spread-
ing, with hairy hranehes ; glumes ovate, ohtuse, and
half the length of the j)alea. Flowt'rs in Septemijer.
It is u delicate grass, of no special agricultural value.

7. A(;i;osTis. Bent Grass.

<>ne-llowereil sjiikelets in a loose, o\w\\ panieli' :
glumes nearly e(pial. the lower pointless, and longer
than the pale;e. which are thin and nakeij : stamens
three : pert'nniai.

Tai.i.ki! 'I'iiix (luA.ss (J(/r(>s/i's <7a/u). — Astout grass,
from two to three feet higli. Spikelets crijwdrd on the
hrancla's of the spreading paiiii'le ahove the nn'ddle ;
lower palea awnless : upper wanting. In swamp>, from
New .lei'sev sou t hwiud.

3.
k

'ir

f

St;

ili^Z'cr tli;iii

list. 'I'll.'

i\v ^'urk,

iiilrns), —
ciicloscil

IppC'lllS to

'ss : lower

t, sti;^'mas
k. iiiid iit

iijinssus),
, IouikI ill
I' it ibriiis
:ricultiiriil

oniptiiiu's
, slcinlcr,
Ic spread-
tusc, and
■|itciulMir.
I value.

lit Grnss.

])aiiicl(' :

id loiiucr

stamens

)iit .crass.
I'd (111 tlie
' middle ;
m]i>, li'dni

TM Kl.l.; (.'fjAss. - 11 KHUN 11 KM. y,,

Tiiix (ii.'As. ,i,,,,,sf;, ,,.rn„„n,s).- Paniel,, dillusHv
.siMvadm^^ ,.ale ,..een: |„,.m.|.es sl.ort. divided, and

' '";";'T"'^ ''7. •'"''"^^•^'"■•"i''''l«':i.'..ndi.Mani,,

<l-l."l pla-es. |V,,,„nial. Flmver.s in June and J nil '

II.UU (;n.^ss or F.v.uav (;..ss, Tmklh (Jn.ss
'•''/"W.,s. ..../.,„ ,,,.s another specie. heloUKiu;;' to (his
.vni. jviH, a ,.mele ve..v loose and s^^^^^^^

'^, the lone eajHllary luanehes Ihnv.rdieann'; near
t--.|H'x: sten.s slender, ono to two leet hi,hMeave
shor and narrow. Flouers in .J„ne and .Julv. Connnon

:: .';:;'^ ':•';•'•--'' ---1.S. it is or no ,j::

I'll a<4-rifnl(ural value.

luinletllf^n tP /"'?'• '^'-""^

-'^>-i-.utl. stall, when thev are hlownala.uU^^
"•"l--attenn.tlie,r,seedHfur and wide ; and he, ee it

.sre.p.entlve.dled'M^lv-awav Grass/' i,h,strati"^

Ml , nnral.M.o„n.n.u.eesc^
tion ol (lu. seeds ol -rasses and other plants.

;:- an erect, slender, spreading paniele: n.ot ^^^u.

-'l-epn,,:sto.nerec^^
"" •" i ho palea sliortcM" than the n.l,„„e and Im-
-';;; -tha].i,,hentawnontlie..a,l.aL.:^i^^^^^^

' - -spd.eletsatfirst.reenisli,anerwardsI>rown
' fMW pnrple. Meadows and pastures, and we
^•d, places -nitroduced. FWeri in .,„nJ and J^ ;!
'f'.-ot no special agneultural value. ^

The Alpi.vh I]i!owv I!i.\t t t . , f
y-O. the PKH.HT Flowkim.,) Uknt, and manv other
^-,es,nue the mentioned ;l,„t, of' all the spJcie
■i -I ■igncultural g-rasses among- us.

*

40

R EOT 01'.

Redto

AS A PANTIMM. (JliAr^s.

41

lie

Hc'kop is often sowi, witi, Tinn„l,v ., ,
l'<'^"S «-|,,„ Timothv «,||„„.. .,H,., .1 , " ''""'I'-

^"■iird. Ill l',.|||,,,-K ., , '8'''"»"Sturriisndose

-^..ii.v i<:r:i\r ,v;':o:;:::' """-■ -"";. i* i«

I' i» or »,„„.nvl,.t sK„>. ..wHli ;'"'"■',"""•"' "'"'"=•
•P'"lit.v, .suited ,o „K,is,, r^ ;„ ,"' ""'"' "'■ >""'"■■"

■n"'s grass i„ ,,,-,,i.i,K ;,:'': v::"',"'; '° ""■

-'^^•ed, tl.o emtio rdhso it • a ,. t ';'''''r "J' ^o

pastnro o.,asso. Tfic il f '^""" '^^ tl.c other

..•eHn,7.Mhrsp.!:;^';: :;-';;;;;; ^^

""•t'-'f"">^ qualities: sine,. thL I ^'^<''^"^'"'-'o or

"".1 .hrubs ure readilv eaten wl '"'tl' K'-asses

^ta;,e of growth, arc ^-etused/"'"'''^'^^^'^-''''-''

't IS to I.e regretted that IVulc-ssor W.v f,. i • ,

"'^••'e investigations into the nntri Ve -' , .' 7''

K'-Msses, did not ineh.de tin-s in t "^ °^ ^'"^

At present Ave I->vp n analysed l.yhiin.

''■--eorn.any:;h::;::-;:r''*^''"^^''"^^'^^^'''-''

"lis grass is known l,v viri,,,,. „ ,.

:;;n;;::':£:: t •'"F-"■^-

' i

f\

+2

i:\f; i.irui hknt.

,i;i-()\vs f)\(M' twchc inclK's. iiuil cttuii not <iverti\c or six
iiirlics liiu'li, while it has a liiihtcr (•(liur. In the latter
sitimtioiis it ,ni)es l)_v the name of Finetop, and is uni-
versally seen in old, dry pastures. In some sections,
where it is liijj,-hly esteemed, it goes hy the name of
l>urtlen"s or IJordeu's (Jrass ; in others, of Khode Island
IJent ; but 1 am unahle to discover any dilFerence be-
tween these and redtop, except tiiat produceil by vari-
eties of soils: and, on in(piiring of some of the largest
dealers in seeds, I lind that orders for all these are sup-
[died iVom the same seed.

Fineto|) may be regarded as a variety of redtop,
produced by the character of the soil.

lv\(iLisH 1)1;nt, Whitktop, Dkw Gijass, White Bent.
Bonnet (tUass (ili/j'ostis alba). Stem erect, round,
smooth, polished, having lour or live leaves with rou'///-
is/t sheaths ; striated, upper sheath longer than its leaf,
crowned with a long, acute, ragged ligule: joints smooth;
branches numerous. recumbcMit. rooting at the K)wer
joints where they come in contact with the groimd, as
shown in figure ?>0 : jtanicle somewdiat narrower than
in rc(Uop, lightish green, or with a slight tinge of pur-
pK* : lower or inner palea one half the length of the
upper, and shorter than the glumes: live-nerved, awn-
h'ss, ])ereimial. Native of Europe.

Wliiteto]) may be known from redlop by the sheaths
being i-ongh to the touch from above downwai'ds, and
tli(^ ligule l)cing long ;"nd acute, and the keel of the
large glume of the calyx toothcMl nearly to tlie base.
In redtop the sheaths are smooth, ligule short ami ob-
tuse, ami the keel ol' the large glume toothed only on
the uppei' j)ai't.

It may be known from Brown Bent {Agrostis i-a-
■iiiii(i).\^\ having an inner ]ialca in its lloret, while in
Brown Bent the inner palea is wanting. It is Ncry

,iil

FIORIN (;i{\SS.

43

conuiiuii on the ('fimw>f.(;,..,f t>- ■,

...H....... , I ^^^"iiocticut Kiver meadows, where it

IPe.1. to be ualigenous, aud is there ..ulled the En o.
h>hBent. It .s uiten used in the :nann(i.ctn,e of h.n-

nets.

FiOKix (J<j rustic .stoli,-
nifera), Vh^. ;!(), is onlv a
variety of En-lisli bent,
which gained great noto-
riety some years ago in
Ireland and England, vol-
umes having been writ-
ten in its praise, while it
received the execrations
of those who ioi,n,l it
troublesome to eradicjite,
on account of its creep-
mid stoloniferous

./ I'oots. Jt bi.|oi,i..s j.ec-u-
liarly to moist places
which are occasionally
ovcrllowed, and is some-
times known as the

i^HOAD-LKAVl.;!) CUKKPIXG

Bknt. In the Woi)urn
experiments it was fonn<]
to be inferior in imtri-
^\ye value to orchaid
gntss {Dartjills fihmc-
rata) and meadow W^-,.
cwo, and superior
to meadow fox-
tail. A magnified
flower of this
grass is shown in
Fig. .",1.

r~~ —

u

SOUTHKJtX JiK.NT.

native .^T''' ""''' ^^''-^^- '^'-Vo-) Fi, 'V^ ■

^;ninco. Itwasatono
^'\'>^' hip;hly counnvm]-

was very, s,„,n, lisciinl-
e^J- Jti'inii-sliesaluiv
of rather .'oarso qual-
'^^ H.id y.V.Id.s a i,^,.,.^,

.-Muds aii.l ral,,-a,vons
•^^■'■^. It tillers nuich,
;""' wlion once n.oted
IS very vi>or„„s and
'''^^"J^', and ,.,„ise-

qn^'nflyn.akesa o-ood
[ti pasture o.|.;t,^^_ j^ j^

^'""''"'' '" ''Ppearaneo
" ■^'"'le (.f tlio I.road-
'''iivcd varieties of

'■•■''^"1^ 'i"<l is said to
v<eld more than ivd-
^OP- It has stron^-er
'""' I'K'ie niunerous
'■''''•;i"""«' '""ts, l.road-
eaves, and more
"P'-'ght leafy
'Stems. It /s
most ('re([n(Mit.
b' "Iff M-ith in
the Sonthern
W ^^•*^^''^, and in
tlie south of
France. Fip-
^'i represents

"'■■\f''D or; ASS..

"'^'"■^^ ItllEU.

45

^^'^^ I^een cultivated in tl.^ coulit,, '"' "^"^"^ ^^-^

''^- J*UI.Vj'U(;o.v.

"■^- ■^^""ie„.s throe ; gnun f^ee ^ "'^"'^'^ '''^^^^ Jong
occasionally- found i..a,' ^h m'?^'^?" '''c>.^.e/.V....W , ,s

^-^7'«' /n>u. ten ,;: i;^::''^ ^';- t.iee thei;^
;°'>";'' -"i H little .ou.. n : ""'^'"^ '''«•'' ^- .steu. ert. ,

''7 -'-ute;panitd^:^:'^'r'"'^'''''^'-^^^^^

- -^'-^'uced. Jt i« easily i^fft^-^-'lonored

«J i « awns oi- beards. Oino ■^?''''''' ">' ^''^^ i'^nftth

at the Jsle ui'^i^nl. V ■'«''"-"Jtnral value h^ ,

^1 oiioaJs and on the erv. . , ^'ouiid

^ ^oast so.itlnvard.

^J"'"es aeute .trnn ,* T^^' ^^'"'^^ ^^^^^ ^m...

«niootli, naked V 0' '^'•^olod; the h,..

Wood Jii^pj) /i
lets are greo-i n>- r . ^^^^ ''J«- 1 Tlu> i

d'r: 'r- '"'■■'■^■' ™"''" -■'" /r^- ""-' ^-^-^

uincnng from others in h-.v;,, i" "^ ^'"■«'^^' '-ink gra..

>i

11

46

'illR DROP-SEKD CRASSKs

Droopixo Ke.o Grass ( Clnna ,rucMa). - Branches
ot the louse pamelo long u.icl luury, droopin- Snike-
e^ about half the S.0 or tlj^. tl^^^
>poc ie. (.rou-s :u .no.st woods : perennial, llowering in
August, round around Lake Superio.'. ^

Spikelots one-fiou-ered in contracted slender panicles
.tunes nnnuto: pale.e usually huin, beanie U

base, herbaceous, the lower three-nerved, pointed or
cu ued at the Up. Stamens three. Xan;ed iion 'l^-
.Muhlenberg, a distinguished American botan, •.

The AWNLES.S MuiiLi:xiiER.;,A (JIa/denbayia soboUfera)
IS sonietmies lound in open, rocky uoods, irom New
Lngland to M.clngan, and south. It grows from one to

le dl?- 1^ ' "f ' "'"P'*^' contracted panicle, very
blende . ghunes long, pointed, nearly equal; root pe-
rennia , creeping, woody ; leaves pale-green, shea hs
open, hgule wanting. Flowers in August and 8eptem-
Uti. K)i no known agricultural value.

CLusTEiMX(; .Mc.iEEXBERGiA {Muhleuhergm yhmerata).

Inched""; '"T ')f ^"■^■''' -^^"'^ "f''-''^''^' -'--'^=^t

anched, panicle oblong, linear, contracted into an

nterrupted glomerate .p.ke, with long peduncles or

m^.staks, and awned glumes; per^nial. Fbwe::

m August and September. Common in swamps and

low grounds. Of no agricultural value.

The Mexicax .Mi-hlexhercfa {MH/denherqia Mevi-
rana), another species of this genus, has been mistaken
)y some for our fowl meadow. It has an erect sten.
wo to three feet high, much branched; panicles lateral
and contracted, branches densely spiked and clustered
green or purplish; glumes pointed, awnless, and un'
equal. It IS perennial. Flowers in August. Frequently
regarded as a troublesome Nyeed in low .mnnds the

^iMl'.LK UJLL

-II A I It (ili.\,Sfj,^

47

-"i"<; value. '" '" "'" »<-*"»"■■, it is „1-

■r"""» aro ,|i/lu.,ely brand,™! ,. l"'"" ^'"'"«- "«

'«7'i <■" <ln- i,i,i/L:;\:„ ;:''«-;*'■'■ Palea. " i^
"'"' ■-^■■Pton.l.o,.; perennial. Ca k c^ 'T'" "" -"*"»'

oalled n„ir Gras.. , ,/ , 7' ''•"'"""'■ "'" ""'i-«P«n.ly

time., !•„„„,, „„ s„„,^i;* " r'"" v'"'";"'""'- '« -«-■

t"cky, and at the ^„i^ ' '""" '^""' '^"B' ' "> Kon-

»one of (lie (jras.^P^ of fl,,', i
gl-oat valne for aK,.;,.,,," ,, ' V*"""""" «""" "l-" "f
-fd co„.,idorabK. ^Z "'. /"^r!'' ""'Tt a» they
clothe., onrlow lan.1, ,„ ,™„tv t '7',"*^ ™'-''">-o "''i'-i.
-veil the heart of the lovenf;.;:,;!:. " '' "" "'" "'"'

If

48

BLUK JOINT (;iiASS.

11. Bi!Ac'HYi;i,VTr;rM. Brachi/ehifnon.

rJluiiR's two, very iiiiiiute, lower scarcolv to lie seoii;
lower palu witli u Ion,!-' l>ristle at. the toj), upper with
ruiliiiieiitiiry llower at the hase : perennial.

The Kkkct ML-;M,KNiii;ii(;iA, or Awxkd 1}i!achvkly-
THCM {I}r((c/ii/eli/trumarl.st'itinn),i^ olteii tbuiiil in roekv
M-oods, on the sides of Wachnset Mountain, and in many
otlier similar situations. Flowers in June and July.
Conunon also at the West.

12. CALAM.\f;i?osTis. licetl Bent Grass.

One-flowered spikelets, open paniele, eontraeted or
spiked; -lunies keeled, about efjual to the paleie,
around whieli, at the base, is a thick tutt of white
bristly hairs: lower [)ale generally with a slender awn
on the back: stamens three: iii-ain free.

Blue Joint Gijass (CalunuKjrostis Canadensis).—
Stems three to live feet high, grayish; leaves flat;
panicle often purplish : the glumes acute, lanceolate :
lower palea not longer than the very fine hairs, bearing
an extremely delicate awn below the middle, nearly
eipial to the hairs. Flowers in Julv.

I)lue Joint Grass is very connnon on low grounds.
It is generally considered a valuable grass, and is eaten
greedily by stock in the winter, being thought by some
to be nearly as nutritious as Timothy. It grows so
rank and luxuriant on soils suited to it that an immense
crop of valuable hay is often made from it.

Crowded Calamagrostis, or Glaucous Small Rp:kd
( Calama(/r()sfis conrctata), is also somewhat common in
our wet meadows, open swamps, and along low river
banks. Its stems are from three to Ave feet high : seed
hairy, crowned with a bearded tuft ; lower palea shorter

BKACII fJRA.SS,

4!)

.>arly

au'ii al.ove the middle. ^ ' -^'""'^

l"«i., c-cct, leave,. .;«.,';,%,,.::.;:'''"'■ 't

■ii»<i.^.nis,i!' -J ',,;:', :r;,^^''''--' ■■""«''■ ■'■1,1.;..

<-''"",lf.l iMMiele , ' ""'■" "'""'■-•'■ ^""I less

places. ' """'■'''''■" '" -™'>'I- -„l 1,0,..,

'/r<Kl!s nm,ay!r n,- I, 7v ' Grass ( CVifewa.

cul.n, from stout ,„ots ,-,„,„i„g of ' , t„ | L"^ ' " """'}
twenty o,- thirty feet ; leaves'," ler^tl oir"/

t-;rt;:::i-;rt:^-::"ti:':i,}

aga,„s. the «,c,oaehu,e,„s ol ihe o,'™,? * ''""■

I

50

CULTLTHl'J (H- llEACH GRASS.

This jjjniss if very prenenilly diffused
oil scii-coiists ovi'i tliu world, iind is
loiiii'l iiiliiiid on tlie shores of fjiike Su-
pciior. It liiis also Ix'cii cultiviitcd hy
way of oxpiMiiiiciit, and with siu-t-ess,
I l/'ififffi "" ^^^^ '^"iids !it Ijowell, Massat'lmsetts^

"' ' and still further up ou the; iianks of the
Merrimack River. Tliouj:;li not culti-
vated for agricultural puiixiscs, it is of
great value in protecting sandy heaches.
It is preserved m Kngland and Scot-
land l>y act of parhanient. Flowers in
August.

In the year 18r,i,I was requested by
the late T. W. Harris to make this gra^s
a special study, in the course of my ob-
servations ; and since that time I have
tried, by personal inquiries and by cor-
resj)ondence, to collect whatever- there
might be of interest in relation to it.
As it is of national importance in pro-
tecting our sandy coasts, some account
of its culture may not be inappropriate
or uniuterestuig.

The town of Provincetown, once
called Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims
first landed, and its harbor, still called
the harbor of Cape Cod, — one of the
best and most important in the United
States, sufficient in de{)th for ships
Fig. 34. Beach Grass, of the largest sizc, and in extent to
anclior three thousand vessels at once, — owe their pres-
ervation to this grass. To an inhabitant of an inland
country, it is difficult to conceive the extent and the
violence with which the sands at the extremity of Cape

ACTION OF DIUFTING SAND.

51

>< . H' l.ro vn up fro.n the depths of the .sea, and left

• " the each ,n thousunds oi' tons, hv everv .Irivinj.

ton. I hese sand-hills, when dmurhv thJ s„n "I

l.urled by the winds into the harbor and .'.pun th [.wn

A correspondent at Provineetown savs : " Beaeh ar s

--dtohavebeenenl<ivatedhore\. oarbasl ^
Before t .t tnue, when the s.nd drifted down upon the

>'oken,--to save then. Iron, burial, the only reso.-t u-as
< •'-'"..• .t oir with barrows. Th„,s ton.s were r t
nu^ed every year fVon. plaees that a,-e now perCec Iv
ecnre .-om the .Inlti... of sand. Indeed/^ril
not CH- the w.ndow-glass in son.e of the oldet houses
in these lon.hties, you woul.l be ready to den^ ^

to t ...d so 10..O- aoan.st this glass, as to make it per-
./ % ground. 1 know of son.e windows through which
3 ou cannot see an object, except to ren.ind you of th^
passage where men were seen 'as trees wallcin.' "

ong,-ess approp.-iated, between the years 1826 and
18.,9, about twe..ty-e,ght thou.sand dollars, which were
expended ,n settn.g out beach g.-ass nea; the vi"
ot Prov„.cetown or the protection of the har o.
From he seed of this grass it is estin.ated that nay
US much ground has become planted with it as was ^^v
ered by the national government. Jn 1854 five thousand
.lollars were w.sely expended by the general govern
ment m adding to the work : and the experfefclof
ormer years was of great value to the efficiency of thr.
latter efibrt. The wo.-k of fortification or^o c i > J
not yet complete. The eastern part of tl.et b
nnich exposed to injn.-y from the sand, which now
einpies Itself by thousands of tons, during every no tl
wind, into it. *' ^vci_y noun

" It may be proper to state," says the writer quoted

62

Ft A IS I \(; -riiK iti:.\( II,

(

I i

111
»

above. •• tliat (his town dues imieli in the wnv nf •/>,((,/>.
[Ii-Hsfiunf hy its ' hi'dvlHimsn vo.inintftv; whose dutv it is
to enter any man's enclosure, siimnier in- winter, and
set out grass, if the sand is uncovered and niovahh-.
By this means we are now rid of sand-storms, which
were once the terror ..f the phice, being- s.m.etiiiM- lik,.
snow-storms, lor (b-ilts, wliich were to be remov,-d.
Our streets are now hardened with cluy, ^v|,i,.h ha>
been imported: mid. instead of its being buried. „s it
W(mM once have be,... in a C-w days. I nofi,.,. tliat the

surveyors have to resort to sprinkhng it witli sa

wet weather, so elleetuiilly has tiie eulture of beacl
grass answered its end.

" The nuxlo of culture is very simple. The grass is
pulled up by hm.d and place.l in a hole ubout'^a Ibot
deep,aiid the wind pressed <lowii about it. 'I'hese holes
are dug about one foot and a hall' apart. The spring is
the usual time of planting, though many do this work
111 the fall or winter. The roots oC the grass. Irom
which it soon covers the ground, are very long. 1
have noticed them ten feet, and 1 suppose upon l.igh
hills they extend down into wet >and."'

Many years ago, the beach which connects Truro
and Provineetown was broken over, and a considei.t-
ble body of it swept away. Beach grass was imm;-
diately planted, and the l,each was thus ra,sed to suffi-
cient height, and in some places nito hills. The opera-
tion of it is like that ..f ])rush or bushes, cut and laid
upem the grouiKb in accumulating siiow^ in a drifting
wind. The sand is collected around the gras>. find, as
the sand rises, the grass also rises to overtop it, and
will continue to grow, no matter how high the aand-hil!
may rise: and this process goes on over the whole sur-
flice of the plantation, and thus many acres havt been
raised far above their original level.

I

JMM)Ti;cTKI) liV f,A\\'

53

v,,^f ir..„i , • , • "'I'liii, aiKi tl)(3 ciirrL'iit n

""lyonovrursin,,., isnouMiio

cliiuiiiel. with hK i;,.f ,.c „. * .1 ' '" """ "'*^

1714. Tl,c^ h r; , ■ '"•",'""•'' *" '""■« '"-■-' ">

iuc n)\vn was iiicoi-Monitcd 1. 1707 i

tlmt tirno a place of some exte b n If' V T' "'
'" IS24 c.o,„mi«si„„o,-H were uppointe.l i,v ti.e state

'ul

5-1

ANNUAL 1'LANT1N(;.

government to exfvmine the subject, and report what
action was necessary to prevent the rapid destruction
of the harbor. They recommended an act to prevent
the destruction of beach grass, and reported that tiie
sum of thirty-six hundred doHars would be necessary
to set out that ])lant, make fences, A-c. Tiie Legisla-
ture, in 1826, applied to Congress for that sum; and Con-
gress has, at dilferent times, made appropriations to the
amount of about thirty-eight thousand ilollars, which
seem to have failed in some measure to accomplish
the ob; . intended, and Kast Harbor is still rapidly
fining up.

jMany years ago, it was as customary to warn the
inhabitants of Truro and some other towns on the
Cape, every spring, to turn out to plant beach grass,
as it was in the inland towns to turn out and mend the
roads. This was required by hiw, with suitable penal-
ties for its neglect, and took place in April.

A liirmer, of much practical knowledge of this sub-
ject, says : " Since the cattle have been kei)t from the
beaches, by the act of the Legislature of 182(5, the
grass and shrubs have sprung up of their own accord,
and have, in a great measure, in the westerly part of
the Cape, accomplished wjiat was intended to bo done
by planting grass. It is of no use to plant grass on
the high parts of tlie beach. Tlant on the lowest parts
and they will raise, while the highest places, over which
the grass will spread, are levelling by tlu> wind. To
preserve the beacJi, it must be kept as level as possible.

" Beach grass is of but little value except to prevent
our loose, sandy beaches from being drifted about by
the wind. We have but one species, and this is fast
spreading over our upland, making it useless for culti-
vation. Land that would ])roduce from twentv to
twenty-five bushels of Indian corn to the acre, with-

BLACK MuUNTAIxV lUCE. 55

c t. f ,|,„ dc,„l Brass U lM„„t „|f ,„ t„„ „,„.in,.. tt
.1 make a |„-ctty ,o<k1 pasture for cat.ie a„.l 1 ^.sL
keeps gree,, longer tl,a„ a,,v oH„,r grass we 1 r ve'

nead, grass seems lu require the assistauee of some
l.»tu,b, ,g causes to en.Wo it to attain its full peHfee;
t..n, 1 he clr,v„,g winds iu some loealities arf , ffi
cent winle ,„ other plaees, where it ,lo..s no ,h e
»" well ,t ,s probable that an iron-tootl, harr , v v |,1
greatly improve and aid its growth It I,., ■ ,

sivei, cultivated or prop^gatx iiL ' Te r,:;;;::,';

parts of Cape lod, on Xantueket, and in fact
deral, e extent all along our coast. It con.e i, o
tself along Nantasket beach from seed borne n the
Ndes, probably fr„,n the Cape. It has been e.x^e nsivllv
used, at tnnes „, this country, (br the manulactu e of
coarse paper though, if I .-un rightly inforn,ed, its „"„.
ufacture has oeen -liseoniinucd in .Massachusetts n
".her countnes it is manufocturcd into dooranats' a,

into lopes ior various purposes.

'•'• ^^'^^■^oi'S''^- Mountain like.

Spikelets groonish unrl nitlier large, oue-Howcr...! •
Tl,..,, fi, . n 1 ' "^*^av eqiifvl, awn OSS, loimer

a the ohloi.o. llowor: scales linear, long as tleo ary-
iniloreseenee ni narrou- panicles. "^ '

Black Mountalv Wive ((h'i,zoi.h melauorarpa) \. •,,
common grass m dry, ro.ky woo.ls, witl, a leafv s on

1

H

le seed blackish wli

en ripe, the lower one

oG

WHITE iMOL.NTAlIV KICE.

surronndiiiu- tl.e a]iper, Avith a straig-lit awn at tlio tip
nearly an inch Ion- Staiiieu.s tliree, anthers linear, yel-
low; styles distinct. Flowers in August. Not cultivated.
White Mountain K,ce {Ori/zoims aspn-ifoJh,) is
:ilso connnon on steep, rocky hillsides, and in dry woods.
Keins clasped by sheaths, bearing a mere rudinientai'v
l)lade, overtopped by the long and rigid linear leaf Iron
the base ; awn two or three times tl.e length of the
hairy whitish husks or indea.. Perennial, growing IVom
a loot to eighteen inches high. The lower or I'a.lical
leaves remain green through the winter. The lar..-e
seeds are abundantly farinaceous, and make a very whi'Je
and fine flour; but the grain drops so easily as to make
It impracticable to gather it in large (piantities.

Smallest Oin'.oi.sis, or Canadian Rice {Onjzopsi,
Uciuu(en.sis), is another species sometimes found These
grasses are easily distinguished from each oth,M- The
tirst has an awn thrice the length of the blackish palea •
the second, an awn two or three times the length of the
whitish palea: the third, an awn short, .leciduous, ,>r
wantmg. The first grows from two to three feet high •
the second, from ten to eighteen inches; the third
Irom s.x to fifteen inches. Natural habitat, dry, rocky
woods. Perennial. Not culrivated.

It may be proper to remark, in passing, that many
grasses which are now worthless, or of no known value
in agriculture, might be made very useful to cultivate
tor the purpose of turn^.g in green for manure.

Ihe same may be sr.id of many of th.. rank weeds
which are now regarded as the pests of onr fields and
roadsides._ Som.> of them, if sown on winter grain,
would spring up luxuriantly after the grain was removed'
drawing much of their nutriment from the air, ami cor-
ponlying it, as it were, to be turner

with the .stubl

in while still

Li'een

'-e.

and thus add vastly to the fertility

fEATHEll (ilJASS,

and

r^i-Oi

:luctivciioss of the soil.

0(

kinds which prod
and a hv^e, j
pt-'reniiijil

lice ii lai

For t\

lis purpose those

K<-^ luxuriant g'rowiii of I

ge quantity of suimII seed

miiils with spriuP'

r MI o

^ might be sown with

eaves, f.re hest. The
winter grains, the pu-

Tl

|<J practice of turin"n<

not uf recent

ki:

or

in green crops foi- m

mure i.«

^"'"; but the cl

seeded a-i

grasses, have
Jiut

g'"- Its benehts hav,; |,een 1
overs, buckwheat, an<l other J

on

fc>

pose.

since their seed^

only cost, indeed, bein-Tl

generally l)een

Jiiany other plants 'offer a cl
s are smaller and I

irge-
iised for this pur-

le ex

leaper sul)stitute,
[lensive, the

ess ex

pense of gatherhio-.

U. S

'i'\]>.\.

s

p.-

a slender stal
longer thai, tl
tipped witl
the I

one-fl

Feather Grass.

!owered: flowers stipitate or I

le

, pit -

glumes e.pial, inenibran

aceout

I II very Ion

limes, thick, and leathorv^ the' 1

borne on
l>ales

»ase

seed

■scale

g awn, bent above, aiid t

'•<^"<'e m spreading panicles. I
one to two i'eet high.

roun.led or cylindrical, hifl

ower
\visted at

ore*

erennial, growing from

Fk

I

yruKnduAHS iSffpapenmta)

eautiful of this genu.-
'oiig and featherv, risi

i« one of the most

fial

uea, and ofren more than t

^- I he awn of the floret
iig from the summit of tl

IS very
le outer

with the

exception of an inch at the 1

wenty times its length, and

twisted, soft and leathery tl

'iiso, which h

Tl

le root U

irough Its whole len-.-tl

peremual and fil,rous; the stem erect

^"looth, hollow, from eid.t

round

sliearhs of the 1

Stigmas feati

,. een niches to two feet hbdi
eaves roughish, and covering the joints,

Tl

lis grass is well kno\N i, for it

'iiltivated

in

ornament?

ill dry

gardens, and gatherecrfo
It grows wild i

s great beauty, and

IS

r vase

n iiianv

andv soils.

and pari )r
parts of Germany,

lU

eUAHDSUXS FkaTHER (Sf>)>a Itlrh

^Kirdso)!)!) ig

a s

ipe-

58

BLACK OAT GliAS.s.

f i: 4

Sii :-;

cies nrowiiig wild in the vicinity ol' Schago Lake, in
Maine, aiK some other i)lares. (Humes nearly equal,
oblong; panicle loose, slendiT braiielies, jwvn of the
palea twisted. Of no agricultural value.

Black Oat (in.vss {SfijHi air-
nacca) i.s sometimes met with in
^\ry, sandy woods, hut is of no
agricultural value. It rises from
one to two (cct : its })ai.icle is
open, leaves ahiitist i)ristle-lorm,
palea blackish, nearly as long as
the almost e(|ual glumes; awn
bent above, twisted helcw.

It is one ol' the pi'airie grasses
of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin,
ttc., and is conunou at the i^outh,
flowering in June and July. Fig.
35 rcfii-esents the jjanicle of this
grass, with the naked glumes,
while the upper palea and its bent
and twisted awn is seen in Fii:.
36.

PoRt'UPLVE Grass (Sfipa .spar,
ten) has a shorter, contracted pan-
icle, a stouter stem, rising Irom
one to three feet high : glumes
loose, greenish, slender, jtointed,
longer than the ])alete ; awn stioiiij-
and twisted, from three to six
inches long, downy below, and
rough above.

'J'liis is another prairie grass of
Illinois, Iowa, and the north-west-
ward, and is also a native of southern Europe and north-
ern Africa. It is not u culli\ated urass.

Fig. 35. niaek Oat Grass.

Trni'J.I.; A-.VN GHASSKS.

5!)

15. AiMSTinA. Three-awnecl GmsH.
Flowers stipifato c,r on stalks : g-l„mes nnequul, olten
iM.stlo-po.nted: paloH> two, lower iippod with a trini
a^v^n upper s,uulle,;uwnless; ova.y iLuth, sea es -o
smo,,tI,^„tn-e ; sp.kelets ,n sin.pio or paniJied racen.^

I'ovERTv Grass (Ari.tida Moiona) is k„own by its
ufterl stems or euln.s being mueh lurked or branel.ed
from five to fifteen inches higli. Spikelcts small, erowded
in short, eontracted raeemes ; side awns minute ; middle
no longer than the j.tlea, bent downwards. Common in
<• < . 'Iry, sterile fields, especially at the Houth, and in
lllniois and adjacent states.

THREE.AWX,.:n Grass {Arhthia mmosis.shna), - Stems
diffuse; spdced raceme loosely flowered : glumes three

bet back an n.ch long. Found on dry prairies of
Illinois, and ni Kentucky.

Slkndkr Tmrkk-awnki) Grass {Ari,tida qraciUs) is

asofoundmold,sandyfields,dry:sterilehiLd Lid
P ne barrens but ,s of no value for cultivation. It
sf^m us slender and erect, lateral awns as long as t e
palea. ^even found except on the poorest soil!

Downy Tr,,.! h Awx ^Jristida .v/./c^.)-- Leave,
straight, erect, ngid, downy: lowc>r palea smooth wn
.prca^.g, t^ie m.ddle one longest; glles unec^n d,'^: ^
o.nted. I erenn.al. Grows from two to hree fee
h.glMn rocky and shaded places, in .Alichigan IHino^
^ ngUHa, and southwar.l. Of no value for c-ult'i.llrn '

rou!!^rbut I?''''- -1? ^'''''^'" P'";nra.ce.s) h.s
lougn but less rmid eaves- Invm. .. i , .

111. , ^ iirivcs, jouei p 'lea rou!<h w t i
slender atom no,.v«„ . ....m.ji_ '. . '"-'"^">"iiu

lateral nerves

mon from M

middle

assacliusetts

wn an inch long. Coni-

to Illinois and southward

- 31

1 1

00

MA Its II (;rah.

I'liAiifiK Tnu'hK Awx (Jri.sti(/aoll,j(nif//a) is a species
round by Michaux on tlio i)rairies ol' Illinois, with a
straiju-ht. erect stem, lirancliing helow ; spikelets lar^o,
distant, ^olltaly, alternate, sliort-pedieelled : glumes
e(|uiilliug the llower; awns long, the lateral a little
shorter than the middle. Found also in Virginia aud
to tlio southwestu'ai'd.

I.o\<;-A\vM;n 1'oviorty Oijass (Jfi.^iu/a tuhvrcalom). —
Stem branched below, tunn'd at the joints; panicles
K)ose,branelung in pairs, one of whicii is short and two-
Howered. tiie other longer and several-flowere.l : glumes
longer than the palea, which is tipped with the common
stalk of the three bent awns, twisting together at the
base. It is found on sandy soils, !rom New Knuland to
Wisconsin It is one of the prairie grasses ot Illinois
and southward.

16. Spartina.

Alursli Grass.

>l)ikelets one-flowered, very flat, in two rows on the
outer side ot a triangular rachis : glumes compressed,
keeled, pointed an<l rough, bristly on the keel ; stamens
tliree : styles long, united.

Fi;i:sH Watkr Cord Grass, or Tali, MAnsir Grass
{SjxniiNa a/NOsuroU/es). —This is found on the banks
of streams and lakes, rising to the height of from two to
four feet, with slender culm, narrow leave,s, two to four
feet long, tapering to a point, smooth except (.n the
margins : ^pikcs of a straw-color, five to fourteen in
number, spreading, glumes awn-pointed. Found in
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, .Michigan, and Minne-
sota. Flowers in August.

Tiiio Sai/f Hkki) (;r.\.ss iSjHirtlna jjohjsfachya) has a
stout culm, from four to nine feet high ; broad leaves,
loughish underneath and on the margins; sp.ikcs twenty

lOOTHACIII.; (;i!ASS

MCSKfT

(Jl

to fifty

m imnihci- I'oiniii

I'l-^toi-. It is i

IS a (Iciisc

iow

'"""' <"' '^iilt iiiid lirackisl

''l<)ii,U'. juirplish

Ri

I'igli tide, especially soiitliuani
■SH Salt Ouass (%//•//

1 inarslies, |

le-

to two leet Iiij-li, stem slender I

ltd, jHiicni) n-,-„\vs 1

I'oni Olio

and

vory smooth. It it

loaves iianov.', lush-likt

sun

sea-heaclies, and 11

owers ill A

fly

SaltMaissh ('nx^^^^iSparlinusinrt

•ommon on salt marsh

iL's ami

iia-ust.

to throe foot hi-h, leafy (o the top, an.ri

'") ,q'ro\vs from 01

10

to four spikes. Gl

las irom two

niarshos. 1

"inos pointed, vory iine(|ual. Salt

oiiiisylvania, and South

Hou(;ir .Marsh G

HAss { Spartlitd (jhth

tlu' last, is found cotmnonlv on tl
Kno'land southward, witi

tl

1 stem and leav

>'''i), a variety of
10 seaoo{i.st from Xew

"in the preceding, and spikelets from fiv

OS rather lone

er

crowded

Smooth MAnsir G
variety of salt-marsi

three to live inches lonj>-. It 1
odor, and is comi

IIASS (SjKirtuia aJfcrniJI,
'i ft-i-ass, with spil

o to twelve,

'ora), another

kos more slender

las a sti

lion with the last.

''»",S and rancid

m

If ■

17. Ctkxhjm.

Olnmes persistent, low

'Jhofhiiclie (.

rl'd-SS.

below, with a stout
Flowers four to si.\.

01- one smaller, upper coi

leave

a|vn bent like a horn on the bad

neuti

a! hut OIK

St

rooTiiAcHi: Grass (6Vo//.^/M Ame
iree to four feet high, witI
onger glume warty and' awned. It

uueiis till

CO

tl

nam Km) ri

St

's !

1 a simple roughish st

roiii
cm ;

pine barrens of New J

value.

orsey, but is of no

is found in the wet

ao'i

•icult

lira I

Ices short, solit

18. Routkloua. Gramma G.

n'v, racemed

^pi

tu-o to three flowered', the terminal fl

amma Wdsn.

"'^s alternate,

ower imjierfect.

i

'•\i

iM

IP'

■W'li

I

I

I;

m

fe:

i

I

(ii'

Gh

MUSKIT. — BEARD GRASS.

lines two. keeled, the upper layer sliorter than tht

Ri

.achis

flowers. Stamens three, antliers orange or red.
exten(lin,t;' lieyond the spikelets.

MusKiT, .Mksquit, or Mezquite Grass {Bouteloun
oVuiosUichya), grows from six to twelve inches high,
leaves narrow, spikes one to five ; glumes and lower
fertile' palea slightly hairy, triple f .vned. Westward
Iowa and Miiniesota. '

Bristly Muskit {BonteJoua hirsuta) grows in tufts
from eight to twenty inches high; leaves fiat, lance-
like, hairy; lower glume rough, with stiff hairs from
dark warty glands : lower palea downy.

Hairy Muskit [Boutdoua curtipenduJa) grows in
tufts from perennial roots, one to three feet high ;
sheaths often hairy, leaves narrow, spikes thirty to
sixty ill number, ffowers rough; the sterile are reduced
to a single small awn, or to three awns shorter than the
fertile flower.

^fuskit or Mesquit grass is cultivated to considerable
extent in some parts of the South, as in Louisiana, and
has become a favorite grass in many sections. A'ery
satisfactory experiments with it have also been made
in Virginia.

10. (rVMNOPOGON.

Beard Graas.

Spikelets one-flowered, perfect, with a rudiment of
a second ; glumes awl-shaped, keeled, nearly ecpial ;
stamens three ; stigmas purple, pencil-shaped ; leaves
short, flat, and thick.

Xaked Beard Grass (Gipnnoim(pn raccmosus) grows
ill clusters, wiry, leafy, spikes flower-bearing to the
base ; glumes pointed about half the length of the awn
of the fertile flower. Common on the pine barrens of
New Jersey, and at the South.

1

BEKMUDA GRASS.—

K'JVI'TIAN r.R\

8S.

63

Shor'i

rr-LEAv,.;., Heahu Grass {G^mnuj^oyon hrcd/Uins)

'-'ger I>oat-s|,ape;i. Stan.e tCo 7veon n"'''' '"'''
iiiiils. luicc. Lieepiiiy pcrun-

~«ln,nos very no t Iv ^'f '^'^^ ^.?^''«^^'>'^ ^^'"^^0. ).
P'tles sinootli; stems .moo I. ] nil ^'''^ '

'"'•so, with fo,„. c, (,•-,' ^''^' ^''"''^"^^^ '-^t t'"^^

It grows aUundantly on fI,H W« .+ t j- t ,

in the «,„ti,o™ „,„, of e":^'"^ '^'r''^""''

e^teeme,! ,« a very valuable gral '' " '" " "

Reeled, the .,;;.. o„:tS^,^^^^

,...„. ^ ,, '^"^^' ^« this fi-enus, is found in euhi-

vated fields and
Stems diffuse, oftei

yard

s in V

creepmg at tlie ba

"•^'nia and southward.

se : spikes four

ill

M

■

'

64

CIlOl' (iRASS.

or five . lofivos hairy at tlic liasc. It is a trouhlo-

soinu aiiiiual weed, introduced IVoiii Kur()|ie. Found
also in illiiioi>.

'2'2. Klhi'sini;. Croj) CZ/vrs.s.

Spiki'lets two (o six IIdw ered, ()verla|»i»ing eaeli otlicr
in close spikes on one side of a llattisli racliis; spikes di<;-
itate, clustered: ^-iiuncs awnless jind pnintless; stamens
three; ])alea awnless and pdintle.--.

CROI' (JliASS. ClJAl! (Jl.'ASS, Wll!l-; ( i 1! ASS. ( 'l!OU'"S-l'OOT

[EiiNniiie linlica). — Stems ascending', llattened, liraneli-
ing' at theliase: s[)ikes two to live, greenish.

This is an annual, and flowers through the season,
growing from eight to liiteen inche.- high, and forming a
line green cari)eting in lawns and yards. It is indigo-
nous in Mississippi, Alahama, and adjoining states, and
serve> for hay, grazing, and tuining under as a fertilizer.
It grows there with such luxuriance, in many sections, as
never to require sowing, and yields a good croj) where
many of the more ntirthern grasses would fail.

'j;>. LKPTOfllT.OA.

Slender Grass.

i \

Spikelets three to many flowered, loosely spiked on
one side of a long, thread-like rachis : glumes mernhni-
naceous, keeled, sometimes awl-pointed : lower palea
three-nerved, and larger than the upper. Stamens two
or three.

roiNTKD Slkxdkh Grass {LeptocMoa inxcroiiata) is an
annual, growing from two to three leet high, and flow-
ering in August. Sheaths hairy : spikes from twenty
to forty, two to four inches long, in a long panicle-like
raceme ; glumes pointed, about e<pialling the three or
four awnless flowers. Found in fields from Virginia to
Illinois, and southward.

Clustkrinm; Si.i:xnF:R Grass (Leptochloa fascicularis).
— Spikelets seven to eleven floweied, longer than the

TALr, i(i;i»T(>i',

Go

glumes, sn.ootl, : l.av.-s Icno-,,. tlnn, tl.o hcM.t I.m.u-h-
ng .stem.s, uIm... a.v IVon. eight (u iir.e.u inel.es In,,,..
the upper .sheuth fbnning the Uise ul' the pauicle-lik;'
mcen.e; paleju Imiry, nia.-^ined towards the l.ase the
l-wor hav,„,u. „vo s„,all lateral teeth, and an awa at the
elett of the apex.

Pound in bniekish „ia,'shes on the coast fron, Rh.Ml..
Island southu-anl. and IVu.n Illh.ois sonthwa.'d on the
.Mississippi Hiver. Fhnvis ii, August.

-4. 'ridccsi'is.

Sjjikelots th,-ee to tuvlve i|owe,-cd: glumes unoqnal :

'■' I'isol he sp.ke I.eai-de.l I.elow each llouvr: lower

.alea much la.-ger than the upper; cnvex, huiry on the

-Hdv, tlnre-nerved, and three-pointed by the pi-ojection

ol the nerves; stamens tlnx-e : stigmas dark purple.

Tall HKmov [Trinisj.is .c^lerioUles) k a i.e,-e„nial
grow,ng t,-om thi'ee to five feet high, on drv and sandy
helds, {,-om New York to Illinois, and southward, flow-
enng „, August. It is a showy grass, with an upri.-ht
very smooth stem, smooth leaves, and large co„,poun(i
spreadnig j.anicle; spikelets very nnme,-ous : shining
pu.ple flowers. |,;,i,-y towa,-ds the base. It has some-
times been cut for hay, but is not considered of nnuh
value.

Hand Gha^^^ {Trioisp!, j,Hrj>Nrea) is also found on
<lry, sandy soils, along the coast, flowering in August
and September. It is acid to the taste, grows from six
inches to a foot high, i,, numerous stems! in a tuft from
the same root, and has nume,-ous bearded joints. Ex-
tends sonthward from Massachusetts to Virginia, and
still further down the coast.

HoRXEi) Hand (Irass (Tricuspis corHuta) is another
species found at the Soutii. Of no agricultural value
6*

I H

66

TWIN <1U.VS8.

25. DrpoNTiA.

.^pikulcts two to four flowered; p;Inmes uoarly oqual-
liii^tlui llowers, with ii cliistt'i' orioiii;- liairs at tlic Imse
oT each ll(jwer. I'aleie tliiii, lower one eiitir<'. |ioiiit-
less ; stamens three ; i)ereiiiiiiil. Mostly arctic {grasses.

Di?iH)XTi.v (JitASs {D>fp<)n/i(i, cooliz/i) is a tall grass,
with roiighish leaves; a large compouiifi paiiiclc!; very
iiiictiiial glumes; paleu nwnless. Pouinl in Michiuaii.
ill the hoi-ilcrs of a swamp in Washington, Mat'omh
county. 01 no agricultural value.

26. DrAURiiKXA.

Spikelets two to ten Ih)werci1, in an open panicle ;
Lilumes much shorter than the llowcrs, the lower much
snuillcr: lower palea egg-shapeil, convex on the liack,
three-iierved above, sharp-pointed ; stamens two. Grain
large.

Twix Grass {DiarrJictHt jtmen'raiKi) grows from one
and a hall' to three I'eet high, along the shaded banks
ol' rivers and woods, I'rora Ohio and Illinois southwards.
Fh)werin';- in Aue'ust.

27. Dactylts. Cock's-foot.

Spikelets several-flowered, crowded in clusters, one-
sided : panicle dense at the to]), hranching : glumes
two; herh.iceous. keelcMl: awn pointeil : stamens thr(>e :
seedoMong, iieiite, Tree. Named I'rom (fuchjhiN, a linger.

Okchau!) Grass. Hough Co( Ivs-i-oot (Davti/Us glom-
(■rata), flowers in dense clusters. Its stem is erect,
about three feet high. I have found specimens, in good
soil, over five feet high. Leaves linear, flat, dark-green,
rough on both surfaces, which, with the fancied resem-
blance of its clusters to the foot of a harn-yard fowl.
have given it the common name in England of rough

ORCHARD (JRASS.

67

fock's-l'oot. Hoot

•'illy. Not nil

port'iiiiiiil. Flowor

in .F

uiio Jiiit:

'•('iiiiiioii III fields ;u\(\ pastures. It is

sliowa in Fig. 37, and ii nm-iuliud spikdet in Fi.^ 38

fig. 38.

Fig. 37. Orchard Graaa

111

C8

OIUIIAIMI (JifASS. — ITS CCM'IVATIO.V.

This is one of the most vulnable and widely-kiiowii
of all the {)astiire ^Tasses. It is eoimnou to every
couiitry in Europe, to tlie north of Afriea, and to Asia,
as well as to America. Its eultnre was introduced into
England from Virginia, where it had been cultivated
some years previously, i„ 17(14. It forms one of the
most common grasses of English natural pastures, on
rich, deep, moist soils. It became, sot)n aiter its intro-
duction into England, an object of special agricultural
interest among cattle leeders, having been for. d to bo
exceedingly palatable to stock of allkinds. Its rapidity
of growth, the luxuriance of its aftermath, and its power
of enduring the cropping of cattle, commend it highlv
to the farmer's care, especially as a pasture grass.

As it l)lossoms earlier than Timothy, and about the time
of red clover, it makes an aduu"rabie nuxture with that
plant, to cut in the blossom and cure lor liitv. As a
pasture grass it should be fed close, lioth to prevent its
fornu'ng thick tufts and to jjrevent its running to seed,
when it loses a large proportion of its nutritive matter,
and becomes hard and wiry. All kinds of stock eat it
greedily when green.

Judge IJnel said of it, '■ 1 should i)refer it to almost
every other grass, and cows are \ery fond of it."'
Elsewhere he says: "The American Vock's-foot, or
Orchard Grass, is one of the most abiding grasses we
have. It is jjrobably better adapted tlian any other
grass to sow with clover and other seeds for permanent
pasture or for hay, as it i;-- lit to cut with clover, and
grows vemarkalily (]uick when cropped by cattle. Five
or six days' growth in summer .■ulliei^s to give a good
bite. Its good properties consist in its early and rajjid
growth, and its resistance of drouth ; but all agree that
it should be closely cropped. Sheep will pass over
every other gi„-s to feed upon it. If sulfered to grow

[..ng. without being cropped, it becomes coarse and
l-.sb. Colonel I'owell (a late eminent farnKM- of Pcm"^
^ Ivania), after growing it ten yea.-s, declares th^lt
p.oduces more pasturag-e thnn any other grass he has
-n n. An.enca On being fed very ck.:^ it has p ^
luced good j,asturo after reinaining five days at rest
..s.„ed to all arable soils. Two^nshels ^f .cecH^

Z H ^d^' " "'•" "r"' ^'^"'^ ^^'^^"^'' -• -''^- tins
quantity when sown w.th clover. The seed is very

I'.uht we.gnng- not n.ore than twelve or fourteen

I'-y.d.^to the bushel. It should be cut early for hay"

Jlr. .a.iders, a well-known practical fi.rme.- and cattle

^r^s and Jr? ""'"^'^^'1'"^ ^^ ''^^^^ ^^-'b^ -^ orchard
gas and red c over: n.deed, I now sow no other sort

o .^ ^>-seed. These grasses, mixed, make the best hay

ot all the grasses lor this climate (Kentucky). It is

nnt^ous, ami well adapted as ibodilr stock. Or^^^^^

g a.. . ready lor graxn.g in the spring ten or twelve

Us sooner than any other that affords a full bite

^ hen grazed down and the stock turned oin it will be"
rcadN^ foi re-g-razmg m less than half the tin.e re„uired
for Jventuckv blue o.,.ass Tt ^f.uvl ■ .. "^-<l»iit(i

lH>ff,M. +1, . ■ X, ^ ^t.uvU a severe drought

M^c. an any other grass, keeping green and growh.g
ie other sorts are dried up. In sumn.e. it wiH
. o more n. a day than blue grass will in a week

nsl^"T,^'"^•''■'''^'"^^^^^^^ .<. Ibrn. and .rou-

n /^"'^^^I'—^ive is a good preparation

;• e gronnd, ami a sulliciency of see.l nniformlv sown.

I.e late Judge Peters, of Pemisylvania, - who'was •
tl.e head of agricultural in.proven.ent in that st,^e io
many years, _ p,-eibrred it to all otlau- grasses "
,,, r 'll/''":;^ ''^ 'r ^ exhausting to the soil than rve
gas or Jnno hy It will endure considerable sluuie.
In a porous subsoil ,ts fibrous roots extend to a great

i

S '

70

KtELERIA KATOXIA,

depth. ItH hal.it of grov/th unfits it fur a lawn -ras.
Its seed woig-iis tu-elve pounds to the hushoK and to
sow alone, about twenty-four pounds to the acre are
required to make sure of a good crop. It should not
be sown alone except for tlie sake of raising the seed.
It IS worthy of a much more extended cultivation

among us

28. RcELKIJIA.

fepikelets crowded m a dense, spike-like panicle, three
to seven flowered. Glumes and lower palea compresse-
keeled; stamens three ; grain free. F^-^^b.,

CRESTKf) K(ELKHiA {Kwhna crlstata) is a perennial
grass from two to two and' a half feet high, and some-
what common on dry, gravelly places from Pennsvlvania
to Illinois and westward. Panicle narrowly spiked-
lower palea pointed; leaves flat, the lower ones some-
what hairy.

TiiUNCATEn KffiLERiA (Ko'Jen'a truncata) has a dense
and contracted panicle, with the spikelets crowded on
the short branches: upper glume truncate, obtuse
rough on the back. Perennial : growing from two to
three feet high, and flowering in June, on drv soils
irom Pennsylvania to Wisionsin, and southward."

29. Eatonia.

Glumes nearly equnl. l)ut dissimilar, and shorter than
the flowers : the lower one-nerved, keeled: the uni.er
three-nerved on ti,. back, not keeled. Lower palea
oblong, compressed, boat-shaped ; stamens three.

Pennsylvaman Eatoxia (Ealonia PeuNsi/hxtm'ca) is a
common grass in moist woods and meadows, in the
Eastern, Middle, and Western States : growing about
two n.et high, perenninl, and lioweriug in .I,me „n.l

JiATTLE.SXAK..; (;i;ass.

•lo is loij;^' aii.l
tint, and of a pale-gTeen color.

71

'Tulv ;ts puni,-le is lo.. and loose ; leaves short and

30. Melica.

Melic Grass,

31. Gi.YCEiirA,

Manna Grass.

'" '''"'S «■■"- i" g-H-'i-al uppoamnco. It .^^^

tl.ree feet l.fo! I ,^ ^ ^^'' ^'"^'^'^'S iVom tv.o to

i'i

t-rsf^it

li

il

MEAI)0,V SPKAR ,.H.,ss

smooth, as long: as tlio stum Tl,i,. ,■

found ocoasi„„all,- „„ n"LM^^""T"" ''"'''■

flowoivd; lower paloa ol.fn.. .>' , ' *'"''''^' ^^ ^<^"»'
"pper: stan.ens two s^ " ' " ' 'T''' ^''^"^ ^''-
ioMM- and rouo-h. Fi;, X '• ^^^""P^"'"'- 'eaves very

i'Oin Xew England rS " "'V'"'^'^ ^^"^' -^''^'^p'

ersi„june.i,i;^;;^^;;;;:;-';--ti'-rd^ Flo!:.

cultural value. P^'^'^^'^i'- Of no special agri-

Meadow Htear Grass X

cena ..rcata), \, the fowl n.ead

EHVED .AIaNXA Gr

ASS

^vliilo the P-i

"^v- of uvmy fiiriue

{Gh,.

{P0(l .SO'otilKl) ol

grass eomnionly called Ibwl n.eadow by

ot bastard fowl nu>adow. It

goes with them under tl

rs,

rs

othe
'0 name

oft
let
lil.

ons.x inches in length, with slender I

las a hroad, open pam'cle

■^niall

I-. r T'l*"' ""^''""S-, green ; 1.-,
'^^;;i ian a l.ttle rough: stem a littl

n-anchcf

spike-

to tl
It

whicl

iro" fi?et hial
is a nati\o A

leaves m tv/o row;
compressed, one

acco;

■ring and when tl

rding to ^';inclail

ue of

of' the lattermatl

otl

ler grasses. Jt

merican grass, the nutritive val

to sniclair, is equal at the time of tlow-

ieseedisnpe,whiletl

' is said to he

le nutritive matte

IS

ground, hut it is said al

I hardy gra

reater than that of

most

rows hest on moist

soil

Jt

nutritive q

IS a very valuable nati

so to succeed on lightish uv,l

UKl

ualities until tlie seed

ve grass, retainin- it^

"P large, fim-like shoots, whicl
tious. It
for wet •

is

ripe, and then sendhig

would be

a valuable

iiioist pastil n>s. (

' '^'"0 succulent and nutr
U'gredient in a nuxture
en in V'\^.

<i!lllUO!l. Jt is

S(

74

I'ALK M.\.V\A <;i{AS.S

39 While in Fi^. 40 a,v se.-n :ts root stalks. A um^nifird
spikelet IS shown in Fij^. 41. an.l the cuh x m Tiir. 42

Fif.'. 4:',. WiitirS|„'ai- ilniss. l?l" 44

The Pale Manxa f ,: vss {Gbjcerici pallida) To^; .
mosflv ,n shallow watt .ad is vmy common. P^,i.n.

^VATKi; S|.|;.\l; (;i;ass.

,.;)!

75

erect, with

i!tirv braiiclio:

fc\v, linear, ol.ioiii--, fi

' «i"-''-"lMis-, ro„^,i, . spikclets

<")lono-,minutolyy/r(-./c>(.///t'r/;l

K", nve to iiino tJowered : 1

o^vcr pulea

ui(l pale-green. Flowe

/leaves short, sliari)-pointecl

feet

'0I1O-, creeping at the I

I's in July. Cul

•ase

ms one to three

ti

Hie niaiiiia grass is of

"o value for cultivation,

'••"" ^'- place of its g,wth it co I l n ,' ''"'"'

to advantage, like n.anv otl^, " ' t'; [' '""^
worthless, for turnin... ;,: .... ^ '"' '''"'"'' *^'-« "ow

fe^'t i,i,w,, u.i,i, . p„„i„,",:.*: : '," '^ f "-■ ;»"•■ o.- five.

™r '"' ""■^"""■^ ' -'-» :^:.'o ' , i;f:."«'"v: '"'

the genus P„, to w,„': i." et;«J",:' "'■ "f -■>• "f
ofhoi-s. Its root :^ „ ":'<'"-noil by r.,i„„t,,„ ,

stout, «„,o„ I, ,oi,,. '*"■■"'""'' '•'■""I""- »tO,„ CM..,.,,

Kn^lanrl „„rl F,.„„,.e Z. ^r .'l *'""'' «*«>* '"

-"I. .fout J, r" o, ^'"r, •'•"■■''' or™„..ol„,..
Sro,nl,, it is sui.l toZn. '""r """"'"« '■'" '""

iiwKnilie,l i„ Kg, 44 "' I'" spikelet is seen

on,,isg.o,si,,'t,,;™!;r:^:---';^^;.-.

i'l

I if

76

l'l.«».\TIN(; mi; A DO

\V l.'J{AS."

li"! ■

It

pum.lc an,i Ion-, linoar spikdots. It jjtows IW„„ fiiteen

«-c-t,^„u„cl, »,„oatl, .,.,„, lo„v..s l.,g., ,,.tV.M,„°g;

rouf-'liish on hotli sides, lower
oiiesfldt, ii|)|H.roiu"s -enemlly
folded; spik, -lets f;.\v,|„„g and
linear, as shown in Fig-. 45
which represents the plant
n^ear the time of flowering.
Fig. 4G shows a magnified
spikolet of this grass. Flow-
er.s late in June.

It grows naturally in very
";<»ist and muddy places, in
ditches, on the margins of
ponds and slieams,and is very

eoiiimon, especially northward
and westward. It is cai)al)le
of cultivation as a perma-
nent moist pasture grass, and
its yield compares well with
niany of the other grass-
t's. Its seeds are greed-
ily sought by birds, and
in some parts of Ger-
many are said to l)e used
as a delicacy in soups
and gruels. It has some-
times been cultivated in
France and other i)art8
of Furope, along alluvial
bordei-s of streams and
tk-cs, and is found to
produce a sweet and
mitritious grass. 'J'he

^•47. Goose Gni

•■'i^'. 4S.

y well knuxvn
timt liu-g-o tracts of salt

7*

1%1

r4k

I fill

'""Will AM) VALTK () F

'JUOSK (ilJASf

iiiiusli arc iit',ii|\

iinc'ii. Soiiiotiiiios c'Joso cutt

carlv iiiiiiiiiii^'. \\ liilc the do

•■nts,M,i,ip:ii,,livrlvoiisy. kills It out, audi

the iiiarsli liccuin,.

of

iiiti' ill tho

w IS on the L'-nissMid wlifiiit

I'Olu timt rail

^valL'^, eitlitM- upon the .siiri

'itn-i'ii. Moiv oik'ii, liowever.ex

S(>

cess

l)roxiuiity of ponds which I

tec or 111 the soiU'roiu tl

le

lie

"'*. On all such tract

liive no outlet, causes harr

en-

lic \\li(i!( ; iici;

s ^^-oose grass springs up and dot.

ill sha

ICC with circular patches of"!

arc Vers- li

green, w

hieh

kc rii

gnorins on the iiuiuaii skin.

This v;dualile grass is seld.-m found ah

these barren t

ract^

111(1

)ne exce

iiid th

upon thciu it p'row

•t on

t

iin as seldom to he worth cuttiim-. O

•s so short

ore iif\cr see any goijse

other kinds, and

lie will there-
grass Iriy cvcept mixed with

When these tracts 1

•eiierally with blacl

i'ras-

i'rom any other

'egiii to iinproye, from d

ancc, and the goose

cause, other gni.sse

riiiiiini>- or

s make their a

grass grows much m

ippear-

and becomes yalnable. This will

ore vigorous.

continue to be the
eyeral years, until the roots of the other

case for

grasses have taken enti

th

r(^

possession of the soil, wl

le goose grass (b'sapj.ears almost enti- 1^

len

time, ready to aiij)ear
its intrusive competitor

mid Jjides it.-

The hay made from the HMxt

am \\iieiicyer irom
cease to exist.

any cause

grasses — among which black

nre of goose, and <.;|

ler

nates — is a most valuable fodder. Tl

grass generally predomi-

<o ^veighty that it takes but a small ,,..„.
tively, for a ton, and cattle eat it - h a I
avidity as oats, or any other graii;
more valuable than blacl

le goose gra,-s is
piaiMity, compiira-

iiiost as much
^11 ''t, no hay is

of;
of 1 1
Th

k grass wit., a lar;

■oose grass, when properly cured. 1'his is tl
'le experience of practical farmers aloiio- tl

c admixture

e curin

le resu
10 coast.

It

g process reipiires care and time; for yoose
grass IS as full of juice as possible, and

Ion

ger exposure than black

requires a much
grass, while a V(;iy little

t
i
c

C(
C(

S'

of

'in

ce

'''''^■''^"^^■'' 0. S.V,,, M.,s„Ks.

\\'<^t, wlioii if
I 'luck gm.ss.

79

P"ffi'illy fiii(>f|, 11,,.,,

t'li

'"y iiiJMi'UM the

W

(( 111;

tlie tlwt that i

^;'.M^oor(|,epro,H.,tH.s„r

Vtlo-o

•utti

" ■several instfi

;i>(j>t. o.|.

ISS

10 lia\e (lie.l of li

"•'t's wiiliin I

fr

UIIJ

"y ••\\ii kiioul-

It

■^l"'iig-, as is not uDl

""^ •; ''•<"" *'at„i^ it earl

•i-'SfinljJes in the si

n'(|||eiit]v til

'» its eiuster-likc
used foil

I'lpo . Its lea\

y 111

'■"••^•' with clever.
t^'S and somewhat

ihmIv to 1

P'-^v.h. that species of. .Hie .,,

'"-•'■-■. (»!■ more 1 1 rope live/.

'■"^\" 111 kitcl

ilcli

'II res.

"■" Pinh'iis, ejillcd

t-e almost pre iselv hke fl

S<H'(

•*talk

and

•ninioii
It

!aiitaii

•^pikelets and sreds of

seed

tlu

sold

Sr-^y^ l.nfh o,i hio.h and I

_om worth cnttinu. ,,„ ,|
itself and without the ad

ow niai <hes, hut
"^'" tracts where it

is

II

into oui

3Iost

proper to statt

ill tl

•iiixtiire (if oti

IS verv

I'OWs

have

; 111 tins coninetion, tl

K-'T ,aTasses.

'-onniade to introduce this vahmhl

imf)r()\ed hv (ht

"•'t meadow
'"pcriiu- sa

'■0()(

tiv

CIMI

><. and with
It-ma rsli ora.sse

b' wort hi

^, wliilc thtj I

os;s pfiiits found tl

HKu-er a

. that exjieri-
'o g-i-ass
I success,
arc li-reatlv

lid

after this operation, and
pecies. It may l)e safel

icie verv

<'<>iiipara-

:ive

place to moi

>oon die out

tl

th
if

y ass.rted that.

<' vahuihlt

on an aver

le value of the ni'irJ, i , -" "'i avera.i;e,

outl

Pioperly used, t

peaty matter taken from it

i^ sufiicient.

a\-

pay a considerahle ,)o,-tion ol' tl

le

Clustk
ceria lUstan

i^KO SPRARorI?KPrKXKn:\rEAr.owG
=o in salt niarsln . al

"^ tbund al

It ASS

:?!± Ita,,pe„. to he chiselv all

!lO

'"^tom
oft!

ing-.
ced

intr

ascend
)aniclc
3aves
'peeies

iig, destitute ot

iod to g-oo.se

Gl>,.
loiio- the

gra

ot runnino shoots : hrancl
^■e 11) a half whorl, and

ss.

tlirce to h'

fl'it. Jt is of lessval

les

sproad-
«e than tJie pre-

¥U

f

80

THK SI'KAl! <;i£ASSi;,S.

82. HUI/.OI'VIM M.

Sjii'kr. Gt'dns.

Larji'L' llowoi's and spikek'ts, coiniiri'ssiMl mihI ciiiwdcd
ill 11 dense spiked |)iiiiii'l('. lii-aves crowded on the
stems, folded, and mostly i'i;;id.

SriKi'; (JuAss {liri}.upiiri(iii sjn'cufinii) is a salt-niarsli
g'rass, with eiilms or stems in tnl'ts IVoni ereepiii;^' root-
stalks, IVom ton to eij^hteeii inches high. Flowers in
Au<;ust.

'■>'■>. I'oA. Sjx-df Grnsscs.

Spikolcts ovate, e(jm[)ressed, llowers two to ten in
an open panicle : glumes shorter than the llowers ;
lower palea compressed, keeled, pointless, live-nerved;
stamens two or three, seed oMong, t're(> : stems tutted;
leaves smooth, Hat, and soft.

A.VM'AL Si'KAi! (Ji.'Ass { P()(i iiimua), Fig. 1, is, per-
haps, the most common ol' all onr grasses. Its stems
are spreading, flattenetl, panicle often one-sided, spike-
lets crow<leil, three to seven llowered; lower paloa more
or less hairv on the nerves b(dow ; leaves of a liii'ht
green, sword-shaped. Hat, often vriiinplcd at tltc mnrijlnH,
as a|»pcai's in the figure, smooth on both surfaces, rough
at the e(|ges. Fiords not irc/thnf, and this distinguishes
it from the June grass {Pixi prate i(.sis) and its varieties.
The outei' or lower palea of this grass has no hairs on
the lateral rihs. as the^>o^/ jirdtvii.siii has. This modest
and heantifiil grass flowers throughout the whole sum-
mer, and foiiiis a very large part of the sward of New
England pastures, pi'odueing an early and sweet feed,
exceedingly relished hy cattle. It does not resist the
drought very well, but becomes [)arched up.

The Wavv Mkadow CtRass {Pfxi hixa) occurs rarely,
on high and rocky hills in \ew England, N 'v York,
and northern latitudes. Of no agricultural value.

I'')\V[, mi; A Dow (;i!A«

81

SllOIiT-LKAVKI) Sl'KAI! (

JitAss (P,Hi hnr!/„i;,,) is H,,,,,,]

"i n.rky MU.I liilly u'.HMllaM.ls of the Mi.MIe ,,,1.1 Soi.tl

crii

itat

ii^" iipl'fi' li'iivoH very sliort, tl

leaves l(.ri^', nrarly e(|ii!illiiiM- the st

le r(H»t-

eiii.

S()iTiii;i;.\ Si'KAif (U\\

the (liy wouds of \'

em States. I'aiiirh' verv (

ss ( l>o<i llcxn

"XII) is i'oiiiul ill

ii'^iiiia, Kentiicl<\-, and uti

ler >uiitl

lower |)alea |iroiiiiiicii
Hgrieultural vuhie.

I ill I

ise, leaves ta

pt'l- |)01lit(

tly iierveil ; i-teni slender. Of

no

Vooo .sp„:,„ (;h,s.s ,y>o. nl.ulrs) is ionnd in woods
and lidl-8ides ln„u New Kn^lan.l to W.seonsin. Leaves
mn-ow, a.-ute, the ni.per often sheutliin- the hase of
the pan.eie, the hairy l.ranrh.s of whirl, are geuerally
in threes and fours. *^

Weak Mkahow O.^ass (Poa r/.A///.), another speeies
U) rocky woodlands. Iron, N,.;v Knoland to Wisronsin
Flowers n, May. Pani<de small, its braneh..s slen.ier in
pairs and tlireoH, Stem weak. '

Sylvan Spkar (Jhass ^Poa .yhr.stris) has an erect
flat stem, a short pyramidal paniele, with branches, in
.yes ,M- .nor... Fo„„d in rorky woo.js and meadows in
Oliio, Uiseofisin, and the South.

Fowi^Mkapow, Falsi.: REnTOP(Por,,s<>ro//wO.-Fip- 49

Spdcelets two to four, sometimes five flowered; h-p-ules

oval spear-shape.l ; flowers o,.een, often tinged with

pnrple; roots slightly creeping: wet meadows and

Inmks of streams, very conm.on. Flowers in Julv and

August. In long-contin.(ed luoist weather the lower

.lonits send up flowering stems. The panicle is erect

and spreadn.g when ir. flower, but more contracted ami

drooping wli,M, ripe. Indigenous to many parts of this

country, and also a native of Europe. Its snikeh't is

seen magnifie<l in Fig. 50; its flower, in Fia- r,l • its

germ, III Fig. o:>, and its seed in Fi-'. ')'A.

• i%.

II

82

FOWL MEADOW.

t%'- Ti >.. Fiir. r,:i

V\l'. 40. [■:.»■] Ai,.iu1"u-

<ii;o\vT(i OF rouL

ME.vnow

It early

83

(l<ii..ui, i„ IV„„svlvai,i., Iv 'i •"'■'"■ "«J'» grass
""fkKM- ,„„1 ,„„„, ! "• «""«'"""■■« culled

I'i.^cat„<,„., I,' One ;:r, ' '""' '■" " ■^"■""'1' 'n

'■-I. I therofo : ; 1, i ;!,:;,""' "";?■ "■"" ™'--

'■.vti,ea,„„u,i ii,,o, ";;;,' , """'""-" if»rtib,,i

Of tho«o .„■„ s.Ht»',,: ''"'■'-' ^"'T''''P-«"c 8m»».
'n..chthek.,st: i, X I .fl'T^ '"'''''' ^''"^-^ ■'«

w.ii i,c ,„,„o fi, ii„. ,„.,.,,;„„. i„ *;',;;"' '™"<'"i"=ii(iy

<"»■ lioisus: i,e»i,l„. it ,' , ' •" "'"''"T "itli

•''''''■•■"''-■'■"rtoKnKfci w^^;',*^T ■'"I'T'' '"" '" "'■""■

l'""l- Tin's g,,,s8 Ins ■„„ I ''« """'"'l "i low, „K.I»t

l"0|«r season. Si.ear tn-,s. ,. ' "" '" "'»

grass, if it s,an,,s too L^^ w "rrtlf',"'""' '-"«"'''
*-;•: if this ontstand *', if "'' '?";■';"'"" '■"'
till fliore comes „„ •, «„„„ j ' •"" '" I'"' if sland

time from July to October It T\^' 'T"''^ '^"'^'
f ' '"y. viewing some of h attentivelv "fl T^l't''"^'
<ouMrl the reason of it. When it ' ? ' '''"''"

^oet hiuh. it then fnll, in. . , ^'''"'" ''^^^"^ ^'"''^^e
• tm n tolls uown, but doth not rot hke other

:ii

84

WOOD MEADOW GKASS

<=rass u'hen lodged; i„ a little time alter it is thus fhllen
<lown,nt every joint if puts forth a new branch. Xow to
-.na.nth.svoun,,,roodors

^md lit lor moNvin^' all this Jong period " ^ fe'^^"

It .rows ahundantly in ahnost every part of X.u-
England, espenally where it has been introduced and
cultivated n. suitalie o,ound, sueh as the borders
rivers and intervals oceasioiuilly overllowed. It will
not endure to be long- covered with w.vter, esi,ecialh- in
warm weather. It is well to let a piece J to s e
^^ve the seed, and seatter it over low hunk It m I es
an excellent grass for oxen, cow.s, and sheep b t s
thought to be rather fine lor horsjs. Jt ,k.Iu- g^
.^o coarse or hard but that the stalk is sweet and t^^.der
and eaten without waste. It is easily made u.,o hav'
and IS a mnritive and valuable grass. Owin- to iu
constantly sending forth flowering stems, the grass of
the lattermath contains more nutritive matter than the
firs c,.op at the time of flowering: hence the names

■^. ' r; •^•""^'r'' ^^''•^'■'^' ""^' '^^^ lowering meadow
M.. -^. It thrives best when mixed with other grasses
and <leserves a place in all mixtures lor ricl^ moist

Woon Me.joow GR.VSS (Poa vnnoraUs) grows from
e.phteen niches to two feet high; has a perennial
croepmg root, an erect stem, slender and smooth • the'
upper sheath no longer than its leaf, with a verv short
h^h, the base of the lloret having a silky web sus-
pending the calyx : leaves light-green. Fi. ->4 It is
common -. moist, shady places, and appeait as" a tall
rank gras.s w,th a long, finely-arehed panicle. It'
flowers ,n June, and ripens its seed in .July A inao-nf-
hed flower is s(>en in Fig. r)5. ^

.1

SI

lUm

""'■'^" ■^•■Af.KKI. MKAUn

w <;i;.\.s,s.

85

I Aiwul.iw Onus.

Thoii-h it lias n.ivor
to my knowlclu-e, 1,^.,.,,'
culf.vafcrl in thiscountrv,
It Jii)i)("ar.s to /no wurtliy
ofattciitionf;,,. moist soils.
■It is certain'yto bo classed
fimong tho g'ood-shad.Ml
pasture -rassos, funiisl,.
ing a Ihw, succulent, and
very in.fritivo Iiorbaft-e,

^vliiclKMttlo are very fond
of.

T[i|.; Korcif-STALKKf)

Meadow (hi.Kss (Poa iri-
'■•>"f>'s), tlio„o.h not so
'•omnion as the J„„o
,U-l;iss {P,uf i>m(etm8), is
^fill oft. Ml met with, and
'■■^ 'i'Hiid to have wehhed
iJoi-ets; outer paloa five-
nl)l.cfl, margWual ribs not
''^i"-y, lig-iile Jong and
pointed, ste.ps two to
tlireo i'v,^i hio-h. i)|,^.

tiiiguished from June
grassbyhjiviiigrou<;li
slieaths, while in th,.
'•'^f<'i' the sheaths

'•'•^'•-iiU)oth,theJiguIe
•'|>tuso, and the niar-
M'lial ribs of outer
l'"l<''' furnished Mn'th
■'■^''•^- It differs from

^.Iso in several other respects. ■ Thr^uT
s" '™ ""'" " '''"■'""' i""t, flwtof the

^

i

'ill

86

]?(»r(; H-STAl.KKI) Mi; A DOW (MJASS

. . 'H

June grass is creopino-. It flourislios in moist meadows,
where it flowers in Jul v. Introduced.

FiR. Of). Uon^li-^l.riKMl Mm'Iow Qi-ass. Via 57.

If

^..,_,

)\VS,

I i

KKXTUCKV ULLK (;i;.v,SS. g?

Tins ^niss is seen ii. Ffg. 5(1, u-l,il,. Fig. 57 n.,>,vsont^
H flower so.uowl.at iimguilied. " I'x^.onts

It is a valuable grass to cultivate iu moist, sheltored
-..!>, l.ossess,ng ve,y eonsideraMe nutritive mnHt c^^
-.ningo perfection at a desirable time.. ndW

jSf ::&;:; ;;:;;;;::t..S:r;t

gi'ibs IS said to lose about seventv ner Ponf <• '

Grass Iv,«Ti,cKv B,.,,. 0„.,ss, Ac, (7%, ,„.„,.„, '
L wer florek conue.ted at tl,e I„.so l,v •, «,.| ~

^ 3-/«"-'*^ '■ "',«■ <i.o ™iv.x , , ' ■'::•

nl; ed ,„u,.8 „„1 ,.il,s l,ai,,-; ..ppo,- ,.l,„a.l, 1 Z^ 1 , ,'
> eaf; l,c,gl„, ,ro,u ,..„ ,„ flftoon i„d,o. : n,.,r,,.

".c^.u, fla , acute, ,-„„j;l,i,i, „„ tl.o clgos a,„l i,„„.,. . '
» « j r«..M,.lo ,lim,»„, s|„v„,li,„, ere..,' Tl„. , , ;; J

" '"' ''""■'"■^'' r'"Tl«- liin™l,„.,.l, a,.,l ,„.;,l,al,|v ^ "'
™""^J" ^ « !-"» of ti.o .■o„n„.,v. FKnve,. in ! ! :"

utr '■"'"■""'■'"' "' «'■""' ""'' ^' '"• «" " """•'■>■ ">=..';

Tliia i, a„ oarly gi-„,s, very <•„„„„„„ i„ tlie .oil, of
-Now Kn,lan,I a,„I tia; Wo.,, iu ,..,„,.. and . old „ .
^'■tnnng a c„nH,ie,-„i,Io portion „!' ,|,o turf It v, i
veOM™cl, ,n »i^

"n "I... I, ,1 g,ow,. I„ Kontaoky it i« nnivo,-.allv

'.T^

88

COMAIOX SPKA,; ,;,.,vss.

Fit'. M.

ISLLl

8*

"""^\^'n. OF juxK ,;uAss 89

Eastern States, Hs .hu\o(ivi<- Ff i

recent •nwl ,-->i; i- • '"'''''^''^^^ "t"''*"-.!!!,- to the

n. cut .ml lelmhie mvesti-iitions of IVof W-.v j

sevonu other species. Alter hoin- en .,„? ' ?

'••>n.l.-stallced nunulo;;';.:: ;,,, ::. ''I^^'''-- '^^
^vl'other it ,!eserves to be r, c ' ^I'^^'^tioi.c.]

pasture .-rasses '' '^"^""' ""'^"^^^' ^''^' '^"P^nor

It produces l)ut<.ncilou-eri„o. .tcm in-, v i •,

stalks an.l r„ t.Cd ^l'" '*;''V'' ^''"" '■'' ''<'^^'-^

account it .sr::;;.:;!^^:;^-^^

ibrnn-ty is desired. Tl.o vol ^'^'^^^j^^^^ronuu

;-p:u..,.iH. other .Li :;;:'i;:t

lt^nnvswollinratheradr;so r '"^ " "'•

-"•'^y of soils, i,.o,„ „„ dr t t.. I t " °" '

.i;:.n. ;;:,;,r;'iL:.:"'"""""' ^"""■""•■" "-'■""" "-';,,,

00

I'l.'ACTlCAL OI'l.N IO\s,

become well set. an.l it does not arrive at its perfeetion
as a pastur,. ^-rass till the swan! is ,.Mer thai, that : and
"•'"•<' >t -OH.tsuit.d to alternate husi.andrv, or wlu-re
fl'" '=""i 's to rrniaiu in ,^Tass only two or three years,
fiiiU then he ploughed up. "

In Kentucky, the best Line g-rass is found in partiallv
sl.aded pastures. A w.lMcnown li.nner of that state
'" a eounuunieation to the- O/n'o Fanun; savs • Mn'
our .•!, mate and soil, it is not only the u.ost heautiful
ot .grasses, Init the nn.st valuable of crops. It is t'i.e
first .lee,du,.us i.lant which puts forth its leaves here •
npt'iis Its seed about the tenth of June, and then'
reman.s green, if the sunuuer is favorable in moisture
dunn.- the sunnner n.onths, growinn. slowlv till about
the last of August, when it takes a s.-cond vigorous
|Xro^vth, until the- ground is frozen bv winter's eold
11 the sunnner is dry, it dries up utterly, and will hurn"
It .ot on lire: but even then, if the sprinu^ growth has
'"■'■"_ l<"tt upon .he g,o.,nd. is very nutritious to all
grazmg stock, an.l espc..ially to sheep and cuttle, and
all ruminatn.g animals. Whc-n lefUo have all its fiiH
^•■owth, It makes iine winter pasture for all kinds of
^:n..n,g annnals. CattK. will not seek it through the
snow, l,nt sheep, uu.les, and horses, will paw off the
s.iew an.l get ].lenty without any other foo.l. When
covere.l with snow, cattle re,p,iiv s.,n,e other ll-edino-
otherwise they do well all winter upon it. '

'-'It makes also the best of hay. 1 have used it for
that tor twenty years. It shoul.l bo cut just as the
seeds bern, to rip.M,. be well sprea.l, and ,.rotecte.l
from the .lew at night l)y win.lr.iwing or cockin- • the
.soj.on.l evenn.g staeke.l. with salt, or sheltered with
•salt also. W hen properly c.nv.l, stock seem ureatlv to
prefer ,t to all other hay. I w.nd.l not recommend it
tor meadow, especially, howevc. because the viel.l is

WINTER PASTURKS.

91

lianlly equal to Timotl.y m.uI clov.r, and because it is
niDio flifli'-ult to cut and mre."

'Hio sa.ne writer say.: -^ Any ti.ne in the winter,
.cu the snow ,s on the .round, sow hroadeust Iron.
i<...e to four quarts of eh^an seed to the a<-re. With
the sprui^. the seeds .^ernunate, and are verv tine in the'
sprouts, and deheate. No stock should he'alhnve.l tor
he fu-st year nor tu.til the grass see.ls in dune, lor th.
in>t tnue ,n he secoud year. The best plan is to turn
on yo..r stock when the seed ripens in dune. (;,,..,>
oi the grass, then alhnv the fldlg^^^^^^
vv mtu , takn.g eare never to fbed the grass closely at

Another vuummt cattle breeder, speaking of thi.
grass, says, MVhoever has lin,estone land has blue
K.a_ss; ^vhoever has blue grass has the basis of all
agncultural prosperity ; and that man, if he have not
H' f|nest horses cattle, and sheep, has no one to blan.e
u hnuself. Others, n, other circun.stances, n.av do
\\ Ul. He can hardly avoid doing well, if ho will trv "

By reference to a table on a subsequent pagccouniin-

mg the results of the rece.it investigations of J>rof

U ay, the cTistUiguishe.! chemist of the Koyal Agricultural

^oe,e,y of England, will be seen the relative value of

t MS grass when gree.,, as com,,ared with Tiuiothv, tor

UKstan,,, as shown in the nutritive and flesh-foruung

and especially .n the fatdbrming prineii>les, which con

duueso largely to the development and support ot

l.e whole annual systeu,. The reader is referred to ti..t

tal.Io,and to another follouM.g it, cont= uiug analyses

ot these plants when dried and freed fron. wa'er.and to

the explanatory remarks on the nutritive princiol,. of

plants, which precede those tables.

Bluk Grass, or Wirk (iuvs. (Poa co,uj>ns,rn. -
Stems asccKlmg, llattcned. the npi . :nost joint near

Ul

I-

:ii'

IJ/.II-:

<;i.'Ass.

fl"' iiuMdlo; J

iinl

fuiitructod

(^aves sliorf, I, In, 'si

i-;;'r('cii

I'fiiiclius ol'feii ill ]

, t'XJIlUKllllo. „„„.,. ,^^ ^j

paiuclo (leu

(iwerijii

'•;^-^'i'"l, ilat s,,ik,,K.t

'•'"■S iv.veiv.l with r,,„,- (

';"0-'H-l,m-,.nt(,ek,M.|: li^ulo s|

">\<'rs rathor ol.t

Use

.so
; slioi't
() iiiiic
liiieai-,

'"'"lit Jl lout. It is

^oils and haiilcs. so hard
soils covei-iiiu' th

y lis to i;r

'•"•f ••'iid himit; hri-ht

oil dr\-

» -^fiiidy, (hill

"!• .WiVLdlv knoll

^•flio .^'irliice of rocks, al

"^^' <"' tlic thin, hard

oii^' trod.!,.,, \valk.<

iWuo "ra.-

ifs loliai

hcjots its Icav

;<-' i>i iKjt Ian

)tl

•'■-^ v;u-\y, liiif tl

;i'assu

■IIK'O It

most vahiahlc j
^•i-'iit. of nntrit
■'■•'^'"^ Mnimals oat it i^roodil,

^i . oriieruiso ir Would I

^^ amount of

'^'<)iio of our

• OS

i\'(-' mat tor.

V\

•-^essos a lar;

OWcr:

III

'lll\-

(luce

a \('r\' n

CDW:

I'll Hill

'-'•"I"'''m1Iv rolishod
'■'•'="'" thoir color r-tf
ill drying' than v~

ibodino- on it
'"" 'mo-llav.u'od I.uttor, and
■ ;'''^^^'l'- its lilnish-,
'J'e sood is ri],e. It

makes a li

'■•; (>nior

;'ra.-

por

Most

pro-
it is
;'i'«'('ii stems
■■'^lii'iiiks less

ay verv m

and

>■- --ni o.xeoodiiiuly valuabl

y "1 proportion to its I

''('iisei|uentlv

*iil

KllOilS.

and should for

t' pasture o.|..„

t

soil

Tl

bl

lis

liould

m a j)orti(ni o{'

^'" 'li'y, r(,ekv

not

!i mixture for

uo grass, alliid,Ml t

(' ahovo.

'"^' <'«>ufnui,d(.,i with Kent

>llcli

lie

ky

u. \,

''^pikelets two t

i;.\(;k()stis

iK-'i-vod. not I

o seventx- How

nMiiaiiiiiio. ,)„ ^1

lairy at the I

<.-\\'i\

"'■^t-', lilvo Poa, {\

wor pale tliree-

W

^^''y^'V:^ have lid

'<^ entire raehis alter tl

II' upper

Ion o/J

is often found on th

^teins often I

'e I't'st of th(

>i'aiiehiiii

'HASS {E,

(';/rosfif

En<;'land to the We-

fift

It

avelly hanks of

'•<'j'tf(u.s),FU':.(ii)^

een iiielie,-

tern States. It

nvers, li

0111 \

o\v

ii«ii, 1

Ki'ows fr

s annual, and 11

om SIX to

IS a delicate and beautiful

awl-shaped le

IV

uwers in A
^'I's'^'s, Avith short

es, ^-mooth.Iono-spikelets I

"g'llst.
nearly

oose sheaths.

^M'd.v IiMiry on tl,,. ,nar-ii, • imnVl,.. (V .

"h-Ih-s |o„„. If, ,,..„• -'"• I''"". 1.'. Ii,„„ono to tAvo

Het'ii 111 FiP-. <;o lt< <,ui. I . ■. '"*"-"''i"v iiic

,,..1 • It "■"■^P''^^''"''^ infi;:iiili..,|. i„ Ki,,. /;, .

;,. ''^- "-' 'f'^ stjiliiciis 111 |.' ,,. /••; .1 .

i*'''^. 'Ji, wliile u amniiilied suriiico oT;-

i'J Fiu'. Go.

't't is show

f'l'K. 01.

''-|.-i.Hv „ , , , : ■ ";'■'"'■"*■'.'"" i'^ <«m„l ,„o,.e

(III

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

m III 2.8

m

■■" IIIIM

■' m

1 m

I.I

1.25

1.4

M
1.6

^i

<^

/}.

'cM

A

c^.

^"a

c^l

(?

.y

y

>^

ll- _x_

T

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

15S

4^

iV

\\

%

V

«^:.

%^

6^

04

!U

MEADOW I'OMH (JKASS.

ix\mnv.:uu\ lower pale obtuse; on .sand v and gravelly
waste ,, lares, fVon, New En.dand to Illinois, an,l south-
ward. It IS from SIX to twelve inelie.s high.

SFioin-sTAi.KKn Mkai.ow (i:ro,,rosfl, Frankii), a grass
iound ^n low sandy greund in Ohio, Illinois, and sc.uth-
westward: has a dense .spreading paniele : .spike-lets
Iron, two to five llowered, on slender pedieels; glumes
acute : lower pale egg-shaped, acute. (J rows irom three
to eight inches higli.

SouTffKHX Ki{A,i,;osTi,s {Frm/rostis PursMl) grows
with a lengthened panicle, widely sprea(h-no- and very
loose: on sandy and sterile land.s, from New Jer.sey to
\ irginia, and southward. 8pikelets shorter than their
hany pedieels , glumes and lower pale acute. Flowers
111 August.

BRANtiiixo .^PKAi! Okass (Frm/rostis ieUHls) is
another species, round li-oni Illinois to Virginia, and at
the .-<outh, (»n soils similar to the last, with a paniele
Irom one to two teet long, and very loose. Glumes
awl-shaped, very acute : lower i)alc three-nerved: leaves
irom one to two teet long. Flowers from August to
October.

nAiiM.AXi('Li.n Meadow (Jkass [Era, frost is i'ajdllarls),
with Its expanding, loose, and delicate panicle, from one
to two ieet long, is Ibimd in sandy, waste places, and
very common southward. Spikelets small, two to four
flowc.red.^ aiHl greenish or purplish; leaves and sheaths
hairy. Flowers in August and Septemlier.

Meadow Comh (Ui.K&^.{Era,irosti.s povtlmwen) is found
also trom New England so.ithwar.l, nea- the coast, and
Ircin ^Fichigan and Illinois southward. I'anicle widely
dill'use; spikelets flat, h've to hfteen flowered, purple";
glumes and flowers acutish : lower pale three-nerved:
leaves rigid, long, and hairy.

Qr.\KI.\(; (ii.'Ass.

95

A variety uftl.is sjKvit.s, tl.e Enu/wsUs spedabiUs h
lound also .,n si.nih.r soils and situations. '

!■''(-'■ till. QiMkiii- (Jra:

V\K. (i7.

in
! 1

if

PI

1i

!■; ■■

1 ;

I

!

1)1

1

1)G

THE KKSCUIO CUASSE

.■5"j. I>(MZA.

QiutkliKj Grass.

f^lnmcs n.uiulisli, t,i,tM|,ml. ui' „ ,,„r|.l,. ,•,.!. .r. S,,ik..-
I»'t> >i,ai,y-fl(.wc.nMl. Ii^art sInqK.l : Inwrr pal,. rnninhM,
aiHl .■iitiiv: upinTsniall..,-, e-o-slM,K.,|. Hal: leaves Hat
.stamens tliroo.

<.>IAKIX(; CxijAss iJJrka ma/ia) is soniotinies mef witii
''' 'Ih- pastuivs of Massacl.usrtts and in Pennsylvania.
■ lanicle erect, with vry slender, spn.ulin- In'anelies
aii.l laro-e. puri)lisli. tremnloiis spikelets, from live to'
lime /lowered; inner glume finely frin-ed, entire at the
end. Jt IS shown in Ffo-. (5(1. h, F^. (jy is shown :i
iiia-iiihed spik-flet.

It is u very I.eautifrd, lio.ht, slender -niss. al.out a
lo"t high, p,.remiial. Flowering in June and July.
Jiiere is an annual, the [.ar(;|.: Qiaki.v; (Jrass ( //yZ-'a
ma.nn>a), svith large, many-lh.wered spikes, cultivated
HI gardens for ornament, and gathered for vases as an
interesting- curiosity.

36. Fkstuca.

Fescue (rrasm-s.

Ilie characters ol this gviius are ohioiig spikelets,
somewhat compressed, fr.un three to main flowered •
tu-o very uncMnal glumes, pointed : paleie Voundi.sh on
lie hack: irom three to five nerved; awn iH.inted or
l-nste-shaped: stamens three; flowers harsh, often
pnipiish; panicle nearly erect: leaves narrow, rigid of

a gi \-isli green

Small Fkscuk (Jiiass (F,'.,t„r„ fniella). — The small
escuo has a spikedike panicle. s(.m.>what one-sided
tn-m seven to nine llowere.l: awn of the awl-shaped
palea slend.'r : leaves bristle-forme.l : stem slender .ix
to twelve inches high. It flonrisli,.s on drv and sterile
soils, and IS common from New Knglan.l to Illinois and
Wisconsin. Flowers in Julv.

SIIKKp-w FKSCUK.

97

SUKKI'S FksccK {Frstxn, nrlnn) Vv^- Cs i I

"^"^ -I"...!*:. ,. ,:«!,;:■ ;:r^..t;::;

ic;i\c

FiK. OS. Shoe,,'. Fcs<Mir.
1>

;^''^'< "'"M''<1 with re.hitsspik,..
'•■f^ '^v.. to six iJowere.l: awn
;''fi'" iiL'arly WMMfiui,, ItslK.uvr
>^ sliown iim-nincd in Fio-. (;.,.
. ff .^-i-on-s fVnin six ti, t,'ii

""•'"'•^l"',^lKi.i.l,>ns...|,erenni.l-

;'^'^'f'''J tuCrs. Innnino- an ex,v|-

;-'"' I'^^I'iraov ior shoe,,. If

<'^vo'-s in .]„„,. ;,n,| .lulv. in

IK' dry pastures ..f \„u. 'k,,,,,

'■""'• ^^vst^va^l t., Lake Snp'e-

iioi', ami northward.

IfAiM. Fks,-,:k(;,.,ss(/V.v^.,,„
r^'07./.sW., is also HhuhI tu
■^<""^' ext.Mit. thuu,.;!, net s.,
^■^'".""'"'Iv as till" small fescu...
^f '> I'v st.iuo regarded as a

V''''H'ty „f tho slHM.p's H.s,.„o,

taller, and with a panicle nioro
oiH'n. leaves ilat. and spikelets
<"nr to ei.uht flowered. Itgnnvs
I'foin one to two Ibet hird,
Flmv.Ms in Jnne, in pasturoj
and wastes grounds.

The ni:i) Fks-
CUPJ {Fe.stt(C(t ni-
hra), \)\ some re-
g-arded us only a
variety of the
prereding, js ^ne
<d' tlie lai-gest of

I !

jilli

FiK. 6a,

I tstni

M •'

OS

i;i:i) I'KscuK (jRAss.

l-f

tl.o varirtics of fescue. Its leaves are I.roadish, flat •
root extensively ereei.in.cr. a.M tlin)win- out lutcral

Fig. 70. Red Fescue.

Fig. 71. Fig. 72. McMiInvv R.-^.M.,..

flat :
itoral

yn:.\}u)\v FKscr,.;

99

shoots. Foniul in drv ,.., ,

-".ly soils. Itisaii^ Vr "^■'^'- ^'''^ «oa-l.oro, ia

'''■^'-oti.o.sp:i:/^^;^^ -*^-4nuiitvth.aso;.;:

'•ough on the e,|o,, . , ,7'? '^^^ ^7^^^"' Pointed, st.-.Hted

'>\ ^-^ot loaves a.^e hroad ^l' 'T"""'- ^^'^ '-'^^lical

!^ ^•'^ne..ally na,•,.o^ver l.ur^ 'V't-? '^'' '"'^^''^^^^ '^'^^^
!" •''"^'^' "»^1 July in lit "; *''' ''^*^^'^'- f^Jo^vers
''ouses. ^' "^ '"°^^t pastures and nea.- farm-

'his is an excellent int
;:onside.-al,le portion of thV turf of '\^i '''"'"«' ^^ '''^'y
f^'Ms, and is n.ore extensivoK °^'' ^'^•^^"''^■^ ^»"^1

^- ^'- fact that it Hpe " i^ '"Tf^'"' "^^^ '^'^^'-^
^f -^es are cut, and si v^ f ;;T"' '''''''' "^-^ other
^''^^ 8'-on..d. Its lono/atl ' V" i^'"""^' "^ ""^' ^^^'^^^
'^^-J by cattle. U^: ' 1;:"'"' '«-'- --0 much rel-

— "^n-, notwithstanding, it. ' "' /'''^/ T'' "' ^'"'s
^•'»''"' as a pasture o,,,.^ Tf^ -^ * '^"'' ^^clcnoudedo-ed
- -•^^"••0 with o^her g.ras':r? '"' f' '' ^^'-"^^' ^e
f;'-a-. or conunon spear p ' f "t"'^ ^'-^^^^^ O'o

; ''^ of ,-reater value at tin. tLo tfT '-^ '° ^"'"^'^'-^''^
tlio seed is ripe. If i, .„•. '"' of flou-onng- than when

-t. of its .ii,,t in:^,;;';;;:!::;^'^^''^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^-^^

i!
i 1 [

■ (

I! II

I

m

ill

lif ipiii

100

TALL 1' ESC UK.

i . I

I U

111 iulditinii t(. its ipialitios iis a pasttirc gTass, it is
said to luakc a wvy ou,„l (quality of !i„y, nmcli vdisliod

I'.v cattle, 'li,,. iJandiill uTi.ss
is liiglily spoken (.f I'or lal]
and winter j)asturi's in the
fliniale of Vii-uinia. and, as it
oilen remains green nudcr
the snow tlii'onnJi the winter,
it is not unl're(inently called
" Evergreen grass."

Tlie ^J\mj. Fkscik Grass

{Fv.stuni (/(i/t'ur) is also iound
pretty coininonly in moist
meadows and around larni-
liouses. Its panicle is con-
tracted, ei-ect, or .somewliat
drooping, with shortbranclies,
spieading in all directions ;
spikcdetfi crowded, witiitive to
ten llowers, rather remote, ob-
long, lanceolate : leaves tlat-
tisli, linear, acute: stems two
to four feet liigh; root perenni-
al, iii irons, sonunvhatci'ceninu,
and Ibrming large tuits. Fig.
74 sliows this plant
at the time of flower-
ing, and Fig. 75 a
magnified spikelet of
the same. Flowers in
June and .Inly. Intro
duced from Europe.
Tt is a nutritive
Fig. 74. Tall K.sciu' (iiass. I'ifi. 75. .aiid pi'oductivc gras.s,

^'•^.'■ 76. .*1,.,„1,,,. < M ' I

'li2Cr>5

U'esrward.

PROVINCIAL LIBRARY
VICTORIA. B. C.

m

i < ' i

I

102

TiiK iiito.MK (;hass).;s.

.»(.

HlfOMU.S.

liroiiic (r>'iissi\s.

Spikelets from five to iiiuny flowcrcil, |Miiic|i..I:
gluiiios not (jiiitu e(iiiiil,.>^lu)rti'r t"liiin tin- lli.wers, inostiv
keeled, the lower one to livi;, the upper three to
nine nerved; pide;e herbaceous, lower one convex vn
the hack, or (•(impressed, kc(ded, live to nine nerved:
awned or bristle-pointed from below the tip; u[)per
palea at length adherin,-;- to the groove of the oblun^-
grain; fringed on the keel; stamens three; styles a^
taehed below the apex t)f the ovary. 'I'he grasses of
this genus are coarse, with large spikelets,' somewhat
drooping generally when lipe.

Chess, Ciikat, Wili^akd's I5r;o.\irs (BrouiNs secalititf)^],
■ lias a sjjreading panicle, slightly drooping; spikelets
ovate, smooth, of a yellowish-green tinge, showing the
rachis when in seed, and holding from six to ten rather
distinct flowers. In the spikelet exhibited in Fig. s(>
seven can be distinctly counted; tlje eighth or liintli,
imperfectly developed, can often be found. Stems erect.
smooth, round, from two to three feet high, bearing
four or iive leaves with striated sheaths : the upper
sheath crowned with an obtuse, ragged lignle; the lower
sheaths soft and hairy, the hairs pointing down\ ards :
joints live, slightly hairy: leaves flat, soft, linear. ;-. ore
downy on the ii]t|)cr than on the underside: points and
margin rough to the touch. S>ninin'f of the lam> (/hn,ie
vi'uhaii/ bdirevn it.s Ixi.sc (utd tlic sniiniiif of the second
floret, as seen in Fig. «() (A), a constant mark of dis-
tinction from Broiinis f(i<rmosns and liroiin/s viollis.
Fig. 79 .shows the form of this grass a l\'\v days beloic
coming to maturity, and Fig. 81 u magnified' spikelet,
while Fig. 78 re])reseiits the same in a more advanced
stage. Flowers in June and July. It has no relation
to Italian rye grass, as has been claimed.

Distinguished from BromnK oi'veimH in the spikelets
havmg fewer florets, and the outer palea being rounded

1

<MKSS.

103

-S.rs::;,«s,;=s;rr;:::::;.s

JJ^,MM'.

Ficr. 7S.

Fio-, so.

Fi?. 81. Fi^. 7!)

■i li

5' !'■

>i

H)l

COMMIT IKK. S I! K I'll I! T LI' ON CIIKSS.

Jl

Notliiiin- inorp clearly illiistrutos tlic want ot'accurafe
kiiowlcdnc of sii!)j(.cts iiitiiiiiifcly (•(.iin.'ctcd with a-Ti-
< ulture, and immcdiatoly aliectinj;- tlus liirnicrs' intcrcsrs,
''''"' '''•' ii"'''*' ivcent history of the j^'opa^^'ation of
*lii-^ woitiilrss |H-st to onr p-ain-fields. It was, within
the iiKMiiory of many fiirnicrs who sdlfcivd fi-,,i,, it.
lu'iaNhMl ill the iiapci's. in ••(.micction with the names of
(hstin-iiished friends of a-rienhnre, with tiie earnest
iHijK. that it nii-ht receive extended trials. Mon.strous
prices were ch,ir-vd ami paid hy the tiirnier for it.s .seed,
in many cases lo,,,- and h've dollars a bushel, u pjed-'j
being exacted that it should not be allowed to go hi
seed. Connnittees of agricultural societies wore in-
vited to .vxaiuine and re|)ort upon it; ami in a letter
now lying before im^. the disinterested propagator wry
kindly clfers to put up leu barrels of bromus-seed lo'r
one hundred dollars, saying that -'of course the earliest
iipi.licants will I,e sure of obtaining till all is gone,
Avhich would scarcely give a barrel to a state. ^ ^
Years luiist elaps,> before the country can be supplied
us It now is with Herd's grass and clover s(.ed. .Mv
oiler invites coop(.rarnui and participation in the profits
and pleasures now available •• — for taking advantage
of the honest credulity of the public .^
^ A (piantity of bromus-seed was sent to the State
Farm of .Massachiis<.tts, for the purpose ol' experiment,
with a letter with directi(.ns to sow with clover, i,, (he
spring of IS.-,.-,. The crop w;,s rut while vet green, and
before the grass had developed sullicieiitlv" to distinguish
It with certainty. The following year directions were
given to let it stand later in the sea<on. While engaged
ni^ the collection and study of specimens, in the (a)iu-se
of the summer ,,f l.s.-,(;. I gathered samples of the grass
wiien it was still immature, the spikelets huving'^pre-
cisely the form indicated in Fig. 79. Without giving it

->-\' INTi;J.I.Mi|.;\T .If I,

■ I! V

lor.

'',; in.^c. ox.„„n;,„„„ ,„ ,1,0 „■„„., r ,„■„„„„„ li,

',7, ■'"■-••'"'■I.- A low , I,,,. „?„.,,,,,,:, ■

''■"I «•"• I ov.„„i,„.,| i, will, ,.;„,,, „„| ,„ ,„„.', '

lnt:;.:;:'^;:t'^:;;;'r;'--''"''-'^-"H o,,

;yf-ii:ir^:',,:;:":;';;:';;;::;'xt:r;;;;::;

::;:;:::^rJai:';:::!;:;;;::^ -■-:;;:- -
--:i;:;:;:;:;;;;'i!::;;;-:;;:;-'"?r'-

ilii' ,^•^ass which was h'lsf sulimiti..,! C ,.
' ■ "";"''"«• <"■ -«lo l„y ,v„s ,„k„„ {,„„, „ ; ' I

;,,;":' 1'"-'' •■'■ "«.-., s«.io ,,,,„.,,.';; ■

'"'^ u I 111 or incfH (iw ]fi\' ' Ti, I

pioko,: „,. ,■,,„„ .„ „,.'■;„."■ !;:,:;.";;:.;;'■? t''--":""^-

ill n.w.I> + • 1 ' ^.l.^. . ( >. , fi,. two kinds lilVcn

t; J,
I .
i

I

i

trr^

106

C(jmi-ai;ativi.j tkials,

n

' !■

Ill tw- first trial, witi. broinns m,,,] reed eaimrv i^ras«
tliero was no choire. Both were eaten alike. ^ '

III the secon.l. with hroums and Eiighsh hav, the
I'^ii.U'lisli hay was preferred.

Ill the tiiird. with l.roM.us and swale hav. tlie swale
liay was eaten Jirst.

In the loiirth, with I.ronms and oat straw, tlie hronms
\vas eaten iii-st.

IiUhe tilth, with reed eanary ^rass and Kn^lish hav,
the Lng-lish hay was i)rer('rr(Ml.

In the sixth, with reed eanary g-rass and swale, the
>^\ale was ehosen at oiiee.

In the seventh, with reed eanary grass an.l oat straw,
till' oat straw was cliosun first.

In the eighth, with reed eanary grass and eorn-stalks,
tlie eorn-stalks were oaten first.

In the ninth, with hronms and eorn-stalks, both were
eaten nearly alik(> till they were gone.

In the tenth, with hromus and Tnillet, the eattle ehoso
the millet, and did not toiieh the hromus.

If is unneeessary to say that -Cheat" is a tn.ul.le-
some weed to the farmer, espeeially when it anpoars in
Ins p-ain-lields. It is an early grass, hut the .piantity
<•' herbage, and especially its ,,ualitv, make it unfit
tor cultivation. TndeiMl. ihv onlv species of aiiv value
or at all fit for cultivation, belonging to this large genus
of grasses, is the JirojNNs nrceN.si.s, mul even that has
been disearded from modern agriculture. It may be
valuable to sou- with spring grain to turn in green.'

Smooth IJiiomk (;,;.vss. or ri-ijiciir Cm.xs {nro^uus
rnve,„osus). has a paniele eivet, simple, rather narrow
contracted when in fruit : flowers closer than in the'
preceding, lower palea excee.ling the upj.er, beai in- an
uwn of Its o.vn length: stem en-rt. round, more sleiTder
than m chess: sheaths slighilv hairv. hi other respects

II'!

SOFT liKo.MK (;I!ASS.

107

no

It IS very luiU'l, l,ko cliess, hut may alv/ays bo distiii-
guishi-.l from it, as well as from Jironooi arvens!^, in the
summit (jf the large glume being lialf way I)et\yeeii its
base and the summit of the third Horet, on the saiiu" side ;
^vhereas, in chess the summit of the large Mhiine is lialf'
way between its base and tlie summit of the mvoud
floret. This character is constant, mid olFers the surest
mark of distinction. {{ is common in grain-h'eld ■. Ir
IS worthless for cultivatit.n except for green mannrin-'
_ .Soft Ciifss. or Soft [{ro.mio (Jrass {Brouuis mollis)
IS sometnues iound. I j.rocured beauf. ; specimens of
It at Nantucket, where it was growing in the turf with
other grasses, on a sandy soil near the shore. Its pan-
icle is erect, closely contracted in fruit : s])ikelets coni-
cal, oyate : stems erect, more or less hairy, with the
I'airs ],o,ntnig downwanls, from twelye to eighteen
'•H-hes high; joints four or fiye. slightly hairy: leaves
Hilt, striate.], hairy on iu.th sides, rough at the ed..es
and pomts; summit of the large glume midway between
Its base and the aj)ex oi' the third floret, by which it is
always <]istmguished from Willar.fs bromus. Flowers
•n .rune. ]]irds are fond of the seeds, which are lame
and ripen early. Of no value for cultivation.

The Wild Chrss Uiro,„ns l-nhnn) is another species,
found often m dry, open woodlands. It has a small
simple panicle, with the spikelets drooping on hairy
IH'.lnncles, seven to twelve flowered, ami silky: awn
"'''•^- ""-tlnrd the length of the lance-shaped flower;
stem slender eighteen inches to three fbet high; leave,
and sheaths hairy. Flowers in June and July. Of no
value for cultivation.

FinN.;F.> I5K0MF (iu.ss i/iro>.n.riliaf.s) is of^en
found ,n woods and on rocky hill, and river bank. li
lias u compound panicle, very loose, nodding; spikelets

\l

m ii

■ i i-

'J !•-

lOS

■MKAI.OW IW.'OMI-; (JIJASS.

n, July MU.I August. Of n., vah.e i;„-
I'lilriviitiDii.

y'/v//r//,sv,v) IS u pcivnuial w,.,.,l i„ tlic-
^'"'•'^-"'■'•1-^ ^'l' Kn.^huHl, an.l is onlv
'■'"■"•"inen.le.l in any part cC Unvour

'"'•«l'y, arid s.m'Is. where notliino- b^t-
"■'• ^^'l' ^n.w. Fi. so ,,,j,.,,,„ -^ ^,,i^

irrass,an,| Fi;r. s:! a niacrnili,..! s|,ik,.|,.t.

>TI.;ini,|.: HuoM,.: (;,;,ss (y/.v>;,,,.,v sfr-
'■'/'-) ,sl,Ml nuvly luPtwitl,. I'anirle'

v-iyloosr,tlirs|,.n,|(M-l,ranclK.s,|nM,,,-
, '".^•: Ic'avcsliaiiy. Klnuvrs

/ ill .'illy.

'. ^'ot one ..1' tlu; lironie

/ irrasses is worthy of a nio-

/,' menfs attention as a cnlti-

vated a-ri.ailtii,alo.n,ss,an(I

til'' ••leaner 111,, lai'nier kee'ps

Ill's JieMsoltliein the Letter.

: ■'>^- r\i()i,A. Sjuhr anm.

Spikelels Hat, Iwo-e.I.-vd

'ii'mylloweivd: n.|,„„,,,,.,„„;

I l"-t'ssed, keeled: palea' of

'■ |«'i-til(» flowers, two : the

^^>'y^'y iK.at-shaped. th.. ur)-

l.'i'i- <Ioul.ly keeled. (Jrai,,

'i'<-'e, smooth, enelosed in the
pales.

^'i»-^ V.'. M,M,|,nv I!,-,.,,,,, Gr..,„. i,.;,,^ g.

63.

uiruluh,) is u crass f;,uud

COMMON HKKI) (;i;ass

10!>

on sana-Iulls alou^ th. runM in„n N'ir^ini. soutlnv.nl
;;;- ^o„.. to e.,hM.et M. Of no ^a J .o/:;;;-

i>I!UAl)-Li;.\V(;i) Si'IKF r!i'\«//-'- • 7 7 ,• . ,.

»•--«; ' 4 :i;:;*'r ;.%:;:',;:;;:;':;■

•'^'- I^IRAGMITRS.

-^ctY? Grcm.

OInmos sliortcr tlian the (luu-,.i. I- i i 7

«;o !,,.„. .i„.,„„ „.,.„„,, „v , ;;;;.,':'t,;,,:M;:|;;::

tenuinal ,,anicle.. It looks at -l / '"' '" ' '"'-"

'•'-'" oo,n-corn; ste.n live to twelve feet InVh

tg.-ow.onthelK.nlersofpon,lsandsw,unps.an^^
one of the laro-ost o.-ussos in tl,. rnitcl State It ' •

40. Ahundixaria. (7^,^^,

mens tl

live, stems woody

10

ig-er than t!)e ovarj ; st,

i ! ;■

\l\

10

cam;. — Pai;m;l

Tank {Ariindiiuiria mncrospenna) is a perennial p-ass,
with a srnu often fn.iu thirty to forty feet in lieiglit,'
and (lowering, in Marcii and April. Leaver linear, grreii
on iM.th sides, smooth: spikelets seven to ten^llow-
ered, purple, smooth, in ri.-h soils in southern Illinois,
Indiana, Iventueky, N'irginia, and southward. The stem.s
are extensively used for lishing-rods.

-fl. Lkpturus.

Flow

(MV

in spik'o<: rachis jointed : joints with one
spikelet: glumes one or two, growing to' the nieJus,
snnple ov two-parte<l.

Slkximoh-tail f}i;Ass (LejifHrus paniculaf//s) is found
in Illinois ; an annual, flowering in .lune. Stem
foot high, comi)ressed : leaves tdiorl, rigid; gl
lixed, rigid, une.jiuil, parallel. Rare.

one
unies

-tl.'. LoLlUM.

Darnel.

Spikelets many-llowered, solitary on eaeh joint of
the eontinuous rachis, e.lgewise ; glume only one, and
external.

Pehkxmai. i^'K Grass {Li>Ih(mperenm).~^temeYoct,
smooth, lifteen inelies to two feet high : root ])ereimial'
iilu-ous: joints four or live, smooth, often purplish;
leaves dark green. lancM.late. acute, flat, smooth on the
(.uter suriaee, and ronghish on the inner ; glume much
shorter than the; spikelet : flow.M-s six to nine, awnless.
Flowers m June. Shown in Fig. 84. Fig. 85 represents
a magnitied spikelet of th-'s grass.

It has had the reputation in (;rcat Britain, for many
years, of being one of the most important and valuable
of the eultivated grasses. It is probahlv much better
adapted to a wet and uncertain climate than to one
subject almost annually to drongjits, which often ^oi-

I'Kni:.\\|AI. i;v,,- ,;

A S S .

II

timic
Tlieiv

inaiiN

I.-

!>'■

(

%

fV- 84. IVi-ciiii,,.| |!y (iriiss

,,,"■'■'''' J'^"''''""" ^'P "von- ^re.n tlun^^.
'''''l-,nu^,,,ss,thodK,n„.t,.nstirsnru-ln,^.
vary so murl,. iVuni the inllueafcs

"' ^'"'-••'"uMt... aiulrultnre, aspe-
'V;'.-.alm..Tass. ( '..•tain it is that
tins o-rass lias l.,...]! cilf ivatcd in
''^"^';"M sinr,. 1(,77. ,,„, i,, ^,^^^

--'•th of Franro Ihun li,.. iuune-
"""•'^''- It isiMlniitted t.. heiiifc-
'■'^"- '" nntritive vuliu- t.. „n.hanl

^■reeii.

WlH.ncvcr it is cut Inr hav, it is
•HH'cssarvt.. talcc itin tli,. hjossoni

;"• very soul, art(M-. si,,,,, c.tlicnvisj
It I.ecoiiies iianl ai,.] wi,-v, an<l is

:K.t iylis|„,lI,vst,M.k-ufanvkiM.l;
;"/'' '^ ^■I'angus vny rapi.llv alter
'''ossoniing-, fh„a ^ state in\viii,-l,
It ci.tains the -I'eatest ai„o„nt of
'^'•'^''''' ^"«'i'-> *^-L-., and tiiu least
amount of woody iil.re, into the
^fato m which it possesses the
least amount of water, siio-a,-. At

and the greatest am. )nnt of wi, odv
fd)re,andother ins,,hd,l,. soli,] niat-
tor. A specim...). analvj^ed ahont
tlio 2(»th of June, and found to
contain 81' per cent,
of water, and \^ p^r
'•''lit. of solid matter,
\vas found, only three
\\<'oks later, to contain
«"ily(il) per cent, water,
iiiitl ;n of solid matter.

'/

I!

Via. So.

lil

112

ITALIAN l;VK CItASS.

Il is, illiil()uI>t(Mlly. 11 valiialilc i^'l'iiss, itiid wortliy of
uttL'Ulioii ; l)iit il i.s not to hu t'oiniiarc'd. lor llic |uii-

posi's of Nrw Kiiuliiiid a^ri-
culturo. to 'riiuiitliy, or to
oi'clianl urass. It |iroi|iiccs
aliuudaiK'c' oi' srcd. soon ar-
rives at maturity, is icIislKMl
\>y stock, liki's a variety of
Miils. all of wliicii it exliaii>ts:
lasts six or so\('ii years, and
tlieii dies out.

Italian' K'vk TJijass (Lulhnn
I/iilionii ) \t;\< licfii recently iu-
tiodueei] into this country. and
is now nniKT.uiiin^' ex|K'riuieiit
wliicli will assist in deteruiiii-
inu' i+s value for us. It dilTers
lidin ]ier(MUiial rye ^i-ass in the
lloi'ets liavin^' Ivuy:, slender
awns, and from l>earded daiiud
(Lolitiiii II iiniUiifi(iii) in tlic
iilunies lieiny,' slioi'ter than tlio
spikcdets. This diil'ereuc(> will
be manifest on relerenct' to
Y\'^. S(i, and Fi<:-.
87, wliieli repre-
\ K /J// / sents a maiiiiiiied
spikelet. It furis
less than tiie pe-
rennial rye p,'rass,
its stems are
liifiher, its leaves
Fie. 80. Italian R.vi' Orass. fil'. ST. are lar<;'er and (»t

a lightev ^reen ; it gives an early, quick, and successive
growth, till late ill the fid).

' U.MPAKKD Urni T I. MOT, IV

11;;

'''<» say till It it i,.
' and
'lilt it iia,

r . , '"' "■""''' '^'^'' f!'f' '>Ost OTM^^ In urn-

ti'iii or otheru-ist., whil,. ;, ;^ ,„; , , f ^ ""■-■'■

n-narkably m-o11. ""' '" •^^'""' " '''■<•"«'"

''''"'/^^•'■'■^ '•^'••'t ''<I=iI>t...l to Italian rvo o,,,.. .,„„ ,,

on siu-li soils it i

ot
)n

■V|H...«I luxun.nt ami ,„„,.i,ivc. er„n i'l,

t:^S:[;'^: - ' '■- '■-■--' -'" -.i™

■'' -r,,:^;:;:,;;;;:;;-r : ct;:'- ;'"-;:-

""''■'■"■™ V c i. ,u.|i k„„„,, r,,„ „ ' ,""'"'r"'~':

<^ll)(^-s. Slioh as stMlvh. U'lim sno-.r W. It Qo '~ '

of woody fibre and •> >(,";. i' ' ^ ^ P^''" '■^"''^■

100 t.-u-N Tu ""■"' '"■'^^^^'" ^'' ^^sl. ; while

■ "Mu I «.4,) of a onmnions di- (I,, i, c

i''-!'-:i'i-^.S".irfiuty,,,.,u.,., ,4.11 ,,:■'"'''"'

prinoipK .N„ri,, .,„„, ,„„, „ : ^ ^"1 ,.;'";'' .7"-

and *' •>1 oC ,.,;.> i 'i-'o, -t.o_ oi m ood\- filuc,

;'"J -.-1 of n.n.eral matter or ash. Of these the fh. ■

' ".''''';7 ""• "' ™'"-'''', hy ft, ,i„, ,, ,■'„„,,,,':

4

Ill

tlie Italiiin rye g-i-ass. si
(lotililc.

|!|;ai;iii;i) I).\I!m:j,.

owiii- ii nutritive vulue iiearlv

Nor has the Italian ry^' u.n,ss nuv advantan-e over
Timothy in the dried state, though tlie dilUMcnre is l.y

iM

Fig. 88. Bfiirded Darnel. Imj:. 00.

Fig. 39. Many-fiowcri'd 1);iiiip1.

loiirly

over
is I)v

C'Oirf,, „UASH.

wl

115

''loro are 4'j'> ooo • i

; ""'«■ th. m-0 e„ «;;; Z '"■"';'''^ -''■"' it« K

•*3. TlUTICUM.

7^- on the back, .-nvne 1 ft- „ " '" ^I^' ^''" ^'"'nos, .'

'"^:''. ^^tmte.l, having five or .sVx fi° iJ' ""''•" ''^^'^" ^'^'

*J'--J-Ml.itJeavo.s with smooth.

n ji

■4.^'

IIU

TWITCH (ilJASS.

strlatcfl shoatlis : the joiiifs arc sinontli, the two iippor-
mo.st vury ruiuoti; ; luavcs daik ;^ti'c:i, acute. u[)1)l'|- one

liroailci' tlian flio Idwit ones,

ruuj^'lih

Fi". 91. (,'uucli (iniss.

Ii, sciiiict lilies hairy
on the inner surl'ace. smooth
Mil the hnver half. Jiilhucs-
'■(■iice in spikes. A spike-
let IS seen iua^nih('(l in Vi^.
U'2. I:'hi\vers in .lime ami
.1 Illy, intidiliiced Iroiij Eu-
rope.

'I'lii- plant is generally
regarded by fanners as a
tronhlesnnie weed, and ef-
forts are iii.ide til get I'id of
it. Its long, I'leepiiig roots,
liranehing in every diree-
tion, take eoiiiplet(> posses-
sion of the soil, and impov-
erish it. When green. Iidw-
over, it is very nir.ch rel-
ished 1)y cattle, and, if cut
in tlu' lilossoin, it makes a
nutritious hay. Dogs it
the leaves of thi.s grass,, uid
those of one
other .specie's,
for tlieir me(li-
ciiial (pialitics
in exciting \ om-
it ing. I iitive
seen acres of it
on the Connecti-
cut River meai!-
Fi(f. !ti. ows, where it

'""' taken I'osscssio,, Ml.,!

'■""■■'' "■'-" «.-.s o,; ','"■"■ ",""■'■"""•'■■ «■-

'" "■ 1.^ "n,i „„ „„. I, ,i<vj' r'"T"""" '■" '■"""•'

■-'^'li<s, like c„u,.|, ^,,,„, ;;, : , ' :- '-ri..^- .•.,«(.

if' '^ "..';:i'i::::;:";-M;t:"T"'"'-^'^

-^ V;iri,.fy ()C,.,,1|,.|, opm^ tl,,> 7' •/•

i" ^-•^lu's -.s .;';:;;;;:.';f -'V"W.m) is cultivated

M. If

I XI 1 1(1/ frl'd.ssi-.s.

(Ill

l.n,.

iiin'ssido l.vsi,!,. i,, I',,, ' .' ""I"' "'■'■''l"'r(.sh,l|;„,h
-;8T.i„ I,,,,,, ,,!,,,,,,,:■':; ,^;^/|-^;-v,,u,l is,,,,,,,,,,,

•'n«n'?:;:;"';:,,r'':r'''r ■'■'■" ---''■''

l«cu,,,os,. ,,,,\-. ";;"''r^''' '"-'■•'"■' ■^'innosoto, ,,,,.,
I'l.iiiK oiass la moist. Cvel i>I.,,.,,c i^

render, s,n,otIUW.n., .no to tw,.i.t,J:;^"'^

^''ort j...ves. and i,.., I,,,,;:,; i:,',; "'' '''-''' ^^•'^'' -t'---

I tho peilect /lower

---'-Hpedi..,/.,,,,.;;;^:;'''-'- '-••-J «--'•■

1 11'

lig

TIIK I.YMI'i '/RAWSKS,

St!

m

bearing ttf^ '•vtn.mdy lon^- mwh, alxMit t\, loimtli of
the .similar UaUy ^'Iwues. ;ill spivadin-'. h . .niiiiiH.ii
(HI moist siiiids aiul niiirslics on tlic si'u-slioi't', How tMiug
in Juni-.

Baim.kv (JitAss {//onfiinii j>>i.silhiiii) jirows from iivo
to ten MU'lics hiuli, in saltish soils of Ohio, Illinois, au<l
wurttwanl. Lateral liowcrs iiiipn iccf. awiilcss, pointed,
the porf'oft llowcr awncd : '^\uuu-^ linid. shortaw iicd.
Annual. Mnch icIisJR'd \>y cattle

T\vo-KO\V|.:i) Haiu.HV {Unnlinm i/isf/'c/nnn), as woll as
Foi'K andS.'X uuwki. IJ.\I!|.|.;v {J/on/cniii r>il;/i(rv),he\ow
to this genus. — t?fc' next uliuiiter,

4:;. Skcai.i:. jf,,,._

hpikolets t\vo-llo\vcr<M|, llowcrs porfoct, with the laidi-
niotit of a third tcrniiiial llowcr : jilnnies nearly ('(pial,
nearly oj)p()site. keeled, awnless or awned : ).; Vs Iierha-
oeons, lower one awned. keeled, with sides unecpia! :
upper shorter, two-keeled : sejiles two. entire : stamens
three, ovary hairy: linit I'ree, hairy at t'le snn)mi^ ;
H))ikert sim])Ie.

1{VK [Sicn/r ccirdh.-), ;i eonnnon cultivated plant, lauiil-
iar tu every linnier. — ^!ee next chapter.

id Ki.vMfs.

Li! I

m

fjlliii' Gi'dwcs.

Sjjikelets two to four at each joint of the rachis, a,ll
fertile, each one to seven llowered : uhnnes hotli on
one side of the P]iikel_et: palea' two, lower one usually
awned, mostly ])ei'ennial, sonu; species annual.

LvMK Crass. \\\\.\) K'vk [FJijihils VlriihiivnH),U '(xi:^.
quent alono' the liaiiks of rivers. It is known l.y its
ui»ri,i:ht sjjike, de. • ;uid thick on a short ])eduncle,
usually included 'ji , . leate; two or threi^ spikelets
together, two ortli^r, ,, •iv.;r..>i, smooth, shortly awned ;

!IS

t \.NAI»|\.N (.v.MK

li liASS,

im

M:::rt:;:i™'::;;K';:i";:::v";i"-

'""-flv ill ini,x ..(• H " ;'\.''^ ^•MM-mity; s,„|<,.|ut.s

'i"iov.„„.,c,„„;:,:::;:;;;:-'"'^-- '^-^ I'r

;«•'', on (Ik. shon.s of the no,,,.. ■ J ^ ':'"" '"^'^

I V,. t/. -.;... I.. /!,..._ . l"lvtlCth ,lt CUell |,,M,f (Vn.n

'ivi' to (.jolir /Iou-cm-cmI

• • iLMi ciocr, round, sinoof 1 • l,..iv,. • i

;■""■• "^"-'i. K'-^'.vish. ,„,i„„„,. „,„„,., • ; ; ■", '"".'^■- "-I-
•'">•• , ";"■- •■■■<".. H,„ ,.,„„ J , ";,..' :?■'"'"

ii >liort. oI)t,is,. j;,,„K> .,,,,1 ., , "" " ^''i-^^ 111 liavin-^'

"^•'•-oH;,u;r::;;:;;r::;;;;;-i;«"tr,,.,,,^

'""I pointed liCTle ■n.d ;i i ' '"' .^''^^^'^ '"i'^ -• Inn-

^

'■

:; II

m

Ik!

I i

■'■'"•; HAiK (.KASSK

MiH-ijiir ral

>^ (Ills

JJriti

nil.

It

grass the sii-'ar-cano of fJreat

<'<"'(a!ns a large (luaiitity of .sacc!

mattcT, an.l it is probahle that mixed with I

lis It IS 111 11

mix with eummoii hay 1

""'. 't would In.' vahial)h' to cut

laniie
>eaeli liniss.

cise

b

as heacli yr

meiits of the

iss IS lie re, t

!^ea, and to arrest the drift

up and

is used prt.'-

o prevent the eiieroaeh-

'"■ winter leed. It

was intnHhu.ed l.y the I'atent OlHre, ami eul

various parts ol' tl

10 counfr\-

iii,U' sand. It
tivated in

Bo

rri-K-iiiMsii (;i;ass , A7

( VJljUitls

commonlv in moist

r()i'k\- \v

ixxliai

aiil

ri
]e

ght

of streams, and mav he 1

////.v/ /■/,!■) is ftmiid rather
"l>. and along shaded

qjike and spreading spikelets.

k'nown l)v its h

^(-)^('. Ull-

avcs. sinouthish II

their len-th. F
to tl

owi' rs til

i|i("(

witi

"inooth sheaths and
1 an awn three times

If' genus (

•'^vis ill duly. It is referred hv <

species of El
light

rf/lillios

f'lvh

irav

iihi.

as it diifers f

ence is s

developed,
hrush, \\ 1

Hums. Ill having no m|ii

as the u'l

me;

I'oin otlioM-
Tl

nines are often mor

no s

icn rijie,

pike has the appearance of a |

le (Uiler-
e or less

»(itt!

Wi

47. \\

IIn!r Cr

lower:

uudlowered spikeh'ts

/•(isscs.

tl
th

ito

tl

'" an open, .h^lfiise panich

10 l)ase : I
•k: u'

' Perfect, shorter than the glumes. I

<'Wor palea three to (

//.

11' I'ack: gram ol.loug. snioo|l|.
^V()(M) Haii! (in

i\t' nerved, awned'

lairv at

(III

ASS. (

i.runsd ), is a COl

aiHl roa

"' ('<»MM(i\ If. ui; (
iimon grass on ..n,- ,i|.v ai

■ i;a.-

osKie

"teiib

./

I'l rnek\- hil

/rn

ii»--irly nakeil: |
loriiie

slender,

ea\-es dark ix

"iH' to two feet hi-'l

oraiich

'■•''■n. olleii ciir\-ed

es ol tl

l>ristle-

'' panicle haii-\-, sj

"I paii's: lower palea slightlv toot |„.,|
''"■ ''ax'. iM'iit in the midd'l,.. |

"■'■adiiig. niostl

awn startii

ig near

^\nic|i are on

pnrplisli.

ong"!' than
I'^l

gliinie:

oreiinial. I'^louers in .fiin(3. Tl

flam 1. xmietiines found thirty-fivo liundred f

lb

L'et altuvi

treat
ariiic
;Tiiss.
I and
pi'i'-
)a('Ii-
. It
i| ill

tl

ic'i-

lip.
and
nies
Iray
]ior

icr-

tic

"iC-S.

at
(III

rn

0-)

J

l!i

WATER H Al 1! (;i!\SS.

ond

on

/

\\ll-n UAT GliASS,

123

account of its
Cattle seldom t

;Tn\vii|o- ill tiilts. clusters, or luissock

oiic-li II

Natural to still'

touis, where the water stands. VI

Vl'UI'LK AlIMXE II All! (;i!A,ss (Ju'U uL

anotl

(>!■ luai'sin- liot-

owers III ,1 line

'opiirj

ler species found on the tup oi' the Whit

)nr<'(i) \-

taiiis, in Xew- Hampshire, ,uTowiii<>' f

iiiclies h|o||, with Hat and rather wide le
Watki; JIaii; Ck'ass (J

<' -Moiin-
«• from ei'iht to lilteen

ilVe:

aves, when "reen. 1

irii (KjNdfirni. Fio>. 9').-^ This
is calls the sweetest of the Jiritish

-tenis anil

m'l-ass Ml-. Curt

grasses, and e.pial to any foreign one. ft

lav

like that of li(pioric(>. Water fowl

I'ond of tl

10 seeds and the fresl

0 a sweet and a-'r(H'able taste.
s are said to he ver\'

oat it very readily. It is strict
be cultivated

I .U'roen shoots, and catth

on imper

•tl

y an a(jiiatie, hut c

in

t'i'tiv (iraiiied

I M)ii>

4S. 1)

ANTIIONIA,

Lower pale seven t

vallv twist
>tl

o nine nerv(>d. with a Hat and spi-

nij;' awn made of the tin

otiier respects iiearlv like Av

ee middle iierxcs. Ii

ena.

\\

iLii Oat (Jkass. Whith Toi-. Oj.d I<

.sjHcnfa), Fi^j;, !)(;_ j,

oi; {Ddiithoi,

m

I a stem one foot hii^'h, slender, with short 1

wit]

Harrow slieati
seven-dower-

• •omiiion in dry, sunny pastui

es.

eaves.

IS. heard('(

lower

h'd : panicle simple : spikelet,-

liai

I'alea l)roadlv ovate. 1

ooselv

ry on the hack, longer than its awl-shaped teeth —

is called white top ii

l)erennial. Flowers in .1

une.

ll

some localities, but

known bv that nai

IS not the grass most commonl

lie

It

Fi
9!): it

'.: It

iowei

s s])ikelet a|)pears ]iiagnih'e(l in

S S(Mm

lialc. in Fig. 9S : its upper pale, in F

lU'.

Ill I' I-: 1(1(1.

d

f

I

It

:

1

i

Spik(dct-; two t(

49. Tkisktum.

II

o seven llnwriv.l. often in a contracted

panicle: lower pah- compressed, keeled, with a bent
on the back.

awn

l'2i

IMJWAV OAT CJHASS,

I)ou-.\v Pkrsoox {Trisetam molle) is u grass with
• IfiiSL' panicles, mncl, .•ontractod, ubloii- or linear, awn
l.tMit or diverging'; lower palea compressed, keeled:

i'ig. lur r)o-.-n,v Out firns

FiL', ](ij. MiihImw i;i:

»■ ' 'ill OriiSS.

vith
iiwn
led :

^

^

^^^ K A I ) () w -J Y

r GUA

.^.s.

(>ave,s

moiiiitii

^lat and yl.orf ; |;„„„i

Oi

Ills, alioiit

"II iiickv I'iv

11(1 a.^Ticulli

"IK' Innt ||io.||_ If

'■1-haiil

ami

M

ii'al \alii(

l"\V(.|-s in Jul

\i;sii ()\T (

IouikI II

•^"Utliwanl i

lo

''"'•t, si)ik-,.J,.(

iig', narrow-. J
Tlie I)

', ii'"iii \cn- y„|.|c
'•'"" tuototlireolecr lii-l, ]

I low i:|-n||i

S \-(

llowisli-wliit

"">!', Iiaii'v

"U\V ()v|. ,

t-', tin-cd
spikclcrs Hat.

' iS a sjiccics
f" Illinois, and

('itvc's Hat and
n'ccn

[)ani(

y^vy hardy prici

■ l.'ASS

V.syY/

and
of

mial -'ra.-

//;

"I j»il)('.sccu.s) i-

'"I ^"I'-li soils ils I
'"•"■>iy liairs, u-|,i,|, if ,„^,.^ ^^.,

t'ave's ar

"iiriiralizcd on cl
(' oovcrt'd uirl

i;dl<y soi^
1 fi I'oatiiii

tor lands. I
M''';iss. on
■-^li.ii'lit 11

t 1

s r('u'ard

<''l as a

K'l-

lO()(|

'"■'•'"i"t of its liardinc.

"'';;7--'-'- <'i' tho soil, and vi;:id

"■" ''idtivalcd on I
l"'i'"'Hnunt [)astnn
iiid its In-in- hut ;

''^''•'•'■"^•"'■l'iftrr,.xtructiv,. (I

I 111:- a 1

on 1)

"«->f, lijii'lit

>OII

It

■■■III otlior iii'aj

, "■'^"'' ;'s H pro.ninoi.t inured
ttires. It, fl,,u-,>.. I •* ,

i>. tlicrol

"TO. n

tlM
th

ou-er

> ca

gi'edUMit of mixtures j

y a larger

■'OS ii'rown

■ooniniendod

'■M''imf-asita|,,H.ars"inl.I

'''y 111 .Hdv, Fio.. I,) I

or pa.-

ossoin.

I'opresents

iL'i;

Vi;i.|,(»\V UAT (JltASS.

rUv Vki.lcw Oat Grahh {Acma. ih,rv..n„.), Fig lO",
can sraivrlv, ,,frl.a,,s. l.o iv-ar.kMl a.s mturali/...! Ihmv!

It i-^ a pci-iMinial ])Iaiit of slow
f;''""'tli and nuMliiiiii (|iialil\-,
I'ultivatcd to sciiuc extent in
I''i'ancc. and snifalilo for div
nicadows and pa.-tiires. It is
>oiiictini('s ivpirded as a weed.
Ir liiils, if cnltivated alone, l.nt
sneceeils with other grasses,
"lid is said tu he tlie most
nseful for i'o(Mer (d'anv of tlie
oat grasses. It seems to grow
I'l'^t with the crested dog's
tail and sweet-scented vernal.
It contains a lai'ger proportion
of hitter extractive than most
"itliei- grasses, and lor that rea-
son is recommended hy some
English writers as a vahiahle
pasture grass. It llowers in
July. Fig. IOC represents the
flower of this grass magnified.
FiiM'LK WiLH Oat {Avvna
utritita) is fonnd cm rockv,
shaded hillsides,
from Xew Kng-
livnd and New
r ti\ AiJi I Vurk, mnlhward.

) ^\\i\\i\ ^ % iJf '^^^'"'•■^ ^"^'fL'fl. I''''"i»

T/ one to two leet

high, and slender ;

leaves narrow ;

I'anicle loose and

Kijr. iOo. V ll,,.,v )a Ci-as

fig. 106.

■'•^'■1. OAT (JlfAss.

:'-;'';£>";:r-'i:M!:::L'*;;;;--' '■'■-"-

^'-•tnn,ll,.^s,|..-sl,„p!!!;: '""■ '"^''^^ I'igl' : leaves

<'VoryfHnner.--Sec3iH.xr,.|,a,.t.M-. ""'^■" ^"

•">I- A/(i;i(|.:.VATi,,.;j;,-.M. ^y,,/ ^v.^,

l;'S;r';;:::;;;;,;;;:::t:.;,:':'2V| i-'-w-

l^eiow the „ii.|,||,. uftho biiek '^' '"'"^ •^"■"

'i'-ALL .Meadow ()\tGim^< ,,,. 'v

'■/,„,„,/,,,,„„ ,a-,.„,,,,:, ,„'■,■, '' ' ■>'■'; '■>■'■ <■«•'- (-/--

•■^I'ik^'l.'t. upon „., , c I , "" '■'"'""■ "I '-""i-.i.-.

"'••m,,-,,,,,,,, 1,. , . , j , ; '"•"•"""■^■'•"l. I<.«<T (lower
»l- l.udc I ' i '"f '-'■;"* """"■'""■ ""■ '""'-lie. of

AmnpJi ,;'•''''■'■'".•'">■ ^ .MM ,.■,.. ,07.

^ niLd ^pikelet js seoii m F,u-. I OS

<"'^en lo„n,! on the W l.. ' li:';;;; , f 7^''- ^^ -

1 itiiL.s, ,in(( IS f^otuotimes V(M'V nlpntv n, „

''^»<J«- After l.ein... n.oun if 1. ) • i'ion„,^.

Hfternmtl,. and on ^I, , "^ '" ^'^^'••^' '^''^''^

''•^ ^^i"-»l 'o, ex.-ellenee to tlKM-ommon meadow fox-

I

I

128

TALL MKADOW OAT C.'ltASS.

tail. It has boon highly icconiinoiKlod for soiling,
tiirniriliing an oarly i^ui>])ly of i'oddor.

as

Ui)

MK AD)\V so l."i' <• I. . . .

.>ui' 1 (. iJAss. 229

It groAVs spoiitaiieuuslv <,n ,|„„,, , i
tent II \,Mv- l<',, .1 I , '""i\'n«-'<| to si)iuv v\-

''-'<i"^ it very Veil cd^,,:;^^^

••■m^s If will .„ Y ^'^ •' l"''"'^'>"''it .mst.nx.

«ia.h. It wiJi succeed cm teiuicious clover «oil..

52. floi

CCS.

''^pikelets two-fi ^

uiiics l)()iit-sIiaj)(Ml, merni'

J fro,/,

oil-

S'n/y (

mifis.

owercl juinte.l whI, tlu. podicej

'•<••■' I iiiM' tlie iloAvei-s
|»ale;i iiwnless and

(illlv

'raiiaccoiis vnr\

OSllli

and

mens throe

pointlt
I'eaniio- a stout lient

ower llower perfbet, its I

"PPei' tlowcr
i\\'ii below the

grain free, sligiitly gTuov,.,]

ex-

ower

•'taniinate

"PL'X. .^til.

cle

-Meadow Soit Grass ^'

KI.V

lias \\i

-pikelt'tsri'o\\(K.d

iiiid an awn witli tl
It ]}:,Yo\\^ from

"1 a somewhat open jiani-

a-

10 lowei' pai't i)er(bctlv smooti

round

niot pereimial, fib

"•' to two foot hi;..], : ^t

>'|it. downv sheathe

'rou>

leaA-o

''<; iiiHated, ligule obt

upper sheath niiirl,!

em erect,
"I"!' or live, with

crally eovei'od with soft, d

iK^o; joints usuallv fou

ongor than its

'■; nen-

whicl
broad.

' 'H'c turned d
acute, sott

o^vny hairs, the points of

slender hairs. Jn/I
greenish, reddish,
"blong, tipped with

nwarris; leaves yiaie-groen, f!
•"I ''<ith sides, covered with de"l

pill(\o,

Fl

owors

in .)

'ig. 10!». and its flower

>rescence compomd panicled of
"^' P'"1<'"^1' tinge; hairy yl'„m

,' """"to bristle. Florets of t

'mio. Jntrodueed. ft

icate

a

es.

wo

This beautiful

s magnifi

e(

1 in F

IS seen in
i«'^- 111 and 112.

""b^. but I have found it

grass grows in moist fi(.|ds and

ft

ipland Holds, where it

'" fliy, sandy soils, and

peatv

was cultivated with oti

on

IS productive and easy of cultivati

value either foi- pasture or I

ler grasses,
on. I Ml t of very littl

of it. Wl

lay, cattle not I

e

len

once introduced it will

enii

jnd

i-eadily spread

HI
i

i;;ii

CHEEIMNU SOFT GHASS.

i'ldm its li<;iit seeds, wliicli uio easily dispersed Ity the

M

le

f

HOLY CRASS.

131

^vii.'l. Tt .Ws not m.-rif .•ulfivatiu,, ...x.vnt on poor
l-ty lands, wh..,v letter gnoses will not Iceed!'

ii^'. 111.

Vi-^. 112.

FiK. IM

Kif.'. 114.

Til,. r.-KKi.f.v.; Suit GnxHH (I/oIcus moUis), Fi- no
'■^"1 'h: valii,. .nd is r..o,,,,lod as it troublosome''weo.l.'
•s'n.;;.n.slH.d (rum tl.o feeding l,y its awned liorot
•"" 'f.^ ••'v.i.ing root. Tlie (lower, of this grass are
>^'i'>i nmgnilied in Figs. U;] and 114.

huuclo open, .spikolots tlireo-flowored : tl.r two

,eV I '^' , "^ ;'"--"-vered; ilowers all with two

aleas hrandies ol the panicle smooth; grows from

twelve to eighteen ineh.s high. Stems oreet r Z

s nooth : panicle somewhat spreading, rather o.u.: !

u otii r i • ^""V"!""'''^^^' '•-^'' -' the inner side;
Muootli behind ; spike ets rather hn.-P (\. . •

lbli,4: '"' """"'""' '■"'"'■ -"' vo.y BlfgU spring.

!-,'>l,-.«. 11 om two Gl'IM'k U'ni-,1^ : -C • '

in the north of I

nope. Jn

HDit's day.s

^weden it is sold to 1

i

)e

132 s\vi.;i.;t.sc KNTKi) vi;it.\Ai. (;ka.ss.

Imii- up over l.cds, wlierc it is siippos,.,! f,, i,„lu,v

siccl).

Al.l>l.\|.; Iloi.v (;i;ass { Ulrnxhlnn Aljuun) is (oiiirl ..|i
lM()iiiitain.t(.|.s ii, \,.\v |.;„n.|a„,| iiii.l \,.\\ York, uimI
in.rlliwiinl. V-.uurl- .•out l urtr,!. iVciii „i„. (,, t\v.. iiVli...
I(»ii;4'. liowiu' l.'iivo iiaiTdw. Fl..\vrrs in Jiilv, ()||„,
viilin- for ciiltiviitiun.

-jI. Aniiioxantiii'.m.

Spikelots tlii(M-l|(,\v,.rc(| in spiked paiiick's ; (||(. Ij,f,..
nil llowers lu-iitriil. coiisistin;;' only c. folic pak'. hnirv on
tlu' outside, and awned on tlie hark. Chimes verv tliin,
a;'Ute. keek'ck the upper twice the k'n-th of the "hnver
and as lon^' as the iiowors. '

S\vi;i:T-s(i.:.vn;i) Vkijxai. (i it ass { .\nllHKn,Hlhu„i i„l,,-
m/////o. - Spikck'ts sprca(hn- thivc-th.wcrcd : |ai,.|a|
flowers neutral, with one palca. hairy on the outside, and
awned on the ha<-k : -iuuies thin, acute, keeled, the upper
twice as lon<4' us the lower: seed ovate, adhering' to tliu
palea which encloses it: root iieivnnial. Flowers in
-.May and .liiiie. .^ti'iiis froiu one and a half to tw,, Hm-i
hi^'h. Introihiced IVoni Kiirope. It is seen in Fi^. II,').

This is one (d' the earliest sprint- oTasses, as well as
one (d"the latest in the autuiun, and is almost the onl\
g'rass that is iVa^'rant. It possesses a property said to
he pei'uliar to this species, or possessed hy onl\- a i'cw
others, known as hen/.oic acid: and it is said to he \\\\a
which not only <i'ives it its own ai'omatic odor, hut
imjiarts it to other ^Tasses with which it is cuivd. The
green leaves when hruised n'ive out this pGrf'uine to the
finfi,'ers, and the plant may thus he known. It possesses
hut little value of itself, its nutriti\-e ]iroperties heiiii;
sliu-ht; nor is it iniich relished hy stock of anv kind: hiit
as a ])asture ,<:rass, with a lar.ti'c mixture of other s[)ecie.s
it is valuahle for its early i^-rowth.

I.'KKI)

' A.VAKV (;i;

A S s ,

i;j;{

ii

i> iidt 111

■'■"^Vlll- ;i, ,1 i,

;:'';;,"•'"'!' ;" '■•"• i-^u''- a,,,! ....uLkies.

^\■<'|•(■ iii(||o-,,,„,„

l-^i''ri((..l Viriiiil. Fiir ]]!).

V'«-n<^. n..,.,lCannr,GraH^

134

SKKDS OF S\VIOKT-S(K\Ti;i> V K I; \ A I.

Tlie tiltL'niiiirli or fall growtli of this licautil'iil ^rass is
Stiid to lie riclier in nutritive (pialities tluin tlu' ,i;r(>\\tli
of the spring-. Though it is pretty generally (iiffiiseil
over the eoiuitry. it is t)nly on certain soils that it takes
conii.lete possession of the surface, and forms the pre-
dominant grass in a permanent turf.

A curious and lieautiful peculiarity is exhibited in the

see<ls of this grass, by which they are pivvented from

germinating in wet weather, after approaching maturit\.

and tiius becoun'ng abortive. The husks of the blossom

adhenngto the seed when ripe, and the jointed awn by

its spiral contortions, when allecte(l by the alternate

moisture and dryness of the atmosplu-re", act like levers

to separate and lift it out from tlu* calyx, even beHuv

the grass is bent or lodged, and while the spike is still

■erect. If the hand is moistened, and the seeds |)lace(I

111 it, they will appi'ar to move like insects, from the

inicoiling of the spiral twist of the awns attached to

them.

The llowers of the sweet-scented vernal grass are
seen iu Figs. IKi and 117. There are nine hundred
and twenty-three thousand two hundi'cd seeds in a
pound, and eight pounds in a bushel. It camiol be said
tt» belong to the grasses u^ri'n\ I'or general cultivation.

0.).

lAl.AIMS. ('dt/ili'// (irtf.SM.

Spjkelets crowdeil in a dense spike(l panicle, with
two neutral rudiments of a. flower, one on each side, at
the base of the llattish perfect one: awnlcss: twoshiin'M-
pales, shorter than the e(pial boat-shape.l glume>, closely
enclosnig the smooth. Ilatteiied grain; stamens three.

Hi;i-:i) Canauy (iiJAss {Pludai-is ai'iiiidiinnrit) has a
panicle very slightly branched, clustered, somewhat
spreading when old, but not so iiaieh generally, as ap-
pears in Fig. US; ghnues wingless, rudimentar\- Horets

•^TiJii'Kn (;i!Ass,

135

f

j|HUT;ste,n i-ound, smooth. er,M.t,fVo,n In-otosovon feet

::,,."v'"" "'»"• '"■'■ i'"i"i.-«i ti,ou»a,Ki g„,i,:

8'1-een iiiaimriiig. o ^ ' J" .i> -i

. .111.1. .I.A..«( ,|,„ p,,,|,„ ,.,,,;,.,_, „

I"' .y...! ...mry aruss will boar ,.„„i„,. two „ 'tl "o

.Mr... Cat lo ar,.. m,t very Ic,,,,! „r it „t „„,. ,„,,;
'<» J-rowh; l,„t „-,„t early a,„l w,.|| nnv.i tli,^; wi |
™ .t ... the w,„tor, i,-tl,ey ea,, «.., ,„„|,i„. |, ', /

:t,i;.z;::;-;-;-;:::;!;t,--r

•, ;. ^ '"'H- ,nsfan,vs or . sin.ih.r nafuro

"•'^<' .il.M) coiue to iiiv iiotire. ()„,' fmne.- I,... .

K...e.litexte..sivolyi„-|H-«.,,t,a.a , ;,, r;^^^^^^^^

'■'''."'"■fi '■*» ■■"'" •!.<• ......1 wi,i, i,i, i;. :

... I .. ..(...., a.al so,!, ,1 ,.„„stitutes o„lv a va.-iotv ..C tia.
lu ri ^\er and imiddv sod.

adv

itiiced to show tlii.-

Mi-Hsa as It oi'diiiariK- a]

■ IHH'inion too ihr

pi'ars

\A

136

NUTRITIVE QUAIJTIKS.

tlie panicle or liead is too spivadino', and not sullicientiv
Ion,i;-. I have fine specimens witli panicles tiiree times
as Ion,-- as appears in the drawing, and more in the
shape (if a spike dt' Timothy.

To iiseertain the exat't nutritive rpialities of tliis grass
when cured as hay, a carolul analysis has liecn made, at
my re(|ucst. hy Prof. E. X. Ilorslord. ot Camhridge.
with th(! lullowing result: Of water, the sjiecimen con-
tauied 10.42 per cent.: ash, 5.31 per cent.: m'trogen,
.iM per cent.: nitrogenous ingredients, flesh-forming
principles. ;3. .').'} per cent.; woody fil.re, starch, guuu
sugar, Ac. SO.To per cent. It will he seen, hy reference
to a sulise([uent page, containing amdyses, l)y Pmf
Way. that this grass is very fiir iiderior to many other
grasses exann'ned by him. The -panicles of this grass,
if allowed to stand after the time of tloweiing, liccome
filled with ergot, or long, lilack spurs, issuing from
between the glumes, and occupying the |)lace of grain.
This, if ther(> were no other reason, would be sufficient
to deterudne that it should be cut at or liefore the time
"f flowering. ] have never seen rye worse affected
than my sp,.cimens of this grass are. The effects of
this mysterious disease are well known. The noxious
l)Ower It exerts on the system of animals, whicli receive
even a small portion of it. is oftentimes dreadful, juo-
ducing "most horril.le gangrenes, rotting of the extrem-
iti(>s, internal tfU'tures, and a-'onizin- death. It has
heen known to slough and kill not a lew human iuMiigs,
who have uccidentally or inadvertenllv eaten grain or
flour infected with it."'

1'he flow(>r of tli-e reed canarv -rass is shown in
Fig. 119. The variety called striped grass ( CW/o/v./a)
IS exceedingly hai'dy. and may be propagated to anv
extent by dividing and transplanting the roots In
moist soils it spreads raj.idly, and forms a. thick mass of

MILLET GRASSES.

187

fill , , O ' ' '" '»•

I lie Common C\\\i>y < '„,.., ur , ■

u,.i:.i ,,,;,, ™ '"■ •"-'- ?i"-s win,

•~>'>- .MnjcM.

J^7/</ Gnis.s.

^"iiiK, ov.ilc, very „l,f„se : Inivi^s l,n„,d

^.-T. .s a ,,.,, ::: ^•.!^::™;:";:■''''''-'-^-■
o;^S:l•;;i:;^;^;::l;; :, -r^
;™^-o.-...,u.uri';::;;r:;;::;-;:;i;^^

•">T. ('v.\osi-i{us.
1-0. llns grass is .ardy H„uh1 ^•

iii-*

Mere

hilt

iiiis been

ji

i;;s

CUKSTKi) l)0(;"s-TA I J..

introdiiciMi ;iii(l cultivated td some cxtriit liv wav of
expeiiiiicnt. Its spikes are simple, linear :" spikeiets

uwiiless: stems one loot lii,uii,
.still", smiKiili : I'oot j)eix'iiiiial,
liliinus. and tul'led. Flowers
i" duly, it is said to l>e a
valiiahje j)eriiiaiieiit pasture
grass ; Imt cattle seldom eat
it alter it is I'ipe, on aci-oiint
of its wiiy stems. On dry,
liard soils and liills, pastnred
with <lieep. it wonld doid>tless
lie oi' vahie ibr its hardiness.
At the time of llowering it
is tender and nutritions. A
niagnilied spikelet is show u in
Fi,U'. ll!l.

'J'he stems of this grass are
used Ibr the manufacture of
pliit for fveghorn hats and
honnels. and have the reputa-
tion of lieing e(pial or superior
to Italian sti'aw. They arc
gathered green when in Iilos-
som. imniersod in boiliu"-
water for ten minut(>s. and
then spread out
to hleach for
eight days. An-
ther mode of
treatment is to
O'l'p theiii in
i'oiliiin- water I'or
'in luMir, and
keep them moistened

then spread them out.

Ki-'. 121

and

■lOlST (JKASS.

13!)

; It

A

1 ill

roKnlarly till tlK.y l.oromo dried, or for two d.v u-l

-ya..ophK..,inati,i.tvessda,KlsS^^
'"'"OS 01 buiimig sulj>ln,r for two hours.

•)8. J*.\si'.\i.iM.

""■'., short iKHlic-e ,;• h ••-•'"•S.l-n.ted.with

'lowered am ,;',;•' /^^'^^^^^^^ '"'t "iie-

FL0.vr,x.; I>.s,..u.,M (P«^>^/,,, ,/,;,,,,, i^ ^^ .„

: t::d %r^'''''''^ "?' ^ '''^"'''^ ^^^ '"-is:;:

or : ■ .:!'""^ 7'f ^ -Hi rootin. in the n.ud

HA„n' Skkx.k. l>,s,Mu-M ,A,^./.,. ,,,....., ha.
;;''<;y--;'-"n.lH.nt, slender euhn. Iron, one to t vo
1-et h,^|, h„ves and sheaths hairv : spik.. sh .d ,

-ooth nH>stly solitary, on a Ion, p..dui:'i: s^^^^^^^^^^
"'trrowly two-rowed. Fiou-c.-s in V e.int If

- -dy iields and plains near the'':^;^:,, J :X^^^
-ninon from Massachusetts to Jllinoi:. an.l ^^I^U-

SAmoTM Ekkct I>.s,..u,-M iPn.y.nhnn /.-..) is aNo

ioui..l on mo.st soils. Ironi New England to Ke tnH
jmds t, , ^^^.^,^^,,^^,.^_^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

tothieefeet h.oh: leaves lonu' an<l lar-e with ,., ti
n\o lowed. Mowers ni August.

"', '''''■- '" ^ "■«■ ' •""I -"ml„v„n|, HcvtMi,,,.- ,„ ,I„K.

pninti'il. -o,-"''!'"! .111.1 .-liglilly

II

I 10

Tin-; I'AXIC (JJiASSKS

Fi.\(;|.;i(-s(r.\pr:n rAspAi.rM {Pasjiahnn du/itnria) is
hIs,. fumid in Vir-'inia. niid rurtlicr south, "...owiiiu' rmin
uiK' to two IL'ct high; spikes .slender and sparsely-
flowei'eil.

; ■ i

rv<

")!). Pan

ICLiAf.

Pdiiic GniHHi'si.

Spikelets panicled or racenied, soniet
,i;liiines two, the lower one short, ininnt
lower flower neutral, rarelv

niies s

I', or wautini

piked

■-stamens three; .stigma-, usually jiurpl

iwned . upper perleet

^lj;M)i-:ii CiJAis (

1 1! ASS

<( It IV mil

J'fif

oriiic) IS an

F

Min-er-

annuai hiiger grass, somewhat res(mil>ling tl

shaped Paspaluin.hut the ni>pn- qlninv iin'inl.s the tloan
while the I ■ . 7 ./

iiKire erect. It llourishes on sandv. dry soil

lii'ai' t hi' cdasl,

ower IS iiearly wantiiio-. and th(> spikes are

s[)eeially

Flow

ers in A

lliillst.

VMOOTII CitAI! (Jl.'Ass (/

(I II irii III

the last, with the spike's digitate, tl

'lliih

I'll til) resembles

Ills

raehis Hat and thin, spikelets ovoid. It

iree to lour, spread-

is eommoii

hi cultivated grounds, waste places, and on sandy field

r^eptember. A troublesoi

owers in Auii'ust and

Aveed

i\<;t;i; (Ikass, Common Cijai! (

(/i(iit(i/('\. — The panic gr

;ass ( pit iilcii III

lie

KHII-

commoii all (i\-er the C()nntr\-
'I'he stems dl' the Fiiiu'er d
feet hiuh. erect.

isses are widely spread and

rass are from one to two

spreading : ieav

I's and

leaths hair\-

spikes lour t.. fifteen: digitate: upper -lume half tl
length of the flower : I

le

uwer one small. It

waste or neglected eiUtivated gr.uinds and uard

n'ows on

yards, and is geiierallv re"-arded

Introduced. Flowers f

ens, and
as a troublesome weed.

roin August to Oetober.

DoUBLE-HEAOEn PaNK: (T

'(iiitc'iiii. (iiirrjis) is found

on the Wet pine barrens of \ew dersev to V

irginia, and

Ui

III

"r <\ ^'>!^v^L^^r^::::z: :::;::. ;r'f'^>

^''•"'M' fl"" rn:i^t ihun \f., I ' ' ^■•'"""••"

^ '"^ "I"., al:; Mif ;:;:: ;'^;:;;;"';;'-'"V '

/• ^1 . I '^ > >. I ariic arc din (, u if .i;,)' ,

,„,„;,■""' ■^""-''^■"- "I'l"-"-!, i-..c...,v„i,„f„ „„,,.„,,,„„

- 'v-r y-^<^ .■"i.-.in :;;;:":-,::^;t::'

i'>"""''^''- i-io-, ^- iH I, „,„] . ;■ 00 •,'-T";t

'all S.M()()t:[ I*\\io (iii\<^ , /J •

■■^ » >.pH„.i„, H,,.; o fi . ,"7:7 ^•"■'"""r-

m

142

rOMiMON MILLKT.

l!

Il'l

pretty roininniilv in moist, sandy soils, especially at the
Soulli : lldwcrs in Aii-;iist.

l>nTi:u Paxic (Prnii<i/iii (undrmn) is ibinid on sandy
shores. fVoui ronnocticut to Vir^-inia, and further south.
Flowcrh in Auj;ust and Septenilier.

Broad-lk.wed Panic i\\{.\^^ (Pdiiionn hififvUum).—
This is a grass with a perennial, iiljrous root, and stem
from one to two feet liigh ; with leaves hroad, long,
taper-pointed, sniootli or slightly downy; branches of
jKinicle spreading: spikelets long, obovate, downy.
Flowers in June and July. It is conuuon in moist
thickets and woods. Of no value for cultivation.

TJie IIii)ni;.\-Ki,o\vi;i;Ki) i'axic (Irass (P((iiic>nii clan-
(fcstiinnii) is found in h.w thickets, and on the banks of
streams, from one to three feet high, very leaty to the
top, the joints naked : slieaths rough, and bearing very
stiff and spreading bristly hairs. Flowers from July to
J^eptembcr.

"> KLLow Panic (Juass [Paincmit JCdhfhophi/sinu)
grows on (by, sandy soils, from Maine to Wisconsin,
and northward. It is of a yellowi.sh-green color, the
spikelets downy; sheaths hairy : leaves lanceolate,
acute, smooth, except on the margins.

Sticky Panic Gkass (Paiiivniii vinculum) grows
with an uprigJit stem, leafy to the top, densely velvety,
downy all over, including the sheatlis, with reflexed,
soft, often clammy hairs, except a ring below the joint:
panicles spreading: spikelets long and downy. Moist
soils, from New Jersey to Virginia, and southward.

Common Millet (Faniefnn miUaretoiD.—Vlowav^ in
large, open, nodding panicles; leaves lance-shaped,
I'road; stem one to two feet high; native of Turkey.
It is shown in Fig. 122.

Many varieties of millet have at times been culti-

COMMON MILLET.

U:

i

f'it'. 12-2 (\mimnn Millet.

144

liAlt.N (il.'ASS.

ii'ct Idiig, ruiigiiisli : panicle (ipi'ii. Fluwcrs in Jnnn
and .July.

PoLV.MOKriiis rAXic [PdiucNiii iHclioloiiimii) i.s coni-
nion in all parts of tlu' country, on dry and low i^rcunds.
liowcr ,i;lnnic roundish, onc-tliiid or a (piarlcrtlic Icn^lli
(d the live to sc\"n ncrxi'd upper one.

\V()i!Till,Kss iVwh' { ruiiliu III (f)'j,iiiijn'r((/inin is also
common northward, in Avy woods and hills. Stems
simple, forming close tufts, tei-miuatcd by a sim[)le and
lewdlowered contracted panicle, often ovt'i'topped by
the upper leaves.

^^ AKTV Panic {Puniviim rrrnuwiNiii) is found in
sandy swam|)s, near the <'oast, from New Kngland to
A'irginia, and southward. Steins hrancdiing and slender
smootli, one to two leet high: leaves shining; liranehes
of the diifuse iiain'(dc' slender, lew-llowered ; spikelets
oval, roughish with warts, dark-green. Flowers in

August.

I>AI!X Gl{ASS,or i>Ai!X-VAl;|) (Jl.'ASS [FdliicillU cru.S-(f(l/li),

is very common. Its spikes are alternate and in pairs,
sheaths smooth, rachis hristly : stem from two to four
feet high, stout, erect, or somewhat procumhent : Iciivcs
half an inch hroad : panicle dense, pyramidal: glumes
acute: awn variable in length, and sometimes wanting:
outei- palea of the neutral flower usually awned. One
01- two varieties have rough or hi'istly sheaths. It
grows on moist, rich, or manured soils, and along tli(>
coast in ditches. Flowers in August, September, and
October.

Some experiments liave been made to cultivate this
connnon species in the place of millet, to cut for greem
fodder. It is I'clished by stock, and is very succulent
and luiti-itive, while its yield is large.

"L'X(;.\I!IA.\ (;i!A

ss,

1 1.

I , >-.<i.v; iiiui 10 lias

'>een unMly.e,!. It is , I<„fV plant

I- IK- l-Si. Illiiit;;imii Qniss.

I ll

IK'iTI.K (i If ASS.

iiiul roinaiiis rrrocn until its s.-cls i.mtiiiv. an^l is „.)
•louhf valual^ic. lur i;„l,|,.r, l.,,tli o'lvni aii.l .liv. ^rowii,.^
and luatmi.)- in alnMit tlic san..' tin..' as .•„nnn..n nn-JIct''
From twiMity-livr tu tl,i,|_v l.nshels uf seed to the acre
liave been olitained.

(i(). Sktaima.

Spilcolcts as in the -enus ranicnm. awniess, with
sK.i-t pednncK's ..r (h.wer-stalks prodtu-ed hevond
them into schtary or chisten-d hiisth^s. Iil<e a\vii/ In-
Hoicscence in dense, spik.-d panich's. ,„• eviiiuhical
spikes. Annuals.

The Hhistlv Foxtail (Sctdrln rvrHrllhit,,) is n j^Tass
sometimes, thoii-h rarely, loiin.j ahont I'arm-lioiiso^ !i
has eyiindrieal spik,>s two ..r tliiv(. inches I. .11- pjije-
j,n-een, somewhat interrupted with whoried, shoiT ehis-
ters, iiristies sinj>-le or in pairs, roug-hened i,r harl)ed
downwards, short.

IJoTTi.K (Ji.-Ass, sometimes called Foxtail (Srffiria
(flux ra). — This is an annual, with a stem from one to
three feet high ; leaves hroad, hairy at the base : sheaths
.smo(.th: ligulo bearded; spike two to three in.-hcs I,,ng.
dense, cylindrical: bristles six to eleven in a ehisier.'
rough ui)wards; ])erfect flower wrinkled. The spike is
of a tawny or dull orange-yellow, when old. Flowers
111 .July. It is common in cultivated grouiuKs and barn-
yards. Introduced.

The (JitKKx Foxtail, sometimes als,, called Bottlk
(Jkass {Sdarla vlridis), has a cylindrical spike, more or
less compound, green: bristles f,>w in a, cluster, longer
than the spikelets ; flower perfect, striate lengthwise
and dotted. It is common in cultivated grounds.

_ The Bengal Grass, sometimes called M\LhET {Setarla
dcdica), also belongs to this ucihh. It has a compound

'■^M.A (;itAss,

147

•"• I".rplisl. I.nsth^'t,^/ ,'""":'"" ''•"^O-.'llowisl.

i^i'St-:,;;:!:;:;',:!';.-.!;- '"«.'.iK.v in /,.1Z

lirrH',., . „ —"''"'''■"■'""'■■'Hi,,,,-

■" .-::.:;., :::,;;;'"irv''-'-~^''f! ■

flH^'upex: sh.u.s (all and lam. 'l '% ' ^".'^ ^^""^''^ '^t
"'^•••oots: loav.s (uoad a„?flr ' ^'■'''" t'"^'^^'. ^reop.

^'">..^; not on: t';r ' ^M :i;;:::t'7";'"' ^'-^'-^^

"■'-- 'H.rtor could he. ,.,.own T n'^/' Z""^''' ^''•J"^"

7-^^-tld,h,and JloI^J*]^^^^^
f''"so of Indian corn. Gro^TL I ''''^' "'''''^■^'

'•-tst. iro.n Xow England T . "'"'? '"'''^' ''^^"'- *'-'

-"' ^lonnn. states, where it is n^^Z T^''^'^
"tout, coarse, and j.ardy gniss. ""'^"^"O"- Jt i« a

I

jjlll

f. I

wm^-

14S

I'l Nd i:i(-si'iK i;i> \\()(M) (iitAss.

in ii |iiuiicle, and clot hrd with Ion,-, silky hairs. .<taniens
one to three. (Ji'aiii iVcc.

^\'<»ol,LV I>i;Ai!h (ii.'A^s (EriiuitliKs n/(j/,rci/r<)i(/<'.s) is
found on the wet pine lianvns of \e\v .leisev, in
Illinois, and at the South. It <;-i'ows from four to six
feet Jii^'h: woollv-hearded at the joints : panicle eon-
tmeted : silky hairs lonu'er than the si)ikelets.

SHuin-AWXKn Wooi.lv IJkaim) ^ Er'nmlliNs hrn-ihiirhis)
is also I'ound on hiw ouuds, in Viru'inia and southward.
.U'rowin.i;- from two to five feet hiuh. ami somewhat
hearded at the upper joints. Tanicle i-ather open.

^m^M

(•4, AM»l!0|'0(,d\.

Spikelets much the same as in
the preeedino- ^vnus, hcarin,!;- ;i
^U\ "''"^^''' ""' ■■^tiiiiiinute lowei' (lower:
ulumes and palea' often wantin.n" :
upper (lower pei'feet : ,u'lumes awn-
less: lowci- paica awned. Flowers
in pam'eles and spikes. Most of
these o'rasses ai'e coarse and hard
perennials. ha\in<^- lateral iw terni-
nial spikes, commonly clustered
, or di.Li'itate, with the "rachis hairv
/ oi' ('eathery-licarde(l.

Fin(;ki{-si>ikki) \Voon (Jrass (,///-
ih-ojioijoit J'nrciifKs) i^rows about
lour (eet hij^h : lea\-es iicarh-
smooth: si)ikes digitate, or general-
ly liy threes and fours : lower
(lower awnless; tin? spikelets rou.u'li-
ish. downy : the awn hent. Flowers

n^'. 1-.;.. ri;;. \■z^. m Sei)teinl)or. A spike of this g-rass

is shown in V'v^. 124. a part of it enlar-cd in Fi,u'. 125,
its pistil in Fi,ii'. liiO, its glumes in Fig. 127. It is rnni-
mon on sterile soils, roekv liaiiks. and hill-sides.

I'CHPJj-; Wood (;i;\ss |;,;oo\i c,.. • , /
It-'ot hiuli.

(■ , , -•v^iuu, .SU11(1\- S

,'-"Vl"l,,„S,,„..,„,,„, It ,™,vs V,.o,„ ,„.., ,o four

•I , o ■■will t >\ u (y Tour

. 1 ^7f'"'mn.v-bra.K-lK.| l-anides : lower she

.nft liairv ui„„g tl,e edges. ' "'" ^ ''■"■''"' "S'

<''"iM- m Sopteml.er an<l (Vh.l.er.

M'ons on snniliir soils to tl,,> [...f n "'J"'"<'^.)

t"-o or tluve in distant clusters.

spikes solt,

<>;>. SoKoiiuir.

M .1, p,„y,.l,: sI„.,„|,ss„10„|Ik spilcolot. ii..|,t l„.„„,,
. Jfld kIossv. , roop 11.' u-lieii i„,t„,. . i ■ "uiwij

--<"-.-,. I Mi„;.e,: ;;, :r, '.;;:,• ''''''■^''''''^''"-'

150

BROOM CORN.

Indian Mili.kt [Sojy/iioii rnJij(ire) is a cultivated
species, and has several well-marked varieties. It is
calleil (Juiiica corn in tla^ West Indies. IHidiiira in Aia-
bia, Jovuree in India, and Xagara in the nortli ot China.
It is sometimes used as a forage plant.

The tall cereal, which has long heen cultivated in the
south ol' Eiii'ope and in J3arliai'y, under the general
name of sorgliiim. rt'semhles Indian corn in (juality.and
is often called siikiII uniizv. Its stems contain a pretty
large jjer cent, of saccharine matter, and it is useful to
cut green as a forage })lant.

Indian nn'llet, wIkmi raised on good soil and under
fiivorahle circumstances, is said to yield a larger (pian-
tity of seed to the acr(i than any vither (.-ereal gr;iss
known, not exceitting even Indian corn. Its nutritive
quality is nearly e(pial to that of wlieat. The couuiion
millet is the /KUticNiii iiith'tictttiii.

Bkoom Corn (Si>r(///iiiit siirclinrdtKiii) is considered bv
some botanists as a \ar;ety o\' So,(///kiii oilifarc: by
others, as a distinct species. Its leaves are linear:
ligules short and hairy: panicle with long, loose, expand-
ing branches. It is an annual, and llowers in August,
growing from six to nine feet high. Native of India.

The panicles are used I'or brooms, and the seeils for
poultry, swine, Ac. It i.* < xtensively cultivated in nianv
parts of the cotnitry along the ("ounecticut Kiver. in
Massachusetts, the Mohawk, in X' w ^'ork, and at the
West. It is said to have ln'cn liist cultivated in this
couiitiy by Dr. Franklin, wdio foun 1 a seed on a stalk
ill the possession of a lady, and [)lai'ted it.

("iiiNKsK Si(;.\ii.('.\M.:. S()i;(;no, or Soi.'raio SrcijK
(Sonj/nnii iihjniiH), is a plant well known throughout the
United States. It rises witli a stem from six lo lifteen
feet hiiiji. acc(>rdi!!g tofju. soil on wliieh it i^'i'ftws. erect.

CIIJXKSK SUGAK-CAxNE. 15^

*^mooth; leaves linear, flexiious, -racefully curving

ill!

Kif.-. ]- .. CliiiiL'.-ic ,-;utr;ir CiiMJ.

i

1 i

^\^

■ I

ft

152

•SUOAIi-CAXK.

'lou-„ at the onrls. resembling Indian ..urn in its earlv
.^Toutii, and l.roon, con, lo whici, it is nearly alhVd, at
...utunty. Flowers in a paniele at the top, at first
,^Teen elian-ing tlirough the sliades of violet to pur-
l>le, when more advanced. It is seen in Fi- \-2{;

This plant has lately been introdnced and used lor
torag-e, and experiments have been made with it for the
manulacturc of molasses or sirup and su-ar

It is rich in saechari.ie m, ^ter, and u hu-ge amount of
nutruive lodder can be obtained frem it.
^ It grows best on a dry soil, and under a hot sun, and
IS i.sually planted in the san.e manner as Indian corn
both as to preparation of ground and time of planting-
generally m hills when it is intende<l to ripen its seed"
an<l ... drdls when it is wanted to cut up green for soil!

.ng pn.^poses, or to cure and ieed out in winter as a
lorage crop.

Various opinions have been oppressed, bv practical

a.mers. as ,o the comparative value of thi^ new addi-

«'.. to our cultnated plants, and these opinions have

grown" nnicb by the locality in which it was

lb. cultu,^, which was extensive in Xow England

l"...:u M,e hrst year or two aft.M- its introduction, has

iH-en, to a great extent, abandoned there, while further

expenments, n, other sections ,,f the countrv, have

I'eenattend.wl with greater satislaetiun

-rc/.o-./.., /olcn. sncrl.,rn,„.. Ar., names which had
I'een previously ,,ppliod ,o another plant. It seen.

proper to yield t., the prior clann. ami Iprefbr to speciiv
It as the /boiy/ntii/ iiifiru ,ii.

TI.<.Su^,u,-Can,,,.V,,,,./,,,,.„,„ „/,•,,,„,,,,„,„ ;
'''"''"''."""""'■ I" tl' »t«m, „r,™ two in hi; t

'tSl 9

Kl"i.i- two „1,|„ „:;''; '^■'■'"""'l. 'oo«. |„.„i,le,:

^:r''''-"'''--'=^™"^:™;:::.;:;:i;,.::;:

towards the clo.e of fin- U f >"u(lu.n, >tat..s.

Tl, w • ■ ''*"*"'^''^""- -in'l adjoiiimP' states

^tamMK.te in tenuinal paniHes ! , ^ "r''"7'' '''"
K'ss, ol.tuse: t!ie i.ist ll^.t,. .>,. '"^ i , ' = P-i'*'- awi,.

1-1- ='^vnless : IVuit eun.p';"^!:,;' ' ^'""'^^^ '''-> -^^"^^ ;

I*

IIHK

154

INDIAN COIi.V.

I.MMAN COHN, MaIZK [Zot lUOf/s), is U tlUG gTilSS,

laiuiliar t(. everyborly in tin's couiitrv. iiii<l by liir the
most iiiipoitant and extensively cultivated of any plant
known to our agrieultni-e.

Tlic practice of sowin.i;' Indian corn in drills, for tlie
purpose of cutting- up green I'or fodder, was reconi-
ni.'nded some years ago by a i)rogressivo agricultuiist,
and. though at first ridiculed, it soun came to l)e planted
ill small patches of a few rods s(piai'e. bv piaci icid
iarmers here and there, till now it is regarded as almost
an in(lis[)ensable crop,, not only to carry a stock of
cattle through a severe summer drought, when our pas-
tures arc short and dry, but to cut and cure in large
• piantitics lor winter use. The weight and value of an
acre of corn foTldei- is vcrv lai-gc.

A more extended notice of this plant will be giveu
ill the next chapter.

fill

m

CHAPTER IT.

THE ceheama: oh. the .uassks cultivatei.

EOJt Til El I! SEEDS.

We have d^voIftl^,s|:u• cidelly upon M,o .^^^^^^^^^

. nated an, n-,|,I. uln.h are us.d ro ,,cate,- oi. loss
■y M, as l,„Hl „, stn.k. eiti.er in tl,e ...ven and sure-

I" ns chapter f propose to speak brielly uftl.o cere.l
or he grasses wlneh ai^e eultivuted niainlv on account
ot the large s,.e of their iarinaeeous or n.Jalv seeds.
J he Cn-eaha nnght properly he considered u genus

° "^^-^^^■'''''•'^-^•''•'•'''^••••-thes^^
oMns,,at.se the (;.../..., ,.,,,^

on t 1 e^^, pon.t of vieu'. The term itself w,

; --1 -.nCeres^.lciliedhytheancient^asthel.eau-
'i- Koddess ot corn, and it includes a class of plants
bv far the niost^nuportant of any in the kno^vn wl.rld '
I he ;;e.H'aIs ai-e all annuals, and tlun- die down alter

i.av.ng,ulhll..d their natural destiny -the product!
-md npenn.g of the.r seeds, in structure thev resen-
Ule the grasses of wliicli u-m I,..,- > i i . >- ' 'h

i. tiM.v ,11 I 1 . ' already sj.oken : that

■Nthc^ d have Ix.llou- stems, divided or closed at rhe

jo.nts, win e Irom these joints start sheaths uh,,.h r."

claspn.g the stems, hut open or divided on on.. Sid; '

he ears or heads of the cereals consist of nno.v How"

c.s, arranged either in spikes, as in wheat, or panicle.

-moats, nee and millet. They have th.;e sJamen;: '
llHs class of planls consists chielly of rice, wheat.

n
was
u-

1 .',

'»(;

i <

""■'--i^Ks, , ;,,.,■,,. x-okm;in.

Iiiii

Wll

\

J^|''H( a-^.a..,//,vo is alonj^ |.anicIorl grass

H.,- when npc, so.no n.s.Hl.la..coto''o;'t!'
Tilt seed M-mun,o. j,, ,, separate pciieel sfu-f
'"^ i'-oiu the nutin stalk. Karh 1...."' ^

^->n, rne „uun stalk. Ka.h kernel ten.

-->"anuwn,ancIise,,eluse,linarougl.
">^ or s,.ale, ot a yellowish c.lor. The

;tV''' ^'''\^^' '-'^^^ ^^ --'- ^'' that o^
^\ heat, except f|,;,tth,. ioinf.

Ol

FlL-. IJ'I.

.,.,„.„ "'\^' "^■»-' ^^ «"'Hlar to that of

; - / '^"nnnal.an.l rises to the height of
'';;■--- i-t,ueeonling to thovrrie^
^ ;;" -I -y- a stalk of rice, with is
l''^''"' p^iMiHo, IS shown hi Fio- i-K)

/;"••'-""■''' '^ '•"•npns,.d. to aV<'at" extent

;:^: :■••''' f';'-- i-.ativ5y.n;n ;:

-*-" :',^e ot g]„t,M,, which forms a large pro
l--t'on of good wheat-llonr. The ^ee
--n. ed with a husk, whieh is SO dit,:

"'■•'to, as to be, li/Henlt of separation.
> ••'"Hne.l Uy passing through nnll-stones,

,;''";^"-"g'i' apart to pn.vent crushing the
r7'- ''"V-""''-"t'.v near to ren.ove the
'"i^Is-s or chaff hvfri.'tion

'^"v. .loul.tlcss, originate.! in Asia, where
t '> '<noun to have heen extensively user!

;;;'-.yages^ and where., Von, the Earliest
^^^"'■> ol^yhu•h ^vo hnve any record, it has

;;;;'-;^ J-ehiefandn.ostin.portantfbodof

'- '"'"'^'"tants. It is also at the present time

- -'y produced. nKgypt, and fln-n.s an i!::

jy^'ncartiele of commerce, and a produc-

fvc; source of wealth. The facilities br .

Katnmallordedhvthe Rivcr Xile make

' ''.TlifK. \ .\i;ii;tiks.

■ >(

'J'li

I.IK S l.s ,,| III,), (.|.|, , ,,i. r.

;7""'! t'""""" 'i- u is \^h 1 ,. ;™'-''' •;■

tlie close of tlie ^..vc.f.w.nfl '-''''"''.-'-' 'H <<'uar.]s

;v';rdr:;;: ?-•'" --

(^•^ ' iii.iij Ml riic conn i-i,>s w i..i-<. u ,

'.'J::i:i;;:™:r:::;t:t,,r;;-,'::;;c"'--' •

""' •••""•"OM rice requires lor its successful cultiv,
^^ "H. It .nay be considered as ahnost an anuatic n|.„ r

.i.ur .s mailer, and comes to nmturify earlier .n,!
^^'11 gvnerally r,,,eu i„ about four months- .\m i ,
'"<""-ice requires six months "'""^''^' ^^I^''^' con>-

Mountain rice will succeed Avith less moisture T ..,„
no ajvareth^^

t^Afoiir, m tills country.
14

i,T^;

IwS

iMcK ( ri.rri!

— WHKAT.

Cliiiniiiy rice will grow Ixitli on swamps and uplands.

Rico is generally sown in drills, into wliidi it is
dro}iped bv Iiand : after which the watcM- is let, on lor
several day>. to the (lei»th of some inches, when it is
rt'uioNi'd till the I'ice has sprouted and g-rown to the
heigh.; of fiKMi two to four inches. The water is then
again let uii, and sull'ered to remain for some days.
This destroys the grass and wi'eds, if any. Allor this
it is uccasionallv hoed and cultivated, to keej) it free
from weeds.

'I'he harvest commences generally in August, and
continues through Septemher : and it is gen(M-ally cut
with sickles, and gathercfl up into handles.

Rice is very extensively cultivate(l in China and in
India, and along the liiver Po, in Lomhanly. Jt is prob-
ably used as human food by a larger number than any
other cereal grain.

Wheat.

Wheat {TriflvKin i-uhjarc) is an annual herbaceous
plant, of many varieties, all arising, probably, from the
same parent, but modified by varieties of climate, soil,
and culture.

Wheat possesses, of course, tlie same general charac-
teristics as the rest of the graminea\ The seed is ob-
long, or a compressed oval, surrounded by scales or
cliatf, which are easily removed. That side of the ker-
nel or fruit whicli was next to the rachis in growing is
marked by a deep groove separating the mealy parts in
the middle. On the other side a small oval is seen. This
IS the seat of the embryo, or place where the germ of
the new plant is to take its start. This is also the point
of attachment of the pedicel on which the kernel grew,
and through which it derived all its growth and nour-
ishment. On arriving at maturity a detachment takes

MODI-; (IF (JROWTH.

l')!»

pliico lit this point, and it rioses u|, so as to loave tlic
scc.l r,v(> m its pales ur hnsks, Ih.n. which it is easily
sepaialcil.

The stalk or stem and leaves oi" the wheat plant, as
indeed of all the eercalia or -n.j.) plants. dJir,.,- f,-,,,,,
th.' other grasses in enntainino- „ nui<-h greater amount
<)l w.x.dy fihre. often amounting, when rit)e. to three-
I.Mirths ol th.- whole uvight. It is largelv .•omp,.sed
;>1 ."^liex, ii hard, llnity snl.stanc.., which gives the sieni
Its finnness and solidity, an.l especially its hard and
glossy outside coatiiiii'.

Were it not tor this hard .-teni.

it could not support its weight of
™w '""•■'■■^ 01" W'fiiiii. It Would lodge in
Tmk *'^'cry wind, and lie coinparativelv

"■ortliless.

\|''i|||j|' '''I't- t'nltivate<l i)lants belonging-
M^ ^'^ ^'"' ■'-^'*'""'' 'J^>'>H^'iiin iire annu-
'''iSfe '^'''' ^''^' ''''"''■•-' 'ii'L! wild perennial

x'Mffi^ g'I'ilsses.

'I The root of wheat i~ peculiarly

^ __^ ada.pted to withstand the sevei'ity

'HIW ^**^'."' ^^'"f'-'''"^ *'oliJ- The inain or
seminal root is pushe(l out at the

jm "'^^^ ^'"'^' ^^''^'' ^'"' .-^'''"'"'"^ 'liJit

^MmJ "f"'"''''''"'^ the ])lant in its early
'WfA y^'''*wtl'- As many as seventy-two
;f stalks liave been known to rise
from a single root.

The grain is composed to a
f?reat extent of starch, Avith a
v\l\:n. large percentage of gluten and
other nitrogenous bodies.
The two prominent and most striking varietie.-^ of

V\\i. 130.
IIuiiKurian Wheat

ICO

>VINTKff AM) SI- 1(1

.N<i W iu;.\ r

wliC'iU iirc kiiowi

^pnii;^' 'I'ritliHiu ,(..st

I as winter '/V/V

ii-ii lit

Injh

\\

If 1 1 III.

iiii«'i- wlicat lia< uviiciall

<'iir. >iiiui)tli ;"ii| jiwiil

y II larger

iiinre cMvct >i,.|ii. It i
ji'friiiiiiatu.s, i-oniuiuin

i's.-<, .■iiKl a -(r..|,ov|.. ||.,,.||

xriniiii, and

iiii'l |iMuiiiicr

tT. and

^ sown in antunin, and

ii't'i'u tliron,i:ii tl
;<"'«'"is growth carlv tl

start in- up into a vi.
spiin-. aiTivin- at niatniity in tiir (
Sonic ol the vuriotics of winter wl
Fiji's. i;;() and l;{|.

>oon
L' wintoi', and

H! next

"llowin^' siinnniM'.
K'at arc sliowii in

Tl

"TO are mans suh-varielies nf winter wl

ongiiiuted,|ir..l,al.h-, Croni inii

cultui'e.

icat. wincli
lenees of loralil\ , soil. and

tl

"• '\\»' prominent ,uTonj)s are l)e:t" k

le red and white wheats. '|'|

nowii a:

ardy. and is covered with a tl

a' ivd is n>iiall\ tl

le more

iii.u. which a.Iapts it hotter to hi-h iiorti

i"-ker and roiiLiher coat-

iind severe winter;

iL'rn lalitiides.

Tl

o iinioniit of ,L:lntiiioiis and sili

(iTiin) is said to he -realest in the red. and I
white, while it is medium in tim ami

Clous siihstaiices
I'ast in tlio

)er,

.Spring- wheat is less liardv than winter : tl

le stem ir

a' oar smaller and thinner

more slender and delicate, tl
and rather more drooi3ing, and adorned with I
or beards. It produces, ordinarily, less than tl
wheat, while the (piality of its ||

o\v^ awns

le winter

()ur is less esteemed :

I)ut still it often hecoines prohtahle for cultivat
is H vaiiiahle viiriet\-.

Le Couteur makes the foil

ion, aiii

eiidl(

summer and winter wheats I

owino' classihcation of tl

le

■ss varieties and suh-varieties into which botli thi

lave passed.

BEAKDLKSS Ul! WLNTKH WHKATS.

1 ^Vjiite Wjiciils, .siiiootli ciialfed.
- " " M'lvet iiusked.

•'' Rf'l " smootli cimtfal.

V A i;ii;tii:>

"I' win: AT.

f) Vi'llow

/ l/lvir

^"■l\''t liii>k,.,|.
Miiiootli I'haHoil.

Vclvft llll>.|v|..|.

"iriiMitli oli.itlcil.
W'iNCt liii-kol.

iti:Ai;i)i;ii i>u si'i;i.\

'■' WIIKATS.

I Wliii,. Spriiiu' Wheat
- Iti'il S|,iiii- Wliciit.
'■'■ Vcllinv S|.iiii}r Wlicit.
I ll(iiii;v Sprin^r \V|

ICM'

Amuim' lilt

lit'C'ii cuItivatcMl t

vtin'ctics of wiuf !•

Miiy extent i I \]i\!

wll.'u wliich lijivo

iiienti()iic<l tlic c.iiiiiiK.ii Wiiito i'
Flint, the Whifr I'

<-•" iKiy iiiiiv 1)0
i.t iiii: (ivcd White

n.venre \VlH,,f. ... WlieiithuHJ l{e.|
H' ..s.-M,. l.aM. the Skinner Wheut, the Cuhh-n fho,.

tlie White nine St

I'aw. known in Oh

nt ;is tl

lil

111!

I -t. the >e:,nle,l Mediterranean, OhI White Flint, the
rnh the (.n.esee. tiK. F,vptian. the Old KVd Chair
rile (^lalcer Wheat, the V ""

Hed. the IJald Mediterra
innnnieralihi other;

11"\\- Hoiirdod, the Kentnekv
'"•'I'l. the Red nine Stem, and

Anioiii:- th

I' sprni^' varieiies nia

Italian Spring- Wheat. Tea Wl

.V iie mentioned the

ck Sea Wheat Bla.-k IJearded an.l Re.l JJeurd
H heats, the Seoteh Wheat, Talavera Whe
loa Wheat, the Canada Cluh, the File cte,

ii'at, or Siherian Wheat,

ed
lieat. the Black

All

'II

le litiaiv

inetios may he easily niodihod bv cnit

led

may l)oeome I.eardI

"•i'«l may pass into the whit

i vat ion.
ess, and vice versa : the

ea:

*ily inodih(>d so us finallv to i

0 varieties, and thi" wint

er IS

vanetv know

•■come a sprino- wheat.

■sjjcltci), is sJDwn in ]■
f^liowu in Fi„, 133 J,.

one-seeded wheat (J^riti
<'<irn, in Fjo-. 135

14*

a>* spelt, or spelt wheat { TrificuM

iff. 132. Avhil

e a snnimei- \ ai-ietv h

■yptian wheat in Fi-'. l;]4. and
'cfm monoeovvnm), or St. Peter's

liii

111

Tl-^V.

1(52

s'U.MMKj; win; ATS.

As already intiniate.], wheat is composed chiefly of
starch, the l.e|■cel,ta,^e o»' which varies lioni h'l'tv to

s<^veiity y.cv cent. : of gluten,
the I'erceiita-eofwhicli varies
fVoin ten to twenty: and of
ii'oni thiee to iivo percent, of
fatty matters. The best flour
contains, tliereforc, .seventv
pounds of starch, or upwards,
in every huiidnMl poiuids, and
the balance is nuide up oi'glii-

h\'. \.\

FiV. l^l'i

CULTn.'K.— I!Aj;j,KY.

163

c Ml u hcMt-grown.g .sections of the country.
I>\f(i.i:v.

" ;" I- Its amount „( stnivl, i. „1„„„ tlio . „„o ,, , "

--■■ a .„. s..vo,.al PCM- oon,., „,,,i„a,-ilv Iron, liiZ
•■'!^<. ../ a,„„,„l,i„o.l sa,.ol,a,-i,„, ,nalt,.,- '

-::::;ir,::;t:;::;;:.-;ri:'":;i---^

fr

164

niiUMX OF p. AKI.KV

t f

the barleycorn ot the old linear iiicusurc. TIh- iiveraj;-o
■VV('i'>-lit Dei' Itusliel is lielweeii iirtN-aiid tili\-iiiie [)()un(l.-..

The native (•(niiitry of liailey is as unknown as that
of whoat. There is a tradition aniung the Hgyi)tians
that harley was tlie hrst grain used by mankind, and
tliey traee its intnxhietion, as a. cultivated |)lant, to tlie
goddess Isis. It was ciiUivated in Syi'ia more than three
thousand years ago: for we read that Ruth gleaned in
the held till evening, and beat out what she had, and it
was about an e[)hali of liarley, and she gleaned till the
end of the barley harvest.

The u'rasses I'eferred b\- l)otanists to the same genus as
barley have a strong outward resemblance to it: but
none of them, by any degree of '•u!tur(\ can be improved
so as to bi' of service as food, so that they give no in-
dication as to the origin of the grain in (jnestion: ar.d
as we know it to have Ixmmi usecl in Syria from a very
remote an(i(iiiity. it is natural to iider that it originated
in that country. There are four distinct species of
barley, and from these have arisen a great numtier ot
varieties.

Th(> common liarley, or the Hordnnii n/l(/iir(', Fig.
VM\. is a spring s})ecies, and this is the kind most
connnonly cultivated. It is six-rowed, the rows being
slightly irregular, the interm(Hliat(> ones being a little
the most prominent. This is extensively cultivated in
Germany. It has pass(M| into a six regular rowe(l
variety, which is a winter grain of a somewhat sliort(M-
ear, and shells moi-e easily when ripe, endures more
severe colds, and may be cultivated as a winter variet^■.
It is shown in Fig. IMT.

'I'wo-HowED V> \\\]j:y { II(>i(/euiu ilist'iclnoii). Fig. IHS.
is sometimes cultivated in this country, its spike, or
ear, is long and somewhal compressed, and the grain is
of a very good (|Uality. It is sown in spring.

Sl.\-KOWhD BAULKY.

KJo

Tliere is al-^o the true Avinter barley, the Hordeuin
lK'xantu:i(iii, (irsiiiiarr barley, and the Hordeiuiizeocritou,

as

1 1

V\\:. l:ii;. Cniniiinii IMrl.'v

l-'if. 1:17

m

166

^' h

j

■^ .\\

,

. ,|

tl

Fi-. i:!S,
rciwi'd r>;i

lesi- SI

(iliOWTH OF liAIM.EV.

<»• sprat harley. A l.eanlless varietv. the

Ilonleum Irt/'u rmtnu,, is ais.. kn,,wn to

, f-oiiio extent, hut possesses no H<lvaMta..>-s

.for cultivation, that I an. aware ot; over the

more comniou varieties.

Jiiirley is probably enltivated over a
wider range of eliumte and latitude than
any othei' eereal. In warm climates it
,l)asses tlirough 'ts various phases of vege-
tation with asto. ishing rapi(.ity, so as to
eseape the droughts of sunnner: and in
col. I climates its growth is even more ra{)id,
coming to maturity l.elbre the frosts of
autumn. LinnaMis found it growing in
jfiulean Lapland, in latitude 07'' 20', where
Ithe harvest began on the 28th July, the
seed liav.'iig been sown oulv six weeks.

In the ^varmer clim;<te of Spain, two
crops uiay lie taken from the same gri.und,
by sowing in autumn and the following
summer. In this respect, therefore. i»arlev
has the advantage of being more important
to iiiaidvind than even wheat.

Harley succci-ds best in soils of medium
consistency, but accouuuodatt's itself to
almost oveiy ai'iety of soil, except verv
moist ones. Ir endures a drought Itetter
than excessive moisture, but it i('(|iiir('s as
deep and gooil tillage as wheat, and ma\
lake the same place in the iiitation as
winter wheat or lye. It takes from the
soil a largiM- percentage of nu'neral sub-
stances, as jiotasii, linu!, magnesia, j)hos-
. ]ihoric acid, ^c, th.m wheat or rye, and
-tanccs r-luiuld, in some loiin. be rt'storerl to

USES OK l!.\ IM, KV. 107

the suil that is repeatedly ciopped with l)ariey. Liijiiid
maiiui-es are extensively usetl for it in Flanders, and
they promote it.s rapidity of vegetation ; but too .stimu-
lating animal niaiiures cause it to run too mucii to
stalk.

" When till' oiik puts on hi.-, j^osling f;my,
'Tis tiniL' to sow barley night iiiid day,"

is an i)U\ maxim, han<led down to the Norfolk farmers,
fiiim which it appears that experience had shown the
lirst l)U(ldii:g of the oak, previous to the expansion of
its leaves, as the best time to sow this grain. The most
extensive use of barley at the present time is for brew-
ing and distilling, a use of it which dates back to the
remotest tuitiquity, and which is said to be due to the
monks.

The 'oest and heaviest grain is desirable. The com-
position of barley ami the malt made from it are essen-
tially dilferent. and may i)e stated as fohows :

'i'liiy- Mrtit.

Gititun, ....:! ■[

Sugar, .... 4 k;

Gum, .■, 14

Starch, ... 88 r,f»

The quantity of barley annually consume<l for brew-
ing in Great Britain v\ri'v(U thirty nn'llions of Inisliels,
and irom this more than eight millions of barrels of'
beer tire yearly brewed.

Barley is extensively used in eastein countries as
food i'or horses, but lias never gained so great fiivor in
•ooler latitudes. It is a less heating feed than the oat.

Barley ought to be reaped before it becomes de id
ripe. In this state the liu.sk is thick, making it more
diflicult grinding. The ai)|)roaching period of ripeness
is indicated by the yellowness of the straw and tiie
drooping o|' the heails.

ii

5

I! II

168

KViv - CHAltACTKlMSTICS.

'parley contains, on an avc-rage, about sixty-live ,,.,■
^-ent. of nutr.t.ve nmtter, uhil. whe.t contains ahont
seventy-e.^I.t per cent. Aeconlino. ru ti.e elaborate
-Ijernuents ot Tl.aer. the con.,a.-ative value of wl :^

:'';^ :;r' ^''^ ;;^'- *7^''''^ '^^-l^. "-y I- represented
'na n' "'" -t' 1"'^'"^ ti- -ne .p.u.titv of e:..]..

I.e^o.l on wl, eh these grains are cuh.v.ted has an
doubt, nuuh t(, ,lu with their c,.j

'Ui[)ositioii.

RVE.

is].!l!l' ':^f"%'--f''! i^^ -i<l to be a native of the
wS:ndba;t. '^ '-^ ^''-^ --mediate between
The general eharnotcristi.s have been stated in the
pn;ro..n.o: chapter. It is ^o ..uly allied to the genus
Jnt>r.>,, that ,t .. not always easHy distinguished tVon,
-^ I here are Im-r prominoni species, known to beta-
iHsts as Sa-nf. nlh,,>nu, or tuited rye- : ^Scrah- onndak
o.dwarl onental rve : ^a,/. or//.vo., or Cretan rve'
and .^r../c crcnio: the hist beuig ihe only one cultivated
111 th:- fountry Ibi- its seeds.

It is eharacterixed by ]ong-i,eanled spikes, or ears, and
a tall and swndcr stem. The glunu>. of the calvx are
toothed on I he edges: the root is Hbrous and a"nnual •
the stem,, on. ted. somewhat branched at the bottom and
smooth The spike is terminal, solitarv, erect, 'and
otteu three or four inches long: the awns straight
••nn.uh. (Mvct. an,I four or hvc times \\n^ len-th oflhj
glumes. 11i,> plant is shown in Fiu'. l.SO.

<)!• this there are two prominent varieties, known to
farmer., as winter and spring rye. and .]m^ to culture
mainly.

The va.icty most connuonly cultivated, and which is
.^presented ,n the li^rure. is known as winter rve : and
this ,s t.. be preferred, whether it i. sown thr the -rain

l'('I/IUI!K OK ifVK.

' n

169

t.o srn.v. Its characters as a vanetvar. so littl.
.'.Ne.l tl,at , ,nay be sown at almost any'season ul the
•V''"''^^'f''f''^'l'opeof^.ettin..acrop, in
nioi.ropcr season for it, either of o-rain
«)>■ ,i;'roen fodder. It is far less sensitive
to the cold of winter tlian wheat, whih-
■t;^ vegetation is more rapid, so that in
I'ljrh northern latitudes it is often a
UK'ie important crop.

, '''''^''•"Itivationofryedoesnotesson-

ti'dly diin.r from the other grains. It is

nsmilly sou-n broadcast on a well-culti-

viited sod, hut will succeed on lighter

sods than wheat, and does not recpiire ^^

•^o much moisture as either rvheat or

txirley. Win at. in particMdar, nmst have

a rons.derabie mixtun* of chiv, or what

^vould be called a. elay loan.; or a clav

subsod. to arrive at its full perf.-ction a"s
" ><-">mK.r,.(ive crop. I, succeeds ad-
""^''''l.V «•" tin. ca!care(uis s„i|s „f the
western prairies. Um rye re.piires less
moisture than wheat, and will do very
well on light, sandy loams, and in a
comparatively diy season.

'I"he grain or,
iu sixe

M

kernel of I've is
than that ol'

smaller
wheat. It tillers
"uieh less Hi growing, and its straw or
stem, when ripe, is v,mv ; id. in silica •
'"<^'-^' .-o than that of wheat, whih. it con-

'••-■•-^i pl.oX andXt^:^'!

r;;;;;:;;;-n.rc. to be highly in,.rtant't

rii.'. l:;!i.

niiiccd. tiiev a

''■ liir all the cereals.
If)

;!'ii '

i in

it

i '.

170

(T I.TUKK. — 1}\- A l,irii;s.

f ti

'hi

f

j .
■

\ :i

1 !

liyr stiiiw, ili(.u-li of little value I'or i\uU\cv, is in
great (Icniaiid lor litter, aii.l lor various iiieeliaiiical pur-
lM)ses, and (•oiumamls a Jiigli price, vaiyiny in the iJus-
toii market Iroiii ten to filteen dollars a ton. IJut it is
iis a fodder-plant, and particnlarly i'or soiling in earlv
spring, that it is now extensively used ainl highly prized.
For this purpose it is sown in the autuiuu, th<"> earlier
the better, after other crops come from the giound. and
in early spring it starts up luxuriantly, and is h'l to he
fed olf hy shee]) and lambs, or to cuiat the height of
six inches. At this stage of its -rowth, and before it
begms to spindle, it is succulent and nutritious : but, as
soon as this period of its -rowth is reached, it loses'its
succulent .pudities, and is no longer relished by stock.

Hye has sometimes been parched and ground as a
substitute for collee; but it wants the griiteful aroma
and the stinmlating properties of the ihv,)rite Mocha
bean, and it can hardly come into gcnei'al use.

b*\e sown with wheat produces a mixed crop known
as ntc^/iN, which I'orms one of the healthiest kinds of
bread that it is possible to make, and practical millers
much [.refer wheat and rye gro^vn together to anv mix-
tuie ot the two that have been -rowu separately.' The
'■nuiparative value of wheat and rve is about as 71 to
<i^. according to the most accurate experiments and
analyses.

I>nt rye may be cultivate.1 hunger on the same soil
•liau almost any other crop of the tkrm. This is a fict
winch has often been noticed by practical farmers.

Rye contains a large i.er cent, of o-luten, larger than
any of the cereals except wheat, while about live per
cent, of it consists of ready-formed saccharine matter,
which makes it easily converted into malt, and so into
beer and other spirits, particularlv that known as •■ Hol-
lands,' which is distilled from rve. (lavon.,! with iuni-

KIMJO'I-, — OATS.

171

per, the Dutrl, inr winrh i> (n>,ccn; Irom which con.es

(xt'incu, roiitraclcd in (Hi,.

live is suhject t,. u i;,iul ,li.M.;,se, l<n„\vi, as er-ot •
au.l when attacked with it is ulteii called spurred nv
Jt IS must destructive in wet seasons, and is eon.inonlv
ascrii.ed to a lunoous or„u-tlu th(> iH.isenons ellect^ .^V
winch when taken into the system of either men o.^
annuals, were ..hserved as earlv as MOfJ. It is ibrtu-
Kately, m.t very prevalent in this c,„nitrv. hut' some-
times develops itself in rye. as well as h/seM.c uf th.-
ntlH.r -rasses. as .In.ie glass mid reed canary grass, and
ni some other species.

Oats.
The Oat {Arena .safira) derives its English name IVu.n
a .Saxon word sig.dtying to eat : while its generic name
avena corner from u I.atin won), signifvino. t„ desire'
from the tliet that cattle are fond of it.

This plant differs considerably, in appearance, from
either wheat, rye. or l.arley. It grows in panicles,
the calyx heing twc.-valved <.r tw,.-seeded : the seeds
-i.M.oth, and one-awj.ed: the root annual: the stem
growing from two to three feet high. The two glumes
or the chaff of the ,.alyx. are nerved, pointed at thj
end. longer than tlu, flower, and nncpial. The two
Howers and see.ls in each calyx are alternate, conical in
shape : the smaller awnless, the larg,.r Ihrnished with a
strong, Lent awn. of two colors. The branches of the
panicle are erect when green, but droop as the see.l
npens. from its weight.

The only species cultivat,H] for its seeds, the am.n
^i"n;>. has passed into many varieties, such as the J'..-
^o Oat, the Siberian, the Tartarian, the I>oland. the
White, the Black, the riorse-mane Oat. A-c Tho first is
"ndonbte<lly one of !i very bc^t of these varieties

1

1

12

vai{ii;tii:,s. — ci;i.i i iti;.

K j ;:f|

<•' 'Hcl, tl.nu;;lM^,...iui.v.s a snnH.wh.r ,irhor soil tlum

~ ntl,,.,' ..iiirtiVs. It was lonii.l
K'<)\vi:i- acci(K'iitally in a lKa|.
of iiiaiiuro witli s.»ii,o potato-
flants. and liciicu its odd ;„,,..

'f^gTiiiiiislurguuiulpliiiai). ''''"'
t-'oimnuii out is seen in Fig. 1 (o.
Fur p(„)r lands, tlic Tartarian
or the Siberian is said t.) W jav-
'•''••'''le. The Poland lias a thick
husk and u coarse straw. Tho
v/liite varieties uro known l.y
niiiny loeal names, tlionni, there
'-'•0 Init sli-ht dillerenees |.e-
tween them. Oats re(|nire ^ood
loumy or stiff soil t. produce
tho lurgesf cnips, and do l.est in
a moist elimale or wet season.
They an,' generally sown bn-ad-
<'ast, and harrowed or rolled in.
^Many iiirmers are aceustoiued to
allow them to stand ^lo long and
g-ct over-ripene.l. I,, this^ ase
they shell ; ,, ,.asilv. thus , us-
ing considei.iMe loss, while the
straw becomes comparativelv
worthless for f'..,,,|i,)g purpo,-.r<.
As soon as the .>(.jm turns yellow
I'clow the head or panicle, tlio
ci'opshonld becut, without (lela_-, .
U has been oi'ten renu, .od i>v
iiirmers that other crop m ■ •
rotation follow oats beto r than
FifT. 140. Out- any other iirain.

-^. "isg"— "^

M'TlilTIVK <^r.\l. ITI i;s- SKKI.. I7;J

The initritiv,. ,|„alith.s nf ,,;,(s aiv Irss tliui. tlioso of
any ..ll„.r oiaiii, taking, u.-i-lit lor wcio.l.f, vorv rarc-lv
oxroLMlii.u', ovoM in the lir.t ,,iMlity. T.» per ceMtf: wliile
those ot wheat, for ii.stunee, often excee.! !»:, ,„>,• ,vnt
They are used mainly as fo(,.l for horses in tins eoun-
try, the use for any o(i,er purpose l,ein- eoniparativelv
limited. In Franee and (;ern.any the practice of [..kin'o.
<Mts and rye to^-ether in loaves as Ibod for horses is
said to he ,ii'ainin|n' {^'I'dund.

The quantity Mf oars iv,p,ired to seed an acre prop-
''■•ly IS In.n, three t.. lo,.r laishels. .\h,nv farnaMs over-
seed, and use fron. lour l„ six lu.shels. l,ut withouf
ivajHU^ Ml proportion lo what thev had sown.

For the purpose of aseertaiuin- so lar as one expc^i-
inent could throw li^hi upon it. the requisite quantity
to seed an ace fully and ec.non.icallv, ...xperin.ents
wore instituted ut tho State Farm, in Massachusetts in
the .,. 'ug ol 18r)S. and with the following results

Tlie oats were s<,wu hroad.-ast, on the liTth and 2Sth
days ot \ n\^ and harrowed in:

il

Lot N... 1, ut III. ,:i|c (,!■ five hllsJioN

■'. " lour "

" •'. '• " tliivo "

" -i. " " >w.. '.

'I'll.

to tlic acre, viekl 12 IxislieN

" " 10 " '.

12(1 1;, "

l'»fs consi-teil ot ai

' f'crc and a half each, and

were manured with one hundn-d pounds of plaster of
laris per acre, spread broadcast, and harrowed in, ex-
cept a strip of one a, re, running across all the lots,
which reeeivcM no plaster. The oats were harvested

"' tl.o 28th ot ./niv, and thrashed on the I'd and :!d davs
ol ."^eptembei-.

The yield of lot number one was fortv-two bushels-
ol number two, thirty-five bushels and a half .• of num-
ber three forty bushels: of number four, twenty-six
and a liair bushels.
15*

M

111

> r . . n

174

t i »

III J

^ ii:i.i>. ^ i.\i>i.\\ coi.'x.

-•'■ ''^";;-"'V"'I.H'plas„.rvi,.l,I..,|„v..nlva,Hl

;' '"' '"'^'-.'""Iwu^ |.v„y „n;tn,,n o„ nil thr !.,,,
"•at „„ n(ii,.h(.r ...... I,,.,,,.. ,|„ ,„.|,„.st. iM.tl, in ..•,„•.■'

iiiiil sfiaw. '~

''''"• '•'•"I'/va. s.nail. ih.. huni Im.,,,.- unlhv..n,l.|,. I,.,-

;;:'p '"";• ;^''' '"■ i"-— '> -lu, ,1,.. 1,, s.....i..,i

" t. tli.v,. lM.sh,.|s,.,,lH.a.T.. ,,r.„lM..,.,I tnrtv l„ish,.|.

wli.lo that soc.K..hvi,hliv..|,,.sl,,.|>, ,,.,,, l,,...,|;,nlvfurtv'
tw.t liiislicls.

, 'I'l'l' •■N|M-iii,H.n,, tl..,u^l, ..x,.....,|inu.h. nnsatistiu-torv
'" -«"•'; >vs|nM.,s. s.v.Ms tc. i,„li..al.. H.if the use cV
hvcM.rsi.x hushds is ni.Mv than is n....|..,|. an,! that thive
or lunr a.v sMni,.i,.nt, cspe.-iallv .,n Ian.) that i, w.-lj
ruitivated and pri'paiv.l.

A j;...„l vi..M „|' oats is iV.un sixty t„ sovontv-five
'■"si.ds ,,,.,• aciv, an.l this is .,11,,, ..htaincMhvithout a
extraonjniarx ciiltnrL'.

any

l.MMAN COJJN.

INOIAX r,.,,.x ,/.,, ,na!,.s) was found iin.ler cultivatinn
I'.v th,. In.hans. un the .lis....verv ,,f M,,' Xeu- \V..rl,l
and was. nn.iuestional.ly,(,r Anieii.v.n ..,!..,„ Jts ,.vn'
ynr nan,., was .lerive.l Iru.n a (;,v..k u-.ir.l, si^nifVin-
W/rr, ami was ai.pli.Ml t„ this plant .u, a.v.nuit of the
laiinaceous or mealy nature of the seed,-..

'H'lian .•on,, or maix... ^n.ws with a strong', joint.-d

<tallc

stallc, riMug- to th.. I,..ight of from five t.. fifteen ieet
with hu-ge. alternate l.-aves starting from ..aeh joint as
•shown in Fig. 141. The male or sterile Ih.we'rs, Fi.,."
1 ^2. are arrange.] in a loos,., spreading pam'ele at tlie
apex , .alio.! the tassel, and the female or fertile flowers
Fig-. 143, on the si.le. '

Each plant hears from one to four ..r fiv.> ears, Fig-.

144. As manv as siv "<• pio-i.t !,.i%- . , <• \

' ' '.^irf firu e xuiielnnes heen

IM'IA.N fOUN. 175

ro.md Ml, sniiir ,.r th,. v;iri..ti("s. TIm- cars are cyli

in-

KiL'. 142.

Fif:. 14.j.

I'i^r. 141. liidiaii ('"rii.

Ki.' 144.

Fi^.^ 145

!!l|

1 s,

II

I II

176

DKSt IIII'JION

■USK

I !

f . i:

■■i
1 -A^

(Iriciil, jiiid eiu'losod in a con-
of slRNitlis. (.'ailed the husks

eriii^- of lea\L's, in the form

Tl

fruit

le ears consist of the

or ^'rani, arraiijiX'd m rows aroni

ailed the cah. 'I'hc nunihcr ol' r

id a pithy cylindi'r,

to thirl\-si.\. JMit does \u)i

ows varies h(»ni ci^ht

sixteen, while llie munhor of
thirty to lortv. Tl

ilsiiallv exccL'd foiiiteeii oi-

grains m a row is lioia

leso seetls are roundei

on the sur-

face, and coniprcissed on the sides, and fioiu the "cri

n or

eye ol each a silkv or tin

I'li-hl-oreen color extends alonu' the ii

cad-likt' style or lilaiuent of a

iner side of the

lin-

ks, and hangs down, forming together a thick cluster,

alle.l the .s!//,-s. T\

lesc receive! the [lollen or liirina a.>

I'oni

the stann'nate j|(jwei-s of the f

isse

'I'll

•iced (

■oiild not attain jierlectioii unless it received tl

pollen hv means of its silk

d r

n^

a fact w hich

proved hy cutting olf the tassels of all the stall
iiig together, I.elore their flowers develop. Jnd

••••111 he easilv

IS an aiiiiu;

1.S grow-
iiin corn

see(l<
plant:

Is one ()

and, owing to the mealy quality of its
f the mo<l important of all the cultivated

riiere is hut one species rulcrred hv botanists to this
genus. ,ra: hut of this, there are innumerai.l.> varieties
* "'' "• ••li'nate. soil, and culture. These varieties an-
.iislinginshcd i,y the size and color of the grains the
iHUnl.or of rows on the ear. the length of time remiired
to eome to maturity, an.l oth.M' characteristics, whhdi
can hardly he sai.l to he fixeil and permanent, as thev
are easily modified hv culture.

Indian corn is extensiv.dy used as human food, and
tor fee.lmg and fattenmg domestic animals, and holds th.-
'",ii'h'"<t rank among the cereals, whether its nutritive
M"''lities. ,)|- the produce and return for the seed sown,
or it-; range of climate, lie regarded.

(^>tton is sometimes said to he king: l)ut if, in Amer-
iran agricultiiiv. tlu- genius of which is truly republican

.mkm

COMPOSITIOxV — VARIETIES.

177

Where all the great stapler form so important a part fn
promoting the nat.onal prosperity, one can be fai "
hold preermnence over the rest, the palm must be yielded

banner h,gh over all ,ts compeers, and founding its
clann to royalty, as the prince of cereals, by the univers I
ity of J s uses, and its intrinsic importance to mankind
Its 1 ex,bdUy of organisation is truly wonde f d •

g tat heat., there are yaneties of it which can be raised

level ot the sea The warmest regions of the torrid
zone produce .t ,n abundance, while'the short summ '
ot Canada have varieties adapted to them, and arrive at
n-.atunty with almost the same certainty a t . unde
a hotter sun, and a longer season.

According to some analyses, Indian corn furnishes in
Its compos.t,rm 88.43 per cent, of fat-forming priiS^^^^
gum, A'c; 126 per cent, of flesh-fo.ming principle 9
P'M- cent, of water, and 1.31 per cent, of salts its
chemical composition shows it' to be an^ngf, -..o
fattening ot the cereals, and this is also the result of
experience. For our domestic animals, therefore and

n.p.ut\y be regarded as superior even to wheat.

Ao part of the plant is necessarily lost, or thrown
aside as worthless. Even the col is gro nd. ml for
some pu.-po.os of feeding to stock, ft if very valuab e
0 f ,t were necessary, the plant would supply u

n".»eiable Among the favorites for high latitudes
HI this country, as m Maine, New Hampshire, A'c mav
be mention ;d the Earlv fVm.Jo th. ^m Ei<^hn- v^
^cUaw, andw.tl, .omo tl.e King Pl,i|i,,,„,- B,mvu corn,

li

: illi'

i^/M

"a

ITS

KOCKY MOUNTAIN CORN

hough the latter has not met the expectations raised
or It by the United States Patent Office. A varietv
known us the Smutty White is also largely cultivated in
some sections ot Massachusetts, and its yield is greater
than .nios others adapted to northern latitudes The
1 urk.sh Ulate Flint, the Early Button, Peabody's Pro-
hhc the Golden bioux, the Kentucky Field, the Wyan-
dotte, the Uhite Gourd-seed, the Tuscurora, and niany
others, might be named. "^

_ In addition to these prominent varieties, which are
m some sections, cultivated as field crops, might be'
mentioned several well-marked varieties of Sweet corn
such as Stoweirs Evergreen, the Asylum, the Old Col!
ony sweet corn, and Darling's Early, to say nothing of
several other favori^te early varieties.

There is a variety kno\vn as the Rocky Mountain
corn, the kernels of which are each coVered with
glumes or husks, which they lose, on cultivation, in the
course of three or four years. In addition to these
many small-eared varieties used for parching, and known
as Pop corn, are cultivated to a limited extent in all parts
of the country, and amo.ig them Rice corn and Calico
corn.

The culture of Indian corn is simple, and easily un-
derstood. It requires a deep, rich, and mellow' soil
thoroughly tilled. Afler ploughing, the land is care-
iully marked off in rows from three to four feet apart
each way, according as the variety is large or small,
when four or five kernels are dropped in a hill, either
by hand or machine, and covered to the depth of from
one to two mches. After the corn is up, it is cultivated
with the horse hoe or plough, to keep it free from weed<
It IS sometimes hilled at the last hoeing; at others the
ground IS left level, which is thought to be the best.
When Indian corn is planted as a fodder crop, or to

V

SELECTION OF SEED. 179

important plants we have.

Most „f the operations',-,, tl,o c„itu,o nnd harvosti,,,,
of l„d,a„ co,„ ,„ay bo pcfonuod by „,achi„o,v uZ

uocted w tl, ,t, may „„u- be well a„J ,,„ic.kiy done at a
e.eat sav,„g „r t,„,<, „„j ,„,„, „,„^ .[^ old";,,; df

1" »elect„,g co,„ lb,' seed, tl,e tins of (l,„ „

t ougbt to bo be»,, a,.d that p,,. n'rtl e t e .d^

E,J"'',"7' """'""■ '^''■' ""'""'"" Pmotice i,°l°t

f "?';' '"'■ ■»"">• >■"'»-, !'«» l3ee„ to use o„ly the seedl

wh,ei, g,mv o„ the ,ni(; :1|„ of tl,o oar

partl'ir'r'r'r*' "',""""•'' ""' '"^■°" '■'■'>™ d'ff-»nt

parts ,1 tho ear lias been lepoatodlv tried and tl,„
es^l ,as a „,ost u„ifor„„y been bette," frcn tb^t a

Pieje de.e,„p„,e„t and pe,.^;-:,'; J^s . ^"In ,r
w.tb.,. ,„y k„„„,„,,g,, fo„„„.^j „^ ,^.^ e.xperimerfo;

t'ig. 140,

ten years, planting only the corn from the .mall end of
the ears, choosu^g such as were well filled out Ln
^oloctn.,. only that from the middle of th ; td

then on y that from the large ends. After ten ye; s
he found that in «,.vo,, y,...2 ,.f ., . ,, ^^" ^ ^^'^^^
fl.o ,.« n 1 ' '^V -^ "" ^* tho leu the crop from
the «mall ends was the largest and best.

ili'.

180

STATE FARM EXPERIMENT.

A similar experiment was tried at the State Farm of
Massachusetts, in the summer of 1858.

Two acres were planted, on a light soil, well adapted
to Indian corn, manured with seven and a half cords
of barn-yard manure to the acre, spread broadcast and
cultivated in, and ten bushels of leached ashes and one
hundred pounds of gypsum to the acre, put in the hill.
The corn was planted on the third day of June, in alter-
nate rows, with seed taken from tho large ends, middles,
and tips, of the ears. It was hoed three times in the
course of the season. One acre was harvested and
husked with care, and the result noted on the 19th
of Octobpr. The rows planted with seed taken from the
large ends of the ears produced seven hundred and
thirty-eight pounds of sound and seventy-seven pounds
of soft corn on the ear, and one thousand three hun-
dred and sixty pounds of stover. That from seed
taken from the middle of the ears produced six hundred
and sixty-three pounds of sound corn in the ear, one
hundred and sixty-four pounds of soft corn, and one
tliousand two hundred and ninety pounds of stover.
Tiiat from seed taken from the small ends produced
seven hundred and forty-seven pounds of sound and
fifty-three pounds of soft corn, and one thousand three
hundred and twenty pounds of stover. Comparing the
crops grown on this acre, and estimating the sound corn
at one, and the soft corn at half a cent per pound,
and the stover at seven dollars the ton,— which is about
Its market value in that vicinity, — it would appear that
the value of the crop the seed for which was taken
from the large ends of the ear was as follows :

738 pounds of sound corn, ® 1 cent per pound, #7.38

77 " soft corn, i® i " •« >< _g,)

1360 " stover, ® 7 dollars per ton, 470

II

COMPARATIVE RESULTS.

181

eakl;:'"r t^-r,r:;[,,:':,,:r ^"-'^^ """ --'

$C,.G3

C03 pounds sound corn,

I'j-i " soft corn, g.^

1200 «' stover, ® 7 dollars per ton, 4.51

747 pounds sound corn, !g;7.47
^•^ " soft corn, •>

13'JO " stover.

2i
4 02

i&'i^.se

J^ounclcorn; while the middles produced the r.. \T'
buUs the next, and the tips the ^ast "oft corn ^ ^'' ''"
One expernnent, as already intimated, does not prove
a po nt n. agr.cultnre, however fair i ^.y be - "h
t .U,ove was eminently so. so far as nnifo/mity of oU
and manurniff was concprnp*] o, j *i • • "^

.,>^;::^:::r':i:;^ii;: -;™^j^''--" ->« cut

fce.i, w „oh ,s reli.l.ed l,y ,.11 kinds of stock and ,
e^pccally valuable for feeding to vnun. n.-^lutj
futwahstandiuK the objection often made' to it,' it fs'

16

I! •!

:t

: ■(

M' -m

I ;

182

DRIED CORN AS FODDER.

^vortl.y of a more extended cultivation for tl.is pur-
pose, ^

Tlic amount of dri.d fodder whicl, may ],e obtained
^om It, when properly cultivated, is truly astonishino-!
I erlmps the process of kiln-drying might be introduce^]
with advantage. It is, at least, worthy of a careful
trial, wherever facilities for it can be had at a reason-
able exp ^:ise.

f !

pur-

ined
ling-,
iced
eful
son-

CHAPTER III.

THE ARTIFICIAL GR\,SSPS- nn t,t

VATED AND USED Likec R A ^^.f'" ' ''^"^-

ural or the true grasses VV '^^'^^^^ ''"'^' '^^" "^^^■

brieflv, another d.^f ^ "^ "^^^ *° '^""^^'^'^^'■^ very

CuHou ;^ P''^"'"' "^"^^ ^^^'ficial grasses

clover having LeVn rod 17'' i" ''"'^''^"' ' *^" ''^^
the vear IfJsV "!'^7^^^ and grown there about

f .1.0 natural g,.a,,os «^'l c^ t a™^„^;«,,r' °™
Aliout the j-oar 1739 the custom of sowinjr the cl,,(r

grasses then found growin.- w.ld «„ .i ,""

-^t.,!, th. ,.eaduw iescu., the sweet-scented vornd

(183)

i .»

J:

-.'..i^-.i

fir

184

EARLY CULTURE OF GRASSES

■.mn

grass, &c.; and in ITG!) the same society ofteretl addi-
tional rewards for further investigations and experi-
ments on the culture and comparative vahie of the
natural grasses. But little was done, however, till the
experiments at Woburn Abbey, in 1824.
^ lu this country the extensive and practical cultiva-
tion of the natural grasses seems to have been com-
menced at an earlier date than in England ; for Jared
Eliot, writing about the year 1750, speaks of the cul-
ture of Timothy as having been adopted some time
previously, Indeed, the necessities of our rigorous
climate compelled attention to this branch of husbandry
soon after the establishment of the Plymouth colony in
the year 1620.

The climate of PJngland, on the other hand, admitted
a greater degree of reliance on the wild luxuriance of
nature, while the culture of the grains gave a suffi-
ciency of coarse straw, which formed the winter sus-
tenance for stock till the modern improvements in
farming introduced a better system. This mode of
management was brought over to this country by the
first settlers, and attempted for some time; theVew cat-
tle they had being kept on poor an*l miserable swale hay
or often upon the hay obtained from the salt marshes'
The death of their cattle from starvation and exposure
was of very common occurrence, and not unfrequently
the farmer lost his entire herd. The treatment of ani-
mals now as they were treated during the whole of the
first century of the colony, would be an evidence of
mhumanity which could scarcely be tolerated in any
community. This treatment was in part, at least, owin'jr
to the poverty of the settlers, and more, probablv, to
the ideas and practices in which they had been early
trained in a different climate. Fortunately for the most
useful of our domestic animals, a more enlightened pol-

,■,.-(.«<««—»

RED CLOVER— T^vgcRIPTION.

186

icy now governs the mass of men, and this policy has
e.l to g-reater care and attention to the cultivation of
the graiJses,

The culture of the natural grasses takes the prece-
denee, there ore ,n this country, in point of time, from
the causes already mdicated ; but the miuds of men are
BO n,fluenced by the routine of ordinary practice 1 1 at
the n.trodnction of clover in the early 'part o 1 ;
century n.et w.th great prejudice, which is now near 1^
if not quite extmct. •'^'

Red Clover {Trlfolium pratense), though not in
eluded H. the family of grasses, is not otly ext "'
sively cultivated, but is found to be one of the most
valuable and economical forage plants. It belongs to
he pulse family, or Lajuminosce, which includes the
larger portion of forage plants called artificial grasses
ni distinction from the gramincc^, the only true and
often called the natural grasses. The generic name
refoil or tnfol,um,is derived from the Latin ^,.Mhree
and/o^..^^ a leaf; and the genus can generallv be very
really distinguished by the number fnd arr^ngem n^
of Its leaves in three leaflets, and flowers in den«.
oblong or globular heads.

end and marked on the upper side with a pale spot-
heads ovate, and set directly upon the staik, insLad
of upon branches. This species is re.garded as bvlr
the most important of fhe whole genus for the poeti-
cal prirposes of agriculture. It has passed into a num-
ber of varieties, one of which is biennial, another p ,-en-
X ; he T '' ^-^.-^^tivation becoming bie'nnS,

: n! ltua™"--T-^^ " ^^"^ '' --^ b---i. and
nian> «nnuaxputuis- assumes, to some extent, the

I

iHL

!i::''r

1 I

18G

ITS EARLY INTRODUCTION.

|!'l

character of a perennial, and can bo made to last tlireo
or four years, or even more, by simply preventing it
from ruimino: to seed. This plant is seen in Fig. 147,
its leaf is shown in Fig. 148, and its fruit magnified in
Fig. Ut).

Fig. U9.

Fig. 147. Red Clciver. . pj™ j^o

The introduction of clover into England, it is often
said, produced an entire revolution in her agriculture ;
and, indeed, when we consider how important a part it
plays in our own system of farming, we can with diffi-
culty imagine how our ancestors ever got on at all in
farming without it. Be this as it may, it is certain that
it led to many of the most important improvements in
the rotation of crops. Clover is very properly regarded
as a fertilizer of the soil. The action of its long and
powerful tap-roots is not only mechanical, — loosening
the soil, and admitting the air,— but also chemical, serv^

mi

C0MPU31TI0N — CULTURE.

187

ing to fix the gases important to cnriclj the earth, and
when these roots docay they add hirgely to that black
mass of matter we call tlie soil. It serves, also, by its
luxuriant Ibliage, to destroy annual weeds which would
spring up on newly-seeded land, especially after imper-
fect cultivation. But one of the most vafuable uses of
it. and one too often overlooked, is to shade the surface
of the soil, and thereby increase its fertility.

Clover is emphatically a lime plant, and the son, ..est
adapted to it are tenacious or stiff loams. The careful
analysis of Professor Way found no less than 35.39 per
cent of lime in the inorganic constituents of red clover,
an<l th.it of Boussingault 32.80 per cent., while intelli'
gent practice has arrived so nearly at the same conclu-
sion, that the term " clover soils " is now almost univer-
sally used to indicate a tenacious loam, containing more
or less of lime or clay in its composition.

Another great advantage in favor of the cultivation of
clover, consists in its rapid growth. But a fow months
elapse from the sowing of the seed before it yields,
ordinarily, an abundant and nutritious crop, relished by
cattle of all kinds.

Clover-seed should always be sown in the spring of
the year, in the climate of Xew England. It is often
sown upon the late snows of March or Ai)ril, and soon
finds its way down to the soil, where, aided by the
moisture of early spring, it quickly germinates, and rap-
idly shoots up its leaf-stalks.

An accurate and valuable analysis of this plant both
in Its green and dry state, will be found in a tabular
form on a subsequent page ; while a more extended
notice of its culture and the mode of curing it, with
the results of practical experience as to its value, will
also be given in its proper place.

■l! ;!
■I' 1 1

it

■^%■.

^

o^ \^^^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

7

/

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4^

f/j

fA

1.0

I.I

1.25

ittlllM IIIII2.5

,| 5 0 '""=

/" 1113.2

IIIM

2.0

1.8

1.4

1.6

PVinlnnranViiP

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

«

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I

188

WHITE CLOVER.

A\H,TE Clover, Dutch Clover, Honeysuckle (Trt.
fohuM repens), ,s equally common with the r.d and
often orms a very considerable portion of the H;ard

soil. Its stems are spreading, slender, and creeping;

Pig. 160. White Clover.

Fig. 15J.

leaves mversely heart-shaped ; flower-heads small, white •
pods four-seeded ; root perennial. Flowers from Mav
to heptember. This plant is shown in Fig. 150 A
magnified flower is seen in Fig. 151.

White clover is widely diffused over this country and

both to England and America. When first ciltivated
f. om seed collected from wild plants, at the beginning

had ' '!! Tr^ ''J'' ''''''^''^ "f ^ f-™- that he

Ground ^.^' ''^'^ ''^''' '^'""^'' ^^'"'^'^ holds the
g.ound and decays not." Its chief value is as a pas

some Xn T' "' ^'' '°'''"^' *^°"g'^ there are

some who place a low estimate upon it

soils Zf^^ «^^«"^"^odates itself to a great variety of

mois't or ZT ""'' '""77*'-^^ " "°'^t .rounds'lnd
Ton or wet seasons. Indeed, it depends so much

h'twhrt; '■"^*"'"^r °^-- through the season
that when they are sufficiently abundant it comes in

cow GRASS.— LUCERNE.

189

profusely even where it was not observed in other
years, and hence such seasons pass under the term of
'' clover years." It is not, apparently, so much relished
by stock as from its sweetness we should be led to
expect ; but it is, on the whole, to be cherished for per-
manent pastures, and improved, as it undoubtedly may
be, by a proper selection and culture of varieties. For
an accurate analysis of this plant, tlie reader is referred
to a subsequent page.

Cow Grass, Zigzag Clover, Perennial Clover
{Tri/ohum medium), grows on dry hills in Abissachu-
setts, and has been introduced for cultivation in vari-
ous parts of the country, as a pasture plant. Its stems
are zigzag, smoothish ; leaflets oblong, entire, spotless ;
heads mostly stalked ; flower purple, and larger than in
red clover.

Alsike, or Swedish Clover (TnfoUum hjhridum),
has also been introduced for cultivation on moist, strong
soils, and is found to be a valuable acquisition. It will
continue in the soil for many years, from its own seeds,
if left to mature.

Suckling Red Clover (2^rj/o?iwm/Z«/ome) has also
been introduced and recommended for cultivation, but
has not come into general culture.

Lucerne, Alfalfa {Medlcago sativa), is shown in
Fig. 152. Leguminous plants of the genus Medicago
have been known and cultivated frorr time immemo-
rial. This particular species, lucerne, was brought from
Media to Greece, in the time of Darius, about five hun-
dred years before Christ, and its cultivation afterwards
extended among the Romans, and through them to the
south of France, where it has ever since continued to
be a fevorite forage plant. It does not (indure a climate
as severe as red clover, requiring greater heat and sun-

m-

190

HABIT OP GROWTH.

g , but, ,n a la itude equally suited to both plants, it
^vou (], perhaps, be somewhat diflicult to say wh cli
should have the preference. In some respects it is
decidedly superior, as in being perennial, Ld conse-
quently remannng long in the soil. I have seen fife
specimens of ,t, where the seed was sown in 1824 st H
mamtannng its vigorous hold of the soil, and growin.^
nth remarkable luxuriance. The crop of lucerne Tsat

catt e, both green and dry. Its yield of green fodder
contmues later m the season than that of red dover

V

Fig. 154.

I <

Lucerne sends down its tap roots in mellow soiis fo
enormous depths, l„wing been found in sliyso Is th .
teen (eet ,„ length. The leaflets are in threiVo""

IE:,. -

CULTURE OF LUCERXE.

191

oblong, toothed ; the flowers pale-bhie, violet, or purple
shaped as in Fig. 153 ; the fruit in downy pods, havin.^
two or three twirls, as in Fig. 154. ' "

Lueerne is cultivated in Chili, and grows wild in the
utmost luxunance in the pampas of Buenos Ayre.
where it is ealled alfalia, whi.-h is simply the connnon'
lucerne, slightly modified by climate, and may be re
gaided as a variety.

The cultivation of lucerne is somewhat more difficult
than that of clover for the first year, requiring a soil
thoroughly mellowed, and prepared by clean and care-
luUillage; and the want of proper attention on this
point has led to partial failures in the attempts to raise
It m this country. It suffers and languishes in compact
cJay soils, and does not flourish in light soils lying over
an impermeable subsoil, which prevents the water from
running off". It will never succeed well on thin soils
But m a permeable subsoil, consisting of loam, or sand'
or gravel, its roots can pciietrate to great depths- and'
being nearly destitute of lateral shoots, provided with
numerous fibrous rootlets, or radical off-shoots, imbibe
their moisture and nutriment in layers of soil far below
the average of other plants. In this respect it differs
materially from clover.

For lucerne, a suitable subsoil is of the utmost con-
sequence. For the short-lived red clover, a suitable
surtace soil is more important; a want of care and deep
tillage, especially a neglect to breakthrough and loosen
up tlie hard-pan wherever it exists, will inevitably lead
to failure with lucerne. But, when the soil is suitable.
It will produce good and very profitable crops for from
five to ten or twelve years, and, of course, it does not
belong in the system of short rotations.

But, notwithstanding the large quantity of succulent
and nutritious forage it produces, its effect is to ameli-

'! i

If

102

ENRICHING THE SOIL.

orate and improve the soil, ratlior tlum to exhaust it
llus apparent anomaly is explained hy the fact tha all
egumn, broad-leaved plants deri/e a lar^ ptpo !
t on of then- nutntive materials from the atmosphere
and that a vast quantity of roots are left to dec^I'
the sod when ,t is at last broken up, varying of couie
wjth the length of time the plant continues^ n the soi'
dale the luxuriant foliage serves to shade the soil and
thus to increase its fertility. 3Iuch of thi. vTi 7'r
i3 scattered and left to ieoa^ "afif . ^c "e'Sl
s.m.lar plants at the time of harvesting, and tl e g vth

idot tl,at It actually increases the fertility of the soil for
other plants has often heen proved -fnd m ,1 T
garded as fully established, A^srill:, •" 3d U:
only a med.um crop of wheat at first, produced a lallv
.ncraased quantity after being laid ch,„„ ,o iLfrne a
few years, fll its roots had enriched the soil

Lucerne should not follow immediately after havino-
been grow,, a few years on the same soil, Id I en
broken up; but after the land ou which i hL been
grown has been cultivated with some other crop or
a,d down to the natural grasses a length of time equa

ncerne .t Tn^ T/" ' " '"" l"""™^'^ -™'"»d in
luceine, it can safely be sown again with it

Ihe seed of lucerne, whon fresh and good, is yellow

cation that they are not ripe. If they are brown we
may ,nfer that th,y have been subjected to too 2Zl
a heat to separate them from their husks. In either of

them. The same may be said of clover, and it i, de.ir
ab e to try them by a simple method, which w il betl
cated hereafter m speaking of the selection of se" d
As the seeds of lucerne are somewhat larger tlan

f i: TT 1 N(; . — H A n I) I N KSS.

193

in

clover-seed, and the plant tillers less, it is nocessarv to
sow a larger quantity per acre. It mnv he s„wm in
the spnng- along- with grain crops, as <.|over often is,
and not a very large crop should be expected (he iir.
year. '

Lucerne should he cut as soon as it hegins to flower
or even earher. If eut much earlier, it is apt to be too'
^^H cry and less nutritious, and cures with greater dilH-
';nlty : iNater, it becomes coarse amlhard, with woudv
hhre, an<l ,s less relishe<l by cattle. It may be cut anil
ted green, and is an exceedingly valuable plant lor
soihng cattle, or ,t may be cut and cured an,] used like
clover hay: but in either case it must be cut before
ulossoniMig.

It is thought by many that lucerne will not endure
^nu- northern climates; but 1 ,lo not think it satisfacto^
nly proved, and 1 have been somewhat minute in sr»eak-
n-M' of It, m the hope of inducing more careful experi-
ments on a scale and under circumstances sufH.-ient to
dotermn.e ,ts relative value for us. I am the Uiore
■••nx.ous on tins point from the fact that I am convince,!
alter much study and observation of our ch.uate, that
ne sh,)u ,1 dn-ect our labors in farnu-ng n.ore with .'elcr-
ence to the frcp.ent droughts of sumn.er to which we
are hable every year, and from which there is no inune-
'liate and practicable es,.apc, excei>t in thorough drain-
ag-e und deep tillag^e, which most farmers are unwilling
I' n.Hlertake at present. ^' Wh.n properly manage^
he number of cattle which .-an be kept in g-ood cmdi-
u,n on an ,vcre of lucerne, during the whole season,
exceeds belief. It ,s no sooner mown than it pushes
out Iresh shoots ; and, wonderful as the gn-owth of
clover sometimes is, in a fiehl that has been lately
nown, that of lucerne is fiir more rapid. Lucerne will
last l.u- many years, shooting- i(s roots- tough an,l

III

ml

194

S A 1 N F 0 I .\ — 1) KS C R I P T I 0 N ,

fibrous almost as tliose of li(iuorice — downwards for
iioiirisliiiu'iit, till tliey aro altogether out of the reach
of drought. \n the dryest and most sultry weather,
when every hlade of grass droo|)s lor want of moisture.
lucerne holds up its stem, fresh and green, as in the
genial spring."

I am convinced, also, that the failures of attempts to
cultivate lucerne with us may he ascribed, in very many
instances, to an improper selection of soils : but it is
nevertheless true that our climnte is not so well adapted
^»> It as that of the south of France : and experiments
hereafter, like those already made, may show its culture
to be wholly impracticable.,

Sainfoin {Hedysarum onohrychis) differs from lucerne
in miuiy important particulars. It is a leguminous plant,
with many stems from two to three feet long, straggling,
tapering, smooth; leaves in pairs of pointed, ot)long
leaflets, slightly hairy on the under side : flower-stalks
higher than the leaves, ending in a spike of crimson or
variegated flowers, succeeded by flat, hard pods, toothed
on the edges and prickly on the sides ; root peremiial
and hard and woody. Flowers in July. It is shown
in Pig. 155. The flower is shown in Fig. 15G, and the
fruit in Fig. 157.

Experiments have been made in introducing and cul-
tivating it in the northern latitudes of this country, but
without much success. It recpiires a calcan^ous' soil.
In the south of France, where it flourishes best, it is
considered an indispensable forage plant, improving
the quality and increasing the quantity of milk when
fed to milch cows, to which it may be given Avithout
producing the "hoove,"' to which they are subjected
when allowed to i'eed freely on green clover and lucerne.
Its stalks do not become ligneous if allowed to stand till

SEEDS. — SOILS.

195

.lossoming, as those of lucerne do. Tlie amount of
odder obtained from it is less than that from clover or
lucerne, hut its <iuality, where it can be successfully
grown, is better. Its fruit or seeds are said to be more
nutritious than oats. They are eagerly sought by fowls
and are said to cause them to lay. '

Fit.'. 157.

Fig. 150. Sainfoin.

Kif.'. 156.

Sainfoin, when green and voung, will not stand a
severe winter, but after the second or third year will
endure a considerable degree of cold. It will succeed
in very dry soils, sands, and gravels, owing to its long
descending tap root, which has been found sixteen feet
in length. Its seeds have been generallv distributed
over the country, but, so fhr as I know, tJi^y have been
ioilowed by no marked success in the way of crops

I
I

196

.TAl'AN CLOVKi;.

Jai'an ("lovki; ( Lr.y,r>/r.z(i sfrlti/d). This plant,
suppuscnl tu Jiiivi." bet'ii introduced t'loin .Jii[iaii about

lorty years ago, lias assumed very
eousidcrable ini[)ortaiiee over a
large iu)rtion of the Southei'U
States as a valuable forage jilant.
It belongs to the leguminous
family. The leaves are trifoliate,
the (lowers pea-shajjed and pur-
plisli, the seed-jtods small, oval,
each holding a single seed. Tt has
spread I'apidly and widely, till it
may now be said to extend from
the Atlantic to Western 'lexas,
ada[)ting itself to nearly all soils
and locations. Ou cultivated
lands of good (puility it gi'ows
erect and mueli branelied, and
furnishes a very valuabh' hay.
On light sands and gravels it
maintains its dwarfish habit, with
a wiry growth like the knot-grass ;
but on richer s<iils it rises to two or three f and is
often called ''bush-clover." It sends a long tap-root
down into the sub-soil, and that enables it to endure a
drought. Stock of all kinds are very fond of it, and
it is valuable for grazing as well as for hay.

It is usually so^vn l)roadcast at the rate of half a
bushel of seed to the acre, and does well sown M'ith
grain.

Fia. 157(/. .Taiuiii Clover,

CHAPTER IV

Tin-; (JKASS-LIKK HL'SIIKS, CAUICKS, AND SKUGKS
COMMONLY CAM.KD (;UASSKS.

TiiKRio is ii lurgo oIhss of plants l)olori,c:in,i;- to (lifFeront
liiinilios, which, thoiio-h of compiinitively h'ttle vuhiu
when their nutritive (luulities arc considered, are nev-
ertheless used as f()rao;e crops to a very consideral)lo
extent in different sections of the country, and demand
at h-ast a passing- notice, particularly as tliey are called
grasses, thoug'h improperly, in popular language.

The first of these are the arrow grasses, which form a
limited family, consisting of only three species, known
MS the Maiwii AiMfow Guass (Triilochln palmfre), the
.Ska-sidk AiiRow Ghass {Tn'(j(or/nn mantlminn). flower-
ing- in July and August, in salt marshes, and the Taij,
Arrow Grass ( Trujhr/iin datum). The second of these,
having rush-like leaves, sweof-^jh to the taste, is relished'
I)y cattle, and forms a pretty good fodder when well
cured. It is common along the coast from Xew Eng-
land south.

Many of the rushes or grass-like plants so common
along the borders of our ponds, and called grasses in
popular language, are readily eaten in the spring; while
green and full of juice, more on account of their suc-
cnlency than of any nutritive qualities which they pos-
sess, which, with few exceptions, are very slight. "They
are arranged in the following table:

IT*

I I

198

nUSHK8. — IILA< K (;i{.\S.s.

Table 11. — List of Guass-j iki: liirsirKs. (,//

uncacew.)

ConiniDii Nuim .

lliilry \Vi„«| Kn^ii, ,
!<nmll \V,„„| Kii,),,
<'<iriiiiii)ii WoikI Itu.^li,
I'liiiittd HiiHli, . ,
Brimii HumIi

S<lft UllHh

SleiiiliT Kusli, ....
Haltif Uush, ....
Bristly Ki,9h, ....

Sea Kiisli,

I'ale KuHh,

Ori'uii Hush, ....

Weak Iliiah, ....

Sharp-fniiteil Rusli, .

Ur.iwni.sli-fiiiiUMl Kiisli, .

Marshal Husli, . . . .

Kouiid-licadwl Kusli, .

Coniad's JUisli, . . . .

Orasg-leavcil Kusli, . .

Long-fruited Hush, . .
Three-lcaved Rush, . .

Toad Uush,

Slender Rush,

Ore.'ni''s Rush, . . . .
Black Oiass, .

.Sy«ti'niulii' Niiinu.

I l-u/.ula piloBu, . , . ,
J l.u/.ula parvlllora, . .
I.ii/.ula eiiinpcstrls, ,
I l.iizula iircuata, . . .
I l.uzida splcala, . . ,
.liuiiMis clnisus, . . .
■Iiiiieus tilif(]riiiis, . .
.luneus lialtieus, . . .
.luneus setaL-'us, , ,
■'uncuii umrltliiuis, .
Juiieus selriKiHlfs, . .
Juneus paradoxu.J,
.luiieus delillls, . .
tluiicus aeutnliiatus,
.luiiC'-H arliciilalus, .

jihiiiens iiiilitai'is, . .
Juncus nod(,su3, . . ,
.huieurt Ciinradi, . .

.luncus ■iiargiuatus, .

Juncus Styjilus, . . .

•luncus trifidus, . . . ,

.luncus hufonius, . .

.luncus ti'iuiia, . . . .

.I.mcus Oivenei, . . . .

Juncus Inillxwus, . .

'liihi'df
KlimiTlng.

>i"y, . . .

,-'''iy, . . .

■M»y, . . .

.lurie,
July,
July,

July, .
•Au){U.st,

•li'ly, . . .
•'"ly, Auk.,

•'•>iy, . . .

July, . . .

•'«'iy, . . .

•I'liy, . . .

July, . . .

I A "Bust, . ,

i'lucenfOniwlh.

, Ujieii woods, bunks.
, Miiuntains.
, Kidds, dry himxIs.
•Miiuntains.
■Moinitains.
. Swamps, ci.nuniMi
. Wet hunks.
. Sandy shores.
On tlic coast.
Salt inai-shes.
Wet hanks,
.l^ivanips.
Wet sHiinips.
H"KKy swamps.
^>et places.
.Sandy hoffs.
Itorders nf rivers,
llorders of pomls.
.^loist, sandy swamjis.
I'eat swamps.
•Mountain sunuiiits.
Fjow friiiunds, roadsides.
Unv (.'rounds, fields,
(f'andy salt marshes,
llorders salt marshes.

The most prominent and valuable of these plants i.s

lilt/

Blaci. Ghass (,/uncus /mlhosus,yav.geranli),nu in-
hab, ant of salt marshes. This plant has a simple
slemler stem, somewhat flattened, from one to two feet
high It 18 considered the best product of the salt
marshes, and grows most luxuriantly along uieir borders
wliicli arc only occasionally overflowed bv the tides'
often working its way to the uplands, where the seed i<
scattered, m large quantities, in curing. It should be
rut early, and, when well cured, is thought to be nearlv
equal m value to good English hay. Though not of
Itself equal m value, weight for wei<,.ht. to " ^ron.e

TUK STAK (iKASSKS.

mo

grass ( Gh,cn-ki innndma), yot the imnhu't per Mm- js
s<. mucl, larger us to make it a more .lesinihle n,,,,

1 here IS also a smali fUmily ol' phii.ts railed the yel-
low-eyed grasses, or the star grasses, consisting' of
only two speeies, the first of which is the Y^; row-
KVKi) Grass {Xi/ris bnllma), flowering in July, Angn^t
H.Hl .S.pten.her, growing on sandy and peatv soils. .,..1
I'ogs near the eoast : an.l the second, the Common Vn-
Lou-Kv,.;n (Jhass (Xy/v-.v caroJi„k,ua), flowering in
Angust, on sat.dy swau.f.s. These are beautilul grasses
but of no special agricultural value. '

The sedges and plants constituting the coarse and
innutntious herbage, properly included in the ter.n
CAHEX, forma large and prominent genus of .-ra.s-like
plants, consisting in all of about four hundred and fifty
species known to botanists, extensively diffused over
Hi the dan.p j.arts of the globe, and in popular language
called grasses. ^ ^

The roots of the sedges are perennial, and .o, the
most part creeping, a few l,eing tufted and fibrous
1 he stems are simple and free from joints or nodes
1 he leaves are linear, flat, pointed, roughish on the sur-
tace, and sharp on the edges.

A few species of carex grow on sandy hills and alouff
the sea-shore; but most inhabit marshe;, wet meadows^
swamps, and the low, wet banks of streams and ditches
and mo.st woods. None of them are of any real agri'
cultural value, though they constitute mainly what is
termed -meadow hay," or more properly swale hay in
some parts of the country. They are nearly desti-
tute of mealy and saccharine principles, in which many
of tiie true grasses abound, ;>,ud are eaten by cattle only
when compelle.l by hungor, in the wane of better
grasses. It not unfre(,uently happens, however, that

Hi

lil

f I

200

I^IST OK SEDGES.

ce ., "'""^""^f "- 1"«''-- S,'iHsso« among tl,o

lowi ,„o,uio», ,h„ „i,i,„ top, „,.„„,„;,■„,;'„;;;;'

-I"-"- lJO«,.css„,g higl,..,- „„(,.;„■„ ,,„alit,V.s; ,„„! ll,o„
" -"..ive, tl.o l,.y ,„ade lr.„„ tl.o ,,val.. is prop,,,-,;.,, .'

\.»lue ioi- winter fodder.

'''lie sedges are arninged in tlie following table :

Table IH.

-List op Ca rices or Sedges. {Cyperacec,.)

OmiirKiri N'liriu-.

Yellow Dwarf Sedjie,
lliiinilrnsSc.>il(.'c, .
Niutall's Seilfic, .
Brown t<eilfre, . . .
Chestmit i-^-dce, , ,
Miehiuix's Scil^'u, .
Kiitri-liimmiV Si-il).'c,
llrisllc-s|iiki.-il (fiiliiifr
I)warlOil()i-.]in(ialii|i;
Pointed Sed/i-, .
flrei-n .'^edf:o, . . . .
Tnottiwl Galinpile, .

Nut (iras!i

<ira.v's GaliuKale, . .
Straw Sfdcc, . . . .
Sfhwi-initz's Oalingalc,
Ovate ISe(l;,'e, . . . .
Hent .s.-dj;,., ....
M'h-y S,-dfre, ....
H'lnndhcid Sed^e, . .
I'niii-lnurn, . ,

Ilwarf ll-rnicarplia, .

H.irsetail Knsli, . . .

QuadranL'idar Hnsli, .

T.ilMreliil Spike-nish.
i>litii»e.Spiki>rn<li, .
<'in:;nioii Spike-nisli, .
Olive .«pike-rii.«li, .
Ilrake Spike-rush, ,
-MediaU' ^pike-riisli, ,
Slender C'liih-rii<h,

Systi-inutie .\niiic.

<'.V|ierus llavescens, .

|(>l'i'riisdiandrus, . .

K'.vperus Niittallil, . .

i <'ypeni3 flavjconius, .

jL'yperiiserytlirorlilzds.

Cvpenis ^licliau.xianns,

Cy|)erus Kn^elmanni,

•'.vperusslrijidsus, . .

''y perns infle.xiis, . .

•'yperua acuiniiiatus,
ICyperua u'rens, . . . ,
' <'y perns dentatus, .

Cyperns riitundus, ,
'^yiierns Orayii, ....
t'yperns pli.vmatodes, .
Cypej-ns i^chweinitzii, .
Cypenis (ivniaris, . .
Cyperns retrofractns,
Cyperns lilicnlniis, ,
Kyllinjria pnmila, . . ,
Dnlic-liinni spatliacenni,
lleniiearjilia sulisipiar-

Kleoc-liaris eipn'set.jides,

Kleocliaris .inadiMn-u.

j lata

Kleiieliaris tuberculosa,
I Klencharis (ibtusa, . . .
Kleneliaris palustris, . .
Kleiieliaris njivaeea, . .
Kleiicliaris nwtellata, .
-.leiM'liaris intermedia, .
Kleooliaris tennis. . ,

Time (if
Itlijssoming.

I'luei' of Growth

• iAuR., .

- . 1 llojjs.

• i Aujj., .

- .

Wet grounds,

• {Aug.,.

Salt marshes.

■ 1 Aug., .

liow grounds.

■ 'Au^'., .

Sandy banks.

S JAUf.',, .

■ • .Marslies.

—

I'liw banks.

Au?., .

- Swamps.

AUR., .

Hiver banks.

—

Low grounds.

—

Wet places.

■ An^', .

Sandy swamps.

—

''andy fields.

Au?., . .

- Harren soils.

All?., . .

- -Along rivers.

Au(.'., . .

- (Shorts of lakes.

I Sept., . .

• Sandy soils.

lAuf.'., . .

. .Simly soils.

Anc, . ,

I'r.v barrens.

'.Aui:., . .

• '-"W grounds.

|Auk., . .

- .Around ponds.

'.'Illy, . .

■ ; >Vet sands.

_

iSballow water.

—

Low grounds.

'Aub',. .

.Xandy swamps.

-lune, . .

AUL'., . .

Hogs, borders .if pond*
Swamps.

An-., . .

1 ^Vet, sandy places.

—

1 .Marshes.

All?., . .

Wet places.

.)i

'if, - . .

W

et [ilaccs

''1ST OF SKDGKS.

201

Common Name.

'I'lift.'il Kusli, . . .

Iliiii'k Cliil)-rusli, .

I'l;it Strm-nisl], . .

11 ililiiris'sCliili-rusli,

Mail' ('liil)-nisli, . .

llwiirf Spiki'-iiisli, .

Tlircadlike Rush, .

f^'-aly ('hil).nisli, .

Kl.it Cliili-nisl]. . . ,

FInatiiiir <'liili-riisli,
niair-liott.iin Hush, .

<»lll>'y's Uiisl

T.invy's Kusli, . . .

Hulnisli,

Wcak-stiMii liiisli, .
Si'a liiilnish, ....
Kiver IJiisli, ....

Wood Husl

<'lii9tci--lica,l Kiisli, .
Vnrwv's Iliisli, . . .
Wool Grass, ....
Cotton Oraas, ....

Haro'.-i.tail,

Kusty Cotton (Iniss. .

Syitcmutii' XiiMii..

'rinic of
iJloNHoinjng,

I'luccM)r(;r()Hiii.

Hroail Cotton (Irass, .

Xan-ow Cotton (Jniss,
'J'all FiniliristyhV,
Spirailin;,' Finiliristylh
'J'nftcd Finilii-istylis,
Ilair-liko Kimhristylls,
I'nihi-clla (ir.iss,

liald lUisli,

Dieliomena,

Horned llusli,

Chisterod Hush, . .

Wrinkli'd lioak-nish,
Torrey's lieak-rn.sh.
Drooping' liwik-rusli, .
Uniwn Urak-nisli, .
i^lt'nder lieak-nisli,
Wliitc licak-rnsh,
!^i"all licak-nish.

Tufted Koak-rnsh, .

Common ncnk-niyh. .

• • Kleochari.'* eonipr-ssa,

■ • Kleocliaris .Melanoearpi

• • Kleocliaris tritMjstata, .

■ • KlecK'liaris Kohlansii,

• • ' Kleocliaris aoicnlaris, ,

■ • Kleocliaris pyj.'miea, , .

• • Klt^^ocliaristilicnlmis, . .

• ■ Scirpns ca'sjiitosns, . ,

• ■ f^cirpns planifolins, .

• • Scirpns snhterniinalis, .

■ • t^cirpns puiifiens, . . .

• ■ Scirpns OIneyl, ....

■ ■ ^'irpns T(]rreyi, ....
' • .Scirpns lacnstris, .

■ Scirpns deliilis

• Scirjins inaritiinns, .

• Scirpns tlnviatilis, . ,

• Scirpns .sylvaticns. .

• Scirpns polyphyihis, . ,

• Scirpns lincatns, . .

• Scirpus Kriopliornni, . .

• KrioplKirnni .\l|iiinnii, .

■ Kriopliornni va^riiiatnin,

• Kri.iplKirnni Virf.'inicniii
Kriopliiirnin polystacliy

on,

■ Kriopliornni Kmcile, . ,
. Kiiiiliristylis spadicea, .
, Fimliristylis Ia.\a, .

• '•'i'liliristylisantnmalis, .
. Kiniliristylis capillaris,
- Kniivna scpiarrosa, .

l'siloi';irya scirpoides,
I>iclionieiia lencocejiliala,
Ceratosclin'iius cornicn-

i ■'"'•

CeratoschuMins niacros-

'•''•■liyii

HhyiKliospora cymosii, .
ItliyndiosporaTorreyana
ItliyiK'liospora incxpansa,
Hliyncliospora fnsca, .
Kliyncliosporatrracilenta,
Rliynoliospnra alba, . .
Rliynchospora capillacea,
UliynohosiKira Kniosker-
nii, ~

TiliyiichosporaglomcTata, July,

— Wet places.

~ Wet sands.

.Inly,
■Jniie,
.\n"

•'"ly,

.June, .
Ai.K., .
J"'-, .

• •'my,
■ ''"ly,

.Inly,
July,
.Inly,
.Inly,
An-,

•>iay, .

•Iniie, .

. ''"ly, .

.Inno, .

.luly, .

I Auk., .
'Auf.'., .
Sept., .
Au).'., .
Anjr., .
.Inly, .
An^., .

•Inly, .

•I'liy, .

■'lily, .

• • I'oiids, ditclien.

.Muddy liaiiks.
■ Salt niarslies.
Wet ' arrens.

• ■ Wet mountains.

■ . Woods, lio^s.

• ■ Sln^'frisli streams.

• • Salt and fresh marshes.

• • '."'alt marshes.

■ • ' "orders of ponds.

■ ■ Mnddy places.

• ■ Borders of rivers.

• • ;^ilt marshes.

■ • Holders of lakes.

■ ■ Wet meadows.

■ ■ Swamps, shady hordera.

• • IlOL'S.

)

• • ^\ et meadows, swarajx.

• ' I'eat swamps.

• .Mos-;y swamps. .

• Swamps.

■ Hoiriry meadows.

• -flossy swamps.

■ Salt marslies.

• Wet clays.

• Low {.'rounds.

• SaiKly fields.

• .Siiidy, wet places.

• Inundated swamps.

• Moist harrens.

' Horilers of ponds.

Horders of ponds.

liow (.'rounds.
I'ine harrens.
Low grounds.
I Low (.'rounds.
L(JW (.'rounds.
Mossy swamps.
Swamps, marshes.

Ifoj.', iron-ore banks.
, Bo(.').'y (.'rounds.

PROVINCIAL LIBRARY.
VICTORIA, B. C.

i

i -l

!

^ 1 •

202

LIST OF SEDGES.

M

^ jl

CoillMKiri \iinit>.

Itciiind Buak-ru.sli, . ,

finootli Tui(,'.iusli, .
Wtiij) (irass, . . . .

Si-ssili- Xut-:-iisli, . .
Lciiisc Nut-nish, . . .
Ki'\v-llii\ver«l Niit-riis

Dwaif Nut-rush,

Sliort-heaktMl Sedge, .

J^li'iiilcr t^eilKe, . . .

Alpine .Sedfje, . , . .

finiiill-liead Sedfie, . .

Few-llowered .Sedge, .

Itristle-stalked Sedge,

Fi'uzer'H Sedge, . . .

Willdeiiow'.s Seilge, .

Ki)Ugli-l)eak Sedge, .

Baek'a Sedge, ....

Two-seeded Sedge, . .

Lung-rooted Sedge, .

Oval-lieaded Sedge, .

Muldeiiherg'.s Sedge, .

BiW-^^pikeJ Sedge, . .

Uiise Sedge,

Ketiofle.xed Sedge, .

Bur-ieed Sedge, . . .

Awl-fruited Sedge, .

Fo.\ Sedge,

Bristly-spiked Sedge,

Briiniu3-like Sedge, .

Fo.xtail Sedge, . . .
Sartwell's Sedge, . .
Lesser-panicled Sedge,
liarge-paiiicled Sedge,
Three-seeded .Sedge, .
Dewey's Sedge, . . ,
^V^lite Care.x, ....
Little I'riekly .Sedge, .
Cluster-spiked Sedge,
Br(K)ni-|ike Sedge, . .
Straw-colored Sedge, .
l»rig-8talked Sedge, .
y<|uare-hea(led Sedge, ,
Buximum's Sedge, . . ,
Three-headed Sedge, .
Green-spiked Sedge, . .
Slender Nodding Sedge,

Showy Sedge,

R.ivls's .Sedge, . . . .

; Systeniutic .Niimc.

Khyiiehiispdra cei)lialan
tha,

. Cladinni n)ariseoide9, .
Seleria triglonierata, . .

. Seleria retieularis, . . .

. Seleria laxa,

I, Seleria paucillora, . . .

. Si'leria vertieillata, . . .

. Carex gyniK'rates, . . .

. Carex exilis,

. Carex scirpoidea, . . .
. Carex capitata, . . . .
. Carex ijaueiflura, . . .
. Carex polytrichoides, .
. Carex Fraseriana, . . .
. Carex Willdenovii, . .
. Carex stendelii, ....
. Carex Backii, .....
. Carex disperma, . . .
. Carex ehordorhiza, . .
. Carex eephaloiihura, . .
. Carex Mulilenlxrgii, . .

Carex sicala,

Carex losea,

Carex retroflexa, . .
. Carex sparganicjides, .
Carex stipata, ....

, Carex vulpinoidea, . .

Carex setacea, ....

Carex broinoides, . . .

Carex alopecoiilea, . .

Carex Sartwellii, . . .

, Carex terctiu.scula, . .

Carex deeoniposita, . .

Carex trispernia, . . .

Carex Deweyana, . . .

Carex canescetjs, , .

Carex stellulata, . . .

Carex tenuiflora, .

Carex scoparia, . .

Carex straniinea, .

Carex pednneidata,

Carex s(|iiiirriisa, .

Carex Buxhauniii, .

Carex triceps, . . .

Carex virescens, .

Carex gracillinm, .

Carex formnsa, . .

Carex iJavisii, . .

Tilrie of
BloHAOiniiig

I'lmidf Urowtli.

1 Aug., . . .

.Sandy swamps.

July, . . .

Borders of ponds.

•Lily. . . .

Swamps, moist thickets

lAug., . . .

.Sandy swamps.

1 Aug., . . .

Sandy swamps.

Jul,v, . . ..

Swamps, hills.

.luiie, . . .

Swam|is.

—

Swamiis.

•'une, . . .

Marshe,^.

—

Mountani tops.

■Inly, . . .

.Mountain tops.

—

I'eat swamps.

May, . . .

Low ground, woods.

—

Kieli wiHids.

•May, . . .

.Moisl, shady places.

; —

Woody hills.

1

Kocky hills.

;.Iuiic, . . .

.Mossy swamps.

i.May, . . .

.Mos.sy swatnps.

May, . . .

Ilill-sides and fields.

April, . . .

Koeky liill-sides.

Sanily plains.

May, . . .

Moist woinIs.

May, . . .

Open wowls, swamps.

May, . . .

Ijow, swampy grounds.

April,. . .

Swamps, low grounds.

May, . . .

Low grounds, common.

.June, . . .

Wet meadows.

May, . . .

Wet swamps.

—

Woods.

.lune, . . . Swamps, common.

— Swamps,
.tune, ... I'eat swamps,
.lune, . . . Moist wikhIs.
.May, . . . Wet meadows.
May, . . . Wet meadows,
.lune, . . . Mossy swamps.

— Wet meadows.
May, . . . Borders of woods.
April, . . . Kocky liills.
.May, . , . f,,„v nieadows, thickets.
.May, . . . .Mossy swamps.
May, . . . Woods, meadows.
May, . . . WoiKls, liill-sldcg.
.lune, . . . Moist grounds.
May, . . . Wet meadows.
May, . , . Swamps, river banks.

LIST OF SEDGKS.

203

■th.

licketd.

Coninion Numc.

Systi'iiiiitic Kuiiio

Is.

lis.

iimld.

LIUlli.
IIIOU.

keti.

Ri'tricl SimIkc,

l/.ii'Kf Hog .Sedgu, . . .
.'^iriiiller Hog .Sodge, .

Water Sedge,

• lolden-fruitod Sedge,
Ki'inged Sedge, ....
K'-w-fniitcd .«e(lge.
Inflated Sedge, ....
('.Vliiiilrical-spikod Sedge,
Hladder-fiuiied Sedge, .
AHl-fiiiite(18edge, , . .
Tall Vellinv Seilge, . . ,
Swdlleii-frultoil Sedge, .

Hdi) Sedge,

K"Ugli-fniited .Sedge, .
S<'lnveinU/.'s Sedge,
Late-fruited .Sedge, .
I^ng.pointed Sedge, . .
Porcuiiiiie Sedge, .
f yperus-like Sedge, .
Ix)ng.l)eaked Sedge, .
Hairy-fruited Sedge, . .
Awned Sedge, ....
I'mbel-spikcd Sedge,
I'ennsylvanian Sedge, .
New Knglaml Sedge. . .
Slender-leaved Sedge, .
Wi)()lly-fruited Sedge, .
Sh't VVi)olly-spik'd Sedge,
l'ul«!scent Sedge, . . .
Mud Sedge, ...'...

Livid Sedge,

Large Vellow Oare.v, . .

• Kder's Sedge,

I'ale I'uheseent Sedge, .
Torrey's Sedge, ....

Striated Sedge

Oranular-spiked Sedge,
Loose-flowered Sedge, .
Coiiienl-frulted Sedge, .
Slender Wmnl Sedge, .
Ilitchoock's Sedge, . .
Small Few-frnited Sedge,
Crooked-necked Sedge, .
Two-edged Sedge, , . .
Palo, Smootli .Sedge, . .

Cniwe's Sedge

Plantain-lcnvel .Pledge, .
Carey's Sedge, ....

Cnrex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
■ Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
j Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex
Carex

rigidii, . . . .
augu.-itata, . .
ca;si)iti)sa| . .
aquatilis, . . .
aurea, . . . .
crinita, . . . .
olignspernia, .
bullata, . . .
cylinilrica, . .
utriculata, . .
sul)ulata, . . .
folllculata, . .
inluniescens, .
lupulina, . . .
seahrata, . . .
!<eliweinitzii, .
retrorsa, . . .
teiitacMlata, . .
Iiystrleina, . .
I'seudd-Cyperus
longiriistris,
triclioearpa,
aristala, . . .
uniliellata, . .
I'ennsylvanica,
Xovii'-.-Vnglia',
liliforniis, . . .
lanuginosa, . .
vestita, ....
puliescens, .
limosa, ....
livida, ....

tiava

(Kderi

pallc'seens, . . .
Tjrre.vi, . . . .

striata,

granularis, . . .

laxiflora

conoidea, . . . .
digitalis, . . . .
Ilitclicockiana, .
oligwarpa, . . .
tetainca, . . . .
anoeps, . . . ,

blanda,

Cniwei, , . , .
plantaginea, . .
Careyana, . . .

Time of
Blossoming.

. .Inly, . . .
. May, . . .
. May. . . .
, Inne, . . .

May, . . .

.May, .

June, .

May, .

May, .
May, .
June, .
June, .
June, ,
May, .
May, .
May, .
May, .
June, .
June, .
June, .
June, .

Place of Growth.

Mountain summits.

Swamps, common.

Swamps, river bank.^.

Hcjrders of lakes.

llorders of swamps.

Swanii)s, river banks.

Alountains, swamps.

Swamps.
Swamps.
Wet swamps.
Cedar swamps.
Swamps, bogs.
Wet grounds.
Swamps.

Horders of brooka.
Swamps.
Borders of ponds.

• Swamps.
■ Swamps

Sw'ps, sluggish streams.
.Sliady, rocky places.
Marshes and lakes.
— fjake shores.

. May, . . . Kocky hill-sides.
, April, . . . Dry woods.

June, . . . W ly hills.

.May, . . . I'eiit swamps.
May, . . . Swamps.
May, . . . Moist, sandy soils.
May, ... Woods, swamps.
June,. . . Mos.sy swami)s.
June,. . . Mossy swamps.
May, . . . Swami)s.
May, ... Limestone lands.
JMay, . . . .Swamps.

— Northward.

May, . . . Swamps.
-May, . . . Wet swamps.
>Iay, . . . Swamps, moist woods.
May, . . . Wet swamps.
.May, . . . Woods, hill-sides.
Alay. . . . WoihIs, hill-sides.
I May, . . . Woods.
I May, . . . Margin of lakes.
May, . . . Wo<ids.
J May. . . . Swamps, open Woods.

— Ivink:* of rivers.

April, . , Shady, roi'ky ravines.
•^lay, . . Shady, ilry woods.

■ i

204

lii:CLAI.MI.\(; SWAMP LANDS.

CuhMnon .N'liiiH'

>*.V8ti'iiiuti(! Nanii'.

Hn.M-l,.aM Whito ScmIro, r„,vx fhiirnea,

Kni.K^a 8o,lKe jCaivx ll^Mlis, . .

M,'t-lH.ak',l \\\ y .s,,|j,e, carex arctata,

"'■'"'*'"''-"■ OaR.x .l.hili. . .

.M,ll..t.|,kc. 8o,lK,., . . . :Ca,.ex,nilia,va, . ' '

'""''■ ''''■'''-'^' Carux U.,;»stri», . .

r.u.ken„aM's S..,lK.., . . .■a,-,,x Tu.k.Tmani, . .

,^,^"'';"'*-''""'^^'''«'-'-- • ,Carex Waslm.gtoniana,

*"■'>-'"•••'>'% Carex (ii-ayii, . . .

"'"■' ''^■''«^' |l'art.xac..ta, . . .

'^'^ ^''"■'-'■''•' lCa.exa.VMaria,. . .

Tiiiif lit
HI(KSKiirnii)^r,

Place of Growth.

May, . . ,

LiiiiestdiK' liills.

Jiirii-, . . .

•Moist, shady places

•May, . . .
May, . . .
May. . . .
June, . . ,

Woods, s\vaini)8.

Moods, swamps.
Wet swiinips.
Deep swamps.

—

Wet swamps.

July, . . .

Mt. Wasliliifrtoii,
Swamps.

—

I>eiise liofjs.

Juilf, .Inly.

Saiiily sea-shores.

J I.o al.ove table .nchules nearly, if not ,,uite, all the
spaces o sedges known and described as'g,.o;ving in
tins c-ountry, .tnd ,s thongl.t to be very complete.

As alrea.k ,nti.nate,l, none ( f these coarse sedges are
n.-hn. nutritive elements, and none are worthv of eul-
t.vat.on. 1 he tanner's care s.N.ouM be to eradica'te them
and snpply their places with the higher and more nufi'
t.ous grasses. This may be done by thorongh draining
an operation which lies at the foundation of all success'
iul management of low lands, and without which thev
are comparatively worthless, while, if properly r^-
claimed, they are among the best and most productive
iands on the farm.

When proi,erly improved, and sown to the hidier
and better grasses, like Timothy. ,vdt.,p, orchard gr.s.
rough-stalked meadow, A'c, they will produce the most'
■ uxuriant crops for several years in succession, often
paying the cost of improvemeiit the first year. Lcnv
groun.ls and swamps are the farmer's muck-beds. Thou-
sands of Mcres of such land.; now lie worthless and
unproductive, waiting only to be reclaimed to add vastly
to the material wealth of the country.

..kiS

CHAPTER V.

VARIOUS CLASS, KICATIONS OF THE GRASSES.

Many ot' the passes which have been descril,e,| in
f''^ Preeeduig- chapters possess but little vah.e for the
P-rposes ot cultivation, it is true, but it should not be
t'>i«J)tten that they all have their uses ; and these uses
'" the o.mn.l economy of nature are exceedindv ini-
vision. '' ""^ '""' '"^'^'''"' '" '•"^' «"'"^-t-igl.tod

iJl^T '"'"^^^, "P 1^ ^''^' '^""'■^i'^ -• expands its
l^eau t.ful leaves, that does not derive its support in
Pcirt from the atnu.sphere : and, even though its lile be

of egetable n.ould which covers the surface of the

mould h.f r' '" '^^'r- ''' '^'^ ^«''- ^j^''- --'^-^

mould has been accumulating tor ages in many loeali-

hat surrounded It was stored, wlii.-h now lie waiti,.-
the farmers use in meadows of exhaustle.ss ferti i n

w l,.I. • T"" ^" ^Wrec-inte. Thus, the gras.e.

l^'ch are not cultivated for their direct m fritive nu. 1

caretul study and attention.

It is evident that various olassification< of the .n-r -e.
m^ be made, and that many species might be se;;;::^

200

THE JUNGLE (JltASS.

into distinct -roups, which would gr.nitly facih'tate the
study of this iuuiily of plants ; and this da.sifi.-ati ,n
tlK3 ivador can readily make, at In's cuuveiiience. As an
example, we have

I. The Jii'SH or Jux(;le Grasses, or such as are not
inehned to grow with other speei,>s, and form a close,
matted tud or sward. Of these we have as exampieJ
the ^

Tufted JIair tJrass (Jira ca'spifosn) .
Meadow Oat Grass [Jvena prntcnds).
Tall Fescue Grass {Festuca datior).
A fev, others, if sown alone, will assume somewhat
the same form, ni tufts or cushions; as,
Sheef)'s Fescue {Fcstncn ovina).
Hard Fescue {Fe.^tnva durlusmla).
Orchard Grass {Dadylis (jhmerata).
This peculiarity in the growth of the last three
grasses is prevented by close pasturing, rolling, and
proper cultivation. These operations improve upon
nature suK-e, if left to themselves, they would far more
c-ertanily assume the jungle growth, such as is often
seen on poor, thin pasture soils : a close, fine, matted
SH^rd being attained only by careful cultivation.

J he habit- of jungle or tufted growth is, it will be
perceived, rather an exceptional one, the general and
one of the most important characteristics of the true
grasses being to grow and form a turf on good soils
3Iany of the sedges and some of the coarse grasses '
form tussocks in wet meadows and swamnv T.laces
while neither wheat, rye, barley, nor oats, evJr form a
close turf or sward.

A little reflection will lead to the conclusion that it is
rnainly the better and more valuable grasses, such as
1 imothy, redtop, meadow foxtail, June grass, .fee, which

ASIATICS.— SALT-MA USII GKASSKs. 207

have this property. Tl.is mode of o.,ou-tl. has a hr
;ore jn.portunt bearin, upon pr..tl.a .,riJL]^:
on , . ,Kst v.ew, would suppose; since it stores away
" cii the surface u vast accumulation of materials of
;;reat value „. unprovino- the qualities of the 'i then

-ned over, to say nothing if the beau ^t^^^^^^^^
ll.ehu.ds^^^^^^

Reel Canary Grass (Fkalaris anuaUnacea).
C mmnon Keed (Jrass {Phragmites communL).
^^ ater .spear Grass ( Glyccria aqunflca ).
onnnon Manna Grass ( r.7^.,,,v,//,,v,,,^
Kice Grass {Leersia orf/wu/e.s)
Flor.tmg- Foxtail (AU^pecurus gernculatus).
>> iJd Kice {Zizania aquatica).

v.t!!rr-.f ''"'''' ^'''•"' '""'^^'^ '" water, and are not culti-
-ted w.th us as agncultural grasses, with the except .

HI. M.nsH or 8alt Grasses, among which we have

Nilt Reed Grass {Spartina pnl>,starbya).

Hush .salt Grass (^^>,o-//y.«/vy;cm).

>alt Marsh Grass (Spadina .stricta).

Islack Gi-ass (Jnncus fndbosus).

Beach (Jrass [Annnophllu arundinacea).

Goose (.rass (6^/^ro'A. //«;n-^///^a).
IV. FiRLD or Pastuhk (Jrasses. ~ Umler this I.p.,?
n.ay be n.cluded a very large number of p c \l of
which have been described above. Thev ,^ r^e s.d
d.v,ded aocordmg to the soils an.l situations wl id. t e '
naturally affect ; fbr, though a grass may so.netn es S

tVi

*J08

AWL'AL \VKi:i»S.

I

1

!

!

■i

!:

i

w:^ V

j. (

lilfi

fbuiul or plari'd in a soil wliicli is not niitunilly littod
si)ecies will arrive at its must purlbct

lur it, vut nt

(levciopiuunt on a soil not wril adaptcfl to it
Among- these might he nientioi

led. as examples,

'I'iniothy (Plihmn jirnfrihsc).

-Meadow Foxtail (.//i

opwiiriiH pratoixis).

Common Spear (Jrass { Poa jinttc

HSIN ,

Oi

)rehard (Jrass (Ddcfi/Ii.s ijloincfcfd).
Perennial liyo Grass { LoHnih jwrcinic).
Italian Kye Grass {Loliniit ifidlcHiii).
lledto)) (Ji/rosfi.svnJ(furi.s},
Whiteto}) ( A(ii'0'<ti.s.(ilbti).
Downy Oat (rrass {Avciki pKhcfivons).
]Meadow Soft Grass ( llnh-us luinitns).
Meadow PVscue {Fe.sfnoi jirdfcn.si.s).
Field fJarley Grass { Ifitrdeiiiit pratciise).
lall Oat (irass [ArrliviKitherHni (icciKici'inn).

Tnnothy, as has already been seen, is the standard
field grass in this group, and is suited to all eiimates of
this eountry north of A'irginia and Tennessee, though it
sometimes suffers from drought in states further north.
It is a field, and not a pasture grass, as it will not endure
very close and fre(pient cropping. This is seen in the
readiness with which a Timothy stubble parcbes up,
unless there is rain or cloudy weather immediatelv after
it is cut.

V. Annual Wkeds, winch, though proper grasses,
are often very troublesome in cultivated grounds, either
on account of their creeping, underground stems, or
their rapid and luxuriant growth. Thrifty farming is a
ceaseless struggle against these pests, and" the former is
generally careful to keep as clear as possible of them.
Among- these may be named

OUKKS MAMJniX(; (;HASSJ.;.s.

Clioss [lifoinus secnVinus).

Soft P,n),no (Jmss [liromNs ,„oUh)

20 f)

ShMHler Foxtail ^Alu^nrnrns a^rrsf'l,).
lUomi [A'jrosfi.s s/a/oNi/cra)
Couch (!rass(yV///,v/,;; r.jM'Ns)

l^>ugl..stHlkedM..a,iuu',P../rm»).
AmmuhI Spear (;,-ass(/V,.o. .,.,,,,
i'l'U"urU'ire(;ras.s(/%,eoy//^,,,,,,,,^

Of those, the la.st four are net •.lu-.v -i

a« wools si,u.o .1,0, .,,, .„;,„;;:;,;';;, ;-■-; ;™

f,i<i\ei-\\alks, and aAcmiex tluM- ...., i- .

"■""bio»,„„., a,„i .lifiic-uit ,„:.,;,;.::;, "^^■"'^^''"'«'->-

^"I. OllASSES AllAITUI. |.„|| Cl I.TlliP 1, fi„„,.^. ,,

™>"r;:;;:::r;i::t-::;i:;:rf'"-"

;;' '-Plen.sh,n. the constant waste and eZ> tio '^^
tli(3 nclier (|ualities of the soil in fl ''■^' ,"^""" t)t
K-rains and the higher J ' ' ■ ?. ^"""•'"^^^'^'^ '"^

^>^--i-.i.espedaiii^;;rt: :..;ujr'''^^^

sun.ed at a distance fVon. uhe L ^ e it i """

tl'Ht tlie tiu-mer restores to the so -dl n-?" V' 'T
takes fid.n i> T,\ .1 "' '^^ "'"^''' 'i« 'ie

"tdr: 3"FT■»--
tion for ud.at has been t.l-l f " ^""^P^'^^'^-

■■»^. f ^. v..;i..t::,:";™ :-^,;' ™ "'^ «'-'pe or

Nature, loil .o^,,„,,e„; p„,„„^^ ,,„^, _^^.^^^^^^^.^_^ ^^^^

i

fi

\4

i„,a.

210

ELEMKXTS OF TIIK A IK.

hnuiidless liixnriaii.'.' df vc^-ctaMo j-T<.\vtli. r.i-lit and
air, licat and water, ari^ the soinvcs ol' vitality, and they
l)ocomo iiicorjHd-atcd, as it were, or assumo a tan;;il>lo
form, in the green masses produeed in the surtiice ol'tlie
eartli; and these, in decaying, eonstantly increase tli(> ler-
tih'ty ot the soil, hecanse thoy not only restore to it the
inorganic substances which they took Ironi it, hut many
others which they drew Ironi the atmosiihere, and em
bodied in their leaves, and stalks, and roots.

The atmosphere is known to be i'ull of the very ele-
ments which it is most desirable to secuie and turn to
our own use; and there is no way in which the farmer
can avail himself of these invaluable aids so surely as
by embodying them in the form of green vegetable
masses, and turning them fresh beneath the surface,
where they soon decay, and are ready to nourish other
vegetable bodies, that is, to produce crops which are of
money value.

Oreen nianuiing has rarely, or never, failed of pro-
ducing satisfactory results, when it has been economi-
cally and judiciously applied ; and its value as the true
mode of fertilizing- the earth has been sufliciently proved
in practice, in cases where the farmer has oughed in
clover, buckwdieat, oats, &c. The result or elfect uf
green manuring is well known, and the truth of the sys-
tem is sufliciently shown in the fact that it is strictly' in
accordance with nature.

But our oi'dinary modes hav^e nsually been too (>x))eii-
sive, either on account of the cost of the seed of the
clovers or other large seeds, or in causing- the loss of
the crop for the year, that is, in fallown'ng; or in tiiiling
to secure the full benefit of the system, from the use ol
too few varieties or species of plants, and consequentlv
having too small a mass of vegetable matter: yet, not-
withstanding this failure to secure; the highest advan-

<;in;i;.\ vi.;(ij.;TAHLi.: massks.

211

agoH of vvhM-h the system is s„seo,,tibl,, the farmer
I'H-S by nu.ms oi turning in green crops, increased the

;;;7'7'^-;'''' 'M'' of the nu.nld in his\soil, ami thu^
i'tted .t u preduce a stronger stalk and n.ore perieel
gran,, and saved the expense and labor of hanling the
header manures, his ^reen crops ior manuring being
loady at liaiul. *=

JJow, instead of relying upon clover or buckwheat
na.nly, winch has conunonly been the case, suppc e the

■td. ted t.. Ins systen., and productive of the best
>o.suIts,and take pmns to plant then, for the exp.vss

aml'oH ■ ^7'" """"'■'"- ^''''^'" '^'^^'^^^itl' '-s wheat
s ubble he following. K.unmer, o,. in the spring, to bo
uitli otiior winter rioi.s.

HU ol(io.t >v„ul,l ho to p,o,l„c-o the largest pos.iWo
.".ss. He »l,„„ld, ,l,e,„ .select the ..ndlest.fee.lerpW
ot e,. tl„„g. be,„g equal, and a large variety of tm
lhe«e .ee.I» „,ay bo .elected by lumself on his own
fertn and cost bin, only the troablo of gatherini- slv
<-." bity cents ,„ a dollar for ten ponnds or e,^2„,, S
o V an aere, win e bo may Ining al'ont lUr more "atf a !
to,y res,, ts „, ,bc inbni.dy greatc- ,„a»s of vege a le
"lattei- wind, he can tbns prodnce. ^Hotable

lins ,s an impo,ta„t consideration, not only from the
fct that a g,e,,t va,ioty will baste, tbe fo,™',, ,tio, in
He «o,l, and thus .nateriaily elevate the tern,,,
but because d,tfe,.ent va,.ieties or species of pl.^ t ."e'
'nd,! I "'""''';■''. """ ™'«>* 'lifferont' olcmonts,
ces that a close, tb.ck mass can be obtained. The best
results can only be brought about bv the vi'or of
growth and tbe variety. The vigor of g,owtl, dfpendl

i ^

2Vi

HIZE OF SKKns.

fm"hup.u iUr .•.-c.f variety, an.l , ',. variety is attuine.l
cheaply by plants ot small seeds.

In a poun.J of l.urkwl.eat, for instan.v. (JHTe are univ
Hbont f.ltee,. thuusan.) see.js : i,. ,,>,! eh.ver. u little
over tvvehu.Mlre.lan.l.ilty thousand; iurve and oats
"'^'"^ ';^""^v tlHM.sand: while i,, n.anv'of the l.es,'

plants h.r MKM.urinu, there are ever a million grains to
tlie pound. "

111 what .loes the superiority of clover as a ..reen
mHm.nng plant eonsistV Is it not in th.- vast amount
o uator stored away n. its sueeulent loaves and sten.s
vh.ch causes ,t to ,U.,.ay u-ith great rapidity when'

l.uned m the so.l, and thus Inn.ish . suppiv or fertilix-

n.K nmtenals ,n the quiekest , „,? In "this resp., 't

It 18 no doul.t exceedingly valuable lor the purpose-
but .s ,t not possil.lo to render other plants, whose
seeds are far less expensive, erp.allv -..Uerv and Inxu-
mnt, by «own)g^ them thickly together, and' hv a iudi-
C.OUH selection of large and leafy plants for p.'otecti.u^
the smaller ones by their shade?

If the above suggestions are worthy of eonsideraticu.,
It would .seem to follow that many of tlu- plants now
regarded as weeds, an.l never cultivated, except in seme
cases for the beauty of their flowers, mav be valuable
to ,s3w and turn in as green n.anure. Anv phmts, in-
de(>d, winch wdl grow with others, and foVn, a o,,.at
mass of green vegetable growth, embodving and'cor-
porifymg the fertilizing elements of the air, may b(«
made useful and serviceable to the farmer.

It is not my purpose, in this connection, to develop a
complete .system of green mantiring by a description
of al the n' .nts most valuable to be used for this ob-
ject, but ouv c ;-ungcst that some of the species of the
grasses wh:cl. -v, Uv, alludu.l to in the i.reeedin.-
pages may h- hu^ ;;-.awt as gre^-n manure plants espo

'•iitlly t(» sow wifli sonic of tl... I.,.. . ,

"•'''<•'' ""'V snv.. to , 1 i ^''■''''' '•'''''^'^'n>lants,

•'-kM^wlionnvl.L ,'"''""' ^^' '«'^^-^^'-

'i"e.fion. to H.M t t . / " ^"-^'•••'•""<'"^'""«- i" this

-^■'''. ■^up;::;;,i;::,;;;-;;:;;;;;

"KEK.V MAM HIN,) ,„U9HK8,

One pnun.l of HasHy Foxtail. ,;00 ono .

" " \v,,.„i IT • ,. ''""."00 seeds.

_^ ^^ ^^ »<"„i rr,.ir („H,sH, 2,()0(),(,oo "
c< .. .. I,""*;'' """■ «'"«'^. -',000,000 ..

.. J;^''"'"^v.SofUJms«, 1,. 500,000 «
_^ i fionnml Kye Gmss, 2r)(),()no "

" Chess,
" ^lillct Grass.
Mi'iii' Gra.s.s.
" Tall 0,it (iniss.
" Tickle Grass,

irj(»,(IOO

1,-'(M),000

500,000

•'{•"tO,000

■*,000.000

)e

«.-a»«e», as Kivo,, i„ cl,an,e fi : V'' 7' "' "'"
:"'"i"-l 10,. „s„ o„ me.l .0 t'-l';;,""'' '" "™

;-■«;.»"•. .B al.-ea,l,. n„i,„,.,er Tl ., "all'T'' ,

pound of e,.c7 "«»;«; ,-:';,!'■■ "■'"' ^"™"^- o-

"f course, he «trie(K L , , " """''"-''' «"""".

V-.V H little a.: :;tr';:f'e,''""i'"^^ " "■'" "'"■''■-

from chart: l„„ i, " , ffie 'nt I ' T" '"'' ''■•^^^«'"

H!|

. !

214

ox \'AR10US SOILS.

thickly iind well cau bo easily ciilculiitcd, taking- the
I'equisite (luaiitities of each i<j)eeios, and tiio avcrap'
number of seeds to tJie pound. The number of diller-
eut species taken, including soun; of the larj:?er-leaved
or j)i()tectioii })lants, should be at least as many as ten;
the more the better, as they will more surely furm a
close, thick mass of m'reen veg-etation.

Of the bettei- jj,rasses suited to this top-seed manure
culture on medium soils, nn'ght be nu'utioned the

Tall Fescue, ofitbout ;)1.'.'),()(10 ,«w(ls to the iiouiid.

June Grass, " " ;!,WS,i)()l) " " " "

IMeiidow f'escne. " " 120,000 " " '• '•

Orchard Grains, " •' (;40,(li)i) " " •' '.

Timothy, " " 1,100,000 " " "

Quaking Grass, " " 7,000,000 " " "

Bermuda Grass, " " 700,000 " " '•

Striped Grass, " " (370,000 " " " "

MukinjL;; use of a mixture of some or all of the sj)ecics
named above, togethei' with more or less plants of a
larger and ranker growth, we might form a heavy mass
to turn under and enrich ;uid mellow the soil.

Such as would be suited to a heavy clav soil mav b(>
selected from the above, bearing in mind that the
larger plants to be sown with them should iie such as
penetrate deeply, and grow with a rank and vigorous
growth. In a similar manner may be seleett'd nu".\tures
for light sands, by a refei'ence to grasses that idfect
such soils, as described in the first chapter.

To carry out a com[)lete system of green mainiring,
requires some little time in securing the seeds: and this
the farmer umst attend to personally, if lie wishes to
have them fresh and good. There is scarcely any
plant that grows along his fields, pastures, and roadsides,
tliat may not be made serviceable as a green manure, if
judiciously managed, and sown and turned under in the
proper season. The economy of green inanuring

STrnV 0 1' I'l.ANT.S.

215

no

depends 14)011 being able to throw in the vo-etable
growth between the other and vahinble crops, witiiotit
the h)ss of time or land. To adopt it, tiie liirmer will
need to observe, and bucome liunihar with, to some ex-
tent, tiie plants on his farm: and il' he finds, by experi-
ment, tiiat green manuring is ell'eetive in giving him
l»etter crops at less expense, he will need to have a
seed-bed for many of the [slants he may wish to use
in order to be sure ol a regular and constant supplv'
of seed.

Jt will be easy to give the system of green manuring
n tan- and complete experiment, by taking a small piece,
say a .piarter or half an acre: an<l fur this purpose the
seeds ot wdd plants of the liirm can be procured, -., -own
and turned ni for wheat, rye, or oats, and tlie^resull"
noted.

VII. Litter Grasses. Many of th(> wild grasses
grow with great luxu.iance, and often in places verv
eonvenient to the barn or the homestead : mid some of
them, owing to their size and abundance of leaves are
"dnurably adapted for litter, and used as such tliev
greatly increase the maiiur(!-Iieap.

A selection might be made of grasses of this descrip-
tion, wdnch would produce as valuable a vield of litter
as the straw of some of eur grain crops.' The follow-
nig, with many others, might be suggested:

Common Heed (Jrass (Phrcuiniiies ammuuis).
Lyme Grass {El//mit.s ciiyiHici/.s).
Canadian Lyme Grass {Efj/mu.s canadeihsis).
Slender ILiiry Lyme {Eljimxi^ .sfrintxH).
Reed Canary Grass {Phalarls arundinacea).

All of these grasses have been described in chapter
iirst, and their natural habitat given under each.

iiiiii

af^-r

21G

STUDY OF I'LAXTS.

liie various a-roiirm <.•;,-»•. ..i

;'j..i*-.ir,n: at; , : ;i;;:';.'t j^^^ «'-r^^"- '-'■^'

C TI A P T E d V T .

■iHK COMPARATIVE XUTKITIVK VALUK OF THE

'; I! ASSES.

Wk l.ave seon that the various species of r^rass differ
v.-n- ....enallv in nutntivo value : that so'"" ,n^-
ti.e M-reatest ,,uant,ty of nutritive matter whon pven

nj eflouer, others when the seed is ripe a^:
P n t .nature; that son.e yield a luxuriant aftennath
. lo others can searcely be said to produce any at all ■'

suited to the o.,az,ng of sheep, while others o-row most
uxunantly on the low lands and in the marshc', ads

ta.n the nchest dairies; and that no soil is so terile^
Plam so barren, but that a grass can be found adajied

Sou.e species indeed, will not endure a soil even
;; ;."-'"••" fert.l.ty, nor the application of anv stin.
■la .no. n^anure, but cling- with astonishing te^.acitv
to the dr.ftn.g sands, while others prefer tit. heavie t'
clays, or revel m the hot beds of anuuonia; some are
.roganous n. then- habits, requiring to be sown with
;>'-.• spec.es, and, if sown ah>ne, will linger alono. till

cxt, pate hem. usurping to themselves the entire soil
-'•/.e a.id disappear. Nearly every species is distin:
gu.shed for some peculiar quality, an<l most are deficient
Hi some, comparatively fbw combining all the qualities

(l-'lT)

21S

"•»I!TKS (JKAMIXKL-S W O li C i; M.; x s i s.

•'^•■''•■'v.l Uy us in altenrnte lid.! cn.ps. H,,' past,„v< ..r
l'^'rma.K..it u^o^yiu^, t„ .such an extent ..s tc, justil'v a
^•'•iicral ccitivation.

|t -> i.niHH-tant, tl.cM-ofbro, to loam the c-oniparative
'"- ;;'f'v<' vahn. of v.u-h species tlnnv^Ut to l.e ,vur,h

'•-'■t'^^ntm,^: and it is tl.o ohjert ot' this chapter to ,lnun-
(^oiiie Jight upon this point.

This stu<ly is naturally attended with ^Tcat .liilh-uhies
it IS hut recently that accurate researches have heen
">a.le u-,th a view of arriving at such positive results as
wnuld l,e entitled to full coulidenco.

In 1S24, a very laudahle attempt Avas made, in Kup--
'=""'• ''v the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abhey to
ascertain the comparative value of most of (he a-rasses
^vhlch couM then, be obtained : and the results of the
experiments, conducted by h.s .anlener, CJeor^-e Sin-
Hair, were detaih.d HI a volume under the title of" //or-
|;/.v (rraMnue>,s IVnhn rueu.isr This work, which was the
list treatise worthy of mention on this subject, became
tlio text-book on the grasses, and has been'followe<l bv
most subsequent writers, do-,vn to the present time".
J^nt these experiments must be regarded as verv unsat-
ishictory, both on account of the imperfection^ of the
nn'thods of arriving at the results (though thev were
he best then known, and suggested bv Sir llumphrev
I'Hvy), an.l because each species or varietv ^/as culti-
vated only to a very limited extent. The produce per
acre, lor instance, was calculated, in most <-ases frou<
the yield oi four square feet. Besides this, verv o-reat
diserepanci.vs occur in the volume, which can wi'tirdilJi-
culty be accounted for.

The analyses n-cently made bv Professor Wav the
distuiguished chemist of the Koyal Agricultural S(ic'iety
are more reliable. i„ my estimation, than anv which can'
1h' h.und.and no treatise on the grasses wouhl be coin-

KI

'•'"•"•:N'MS ('((MI.ocxds.

,.K..C. «.i,l,„,,t ,..i„„. ,|„. v„l,„.l,|,, ,,„„, ,„ „,,;,,, ,,„
iia> cii 1 1 \ ('I I.

; uu-t.on c. n,tn>g-enons suhsta.H.s ,.,„,amell in ir.

Nitl.om.luul.t.thosuo,u-u-|u.-|, islo„,Hltol,eauin..•^.-
dK.ntoln.o.tve^etal.les^i.stan..esats,,n,.. ,.n.Hi:;,r
tlicu- ^Towth ,n so.no dc-gree rontnl.utes to it al.o ■
«o .a, the starch and other ingredients wlnVh cun.l.ine
to pro.uuto heat and respiration: for no .louht th.-re is
H mut.ml rehtt.on existing between the various elements
' ' lood, son.e g-ouig to sustain and nourish one part of
ti.o annual systen, and others fonuing son.e other pa
-lUHlly important to health and existen.-e. KaH, n.n'
perform ,ts function, and he not onlv in.portant In
|.H.ponsale hut cheuusts have he^n a^^^^^^

ase the nutrmve value of articles of food chieHy upon
the uitrou-enous compounds. ^ ^

The nitrogencms constituents of any substance, as
.ass or hay tor nistance, n.ay be detenuined with little
l.fhcu Ity. and w.th great exactness, siuce it has been

ot i.ea.ly the same coiist.tutu.n. and do not varv in "their
combmations. The determination of the sugar is some
what more diih-ult. ^ '

The constituents of plants may accordingly be divided
mto two classes: one class en.bracing all those sub-
dances ot winch nitrogen or azote tonus a part, and the
other consistmg of non-nitrogenous bodies. Oxluten al
Himen, gelatine, casein, leguim a, m.d fibrin, belono-' to
the ormer class, being nitrogenous v-.bstances: while
starch gum. sugar, woody fibre, mucilage, ^c, are desti-
tute of nitrogen, or uon-nitroo-em^us.

Only a small .pianti'y of nitro5,vn' i< f;„n,d in ve.-e-
tabie substances, and it is derived h. part, at least, trom

m

filT^'-'-^

J i

220

NUTIMTIV,.; K J. KM K NTS.

'7^^nit4o;::u:':!^:;;;:'-^ On the other

"' ^l'*' <-^'nstituent.s of t , I ^ ^ "'^"'^ Proportion
•'' ^''-••- -lu,Io svsten! ^ r

'^■^ the wholo hoi . T*'"'' "' "^^^V' tissues, -

^n"scIo,-t|,eremuM '"■"■''''' '^^'^ ''^^■^'' '»^cl

*''-nrro,enons^,e;:::;^:;;. ;;;,;:.;r^^'^'-'^^'''-^^-^ -

''-'^v parts of l.Lt.r'"''' ''^^''^ '""-"'- -'d

^^" ^^'« ->l>poso one I<i d 'f , T """^'"^'''' ^''•'^™^'"t'^'
o^' nitrogen to the nomn] ?' '',""^'"'" ""^^ """^^e

pound which c..ntuins^h;^,;;n!r' ;'! '^^ ^'"'"''^'' ^'"^
a^^ fiu. to nourish the uuin^d " oth r tl "'"r ""''' ^'^^
-as tl,e two pounds whi ? "^"^ ^'^'"g' ^^'''il

titv of nitrogen "t tm T "" '"'^' ^''^^ ^'^^ ^"-

'"-•'--'■-n^ingivJ T"'"-.'^

to l.e overlooked -^ ' "" ''*"' '"^ "^'^^ "^■-"'•se,

^oy iH this u n.ere deduction of theorv T.

'»^'"t has frequently iu^en m-u i^-l . ^ ''^ ^'^"Pen-

-^tablished, b,,th h^.cie cJ t^^^^^^^ ""' '•' ''^ "'^^^^ ^''"y
^•'•eater the proportion of it..n '""r';"^"^'^' ^'"^^ the
contains, if it lo eonnin T" "'"^''^ -'^-'^^etaMo
«"tsin l.roper comhfn r , '"■ ""P"''t^i''t constitu-

1 or liUfogenuus pnnei-

i r I

i

1''AT-1.'UI!.M)N,; S T lis T a N (■ Ks . 221

P'es, wliil,. Ikt is nm.l.. nn, t.. a ,.-,v.f ..vf . ^ <•

"^' "oiHiitrog-enous suhstaiic,
lor till

I")' til,. |)ru.liu-ti..n ,,f Ihr .,,,,1 t ■• -V '-'^^Nin

'-'-"-ti,i .:au,,Hj;,;; l:;:;;';|;f,,:; "■"'

>"i«tain tl,„ „-sf,.,„. Tlu-v ■„ I , '■""''' "'"'

i:;;::;:;-;;rtr;--'rf-

of th

oi
DIM

ih.

.,'"::;■ .^'f^": '•: ^"'^ -'apomticu ceases, and the

'•mmatu.ns must l.e ol.viuns n„

"liportaiiee of l.utli (letor;
a moment's refloction.

tuiJcctK.n,^a.e arran^v.l m, tho following table:

'lilB I

%

! ^

i4M

•>•>.)

WAV's IWKSTMJATIOXS.

TaBLK n'.-^\All'RAL (JhassKS. Xamf wm H

->^\Ali-. AM) DaTK of
i Ol.l.Kt Tl()\.

*'""iii .Viiiiii'.

•"^"•^■t.si-i'iit».(l Vfi-rial. .

I'^ill Out (fniss,

l*""ii,v (lilt (;nisti,
tiiiiikiiiK Grass, .
Iprij-'lit Itriiino, .
i^iil't Hniini.' (iiiiss,
Cfi'sli'd DiiK's-tiiil, .

Oivli.ird (irass, .

Oivlianl (iniss, ripe, .
Ilani I'VsciK. Grass,
■Mi-ailnw Soft (;niss,

Itiirlcy (;i-ass, .

I'<niinial Uy^ Grass, .
Italian Uje Grass, . .
Tiiiiotliy, ....

Annual Spear (irass, . . • in,, „„„„,^

"'■tunic .\mimi.

■An(li(i\aril|iiii,| i«lnraluiii,

A|.i|„.ciiMis prati'iisis.

' Arilici,atli,.nini avcnaivuiii,
•Vx'Ma llavi'sfciis
Trisriiiiii inilicswiis, .
Ilriza naiiia, ....
Ilroiiiiis crcctiis,

llr'Hiiis iiiiillis,

, <Vniwiinis t-ri.status, ....

Dai'l.\ lis L'ldiiR'rata,

I)iict.\lis KlniiKrata, .

Kcstuca (luriuscMila,
lliildis laiiatiis, .

iUia-iliiiin jiratciisf, .

' l-"liiiiri iwriMiin',
l-'iiiniii Ilaliciiiii, .
, I'lili'iiiii jiratunsc, . .

Diitc of
t'olli'C'tlon.

Character c,f tl„. ,Soi|.

' May 'jr,,
.Iniii- 1,

JiiiM' Grass

l!"ilL'li-stalkr,l Mca,l.,»-,
Irriiratccl .M,.a,l,„v (j,,,^^^
InMVatoil .■Mcadinv Grass.'
Animal Hyv Grass,

I'liii liratfiisis,
I'liH trivialis, .
Kirst criip, . .
Set'oiKl onjp, .

.Inly 17,

. .Illllc J I.

■ .Inly II,

• .lllllc j!l,

• June 2.'1,

• ;"ay 8,

• .luiiu 21,

• i.lune 13,

• .Inly III,

. i.luiic l:i,

j '

. I.lniic 2l»,

■ j.lnly 11,

.lune S,
i.luue 13,
Ijune 13,

: ^lay 2S,
i

•luuell,
•Inuf IH,
Ai'ril .iO,
•Inni' -Jti,
.hiiM. s.

on

I'aleareiius l,,aiii.

I'iileare„us l„ani. ^-rav-
'■lly suij.soii.

I'm-rM niarhle loam.

•■'"lest uiarlile loam.

I>i.\' calcareous loam.

'''crest niarlilu.
j Calcareous loam.
Stiir loam.
,Caleare(Mis loam.
Calcareous loam
' jrravel.
;f'aleare<ius loam.
I I>i-.\ calcareous loam.
Calcare(]us loam.
Calcareous l„aui on

Ki'avel.

Calcareous rul,l,|yli,aiii.
,I''i)rest marhle loam.
Fni-est niarlileloam.
I^'iini, with Kfiivelly
sniisoil.

l*i-y calcareous loam.
Calcareous loam.
Calcareous loam.
CalcareiMis loam.
Calcareous ruljbly loam.

...•tj;;^;:- ::-;-;::;:-■■:,;::'''-"'• e«ii...i.,a

ra"J.""l ii, T«l,|„ \- *^ "' ■"'''l.^>=«l, are iii-

„s'!'':;:„;;""'""'^ „v i.,..„,s.„. «•„, „...,,„ „,^„,.,^,, ,,,
^..m:;;:;l.'::';;::;;: -,::;;;—

genou.s prinripK.. tinction, all tlie n.tro-

CUJ.Li;( TiuN ()|." CLOVKKS

2l';^

4. The i)r.,i,.,r(.c.n ofolenK-i.ts ol' ivspiiatin,,. ,.r lieat-
p.(..|,u-ino. pnnr.ples, iuno.ig wliid, aiv inrlude.l staivh
gu.u, sugar, pcH-tif aci.l, A-c. : all the nuu-nitrcgenous
M.l.stauco.s, lu.loe.J, except intty matters a,.,! woody

fjbi

I'e.

•J. The proportion olwondv fibre.

(>■ Tile ainoiinr of mineral matter or ash.

Tahi-k V. -.

AirriFiciAL (JiiAssRs. Xamk, and Datio

OF ("UIJ.KCTIOX.

Coimiion Name.

K.Ml Cl(),-,r, . .
IVrennial ('lnver,
Crirnsdii Chiver, .

Cnw Uniss, . . , .

ecpH (Irass. il liit, .

ll"l>Tr-i.-f,)il, . . .

\Vliit.'CI,,viT, . .

eimiiiuiri Vetch, . .

illcitllnir N'lllMC.
'I'l'ifiiliiini pi'iiti'ii«c, .
|Ti'ifi)liiini ]ii'roijiic, .
'I'rifiiliiini iiicariiiitiini.
'I'l'ifiiliiirii nioiliiini, .
Trif.iliiini iiii'iliimi, . .
Trifiiliiiiii |ii-(K;uiiil)eiis,
Trifiiliuii) repeiis, . .
Vioiii siitiva

, l)iite.,f

Cl>ll>'<'li<.M

.Iiiiii- 7,
.lunr 4,
.hiiif 4,
•Iiiiii' 7,
.lime L'l,
.liuii- Hi,

• hiinictcr 111' Siiil.

**"""■"'"' <)„.,l„-vfl,is sativa.

Liioern,..,,,. Alfalfa, , , .M,.,lica^'., sativa
lllack.\I,.,|k.k..„.N,„„„,|,, M,.,|i,.:,.„ |,„,„ ,

'I'l'iiac-lims jdain.

(.'aluareuus luam.

ealeare(m.s loam.

'IVnatiniis Inain.

<'alcari'iius liiam.

ealcart'iiiis loam.
>'uiii' IS, I Foivst loam.
June l;j, j Fdivst loam.
June 8, Dry loam.
Jllilf 10, I
•liiiii' (i, I fajoarooiis loam.

The specimens were pieked out. plant by plant each
specunen by ,t.elf; from fields in which tlunM ere grow
-g na urally, or m^
tion and were not raised expressly for analysis.

Md.s o profound Mivestigation. aufl forming, as they

' '; <; ^'"^ -.^t i.nportant eontril.„tions%ecentlV

ad o the science of agriculture, are worthy of care-

V du " ; T'" '"" '""""' ''' ''^' '"" "^' tl'o most
valuable practical suggestions

TiK. results of the analysis of the natural grasses

! hi

iiii:

Jlil

A\AI,VSKS OF TIM K

<i I; A ss i;.

Tablk VI. -- Avalvsis ,„.. Svrnru. (!.assks
/"'/•/■v U.S kihra >J,-vvn /,■„,„ HnjM,l. )

»N'Bni(Mi((ini«<.

(100

h'-A

Ik

\\\ I ii

Swppt-.sconfcil roi'iiiil,
Mf.idow Foxt.iil,
'I'lill Oat (Jmss, ....
Vellow Out (ini.xs, .
l>own_v Oat (iiiiss, .
yuakiiijr Grass, ....
I'pfi^^ht nroiiH" Grass, .
^«i\ HroiiK. (iniss, .
Oestcd l>(ij;"s.tail, .
Oix'li.-inl ffrass,
OivlianKiiaKSSTOl.s ri,„..
Hard Fcsciip (ira.ss,
■Mi-addw Soft Grass, .

Uailcy Gi-ass,

IVieniiial %e Grass, . .
Italian Rye Grass, . . . .

Tiiiuithy Grass,

■Amiiial .Spear Grass, .
.Iiiiif (irass,

'{"iiiih-stalked Meadow,
Irrigated Meadow Grass,
IiTifrated Meadow, 2d crop.
Annual |{ye Cirass,

A -|„„,v at tlio first cnhnni, of'TMl,!,. ri -ii .
^^trikin- (liffenM.cv in tl.o . . " '''''' '''°'^^ '»

as l.i..-h ■. .^n pt'nT,itM,uv of wafor, it l-oin...

as 111,1. h as 80 m some instances, while it f.lls . • i

ing-.- or tlie irrio,,tef] -inis.ses.

>^TI!IKIN,; (0.\TI;.\S IS.

(100

l.ou

I 2.01

4.17

I 2.11

i.ao
2.a8

1.5'J
2.(11
l.GG
1.113

2.54

2.15

2.21

2.20

l.'.i.-.
2.20
1.2H
2.24

l.'.i'.i

OHrl.ost into (|„u,.,. „,. „,,n..,-..llv f '■""""

^'"•".'. tins . n.t uni,;;....^; ;,;;:'• .: *""^^ ^•"■••■"'■"<'

p<" of tl.. ,,„...tity or lK.v u ^iv,,n .,,,,.,1..,:. I,

i :' ::,^;;';s-:;;-;™;;:;i-:

out Jie cliic'l iiitorost of tli,. (J, I,, if,. , i •

;"'"""-"-•■'■-• .iv... Ti: ,, :::;;l;;'

'"' ■;"■"" ".' ""'"I 'I'^'t iiios,. ,iin.,,., , ,|,.,„.,„| . '

^pecmiciis.

A Klauc. at TaI,lo VIJ. wilUlunv tlua the pereont.eo
water ni the artificial i.-ras.o« =.. f..i.-... r....i \\ "!'\^.*'

same eirc.nnstanees. The nerp,.nf.. r .

nr Hnolw • . peicenta^^c ol a lMinuijuii>;

:oat';iT,;;;:;;^,'rr£, ':„frT"''- ',""-" "•^- ■'-

(^>innaro re.l ,.|nv / ""^ ^"'' '"-^-"^^ «''^^«e«-

ivin,i>- 1)11 1 lli per

per cent, of s,,h'.!

U

per

""itter, from

2li(j

KX.VAI I.NATlo.N »»r ( I, o V i; |; s .

h

1 i^

ulii.!i thr llcsli-Coriiiiiiu' ;iii,| ,,ili..r *mitrili\M >iilist(iii('<>s
iim>t he iliiiwii; wliilc in Tinidiliy ihc nmikt iiiiioiinrs
tu niilv H liitlu over .")7 |.cc cH-iii.. Iciiviiii:' 4;5 j)or cnit. ,,C

•""•'l' '"'•'^f ■* •■(.iitiiiiiiiin nutritive prinriplew.

This is iin iiii|i(irtant (liU'crfurc, to hc-in with. The
|"'iv(.nt;i-c nf llr>ii-r,,rniiii;4- |ii-iiM'ipl.'s (,| the t\V(. |, hints
(loi's not. at liist siulit, a|.|M-iir to dillbr vciv matciiilK .
the clover containin;;' l.iiT, the Tiiaothv 4.S(; : hut a ht-
tlo considiMatiun of tlic exceiMhii- vahic oC this c.n-
Htit.KMit will sin.w that tho latt<-r has an iin|M.rt;,nl
iKJvanta-v in tiiis respect over the cl,<ver. In liit-tmni-
liij-' jMiiiciph's the Timothy is more than twice as ri,h
MS clover: while; in lit'at-pioducin-' principles — als„ ver\-
valuable — Timothy tiir surpasses clovi-r, the one pro-
diicinn- 22.85 per cent., and the other only 8.4.") per cent,
or waste and us.dess matter in the shape" ..f w,M.dv lihre
'I'imothy contains the hirnest per cent., while tlie"lar-'er
<piantity ol'inineral matter shows it also to be a greu'ter
exhanstcr ol tlu; soil. The most valuable practical do-

Taiu.i.: Vir._ Analysis ok Aktifk iai. (Ikassios.
( HH) j>ii)/.s, lis tdhri, J'i;nii Ihv jidd.,

N'uriic or Plant,

= 1 i

3 '^ U J

Rod ("jovor, ! 81.01

Pcronnial ('lover, ....

Crim-dii ('invcr

<'()\v (Jriiss,

<'ii\v fii'jiss, 2(1 specimen, .

II<i|> Tfofliil,

White Cli.ver

<'<llllllll)M W'tcli, .....

Sairifiiin,

('ticeriie, or Altlilfii, . . .
Black .Medick, or Xonsuch,

Hl.O.j
82.14
74.10

77.57
83.48
7!t.71
82.!i0
70.04

Gy.iin

4.-J7 .(!'.) s.4o ;i.7r, i.sj

•"•'■'• .78 ^ 8.01 .1 '.II 1..-S

^••"i .07 1 0.70 5.7S 1.7.-,

'i-'^'> .H2 I 9.42 0.2.-; :{()|

-*•-'-' 1.07 ; 11.14 4.2)! 1.77

«•"'•' .77 ^ 7.2:-) ;!.74 ^y-

3.80 .8!) i 8.14 ;..:!8 2.08

't.04 .52 0.7-) 4.f;8 1.11

4., 32 .70
3.83 .82

70.8U 1 .''x70 .94

10.73 r,.77 ]>4

13.02 , 8.74 3.04

7.73 0.32 2..'')1

I'.XAMI.VATIOX Ml' (;|{A8SK.s. 221

'''^•"■'-- VIII Analysis op X,TrnAL Giussks. ( loo
jnuifi uf the ,j,.a.s.s ilr!r,l ,,f i>loo //„/^^.^

NnmnnfOniH.. : j|-| | [ H^ i ^ =^'

M".-i.,u i.„u,,i, . . ;.;.!;; ;;•,". ••■••■'^ 'i'LH.! ti.:i2

TalK.Mt (irn.s., . . . ,.7,';: .T,'" '•"- ■'■'•^■' 7.K|

v-iio,v Oat (im.ss, . ■ ■ ! :",^ ■; ; ■"''•"'' ■'^•--* n-v.*

l'"".^v.»,itGras.s, . ■ -',1 r''' ''•"■^ ='•"••'•'•'' '■'•»8

<^"^.ki.i^(in.ss, . ■ ■ ■ ■ ( ;•': :"■' ■♦"■"" •"•"^ ^.:i2

••r.-i«i.,u..omcti..ass,: : : ■ :;Z ::■! '"•"' =''-" «-"*^
^'"^^^-eon.. : ',;-^i ;:7i' „«,;'••':., ■ --»

"-•■"•Vs,.u..,i,.as«,. .'. . ;.?^ ' -J , ;''f ^-«2; 5.01

AK-mlowSo,r.;..uHH; " n"-!! t ^ '•'*' '^'^^ ' ^"^^

Mc.a,iuwi5;ui..v,im.«/ ! [ ' ,;': i:;;;; ;■;■-' ■■■'^^ ^-^^
;■•■;: ^",....... ...: ;;;^- ;^ :;•- ^i..;: mh

ItMliai. l!yo Grass, .. ,,, in ' q.- .' "-" '-*

'''i.notl,v, .... ;• ! l-;l "•■'- '''•-'•■ '.'.or,

•^"-"^poar Grass, ! ! " " 's^ ^'^l -;'f "'■"' '•-'

.'U.K. Grass, . ' " " ]f_ ^'-^ -.1.70 ;!0..J., ,..88

>ni..t,.,IMoa,l.,wGras,. .V'l ^''^ '^'J '''"' '-

' ■ y 1 1. ti.e se.Mls w.ro ripo.KMl, and they sl.onM
'^ therefore, be compared with other grasses taken n

t i, too. hat the specimens analysed were in the drv
.^tate, nn.eh dner than they could be made by the o d
>-y p.ocess of hay-n.nkin, : n.r. howe v.-r perfi^'^ ^
'-y -"red,, win st.ll ....tain a very eons, eb^^

',w

i

III

22S

THE ri.ovKus A.VA I.V/KI).

centago of war.T. and. if artilieially drie.l, as in the
trials g-ivoii alx.vc. and tluMi exposed to t!ie air. it will
alisorl) from 10 to i:. per cent, of water, sliowin-- thai
no hay is al.solutely dry liy any ordinary proeessi^s. hi
Kn-laiid, the perceiitag'e oi' water in well-made liav is
alM.ut ](!, and hay artilieially dried will ahsorli that
Hinonnt. if exposed again to the air. J <lo not think the
l)ereeiitage here would ho so largo, for ol.vions reasons.
Ill the analysis of the hay of the reed eanarv urass.
made by Professor Ilorsford, and given on a proc'ediim'
page, tho percentage was but 10.24. ^J'hat was a wel'h
cured specimen, taken after it had passed the period of
blossoming, and the amount of water is, perhaps, slightlv
below the average.

Jt will bo seen that a great diiforence exists in the
valuable constituents of the iirasses.

liinvcst.

Flesli-forming principles O.om

Fat-pnuliioing principles, . . . . l'.II
Heat-giving principles, JiS.O;]

IlifjlK-St.

17.2!»

3. 07

^7.82

Avcrajtu.
ll.OS

2.81)
47.'.I2

Table IX. — Analysis oi.' Artificial Grasses.
lOOy/r/y/.v o/' thv (jra.ss drivthd 212° Faliy.)

il'

n

Name of Phint.

Red Clover,

Perennial Clover, . . .
Crimson Clover, . . .

Cow firass

Cow Cirass, 2d specimen ,

Hop Trefoil,

White Clover

Coiumon Vetch, . . .

Sainfoin,

Lucerne, or Alfiilfiu , .
Black Modick, ....

Ill

'iil

£c&

<:

22

")")

lit

18

IC.fiO

24.;i;j

18.77
20.48
18.76
23.01
18.tr)
12.70
24.00

4.0'.>

3.73

3.57

4.77

4.67

4.38

3.00

3.01

2.70

t.or,

'■■ I fe

44.47
42.42

37.50
30.36
40.65
43.80
40.04
3'.t.45
45 ',10
40. ir,

l'.1.75

25. (to

32.39

24.14

18.84

22.00

20.53

27.38

24.71

34.21

27.10

0.50
8.35
0.78

ll.OO
7.07
8.33

10.20
0.50
7.87

10.11

10.84

[In

IMJ.UTK AL VALUK OF A GRASS. •Jli!)

A Mlau'H. at tl.is table will show that tlu> (jillbrent

I'nncpl.s „, the artiliciul grasses vary, to a great

'■\to!it, as follows : ^

I- lesh-luiiiiinj,^ principle?, . , . . li'.TG
F;vt-pr(iiluciii;r |„.jm,|p]pj^^ _ _ ^jfj

ll(Mt-;,nviiiii; pi'liii-iplos, o;; ;j]

Hij-'in'st.

lit.DO

4.77

4'.i.65

AviTilgf.

18.08

••5.76

41.48

1 lie (hirereuce in coiupositi.)!) exhibited in the natural
JiTasses ..f Table VIII. ,s very marked, and of course
the value ot the grasses as compared with each other
must vary greatly. Still, the practical value of a grass
•Impends somewhat upon circumstances which cannot
be analyzed, such as the period at which it arrives at
ii'aturity, and the particular soil and location of th.^
^"'••".■r. It might happen that a grass, not in itself <o
n.'h HI nutritive (pialiries as another, would be prefbrre.I
">' a.-count of its coun-ng to maturity just at the time'
when the farmer most needed it. JJut this table shows
the .M.mparativ,. n.itritive .p.alities of the grasses sim-o
all the specnncms were collects and investigated'in the
same manner, ut the same period of growth, - or as
nearly as possible, - when in the flower, so that what-
ever souives o\ ermr nnght exist to moditV the results
they would naturally applv to al! alike '

The grasses from the- irrigated meadow consisted
I — l-lly of June, or Kentucky blue grass, rough-
>talked meadow grass, perennial rye grass, meadow s^lf
^.ass, barley grass, meadow oat grass, and a fbw other
species; and ,t will be noticed that in cm.bination thcv

;>-lnHlesh and fat forming principles to a. reat...
••^f^'"t than w^e should be led to suppose from the

' M'os.fon of any one of them alone

Our cultivated Timothy compares verv favorablv with
the other grasses, ..ontaining a less percentage of use-
less matter, as woody fibre, than any other, except Ital-

^!f I

230

COMPOSITION OF TIMOTIIV.

i : :< :f

II i

lan ryo g,..>. .,..1 crested do^-s-taiK a ^mss not co.n-
rnon ;v,th us, and the in.i.ate<l .rass^s? Inp.un
-u e lu.at-,H.o,|.u-,n^ pHne.-les, su^a. gluu. and
^t.uc., ,t IS surpassed l.y the Italian rve gra's l.u l,v
-oters. l.,ean.dysesordns,^^^^^^^^

^I^^ ^tat.snMahles \ I.and VIII. inllyjustifV the nreli.r-
cu^ewichwe have ,on, shown ior the use o/^^^^^
ih^ .fo,, as taken ironi the liehl at the tnue <,l'Mu«on.-
H'M', .r Will be found to contaui less water a ..,.,. ',
pereentu,e oniesh and iat ionnn,, jHineiplj;,:;^ t^
11 eless „.atter n. the shape of woodv (ihr -, t an no.
of the other gTHsses. The deduetions ol s.-ienee er

Vlt a JIY'"V'['''^'''•''"^ '''''• -^''Tables
yiJ. and L\ will show the eo,nparativ<. advanta-M. of

the use ol the artiiieial j^rasses, in poh.t of allnnnnnu^
o. tieshdornnno- prn.e.ples, and fatty matters. Th. r.y
boiiaeeous or heat-produein^ principles ren.ain neaHv
the same throno.|,„f. ,,,„•,, ^,,^, percenta^v of wa<te

;-dter or wo..dy filu-e is less than in the natural .rass.1:

n.^ .s an nnportant tact, wc.rthy of the earelul eonsid^
oration of the fiiriner.

Fn the sixth rniu.nn of Table VIII. will be foun.I the
poreentage of ash of each of the <;,,,sses analv.ed.
I Hide X. contains a still further analysis of thi<" ■i.},
Aviii.'h u,ves all tho inoro-anie constitiienls which the'
plant <ler.ves from the soil a.,d the manures furnished
tn it. It IS important and sim^cstive to one wh,. will
eNainine .t carefully, as indicating- the kind cd' manure
^vh.H, n. many cases it may be desirable to applv, while
-f^v■ll throw still further hVdit upon the practical .nd
'■""'Parative values of each species which the farmer
proposes to cultivate, by shown,., the extent to which
It will be likely to exhaust the soil.

^I'HSTAXCKS TAKKX

"CM THK SOJL.

'.:'>]

T.MiLK X._

Xa

('nniiiiori N'liri

A.NA/.vsis OF Tin.: Asfi of sum
n:it.u. AM) Artiffcal (Jiiassks.

!•; OF TIIF

I

Moiiilmv Fiixtiiil, .

S'lvuet-scuritfil \cnial
Dniviiy Oat (frass,
l'|iiii;lit ItnjiiiM (irass,
Soft Jli-oiiic (Jrass,
Crest,.,! I).ifr's-tail, . .
Or,'liar,l (jrass, ....
Orcl,a,-,| (ii-ass, with sun

rip,/,

JIard Fescii,. (irass,
M,a,l,nv S,)ft (Jrass, .
yii-mUnv ItarU'y (Jrass.
I'eiviinial llyo (irass, .
Annual .Spear <}ra.«s,

.'iiiii! r.ras.s,

ItiMiith-stalked .Meadow
(Jrass, , . • . .

Tiinmliy,

Vniiiial Hyo (ira.ss, .
Vcllmv Oat Ora.ss, ,

Hi'd Clover,

U Into Clover, .....
Suinfoni in (hnver, . .
y^iinfoin in !<eeil, ....
Italian ]{.\\. Grass in flower.
Italian liy,. (irass in s,'(',l

|7.81;J8.75 0 25

2.16

li ■'U 2S.:i(i 10.()!»

■■i.M

•■>.J2.'ilj..'s 10. SJ

.i.;!7

■l-^l :i,s.4s T..-.:;

5.4U

5-S'.';W,:U !».(!.'

4.!)]

li .-IS 40 11 7.2i

■'J. 20

■J ii] 2U.tJ5 > tiO

•i.J2

•J.il^i-'.IS 0.41

a.!!!)

•«5 y.OOl 2S .47il7(Ki'
1.20 'J.212.5;i] Isyo.OU

- 4.72;i.l7 .72M1.21
.ijd iu.:w 4.i)ii .21; 20.;j;i

0117 (i (14 2,(i0 .2S :;o.oi,(

- 10 1(12.4;! is 24.09
•i.o2 2.00 &.S2 2.22 .60 20 62

0(i 2.8S S.]4y.47

^'.42 2S.&3]2D7 r!.45 l.^iMO :il 2.h:i
"•■i7 2,s:!l 8.02 4.41 1.S2 S.;il :i.4l
•").(i7 o(J.2:i '1 04 4 20
'■'■'■i-^7.Vi S7.-i 6-20
2.!-3Iil.():! !).]! ,„ IS
J04.i2.0-1 i().02 4.2()

.40

!< 1 1-1 2 42
0.U4 2..S,^

•2.J .■',;! 0(1

.7s;i]..s4
;il a4.s;!
•'ili 20.21) a
••-'] 24 (17

a.2!in.(,!)2 44] 57 41.80

.40

8,:

.30 9.1a 4.47

:> (i.l L

■s.soa.;

5.20.! I 0,1 ]] 2'.)

(1.45 41 70 10.07

5.2s a5 20 0..!1

050 .5:1 0.71

- a.(i,S115:j

6.a7 .!.22 0.:!5

)'8.50 3.40 7.07

6.97 50.18 0;J4

().40 (10 02 0 :i2

4.80 4.(!2I4 O4 5.ao
3.45 - 0 82 2.69;

4 00

1.S5

T.OS .■!.U7

2s:ii.i7
.20 20.40

■27 24 25

.2s ■2S 00
40 .10,00

^■!.47 22.02 4 0S .20 .'lo 45
T.-'l IS. oa 20.41 K. 15 1 00 14:;:;
■•■28 1.V20 24.;i0 6.0a 01;;i,,o

-.aa I7.ao2oo7 4.5o

2.82 . 0.05 2.2a
l.:il _ 12 20 2 04

.6S 20,(11 1.25
T^ 12.45 a.98
-0 10.77 .13

' J" ^

- 0 50 -

- 7.0:1 4.00

- 4 05 5 00
-10o:i i.;,s
■' - .ail
-non _
-17. so ;;.ua

- 4.s: 4.70

- 8 17 1,2

- a. 01 0 00

.401 - 1(10

- ia.80 7.25

- .47 3.:i5

- 11 25 1 31

- 0.00

- -70 :!.24

- 5.11

- 1.25
2..10 1.53

- 4 05
0 24 .78

- 3.12

- 2.27

- 6.5.S

.S7

A caivful exuniinafiou oi' the analv,.e.< „f the -..l, ov

m^-

'I ^^m

II

a ^ ilk ^ii

■!lil

■i 1:

2;52

J:-\'mai-sti()n ok Tin.; soil.

In- magnesia or iron. Tlu- an.ount of potash is .Iso
-•>)arge,aml.ti«loun.I in cunLination with sili'ie

Tako tho niost careful analyses of the grasses as the

-of ealcuhtt,on, and it wiil appear that tlu. weight ,,f

:^^^:;-,'T''''tr"' '*^^-'''— V.I ,ro.: th.

,"''^^"^^^^ ''^>'-'-^'- than one InuHlre.i

'1 '"> P^^"!"'^- ^^npposin,., then, that the crop of

-,. n.^.stno tons ,o the acre, -and it will rLlv
^'. - Mns on ,oo,I soils and nnder fair cultivation,

le e. I ,_„,,,,,,., ,,^^^^^^^^.^^^^^^^^J^

eouM , ■ "^ "■'l''''^'^'-'-^ ^'"-^ course of culture
could not luno. ,,.nl,nuo without the return of these
cons , ..en s to the soil. And hence the n.anure n!:
n cdh.rtese l-ds a.-e sueh as contain these suh-
w^Mlicato, phosphates, and potash.

J^m.e ,s lound in n.uch less quantities than potash in

'to the ,...asses, Int the ndative pn.portions dilh-r

!"'"i->cntspe,.n.s. In orchard o,,,,., f„ i,..f,,„,. ^j,.

lime amounts to onlv f) S'^ ,„.,• ,.,M,f , -i -i 1

of not'isl, ;. .)<» -., "... ' "^•' ^''"'c the amount

to nca,l^ 15 pe,- cent., and the potash to over 24. Sod.

No one of^ the u,,tsses appears to he hetter adapr.d

■^"-'■'t <•' P'-sphates IS larger than that of anv'other
1 lie amount (d water in H.,> .f • " omti.

the leaf sr, fl,... i ^ ^'"'" '" ^■'■^''^^^''' f'^n in

tie cat, ^, tha the pe.ventap. of nutnn.eut is ^..-eater

'^ "'^":'^''7^^'''''*'•''''''''■'^^'-
n rs, that ,rass loses n.o.v than half of its weight of
^vater.neu,-,n.:anditnever hecomessodrv.In^ . V

'•••Ml'OSITM.x OK ski,,;k.s

— .>.}

" '"'■;:''™'i^- '" ■■•'"-■ic.'.i fi.»t .1,0 ,„•,.,■ ..,„",'•

"«- ot «,o,- i;„„„i i„ „,,„.,,„, ,,;,,,::,.;''•:

:;x;,'i;;;,:"'"- "'' ~™"" -"' -'-'^^ "^ '— - 1:

■it).68(j pec ,.(.„t. of wiiter •
08.4M " <. . .Iry .natter ;

0.',»7?^

a^sli

'••"^•'l " " " ash calculated drv ;

■■^uLii, \\(i8 \ ei'v siDiill.

\Vat(M', ;18.241.

i>yy matter, fIl.T.V.i.

■n.o ..,,1, c.„lculafo,l ,l,.y „-,;r"li„„„, ,„ ,„ _,,^,., .

;:';:,V""' "- »'■« ■ '-»•"■ ™i-ula,e.l ,l,,-,„',e

:'.).()>*^<S per coiit. "^

Ac„m|„„-i,„„„ni„. a.,„Kvo» „r the „sl, of ,1... „.„

C'PfS;

/ ¥'

• :,PW

ill

ii

li I

f: Ih

.':u

I.l M !•: IM. \ NTS.

'•"•'■'■ '•'"itaiii M v..ry iiincli lai-vr anion. .( cf lime aii<l
I'ntasI, than tiu' Iniincr, and lor tins reason tlicv liavu
v.Mv propcily l-ccn (Irnominafr.l linic-plants. 'it will
I'f seon also, IVoni their conii.ositi.m. that phospluii „•
aci.l forms an important in.uiv.li.mt in th.^i, while the
silira IS wry small, cmpara-ively. The removal of a
Hover .^rop. therel.nv. withont applvin^ .nital.le mu-
inires, ^v,||e^hanst thesoil,|nileas mneh as a erop of

the enltivate.) .rasses. th.M.^h nf .hllerent eonstitneuts.
A soil. 1,. hear .i^-on-l elover eroos. rcM,nires a considera-
I'li' inure.he.nt oflime, potash, and i^hosphafs. an.hvith-
"lit the apphcation of these mannres in some form or
other ihry will inevitaMy rnn ,.nt. Plaster . i' I'aris
luuL'.and ashes h.aelied and nnleaehed. aj.plied to clover
s(nls. are always 1o||o\v(m1 with -ood elleets. •

'I-\i>LK XI. — Analysis ok Spkcimkxs ok Wkkua, as

TAKKX KliO.M Till.; KIKLI., A.M. WIIKN DiUED.

Name of I'lanl.

:? I £

I c

OxH.yc Daisy H-ri/.tiiiil/iiiiiiim Inu-im-

fhimum) J iim. •_>;!, Tl.sr, -j.jo ,|y,| ]o,i4 jy ^j j g^,

V.ll.nvButUTcur (««»-„„■„/„.„,.,■,.,;, .»„„. 13,:' 88.15 1.18 ..^07 0.i(i 500 -u
'•'>ry>\ (Kiimi.r iirrinx,,) .Iiilv A '-■-,•1- 1 f.n '

IMilKn M'KCIMKXS 111- TilK SAMK. i

i'lS.i-yc Diiisy !

iiiitti rcii|i,

S"i-n-l,

7.0."? :i.4!i iboi :!7.;!;> (i.e.;!
o.its 4.'.>s ;yxm 25.;!4 7.71

T-71 -J 111 4(1 s-2 ;i- Iti (i.l2

If now we cast o„r eye at the analvses of s.uno of
our con.mon weeds, we shall see how fi.r superior the
cultivated iiiasses are in nitrot^'enons or nutritive i.rin-
ciples.

The .diniminous principles are very much less than
in either tne natural or the artificial grasses.

XUTIMTIVK KCH'I VALKNTS.

235

ti.iii;
7.71

A liiie()t' iiivt'sti;;titi()ii. hoth scioiitilic and i.ractical,
<'<iuall_v iiitriv.tiii-i' and valiial.li' with tlit" luir-oiii-'
Would Irad into the coinparativ.' nutritive iMjnivalcn'ts
(d' liay and other feeding' snli>laiic.'s. 'I'liis is not tiiu
place to (h'scnss that suhjcct in lull, the hue cdonr pre^-
I'lit nuiuiry emhraeing only the I'oniparative nutritive
vahu's of the ^'rasses themselves. For eonveniem-e of
nd'erenee. however, Isulijoiu tlie toHowing TahK; (XII. ),
einliraeino' the results of the proloundest researches of
many distin^-uished chemists and practical men, hoth in
the laboratory and the barn. Boussin-ault and others, in
France, and Fresenins, Timer, and othei's. in (Jermany,
have devoted to these and sinn'lar investigations the
best part of their lives.

it is neces.siry to remark that tables of nutritive
e(piivalents are liable to imperfections, on acci)unt of
sourt'cs of error which must exist in the nature of
thni-s, as diiference of soil, climate, season, imperfec-
tion of methods of analyses, A-c. : but. makin- all allow-
unce for these, and admittino- that the table cannot be
absolutely and literally eorrect oi- p.M'fect, it possesses
great practical value and interest, as -iving ;i „,,„(! .-en-
craL.dea of the relative value for feeding purposes of
variou.s agricultund products.

In reganl to the nutritive value, as based on the
amount of nitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, it mav
l>e remarked that the latest an.l most careful experi-
ments, conducted by most experienced and competent
experimenters, ten.l to show that this basis is corre.-t
so tar as it can be applied to substances so analoo-^ns
in composition that they can be included in one group •
as, for example, the different root crops possess a nutri-
tive value iu proportion to the amount of nitroo-en thev
contatn, but the 'nit-itive value of a root ought not
to be compared with a succulent plant. Iik<' Clover

236

TAHLi.; OF KQrriVAM.;\TS.

■1

» 1

■^^r '

^^^^^^H

^^B i

^^^^^^B r

HB ki

h.:

Ill

J>z)!,>iii|r)g

^ ' ' 'f.f, ' <% < = B 1^^ • r:iiz»p.'o

I I « M « ^T

S 11

2 - - u -r ^ ' r- ;; I = = I '- - I 1 .- -r .t 3 ,

''■■'i'M \= r.f.

^^ CO ^(!^ — ^ -^ ^ .

= = I c = I .~ § ■ ,? r? -J rt — ~ ■; ^• '

' ■ ~l CC T MM ■--'. — - 1- 1 . 1-

■in.ii

M M

:*> M

= I- M -^ S A. •= ^ ^ ;? x> I. -rj

S •ii.i,iiii:iV(|iH I i ='= I; ^~o ii.— --,'-,-.. ~, -, — •

Ii.iZMi.^lu.ijiii I .~ "t '1 ~; X = 3^ ~ .-:' i r'l = ^T ^

^ ^ -ii"iiM|p..ziii.;,i I I - I M^' I I '- , '- ~- , ^' ^' -■ -■ -r' -r' -r' m'

^' iU -"■n.m .1" 1101) z z - - ^ , '

__, 1^ __ -.I'llllMcl n.V])H'|3yj ■" -''" — ^ ^ -^^SSSSSS

r- < -iMuiii,! .(.uii.iin V i £ '-^ ' — '"- '^- « '" I i' -/■ — y M '-."; r ■; '.a = ^ o c<i

t—i a • ■.i.iiinisiiiw - .- _. ~ •

., ^ H p.uipmijnsui'.i ]-i^:~':i-?,B:2'Z I 2SH = --;?-* =-M~^o

r X '■ mi 111 luriuiiv — — -; ■■.■.■■.— '^. -~ >--=:::> z-i

■- - -■ ■ •* ■ ■ r- — M — _ ~i M ,„

).)iii;isc|iK _ __

:3

Ed

r i IWLIp J" SWlKl r^ 3 1- I S H ■2' g I ^2 = 9 V = = = = M M ,- ~«

H a 001 IN u.i.iiunv -;-<■-; • ■ ~; _; _•.;'■ ~ '.•■■'-• "^ - "; ~! ^ •

>-) -__!' •■—MM r< M M S^ t

Sl.llKl

^- "• '^ ^ '~ ^ ■: ^ — * * '-c c^ :^ o '- M -* ,* in -M

o ■

8

o

tr

~ o

>— o

^ n w • • o

■'"as _ •" •■

c s s g vr.S^ ^

^

^ 5

T

^

~

/^

^

X' -^

■3

CJ '

:j

c

■—

*

L>

■-

—

■J: Cocj-s-s-^;^

f.T instance, by the pn.pn.lion u| nitn,.,.,, i,, euch
-.vh, w.th.ur takin, .nt,. ....ns.,K.,.atio:otl.e,- ^
e.te. inotia.,. uonls,.ou,s n.ay be co.npa.v.l ui I,

"' " '•'■^"'"""•"s plants with each ..ther, but n.,t

"'^'■'•"l- a.Hl ...a.s..s. Thislart is alhuhnl to as a

I-ssH.le sonn-e of ,.,,.,,• in snnu. or the eaWier rescwrhes
<•« J>..ns.sn,o.ault,an,| not as inate.ially afl'ectinu' the pnu.
tieiil vahie of the tabh-. '

The n.ocleofusin^ Table XII. i. very sin.pK.. fJoo.l
upian.l ineadow hay - or what w,>ul,l be eallo.l in New
Knolan.l ^ood Eng^lish Imy - is taken as a sta.alanl oC
'•"'"I'Hnson. x\ow, if we wished to ja-oduee the sanu-
H'su ts with carn.ts as with one hun.hxMl pounds of
M;n..d, average English hay, we nuist us., aeeordin- to
l-nss,ngault's colun.n of equivalents, SH2 pounds of
<-arrots, or tor eaeh pound of hay 3.81' pounds of car-
rots: and aee<.rding to the practical experitnents n.en-
tioned, oG6 pounds, -lO pounds, -.>.^ pounds, 300 pounds
and so on, to each 100 pounds of hay '

According to the theoreti<.al values of Boussingault,
100 pounds o hay arc equal in Ice.ling qualities to (J5
Poi.nds of barley, GO pounds of oats, 58 pounds of rve
or .>^) ])ouuds of wheat. While, acconliug to the exper-
iments of Thaer, 100 pounds of hay produced the same
effect as 7fi pounds of barley, SO pounds of oats 71
pounds o( ry(.. (if pounds of wheat.

With regard to the analyses of Tables A^., VII., VIH
and IX.. some slight allowance should perhaps be made
tor d.ilereuce of clin.ate, since it is well kuc.wn that
p-asses, as Avell as other plants, grown rapidlv in a hot
sun. winch we usually have in the months of Mav. June
vind July, contain a much larger amount of nutritive and
saccharine matt.T than those grown slower, and in •,
greater amount of available moisture both in the atnios-

L';}8

i;iK!:( T ()|.- (MM A IK.

r>l't>re an,! Hk- soil, which is onlinarilv prosc-ut ,n the

- .nstanp, n.al.. h.ss nnlk, an.l less ih.h and .; (

^^^ than the san.o spends .n.w^^
'■'••l>n> 11,0 sanu, .hiron-nr. un^M .xist, t., Von, •

c^xtcM.t, hotweoM ,Hn. ^ntsses and ,h. ,.ass.s ^nnvnt
'Y'^>"'l"u-at.v..|y nu.ist dimato, uh,Mv (hey have I o

-Ivantago of n.oro iK-MUcM.t nn-ns, vUnch p sh L^^^^^^^
"M nance .nereas.ng-, of ..onrs., the .p.antity d' their

%■ ll!

w ^

I

on A i>ti.:r vrr.

nil.: .MMATi.; am, sk.vsmns. ax„ ,,,,;.„ isvlv-

I:N<K ox Till,; (.i-AssKs.

,J^'" .""^^' """"■ '" '-'-^i'l-i- lUr inllmM.r.. of HinK.t..

upon tlip.|iiai,t,tyi.i„l iMilriliv,. ,,ualitv ..ftli,. ..i;,..,..

.\() -Tn,, ,s Minn'.|,.priH|,.,if .,), f Ih' "seas. „H H.ai, lUr
g-niss,.s. Kvvrv li.nnoi- knows timt a n,..i<t suviw „-it|,
rnnu.vvvuW .lisiril.utr.l (m-r the months ol April Mav
"•"'•'"•"•-/vill insur. him tl.o most h.xu.ianr rr,'.,;. •,'
^'•='- .-inM hay: au.l h,. knows, also, that u .Irv, rohl
''";"'7 '"^ ';'f'^' '" ^''<''"'- '"P'M and h.aithv dc.v<.h;pmrnt

'voly small n-op. Th... an,l n.any sinnlar iacts aro
laMMliar to cvcrv one

't I'^'s also iuHMi lonn.l I»y observation that the PTasses
will v,,.vtat. wlum the tomp.ratnro of the air is al.ovo
t.olree..ng.poM,tot water (3- Faluvnhoit). provich.!
the ten.poraturo ol the soil ran^-es tron> ;;r,° to 40°
w lule a lowcM- temperature cheeks their ^;rowth Vc-.,/

■|-n; 'yemperatures higher than these, depends nnu.h
n t Inount of nu„sture and heat, both of the soil an<l
me <iimospnere.

Grass will not veo^etate when the temperature of

he an s Ingher than G(J°, unless the soil is very moist

hen the vapor c^ the air is at its maxin.m, or" hen

HI " "''"^"'^ '"'^'' "^^"■^^"'•^' vegetation advanees
v.th the greatest rapidity : and this most fre.n, m k

M.V,, and June. B„t -hen the moisture in the atmos-

ttmos-

(239)

E-ar-

7^

hlh

240

<'<>Mtl'||,,.\S OK ,;|,

(IW Til,

I''"'!'' is Slio.],,, ;|,„| ,|„, ^,,j| ,

■^<lll I-

l""'""'^- <'"■ tnrr..r,.iirii,,|,|.. ;„„|

"■''"•'"•s 'liv, and tlic sul)

'■""I ill'ill.^llt. ;i||(|

I'iistiiivs siilliTs

tl

sciirccl\-

•IH (Iocs iK.f lli||.|i(.||.

^\'iit<'i' in rl,,. .;

vciir I'.issrs iivcr us u|

luu

'^"••"•<.v. alh.f lUMi.y raivlnl „1
''"""•'"■■^i"ii, First, 'I'll

"•"'■""' "'■ "'•' l{-'v;,l .V-iir„lt,n,,|

<>''S('i'\;iti(iii>. ('(11

nc> t(

. ' ' •''"' "'" ,U'n>\\ili ,,f u-rass is ;ilua\s

::';'';""'r ^"" ""■ ' t.r,i...i,,,:,,n,wv-r

pfnreho present in ,1... atnn.splu.n.. S,....,n,|, That.
'•' J'-'^nntte ..( Kn<,land tluMnnisnir. ,,vs..nt is n^
-.llH-UMitto ali<,u-tl.o ton.p...a.nn. „. I.av.. full .'nbl^
^vlH.ntmtU.n.,M.raturcoxce.Mls ;..;o: i, ,Hl.a,. ir.nuistn.v
''^' "'•f^'^'''^l'y ^nppl,..,]. as l-im,atinn,tu..at..|Mvat..|-
'''-'•I<'^vs, tl,a. ti,n, vc.^x.tati^^^^

porn. .to tin., ...a,. Tl.in,, T,., .,,.,. J,. „„..„., J,!
-f tloa.ns iM.twoen ;!(i° an.l 41°. the o.,ass will .,,,1,.

Vo^^n.t.'wnhafilthpa.tortiuMon.tI^titu-i;;\ .
;;/;""I--^- -.•''- Thus the lan.l that wm l..,.

c. sla>epp.nuMe. in th,. latter ease, will,, nlvk.,..p tun
M. he tonne. TLat than 4,Mo I,, its .n.wth il t
fifth.., or .luuMe that of Its Kn-wth when the- t,.,npera-
^7 'r ';,';•'-• '':> -"' '^ -in then l<eep lour "
m«tc.t,l ot two. Again. IVom 4.i° to 50o, itl ^,,,vth w i I

.sotu.evn,4..nths,oritwillk,.,,,.,,,L.;,,,, ™

n.uufivetos.venslK.ep:anW<ro.n.OM.oGo,ir^^^^^^

-b -unless assisted 1,. an artifinal addition ;,f,Lt.
uc-arnves at ,ts niaxhnu.u : hut if the month of

:'""" l'^' ^•v-.^- i"'>'-^t, 't will continue to grow with an
increase of force uj) to (;0°.

Our climate is very diilerent fr,>n. that of England
ilio evaporation from the soil is ordinarily vervnuieh'
more rapid, and the actual amount <.f moisture' in the
an-,s greater, since it is well estahlishod that the eva,.-
oration is ,,, proportion to the height of the temperu-
ture and the extent of Avater or land sm-fh-e- tP t in

-MOISTUUK AND DRYNKSH.

tllO U

'i"[)omto zones it

lllclU'S il

3wir, nliilo in tlio tro

imonnts to about tliirt

;;r,':i;"r,' ;'-.i i-:.-, ..,„; ti;„t ,i

pK's It rises to I

U41

y-sovon

rom

rci'zniL

^vllen at tlio i
■'•.''''*'» I"i't of its wc-io'lit of

10 atint

tfiins a liuiidrodtl

«; iHHiit contains about a two-l
' '^^'J'for, while at 52° it

'••^Jtliero

Min-

tiuth

fif'tli

ratio

' I'i'it, or twi

t'on-

I)art,
part, (,r oiglit time

'"• ''"III- tiiuea as nuiclh and

'•« ".^ niueli : at 74^, a fif.

« Hs much, and

't !^«°, n twenty.

so on in tlmt

Now, altlioufrh tl

two countries is about tl

^' mean annual temperature of th

ibout 48
tnre of tl

'^'«Hme,- it being- near Loud

e

)e

'■iiid at Boston 48° 9'

on

•sents a Juarked dif}
every one bei

grown)g months of tl

, — yet the teniftera-

10 two count

lies pre-

^;^''-onco, the mean temperature of

"g with us mt.ch higher. IJut tl

tl

i Knglaud is pi-overbiall;^'

'0 climate

lo mean annual fall (.f
over twenty.fiv,^ iueh

moist, notwithstanding that
i« only little

nun near London

iit Boston

IS

' ' "''""'^. tJio quantity which i

C

o

over forty.two inches; at Charl

ver forty-five inches; at S

over fifty-three incl

»vannah.

rills
oston, S.

!'es, and at Mobile, Alabt

in (',

(orgia,
«ixty inches.

The amount of sensible moisture of the .tmo-r.
'« greater in England than here, though, tlu l""^

Our soil Ljn^ll^lC-^e::^^^^^^^^^^
^•;equent rains vegetation suffers con r a The !.• If
<'^ prass is liable to be checked for tl ^ . ''*^/"^^^'tH

-, ana ,„. .,„,„, happen^ir ',:;rr4r;-

moi,,M„.e and do-ness.* Mo ;„e :,f™::- r%' '"''^"

'■

■

242

INFLUENCK OP RAINS,

\i \

uriant growth of grass depends not so much upon the
aggregiito anrmal quantity of rain that I'alls as upon its
distribution over the year, and especially over the
growing months. A frequent rain in spring, though it
may come in small quantities, causes a rapid and suc-
culent growth ; l)ut it may be laid down as a well-fixed
I)rincip]e, that tlie grass crop is better from large
(juantities of rain falling at once and at longer inter-
vals, — provided it does not come in torrents to pros-
trate ; e crop, and that the intervals are not so long as
to produce droughts, which are always attended with
deleterious effects, — than from smaller quantities fall-
ing with greater frequen(;y. The quantity in the latter
case will not ordinarily be so great as in the former,
but it is more than compensated, it is thought, by the
increased value. The fact that grasses grown in a dry
season possess greater nutritive and iiittening qualities
is well known to every practical farmer.

So great is the dependence of the grasses upon heat
and moisture combined, that, knowing the results of
observations of the thermometer and the rain-gauge in
any section, during the three growing months of April,
May, and June, one might predict with great certainty
the results of the harvest in that section ; and, on the
other hand, the yield of grass and hay, as stated by
practical i'armers in different sections of the country,
would indicate so clearly and uniformly the excess
above the average, or the partial failure of the crop,
that a meteorological map of that section might be con-
structed from their statements.

Before proceeding further in this investigation, it is
proper to remark that, in order to bring together the
practical wisdom and judgment of some of the best
farmers in the country, as well as to be able to present
some statistical information in regard to the product of

QUESTIONS ON THK GUASSES.

243

graPR and liay for that season, T directed the following
circular to one or more farmers in every town in Mus-
t^achusetts, and to many individuals in other states,
asking for replies from each :

Aqeicultuual Dkpartment, State Uovse,
Boston, Srpl. 1, ISuG.

Dear Sir : Will you have the goodness to reply to
the following inquiries in reference to the grass and
hay crop of your town, according to the best of your
judgment and experience? If circumstances prevent
your giving it personal attention, will you be kind
enough to put it into the hands of some one interested
in the subject in your neighborhood who will do me
the favor to answer it?

1. What was the estimated yield of grass and hay in
your town this season, as compared with others? If
above or below the average, how much?

2. What, in your opinion, is the effect of a wet or a
dry season on the quality of grass and hay? Is grass
grown in the shade as good as that grown in the sun,
and what is the difference? [This question embraces
the intrinsic value of hay this season as compared with
the crops of 1854 and 1855, both comparatively dry
seasons, while this has been unusually wet in most
parts of the country.]

3. In what month do you prefer to seed down land
designed for mowing, and what is the reason of your
preference ?

4. What varrcties of grass-seed do you usually sow
for mowing, and what for permanent pasturage, and in
what quantities and proportions per acre ?

5. Do you - -efer to sow grass-seed alone in either
case, or with Bome variety of grain ? If tlie latter, why,
and with what gr- " i ?

! ^

244

PliACTICAL QUESTIONS,

-• t'l

6 Have you cultivated or raised orchard, fowl
meadow, or blue joint grasses, and witli what result
us compared with the yield and value of other grasses v

/. At what stage of growth do you prefer to cut
grass to make into English and into swale hay, and
What IS the reason for your preference ?

8 What is the best mode of making hay from Timo-
thy, troni redtop, and from wet meadow grass, and at
what state of dryness do you consider it made, or tit to
get mto the barn? [This question embraces, to some
extent, the time taken to make it under ordinarv cir-
cumstances of good weather, &o. This, of course
vanes greatly, but some farmers would dry grass cut
in the blossom tuo good hay-days, while others would
prefer to cure it Jess, and get it in on the day it was
cut.] -^

9. Will you state in detail how you make or cure
clover,- and how, when so cured, it compares in value
with other kinds of hay to feed out to farm stock?

10 Have you uspd hay caps ; and if so, with what
result, in point of economy? How were they made
and at what cost? '

11. Have you used a mowing machine: and if so
what patent, with what power, and with what advan-
tage ?

12. At what height from the ground do you prefer to
have your grass cut, and why ?

13. Have you used a horse-rake; and if so, what
patent, and with w!;at advantage ?

14. Do you feed c ff the after growth of your mowing
lands in the fall ? Bo you think it an injury or a benefit
to the field to feed it off?

15. Do you top-dress your mowing or pasture lands ;
and if so, what manure do you prefer to use, at what
time, and in what quantities do you apply it ?

CIRCULAR ON THE GRA8SKS.

245

16. What is the best mode of renovating old worn-
out pasture lands? ^

17. If you have -any experience in ditching and dniin-
.ng wet^ meadow, or ditciiing o.- diking salt marsh, will
.>ou state the result, and the comparative value of the
grass before and after the operation ?

18. What are the most valuable varieties of salt-
marsh grasses and how ,loes the hay made from them
compare m value with good English hay?

11). Have you any experience in irrigating mowing
oi pasture lands; and if so, what is the result?

-0 Do you prefer to salt your hay when putting
mt^the barn; and if so, what duantity do you L pe^

21. What do you consider the best mode of destroy-
ing couch or twitch grass ?

22 What is the best modo of destroving the whit.-
weed or ox-eye daisy ?

23. Will you give any other details not suggested bv
the above, which, in your opinion, may be considered
important, ,n regard to this crop ; and particularlv, if
> ou have experimented with any varieties of grass not in
general cultivation, such as lucerne or alfalfa, rye grass
Tome grass, Kentucky blue grass, &c., will y'ou state'
the results as fully as possible ? If you have any varie-
ties of grass found to be valuable, but not in general
cu ivation, the names of which are not known to you
will you send them to this office, where the names'will
be given ?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Charlks L. Flint,
Secretary of the Board of Agriculture.

I was indebted to the kindness of many enterprising
and intelhgent fiirmers for full and valuable answers
21*

\ f

246

RANGE OF CLIiMATE.

from r ore than two hundred towns in Massachusetts,
and fr. ni several different states, and these alone would
make a valuable volume of themselves. I can ol'
course, <lo no more than extract from them as freel'v as
space wdl permit, which I shall do ut greater length in
subsequent chapters.

The range of climate of the United States is so exten-
sive, embracing, we may almost say, the tropical heats
on the one luuuL and the short sununors and severe
wmters of the Canadas on the other, that the grasses
iidapted to one region would not even succeed in
iiiiother. Some grasses which are eminently adapted to
sandy soils of a moist climate will not grow on similar
iirid soils in a drier climate and under a hotter sun.

Blodget, in a valuable article on the climatology of
this country, makes the following judiciou. remarks,
which i have somewhat condensed, on account of their
length:

As now cultivated (says he), or as relied upon in their
natural growths, there are two well-marked divisions <,i'
American and naturalized grasses belonging to the dry
and humid climates, respectively, of the whole United
Mates 1 here IS another distinction in the tempera-
ture ot moist climates, as the cultivated grasses do not
go into he Avarmer portions of the countrv, however
humid. Ihe English grasses are the principal ones
em bmcng the genent Poa, Phkuun, Fc.tura,%-osils',
■<uu\Dad{,lis; and their most striking peculiarity is the'
-n.form tur they form in growth. Most of these aiv

Fair q/f ''*'' /" t/»o cliimtte of the Northern and
astern h tates, and of the North Pacific coast ; and
l.ey here form the great reliance of cultivators. But
they also approach their climatic limit here very nearlv
"\'''^^" temperature and humiditv, and prove ?er
native position to l)e in a more equable clhnate The
and ;'' ';n^,."f;P^.^ parts of the New England "states
and Ox New xork is sometimes destructive from low

m <»

HKJil Ax\D LOW TEMPERATURES,

247

temperature alone, and the dry extremes are very
nijuriou.s and sometimes absoluteiv destructive Whit
precise n.easu.vs of Jow ten.perature destroy ti.ese
Jias.es, ,t isd.fhculttosay,- but every alternate year
allords some locality ni which the cold is so o^eat as to
destroy the ^ m.othy and orchard grasses. ^V cirl^nu!
•lice of cold for some days helow zero of Fahrenheit,
mid with a minimum of 1^0° hdow zero, is undonhtedly
certain to be fatal, ,f the surliice is exj.osed to the air
and IS without protection by snow or otherwise.

.here is apparently little difference in the hardiness
ot the principal cultivated grasses in resisting the tem-
perauire extremes. Low temperature alone may
destroy them in all the elevated p,.rtions of the New
Kngland Mates an.l New York, and in Wisconsin and
some parts of Ilhnois. In most cases the destruction
ot the three i.rincipal grasses occurs at the same time
and no singling out of particular species is remarked. '
In the direction of high temperaturc.s there appears
no aefin.te limit of this sort, or none dependil.g on
single extremes; but all these grasses fhil when the
niean temperature of the summer months attains to 80°
1 liey Jiave but a variable and uncertaui success in Vir-
gwiiia and n, all the states south and westward they are
still less reliable, or fUil altogether. As they ar> all
perennial in the highest sense, the whole yeaV and all
Its extremes must be taken into the account. They
cannot, as in the cereals, choose a portion of the year
only and adapt their requirement of time to the 'tem-
perature. In this respect they diifer most widely from
a very important class of native grasses, which occupy
tlie and j)ortions of the continent.

In further notice of the limitations of the European
grasses, tlie humidity of climate must be considered
ilie dry extremes of many of the states where they
may generally succeed are quite injurious or destruc-
tive in many cases, and this is especially true of the
states at the West, where the soil is less tenacious and
retentive than at the East. They fail to form the charac-
teristic turf there, and are so much injured by those dry

I '.','!
ii>i

:iiiil

248

NORTHEIIN LIMJT OF GRASSES.

! ■ •'!

\i I

V II

H't r,

periocls as to become displace.!, or to doc.v i^nulimllv
It nof snd.lenly, and to require Ire.inei.t reiieuul. Tliis
departure trorn the native climate of these .-rasses is so
g-reat at the plan, beyond the Mississippi, .^s to require
a wholly new e ass ; and the European I'.rn.s there eJasc^
o reappear only on the coast of the J^ac-ihc, in Oregon'
.in AVaslnng.on lerntones, where the English clin^ite
)s Itself m some degree reproduced.

The nortiu-rn or low temperature linu'ts of these
grasses appc.ar nearly identical with those of wheat;
and then liability to destruction by the cold of winter
alone, without regard to the lilting of the plant from
the sod as 11. the case with wheat on tenacious soils,
does not greatly dilfer. The grasses will perhaps endure
a tew degrees lower temperature.

wiH!';vl''^l'^rf!'f'^"'"'.'""'^'^ '^''^ nearly the same as
with w hyat a so. taking the month of ripening for wheat
as the liigi.est temperature for any month of the year
Ihe range ot tiie English gra-ses is here little greater
than that of wheat, m this definition. As in cultivation,

7ioV''7r'''VT :? ^"^ ™"''" temperature for July i,
io to 78 , while the limit of wheat is litde above"70°
tor the same month. In cultivation, without unusual
care, they would not differ widely.

There is a possible limit also in low summer t<^mpera-

mo ho.'7r'';i •■ '^.f ^'"'"P=^'"'-> ^^•'■tl' a large amount of
moi> u.e in the so, a.ul atmosphere. We are not able

respect as for wheat, though the grasses we have re-
ceived b.m there will not go mauAlegrees lowe; h n

h o55° o'r ';'i'"""^ period, -probably not lower
than to 5o or the warmest month of summer whil(>
the same limit for wheat is above 57°. In tl e U i ed
h . tes 1 inay not go so low; though the question is
60° f ;.i !l """yf^"'-^'!"*' '^« ^^« J'^^ve no districts below
bU toi July In cold and wet localities of the North-
ern Mates, the difficulty of preserving these grasses is
well known: and as ,n other directions of limit, they
tai gradually under measures of climatic disadvantage
not absolutely destructive. ^

Til

GRASSES OP AN ARID CLIMATE. 2i\)

m-To^ ^r^'V^'l ''^'' ""/ ^'''''''' '"^''^Ptc'l to arirl oli-
mates may advantageously l,e oxaiuinc>.l noxt au.l these

V /. continent, where they are rerniire,!

Aur.t.ous gras.ea of general range oxx-r the e . u try

^ mrlLST "'r^" " |'-"i-^vIuIo those ^wn^

n a ticuiai ioeaht.es as ,n wet or sheltered sju.ts, or

others not representing the general surlaee,an. .nite

lean glasses s the Inmch grass (/W..m), the lu.lJalo
m ...; ^'""'^^T'^"'""^' '^>"1 the other speeies of grum^

J!^r^2::- f '''"'" h /^"' *'^^ '^^^^' '^'- 1''« f^'-'""ma

grass piopei, as given by Captain Marcy in liis Report
lea. tlie parallel ot 3(>° north latitude, and on the east

'h n H ■ "'V '"'f^'lV;. In.t appears to flourish better in
about he latitude of 33° than any other. As there is

lir^of Vf.;;1"T''' ^!\/'""^^ ''^'-'^^ ^-™ '^^-^ the

th.f tl ; ^/-^ \'" ""^^.'"" "* ^"f^"-^*' it would appear
that the partieular varieties of grass growii,.- here do
not requm. inueh mcu'sture to sustain them." ^

to fHtudo'ino^''-''';,"'' '"'"'' .^'■'^""^'''' ^^^'^'''l^ ^t least
ciated o '"n^'f '"'""^ longitnd.. and the asso-

ciated spee.es called mcquifc, with this, cover the
est portions of the valley of the (J.-eat Salt Lake with
the entire eountry south and west m. which rains f, II
a^^ se.ison. This whoie foniily i. extrenle/^^^luahi:
^>eedmg p.-ofusely. and covering eve.y po.lion of the
coun .-y whe.-e suflicient rain for its g/ow " in v be
ound at any season In the mountains a winter vaViety

v^lZ' ;'"r-''i''l''"/,'''t'^'''''" that of the plains and
^ aUeN . is ,b,ed by the late summer heats. Th,> whole
class IS adnni-ably adapted to the rerpiirement of the
country, as they remain during the warmest months of
summer, and until the rains of the next season come

Smmyholr '"' P'"""'""^ "" ""^'-'^'^^ ^-^'ti-
The precise time at which the heat and aridity check

i

iii'M

■firjpr-

i L:

•i ' 1 j

••iif'

'ili'

fl !

lifi', !

250

THE PHAIUIE GRASSES.

it^ g owth, and convert it into dried huv, is not suffi-
<-.entlv known lor the dillorent districts. 1 is p.^bably
control ed n.ore l.y al,senc-o of wuter in the soH nd
wan o r.u. than by ten.peruturo - the lu.^ :dng
Mdl cent for t ns parpose when the w^ater wholly fuils^

„, !"; r?!,'^' ';"';;.'••;'' ^^"^^ ^^'-^''^ "-et the sn.alle,- gram-
ma ealled he hnilalo grass, at 38° north latitnde and
by tiie.r relerences U n.ight be inferred that 1 1 i^' wa s
the northern border at that d,..ree of ionuitnde. lltl

west'l"; rf '' '1 ''°' ^r ^''^' •^""'^' n.eridian, and 980
we.t long tude, and near the I'latte or Nebraska Kiver
It probably extends still further northward, ai d ove;
mueh o tins great plain to the Missouri. There are no
.at.s aetory notn-esof the grasses of this grea ' ^Ln"

ne rlv'a.'f?"'"^" T"""'''^ ^''^^^ '^ ^'-''^ ^^
leJlsn'M; rT ^"''^'■^^<'''^-^' ^'^ '^<l'>''ded to the immense

ve.ys noith of the M,sso,n-i were, however, unable to
find anyconsKlerable amount of it: and Kieh u was

^so unable to find the bullUIo grass on the ^ask^tS
wan, though at the tune of his visit recent fires had
destroyed the growth of all kinds. He rem ks a arge
ternnxture o c-ar.ees with the festuca, and other trfe
Peo'loiT' '"' northern portions of the prairie

The new forms of valuable grasses fomid in this o-reat
range m our interior deserve the greatest attention in
leterence to their mtrodueticui in field cultivation The
native species of the prairie region, east of the xAIissis-
sippi, probably cannot be cultivated — they give way
too easily at the approach of cultivation, and those of
tie dry prairies are rarely found in seed, 'l^he turf of
this_prairie growth is very strong and enduring; and
m the native state these are valuable grasses, well
adapted to the intermediate climates in winch they
occur, where the humid and dry ccmditions pass into
each o her by gradual transition. These range over

OS of the country of the upper Missouri, as well as
on the prairies eastward.

There is a large district in the United States deficient

ll-=

CALIFORNIA GUASSES.

251

lu adaptation to our present cultivated g-rassos, to which

nay l>e possible to bring those of The interior ult?

uteiy. Ihe pra.ne distncts of the states bordering

n htites u,.e,ttly need some better adaptations both
to then- sod and chniate. The new grasses of the sout
wes w.nh pn,babiy not find a congenial clin.lt: iH

; le ?. y"""''t>': V^t for the drier portions of

lie s Ut(,s HI i.e upper Mississippi vallev they niav be

'zi"f,:;r'li;' fr" ^"^^^'^ '^- ^^'--i/a/Sded

<'UuiL^ CO iiiDioduco theni.

They are perennials of as great endurance in the turf

oorLl I -1? '-M'tn^.on of the root, am ate re-
V i tl ' '"'' ^''' """''■*^^ "^ t''''^ concentric tufts in

•ooc. liut all the gr unnia and associat.NJ a-rasses uro
luce seed trgely, and under cultivation t ^T ,n,Vh

la taiilornia valuable native grasses exist in rnrt of

hese and ,n part of other genera. The e the 1 n atl

^ even more extreme in itsl^ontrasts, aml^s t ' '£

V u. I 1.3 grasses appear to be annuals. The bunch

^n:^rtl^:^^^^^^ ^'' ^rvalue.

than incaseoftlie gnunmf.uftl'' T' ^^''^'^r'''''^'^
no attempt at it yet^ i Jh " ^''"'■^' '^1 J"''^ ''=''•'•>' '>een
oat grass'esand annualsf, ,•, a 1 '"' f ^'"^^^"•^ ^''^"evs
they are exclusive oZuZ t^^'^T^ '"'/ ^^'''^^''^'
There is cortainlv m .^ '"'^ sufhc.ently known.

South andW ' .' ti ''" '" ™"'* ."^^'"^ frrasses of the
naceous fb,;!: wli JtiJXt;'^' '" ''^'^^ ^--■

tlian those of north. •„ , ', ^'"'''''^ "^"'"'^ "<^^»'-lv

climates. ' " ""^■'"' ^"^^ ^''^ "'^^'^^^^ of humid

grasses are greater tha:!lthe^lLtic':;de^S^:j;:

'2;V>

UKAS8E8 OF THE INTERIOR.

■ J

i

hi
•I

:i

■'

mis

tiiieiit, mul they are also Ikr more nnt.itir,,, ■ r i
seci seven dillerent kinds of cloved- " I \ "'''^

pnvaro a,,H .^l/iV;-;'::,,,:!:™*"' «"-''--'™' »f both
Fre.nont remarks of tho v.h.o of tliose in.Iioenons
gras.,.,, as r..m„l ,„ l„s earlier expedirion to t toZl
BasM, and to Oregon : "The Brazing cmMH,! ,7ml
ret'ion are sreat, and in tlie indicenoni <,.,«,. .,,
ment of individnal and national we ^i av ^ ,^,'^-

the s ,ort curly grass, on which the hufFalo <le oj, to
feed (whence its name of buffhJo grass) and win' J •
stdl good when dry and appaJently'dead. Welt oi the

GRASSES OF THK SOUTH. 263

elling caruvH J cm find sC ^ eel H i!^ '"" ^'T'-
Hiid 111 military optM-aticns any ..L f .'''"'''' •"

be moved, and • mv t,.,,.,! ^ '""'l'^'' of cavalry may

tiuns, and even in wii te i^, th^u 'T ""f^'.^'^Pt'di-

I^ittle allu.sion 1. as , f. P^ si.eltored s.timtion.s."
fitted to the c inv of tl 1 '"•". '.•"''" ^" ^'"' ^'"^^^s
These hu e • n t^e'/ti IK- l\T^^^ districts of the South,
either the arid rem'ms < '* tl ^^ '-eqiurement Irom
or thr> Hoi f I 1^ , ^''^' interior and south-west

•the debatable ground between these a.ul the other
"xtre„.e m the cool and hmnid climates "f I n ,

widely "' '^'''' ^"^' '^'^y ^'^" -^-^ differ still moi-e

Experiment has very satisfactorily proved the imoos

unde 'tr^ "'"■•^■'■"^ '^'' ^''^^'^^ anVnortht ; res'

the ott ff ^M'" ^^^"r'"^"'"" '''"d l.umidity, or
entirih f 1 ^^V^!^^^*^ '•J'^ber, preclude their growth

tntMeI^, though it is diffi, ult to say whether either
condi ,on alone would so preclude it^ Com aring he
more hum.d climates of England with those t equally

P tur ":; "" '' '^' f °"^i''' "^ "^''e-J^* '"^"-r tha? tern";
peratuie alone caused the difference ; but positions in

tWates near the 39th parallel of latiiude h^^^ "npJr

atures m summer quite equal to those near the Gulf

Agriculturists at the South have scarcely been .uc

tTn oV vatlf *'"'"" ''^^'".'^ ^--ntoihlintiodu-'
n^esstv of nit ^ •'"''''• ^'^^''- ^'"'tivation is less a
mtTon a^< Tf .r ' v"^:?" management than of farm occu-
6UC Mv'Cl ^^<^'-^h.«nd It only becomes imperatively
exh n H " P'-««ervation of the soil from washing and
exhaustion becomes necessarv. Such is. at pr^-^nt ^he
«tate of much of the cultivated area at the South:and it
22 J "

Mh

254

DIFFICULTY OF FOItMIXG TUUF.

is Of tl.o first i.„portance to k.u.w u-l.otl.n- tho ,>o.mM-
.M.t oTHss cc.vc.rn.g ol ti.e noil umy L,u uttui„e.l v " ^ '

not so fur south Tho.r native cli.uates arc no t ho
the native f^mn. .hstn.ts, and in cooler an.l ,no e n 1
amospheres; uh.ie the southern part of t e Y i
States has at, up.cal sumu.er, nnd hes on the m, of
s.;lo of the c-hnKaoh^Wcl h-nnt. \NV eann<,t a i -h te
success n. j,n-,isses taken fron. the cUlry cxtren, in t '
opposite position, un.l prohnMy very htti' .• ,
adapted to dry climate, whether uJu/ o co "S
. source should he tropical or senH--tropical ; and such

^ cu tic ted"; '" "•'^"' ''^'-"^-P-i- intnulm!^'
Hnrl cultivated to some extent at the South Th,

Guinea ,.rass i Sonjhurn vahjare) is of thi.s j, ,1

the i3e niu, a .^rass ( XV/.o.,/o/i dactijlon). The las is

much like the cane in its root and habit of .^r nvt land

<.th are purely tropical forms. The suirar cam is 'f o ?

I M|UMith cultivated a« a g,-,,,, „.itl, »„c,-,.s. ,„„1 .,11

these are „h>,o easiK- cullivat«l aa foraep , h>,N „

and tin. h.ni,..;„..i uL'?: "''^' °^ '^.'"<^'* '''« g'-amma grass

-< f,

«.• „ ,, "V .^'^«-^"-<' may near a cons . erahle exten

Cth L > \''''"' r^''^^"^' '^'^^* ''••^'■^1 portio H of the
succe:r '"■' "''*'"^>' ^^^" "^^-^--^ -ith some

Tt ha8 been found extremely difficult to form a close
urf or .sward below the latitudes of the more equa-
ble distribution of rain ; and thi,s is the case south of

often long-continued heat and drought. Even lucerne

KFFECT OF SHADE.

<Y any

25.T

^vl.lch grown ,„ great perfo.tmn i,, the south of PrtuPo

:-;i.:'::.";:t,:i:;:;:,r'"""^" '™"""'-

III., gnmel. „| .,„«, s,„„i, uf il,„ ,„„,,||,.| „f „,,. ■

:::z:;:::''"Tv'7T'r'' .'in,,';ji,;:,',t,

w::u:;;„tv'2:;;:r'?"i;.:r''''r ':«"'"«

, , 'f 1" ''^^' •i<-'h).sc'-cuItiVHtt'( lurfis

m-; ,„„l ,i,„ ..,.,, i, „,. ^.„,,. ^^ „l,c.aJy»„„,"J„ I

of «,.sl„„s,„n,«,. ,,.,.1„„,., ,„u,l, „,■ Bal,i,,.„,..,,,.r, ■
'- I"-- .■".„„„,■ y„.,, „,„„ „,„,, ,„ ,1,^, J,,. ,i,, "

ll.oug, valMal.lc. a, /;„,,„.. p|a,„,, ,|,ov i.ocn.e poor

^ . ly e«,o„„H.,i a„,J „,.„ |<„„„„ ,„„e, ,1,3 g,„„,; J„
ot " CahfoniKi clover."

-climX':!f':; ^^V^^^^^"^ ->-* f.- hoon s.id, that the
Climate of the L nitdl State, is not so well adar.ted -w

a whoh.^ohrin,tl,e higher grasses to p.^

adapted o all th.s class of plants, -that is. to promote

^.•^nchl„xnr,anceofg,wth. Tl,. nutritivr,::!-

t cs of gia.s.s grown under greater heat and a drier

Umdmr t(, every observn.g f.vmer. Grass grown in a
vet season, or very moist climate, bears a striking re
semblance to th.t grown nnder the shade of tree"
The remarks of a practical farmer of Kentuckv well

repl^ to the second question proposed in the circular
ffiven on a preceding page. " Just so fivr," savs he "as
there is snade, is the grass deficient in saccharine ' and

11

II

Ii I ^ ^

256

HEAT AND MOISTURE.

nutritious qualities ; that grass which is most exposed

young stcA growurg, and old ones on foot but wiM
- fatten then. A tln-ee-,ea.-old DuH.:;:' wH !'
^tdll tat in a year on open blue grass "
A iarmer of Massachusetts smv<* • << n

ing , s.,y8 an mlelligent ,,n.ctia,i Ikin.er, " I sl,„„ld

my hat ,„ a wet ,e„s„„ I never fonnd anvt ,i„« k' o

rand, heart or nntriment in hay a, in a dn- one )n„°

grown under u thick, sha.ly tree is not worth on I a ,

a .nnoh „. that grown in the .„n. The gra«. tin !"„

1856) was well .et in the spring, „„,] g,.tw very niick

when the warm weather ca„,e on; bnt still we had ret

good, wa,™ 8„„ to bring it to n,atnritv, and I thi^ k

■" I,:'!," l;'!'-'; "'■"■""* P'"^-^^h-«ot <,„ite we
as the same bulk last year. "

nractin ^f^ ""''^''^'Y ^o multiply the authorities of
PMct,cal larmers on this point, since they uniformly
eomcdew.th the testimony given above ; and tnnv
be^^rded as f^„ly established as the rJsult b^h "f
cent he 'nvest.gat.ons ..nd of practical experience th.t
both the quantity and the qualitv of gras^ a^ n'p o

l-;on to. the heat or sunlight and' he ni:;-^^^^^^
" men It 18 erown.

What has been said will explain the allowance which

III

COMPEXSATIOAS.— SNOW,

257

to provide fo he B'lllT ''''''"'°"' "°'""='" "'"""^
and almost hour v Jnf ?^'""'?''' "■'"' ""'"■ ^xily

cult to put i„ the p r; 7 T^''- " '''""""'y "'ffi

stock. "^ °P" ■'"°''''' °* '""ter food for our

-ome of the higher nor hir, I, ! . " "PPrehended in
milder climates^ I„ ,1 et !'''''' "•«" ■" -mewhat
of Maine, for instance ,,";'!'""'" '""^ '=»"«" Portion,
tl.e frost has pe e, raied ,o " """"''""^ ^^'"^ '«f»-

and as soon as it is gone the L • "''""« "'"'"' •
r.ant,and the sod readv for thf'T' '", ^'T ""'^ '"■<"■
ington the cultivated JZ '^f' ' "''"'" '" ^^'a*!-
both by the colds of w^ntr Vr.,"'^'"*^'-'' *-'"-".V<")
and this verv freouent" , "'"'*''<' ''<'■■>'» of summer:
tlian in higher l.tit, ^ " 7r'P«"''-niore fre,,uentlv
of the colli':; r^f^i-^^-h-e «- actual siverit!

cold and warmth ra he- ,V I f 1""" """nation of
«ure, that is tio 't i^'t'io "i "" '"'^ ''"»?'-ce of temper.
rar„K„,._ , 7 '"Ju^ous to vemfatinn

W. have already seen that in the Middle States sonte

i i'l

258

THK GRAMMA GRASSES.

Of the species of Poa~ such, for instance, as the Ken-
ky Blue grass ^Poa ,.m^...s/.) __ app,,' ,, , ^^^
le.tcl,as among- the most miportant pasture p-asse. Thi'
« H>eu.s .s known as Green grass ii Pennsylvania' I
-nl also to bear the hottest sumn.ers i.f Te nessee
where ,t ,s reckoned one of the best grasse fi f ^
grows w.th the utmost luxn.ianee in Kentuel v a d '
^.r north as Ind.napolis, in wooded pastur^ t^d ^
a large p..oportum of the turf even in Ne^ EngLTd
1 hi and nearly alhed species are not adapted \,o\t^f;
to alternate husbandry. u,uo^^cver,

Beyond the limits Jf these on the south the Gramm.
^;e G«.nea, and the Bermuda grasses, t^ke t^T^!
Hhile the snga'-eane itself is not unfrequently culti
^^ as a fodder plant. Some of the f^stuci^ ^ '^t
well, and w.thstand the hot climate, and fo m a vahn
ble winter feed for cattle. They are known there bt"
he term 'winter grass." In many sections al" t he
Common Beed Grass (P/.m,.i../oo.«...^.)tnV
ahied species cover the low grounds, and afford a large
amount of nutritive herbage, till cut off by the frost!-
while on the dry plains west of these sections, the'
gramma grasses, or, as they are of>en called, the Meznuite
(one or more of the species of Boutdona,, become the
most valuaUe of the native species found in a belt of
counto- w,th .bout the ^hirty-fiftl, parallel as its centre.
11.3 Buffalo grass^ ,, ,^,,„ ^,.^^^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^ ,. ^^^^^^

^pec,es found as far north as the fortieth parallel.

adantp/r"'T'.^r"''' ""'' ^'^'"'^'^'^ ^^""^fl- '-^^ being
adapted to a I t chmate. Tbeir growth is mainly in th^
ra.ny season, and they seed abundantly as th" dry season

State of Arkansas, the rainy season is in the sn^in!^ •
m the northern part of Mexico it i, in ^ ^ '

sontbfirn T..„ • , ^♦A«xico, It 13 m Summer ; in
southern Texas, m autumn, and in some part, of New

t,.:Z^

s the Ken-

0 tako the
s*i*e?. This
inia. It is
Tennessee,
S '^vliile it
'9', and as
and forms

England,
however,

Grramrna,
the lead ;
t'y culti-
Iso, grow

1 a valua-
there by
hIso, the

' and its
d a large
? frosts ;
ons, the
Jezquite
orne the
belt of
: centre.
)f these
lei.

? being
y in the
' season
om the
spring ;
ler; in
•f New

CLIMATIC U.vNGE OF GRAINS. 959

luted chieflv bv the riin T '^ '"'' ^'"''"G" '•^-•"'-

'.\ ".V riK, lains but even when drv tim,. r

H vorv nutritive food for stock. ' ' ''"'

^>H the western [.rairies but feu- v.l. 11
p--ses are fbund. While tl e .n n ' ' '''''''
^viid tlu-v cover thn ,}[''> '"*' "Il''^v<'<l to grow

reiornnt.-^ht5;:l::--X^^^^

such as ^^' n^i'^' ''"""^ '"^"^^ -^" t-' ;^rains.
<'i-pter it hide t^r\"''"; r^''"-^ ^P^^

came to us naturahVed h ? ". ™''''* ^"''■"^''^^^'' <>'•

o-own. Thet:;.^r;;™i;;-trr;r^''^^

parts of this country thcupl ' >'''^' '" *''^^ ^"^lor

with the exception o^;i:tn:f.^;-'^^;;,;^^
southern nortif)n^ fl.,.,.„- , .)8't,.u. In the more

come., o,r T ptii f? '■" "'" ''"'■'''■y "■«»"'<■'•
seen, are <,es„:;edt il *™""'' "^ "^ '-™ '"™<'.v

at,t„de,,tw,ll npen in ,™ „nd a l.alf or tlne'o „„„„"
and rarely reqniros over fonr mnnihs. A small varietv
.« c,,lt,vated n. far north a. fiftvone decrees o a .?
on he Red R.ver. It requires great snmmer heats, h, t'
wd often sueoeed well in the northern states will, ,
cuoi and rainy summer, provided there is a week or two

260

( r

i^

GROWTH OF INDIAN CORN.

of hot weather in the month of June or ear!^ in Julv
imd a late tall with warm weather at Ihe 'period of'
npenmg It will not endure a mean temperature below
(>^ m the growing season, but the morning and even-
ing temperature may be h.w, provided the mi<l(lav heat
IS sufficient to carry up the mean of the month beyond
that pomt. This higl, curve of heat at midday is so
<vssential that, without it, there will be no formation
nt sacclmn. matter in M.e plant, nor will it mature-
while with u the temperature of the night may be
<iuite low. This is one, and almost the only, condition
absolutely essential to its successful culture, and thi^
condition IS fultilled in almost every part of the coun-
try, except the mountainous districts above mentioned
As a means of reference, the following may be given as
the results of observations at the Observatorv at Cam-
bn.lge during the growing months of 1854,"l855, and
loot), which do not vary much from the moan or

average temperatuie of these months in any series of
years.

The observations were made four times a day —at

42"o"48' ti 1" '-rf ^n '' ""•' '''' ^-titude 'being
4^ JJ 48 , the longitude 71° 1'.

Months,

Mean I
Temp, ill
18M.

Rnin in
1854.

March,

April,

Mvy,

•luue,

•fuiy, .....

■■*'»SU9t I 680^6

September, , . , . gio 4

33 .1
42^9
57^7
65°,9
72^.9

Inches.

2.949

4.842

5.453

3.58o

3.239

0.361

4 360

_Mciin
Temp, in

1H.W.

32-. 81

44\08

r)3\40

f)5".48

72 .24

67^31

61^.45

Rflin In
I8,V).

Inches.

1.159
3.990
1.501
3.681
4.845
2.270
1.218

-h-

' Moan
Temn. in

Rnin in

law.

26^.98
46". 82
62 ..'56
68 .08
72 .70
67 .31
62-.98

Inches.

0.970

3.732

6.732

2.869

4.243

14.981

The^season of 1858 was remarkable in most parts of
iNcw England as a season of frequent rains and cool

Hnin in
IHifi.

CLIMATIC RAx\GE OF WHEAT. 261

^^!^- ft "'^\,^"^-t' --1 n^eUnuors generally
tie u,^ erlT T", '" —-oP, and wondered i
^ec e of It undoubtedly was that the last week of June
anci ^e hrst week of July were excessively hot,!':;

t abound Vr"" "'" ""-^-%-ol and n.oift.

i ir ground had become wanned to a great depth and

- was sufhc.ent to give the plant a rar>id g'^v

hrough the rest of the growing sLson. Every p rof

e country ,s, therefore, adapted to Indian ,3 i,

t^e excep„on ol the higher n.onntainous parts of Nw

li^ngland, and northern New York, and northern ^V^T

consin and Minnesota. ^'uicin u i>-

protitab e ,t ks true, owuig to their extremely limited
auge of chmate : buf, as a plant for the whole'co t •
no other can cou.pare with it in importance.

ihe climatic range of wheat and barley is still

above the level of the sea, on the borders of the trop-
icus wh.le wheat n.ay be cultivated as far north ts

circle T I" ^ '' '''''''' ^^^^"^^ *« ^'^ P"'-

vl V ;■. n "T 7 ''"^' "^" ''"'' ^°«« not mateHally
vaiy from that of wheat. ^

; But, though the absolute range of climate for wheat
IS greater than that of Indian corn, there are n.ore local
condmons which affect it, and hence its most profitable
limit of cnltivation mny not be much greater

moTJTT f *''" '■^•""^'•^ ^^h'«'» correspond
TurLT ■' , t'" f''^"' ^^''-^t-^^owin,. sections of
Europe m.y be found in central New York. Penn.vl-
vnn.a, and a part of Maryland, and a secw' .. throuo-l. t he

Ukes, „ clud.ng the pra.ne lands west from lake Michi-
gan, in these sections the mean temperature of

ill

Ai>2

THE WHEAT DISTRICTS.

summer ninoes from (JS° to 7l° ..n,? fU ■ -

-^Vom Gl^triio I't""':"*^'"^^^-^"--^''-
extends into June .nifl ■^^'"" '^'' ^^''^^^^ '"^^^'^''^t
«3" to 65° Ibr AI V ;; V ;«: "' . ^-»P--ture i. from
central x\ew Yo "k' 1 ' ! "" '"' ' '° ^'^'- •^""^"' "''"''^ -
tl.0 mean temp^t ato ^T '^'^"'^ ^'^^" ^"'^ ' -"'

A^ I. 1 . » F"-''irUH. <){ May ,^ I (.J.,

"■I .-t.c<."-e affoct it. TI,es,,,„Crofr ''•""■
h"d, ,.„. iMstanoe, >vn» „,,„„t two ," oel ,■ > ' ;';'"
average of mean tc-i„,,<3i„turo ■„„1 tl,o ,^ ' "'"•'

»'■■'' f e .,.eat cop ,ii, „„',•;; . rrcir'vr
.. .ood „a,.ve»t; te j'iL ro;7,;';T. jiv''^' "",'""■'■■'

.;«"l.v rosemlJes the climate of wo e-nK^, ,,'"': "'"'I'
■i"- tl.at of our own Atlantic coa.t '" ""'" "

wiil be valnable for oTro" L ' ™"""-^' ''"" "' E-ope,

April.

Gett.v.sbiirp, Pa 5Q0 3

RiKlip.ster, N, Y 44:. 7

OI)erlii), Oliio, .... 48-.I
Milwaukie, Wis., . . " 4o.'7

March.
Chapel Hill, N. C, . . ftic.i
Athens, Gn., .... 550^

Mtiy.
60 .6

59'^. 4

April.
59^.5
fi4°.0

June.
69^^.2
65°.0
67".6
64°.8

May.

69^. 1

July.

740

G9°.9

75".5
09'^ S

JUi.P,

.4

T-mrrrawmwij •**.

COVKRIXd OF SNOW.

2G3

March.

49^4

Fort McKavett, Tex., . 67''.4

. G3".2

May.
. GT'-.O
. 62^^.3
. 50-.0
.02 .1
. f)l .9
. 54-.4
. 5tV .3
. 51' .6

Nashville, Tenn.,
Fort McKiivett, T
Saci'iimeiito, Cal.,

York, Ki)g., . . . .
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Epping, I'.'tig., . . .
L»ant/.ic, Baltic, . .
Konigsbeig, Baltic, .
Moscow, Russ., . .
Bucharest, Uuss., .
Kasan, Uuss

Miii'cli.
Beyrout, Syria, . . . (iF.a
Alexandria, Egypt, . . 02^.2
Palermo, Sicily, . . . 54^.0

April
()V-.'J
6G'^.2
5'J^.5

Junu

til .2

&0-.7

60'.0

69^.3

57°.4

62^5
til-, 3

April.
6r)".3

58".6

May
C8-3
72-.2
0O-.2

.Inly.
G2 .4
58'. 8
G2-.2
63-.0
62%6
66- .4
68^.1
64.8

May.
71-.3
70-.3
64 .8

June.
76^5
74 .9
71.7

Au(,'U9t

63 .5
SS-'.O
60^.9
62^9
6P.7
63^.1
65'^. 2
60".8

Juno.

75^.4
76".2
7'°.2

Winter wheat generally succeeds best ^vlien the
ground is covered with snow; and if this protection is
wanting, it is not unirequently winter killed. It some-
times happens, also, that a covering of snow affects it
lu such a manner as to destroy it entirely or in part; and
this IS the case when the snow is too compact, so as to
prevent the access of air for a considerable period. On
a clay soil the frost often acts mechanieallv, produc-
ing what IS called heaving by the frost. Other influ-
ences of soil and culture aflect the growth of wheat
probably to a greater extent than that of In.lian corn
and the same applies more or less to the other grains
mentioned in the second chapter.

The northern range of these grains, particularly that
ot barley and rye, is somewhat greater, and the diifer-
emu3 may be stated at about five degrees of mean tem-
P3i-ature, which would embrace several degrees of lati-
tude. JiaHey grows further north than any other, but
both barley and rye will endure cooler and shorter
summers, and a somewhat poorer soil.

' I *

264

GIIOWTH OF UAULEY.

Oats succeed ratlier better than wlm.f •
more variuble one. JiuT ,'^''> '^'"^ ''^^ont (Ja° in

..".n.,o.tw:;::,:]ri:::;z:ni:Hr„r''«''

111"- to iiTifiivi'fi- T . 'to "^"^ time 01, com-

dew, smut, and other similar injuries ' "''"

IJ

CHAPTER VIII.

SELECTION, MIXTURE, AND SOWING, OF GRAS8-

SEl D8.

In general, too little attention is paid to the selection
o seeds, not only of the grasses, but of other cultivated
plants. I he iarmer cannot be sure that he has good
seed unless he raises it for himself, or uses that raised
in Ins ne.ghborlmod. He too often takes that which
has passed through several hands, and whose ori.nn .e
cannot trace Bad or old seed n.ay thus be bought in
the behef that it ,s good and new, and the seller himself
may not know anything to the contrary. The buvei-
m such cases, often introduces weeds which are very
difhcult to eradicate. "^

The temptation to mix seeds left over from previous
years with newer seed is very great, and there can be
-no doubt that It is often done on a large scale. In such
cases the buyer has no remedy. He cannot return the
worthless article, and the repayment of the purchase
money, even if he could enforce it, would be but p. ■'•
compensation for the loss of a crop.

The seeds of some plants retain their vitality much

onger than others. Those of the turnip, fin- instance,

vdi gernnnate as well, or nearly as well, at the age of

our or five years, as when only one or two vears old •

.ev.n-e thought to be better at two years old than one'

iiu* ^ .e seeds of most of the grasses are of very little

23

f.'^eri)

(

f!

M

w i<

f' ,

ill !l

: III

W[\

>. 1
i

2«6

GKRMINATIVB POWER OF SEEDS.

value when ti.ey h.vn been kept two or three voar« •
'tu.Ihc.n.o the i.ui,u,(.uKo of procun.,o. new u.ul fresh
seeds and gn mI,,.^ ...umt any nnxture of the old and
worthless Willi the new as carefullv hs possible.

It IS easy to tell whether the gecuinadve power of
grass or anv other seed still remains, by the following
simple method: and, if the buyer .b.-Id be willing to
try It, ho might purchase onl. „ small .piantity at first
*;"^1 ^'fterwards obtain his full supply with more oonfi'
dence, it the trial showed it to be good. Take two
pieces of thick cloth, moisten them with water, and
place them one upon the other in the bottom of a
saucer. I lace any number of seeds which it is desired
t . iry upon the cloth, spreading thin, so as not to allow
them to cover or touch each other. Cover them over
with a third piece of cloth, similar to the others, and
moistened in the same manner.

Then place the saucer in a moderately warm place.
^ufhc.cllt water must be turned on, from time to time, to
keep he three thicknesses of cloth moist, but great care
must be taken not to use too much water, as this would
destroy the seed. There should be only enough to
moisten the cloths, and not enough to allow any to
stand ,n the saucer. Danger from this source may be
avoided in a great measure, however, by tipping up the
saucer so as to r^ermit any sup rfluous water in it to
dram olT. I he cloth used for covering mav be gently
raised each day to watch the progress of tJie .^yelnna;
or the moulding of ^I.r ,see<ls. The good scd will be
found to swell grauu.lly, while the old or poor seed
which has lost its germinating p(,w.v, will become
mouhJy m a very few days.

Tn this Avay, also, any one c -ude- whether old seed
|s mixed with new The la-: . germinate much
mo.e quickly than the former. [le eao, moreover,judge

;l

SELEt-nON AND MI.NTUInj.

;(;7

"f (1,0 n,.„„ti(,v ,vi,ici, :,„ ,„„,t „„„., „■„,,„

U y to «.,,,„„.,,„, ,u„In,„ ,-.,,.,la,„ ,,i„ »„„,„^. „,,,„,,.

lr.-l., w,ll ,l,..„- ,l,oh- germ. „ „ t,,;,,,,',,, ,„„ ", \ ''

"11.0.- »o„cl., «ill „.ko alit.lo l„„sor; l„„, IM o ,'

.■"me c„„,o,i w„i, ,„„„,,,, ,1,,,, ,:,, , ,„: „„i '; ,.^;

and tl,c SOO.I tl,«l ,m„il,l. i„ ,v.,ri|,lL.'« "'•'^"•'vt,

It .s ,1,/licult to ovo,-,,.s(i„„ao the hupoih,,,,-,. to (1,0

Xnli :;::;;."' ' '"■'™"""" """"■"^'■' '"• '-■■ -

l>ouMio8, the variotios of seed usuallv »o,v„ in tl.n

ountry, oon«„tn,g „l,„ost oxclnsivel,- of Tin,..,l,v Id

- <■ ., w„l, a nnxture of .-ed olovo,, a,,, an.ong e

'■•.xt loi- o,„- p„n,„sos, and tlioi,- exclusive use is in •,

measure ,,n,,.,ionod l,v ,1;„ ex,,e,ion,v and p,,,oiiee,;

a les t,ume,s; yet ,t would seen, very slinngo

■ndood d tins vast finnily „C pl„„ts, consisting of tW

sands ot s,K.,.,es and varieties, an.l including, as al,ea,l,-

r u^td, nearly a sixt „, of tlre whole vege, 1

ko.gdom, could furnish no more than two or three truly
vHi liable species. •'

When we consider also, that some species are hest
-^apted to one Ceah'ty, and others to another, some
•aclnn^ then- fullest and most perfect dev opment on
clay so,|>, and some on lighter loams an<I sands we . an-
not bnt wonder that the practice of sowin,. only Tim. -
thy and redt„p on nearly all soils, - clay; loams and
sands „KhsenminateIy,- both on hi,h Ind lov i nd
should have become so prevalent.

It is eqnally remarkable that while bnt very few of
our grasses, and these for the must part specie^ peculiar

• .

i

:P

2Hii

M MBKR OF HPECIKS REyuISITB.

to Htenle soils, flourish nlono, but n.arly all ,lo best with
.; -xtu.o ot several npeeies, ,t shuul.l s./ '. J !
'-- 'H-' tl.ou,ht ju.licwuus n> ,ate.npt to grow o I t w .
,-,nnH.nr sp... tc^ethe. with u.rel^

tMu an.n.r hereon, p;;:i;:!;:/;rh:,t'Cti:x

''"'••'->, of a betto c, ah Tl e 1 r"""'T " '""'''"'

• •'• Al't-'so C()i)si(|eratinn« it

-:: will' -del .l",:,'""-^'""", '" ''" ""'in."t«Mc, : tl,Ht a„v
produce a less a„H,u„t „f l,ay (1„„, „,„ l,o „l,tain,.,l I

i^.vci I 'Lichs true, that if we sow but (.no I-iiui

be fit, ';.;'",■"'''','''■'''"«■''""' ""' I"-"'. "■i,i..i, will

also, where o,,!,- twu, or a small „„,„be,, .,f .t:^^:

t- i

m»«p<

FOLLOWINMJ NATlfKK.

269

H -own; Hlwlo, >fa n.ixtu.c ,na.lo up ola lar^or n,.ml,or

>" -tecs an.l procueo u lar better .juality ..f herbage.

s.uM.g such a mixture of several .liilbrent sptcies,

- , .„ lo Inw nature, wlu,, alter all, will generLl>- b..

««'U,ul to be the be«t teaela-r: lor, wherever we oust our

oe from filteeu to twenty species of grass or torage

y its. If the soil be very poor, as a coM, ha, | ,|av
or a barren sau.l, perhaps two or three v, rieties i i
suffice ; but on good soils a larger nun.ber will b fl ,
to be far more profitable. '" '

Especially is this the case where the land is to be lef\
n. grass for son.e years, and eventuallv to be Is u red
as .soften done in New England; for it is th^.^i
o huve grasses that reach their maturity at d Hbre
■naes as a constant succession of good feed t r o ;,
t^e season may hus more surely be obtained. Is
well known that there is no n.onth of spring or sun nu
m ^v^nch some one of the grasses doeslt'.ltai "
e fect.on, if we except the n.onth of March, and even
bnngs up a luxuriant growth in the mor soutle
J'^t.tudes. For good soils, eight or ten species of the

;;nnr;:b:^:;:;t:bt:'^^^^^

efove and th'Tt v "T'''' ''"^ ''"""^'^^ ' ^''^^'P' -'•'
Liover, ana tliat very lartre rron« nf fi,^,.
(V • , , -^ ""b"- <-iops 01 tliese grasses ar(>

o ten ra,sed ; but it is nevertheless true that'we olt

n an average, I^ss than a ton to the acre, while with
tl.e same culture and a larger number of species vl
ought to get double that quantity ^ '

Before proceeding to consider the proportions in

270

BUYIN(; BY \VI-]T(;ht.

winch ti.e d.flerent species should be anxe.l, it may be
veil o .eler to the n.ode generally adopted io. "tlat

H'g the <p„nt,t.es of seeds and their rdative weid'

And 1 n.ay rennu-k here that the prevailing practice of
n,,.^ and so.., ,. _,ds by .^

by Nught, ,sH.,us M.judic.ous, to sav the least. It is

vh.ch IS f.csh and new. Now, if a fanner buys by
e.ght even , he does get an old or interior quality
f see<U>e gets a much larger nun.ber of seeds, and
tins larger quantity of seed which h. receives for his
money mny make up for the inferior quality, and he
vd have a larger number of seeds cnpable of germ-
natnm han he would have if he bought by measure.
It IS o be regrette.! that it has become so nearly uni-
versal to purchase by measure, though, as this course
hn the seller's advantage, it may be difficult to change
the custom. "

The following table, containing the weight per bushel
't th-^ r.eds of the most important agricultural grasses
.as been prepared chiefly from a valuable treatise on'
he grasses, by the Messrs. Lawson, of Edinburgh, who
have paid much attention to this subject, and whose
experience and observation in this department have
probably been larger and more extensive than those
01 any other seedsmen.

This table will be found to be exceedingly valuabh-
lor reference.

Column 1 contains the common names of the grasses.
Column 2, the average number of pounds in a bushel
01 ti.e seeds.

Column 3, the average number of seeds in an ounce.

Column 4 shows the depth of soil, in inches and frao
tions of an inch, at which the greatest number of seeds
germinate.

■WMM

WEIGHT. — DEPTH OF COVEIUNO.

271

Table XiV. — Weight of Grass-seeds, and Depth of

CoVERhNG.

Wliitutop,

Ilcltop,

ruftoil Hair Grass, . . ,
Alcaduw Foxtiiil, . . . .
Swet't-souiitud V'eruui, .

Tall Oat (Jrasi,

Sloiider Wlii'at Orass, . .

(-'rustoil Dojj's-tail, . .

Oi-clianl «iiMss,

Il.tnl j-Vsouc-,

Tall tV-seui' ' '

SlKiep's Ftsuuf, ....

MuaUow Ff.scui', ....

SlundiT Sinknil Fescue, .

K-'<1 Fescue,

Ri!uil Meadow Grass,

C^Jiiiinoii .Mi.'ina Grass, .

Meadow Sift Grass, . . .

Italian Ilye Grass, . . .

Perennial Rye Grass, . .

.Millet Grass,

Reed Canary Grass, . .
Timothy,

Wood .Meadow Grass, . .
June or Spear Grass, , ,
Rougli-s-ulk.d Meadow, ,

Heach Grass,

Yellow Oat Grass, ...

Ke{l Clover,

Perennial Clover,

White Clover,

Lucerne,

Sauifoia,

i;j

12

14

5

b
7

10

•20

12

10

14

14

14

15

10

13

15
7

15
8 to 30
25
4S
44
15
13
15
15

oj
64
64
65
60
20

.1.

500,000
425,000
132,000
70,000
71,000
21,000
15,500
2S,000
40,000
39.000
20,500
64,000
26.000
24,700
30,000
58,000
33,000
95,000
27.000
15,000
80,000
42,000
74.000
173,000 I
243,000 ■
217,000 j
10,000 I
118,000
16,000 !
16,000
32.000 ;
12,600
10,280

0 to i

0 to i
Oto-i
0 to i

( to i

Oto i

0 to I
Otoi
Oto i
Oto 1
Otoi

a.

«.

< to i

1

i toi
1 toU
1 toli
lUol)

ito i

■2i

i
4

2

i toi
i toi

3i
2i

1 toli

i toi
i toi

! to i : 3 to 1

1 to i

Oto (

1 to 5
J to .}

0 to 1

Oto J
i to 1
Oto i
Oto i
Oto I
Oto I

f toi

I to!
1 toll

1 ; to 1}

1 to i

i to 1

h to J

1} to 1}

i toi

li tolj

U toi*

ito J

2 to 2}

2i

■ik

2.i
2J

4

2
2
2

n

4J

.65
.03
.65
.57
.45

.29

82

.65
.0(1

.30
.35

.73

.50
.38
32
.50
.3]
.67
.72

Colunm 5 shows the depth of soil, in i,u-he. and frac
^^^ inch, at which on,, one-h.,r of the .eed.

Column 6 shows the least depth of soil, in in-hes or

11

ill

272

THE WEIGHT VARIES.

i" the tL „!' ILt;-:^.'" "'"'= """ '"'^■' "■'-' »'

<vo!,M'i,:ti';L,"',„ 'fieri,,:!' .r-p '"-"•'»'

as in Wisconsin inv ;. f , "^'^ '^""^« ^^'^^es,

it is fbrty.four Tl,^,, , " '""'"-' • '" »"«!",

part, „f ou e „p ,:? " "' "/""'"■' "■'" -'-l-'J i"
ciea^d. The seed f '"''Z^'"""'" ""1' "1** it is

poun,ls pc.r K„sl,d , ', , ^ *= ™"'. '"'''"*•'' '" "'"'}'

^eT^:n^';,f ;oS; :'j,tr;r '" '^ r """ »^-

umri 3 bv sixteen I ,: „ " , f'^ " ? "«-■ liumliers i,i co|.

like tiie „,„„i,er of ,„ !„ t „'rb;; ;'";;■"■• ""'■'' ™'-^'

that tl,e lighter t,,e Led ^e ! 'v ill he ',V" ''"''r"'
of seeds in „ iinui.d '.r,,„*' ,' ■- """"""'"^''

the. ma.V h. ,.e,ied on . the ...r,,^. ^fX::-:^
Tlie results stated in columns 4 ^ ..n^ o

ai::iX:.:^d:;:^,r„:,t-rhrf':

•lunng the process of Keiminni,,,, ,1, i ^t"- ,"""»'

posed to the iisl..,«oeo\„rs''r.t e' .^''„:it:r
seeds germinated without anv coverin.Ati, ,

-dinnr, field culture sotne sli' Id";: ^g ";:iab, "
l'«t the figures ,„ c„l„„,„ c ,,,„„ the im^rta't t;

TOO FEW SPKCIES, ..,

that in our mo<?ea of sowin,^ .„„l

I'e a grout loss „f set.rt^nf 1 ■ '"'"S ""='■» ""'»t

"10 most |,r„(ifal,l„ ,vs„|, ".',", '"'"'" '" "'■'■'« "t

<"■''>-'» K.w„.iH,o„o ;;';;'::"«''''■''"•'■- r-oo

vac„„t s,„,,...s will |,„ ,i„,„ , ' " ?'■""■■'<■''< ""b-.-wM

^rf' vo.,- oo, side;;:;; r .';:;;; :,"«^-'.-'^'. -„

"iMiKh tilov ,„„v ho so si, ^ ' "" '"■'■'■' ^■"■n

ting into ti,„ .,™,„ ' T l>o uv.,i,U.,| |,, ,,„t.
But a knowlo.h ,,;,;"■■' '.T ■"""'■«'■ "' --• ■Is.
used for s.,„.i„; ;., '".""""'"=» "t soed onli„„,ilv

plant, nooos«„T tol; . ' ■'■ '" ,'° "'" """'''"■ "

■■■■«• of grass, «dn':,.r;;„;';„t--, ;>;;;'■ '" ""■^•'- ■-■

J have n inv ,^m . . • > ^''^' *'"'*^'''-

he»t fan„o,.: v r:;;.' '^'"7 '■™" -n.o of tl.o

'"■"I";! of lodton ulin '?'*'' '"■"'■"■™ '••»"»•„

'»...■ ." »i.x „o.;, : f 'Xt t' ;?"""•'•• -" '•'■""'

"-'■» ™,v „„, ,.,.opo,.tio:°S :;.--■ •^'""" "f

peck of Timofliv i„„| „ i„,„ ' ' '■' '■' ""? "™ "» one

';'ot;onc..dpr;K.tio^Lt'XeT;;;^;!,^■'''^■^■'■^'■"'

stated, some even iisino- „ ^ • i ^ ^ '"' *l"="'tifies

^■ow,if.oo..::ir;';=:.— t;t':T';v'r''''''-^--

ounce of redton-^oprl fi ""*' ^'"^^ "i nn

iv.ut()p..soeci there are 4->'nnn

pound,! ,,,x, ,„.e ovorliOOnnnn , *'''"""'■ "• "

'-'ve p ,s, H,o,.o arfovTso^^'o^nn'" " I""''"'' "■■

suppose ,1,0 (;„.„,,.,. f.,i,„: , • '■"•'""•'"Is. Xow
»eed ,„ „,i. „,-, ' „' """>• ""; P«k of Tin.o.l,,.:

there are -4.,.,,0 ...J;;'" "r'^'' "^ Timotl,,- grass-see.
1,000,000 g,.ins. "1^0 eve n "T"^ """■'= ''' ""='
are over 13,000.()00 >J,°U ,f7"t' '" " i^""''^' """-o

■ •""', 'f "'0 'Ike h„t four

;7-t

NUMBER OF PLANTS,

ni

\i r

pounds of clover, which is below the average quantity
used, we shall find by the same process that we have
over 1,000,000 seeds. If now we add these sums
together, we shall find that we have put upon the acre
no less than 95,000,000 seeds ! This gives about fifteen
seeds to the square inch, or about 2,000 seeds to the
square foot!

Agai'^, one of the most intelligent farmers in the
country, a practical man, uses five pecks of redtop and
twelve quarts of Timothy to the acre for mowing lands,
and an addition of five pounds of white clover for pas'
tures, making no less than 124,000,000 seeds per acre.
J here must be, evidently, an enormous waste of seed,

Table X. — Average Number of Plants and Species
TO THE Square Foot of Sward.

CHARACTER OF THE TURF.

J. 4»

s

3
a
15

1. A S(^uare fiot taken fi'om the richest nat-i

ural pasture, capable of fattening one'
large ox or three sheep to the acr^, was
found to contain j qqq

2. Rich oM pasture, capable of fattening

one large ox ami three slieep per acre, . 1,090

3. Another oM pasture containeJ , '910

4. An olil pasture of a damp, moist, and

mos.sy surf ice, ^g^

6. A good pasture, two years old, laid down

to rye grass and white clover ; 470

fi. A sod of narrow-leaved meadow grass (Poa

angustifolia), six years old. 102 }

7. A sod of meadow foxtail by itself, six

years old gQ i

8. Rye grass by itseK; same age, 75 I

9. Meadow, irrigated and carefully managed, 1 ,708

940

60 ! 20

1,032

58

-

880

30

12

510

124

8

452

18

2

-

-

1

-

^

1

-

—

1

1,702 I 96 -

J

/»■■■-;"«."''■■«'.

3 quantity
t we have
lese sums
1 the acre
3ut fifteen
3ds to the

rs in the
:dtop and
ing lands,
V i'oc pas-
per acre,
of seed,

Species

I

60 20

58

-

30

12

124

8

18

2

-

1

.^

1

—

1

OLD PASTURE SWARD.

275

96

or an extensive destruction of the plants : for if we t-.ke
nature for our guide, we shall not t^-nd anythh.o 1 k' ,t
amoantofph.„rsonaninchoraf;K,tofo.^fL :^
f- us see, from a very careful trial, how manv l'
•'": I'ow nany species are to be fbund in a sc,u '-iZr

Now, It IS a well-known (act that tlie sward of a rirl,

wt h p a„t. and no vacant spaces occ„ r. Yet w" .11'
from tl,c above table, i„ a closed-crowded tiri „V
™eh a pasture, only „„e thousand distinctlv „ d
plants were found on a square foot, and t ,' e ' .1
made r^p of twenty different species. ' They arse.; in'

The soil should be supplied with a oroper number of

curred , but, however heavily seeded a piece may be
^ h one or two fevorito grasses, small vacant s/ace!

■^ th'cm'::',.: :ti, rtirii; 7 -" ^^'^"' ""p-'-^'

,. ; ' >vuL-ij idKen in the accr'^fatfi will ^,.

tnrtoubtedly some allowance should be made forth,,
seeds and young pi.,„ts destroyed by insects bird ■ d
™.K,us acculental causes; but even after all del,,;!™^

t,^r' 7 ""l "'^' """■'•■ '' •'" 'lefieiency in t^
quant, ,es of seed used, and the i.nperfectly cover 1
ground cannot be explained in this way ^

of ft: t^rcf''™ ' '■' "'"V"P-""" - an illustration
oi le truth of my general proposition. It shows that

rethrtvK"" '1r '^"' "'^"'•- -ere Zd '
gether, whether ,n old, natural pastures or in artin,.ial
".eadows, the number of plants' on a given space .al

ll'^^J.

\ f:

m

276

DEMAND SOON SUPPLIED.

I .luiitt 01 ovcr-scecliiiL', iis to Iowa- '■ \n
excess of graas-seo,! i» „„„.„ the 'IT ". ""

vegetate ; hut ,he „|,„„, „ .iuf^,,^"'";. '" S'^""™!- "H
""til, from the w.nt' „ • , "' '' "">' V'-Kn-^".

H.e e,,nli„e.| „"" , ' "™™'''r»* t" '!■« '"".», a,„i

Pn.,,e,. ,„„nbe,. , ■ ,C ': , ^^ri'.'f " '■""■" '" '"»
tliere are a ^.reater or ,.' " ""^ '"-'«"-<l'"g a»

'-oa.c,iv„a„,, ;:,:;- 't't'f'""" "'" ■:'"•""■'•"

'■-!■ l..od„ctive ,,a • ,„ ;-•;»'"'""""" "f.l.e

"peciea were (i,,,ml .|„ ' '"" ""'Ive to Hventv

were six or sev l' ^ I n"""' "'«-""^'' •■'"'' "'-'<'

'■»t ..re,/oi,;:::" C: ^o ?7,,r':t'"'' '; "'<' '■'^'''
even less tlrin fl,„f • '^'"'' """^ Renerallv

species '' ""■'"» '" "'« '"'"■"■•'l number of

for sale i„ every fe^etT"''" "■""''' '"^ '"'"'
reaso„able price Wll i """•"■'■ "'"^ »' »

'--1 expense of sow " I '" ™"-'"''-™' "■"' <><o addi-

«'mu. greater n„n,ber of spe!;:;, r"''""'' P'"'"'-''

A,.tcr, - every farmer must admit tlmf ,> iw i-
ov,d>„t, after a moment's reflection, that

observed
ill logaid
^Vlien an
^neral, all

I'l-OgTOSS,

Dots, aiirl
?e, a cer-
ni to the
>rdii)g as
f^pecies

seed, it
iiiitiv is
n of the

twenty
d there
Ve HOW
le inch,
^nerally
iber of

^'pense,
" many
would
e kept
d at a
i addi-
a.^ture
ively,
ropor-
s the
Hfl us
)r his
least.
, that

VARIOUS MIXTUUKS.

277

lh7^!^-:':' '""'""^' ^'^^'^ ^^^ -^--^^ the species and
tl ic jel.itive quantities of each, will be des^rtble for
^i.ileivnt soils ; that diiJerent mix/ures w.^d ^ .^e ^i,

h.rae..natepppi.,,Hayin,dow.Uan<lioroni;r;^
01 tuo, an.l for permanent pasture, h, our n.ncti*..

-mostconnnontoseeddownfbrsoine'a:', nc

^.i- lo, la. for a lew years, an.l then pasturin-^ the
^, nj u n.h case our seeding down uss^nes" ^, ^
Hctu o laying down for permanent pasturage.

i-iua ly good, but very diUerent mixtures midit
I'e made also, for the same soils, by dilfe ent in 1

'n^ .t veiy early crop, some wishing to select sne
<^'e-s which resist the access of profitless wc d ^'
others to cultivate those varietis . %:^;;; :;;;
-•the least. Each of these nnxturc.:::^,'
-l^li^ed to the specific object of the farmer .v^.o ma^
, and, If eomposcHl of a sufHcient number of sj^^h^
•"^^ be good, and truly economical. ^ '

Ihe practice with many firmers has abvadv be.,.
Huded to as consisting usually of one bushet^^^
pounds of ..edtop, a half a bushel or twent^-two pound!

litrLmthifrir^'"^"'^^-^^----^^^
...frcrmi;r^:r^"?''^^^''^^''!^'^'''p"-

selected •,. 1.1 ""''' 'P^^"^'^ ^"^''ould bo

the

season; njul som

possible, a luxuriant growth through

valuable mainly for their earl

grasses may be used whicl

to tin

•I' nutritii

y growth, with 1

f value tjian in mixtures for fi

or s.u;l. a mixture, we might .elec

1 are

ess rogard
eld culture.

an example

t the followi

us: as

ill

m

24

Ill

i'J ! 1 •

278

MIXTUHE FOU PK |{M A N KN T PASTURES.

For Permanent Fastures.

Meaddw Foxta
Orcliaid Gruss,
Sweet-scented Vernal,
Meadow Fescue,
Red top,

Kentucky I51ue Grass, '
Italiiin l{yp Grass, ■

Perennial Rye Grass,
Timothy, i

Koujih-stalked Meadow, '
Perennial Clover, '

Wliite Clover, •'

flowering in May and June, 2 pounds,

in " " " (• .s

in April and May, 1 "

in May and June, 2 '«

in June and July, 2 "

in May and June, 4 "

in June, 4 <i

in " e ..

in " and July, 3 '«

in " " " 2 "

in " 3 ..

from May to Sept., 5 "

40 pounds.

This mixture would give the enormous number of
over 54,000,000 seeds ! In an acre there are 0 27^ 040
mches, so that the mixture would give about eig'ht s'Jod
to he square inch. We see, from the preceding table

plants o the .quare foot, or, on an average, about
seven plants to the s.iuarc inch. fe , -^ ' "U

Tins is, therefore, a very large and liberal seodin.-
and leaves a large margin lor worthless se,>ds, lor im-'
perlect sow.ng. and ibr destruction of plants b^ insects
and frost. ^ "i-t-ns

The weight of the seeds of each of the species of the
Hbovp nu.xttn-e, together with the period of blossoming
of each, will furn.sh a sufficient reason for the nuantitv
recommended, and the reader is referred to Table XIV
tor iurther t xplanation.

A permanent pasture mixture, recommended bv the
Messrs. Lawson & Sons, very experienced seedsn.^n of
I'^diMburgh, Scotland, may be worthy of studv in con-
nection with the descriptions of the various species as
given in the first chapter. It is as follows :

I

SECOND PASTUllK AIIXTUllE. 27U

Second Mixture for Permanent Pasture.

Pounds. Pounds.

Meadow Foxtail 2 Perennial Rye Grass 8

Orchard Grass, 4 Timothy, ;{

Hard Fescue 2 Wood Meadow Gra.ss, 2

Tall Fescue 2 lluu^ri,-v,tiilked .Meadow Grass, . . 2

Aieadow Fescue 2 Yellow Out Gras-s 1

'^«^lt"P' -' Perennial Clover 2

•'""'« Grass, 2 White Clover, 5

Italian Rye Grass, (i ' —

45

Hore wo have a con.siderable number of species, and,
accordino^ to the table ou a preceding jjjige, over forty-
five miUion five liuudred tliousand seeds. Thus, tliough
we use less than half as many seeds as our fiirnieis gen-
erally do, we still allow juore than seven seeds to the
square inch, or over one thousand seeds to the square
foot, a number larger than tiie number of plants found
in the rich and closely-wcven sward of an old pasture,
as seen in Table XI. These, it will be seen, even if wJ
make a large allowance for bad seeds, will produce as
many plants as will grow well, while we still have by
I'll the largest number of stalks of redtop from no le.s8
than three million seeds, though the weight of the red-
t..|)-sced is but two pounds. This mixture is designed
lur one acre sown without grain in the fall in northern
latitudes, or in the spring in soils where spring sowing
is found to do best. If any modification were proposed
in the above mixture, it would be to reduce the qmmf itv
of the rye grasses, or to leave out the Italian rve grass
entirely.

A nn'.xtnre like the above would answer very well,
and is less ex})ensive than the following, though it is
probable that the greater original outlay for the seeds
recommcjuled in the foilowimr tiible will be more tha"
returned in the additional yield.

I' '

1^

I lii

. 8

280 ECONOMY OF PASTUUKS.

ninl .mature /or Permaneni Pmure.

Meadow Foxuil, . '. '"T'"'.\rnu t^

H.nl Fcvscue. ' | »"'"' Mom.Iow (Jr.ass, .,

TulllWue, . . ;if""«''-^"'l'^^''IMm,l„wGniss, . "

Meadow Fe«cue, .' .';;■'* ' . 1^.'''"^ *^^' ••'•'^-

Ju..oGra«... ! ! ^ >m,nial Tlover ^

Italian %e Gni... ." .' .' .' .' ' " ."J P^ '"'«' ^'l^ver ^

I'ercnnial Itye Grass, . . ' * j I -■

wi.l,„ut the perennial clove' " ''"'"-' ■"""'^"""

«>.■ !-<» .1 i, ;t:i. ;:::;'.•'', ::,7:; -""^r-" •-

ti«u, ,,e™,„,..,„ ,«t,„, iff r; ;., I ; ;'"^-," '"^■- -;

since tie n^. ■ „c,j.„,, , , , . ' '"-' "scd,

large nuinl.or ut\seods is required mil fl ' '" ^ »'
number „r sj.ecies. ^ ' ^''^'^ "^ '' ^'^''g^'

It has alreadv been said th-it .. i....

number ol" seeds of one or twc^spe Is / T'
1>H adde.l tbaf tbe douse Lm.wf . ^^ ^ay also

exi..nst ,.e .round i:;^!^ ' ^L^^^^^^^^ -^^
exteut.u,,ou (blferent coustitueuts Tl.i ' '""'^

tant praetica] ju.iut. whiel, wi^I I; ^'f " '" '"^P"''"

i^-uref.ediu!.is,uu,i;-;:;.:^,'^':^;^^f^-^^^

c xliau.ted and worn-out pastures in the older

Pounds
. . ;{

4o

IMPIIOVEAIKNT OP PASTURES. 281

' RmsseMo«e,l.o.- with .such other fora,J, ^s
-eheon ou.,d,oa,l.ltothoridu.ossof,Ln!rH.d
'•ecommoiids thu fulluNving : ^''''^

FouHh MUturefor Permanent Pasture.

M, ,, Pounds,

••'iiluw Foxtail, . . -M n • . .. Pounds.

0.cl.,ua a..a««, . . -^ I -enn.alRyeG.a«« v>

Timothv 4 lUxJCIaver r,

n , •' , *^ White Clover

Ro.,.h..stalko,l Meadow G..a«., . 3 j Black Medic ." .' ."

30

mh''tv,',"',i' *'■"" ,•"'"'? "''"'™ >'<^™" '■""■''■'"i ""J

liilmOu III,,,, (!,„.,„ ,.i.co.i,moi„lod in tlie fore..,,!,,.. ,„i,-
u.e», but »t,ll a very liberal .ceding, pr„vi. l^l 1 1 ,
. .o„n< an.l ,,„„d. I .,,„„l.l preler'.o add ,.„„side™

longi,..l„k,d meadow, and twe „r ,l,n.e m„„m,1. „ ■
June ur kentuckv blue gras». A s.iil larger ,n„l, r
8pee,e» would be desirable; and tl,o .all oat grass, a I
fescue, and a su.all quantity of »we.e,-seenK.d vein
"oii/fl ()(. an iniprnvemmt.

A mixture i.. sometimes wanted for pastures that are
much sl,aded w.th trees: and in such cases those spe
e OS should .0 selected which do well in such situations

bh>j.omatddlerentse..ous,soasto,iveasuoce:^^
of .fo,a^.o and possess, at the same time, the requisite
mount of nutntive elements. I would su-^ir-st ho
folio wjn- as the ^"^

24*

fMi

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

m 12.8

I.I

m

lilU
IIM

III 4 0

11^

II 2.2
1 2.0

1.8

1.25 1.4

1.6

-* 6" —

►

ll _x

l-.V

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

282

OltCHABDS. -SHADED PASTURES.

Sixth 3Iixtare, for Permanent Past

with trees.

teres much shaded

I'cmiid.s. I

.June Grass,

Orchard Gnxss, (J

.Sweet-scented Vernal, 3

Hard Fescue, o

Tall Fescue,

Pounds.

'5

■iw;;:.::;;;;;:--'^>'''''= "»■«'•.

.Meadow Foxtail

Wodd Mcaddu- Grass 4

llough-stalk.'d Meadow ! g

Red Clovei-, o

40

If the object be to make a permauont lan-n, as is fre-
quen y desn-able around or in sight of the iitrn.-hou e
.on.e huig- hke iho following mixture will o-c
tound to give satisfactory resultb :

generally be

Permanent Lawn Grasses in Mixture.

,, , Pounds. „

Meadow Foxtail, 2 Timothy *"'•

Sweet-scented Vernal Grass, . . . 1 Ju„o G-ass, '. f

Kedtop, ... „ „ , , 4

Hard Fescue. .' "^''f'^f Meadow Gn^s. . .2

Sheep-sFescie. . .' t ]^"" ^n'""" '

^, ; ,, ' 1 Perennial Clover, .... 9

Meadow tescue 4 Red Clover. . . l

Ked Fescue, ... .1 \vi,;^„ /,, ^

,^ ,. ' .i >v lute Clover -.

Italian live Grass jjj ^

Pereunial Rye Grass [ ['q\ , ^

This mixture will resist the efieets of our severe
h-ough s better than those commonly used L ZT

K'-'iss, could best be spared '"^^^e

frequently „„„„ „„ of most u.e a, .b.nfsl,,,;;; ("In.i'J

Pounds.
. 2
.4
. G
. 3

40

Poundu.

■ . . 3

• . .4

, . .2

. . . 1

. .2

. . 2

. .6

m

MIXTURES FOR LAWNS.

283

c-alve. ami sheep, and are less adapte.l to supply the
Hunts (,f larger animals. ^ ^ -^

which -n-.w 1^ ''"'^ I'JeHsure-grounds,

winch ,110 to ho often mown, or kent ^lu.rf ;

mended hy Parnell, as follows: ^ ' " ^'''"^-

Second JJlxture, for Per

/m///e/^/ Laivns to be frequently

Mo

Wtl.

liough-stalkeil Meadow, .
8 1 Redtop,

Pounds.

,, I'lmnds.

tresteil Dog's-tuil jj

Y'ellow Oat (iras!<,

Hard Fescue, ... JJ ] 1,7,".'"''' 4

,,,,,,, "J "hitetop, .... A

>V ood Meadow A *

•June (Jra.ss .^ 7q

Uu lurmshed With snitahle grasses become much

no. and more velvety, from frequent mowino- than

l.oy otherw,..e would be. The Law.son's mix n'e for

lawn« Irequently mown, con..ists n.ainly of t e Xme

speczcs, but in diiferent proportions. It's as ol ows

Thud Mixture, for Fine Lawns frequenth, Mo

Pounds.

Crested Dog'.s-tail, , jq

Hard Fescue ^

SleniJer Fescue, 9

I'erwinial Hye Grass jq

W(j()d Meadow <irass 2

thj

Hough-stalked Meadow,
Velio w Oat tirass, . .

June Grass,

White Clover, ....

^wn.

Pounda.
. . 1
. . 1

. . 8
. . 8

m

A m.xt^ure for permanent lawn pastures, or pastures

y.ng m he v,cmity of dwellings L p„bli;Udy.u"::

^iK're the owner has some reganl to fineness and

eauty of horbage, should, I thinic, be con.posed of .

still larger number of species.

The following is suggested as most likolv to .po,,re
the end desired: '

fH

11

• fl^!'

Pounds.

.4

a** RECAJ^D TO HABIT OF GROWTH.

Permanent Lawn Pastures.

Meadow Foxtail 3 ,

owei't-sceiiteii Wriiiil, ... o i„„„ X,

Orchanl (Ma..., ... ' ' ;*""««•■"««

Hard Fescue, . t ^•'"S'-«"^l'<ed Meadow ;■

SlK.ep'« Fescue, .' .' .' ." ^ , '^ '- Oat Gra.. j

„, , ., -i ; Red Clover

Meadow Fe.wue. . ., ! „ .2

It-ilian R,e Grass. . ! ! - ereunial Red Clover. ,

Perennial R,e Gr^s. . . .' : .' " ^ p^'"'« ^'-er. ^

Timothy „ —

^' 43

In all such niixturo^ flm «n,.i.
autumn o,,,„,,l, a, " o i m '' "'"'"^ "'"' "'" '"'«

+1 !• , "^'""f^*-? ^i« to be reaurdcf f 'i-., . „
lK.,-eto,c, ,v ,d, „,o cl,a,act.n^o,l In- i,. JTT;
late Kioivtli, l.econio of im.,t , , • ""''

outV:„':s;;.':"':::;,::;'i:;'^^ir ™" '■» n'—" "''i.-

of expoHa,o ,,,!.; ,' ;," ' . ^S*-'-' ,"'" ""l-'-auce
and » II,.,. ,,ua,r,i b of 0 I " ; ",""'''"'' "' -^l"-'""-'

Tall Oat Grass, .
Tall Fescue.
Meadow Fe.scue.
Meadow Foxtail,
Orchard Grass,

Hard Fe...c.,e ' Tufted Hair Grass.

Sheep's Fe..c;;, ; .' .' V' W.''.*^'r''* ' ' '

Qu^'kin. Grass: ..:[::['-' ' '''°'''' • •

t^'onib Grass

P'JUlKis.

Pminds. I

■ • H Sfl'eet.sccrted Vcrnai 1

• . 1 J i Timothy !.'"''

. . 1 [ ' June Grass.

• . 1 Redfop

d

20i

wo, and tl,.„ to l.K.ak up agau,, regard „l,o„ld be l,ad

Pounds.
' • ■ • . tj
. • ■ . . 4

1

• ' • . . '2

• .... 2
4

43

the late
auce of
(j'rasseiri,
lily and
taiice in
fies ai'o
aluele.ss

h1 with-
urtance
species,
! as the

I'liiiiids.

• . . 1

■ ■ ■ i

20i

3a r or
e liad

OUEEN MANUIUxNG I'LA.VTS «),s_-

to the hal.it of growth and tlie kind of root the gra.s
i"i-s. home species require three or four, and in some
cases SIX years, to become firmly rooted and fixed in
the soil; and they would, of co.irse, be unsuited to
alternate husbandry An.ono. them nuty be named tlie
meadow oxtad and the June ...ass, and others of a
snndar character will suggest tliemselves in studyinir

Again, some grasses have but a comparatively slijrht
J'"':' "I'on the soil, possessing few and bulbous roots
;vhiHi, when the soil is turned up, add but little to the
; -.ess of the mould; while otK.rs strike deep roots
'"anclungn. every direction, and fill the soil with a
vast an.ount of vegetable matter, and add to its rich-

"uch'tliev l'"^ K'^'" "'^'"'^ ""^ '""'•^'-■^' '-"er
^\ iiitii they leave ni it.

m «!,,„,,, i,mv „ eniicho, tl,„ soil, l,j. „„M„„i,
t „, ,k,„,. ,. long and .loop root, into the .nhj,
H .-I !lt...mg ,t l,-o,„ the scorching ravs of the sun hv

om t he ,t„,o,pl,ere, and corporifving if, „t i, „,,,e ,o

1 :,:;:," ■; ,i ,"";"i '"'"^ " '' ■'- p'-s'- ' i„

c on i . r; "^'"'' '^'t'" "P '"eive place to other

b r; t t ," I '' ■' ^T"' " ''"■'^<' -"""■» "f -'i°-

P 0<h ci, " , '^' '" *''" '°"- 1"'"^ importance of

.u,-C :^;r Th ' ""f .'° "^^ '•'■«<^'"W<^ n,o„l,, in ,!,«

-r r

286

f t ■

tl

DIKFKREXCK OF CLFMATE.

Tlie following is the Lawson',

le rotation :

8 mixture for grasses in

Mxtu^^/or Moxoing in the Itotathn.

Hedtop, . .~"7~r~rT! |-^

Italian Rye Grass, ... ^

t'orenriial llye Grass, ...,.' ' °

Orchard Grass I ^

Timothy _" ^

Heel Clover, ....*.'. ^1

Perennial Clover, ' ^

White Clover

As this mixture was desie-nerl fnr no • c ,
may be proper to remark th^tV T /" ^'^*'^"^' ^'^
Edinburgh is 55° 57^ w i ' j,' 7^ '' '•""^'^ "^"

21', yet the mean annua te^e- re oTtf" % '"' ''°
47° 1 Fnhr fl,..f f *i , '"P^'^^ure of the former s
^» .1 rdiu. riiat of the latfpr 18° o i, •

slight difference \>nt ' '^^^^^"g a very

not been proved sufficiently carnM^ Tf -^^^ ""

o..r drought, to give it ,„ ™" , "' "'"'•'"""'«ns

fixture, <hough,af airead »:g; , d^T"™ '," '"^
more careful trial ,l,an it 1„ vffreceivld ■ T"'^ "'
try. I would suggest the foil wi„?:;:„',.lf ' '°""-
for our purposes : ^ improvement

•.it
«- 3

4) CC

>> CO

8

8

6

6

3

8

6

6

9

9

4

2

2

4 '

i-

4

37

MIXTURES FOR OUCirARDS.

Mi:,turefor Moxvhuj in the Itotation.

28'

Redtop,

Italian Rve Grass,

Perennial %e Grass,

Orchard Grass

Tiniothj",

Rough-stalked Meadow,
Meadow Fescue,
Meadow Foxtail, .
lied Clover, . . . \ ,
Perennial Clover, . , ,
White Clover, . , .

1

a 2

3 4

3 1 3

6 8

n 9

— 2

2

3

2

8 ' 4

—

2

3
6

p

8

4

2

4

3

2

4

4

lands are studded with fruit-trJ, . i fw mowing

3/2a:^M

'-e /or ^ay m Orc/m7-rfs and Shaded Places.

r»..«i.- . « Pounds. I

Orchard Grass, ... a \v. i ir . Poinds.

Hard Fescue, 6 W ood Meadow Grass 4

Tall Fescue,. ^ ; Rough-stalked Meadow Grass.

Italian Rye Grass" " ^jJuneGrasa

Perennial Rvrr 3 | Perennial Red Clover, . .

erennial Kye Grass, ... q wkWo m > • • .
Timothy, ........ • V^h'te Clover.

Redtop ■ . .' .8

. 2
. 4

, 3
4

42

The above mixture will mvo „ „^,,x

'ia.iea pjacGfa. a large allowance

288

MIXTURE FOR RECLAIMED

SWAMPS.

i^ nm.Ie for bad seed ; but if the purehuser is eor.fi.lent
tf.e .seed ,s good, from u careful trial ns n

;• pi-oy.ous page, tn-o pounds niav be

I'ecomiiieiidt'd on

on such places. " T„e fo,,owi,,7„;nI.\"Z,',:::^^'
Mixture /or 3Jow!ng o,i LUjkl Lands.

/> I , „ Pounds. I

.IuneGra«.,. 4 Peronnml %e Grass.

3 English Bent, . , .

3 Crested Dog's-tail, .

Meadow Soft Grass. • .' .' ." " ' ' I VZTm r"^ ''"'''''
Rediop, 3 BlackMed.c

'^■■"-" RyeG'ra.." .' [ '. \ \ ' " ^ h^'"''' ^'-er.
Red Fescue, .

Hard Fescue,
'fall Oat Grass,

PounJs.
. . .6
. . 9

4 I Sainfoin,

. 1

. 3

.2

.4

2

46

lorn) or i,v t,„ " S''™"'^' e™^'*" (J!?''"^

"-.eacof he pe'elK;;:"'™" ^^:;.? ' ^">'«""»>'

^"^""■o /or RecUim^ p,„„j j^^,^^^

p. . Poumla.

•^'0''"' 9 D , o Po«n''«-

Redfop, , . ' "^'- ^'•nary Grass 4

Hard Fescne. .' .' 2 Tj^othy, \^

Meadow Foxtail ° ^"^''-'^'^'Iked Meadow Grass. . .3

Mead„wF.,.cae, . .' .' .' .' ' ' ' t^f^''^'^ '

Kowl Meadow.. . . 4 j Jf /'"■^'•' ' '

r.alianRvo Grass. . ^ Wh.te Clover 4

2
.4

I'ereiinial %e Grass, .

.41
.6

47

I'S.

< confident
neiided on
1 fiom the
Italian or
itiier.
Jier for a
''or light,
i of such
0 do best
le as a

Pounds.
. . 6
. . 2
. . 1
. . 3
. . 2
. .4

')

46

haps he
(Boute-
sacum),
iving is

Pounds.
• . .4

33,

.6

.3

,2

4

4

MIXTUKE FOR GRAVELLV SOILS.

289

f ''l'-.™i,.«. a„a tl ,: Toft .rH:'"," '1' "'" '"'■'""'
t" ™ako ,1,0 ,„„»t valuable W ol.* ^ /"""^ •■""'

to tl,o case if ear .^ „ "''"""=" "* ""> ■'0^*. as will
-..rthless ,vhe„ „,e ball: ' " I"; ,:r"""'""y»'>-

I'C early grasses ought to be k, rf I .,
"■"' ;l- lato ones by tb^^elve tl ; '^;,"'""^^''-^^'

oiiglit to be made so i« fn i • ', '^*^ ^'^' ^'^o mixtures

-^'^ of most of the plants .'t'r° " ^"""^ ^^^ ^^—
^"■tl- and great ^;1^^^;^^^^^
tl- work over a longer sea "„ r', 'm^' ^' ^^^'^"^^^^«
othenvi,so i.eidont to tl^Zy Lr^'T/'^ '"'^'^
can begni on the early .masses Z T ■ , J ' ^'""^'^'S
or Qven earlier, while vft Z i f "'' '"'^^ *^^ J^^"^'
J^e delayed till the ^::Vt^'' Ct ',"" ^^'^^^^
tlnng to promote this n<reif- J, ^^^"trd^ute sonie-

thefollo^v•ing:-_ ^ ''^^ ^^"Provement, sve suggest

■^«^^y Grass Mature. (For One Aore ■)

Orcliard grii,«s

Tall meiidow oat ^rass

Perennial rve grass

June (or Kentucky blue) graJs
Meadovv foacue grass . .
Red clover

6 lbs. = ^ bushel.
G lbs. = 1 busliel, nearly
C lbs. = J bushel.

4 lbs. = i bushel.

7 lbs. = i bushel.

5 lbs.

rw

I< . I •

! if

290

Alsiko clover
Perennial clover

TIME OF BLOSSOMING.

• • .5 11)3.

. 5 lbs.

Tln.s mixture is designed for iiiowing-Iots and f„r hay.
Ihe grasses in tliis mixture are all early. Must of
tlieni, under ordinary circumstances, will blossom by
the mi.Idle of June. They are all rich and nutritive,
an.l will make the best of hay, if cut in season and
properly cured.

Lafe Grass Mixture. (For One Are.)

Timothy grass ... 1 1 ii,= i i

,,, , . • • • • 1* lbs. = 1 peck;

iu'd-top grass . . /, ,, i , , .

rn,,,, e ^ <5 lbs. = 4 bushel.

rail fescue grass 5 i,,^_ _ ^ ,,,^^,^^j

ough-stalke.l meadow grass ... 5 lbs. = i bushel"
ho,IeIslan<l bent grass. . . . 4 lbs. = ^ bushel."
lerennial clover 5 j,,j|

Ked clover . . r- il '
5 lbs.

Alsike clover

5 lbs.

The grasses in this mixture are all late. Timothy and
red-top rarely ccjine to blossom before July. They will
not .suffer if the scythe does not go into them till after
the 4th. J hese seeds can be i)roeured of any first-class
importing seedsman, and they should be sown about
the middle of August, if the ground is in suitable con-
clition; it not, as soon +^ jreafter as may be If a
farmer has, say, ten acres .0 lay down, let him sow one
halt ot it with the early mixture and the other half with
the late. If he will keep an eye on the result of the
experiment for two or three yaars, considering the
qualify and quantity of the hay and the value of
the aftermath, he will find that, though the mixtures
may cost a triHe more than he would pav for the ordi-
nary mixtures of timothy and red-top, his outlay for
these mixtures will be worth to him more than ten
times the cost.

--^sni

lul for hay.

Must (jf

•lossom by

nutritive,

ieasuu and

pcckj

i bushel.

r l)ii.sliel.

! 1)iisIk>1.

bushel.

notJiy and
They will
I till after
first-class
vu about
able con-
je. If a
I sow one
half with
lit of the
ring- the
value of
mixtures
the ordi-
itlay for
;han ten

drecl i;u„,„„ ,,„.,,| ,. '•""-•» - ioi, ol ,i,„ ,„.o |,„„.

specie. „(■ g„K., n,i.xo,| U o,r„ '""'" "'"" '»-

Aa oxaiiiplcs of tli„ ir,.ii,.,-,l , V
".« '"'lowing mig,,t ,:";^.;^X;" '•"■"'""■ 'or ....,„. ,.«„,,

i ; .':« ,';ys;*r; • -j,'>' ■-. -,.,„„ » „„. ,.„, ,„„

< '=■/ iLutop, 1 bushel M4 ihq \ t:, ..

clover. ^" '^s.) rmiothy, 10 to Ij H,s

7- ^ -marts di ,,,.) re:itop';' iV';V.';,'''f'^.'«'^-«'ovc.r.

, „.^^j;-«;;.^l pint white'dover ^ '''''""'^' " '"^''^^^ '"eJ

..2- ^i ^I'rl: ShJI'^TS;:.!' ''?-„!^''^ "^^'^ T'"-t"^. C lbs. clover.
Ji- J Pe^;^ -it^ 3 r S.i ;^'1 !^ S^-> ^'-%. 10 lbs. clover.

■ 1- l^'iuar J S;:'r'''"?^.^=^>'- clover.

1 7. 5 pecks u ,lton A . ''"'""-' ^""""'y. 1 « lb., clover.

18. 1 bush , uj; *1 ';'f J"""^"^' ^ !-• clover.
19- 1 peck re,lt ': pec r i;"'^' ' '''•^- ^'-O''-

<"vo:.:,^. ™:r;,,:ii ™'««-* '- ^"°" *'■« --oo.,i„g
.•ect;:it.tn:;r:,:ov„T;f '' °' "■= '''•^-»' -«'.^

'"pp"

■* , /

292

GRASSES NATURAL TO THE SOIL.

difi-erenec in their weight ; u given number of pound^
of .some species contuining nmny more seedn, nnd there-
lore producing a tlir larger number of plunt« than an
ecpiul weight of others.

There are few points in our practice, it socms to me
wliere greater imi.rovements could be made than in the
selection and mixture of our grass-seeds. If the money
which IS now literally thrown away, by over-seeding
with one or two species, were c.xpen<led in prociiriii"'
other species and improving our mixtures, there is but
httle doubt that the aggregate profit on our grass crop
would be much greater than it now is.

Some maintain that one or two species are suflicient
because certain grasses are " natural," as they say to'
their laud, and come in of th-mselves. This may', in
some cases, be true to some extent, for such gias'ses
will come in, in time ; but wo arc liable to lose sight of
the fact that the loss of a full yield, in the mean time, is
often very serious.

But the inference which farmers draw from this fact
IS not a legitimate one, for they say that it proves that
the grasses that come in '' naturally." that is, the wild
grasses, are best adapted to the soil, and will produce
more largely than others in that locality. But this, if
carried out to its natural consequences, would lead' to
the conclusion that new species of {.lants should never
be introduced into any soil, because those best suited
to It grow there "naturally," -a principle which no
man will assort.

Oil the contrary, ne great object of all intelligent
farming is to improve upon nature, and to increase the
natural capacities both of the soil and of the plants
which grow on it ; and the introduction of new species
and varieties is one of the most effectual means of ac-
complishing this end. Particular species of plants do

M

nilTATION O,. CAITHK. 293

aoci,io„t .-4-,l , . '"."'•■■""> '"" "l»-" IVon, nioro

i;:X rrvr'-
plants or vurieties of .Z • . i ^'''^ '""''^ ^"'"'""»

IS vorv o-enpr-illv- .iwr. j • mai ,i ^t t.iii) >,)ecie.s

by M.,y nieiu.s, prove tli-it it f- I ^"'-'' "o^'

of thut distri . t nn ' Vr ''• ""''^'^' '" ^''^' '^"''

be sure to co ne n if ' h ,"' ^'^'^■"^^■^' "^^•- ^''^^^ ^t will

ongin. it w.,s ior rio^^L^X;'^'^' ""^'^'•"
commenced tli(.ii,.„t i„ ■ ''"" Practice

a thick .U.1 K„„ ';,,d o';''''r, " ^''"" "■'"■'" '" f"™

species l,a, bed """'"'»'{. '"looted „,„„l,e,- of

qitickly. '° "«<""l'l'»l' tl.is object most

of'S.Lo''::!^:^"^" "n°»- «■'•"■ -- d0K,.ee
tl.o impo,- ,:„ of en,"'!''' ' """'•' "•'" '■"'■- '»

in ovci-.see,li„.- ,.;tb ul f * """' -"i^'i'ined

or rnedi,,,,, - L ^r.ifrV'"^''-'' ""'' <™™ ™all

lures of gmsJl ""' '"""'"°" '" "'« "i^-

More than si.,, , ears r.g„, carefu, e.peHmeuts were

294

TIME OP SOWING GRASSES.

r'fi

■ ' ■:■ if

'I i

il!

U<"i I.'

« ou <l .settle the question a. to the best tin.e of sovvino-
g ..* coJ, „„J tl,e i.raetice of sce<li„g do,™ i„ t|,c fkU
«a» tl,e„ co„mK.„ce.l l,y a fo„- iujividuals. At a,
before i,at t,„,o, the practiee of scviag iu ti.e snH !
was „,„v-er.al, „,„! the sa.ae cstoa, InJven ™, c 2
I>.eva,lec„ll w ,hi„ a ve,,- few years. Both ' ^ fe'-
t.ce a,„l the op„„o„ of the host praetieal larn,ers ia t he
no them and eastern sh.tes have changed to a con' d
erable extent, and it is now eoanno.dy ^,0,,..°," be" 1 1„
• sow gras..seed in the fail, early in .^^.tea.be if pol •
be, m,.x,ng no grain or anything else with it, tl Ig I
there are, and always will be, son.e cases where hi

iJ^Z T"?° "° "°'"'* """ '' ''' '■" "'o-^' »'os, an

gcthc. Jhe follownig stjitement of „n ,VNnerienced
and successfal tinker will enable ns to o a„ e| e ,d
owte change was broaght aboat, thongl, „„ ^^ d
tried the same expernnent long before "him. "Jlore
than twenty years ago, wo had several dry summe ,!
the spnngs of which I had sown grass-seed w t C
bar oy, and sometia.e.s wheat, and lost „„st of ^y Li
by the dronght. I coal.l scra,,e it np, the plan"\e „„

;:;:: Litdi-:';:' "'"' '"''"'• """ --"• '^"-'"^

Other n.rmers probably experienced the same diffi

d -^r-;;: t^ir;; !";''» r^™"^^|-■o... onr ":.;!!

tint we mi' , , ?"' *"" " '^ '•'"'' «•»" ""'ierstood

tbatwemnst calculate on a drought ia some part of

be sunuucr, and grass will sulfer more from d ought

Imn fron, Irost. Hence the propriety of fal ^itg

Ibere are some localities, undoubtedly, where l^

PRACTICAL OPmoxs. 095

tl'o gmmul i <,rto,rC 'iM . P™--^""".'- "f (lio sea,

greater reason is, tliat i,, f ,lr 1 ^ ! '^'"^ """"'"r
of weeds, ,vi in ' , 1 r''"'« ' S<=' '-''I "fa crop

"I rather preft t e V. m"*?''"' «"■"=•■ -rites me.
down iand.*^ T L e .sn , T, ,'" '"'«'"^' '"'^ ■"«'='I'"S
summer dr.,„gl, l , eU „ ' ' "' "•" "•■->""'''>■ l".vo t

the summer droiiL'litsn,.,,...., ' '*"™ soonei-

"■later, tl.ey l" tot .a"!?!, '"J"" "" J"""K '''aJ.-s
at t,,„t'de,:,.ee of m it7 »"• rV^''"' ""' r'^
the ensuing season." He sa^ ato tl, r'/'- '^°°'' ""P
" is f„„n,i necessary to so v wiH ' '," ""•'■ "'""■

«.e sprinp.and not n tl, II ifon'"' ',■' "'"'"'^ '■" "'
■aeiids " the latter n.,r, !f a '^"°"'" fa'mer .ecom-

Septeml,or fo "eL^^d 7T "'"^ "'« '"»""' °f

unless t„at i::^2:!z'\x:; iiT' i^r'"'-

fvs some of i> m.,,. i ^i . t.aitii is vorv drv.

ParingHie I ,1 , ,;." ;"'/'"r,""'° '"■°"S'" "P '" P'-
"re to s„p "rt f' wi ', h' "°' '""'"« '"""■"""-■'' '""■»'■
'iBi.ter so'elirlln: rirJ'!!:.:'.:?' ^'""•!— "f tl.e
to

•^Pi-nnt. for a lack of

perhaps, swell by moisture, but fiul

perisli, while oth

nourishment, and

t'l-s will be blow

consequentlj'

ii

11 away by the wind

ril

29G

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.

olii l-iuj.. Clover shoukl be sow,, i,, ,1,^ ' ,i,|t ,„

o ,";;,;:; ""T'n"" """■ "'" '■'-^' - °'" »'■ "- s r„,d

rathe, tl,u„ .„e„e,. ,„ ,|„ „„t„„„ ,,^ "^0,

too severe for the tender loots."

A„ exi,erie„eeJ forn.er wiitcs as folh„vs .• " 0„ raoist
lai,cl I p,-eier to turn over the creen .«..i,.,l „,Y

sprint-"' "F^h-mK a /^^ i"^i tlut 1 sow oarly m

ber r the b i.^Tlr/'T "'"'^' 1^'"' "f ^^=P*-

anothe,, "a. hi ,h„ of ,:':::•;.; f/.f ''"■d." -.V^

not be bu,-„ed up by the 8u„\^''" ,•- '""•'""<'

Another «•,,. . .. r f • ^ ■'■ '■""''' '"J in «|iiMiir "

^>T.te„tbe;:to';;;z ;,:„!■;;';:::". ;',::;:" '-r -'

t'oe he,.o is to .eed wtth wheai^ rv'^lf.^ --'bro:

'fombor, if
ml be pre-
(-»ras.s-.seocl
'(3 killed in

0 time of
', or grav-
f<priii<v as
e gruuncl,
probably,
*!• i.s often

Oil moist
sr haying-,
1st, after

grass an
loiith of
mowing,

early in

i^eptem-
fl," says
■oot, and
f^pring."
it to the

oats or
'ummer-
e grain,
'-i taken
)ne sea-

uit "if
iiith to ,
L'oss in
,nist or

1 prac-
bor or

PALL AND SPRING SOWING. 297

uit not <r:r''^r;!:™'^ r"" -t '"' ^™«-""^

spring, l,«c,.u,e it wint r.k L" T" i;"™ "»"" '" "'o

on tli,3 sui.jcct; some ,„„i;.,- . "'"""'"""■■< i«gion
with tho .irin,- K,, i, ,-f°"' "'" 6'-"'«-'"--o<I

sow in A.gLt.'' I " ., ' '^^ r'"" """"■' r-efcr to

ti^.H-ti.Vo„n;;:is:;;t::i.r''«^-p^^^^

designed for mowing „ Ln 1?^^'"'° ''"»" '-"'
sown in Maicl, the L, ,„V' ' " '""*"" """ 'f

tW eflcct» ol' heavy'l" I r,T"" '? ?■"'""•' '™'»
"P well, an,l if »own l^ ' ' '';V'f 1"^''' ""' ™'"»
does not „t,ui„ ,h,.t deg."! of Z.uK'"""" "" e''"--
withstand tho froonon frn^.tl, ,'"-' '" '"'"^''» " '«

eeeding winto,-. "'^;:"'„':, . ^:'f,r^ ! "rii-i"'' '"^ ^-

protect tho young grns,, on thi ,1, T T-"".'"

to sowing irrass^,..,,! ..ft '"'» '^'•""l- Jheohjocfion
prob„I,l/appl to tif 7 ''"S'f'' I'an-est will „ot
lesschaigiiZ" *'''"°'' "'•"" 'I- winter are

On a rie,;, oo^n.pa^^'ot'l.'v ' .^1: ril.T'i T"''^i
sown in April or Af-iv 1,,,^ t """^ ^^'e"

% reason is, that whfu'l' ha™ e tVrr "T-"-
the spring, 1 have sown rye or oafs ■ , n * ' '1

genera ly; if not •! prn„ „c , ''" *-'rass.seed

n»urp thVpIace V , ™^.:ln!t Tf ,"""« "" """
a hot and dry July wl A nf , ', ,°''"'' *'""" "'"- "nd
escaped the Lt: !u,d wetdf r' -o«id e.xternnnate what

on"!;::;;::z!:r::!,!;'^i-«™-r-"^*^

tl.e character of hi„and and ;.ife:;:"tt"i'tS^r

,J

I

298

■1

!

>i

J

' ■' i

i.i 1

ill If:!

NO UNIVERSAL RULE.

||r 5

fonc hat „o season ,s without its exposure to loss-
fo ,if Ave sow in autumn and have an open and 1.
Winter, with frequent changes from cin^u-unHv "'

^-•J thawing, weather to excessive cold t^lo, '' ""™
wdl be likely to suiler ; while, if we o'w n ' """' ^"Z'
some kind of grain as oats Z}1 ^P^ng with

drouo-ht in s.Trl " "'^^s, barley, or rye, and have a
uiou^ut m .jnng or summer, as we generallv do ih.
grass may be injured, and may be enthelv k Ll ' V
invariable rule for all soils .nV ^ ^'^^ ^"^

But the weight of ll^ ,/ 1^^ fix": '^ ''''T
autumn as the best season t! P""" ^^'^y

it alone withnnf 7 '"'"^ grass-seed, sowing

11 cuone, witiiout a grain cron- inrl +i.„ i„ /• °

J!'li!!'T "."■' ■'";■''"''■'' "'■l''^- '■> ™0' strong clavey
80,. «l„cl, refa,,, a largo amount of mottnro. On such
BO, s tho frost is very liable to "heave" the root/ n1
m,lo,,s they , re ,olled very early in spring ,v ,i h it
suol. lands, is not usually practicable, the ymng pan,"

equ.e thorough drainage. They are difficult to til
ofitably w,thout it, and, when once thoroughly
dra,ned, tho sa,ne rule, as to tho time of sowino-, wou d
apply to them, as to medium soils °

wWeh'slt'i;?";' •" !'" '•""' °f «««'i"e down land,
iMnch should be found to wo,k best in one latitude
would necessarily apply i„ a different climate"and undl;
different cn-cumstauces. '"aic,aua under

"'^'sio

"6 to loss ;
iiid severe
vol V warm
>uiig grass
mug with
11(1 have a
ly do, the
lied. No
he given.
>on early
1, sowing
m proper
siderably
rise from

g clayey
On such
:)ots, and
hich, on
ig plants
known,
t to till
roughly
;, would

'•n land,
atitude,
3 under

CHAPTER IX.

TIME AND MODE OF CUTTING GRASS FOR HAY.

ITavixg carefully selected and judiciouslv mixed and
sown his grass-seed at a proper season, on land properlv
prepured, the hmnev may confidently hope to have an
abundant crop ot grass the following year, when there
atu..tlly arises one of the most important questions in
the economy of the farm, and that is when Jo cut grass
o make into hay, or at what stage of its growth it is
most valuable for that purpose. This is a poin on
which even experienced farmers differ, but the wei-ht
o authority will be found strongly f^r cutting a ?! e
time ot flowering, ^

Most practical farmers, in answer to this question
^ay that hay ,s sweeter, and possesses more nutHmin '
^yheu cut in full blossom, than at any other stage. 0 1'
of the most intelligent farmers in the country says • ''J
prefer to cut grass when in blossom, because it'will
m.d^e more milk and more fat, and cattle prefer it to
that tand.ng later. It keeps them healthy. I have no

th?fi r.-n !I" "''"1 ^'""^ ''''^^'' "^^'-^ if" it stands in
lie field till the seed forms, and for this reason some

who sell most of their hay let it stand." - When dl

B.gned for milch cows, store, or fattening animals "

says another, " I prefer to cnf in th^ u^ i '

. / ' A picicr 10 cut in the blossom, because

It makes more milk, more growth, and more beef For
work.n^ cattle and horses I cut about six days after the
pollen has fallen, because it does not scour or loosen

(299)

300

PRACTICAL FACTS,

that roweuCll nn^ < r"'"'', '""" 6™-' "-"hint

ti.n-vo bono,, tl; ::';::f::;^' """";r '■"'-»'

'•al(li> lia,d- at work U', , , '' f* '" "'" ™»" "f
wo„l,i not bo caton „t nil ■ ' • " ■'""""' '" "'"turo,

PoI^irS:':;;-t;i; -;-';;" .»™o. „„ „„

to fall, a„.l bclbro tl.oy I hvV . ,• 11 "T"!"' '"^'e'"
««.no,-, ,„oro «voo,m1 , .1 i "„'""". ""'" ''' "'^

blo«,om,a» it i» tbcn in tl „ be ",,'; " T II'^' ''" "'»
^vou.ly „nd „,„ob swoe "r t ' , ' 'T""«'-''-'»»
roots in betioi- 8t-i(, f , '■' '"''■ '«"'"■■' tlie

crop." Ano I o, V ° "; V°T^' " """'^"'' '"""'"I

" Wo out i„ iz: : : 'f ; ,':7"»' '-■-•■■ ^ays.-

to stock. If allowo, tn , . '■'" '"""' l'"'''tablo

■t IS i].orouso<l in value at Wl '""-'■'•''''' ""l^-'-'J,
from n,y own o.xporio e ' i^ tb-M;';""""' ''^'■""l
soouordie out if allowcl f„ , , «'"'"""'* '""
wbo p,o(b,.s to cut r: "' ''""'•■■' ^^ f^"-""--'-

«avs,'.It w II uotl , ""'"r"-"" "■'"••" '•■' I'l-^'"".
till sonu. < f o :it ir", "°,i"""' »'■ <■""•' "-'"w
An intelligent In."'. A ' "'"" "'" "'"" -""•"

Ensiisb pts is •: Zn b Is r-n r:;;;:;'-''^' '7"":

.t.os it can bavo. P,,,n, ,1,,. V i - if;! '"".''-

value ,n proportion to tbe tin.o win cl it i "" I"
Lay sboubl bo cut mtber green I f , ll . • 7"^"

-al <iry.-. Anotber savs f''wl c , "bo , ",7' ' " '"f
blossom ialU Tl.^ • , °"* *"*^ *"no the

ossom lalJ.. The grass is then at its full growth. If

I

3 blossODl."'

S8, We think
> or hordes,

tllO C'flHO of

Ji'«, that ill!
' stock tule-
to mature,

'er on fin's
<onis hi'giij
t Ijiis more
liui if out
3ut Jater."
'ifij in tho
iiig-,— less
eaves the
or annual
iier says :
I>alatal»le
lie re is a
^\'liich is
<", 'iideed,

(lerivecl
'ses will
- farmer
I'h'.'^som
meadow
'111 out."
" Wlien
od qual-
loses in

Swalo

is hard

imo the

th. If

THEOIiY ^ND PRACTICE. 301

it Stands muc.h longer, tho leaves begin to dio .t H
'bottom, ani f irt mi...... '^ uj mjo at tlie

fi"Mi< „;. „ ,: f ■ ' r'Tr ";""'■ '""' '""■'' • -"I I

fired If u • . ' '<-t*s It Will weii-h w mmi

to feci ,mt t„ „,.u- n,il,.|, I'lossorii; l„,t, if

r-'o'- '" out it :. .:'t'; '""jt";-; r "■'"'"■; ' "■'■'""

I"'-'-." On.' , ," """■;„"'""^^' 'l<M.l,le tl,at out

red clove hcibi TT 7'"/""'™- "' '^"' "'X

'"'II- of tho CL ' , , ^"■^' ', 7" " ^'''•■"' o"ly oue
«-l.-u i, s,. /,•,,'"?,'■'" ■".!"•■»<' more l,y |,„|,;
when cut ;,:!, o"-,;,^";;^"- ''">■ ■" "•« '-■" n,«ol, i,eavie,.

of r;r»rrp;:t:i' r """°"' i™'" » '-«° -»'-■

eonut,,-, nKli™,";'"; "'j:^^;:,;'-^' '" "■"■-■o>;t Pa.t. „r,l,o

individuals show tl,..f f..,., """^; ''»" tifty (hUerent
^ Miow rnat larmers prefer f<> r-nf fi,

before Wos«,ul^ i;,'!'-'"? " " "P"' »'"' S-^'erally

PHnc:;ir.'nf "oii^Tne';:'' ■■ 't-"*" "" ^ ---'
^.t-o„. ^-,™cip,esstatedi;.; ,^^^^:ttT:

PnoVmciAL LWRARy
VICTORIA. D. C.

! ii;H

II

302

PROCESSES OP GROWTH.

been .een that the nntritivo substances of ^rass are

such . . sug-ar, ghiton, and other compound.. Xou- i
eyulent that, if tin's is so, the ,n-ass should be a '■

ff onth the sugar and other sohible substances a-ridu

a y .ncrease, till the,- .each their n^axinnnn ^.^^

he Mosson, or when the seed is fully formed in the

^0 I. from tins per.od the saccharine matter constant v

.r ;:r-" f*!;.^--'^ «^>-' p--^-tiy insoh^^i^

^^ate,, and mnutnt.ous, increases till after the seeds

c:::rifrS"'^"^''^p''"^^^

cou .0, ,f the plant ,s not cut in the tlower, a great mrt
of t e nutrnnent of its stems and leaves is 'wafte'l '

J^T\r7'' "'^'^^''°'" *° ^'"^ '■" tl.o natural
gia se., as a ready seen in considering- their nutritive

mattei n the npen.ng of the seed. Most of the masses
00, make a greater quantity, of hay when out a the

r„ °f ,n rrt? "'°"^" *'' "'^•^" ^"^'-^ ''^' "»

oeen touii 1 to be an exception to tliis rule Fowl

neaclow, a so, contains an equal quantity of pro iuce a

the t,me of r.pening the seed and at the time o W„s

sonnng and the na.ritive matter at both pert t

about the same. It will be found in practice'gen III"

lit

' grass are

ill water,
'. Now, it

b(j flit at
it of those
contains a
;s earliest
'OS gradii-
orcentage
od ill the
'onstantly
iohihlo ill
the seeds
cay. Of
^reat part
ted.

e natural
nutritive
riods of
•ass, Sin-
the seed
i to five ;
in more
1 at tlie

loss of
tnt been
lutritive
grasses,

at the
tail has
Fowl
luce at
)f blos-
iods is
uerallv

RESULT OF OBSERVAIIOXS. 303

Imps, mo,o LyZZ , ™"""" "' " I'""-." or pcT-
vital tv o. th!., , i ?"'"'' J' '"''"'■"• '" "'"^'l' (1.0

^vitl,o„t reference io I '•' '" '''"'" '' "'■■''■''"«''.
proceed tl.o ?! '""'''' °' '"""'""•<'■ F'""' tl.co

".Kl from tl,„ te r '"'"'"'■' ',''" ''"""^ I'-'.

fibres fenj!;; .r;,:™::?/''^"^'' ""'''» ''"-■•-

tain am„;,'r"f "nrtHr"' •'"■='"'™"'* °'' '"'--. " oer.
loave.,„rretn d n, 7" i- assin.iluted i„ ,|,e

" ti;rir.: ^nr^rf - '; -™'>'-'-.

desiccation or drvn».. appe.uance ol u state of

directly above f i^^ tl,e "Z? "°"'"™^';"*; "' " P"'"'
rtem, near the cro n o tie uber ;"'"'"', J.""'* "f "'»

''-icoation Kradualirpr gresse „i™';' "'","7' *''»
portion of tl.e stall- tlinV , I "P™"'*. and fl,e last
adjoining tlV^^ '^"', y.^'l.Y'P.';* fresl.ness is ,l,at
thi, n,.,° • ■ '^'"""'lent ivuli llie bejriunii,.- of
tl>.3p.ocesa >s t,.e full development of the 's eedlfanj

B

4

304

GROWTH OP TIMOTHY

^'^^^=t^ic::^L-^z:^^::^

W I

ii

1 1

ill

fi>

Fig. 15S.

tliei

,/1

/.

/'J

^7.

Fife'- 159.

V!^

ne,r req„,.s,te supplios of n«trition, and <l,at neitl.er the
atalk nor the leaves are longer neces.ar, to aid them t

-*t,..

SU(U;,.:.STIVE concll'sioxs.

0.3

'- nnfuno- of that o,-.an Fi ' r<, ' """""^'"^
^^■'^^ ^•>>^ after to ,u t ' . ' "'" "''""'' ^''^^ '^^'^'k

^'^■'-'^^■^'on will I.. ,Jj,;'2 '; '^"'^^'•'^^'-•Ppl/.s
<^c'aso, an.I an ..(fort will ho n ' . '■'"'' -'■""■^'' "'''"
^•^'"'l'"^^ out small, lateral tnli .. V ''''"'';" ^''" '"•''"•.^' l'^'

'-'--iti,- stalks \viii;;'o^'r;T "''^'' ^^•'^'^^^

original tubers. Tl.is is ^,.,,, ! \. ,''. expense of the
«^''tel,^ perish eitlJ';"r".!'^^^-^^^- All .ill nlti-

"t- flu.

ni'ilciv ,,0,-wl, ,.i(T,„,. I ;,"'"' '''K- I'^K. All

"•'•'■"•••. "■ left to /,.o if :;,,::," "■"■" '''"•'■"^' •'-•

of tiie year, the result will i.. „,'''">' '''-'"son

-'-■'t>viii„p,«,:'!;4''j,;''» ''-'I. of ,,,„,,,,,,,,

rMsturo. ■^ ^ '"'-' ''""o'ved to run ij, tl,e

»n;-j;:;;;'t,'z;,:;-,'^.";p.,Ti.„,,,,,,

™once,l on tl,e Stalk, L notdi, ,t7'",""' '"" "'""•
" ■» not ve,y e«ontia| wi.e ^ t , i""Position.

«'rl,er „r later, p.ovide.l tll ." l'«'»"no,l a wock

! n

11

;P«-

3()G

KlLLlr.1' BY CLOSE MOWING.

II

$. All iittoinptm at closo Hliavinp^ tlie nwiird Hlumld bo
avoi(lf«l whilo using tho scytlic, and in yaugiii;;- niow-
iii^"' niacdiiiicM cro slioiild lie (akcii to niii tliuiu so Iiinh
that tlu'v will net cut tliu 'riinotliy Ik'Iow tlio second
joint aliovo the tulx-r.

1 liavo frccjucntly |Mili(>d up tlu- I.hIImius roots of
Timothy from the Htul»l)lo, from wliicli a lu'avy cron had
l.cen cut with tho scythe, wfiilo in ilowcr, lor tho' pur-
pt)SL> ot studying the changes whicli were taking place
ill these tuhers, and have found them very simiiai to
those represented in Figs. 1.")!) and 1(;(». not only on
moist, dam[) soils, but also on soils comparatively dry.
Any farmer can satisfv himself of the correctness of
tiiese representations by a little observiition in his own
fielils : and, us tho point is of practical importance, it is
Worthy of carelul attention.

The facts above alluded to have fallen under the ob-
servation of a practical farmer, who writes me as fol-
lows : "The proper time to cut Timothy is after the
seed is formed, and is full in the milk. It will then give
about twenty per cent, more weight than when it is just
coming into the blossom, and tho cattle will eat twenty
per cent, less and keep on their flesh. And I prefer
also to cut it at that stage of its growth, on account of
the roots being better able to withstand the di'ought.
It should be cut four inches from the ground, as most
of tho Timothy is killed by mowing close and early,
before it has come to maturity. ] h ive kept 'J'imothy
thick and sti'ong :i) the land six years hv 'bilowing tlu3
method. I have noticed that mo-^i S i<, iu - died out
by once or twice close and early mowing, before the
grass has come to maturity. If it is dry weather, it is
sure to die when so cut. I lost a wdiole field of it by
mow'ng too closo 'and early, and I consider the four
i'lches at the bottom of coarse Timothy of little value."

■^.

<1 tilionld bo

uyiii;^- mow-

liuiii f<o liij^h

tilt' secoiitl

lis i\)()t.s of
vy noM iiiiil
for tlio |iur-
r.kiiiL:' phico
V siiuiliir l<>
lot only on
itively thy.
■rec'tiiO!!i8 of
ill liis own
rtaiiLH.', it is

(li;r tlio ob-
iiie as fol-
s alter tlio
11 then give
on it is just
cat twenty
1(1 I prefer
aeeount of
le drought.
11(1. as most
and early,
pt Tiinotiiy
lowing this
> died out
before the
ather, it is
Id of it by
'r the four
ttle value."

METHOtS OF CUTTIN-a. gg^

ir tho seed is allowerj to rii.en Jf .
«'•• mure than if eut in the bl v^ ' '^''""'^'"^ ^'^° «f""I

1''- old ,uethods o e i """• • .
^'' ---y I'-ctieal/i. ''''^,;:''r '-' '-^ -Wluniiiar
^'•ynn.st boguthered , \« '^'"■^^'^'^■"'^■^•-"'n-

^•''^'"■"-' -'•tl^ii/lint;.ndT'"^''"^ '''"'• ^'^ ^° '-•

-• i^eearious, generally oppt ::^ ,;7'^- ^^^i^
t.tsk doubly irksome and uc'trin. t> V ""^' ^'"^

Fiif. 101. Coinmoii Soytl.ea. m

a^out tho same time, which if .ii ,
long, will decrease in nu I fT'^ ^^ '^^"' ' ^oo
'-^'.t cthorwise ha4' ;: r^;'"^^ 7"'- «^" J-" ineh
^•on^iUeration I rei.-,rd • ^'■"'" ^^- ''^'""^ last

^r availing ou;:^ ':;■;;;;•' ^''-^'-.ostrea on'

•-^J"-ne, by which ft can be "" , '' '''^' '"-' "^^

4":^;tte~

«t-H]ingtheel]brtS^;t^t;d :;;"'"■"' ''^'^^^-'^^
I-'ople believe it is a fun I n' •"■''^^'" ^^' '"'^'-
every voluntary muse i ie b , v •'. "^' • ^'^''^- "'^'^^''-^
tbe more frequent and .e'ul ^ '^"''■'''^" '"^ "'''^^
^niscles, but, on account of" le w^r ''"'"'^ ''' ^''^"^^

ucor the tnisting motion of the

ii

i»fi

308

illSTORY OF MOWING MACHIXES.

1^1

body an unusually great exertion of muscular power
iN or does ,t require any small amount of skill to become
a goo,! mower, since it is proverbial that, unless the boy
becomes accustoined to the scythe, and learns while
young, lie can never become a skilful mower.
_ That the ingenuity of man slu.uld have been turned
into tins direction, therefore, and studied to shorten and
iighten this severe operation, is not at all strange. That
It should not have been done before, should, perhaps
rather excite our surprise. The reaper has been known
and used on a limited scale for lialf a century ; and as
the process of mowing by machinery is not wholly
unhke that of reaping, the one would seem to have
been naturally suggested by the other.

The first mowing machine which met with any success
111 this country is believed to have been that of William
Manning, of New Jersey, patented in 1831, and which
met with a limited success more than twenty years ago
1 he machine was furnishe.l with the serrated or saw-
tooth knile, having a vibratory motion.

In 1834 appeared the Ambler patent, simple in its
construction, with a cutter-bar of wrought iron, and
a single smooth-edged knife, operated by means of a
crank, winch gave it the vibratory motion. It was used
to considerable extent in 1835 and 183G.

Another machine was used to some extent in 1835 by
which the cutting was performed by circular knives
astened on the periphery of a horizontal wheel, five
feet ,n diameter. The wheel was suspended on a per-
pendjcu ar iron shaft, which hung on a lever, by means
o ^v Hch the driver could elevate or lower the knive.
at wi . The motion was given by gearing connected
with the wheels on which the machine rested It was
operated by two horses, and was capable of mowing
ten acres a d-^- °

\y

liar power.

to become

3SS the boy

sarns wliile

?en turned
liorten antl
nge. Tbat
1, perliaps,
Ben known
y ; and, as
ot wholly
11 to have

ly success
if William
md Avhich
rears ago.
1 or saw-
pie in its
iron, and
sans of a
was used

ilS35,by
r knives,
heel, five
on a per-
>y means
e knives,
3nnected
It was
mowing

to need spreadii,..- ■' ""* »'-" ''■'' "s not

lii't it was not till ., , "" "■"■'•*" ''* '•"aO.

c'l"..o was CO,",, ,,,",• '^^P;:''-^"" ''""^ »'"^ <l.c. ,„a.

'-p;' of i.s „„i„.a.e :l:;.:,:;:z:: ^'-^ ^"""^'-'
at.i;:t:;:^:::;:::t;'S::;;vr'T"'V"'"-'""-''"-

»"'! <l,e objeetio,,. wl.ic 2 nl !'? '"' ,'" ''""■"■•
'l.e... a,-e .„ei, „» ca„ eanlAe o • a IT"™ ^' """'" '"
feet ma„ulaet,„o, a„J by , ,„,v. s HI . ^" " """''-' l'"'-

ope,-a.o,.. ,t iv,Kiee<,,i„';: ,",.'/ ;:,;";;■' "', '""

I't-'en, ui manv n<ioo ,. • " '^ '"^^' ^''-^t tliey havy
fact tl,at „,■'„>.;•„■■ """'-■'■'-•".-"a.ie: a,'..! tl,o
or.le,-l,a. tl„o V,, d , Z ■• ''";? ^" "'■'«" g»' 0"t of

a nc»- u.ael,i, e ,;, "'" "'»»"'"'",„„. ,„„.,l,„ses

"■'■tl', Pe,C "l '; !' '""'^I'.'m^elf l„-o„.d,t to a T.and,

r. '"I. cal,,,e, and i-ena,,-,,,^ (in flii„.,,,„ i . .
anew, tlii-ow< I, .i«,-,i„ ''. , "'""■iMf, and stai-tino-

<fe"n, tl.e,, ,,;'"", """t "■'""''<^-' "■"! CO,:

f"l an,I ■,ow li Tf,;,, • ™i • ""'^"'' "'"■ '"-' "-

ope,-ator. A ,„ae i„ ! . ',. '^ "'^' '»."" ""'-"Ir of tl,e

er

aft
mac'l

niachme ought not to be cond

a complete and full tiial I

em

""es have succeeded, to the perfe

>ut enough of tl

lied till

lese

perfect satisfaction of

« I

m r-

310

BUYING CHE4PLY-MADE TOOLS,

li

the commuDity, to. show that, wliatever defects some
ot tl.em may have, tliey mny be made to accomplish
tJie work I'or Avhich tliey were intended.

The manufacturer is not alone to blame, as a general
thn]g,for the defects of an implement to be used on the
tarm. The farmer too often prefers a machine which
IS least expensive, and no matter how well it is made,
he will nisist upon having it at the lowest possible
price at which it can be atlbrded. Manufiicturers are
therefore compelled to slight the work in order to meet
the wants of the people, and cheaply-made articles
alone can be sold cheap enough to suit the wishes .^
the buyer. In this way both the manufiicturer and ihe
farmer suffer. It is poor economy, as a general rule, to
buy cheap articles.

As to the comparative economy of the use of tlie
machine and hand labor on small farms, it seems to me
the experiments of the past season throughout the
country have fully decided the question in favor of the
former. On this point, however, the opinions of prac
tical men will be found to differ, to some extent, though
the weight of the testimony of those who have had any
actual experience with the machine will be found to be
strongly in its favor. And this is especially the case of
those who have been fortunate in obtaining a machine
properly constructed and put together.

In answer to the circular sent out to obtain the opin-
ions of practical farmers as to the result of their experi-
ence with the use of the machine, one writes me,
saying: ''As to the economy of its use in our vicinity,'
we have no hesitation in saying tliat one-half of tl'ie
expense is saved in using the machine to cut and spread
grass, when compared with the common scythe, to say
nothing of having it done when the weather is good
and the grass in its proper state, whether in blossom

.s.

lefocts pome
) accomplish

as a general
used on the
ichine which
1 it is made,
est possible
iu'turers are
rder to meet
ade articles
>e wishes )*"
irer and ilie
leral i'uie; to

use of the
seems to me
ughout the
liivor of the
)ns of prac-
ent, though
ive had any
found to he
the case of
J a machine

in the opin-
lieir experi-
writes me,
ur vicinity,
lalf of the
and spread
'the, to say
iv is good
in blobsuin

PRACTICAL TRIALS. g^

or gone to seed, as the owner prefers Tho J

we Jmve used from tim H,- f ^^ ,'^; -^"^ Iiorses that

I'undred each. ^V , , " ""^''^ '•°'" ^^» '^ eleven

t'- ^est adapted;: hi, j:::rM'^:'^"^^^^-^

^^- 'noting, carting,and p ::;^ '"'^^ '' -""-' ^-t
mowing and nothhTg else we S^n "'' '''' ''''''' ^^^

to their weighing n:.re;Ctt:rr'^.f'r^'-
^vere snmrt and active- but •. ' '"'"^'"''^'J they

t'H-ng: for it need n;on ^ 7' "^"^^ '"''" ''^ »«t the
«l-pe and to work ;el, ' "^"" '' '''''•' ^'^ - ^^ood

the year, our opi,^ ^ ^^f ''' ^'^ -»- tin.e of
-veat ,uite as much 1 ' , " 'T """'^' ^''"^*^ --'
I'ave no occasion to wo,t TT " ""'" ^''''^ ^^-^"''l
tf^e least, for the rea ",n tl 1 V."" '' '' '"■^"'^ '^ -
firstlmlf of thedavC^ n'""'*' '"^'^^' ^""''^^ '" t^o

of the same or th n^'d- f w^ t,'' """ '" *'" ''^^-"'--^
done our mowing he p t V ' T' '"^'"- ^^^^ ''^^^«

pair of horses, w^ kh .g themT"''.f ""^ "^^' *''^ ^^-^-
per day. The' usuaU^.e " Mo ''"""-^^^ f ^'^^" ''^^^
two or three hours or o 1 , tl "' '" '''" '"^'""'"S
t!ie same team in the -ft ' ' '''"^' '"'^^' ^'^^ '^"^' "«e

-d one-,.d;t^;h;-ie:t^:i;ri:;::;-: ^^-^"^^

In . ca.o with ,,',," ' '," '""'""»' S'""' "'°'l^-"

-<t-i>.u- five .Jo, „ „^ rt =:;ti' ,'""'"■"" "•'■"' -^

0"lv -IU.I to 20 L. a ,;,i„ e „ 3;* ""''""'"/P-'l,
I'ai ac-o, 20 .od. ,,y 4, ,vitl, l d ,1 "''";;: ''°"'-' •■'
of hav to the aero wou . ~'"*"^ pounds

r^T lect, m eighteen muiutes, including the

I

r-^piumairv

312

COMPARATIVE RESULTS.

It ,

m

turnings This would be 2,V,x miles ti.e hour inchulino.
the tuniino-s. At this r.fp 1 •>in " "> mciuUmg

were cut in a minute. At the s-un.> fl... . ;'^''i'^=^

cut -i sxv.tl. ir« f . ! '^"^ '^ y'^"^^ mower

cut .1 sn.tth 108 leet long and 7 ieet wide,niakin... I 17G

«q.uu-e feet,n. 3^ minutes; or, at the rate of aaO^c;! !

ti.e cj the. ^ou■ allownigthe machine no time fbr est
or tunnng, zt cut a swatl, 4- ieet wide and 20 rods
ong, equal to l,5o4A square feet in a minute ^r 1"
tn^^es more than a good mower with a sc h'e in Z

ing Mth such a competition and a large numher of
spectators would exert himself to his utmost, tint

oeitain that he was far better as a mower than the
averag. of farm laborers, while at the same t^ "i
e dent, from the above-named speed, that the team
n ith the machine, could work pretty steadily '

curbv !l;::''^^"^^"'-5« ^f«^« the comparative quantity
cut by tie machine, m this experiment, as five times
greater than that cut by the mower. That is to Tu

m ch n a half-day as five men, or a pair of horses and
a n Hchine equal to four men. Now, as to the work
performed it was admitted by all that the machine cut
much the best; and, when it is considered that w th he
mower^ one man is required to every five to o Z
spreading, we have to credit the machine with a ot it-
man s labor in spreading, or a machine and lu.rseT '^1
to five men instead of four, or, including the 1 ive
machine, and horses, equal to six men. T^us sunno e.
we will say, a half-day's work. suppose.,

The cost of the six men for the half-dav, in havino-
would he at least four dollars and a half, unil^r o li fj
circumstances. The cost of a driver would, at the same

MEN AND HORSES.

313

equal to thirty-seven -xud \^ 7u ^"^' '^'''^'' ^^'^'"^^1 ^e

]^-l-, a Ian- charge, we have, ^ ttf? ' 7^"f' '''' ''''-
!"1'0'-, one dollar and ,ht y tZ ^ ^^ "^'^^'"'"^

instead of four dolhirs -uu , u ''"'■''^^'^ ''''^^''

more for the interest 'on co^f \ "'' "''''""«' ''^ ''«"'^^"
two dollars and sixtv-two -nT '^^^'"'^^^"■"^' '"^^I ^e liuve

-■f iour dollars and fit/" ,'":"' ^'^'"^^^ ^" ^'"-P--
Jn another inst-.n.-o , i ' '''^ '^^^'^ *'^" "'<^n-

e on

M"oce shnilar to the I

i'f to 2,700 pounds of 1
made 17 swatl

'•^^t, 4 rods by 20 h

mad

'ay to the acre ; tl

ivingahurden

tl'e halfarrVr;;!;"^ ^^ ^^^ to eael

'J'^^^ of 3^ jj,ii

'" .19 Uiinutes, at a speed

; tlio niaehino
Ii, mowine'

feet of gra

s an Iiour, cutting l 14g

iiiehiding tu

'8'
rn-

«« a nnmite, including tl

-^i I

"lower, on the same fiohl

'0 turniui

fo(j square

feet lo
minutes, or 28G

'%^ and Gi feet wide, or 2,145

lit a swath 20 rod

A

good

time for rest

square feet in

raach

or shar

f* or 330

square ihot, in 7^

a minute, allowing no

uiff th

'"0 cut 4x§^ tim

■Pcuing the scythe. H

les as much as tl

270

'e machine no time fbr

tl

^ square feet a minute, or 4A^.

ere the

'« man : or, allow-

rest or turning, it cut

'6 man in the same time. In

rVff times more th

t'-mes, with the five-feet cutter-ba

tlie first inst

an

ance. 4A5-

Mi

1 ii(T

any similar experiments, in differ

country, have come

results w

with

ere s

in

tjiat the above is a iki

o nearly alike as to lead to tl

■cnt parts of the

my knowledge, where the

le conclusion

situated
'' The

1- calculation for lots similai-ly

pract

ic.

jm in cutting the grass," sav^

fc

■"' tanner, "must be
27

an experienced

apparent to all who ha

ve

m

i

i"y°«*'gw> ' ^

314

THE NEW BUCKEYE

5f 0 W E R .

land smooth enough to work a niachino o„ ; and in th'
eonncH.,on it ur.y W best to .poak of t^.e LZ-^
^Hth the mower, as one naturally follows the other, nnl

ether, and

the

1 about as important in tiie operations of Invin^
-tins. lo cut and rake it into the windrow the first'^da '

..y-^MH

iiKl in thi.^

liorsc-rake

other, and

I

u

a

1^

i good,
•st dav.

KCOXOMV OP MACHINE I.ADOn. 313

™u„,„, ,1,0 acml cost woulj var'L, c, ", I !,

o 1, var.v,„,. a. the hunl.n of g,-a.ss <loo. po,- 0 e for
in l...lg«l glass to,, «.„„|tl |,a,.,||J ,lo ' ""' '"

woall!'';." ""i "''"'""=" "'■ ''"^-"'S '■' <l""e i„ good
t^ciii II as nigii as twenty per cent "

„ lilt (.|.,oadi,ig, ,8 ave,-y reaso,iaI,l„ one sinoo in
tl.o oasos s,a,od, „„ allo,va„oe is ma.lo f,„ t, a' t o?
e.K„ra,,oe of ,l,e ,„o,. at tl,o rate at wl.iol, , /"Ld
111 the expenmonts named. "oixea

Other considerations give fn,-tl,er codit to the
machine, s,„oo the grass was mown ho fe tim e
average o good n,„,vors, ,vi,ile it is easy o eeilt i?

! 1

fll

31 G

THE LESSONS TAUGHT.

toiim and prico of I„l,„,. „,, „„,r. ""'* "' ,l^>'^T"ig tlia

grout ant] clear guin to InvoTi'''''''''^''^^ '^

tuto machinery whiclu-^ll f ''"' ^''•^''''' ^^^ ■^"^'•^^'■-
iiici^ uuitn will cut rrrass u'«ll ... i • i,

"t a t„„.> wi,™ i„i,„,. i, ,.„ amZ f ''"'"'"^

out paying „„ exorbitant ,. ce fo, "'"■"""' -«l'-
Among tl,o important lessons taiio-l.t ,,, ,„. ,,

»-o,.ia., in":o„/'::;:T; ";:;:,';;:.' f"". «-- »:

tlie stonos turnod out 1,^.1,1 ," ' *" '''"fo^o of

s.ono wall, .,A tr'u, e' It?':,"; •'«lr'»°'<'"f
occupy u,ucl, land which i, nowl," |, '! 'i'™'' ""f
something for the purpose,, of e„ i ",fi „ m ""I'"'

St of thoi'r
»iue dollars.
:winug the
it fioonis to
-ffow mucli
■nils of tJio

use of the
^t per acre
1 unite ill
iisider it a

■ to 8ubsti-
"1 rapidly
tiiiii, witli-
even sup-
il'or to be
'ation in
'o, every

iit all by

'h^, more
than by

■ the use
■'^ on the
time im-
■^I'ose of
-looking
im, and
e worth
he idea
1" cattle,

extent,
livisioa
ical use
y great

THE AVOOD MOWEU.

317

extent ; and many an old wall wliicli was b„nf f Pf
hundred years ao,,, at n.,.f.,f i /'*^^'^ ^'^^ ^^^^^ fi%or a

the purpose of g^t i - Sd of f "'' T^ ''''^ ^'''^''^'^ ^"^
cutting ud of a surplus of rocks that en-

cumbered the land, and has comp f-

b«ng ...uovea and bu™a°be„ea'th the ::!..faeo "Z otZ

i

S 4

!

'. 1

\! I

■1 K ii.

)IS

ADAPTATION TO CIRCUJISTA XCES.

"IK i,„a'liMiu ,ui,l tl,o li„i»„.,„iie Tl„ ,•/ '"°

;.80, lK,«x.ve,, of „o ,,„„,i in,p„ .;„,,", ,"':,f'.'"-
fe..co»,„,„l tl,„t i,,|,e proJtio,,; ;;';", ;"'?'"■'
tl.efiol.l i„ l.re^>kmKtl,oncMx.e,vinclV „' ; ,"''7'' '"

''";/. '\"-" -"'« upon and fe;;iii:";,;:t f '"""■^

|"ad,i„„ i., ,|,at rl,o stautor tl "t L/i^ l""""'^""'
being e„„al,-t|,„ ,„„,„ easily ,,'"'''.' 'l'"'?''

lollei. ilauy farmers liave ulremly taken the l.inV I ^
are preparing- their lands with reference to. • '/
u^e Ufa mouing n.achine "''"" ^"^"'''^

cliHhliv'th^^'H"'""^ '^"' '"• '"'^'^^ -^''^>I-I' con.
V Wv of ?'''""' ^^'^" ^^^ '''''^ >■» ^^ ^^u' greater

machine -Tt ".''!"' ^'^ *'^' introduction of

"jacnniei\. it is, neverthe ess, true th-it .> ^vlM

-iLXiii.c uii tina statu of cultivation is

iiM«i

er loses tlio
;■, Hiid other
>t' the mow-
one advan-
!se (iivif<it)ii
y Jiirord to
tii;g' leaved

soil.

use of tho
lier things
-niieHlly it
I iii^h and

i^iiiiply ill
1" ohstriic-
to, hut in
I'h'to and
■, !ind tho

hint, and
me future

•h'sh con-
!• greater
'il)posed.
DUsly on

I I Token
'"ith two
th fewer
'ieipated
nd want
ction of

II prove
in good
lior ob-
iiical to
itiou is

i

TIME PER ACRE. 3^,,

fittained, or at ]o-\ ■< fn
'""» "n„y, ,0 |,e cut i," , f '■'■^■^' ^;'^'''''"« -«tc.e,.

Ai>e.- n,„ki„, :„ „t , ;:; f;;™:;™ ';"■-'- iht,,.,.;

do.H., wm„„u ovcM, ., ; ; ' "■'"''■ "•'"■'■'' ™"l.l I.U
A« t„ ,1 *'«'"' "II "flu nor l]i, in-

A" to tl,o lunvtir roiMiiiwl „II tl,„ , .

P'-ifif-iS In UK«t ct:, ,t ; "'■ '" '"'ir "'"" '"
-fifc'l.t >vl,ilc. t|,„v ,v„,.k I !,,:""'"?'"•'■ t-"'«l ii'
tlio testi,„..„3-, not cnk o V """■'""^■- T'"'- ^

eonnnittcos ,,„,•«, " Tot;,,?'"'''- , '^"^' "^ 'I'tv'e

av-"«e of ,;,;,„.i,o,. :, ;r ," r v"'"-; '° "'""' " <->

tlious„nd po„n,l,. Tl„v ',■'-'""*'' "''<"" t"o
'vo could observe hni'7""" '"""■*-""'~'"^" '"i' ■»

yoi.i- connnitteo l,«ve n " Z ,7 ''"■"/;" "I"'"""'

"is ..l™ the oDi,M„n f "'"'"'"■'■''""I'or.-'

machiue tl,.,t hoZof ,„!■"""'■"■''" '""-^^ "-"' "'^

'- /.iln.l.-od pound: ;^,r;V^■ •■'■'•''',"'""" '"

- lolo, "illi peate,. ease k1 i [" v H .'i;','"'"' "" "-
Tins IS es|.ecfallv tlio o-i... n„ <■ ' '"''^■'''' o'"-'"-

Much 0 ,»erv„ i„ ,e " , . Z " '■"' e'O'm.l.
of an uc,-o per Ion,;:.," '"i ^ v"' ""'' '" "'o "'o
pail- of 1,0,1^ c Id" ':;"'"'■''"'"?• -''°''»." 8-0''

r--'"' ---"nrti'nrtrvri'

"■^ iatma, and hence manj- farmers

ii

;il

Jfi \

III

tr^'

>?l III

32D

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.

prefer the former to tlio latter. In iniiiiy oases wliere
the mowing machine lias heen worked I. v oxen thev ih\l
us well as liorses, while they did not apparent I y suH'er
from the exertion, even in the hot weather of July.
This fact will make it possible for many to use this
im|)lement who eonld not otherwise do so, and its
udvanta-es will thus he hrou-ht within the reach of
thousands who cannot afford to use horses.

There are some general suggestions fur heginners in

. the w^G of the mowing machine, most of which are

allude.l to in the letters of practical farmers already

quoted, but which may bo briefly summed up as fol-

lows :

1st. See tliat the knives are sharp, and in good
order. X„ man w,.uld think of beginning his day's
work of mowing without having first ground his scythe
A dull scythe requires too great an expenditure of
physical force, and the mower works to great disadvan-
tage. The same is true of the machitie. The labor for
the team is quite sufKcient, even under the most favor-
able circumstances, without increasing it by ncdect in
this particular. "^

2d. .<ee that every nut and bolt is perfectly tight •
the wear of the machine will be less, and it wilfbe less
likely to get out of order.

3d. Keep all the bearings well oiled with pure
sperm oil: some of them will need an application of it
every ten or fifteen minutes.

4th. Take the field lengthwise, and keep straight
forward, at a regular, steady pace, without too great
haste, which would fret and worry the team. An acre
per hour is fast enough ordinarily, and the team
will do that without over-urging, if the driver be
skilful.

Other things, of minor importance, will suggest them-

solves amM-Hli((Iopnict,Vo HmMV •

"»t to have ^,,eien 0 a, ,;,,: '' ''^ ^'■^^^^^"'"•>' ""Port-

"'"^'"4); ibr, if proper . a. .r ' '"^''""' "'• '^ ^'''H

^-•'^'"t -study of all its pun ' r; ' ''■ ^'" ^^''^"^ *^' -'"i-

♦••M-thc,.. M,,.^. will ; ;" r"* '/""^^'^ '■" I-^^'"^' it

^'V^-0 new i.apl.,ne,.t ,s liall ,•"'?' ""^''^ ^'^ ^^''ioh
pre.sos ami thing, go u-,,.ng. '""'^'""'^^'''.V when ti,nu

tl'"t „n.v „mn win, l,a. L od '", / '■' "'"' " '^ '■'"■"

pmclice, wl,c.„ v„„„„ eve t, '"'" """ "'<'" >■/

"» ..-i,i„„ „.eVo .,':.:,; Lr;",::; "?' "■""-■■ «

'■"■mo,, of „,,,i„,,, c.a,«oi,y "»;',«"""■' I'"" ""•'■
WOli- It succosstillly. "^ •■"'"" I"'"" to

»t 'iHt lias been sair) nf *l

-'«' «!".! foi-oo .0 til" r. ;ir.";"'« '":-'■"-' "I'l-ii...

eo^';-xr:,:;:",;':^-j*-;;'-'.'«Ho.. ,,„„..

7"-o'.-e, of „a„ are verv eini ^ , '.V"™" '"""■ ''"""'
»lK)iild be „l|„„.e<l to be, „m ■ "' °"'' '■""' ">'>ei-

i-we .0 «pi.„„t ill lisuZiTtirr V''''""' '' '■">■

Ascolored, if „M„,ve,l to J,. ' '"">' '" ''«-"'"e

'"■"■estMiK bv tlie ol, „e 1 r '^^ '^'"' "■"■'-• "f

very large quantities of
annually Jost, from tl

'on of th

our most valna!)!*

le reaper,
'5'ains U'ere

'" '">r.o-il.ility of harvesting

i:

i;

■ t

mi ^

\\h:;^m

iilw.

322

THE SICKLE. — THE REAPER.

them properly and in time. It is not too much to ?nv
that the successful introduction of the reaper into our
g-rain-lields has added many niilHons of dollars to the
value of our annual harvest, not only by enabling us to
secure the whole idoduct of all that was before planted,
but also by making it possible lor the ihrmer to increase
the area of his cultivated iields, with a certainty of
being able to gather in his whole crop.

The sickle is undoubtedly as old as the days of Tubal
('ain, and was almost universally used tilf within the
memory of men still living. No one, who has had a
jiractical experience of its use, can fail to appreciate
the immense saving of slow and wearisome hand
labor by the use oi" the reaper.

The reaper is no new thing in point of fact. It
would, indeed, have been an astonishing evidence of
stu])idity on the part of the ancients, who relied mainly
upon wheat and the other small grains, had they not, at
least, tried to replace the sickle by something better.
This they did. They were accustomed to use a simple
reaper in France, a few years after Christ ; for Pliny
asserts that the inhabitants of that country fixed a
series of km'ves into the tail-end of a cart, and this,
being propelled through the grain, clii^ped oif the ears
or heads, and thus it was harvested.

In England the importance of adopting some method
to shorten the labor of harvesting grain was early seen,
and efforts were made to accomplish this end at tlie
close of the last, and the beginning, of this century.
The first patent granted for a reaping machine was that
to Boyce, of London, in 1799. Then followed the
patent of Meares in 1800, that of Plucknett in 1805,
and that of Gumming in 1811, clearly foreshadowing
some of the useful improvements of subsequent patents.
Smith, of Deanston, Scotland, invented a machine in

THEATRICAL EXPERIMENT. 303

1812, H'l.icI, With some improvement., worked succe.s-
nh. though ,t ha.i only a local reputation till 18 J -

ocictj. ihe next model was produced bv Dohh. „„
l-estao-eof the Birming-ham theatre, in 18U T ' 'u
'>'"'^ posted in the streets stated tL^ i\ \

-fbrthe'M^enefitoflr t t-^::r;7-^^
spectfnlly infbnus his friends and th^ puhlt ^ 'l ""
n^.nvented a macldne to expedite tl^::;;;^^^^^^^^

'cire to g.\e it a general mspection in the field wifl,
-fety, he ,s HKluced to take advantage of ds t t
profession, an<l make it known to his friends 11

been anxious to see it, through that m^^^^^^

the 8(iipe «mII in, plantd „,itli wliuit fl,,) .1 ,

l-c„t«„,l g-atl,eLl ,vl,erc g™ ' | , ," """

-o,ke,I exacly a» in „,„ fi„,|." 't ' Z^T

-na^ed i,. »„,,«,.,;,. oi«o'„ri,y' ".•,,. - ^irF™,"
in I851,wlrL-u (lie success of the 4i,»,-;,..,„ i

again sti,n„late.l the invent,!,- „ •^"""' '" "»clM„es
competitor. Previous „«,,p''';r '""'""^ "" "
"ever been in gen n n° I f "" " ,"""'''"'« ''"'"
extent in the neiwS L'T' f,?"-''' '"«' *» ^ ''''"'e^l

reapmg in the field "'mcult to use for

a mach^rih- -tvT' '^'"'^"^^'' °' '^'^^^'^"^' >--^-'
of lialtimore, obtained a patent on ;

I !
I I

iH

m

iaper,

ich

has

324

AMERICAN REAPERS I xV FRANCE.

not only been extensively and successfullv used, from
tluit time to this, through the Western StutJs, luu uhieh
hus iurnislied the basis I'or the most successlul models
in tins country, among tiie most noted of which are
those of MeCorn.ick, of Virginia, Ketchum, of New
loik, and Manny and Atkins, ofllh'nois.

The American reaping machines, some of which have
been extc.nsively used lor the last twenty years, have a
world-aide reputation, and a generally-acknowledged
superiority, and the credit of having made the prin-
c.ple which the English and Scotch had invented prac
t.ca ly uselul umloubtedly belongs to our ingenious
mechanics.

It is not my province to specify which of the machines
lately patented is, on the whole, the best, or to point
out the parts in which each excels the others. Every
tarmer has the means, in the reports of the various com-
nnttees appointed to determine the relative merits of
the machnies now in use, of forming a tolerably correct
conclusion ,n regard to these matters. The trial ^x^■^^^
um^rthe direction of the Industrial Exhibition at Paris
IS still fresh in the minds of many.

This took place on a held of oats, about fortv miles
f om the city, eac i machine having about one acre to ,
nn. ihree machines were entered for the first trial
cviie American, one English, and a third from Algiers,'
all at the same time raking as well as cutting The
American machine did its work in twenty-two minutes,
the Lnghsh .', sixty-six, the Algerian in seventv-two.
A a subsequent trial on the same piece, when' three
other patents were entered, of American, English, and
French manufacture, respectively, the American machine
cu Its acre m twent^v'-two minutes, while the two others
tailed. The successful competitor on this occasion "did
Its work m the most exquisite manner," says a French

• used, from
s, but which
isful models
which ;ire
111, ol' New

which have
jars, have a
iiiowledged

0 tlie prin-
eiited prac-

ingenious

lemacliines
r to point
I's. Eveiy
rious com-
merits of
)ly correct
trial jiia '.3
)n at Paris

orty miles
10 acre to
first trial,

1 Algiers,
ng. The
) minutes,
enty-two.
len three
glisli, and
1 machine
vo others
?ion "did
a French

MATERIALS USED.

325

nio.st gloriously." '• ^^ i^nished its ].iece

'J'^Je contest was fimll^r
--confined to tl.ree ^Cj^^^' ""l™ "■"» ,
01 these now crave n.,f i ' '^ American. 0„b

the pri^e. ^'"' ""'' '^^^^^^'^^^ but two to strive for

i;i'o machines were afterw.rrJ.
e;vs uito mowers, one makgThtc ."""""' ''""^ ''^^P"
t'le other in twenty. Both, t '^'' '" ""« ""'""te
astonishment and satis^ on" "??' ''''' ''^'^ *« the'
•Y^^etators, and the iuror t ^ , ''^' ^^""^"ourse of
t''^''"'- enthusiasm, bu ',,''''' '""'•' ""^ restrain

<^o--''' while th;XXn:^
^^^M'er, crying out, '' Tint's I 7' '''^' -^•"^''•'-"

machine!" .^11 'the k -eV " "'""^T' ''''' '^ t'-
F'-o"ch journal, ^<we a e frl' t ^'" ''' ''^f'^''^ "^' '^
S-'onously won bv Imerict • T"/'^^^^' ''^^^'^ '-^-'
-an'-ot be looked up'rw h',-"rl'''''^ achievement

t '^^'-e is a difference of on nion .r '"/'" 1^' ^''^ ^^^^t^''.
«''-M bo of wood or of To" T " r ''" ^■'•'^•"^

^<"^'m.s to be that for all nr,. , ' '""'^''^ ^'^' «P''""on

:'"'"<^ extent, but not sufficient/ T I ''" ""'^'^ ^^'
'" "" eases. B„t th.t f " . ^'''' ^" '^'^ adoption

P'ements are eo si ; j ':,"'ti7'V^^' "•'"■^''' ^''^^ '-
^^-•e generallv be t L ' . ' '^'""' ^''"' ^'*^^'

apprirenti

'e machines have b

•iiM'; renr V nf .> »^-^ i- imvu uee

28

en made of .teel, and in the

'oen nifide.
should,
niost per-

3'2{]

HEIGHT OF CUTTING GRASS.

ioL't munnor. A largo proportion of the accidents ^vhicli
occur unse iVoni the I.reaking- of bolts and fingers
lliesc, though ai-parently trilles, cause not a little an-
noyance aii.l interruption. Accidents will hapj)en, it is
true, even with the common scythe; but those refurred
to are. ioi- the most i)art, such as a more careful con-
struction would prevent.

The manufacturer, who, for the sake of a trifling
saving, slights his work on u machine newlv intro-
duced, so as thereby to retard its introduction, and
create a want of confi.lence in the machine itself, must
nideed l^e blind to his own interest, while he both strikes
a blow at his reputation, and, what is of infinitely greater
consc(juence, delays and retards the whole j.rogress of
agriculture.

With respect to the height from the ground at which
It IS best to cut grass, the practice and the opinions of
ariners differ widely; for, while the answers from about
Imlf of the towns say that farmers generallv cut as close
as possil)Ie, the replies from others vary from four inches
to one-half inch. Thus, forty-four f irmers return, - as
close as possible ; " fourteen others, " dose or very
close ; " sixteen others, " from two and a half to three
niches high;" ten say "two inches high;" twentv-
three say "from one to two inches;" and one savs
"fourinches;" while some say, "it might be cut too
close, ' or "close cutting is inju/ious," or "most people
cut too low," an<l many say, "close as convenient," and
this is the most common practice.

It would be difficult to deduce anv general rule from
the replies to the question, "At what height from the
ground do you prefer to have your grass cut, and
why ! One farmer, of great experience and close
observation, says : "I should prefer to have my grass
cut high enough to protect the roots from the hot '.un

PRACTICAL STATEMENTS.

lonts ^\•hk■h
11(1 fiiig'ers.
a little aii-
appeii, it is
so i'c'leiT('(l
iucliil cun-

a trifling
wly intro-
ction, jiiid
tself, must
cth strikes
o'ly greater
rogress of

1 at which
I)iijioris of
rem al)out
it as close
Mir inches
Hurn, ■' as
, or very
to three
' twenty-
one says
e cut too
st people
eut," and

rule from
from the
cut, and
nd close
my grass
hot Puii.

327

i>''z:;M::":' '■"■'-' -»■'* ^''^'^ % -«,•„, *«,

V "'t,-' or my teacher to this i^\)\^,-t ■ . \ • i
t'- bottom is worth two at the t"p ' " ' ! ^^ ^ "'
your wages hehind you 'Ac Pn ^ i. * '^''^ /^^Ving
^^'^■'ither, on a drv snil /»--'''ly,ui very hot, dry

^^tooc/osJ ,4 :'brrf^^^

J'^trn., even tl en S'. ''"^^ '"^' '^'P'-ehend any

grass cut as h e ; ' ^"'''''"'^ ''"'^ ^ I"-^''^^ *« i'-vo
^.-''uL::r::;;-;-;-^>-anhe;| Another

cut close, having an hlcn t i, . " " '" '^^^""

n'cather whirh oft ii ' ' '"'' ''"" '"^^ ^^T

j^-anuntavL;ir;nfl^::::;:r:::;?j;r"^^''"

''TlK.heio.|/f'aM. /''^ '"" '^ boneficial."-

g.-ass/' ^ V "n : ^"'rl !' "'''^'' '^ ^^ ^'-^ ^o cut

-son,t,i;:oirinrrtlfT'''^^'^''''^

n-ist ground, should be c.U 'sc^'low "/'; v^: """T "'
^-on, as it will d„ to cut it in •. I T ■' '''">' '^'^-

grasses I like to lm^^ cut with T""'- ''^''^ "'^^"'•'^'
'"^■''^'« of the grmd (,;;"•;' *^^'° '""''^''Hlf
g-sesdonot,Sl,^,:^J^;;^^of.dtivated

;:^;::;ri::^^"^^^---ont^:t,^^^^

One of the most ohservino- f.rmov. • ..

th

e .-itmosphore, as 1 I

'1 croj)s are benefited from t!

lave

'<^ •■nnmonia in

"0 doubt they are, judg

ino-

328

TOP-DRESSINO THE STUBBLE.

iugh will k.e,, ,J ^^^M'tU^'TT'''"""'"^'

...; :::t:ir;::v7 °',^''-''''"-'« ""'-'''^"'v

ii"lno(ln,toiy aftcT I cut , . P ' r' "'"-■'« I*"H"'»»
start aoaiii vnmo-JiM^oIv T i i^" "'J, it will

vaw'r; .":;'„ /"•"™"7 "•> 'l"« point is somewhat at
^.■l.r,lm;. I „t many liave noticed the ininry i„/|icted

; h;;!'";:;' ■ , 'z'rr'"' •" "■■■'• -■"'-•. ^..""'i.^.

pirnaps, to establ.sl, the principle alluded to on n m-e
«'l'"g page. Most concur i,! saving that tl e C
grasses can be cnt lower with safotj- ptrticn a ^ if he
ason be not too dry. }[„cl, und.lnbtedly, der o,^d!
upon the sod and the season. ' ""I'"""'

■^'^^itoji,

e, the other
^011)0 Jeaves
- two ineiies
f'ut will be
IS of life."
nimediately
il wlien this
the surface.

il top-dlTss

save aJI tJje
•om two to
loots. I do
I intend to
and never

cut ratlier
s obtained,
drj, it will

cut high,
tlie roots ;

■ f for pro-
! prefer a
^' mud for
il, should
'ol waste.
-Il, late in

lewhat at

■ inflicted
^ufJic-ient,
on a pre-
the finer
I'ly if the
depends

CHAPTER X.

CURING AND SECURING HAY.

n.I^.tXu:rort£r^^^^=-^^^'-^^" develop.

i'i.'-tpercent:;::f!:;rt;::l^'::r""'"^^

^"M-H.-, and g.„n ; and that thesrw i ;, ^ ■''^^'■'^'^'
couipounds, then also most d.n; '^'trog-enou.

value as furnishino. tlo t ''^> ^^^'^ ^^' greatest

-od, fibre and";:-,:;: ::Z't:f r'^^'' '-''^

g'Ving bulk to the food are i 1 n ^ ""Portant as
tious. We have seen also th"^' ^"^^' ^''''' ''"^''i-
the flowering to til Hhm.-' !•"/''' ''■^^'"'^'°" ^'-"'n
-'gar, ^e., a;; grlt.;^^^^ S^^
'n which state they Dossn J '"^"^ '''^^"'Iv ^^^'-e,

are, of course, of mU^X^'n'-^''^ '^ ^-^'>^-, and
fectlywell established by "refu? "'' "''"''^ '^ f^^
••ate analysis, confirmed,lr2e /'I!'"":"^"^^ ^^^'^"■
practice, is of great im. orf J ^. ?''"' ^'^ '^^e^^ip;eut

^'«" -^ -hich mos ofT eX": "l"'"'""^^ ''' --''-
^n.t, and our pract ce s n h '.^'''^'"^^'^ '^''^''''^ '^^
with it. ^ "^ '" P'^^^y ""'f'onnly consistent

'-"tinaconditi^j^;r: :;:? 'v^'r^^'^'^--
t-nsitionofsugar,^e.,i:L ;t;: ',:r^ '^^^- ^'-

wdl even then be some f^.^^ ^'^'^^'""^'"^^"ced.

the action of heat IIT / "'«'^'' ^"^^ ^'^t'"'^''
not heat and moisture, e.specially if the

(320)

th
f

i'.'»

330

OVER-DRYING HAY.

'i a

grass ,s expose.! to the rain in tiie process of furinrr
'iiHl I.gnefaction, or dianf.-e to woo.ly iihr., takes place'
o c-onsuleraMe extent, dependent, of curse, on tl„.
lei.gth of tnne it is exposed to air and light: so that
grass cured with the least exposure to the searching
s.lt.ng wnuls, and the scorching- sunshine, is, othe;
things be.ng e.p.al, more nutritions than grass cured
slou-r and longer exposed, however fine the weather
M.ay t.e In. other words, grass over-cured, in the pro-
ress of hay-makuig- contains more useless woodv fil.re
and less nutritive .p.alities than grass cured nu,re has-
tily, and housed beiore being dried to a crisp. There
••an be no doubt which of the two would be most pal-
atal, eo the annual. .Son.o loss of nutritive elements
n.ust, therefore, take place in the process of curinjr
however perfect it may be ; and the true art of hav-mak-
uig consists „j curing the grass just up to the p^int at
which It will do to put it into the barn, and no more, in
order to arrest the loss at the earliest possible moment
And this fact of the loss of sugar and starch, or of
their transformation into woody fibre, by too long ex-
posure to the sun and wind, I think equally well estab-
lished as that any transformation at all takes place, and
Hs equally suggestive.

But on this point far greater difference of opinion
exists among practical farmers, some considering on.-
good hay-day sufficient, while others require two, and
sometimes three, as if it were not possible to dry it too
much. Our practice in this respect is, 1 believe, better
than It used to be twenty years ago. xAIost farmers now
think that grass can be dried too much, as well as too
little, and that the injury and loss in the crop is equally
great from over-curing as from housing green. A ])rac'
tical farmer says: "One good hay-day is sufficient to
dry Timothy, redtop, or wet meadow. I think farmers

IL

^s of furiii^r^
. takes place
irse, oil tli((
y'lit; so that
a searcliiiij^,
e, is, otlier
grass cured
the weather

in the pro-
woody fibre
1 more has-
isp. There
e most pai-
■0 elements

of" curing,
jf liay-niak-
lie point at
110 more, iu
le moment,
roll, or of
o long ex-
well estab-

place, and

of opinion
lering one
13 two, and
dry it too
jve, better
•niers now
>'ell as too
is equally
. A prac-
iHcient to
k farmers

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.

331

-ell i,. the mow I ' ;' "'°"f /" '"- " k-1.

wl,ici, ™„.tit„te it, valuJ.-' '" '""'■'' J""-^.

Tliis ]« iii arcordiuicc! will, il,„ „,.„ . •

"-ko „„„ i„j. „,„„ ,,..j,,y, i'; ,.,t^ ,"""" '"

gla.'<'<,it is liij,|ilv ini.)o,(„,. ,l . ,, '">' ''"'" ""7

'■'"*•" i» i.»av,., ,;,„„ i,. „iti„; ;:?■;.'";■''% " "-*

miiriMi.a will be ™in,..i l„. ., ■*' " '^'" '° "'e

"■a.™. If tl,i Jilt ^"'"^■'"■'■■'' ■-■-"^•l--» wiMie it is

g;".,g ,t mud, atten,i.,n,_tl,e "aBln , ^ ""'

died, and it is fit f„,. t|,„ ' .1, '"P '''". ''»'-'"ni» oaii-

tl- "ii- on tl,e second da, bviM""" ■'"«""-■ ''"■'•'»
benefit. ^W,en carted t I's^L' "S" '" «^^^'"'"'
'lead iij,„, it ,vill be ivitl,,- ,. '' '"""'"' ""'^ss

much of its valuable .malily '" "'" ''"^ ''"» '"»'

.a;?'f t,::'::'rf:„:^v:;'i''''-'-'""'' ^^■^"- '' '-"^

t>« juices, and the stem bTcol h'" riT! '""' ""'
life of the hav is ocne to rr" '""^ l"-'ttle,-the

lioldtoonringhayin^^eltV'"''^ '" "- «'-de; I

f

tj i'

332

WHAT FARMERS SAY.

■n'u tli6 ban. as m-^^u „ 1 ','""'«''*."'«" b'ot it

■;-;',""■ ' i"" i.^0 tie ",;,';;i e ;"f:;::. ■:■ ,;:;'"

weather is suitable for curing it." ' *''"

Another writes, savintr- '< If fi.« .i

>"i.l turn over tl,o sw,(l,« ="",'"" "> ""s lorenoon

t"o "^-xt .I... I :.:::'t"Lt::t'^r;ct:v'' *''" ;"

«alt to tl,o load w ifp '„ oXo . IT -r ' l"," '''""'' "^
*<-•'■■" Another say, ■ ''T' .^, '^ ;"'" ' "'" >'" 'I'o bot-

"om on a good liavdav in tr ' '"^' '" ""-' ^'°^

for (ho barf f rZl t^H . , ''''"°°''' »"'' i' i'' «'

-n, by two or tuZ o'clo k r,h,5':r *^™-' '" •""
»-"0 day. Much hay ij spoi ed bv f T "! "'"
much." ' spoiled by benig dnod too

idryiess„:?,o:r'y .';::; ^i^r '""" '^^-''^y-

on it, there is little dmior „f i , ? '" "° "'"''^''I'e

Ho cut. hi, ,wal l,:Xfo e it'n :;'*" """i' '» """"'■"
quite green and h-t. I,; , '"'''" """^ '''''"o '* is

fu"rive,;;:i/rr^^:erzr:i""'^^^

poen color, and think, it „;,! ^ ™« ^ th..,r deep
longer an.l better, if cut ■>! th. ^ !" ''■""" "•"*
enced ftr,„er ,,y: .T t'^tTv T'"' '''^''"■

"-i:;^fc£rff--^?^^

off spread it
if I possibly
, then get it
ii^^vo it Jiurt.
^yi it. Wet
is cut, if the

ler is good
lie Ibrunoon
tlio grass is
'e I'orenoon
ti'id get in
ay as much
3 quarts of
>o the bet-
i the blos-
id it is fit
nd care is
I'ass to the
on of the
dried too

a sensible
hay-day.
moisture
s wilted."
'hile it is
1 they are
^'ir deep
Tie stock
r experi-
s to cut
It evenly
, and get
is good.

THlIiTY YEARS' E\'PPp,pm.

«"t, if the grass is vervhe-ivx. t . • •
"••«''^ I consider it m a^ . ' ^ ^"^ '' "'^" ^«^-k« over
"• ''-tt in the n.o^v. To ^Tt di v''°h '" ^''■^' *^^"""^^'' ""t
»" the hay." ^'^ '''>*^'" ^''^'" t''i« i« an injury

^»« of ih^ ,„^,t extensive .nd . •

feeders m ^^o^v Enghuul i ,^. \ ,'•'^'^'''^^"^'^(1 stock-
I"^"'er to cut all Kn.W sh or ^ l^ "'' ''""'^'''' ^^'^ •• '' I

^•'-•er at the san.e time ..'e t i"-^' ''"^^^'''>' -"'

nence has convinced me th at . '""^' y'''''^' ^^'Pe-

^'- - or just before "on Z IT""' '' ^''^ '^^^^

^•"«'« f,nve n,ore and better i k ^T'" ~~ "''" "'"'^'«
«\ore fat on animals for t e ,"f^,""^ ^.•""^''' ^^''" Put
-^ -eal per day, than id^ ' f I "' T'' ''"•■ 'l-'"^-^
^vell secured from the hW ' r', '' "'"■'' "''^'^ ''"V
August. Tlut vviJl g : ? : .:^ •'■;'-^' ^'^ ^'- f-'-.^t o
t"-/o grow, and it t^ b^cut tl H :"'*' l^'^'"" -'^'^^
or the first week in ^eptemt I '""'^ '" ^^"S"'^*.
erop of fall feci, which mo 1' "'"'' ^^'^'^ ^''^" ^e a

n^owmg, is very valuable. Sn the^'ot ? ?'' ,'^' ^^^'>^
^•'•^^-s ,s cut late, the hay is no o ^ nn ' ,''"'' '^ ^'^«
•« mc-e nothing. Everv f^rm V '' ^"^ ^''''^ ^'^^^d
i^'^n.its that the hay c,It 4r I'rf. "^^. '^'^^"-""tance
^^^-> unless it be tho e t Jt • T.'^'T^'' *" ^''^^^ ^'"^

'•«y; even that clasrmu 1 1 . • ". ' '''^'■' °^' ^^^^''"^
-op by Ute cutting. Sn . b^\ '" ^ '' "'""^'^^ ^^ ^'-i^
the difference between eal/>'^' ""' ^''' ^^^^'^^^
'•enl difference is oTtentime'v f ' '"' ^^^^ ' ^^'''^^ ^hc
^on. Working horse^S TntyV^'^ '''''' ''-
condition with half the ^rain L. J. ^^^ ^^ ^^^te,-
hay." ^'^'« ^hen fed upon early-cut

""^ ^f-- '' i» -...-nod ovo,. bo.;:o,?:„^':s z

"■■■msmr

334

THE PREVAH.INT, mACTICR,

! )

ii*

nil

I ! I:

o'clock in the iit'tcnioon, wliile still wuitn, untl before
tli(» evenitif:; (low i'a\U it is piit into cocks. It is spread
tiiiH liiincil tlic next inorning, and at one o'clock is
ready i'or tlio barn. I cannot toll, on paper, tlio precise
|»oiiit of dryness at which hay siiould be housed ; but
with my hands, eyes, and nose, 1 can judj:,e when it is
dry enough not to hurt in the mow, and not so dry as
to crumble, or to have lost any more of its virtues than
necessary. The less drying the better, if it does not
injure in the mow." Another jjractical farnier says : "I
|)rel'er two days, but want to have it lay thick together,
and stirred often the r;rst day, and but little the second.
In this way the hay retains more of the juices, smells
sweeter, looks greener, and the cattle like it much better.
Hay sluudd be cured so that it will not heat in the mow,
and no more."' Another says : " Hay may generally be
ilried enough in one good hay-day, with proper care, to
be left over niglit in the cock, and carried to the barn
the next afternoon Avithout spreading. Hay may be
dried too much, as well as too little." "Timothy and
redto])," says another, " carefully spread as soon as the
ground between the swaths is dry, and, if heavy, turned
about noon, will dry sufficiently in one day, if a clear
one, to be put into the barn before sunset. I believe
many dry their hay too much. Never dry it so as to
make it brittle when twisted in the hand."

These, and many other extracts of a similar import,
which might be given did space permit, indicate, with
sufficient distinctness, the prevailing practice among
the best farmers : but, as constantly intinrated, it is very
common to find hay dried far too much. Every flirmer
is aware of the importance of keeping his grass and
hay as free from dew and water as possible. An expos-
ure to rain washes out much of the soluble constitu-
ents of the grass, leaving a useless, brittle, woody fibre.

I

and bcf'oro
It in sproiul
o'clock irt
tliu preciHt!
ousi'd ; hut
; when it is
>t s»() dry us
irtiics tluiii
it does not

T Sll}>

I

k together,
the second,
ices, smells
mch better,
n the mow,
cnerally ho
per care, to
to the barn
ay may be
imotliy and
soon as the
tivy, turned
', if a clear
I believe
it so as to

ilar import,
licate, with
:ice among
cl, it is very
'ery farmer
1 grass and
An expos-
le constitu-
roody fibre.

CUUING CLOVKUH FOU STOCK. 33r.

rJniss and hay are greatly i„|„,,.l ,,, ,,„„... ^,,,,

.g undu- a hot sun withont being turned. A son.e-
Mlutt J.ilerent n.ethod i. adopted for the artilijal

The nat,,rnl grasses, when cut for Imv, are generallv
s[.rcad and dr.ed as rapidiv as possib e in order .
socu. then, in the best man..r. liperien;.:i.:' !::.

op. It ,e,p„res a longer tin.e to cure it properlv

Iro' l^u/^r"' ': 'T ^^""'''"^ ^""' '^ '« inju'-ed e ;

on.l tender blosson.s are <pnckly browned, and lose their
sweetness „) a measure, and are then.selves hable t c
was ed tn handling over. Most good fln.ners, h .JLt
proter to cure tt in the cock. A practical lu.ner o V
ongexp.-,ence,says: H p.^fer to n.ow clover whe.
t IS dry, free from dew; let it wilt, and the same dav-
it IS n.own fork ,t into cocks whieh will w.: .h from
forty to Mty weight when fit for the barn. Do „o
rake^and roll it: that process will eompress it too

"According to the weather and my convenience, I
let It 8 and : ,t wdl settle and turn the rain very well
and xym answer to put into the mow while the heads
nnd st^dks are yet green and fresh. When fit to cart,
the stalks, although green, will be found to be destitute
or nearly so, of sap : the sap has candied, and the
clover wdl keep. On the day of carting, turn the cock,
over, expose the bottom to the s^n an hour or so, and
to^a ton of hay add four to six quarts of salt in the

'' Good clover- not rank- cured in this way T ron-
'^t!!^!' 7''^^ "^'-^r^' ^' nuite as much as clear Tim-

othy to feed to

a stock of cjittle, and

i.

consider it to be by far preferable to Tim

for milcl
othy

i cow

Good

336

CURING CLOVEES FOE STOCK.

U ' %

I \-\

:i

clover ].ay will keep up the quantity of milk, while
tnnothy will diminish it."

Still another says : » I have found no better hay for
farm stock than good clover, cut in season. For milch
cows it is much better than timothy. It keeps horses
that are not worked hard better tlian any hay. And

milk, while

-3

3

;er hay for
For milch
ips horses
lay. And

MIXING WITH OLD HAY.

337

draw,, ,l„.„„„|, ,, ,.,,ck"_'' V ' : "'■'V""""' "'""'>' ^>-'
"oo„, „„,1 1„I ,t lie i, t,,„ ; ""■ •,'"^-."! 'I- 'ore.
codes i„ tl,e .lto,-„,„„, •> ""''"''V""J pit It li,to small

sweet and free fh.m mould -Z / 7 'T ^'''^
other hay." Another ^ '. r i '''^"''' ''^'^" ^^'^''

^^'^'•» ^^''tli old hayorstrw T : T-"^' " '" '^'^

rear a,,, ,_,^;-^- . I -^^^^^^

fined it as rnnch as possible tn n ;''^''""«' ^'"t and

i-otheharnthesar;:;;e:::::"i^^^^^

old .wale hay that had been left nZ I ' '^""^

oi old hay, then a layer of c over '•.?""'.^ '" ^''^'''
square mow. My neithbnrl .7' "''^'"^' '^ "P '" ^
should burn myC'down ^l' '''' "^^' '""' -"'^ '
stuff.' But I „Lt "v I n ^•^P"y'"ff '■" that 'f,reen
than that. The ex il . ]7 ^''"^ ^''''''- ^'^^er hay

-aie hay, as w^ll^L^WerVh ' ''' ''""'-' ^^
tide of smoke al)out it Lfl '"''' ''''' "'^^ '-^ P''^''-

>n this wav, or I V th! 1'"^ '' ""*• ^^'''^^" ^"''^'^

think cIov;hlvTswortrtri'"°'''" ^'^^ -^'^^ ^

English hay ^ f ed Tt o ""^ ^"'^', '^' '""^'^ ^^ ^'^^
_ .^ iteu out to farm stock."

'•om what has been said

ni'ght be mulf , ied, it

m n

iese extracts, which

20

appears evident that good

S^f.

TESTIMONY OF PRACTICAL FARMERS.

f::!'i

U; I

Ihrmers appreciate the importance of so curing clover
as to preserve its tender and succulent ibiiage. They
are careful not to over-dry it, fur fear of loss of the
blossoms and the leaves. But it is not uncommon
among thriftless farmers to handle it in such a way
that the best parts of it are shaken off and destroyed.

The method detailed in the las^ extract, of mixing
clover with a poor quality of hay or straw, has some-
times been adopted with great success, the clover im-
parting its fragrant odor to the hay with which it is
brought in contact, greatly improving its quality, while
its own value is preserved without injury. It is not
only a matter of convenience, oftentimes, to have the
clover so secured in catciiing weather, but, on careful
experiment, may be found worthy of being more gener-
ally practised.

The general testimony of practical firmeis, as to the
value of clover hay as compared with that of Timothy
and redtop, our prevailing natural grasses, varies ex-
ceedingly ; some making it of equal value, others esti-
mating it at one-half, and from that to two-thirds and
three-fourths.

The practice of raising Indian corn to cut and feed
out green by way of partial soiling is very common in
New England, as already intimated, in speaking of the
natural history of the grasses. This culture has been
carried still further by many farmers, and many acres
are raised, in various parts of the country, for the pur-
pose of cdtting and curing for winter use. Great hopes
are entertained, by many, of the utility of the culture
and use of the Chinese sugar-cane also, which, it is
thought may be raised, cut, and cured, in the same way,
and for the same purpose.

The common practice with regard to Indian corn for
a fodder crop, and which has been already partially

:mers.

curing clover
>liiige. Tliey
t' lofss of the
)t uncommon
sucli !i way
destroyed,
ct, of mixing
iw, has some-
;he clover im-
h whicli it is
juality, while
y. It is not
, to have the
it, on careful
more gener-

Bis, as to the
of Timothy
>s, varies ex-
, others esti-
I'o-thirds and

cut and feed
' common in
d?ing of the
re has been

many acres
for the pur-
Great hopes

the culture
which, it is
3 same way,

ian corn for
dy partially

ind;an corn foddrr.

339

J., tin. mode ' e C r ™,™'"'« "■'"' "'« '"«*•
inches higl, ..„,, „„,,,, , ;^ ";' - :-' -X <o ,,velv„

oH,or aite,. culture fs gencally," do^ tL?" ■■ ""
mg «.unnouly takes pbce about tl , " "°"-

"itenals of a week „r ten duV m T T ' °""'R«. '"

to eut ,t a,, to cure tor winter use ' 'le-'Kued

generally ,,relerred, in order to he' n I 1 '^ """'"» ''»
>«;.. weather, in A'ugust to ,v , t^^Z^T^l '"
■" tins way, about three or (bur bushek n "

q«"ed for an aere ; .inee, itZ t^^' ^^l'!? '!'■
'.etter, ti.e stalks s^aller.'and the w2el;,f "'''" "
J he chief difficulty in curing corn cultiv.ted fo,. ,i •

CX' ^ iifr-t"'° -"""-^ ^^•'°'<- ' '' :, ites'^a,^';;

rom tiiciau that .t comes at a season when the weather
s often colder, the days shorter, and the deJ, e Ir
.1 n when the curing of hay takes place. No ' i .e'
c "ing of corn cut np green so easy and simple as , t
o dry,ng the stalks of Indian corn cut abole the e

Phnti,"rir7°" ■"'■""'"^ of topping, since then thj
pla t ,s nper, less .,u,cy, and cures more readily. The

"nndle TT-"' "''""'"^ '' '° "" -"1 'i" "■*■' <tna
g ou d ;; ".f .'""!«"••>"' -"*"-'."'-' "took upon the
ground, where ,t ,s allowed to stand, subject to all the

stoTit,:^*' rr"?"^ -"'"' °"'^- *"" n-<ectio„ of tte
stook .tself. The stooks consist of hunches of stalks
first bound m small bundles, and are „,„.,e suffiei ^
large to prevent the wind from blowing them oven

'1(1

I I

340

KILN-DRYING INDIAN CORN.

The arms are thrown around the tops to bring them
together as closely as possible, when the tops are broken
over or twisted together, or otherwise iUstened, in order
to make the stook " shed tlie ruin " as well as possible.
In this condition they stand out till sulliciently dried to
put into the barn.

But Indian corn stocked in this way often becomes
musty or covered with dust, wiiile the rains often soak
It tnoroughly and wash out much of its soluble matter
and Its nutritive value is in a great measure lost Be'
sides every one knows that to cut up a green plant, as
a willow or any other thriftily-growing plant or shrub,
and set It up with the cut end resting upon the ground
where it can still derive moisture from the soil, wh!
prevent its drying. There can be no doubt, also that
the exposure to the sun, wind, and rain, greatly in ures
It, by removing mnch of its sweetness, or changh,g it
to woody fibre, while it takes from it its beautiful fresh
green color.

To avoid the losses necessarily attending these modes
of curing, some have suggested kiln-drying as far pref-
erable, and, on the whole, as economical. I have
known the experiment tried in one or two instances
with complete success, the fodder coming out with its
iresh green color and apparently better relished hv
cattle than that dried in the ordinary way This
method appears to me to be worthy of much more
xteiH ed and careful experiment. The kiln need not
be elaborately or expensively contrived. The process
of drying would be short, an.] the labor slight

Another niode n^hich has been suggested is to hang
It up in shods open to the air, precisely as tobacco is
cured. This process would be longer, but the nutritive
qualities of the plant would probably be better pre-
served than if cured in the onen air xviih H ^

1- Liii, u|jen air, witn the exposure

I

If

if

*«■

0 bring them
ps tiro broken
jned, in order

1 as possible.
;ntJy dried to

ften becomes
lis often soak
luble matter,
ire lost. Be-
■een plant, as
uit or shrub,
the ground,
the soil, will
bt. also, that
eatly injures

chani

ing it

autiful fresh

these modes
as far pref-
il' I have
'o instances
out with its
relished by
'vay. This
much more
iln need not
Phe process
'it.

I is to hang
I tobacco is
le nutritive
better pre-
e exposure

THE METHODS OF RAKING. 341

10 u.culate through It. After bein.^ well dried
It IS taken down ..i,,i *. 1 ^'"a **^" uiieii

Fig. 164.

tbe horse-.ake Fig ^q^ ^^ '''^'''' "^""^^^'^'l^^ntly mth
met with e-re'if nn.. • ' '*'' ^^'^'^'it one. It

ouieon sCi:sr ^t ;r"'"^^'-^'^ ^''--^-di-

ing. I sh- 11 *'^''^^->' *"'^ economical f irm-

of the circular "/^J! / tJurteenth question

years. JIiicl, |,l,„" ! , '""■■"^■™kL'» I™- /mem,

^o,>o-n,ko I, t ° I ' ''"'f ^7 "'" "'"' <■»■ "".V ki..,I „f

^-^-ening, or in a cloudy L Z """'""f ' "' '^''

Ht the verv ri.l,f Z!' 1''^.; ^"^ .'"^^ '""^t be raked

very right time, or it may b/entir

29*

■ely spoiled.

!' I'n

342

THE HORSE-RAKE.

I i ii

!

It IS therefore, quite important to work quickly, wlieu
the time for doing it comes. With a good rake, u ma-i
and horse will gather more hay in half an h„ur than .,
laborer with a hand-rake usually gathers in a long after-
noon,-that IS, one ucrej this is considered a half-day's
nikmg by hand-rake." ^

Fife'. 165. Kevolvintr Uiike.

The independent rake operates very well. The ,.Id
revolving rake. Fig. IGo, costs about the same. One
objection to the spring-tooth rake is, that the wire tretli
scratch up too much earth. This is seen in Fi- lOi)

Fife'. 160. Spi infe'-tooth Rake.

These are primitive forms of the horse-rake, but thev
are still used m some parts of the country.

A practical farmer says : " My opinion is that no mod-
ern invention of agricultural implements has made so great

quickly, when
(1 vake, a inaii
n liour than a
II a long' aftoi-
3cl a lialf-day'is

THE rXDKPEXDENT HAKE.

343

■11. Tlie „1,1
«aine. One
ii! Avire teeth
1 Fig, l(j(j.

fe, but tliey

hat no inod-
ade so great

a savin, over the old .netliod of performing farm work
as the nidependent liorse-rake "
Another .ay.: -rhe -Independent' has taken tlie

aee of the revolver with me: it is managed with
n u h more ease, the teeth, eaeh one acting indq, n eli
of all others, at all times laying ou the sn^face, vh ,

i iv

: ill !l
/ '.Si (i

t

'\

344

OPINIONS OF FARAfKRs.

even or otlierwf^P wHi ,. >i i

spniig-tootli." '^ "'^^ ■'« will the

And another : " I use the wire-tcntl, Ti • ,
en^ or wheel ralce is used so,. C •...■. ' ";'''?"'^-
<i''0"t sixtv tons of h.,v- .. " ^'•""'- ^ f-'it

Hiid second in qualitv of 1 ^ '" ''''""•-

-^edatni,ht.'^An:jhe^:r:Mr;;;v^^
revolving- horse-rake for the Lt t, n '"'"^ *''"

'"^^^ n^y opinion is that coul '"""' "'' '""'■^^'

'between six men („• -I , '"'''' "'>' ^'''0'<'«

with a <iuanti of h.v ""' ""' '■'^'"' '^^^^^'' ^'"''--^
latter." ^ ^ ^'"^ '^^ ^^^'"''^^ ^ ^'''^"J^l take the

%'-167. TlK.L,af.rRake.

:""' '" ^..al'lo ,,. ,„ .,ve tm,e and , ° ' ! ''J °™"-
!■■ a vastly l,etter condition T ,"'""">' the cio|,
"■e OKI and slow moth« of iv, \ "" ^"l^'^ded
tent -n,d .1, "'°"«""' "I haynig to a very lame e\-

fiut there w s t Aeft 1 el;"" ""'""T"*^'
an,l st.,«mc, awiv in t L ''''"'""'"^ *'"k "t l-itching

k luusut, and took mnch valuable time.

I the revolver,
lay as will the

i'he independ-
;i''">d. [ cut

"l\ 0 IK) (loill)t

"'■"^t ill labor,
yihing being
s»ve used the
i''s or more,
my choice
ii'fer dinner,
iJd take the

THE HORSE-B^ORK.

345

the horse-
liave done
i liay crop,
it the cro])
superseded
Y large ex-

the most

f pitcliing
3k. Tliat
^ihle time.

ii ton m t ve minutpv* n,. 1..C, v, ^''•^ ""^e- J •> unload

J'it'. lOS. The Grappling; Hay.Pork.

f'lmple arrangement of pullers flu. i.o • •, ^

;i."c.dy c„„«,ed fro„,\t-i ad t„':v;;;r 'f ';;"'

Wrii, a.,,1 ,I,-„i,,,e<I i„ tI,o l.aj- ^ ' "'°

fork !. ea.i„ adjusted, du,4.o Ido "iU-I '.'^rt
can be useil for |„,y or straiv \ ,1 , i '"""'• "

is shown on p. 346. "'"'' '""Toou-fork

'ip

1!

■ I

340

THE HOllSE-FOllK.

Fig. 170. Thu I'uliuur Fork.

Fig. 109, Boulile narpoon.Kork.

The lVe(iueiit losses to which farmers are subject in
inakiii}^- hay have sug-g-ested tlie use of liay-caps, made
to cover the cocks and protect them from tiie weather.
It is but recently that their use was introduced, and,
like most novelties, it has met with objections from
some on tin; score of economy, while their use is as
strongly ai)j)roved by others on the same ground. I
have often seen them used, and the time taken to cover
•an acre of grass or hay in cock partially cured is less
than most would naturally suppose. Where they are to
be used, less care is needed for "trimming down" the
cock, and putting it in a condition to shed the rain.

An experienced practical farmer says : '' 1 have used

I

ler Fork.

5ul)jeot in
ips, niiule
! woatlicr.
loefl, and,
ions from
use is as
i-oiiiuL I

I to COVCM'

ed is less
ley are to
^^vn " tlie
rain,
iave used

USE OV II AY- CAPS.

347

hay-caps witli g-ood rcsidts. I liavc one iiundrod made
ol euttun sheeting, two yards scjuarc, witli pins attached
to the four corners with strong twine; the hundred
cost me just forty dolhirs. 1 thinic they have saved me
twenty dollars this year. I liad at one time this season
one hun(hi'd and tiiirty cocks standing out in a six
days' storm. One inunhed were covered, and, not
having caps enough, thirty were left uncovered. 'lUe
uncovered was worth but little, while the covered was

Fi),'. 171. Hay-capa.

passable hay. T stonked som(> oats, which T capped.
They stood a two days' rain without injni-v." And
another: "Our caps are made of heavy fivi^-fourths
cotton cloth, cut s(|uar(', with lour little loops, through
which Ave run a slim wooden pin into the hay-cock.
The pins hold it better than weights in the corner.
Ours cost twenty-one cents apiece. Have saved the
cost in one stnmi thi-^ season."

" In reply to your question as to the utility of hay-
caps," says another firmer, " it gives me pleasure to

348

ECONOMY OF HAY-CAPS.

!

i

8uy tluit, after using them constantly, for the last seven
years, 1 vousulw thcni of ti.e first iniportanco in the
most cntiral hnindi of fanning.

"1 can .atbly alHini that n.y hay has been intrinsically
worth, on the average, one or two dollars a ton more
than my neighhors", which luts been ,.rovc.l by the
remarkal)lo health ol my animals.

"My horses have nt.t been sick an hour, and the
heaves are unknown in my stable, which may fairly be
Httrd.uted to the flict that no musty hay ever enters my
barn; and it is probable that the milk of cows may be
as unhealthy, if they eat ba.lly-cured hay, as if led on
what IS called swill in the cities.

" Having these covers always at hand, it has been ray
practice to mow my grass when it was ready, without
consultnig the almanac, or waiting for a change of the
moon ; and the result has been that I have had more
than my share of good luck in this important brandi of
business.

" They are also very useful as a protection against
heavy dews, and as a cover for coarse clover and
Timothy I consider them iiidispeiisuble,

" After long experience, 1 have found the most ap
proved method of making the hay-covers, avIucIi may
be used for wheat and other grain crops with great
advantage, is to take stout unbleached cotton sheeting,
of a suitable width, say from thirty-seven to fortv-five
inches wide, — the latter is the best, — cut it"^ into
squares, and attach to each corner, by a string or other-
wise, a pin niiide of wood, twelve or fifteen inches long,
cut off smooth at one end and rounded over at tire
other, which completes the affair. The size of the pin
should be about an inch in diameter.

" Hemming the selvages is a matter of fancy, as they
would do very well without it ; and, if u tannery is near

ast seven
!:o in tlie

n'iMiciilly
toll more
I hy the

and tlie

liiirly be

nters niy

i niiiy be

f led on

been ray

without

e of the

iid more

■iUK'll of

against
ver and

nost ap
ich may
li groat
heeting,
)rty-five

it into
r other-
Bs long,

at the
the pin

as they
is near

A rKIlMAXKNT STinCTlltK. 349

by, it would greatly imiirove them to phiiige them
int.. ii vat for twu or tlireo day.s. This wouhl tiiicken
up tho doth an inch or two, mikI make it luori" .hirabhs
as well as much more cllV'ctiial. A decoction of bark,
witli ulum, or Home iithur Hslringciit, would probulilv
answer ecpmllv as well ; but this is not

mak

HeCfNHUt

11, to

e an e uellei*: hay-covcr. Like a cotton umbrella,
the first I'as'h «)f i heavy shower would cause it to
Kpatt(>r thi <u;Ji for (; moment, but would do JittI

narm.

1 (1

e or no

O)

""';ether a larger si/,u than fortvfjv,
inches stpiare, or forty-five by titty, would be desirable
Mine have been not iiui
square."

ell over thirtv-six iiicl

les

Another farmer says: " I have never used the

myself, but tliev are

m

advantage. A neighbor ot

used in the lu-igliborhood ti

mine, who has used tl

goo

lem

for three years, says they have been worth to him this
year the whole cost, as with them he has been able to
get all his hay in in good order, while a large .pjantitv,
where they wen; not used, was made nearly worthle.ss
by the long-continued wet weather."

A permanent structure for covering and f)rotecting
hay-stacks is described by a farmer, in answer to the
question [)roposed in the circui»r, as follows: •' I have
a structure called a hay-caf), which, if farmers have not
sufficient barn-room, I think would bee<'oiu.mical,as hay
can be more rapidly secured than in the comm.ui stack,
and It obviates the necessity of fencing, and prevents the'
hay from being wet while the stack is open for feeding.
This cap is twelve feet square, and consists of two sills,
fourteen feet in length an<l eight inches square, four
posts, five inches square and seventeen feet long,
framed into the sills one foot from the end of the same.'

The sill..

are held together b.y tw

o girt.-^, framed into the

post just above the sill. The posts are held firmly by

ijiii'^^'^^

350

PERMANENT CAPS FOR STACKS.

girts placed five feet eight inches above the sills to
which lie.ght the box part of the structure is boarcle,!
Ihe posts above the b..x are perforated with lioles one
foot apart, for the insertion of pins, to sustain the cap

. light as possible, so that it may be readily raised by
P acnig t e shoulder under the corner. Tile frame of

te posts and adm.t of some play. The rafters are
H"al joists, nine feet m length, the feet resting upon
slant pieces of joist, placed across the corners of the
frame thereby forming openings for the posts to pass.
The tops of the rafters are nailed together over the
centre of the frame. Girts should be placed halfway
rom the eaves to the point of the roof, to nail covering
'H.ards to Ihese should be good half-inch stuff, and
run from the eaves to the rafters. The tops of the posts

should be kept from spreading by stay lathing them.

A hay-cap of the dimensions given will hold five tons

o hay. The cost I do not know, as this was on the

pJaee at the time of my coming on to it."

f y

A'

he sills, to
■•^ boiirded.
iioles, one
ill tlie cap
(1 be made
raised by
frame of
ill outside
if'ters are
ting upon
3rs of the
s to pass,
over the
hall-way
covering-
stuff, and
the posts
Mg them,
five tons
3 on the

CHAPTER XT

ORNERAL TREATMENT OP GRASS LANDS.

The importance of having the ground well tilled and
thnrou.Hhly ,)repared by lil.eral manuring before com-
m- (.ng the seed to it, is too apparent to nee.l remark.
\\ hen the seed Ks sown, it is tho common practice to
harrow ,t m, either with an iron-tooth or a bush or
brush harrow, or botli ; an.l those who adopt a more
careful culture follow these operations with a thorough
rolling, wluch compresses the soil, and usually causes an
earher germination of the seed. The importance of this
last operation, that of rolling, is too often overlooked.
By reference to Table XIV., the importance of cover-
ing a the proper depth is also apparent, since it will he
seen ihat a large proportion of the seeds germinated
with a very slight covering.

Many questions of a practical character suggest them-
selves o the farmer, after all has been done to secure
a complete an,: thorough cultivation of the soil and i

fan ferdin "'''''' ''"'^ ''"'""^' *''" ^'''* '' *''^ economy of
This is the term applied to feeding off the aftermath
of mowing land., a practice which is very prevalent,
and justified by experienced farmers rather on the plea
of necessity than any other, since most farmers, of care-
iiil observation, admit, Hu.f Jf ;.. r.r. t-u^ ...i,_i- • • .

injurious.

^ iargo r)roportion of those who are in the habit of

fall-

(351)

h

352

OPINIONS OF FARMERS.

«ol,M„,eX .t.;VV"^V'•'''T''■''''''-
«.■<le,■ ,-,. a„ i„j,„,- ; „"'„:,. ' A 'T''''' '"" """■
food off, moJorVt,.|v , « " ''" ""•>■"• "^ do

flou^^auci ~:^::^ ;«'';;: trrf' f ->' ">°"ing

tl«.n if left o„ the g™ , I to ™ 7! "'"™ ''^ '«"

tlio l-iki.,tlie next ve,L,- - V . ' , " ""'.'"'« ""d
-Cioa of „,;■ '^, , :, .^P™:'!" '»;™o.; in „„„t,,e,.

growth of mowing ,i "7; „.l 7 "" ""■ """'■•
hoat ti,e root, JulhlJ!^^ '" ""' '"" ''""" '""■

antriHtinu^iir^zs'-f.^r:!'^-';-"''

top-( lessin- is u.pH «n.J f "^'" "i -iJi cases where a

«.ru»p,o,.^c;::trt,:L:;r;:r

.i.eit„,. ,;; «.,„.;, f ; f,'"i7?;;-/ ™*-" e™.d

feed i. off and then topdress i ll fi'-T' '"'" ^ "'

«e)d.odo»o,a„ri'iHi;;Lrp:r/3rv''d
:T:tL':X"' I fe^^iroTr-" '""-■•- -'^

^ letd It off because it is necessary

'ti'cal farmer,
would prub-

it the milk-
Anotlier,
•, "Do you
lands in the
lefit to the
y, but con-
eys : " I do
>y mowinir
lore so fed
?e mass of
'cythe and
ill another
the after-
nipelled to
hink it an
'ih, which
tlown and

n the fall,

i where a
old field
Where a
it is like

s a grand

says : " I

a benefit
f 'lid not
'I'ites me
•.\' to the
to feed
r, and is
Jceasary

^f'UTlCE AND i;XPEKIENCE. 353

Heial to tl,„ iSVZ!'-^ \ '''' ""' """k it bene-

"U"n„„,,..- A ve,,. expenonced It;, ',"""" '",«' ''>■
vudon, wrrtcvs me: "To «,me extern T V "'^" "'■•
l'"'n choice, l,„t c.nvenienee tL\ " r " ""'■ ""'
cattle i, »„,„e ,„j,„,,, „„j „,?fe„f "'7" ',"''' "f ""^
"f gmss, and leave tl,e wild ,1™ , '*■" ''''"'^^

"!• tlieii- growtl, 1„ „,,. '" "" '° «"*"«. file area

are kept ,', the be«t "o^ditl^ln-Tr' ""r"* S'""""'
»eeo„d cop, with tir.cL^ '"^fS '''' '''««'»' "nd
with e„r;p„'t ma„„,e, ..•"'• '""^ '-"™""'"^- '''c-in,.

«. ™;, :r t;;.'V^i:. x'>"=^ "'■-""-^- r»-oai

torn ,.s to t0|Mlre.s n„ I, '"J'"'""'- % cu».

c".npo. -n:.e'::Lr.ir ;'i.s::;:';o";';'' *'"'"•'

once in two or three veir.. /'"' •■'^" '" Hie acre
year, and a portion I e nex ' "wi"" :,'" °'' '"*' '" '™'^
liable to wash _e„. . „ "''" "'*' e'lamd i,, not

fall r«in.and W„ ter tow, ."'„" " '''■^™''«" '"■'■ '^^
in the early spr!"g » ' """^ ""= 8™»» '» benefited

" FtrinerrT''""'"" ''"™""' ''" """"'" ''action says ■

lanneis here are in the habit of feeding- off
mow ng iinds in Mm en v, » i 'ecning oB their

e ""iii» in the tall, but have no donht thnt .1,

"• k ome think the mmrv not sn nrp.t o, +i
value of the fe-t^^ r^P fi, c^ " ^ ^^'^^ ^'^ ^''e

^ ^' iiie leen ot the after-growth" " T >,q,,„ u j

.' it i.!^:;^f;d „"o IT. ".'!!«!' _f-^™« ■•» «".v i-i-y,

00 close; prefer feeding t

•'^econ. c,op,Rnd feedmg with sheep rather than
80*

o mowing the
cattle.

h

r

354 EFFECT OP FALL FEEDl\(i,

And another: "The feeding of <l,-y niuuing injures it
by causing it to run out, leaving the roots exposed to
the wniter, while moist land is injured by the cattle's
feet luucli more than the value of the feed, in both cases
taking all oil, and leaving nothing to ivnovate the land
another season."

An experienced farmer in one of the best grazing
owns of Massachusetts says : ■" It is now more than
twonty years smce I have allowed anv kind of domestic
animal to feed upon our mown lands, anc] my opinion
previously has been fully confirmed by my experience
It IS a decided benefit to let the after-growth remain
upon the land ;. itis a protection from summer's drought
and wmier's cold. Some of my neighbors are following
niy example." And another : " I sometimes feed off my
after-grass When I do feed it ofi; I take good care to
feed It early, and leave a good growth to protect the
roots of the grass from frost in winter. I think it an
injury to feed ; mowings will last longer not to be fed
at all, and the land when broken up will produce a bet-
ter crop of corn or potatoes than if fed "

From these extracts it will appear that the practice
of fall feeding ,s very general, while the g„od judgment
of practical farmers almost unanimously condenms it as
injurious, especially to feed closely and late in the sea.
son. The reasons assigned for the practice are, chiefly
the necessity generally felt for feed at that season of
the year, and the importance, in some situations, -par-
t.cukrlyon interval lands,- of removing all protection
or the mice, which frequently prove very destructive
to the roots when buried with the snow in winter All
condemn the practice of too close feeding, under ali
circumstances.

The fall growth collects the elements of a thrifty
growth in the following spring. These are stored up

•iiig injures it
'ts exposed to
hy tlie cattle's
, in both cases
ovate the Jand

best grazing
iw more than
d of domestic
d my opinion
y experience,
■owtl) remain
[ner's drought
are following
!S feed off my

good care to
' protect the

I think it an
not to be fed
roduce a bet-

the practice
od judgment
ndenms it as
te in the sea.
' are, chiefly,
t season of
tions, — par-
11 protection
destructive
'.vinter. All
g, under all

3f a thrifty
i stored up

IMPIIOVEMENT OP lASTU'RES. 355

in the roots over Winter for the early use of the plant.
1 it s closely fed, the sprmg growth must be p. opor-
tionably later a/id feebler. ^

But one of the most important questions which the
fanner m the older sections of the country has to meet
.s the proper treatment of his pasture lands. .Many of
our old pastures have been stocked hard, tin.e out of
mind, and the grasses in them have been literallv
starved out, and grow thin of necessitv, while, as tl.;
finer and nutritious grasses disappear, nature very
kindly covers up the nakedness of the soil with moss
as an evidence of the effect, and not the cause, of'
poverty 1 hey are said to be " worn " or " run out "
Mnuy of them are grown over with bushes m.d briers
and other equally worthless pests, till they carry but
one anm.al to four or five acres, and often require twice
c.at amount to keep an animal on foot, to say nothing
of fattenuig h,m. It is a well-known saying, that - poor
pastures make breachy cattle." ^

rndoubtedly, thousands of acres in the older states

v.th cat e, and many an observing farmer is now con-
vinced of tl.s fact ; but still we must have pastm"
lands; and there are circumstances where it becomes
important to improve them, and increase their produc-
tiveness. .Some of them are so situated that they can
l^e ploughed, and thus brought in, with other cultivated
lands, to the general rotation; and where this can be
done, ,t may be, on the whole, the best and most eco-
nomical mode of improving them.

In answer to the circular on a preceding page,..
melhgent farmer writes me: "I have renovated my
old pasture land by pulling up the bushes bv the root^
scarifymg the foul or mossy places with t'he harrow'
and sowing on grass-seed and clover, both red and

350

wliiU*

OLD PASTunu LANDS.

Winn-., „ : „,2 ;„'" ■^— '•■ T«.»f!on 10,-_

t, n. i.ia.^tu 01' gypsum has bmud.t in f), • • '
^-^^r tne next year after .owi.-v 1 no^ . ^ A'"'';
farmer says: "The host m.fi 7 t , ""^*'^ ' P'-'i^'tical

-i'^' redtop and white :^:^;^^:^^;'f--^ ^"-n
•f '-je without adding anythi /<. to t, ' ^'"^ ^ "'°P

•'-!'" -ith 'barn cll;fi;'' ^^11' ,\ ^l'' t" -^^'"^

Ponenoedfarmerofan^ther^L ;.s.:^;^^r^"
t'H-e lands can he phxighed do it u! h V "" ^''^^

-'^y «even incd.es deerharroJ ' T"'"' "^"-^""^

J'"ndred pounds of TW,' ^^'o^oughly, sow one

''"okMvhelt p 7aere '" ^"'"^ '"^ ^''^'^^^^ P-^^-^ "^

time. Sow as ' Ih' ''"'"T '^^'™ ^^^ '^^ ^''<^ ■'^^"^e
adapted to le soi f/T'"" "^' '' *''^ ^'"^' ^^-^

I i-ve tried t^y acr r'at'aT' "^'- ,'"^' '' '"•
cess." -^ ^^ ""^ '^ *""« ^vith good

v«UC-

'-' per acre, once in two vears ii» + +i • \

tlie grass incrpa^pH A. "^ ' ^ ' *"'s time ;

fe "^-53 iiicreased trom year to vpar ox

most of the hnrl in +i,- . ^ '^' ^'' ^^ *» cover

Liie jana in thirteen vear" T „ t

eommen,.,. p,„„„,„^ ,. I p^:;. .,:,;„, >-:,; ;«;i

ie?fior! IG

'^onio Jiavo
ot the stock
^ seed-sfulks.
od li.ia h( ,.n

^" f'H lilli.S,

" ^^1- 'vliito
'1^'' pmctical
round is to
^t) tlio acre,
seed down
^''"g a crop
len seeding
liile an ex-
J^ the pas-
th of Jnne,
, sow one
' pecks of
tlie same
kind best
'sh it in,

good 8UC-

' question
e a piece
h' a spire
nd otiier
'e plains,
^ sowing
f piaster
lis time ;
to cover
rs ago I
lie acre,

''''''' TO RENOVATE i'ASTURES. 357

find put on fifteen Jn.wi . *■

».l about a l.a.l,cl UK 1 T f"'r7"' "'" »I"'"S.
acre. Tl,e next y^J .,,'""'"'"''''"■'" P"'

•— ed it the sam;oxc' :?"■;' r'"?''"' '""'' '""i
•nelcm,, d„„g«| i,,",; rm"" """/ I*"""-! <l"- with

™^umro I nut „„ til "■„'' '"""""Ic.', and all ti,e

water carted , it fi.„T ,' T"'" '", "'" '"'"' "^ '!'«
""mediately. , ougl ^d" tl'" "'/'«""-■'■-''■ I' -".^
t'- i.ill seven fee Irti 1 >?'''''''''■'"««' '"

'"-dt„u.a,.v:;^:';'^ ;:• t;;,:r'r''"'r"°"-

>»y cattle into it, |,e fit, ^f r ■ "^ '"""^'1

"tl.cr, who Lave s n i tt , n'l '™ ■''"'""'' »"''
■".Sl;t i,ave cut a Un, toll,:' i- "\ L'li,"::';;,?" "' '

"Ot be turne irt'il 'lrf°f "'"'• ^""^ ■^'-W
"ver..toel.ed . .o tilat I er ^i' ;:':.■;'!"' '""" -'
grass to go to seed wl.lM, . > ^° "P"'" »f

stocke,! V iti, g,,.sr Ah 1 '"' "'" P"-^""-' '"«"
witl, grass. l"f you c„ I'^. "^ ?;"'''P''^'"™ ^'"cked

-w on Timoth/and r^ ' td i *" '"'?' °"""- ""•-•
.vcar. : pi-eler to do ,, f' ''"'^ " '"- »"ce u

"-vlM-c!,ro7ar ,f;,' V *'''"''.n"'»^
•> ' '' "•'<- '"Oi't at Jeisure will do "

Anotier experienced farmer savs • ""OM .

slionld be ploughed and planted when 'fl ^''^"'"^

■;>->^^'' for those operatioL Th ' m. '7 1 "*' '""
•'own in July among corn or bL? ' ^''^".''^ '^^^'^''-l
sown with the ^rassled "/..JlT ' ?•- ^''-" "^- l'<^

\ve have too much

grass-seed in the foil

owi

rough pasture unfit for tl

ng spring. But
plough.

le

i

358

PHACTICAL KXPKUJK^CE.

••"•>' ---'^'^^ well c.n ch': , ^::/^''- 1^'-^^- ,eno.
";'t ^--tJ' And another • '' |, \T ""^■'' ^''"■^''' ^^'--^^
P'anted old pastures, ...d tlu n ' , ?''' J''""«'""' ='"''

" ^^^f -• ''^ ploughing v:,-,: Z ""'• ^^"^'■^^'■""' ^^^^>''^ ••

-ed and grain in .^epten 'V I'T'"^^ ^'''"" «'-^-
"^'"■nre, after remov^,. '' Z ^f*'"''' "T P'^^S'l-ing i„
'•'■'-M>louglM-n the sp •„!' / "^'^" fUTound,and
«■■''"•-, Ht the rate of t ux-elunX?'''''^ 'J'"^ ''^""'•^'^^ '"
« 8-ood dressing of comnnV ^^ ''"""^'^ P^'' ««^e, or

'•;: '-'^op, and^^; ^"^t;;';; --^^'-le island bent

f «-.seed and harroivin^- Tt 7 ^ """;'' '""^ ^^"^^"'"^^ ''"
'^'•*'^^ P«"'^^J^s of g„„,, "^ ' ; f'";^PPlving throe h„n-
«*^It. or ashes iu^r^^n'l ''"' ''"'^ °"« P^ck of

^-•••ow and Lush th^;:;.r";,^ '"'^"t ^^^ --
sprnig." ^'"""f'- ^Sow early i„ f:^i, ^;

I" K'-Kla-l, -vliore ol,l T.!, i ^r! "^, ',''" l''»".';l'- But
Lave k„o,v„ e.vt,,,„nl „a,y 'e 1, 't ™ '"■'"'•'=" "I'' I

;-od ,vl,i,3 olover, „„., :,,M ; 7'» P"-- ac,o,„„,,
tidil pasture. Tlio bri.st, l,„ " """« ont a l)enn-

;'" ^''■as^ia,,,, ,•„ :,, " ,r::r"" r""'"""'^^ "-

'»'-• Broaki,,, an, .p'J.h'n; L ^-I ^ 7"-'' «"• "-

8 LHc cattle droppings oi

)n

'^"nng-, hnt
^nvh i-oiiol,
i-^tor (it tli(!
ister gene-
"■'iiL'li are
"g'ltMl and
t'lo cattle
f'lnners of
'<"), sajs :
\vn grass-
igliing f„
'tnid, and
arrow in
'' acre, or
"i<l bent,
« variety
JAving- in
reo Inin-
peck of
or acre,
fall or

I'vation
'• But

'1 up, I
ressing

large
i^e you
'cd an
ng of
e, and
l)eau-
ed to
r the
gs on

USE OF I'LASTKU.

tl

351>

10 pasture land

niethodw of
alluded to liereaft

IH

^voll worth attending to." Tho

Ai;

renovating pastures by ton-.l
L'reafter.

ressing will be

'inor ofMas.sachusett

^eentli (juestioii of tl

Tii

'e circular

s says, in answer to tl

le six-

I'^'Pcnds on the kind of land to b

c reclainu-d.

"' it can be ploughed I wi.nM .1 i • " "'•

h'n

St(

nt' tl

M'ai
tu

tl

ion sow it t

iig else, to make it mell

(> li'i-ass.

"y to plough, — which istl

If it

»o pasturing in thi

secti

le case with a 1

ow and
Js too rough ()!•

/ : "to '" ""« section,

m land, I would Iced it with

but

»rge share

is (>

ood.

re o

f tl

^]^ description, that, a f

lecp. I J

sweet.

covered with briers an.l bushes so tl

■ew \eaT:

'"ve a pas-

but
put oi
it for f

very little grass ui)on it. I
1 ^beep enough to eat eveiything Tl

lick that tl
cut off the b

ago, wa.'
10 'e wa,-

oui

br

plaster of Pj

o'- «ve years. They have 1

ii^he.s, an<|
g that grew ujx ;i

■'ers, and most of the busl

les.

I 1

'ii-is, which is all I have done t

Killed all th
lave sowed son

le

one acre is worth and will

<> it, and now

th
ha

roe would ten year

produce more feed tl

ve always done well o,, tl

ige- I should say that my si

iian

cold fjnd wet, and

go, and never try to reel

buildinas. or uonv +J,^ ,..-7i

lis

niy sheep

pasture. If the land
cimcd to grow bushes 1 I

IS

let it

"m it, unless it is near th(

f ' 7 "^^^^»- tlie village, where the 1

case It

J'igb. in that

into good smooth land.

Anotlier practical farmer, of

may pay to ditc

nid is verv

I and

\\(

Jv- 1 1,

We

lave a variety of soil in tl

great experience, aayi

, "J "• ""11 in 1,111

he^t of pasture lands, stony soil

MS town : s

ome of th

^oil. Plaster of P,

P

workj.

most admirably

'^^^'o hundred pounds to' tl

th

generally day sub-

'ns^.s our renovator for pasturage.

'^"••^^■'on almost all of our lands.

>e acre, applied once in two

;:ri:i:;,:rrrct:;i--

iif..

i 'I'

360

RHNNING UP TO WOOD.

usf^.l IS ^', I, rice 111 small pieces, and then stock Imrd
with sheep. Feed it duuii till no green tl.i,,.- remains •
then tnrn the sheep ol}' days and on nights till S.ptem^
her; tlirn harrow the land with a sharp harrow, and
sow on gi-ass.seed, keer.in- *Ue cattle oil' the remainder
ot the season."

" It will improve an old i)astnre merely to plough and
re-seod i(, without manure," says another; " hut this is
a shjw mode, and not to be recommended where it is
possible to apply some sort of dressing. A better
method .s, without doubt, to plant lor a year or two
manunng well, before sowing grass-seed. The soil, bv
being thus thoroughly stirred and exposed to atmos-
pheric influences, will give a sweeter grass, and per-
i.jM- more of It. But it is not always convenien; to
plan a part of a past :.re. In such cases giv ,t benefit
would result from simply ploughing, manuring, and
seeding to grass immediately."

But perhaps the best disposition that can be made of
many of our poor, thin pasture lands, and one which
has incidentally been alluded to, is to take the rattle
from them entirely, and cultivate them with forest
trees. This is frequently recommended, i„ answer to
the nuest.on propo^. . in the circular. One farmer
spe^ik,. ,n the following words : '■ Old, worn-out pasture
lands hat cannot be renovated by gypsum or ashes,
l'.ul better bo suffered to run up i. wood. Pine lands
can be seeded ,n the fail with a crop of winter rye, or
wi hout Pine-seed can be obtained by takinu' pains to
collect the burrs before . ;oy are open, and drving them
m some p.ace wI o they can be threshed: This is
wlute-pine-seed yt

This, I am con ce<i, .ill be found to be perfectly
I'mcticable, and a rapid growth of pi... wood, inter-
mixed, as ,t should always be, with some deciduous

CULTL'RE OF PI

NES.

3G1

stock liiird
H" rem; I ins ;
ill Septeiu-
iirow, and
Jt'iujiinder

'lough and
luit this is
^liL'ie it is

A better
iir or two,
lie soil, In-
to atnios-
, and per-
■onient to

t benefit
ring, and

3 inadr I ('
'Ue which
he cattle
th forest
nswer to
0 farmer
t pasture
or ashes,
lie lands
r rvc. Of

pains to
iiig them

This is

ierfectl3'
d, inter-
'cidiious

growth like the white birch, will be found to be uiore
prohtablo than the use to which pastures arc now gene-
rally put. "

i know n.any pastures, of good, strong soil, never
I> o-ghed w.thu. the memory ot the living, some of
winch are known not to have been ploughed ior a
hundred and htty years, which require from eight to
ten acres to a cow, so entirely buried are they in moss
and bushes. Such lands can be plante.l with pines at a
smal cost, a.: would soon be covered with a growth
which woidd pay a large percentage on the outlay.

1 have exammed over a thousand acres of cultivate.!
pines, ,n different parts of the countrv, varying in age
roni three numths to twenty years, and can testify to
the surprising rapidity with which such a plantation
will cover the ground, concealing the fact of their
bemg planted by the hand of man, and assumin- the
appearance of a dense forest.

In one instance, the owner informed me that his plan-
tation had averager] him a cord to the acre every year
for twenty years, during which it had been planted'
while the land, a light, l^arren sand, had apparently been
unproved, and a thick undergrowth of hard wood was
evidently ready to succeed the j.ine, when the oppor-
tunity .dlered. I have seen a growth of pitch pine
made ,n one year, of over two feet sfv indies in leno-th
by measurement, and a growth of white pm., made in
the same tune, of two feet nine inches. Th.. growth of
wood IS generally interrupted by the drought, during
the hottest months of summer, and then starts out a
new growth in the autumn : but. in very moist seasons
It continm.s, with extraordinary vigor, ^11 through the
season J he average growth would not, of course
equal i]-M .fated above.

But still th've are nicurastances.and they are not i.y

31

fr'

;i()2

TRRATMKNT OF PASTlfHKa.

iiiiy moans uiirroinicnf, wUvro it is both priicticahlo iiiul
(losiniM to take ctlKM- iDctiiods of improvements lor
|iii>tiire iiiid ^Tiiss lands.

The idea was roiiiu'il.v entertained that pasture lands
were sullieiently enri. li,d |,y the aniiuals whieh led
them. Trartieal men Im-Iii U, think otherwise; lor it
is lound tliat a prolitahle return is maih- h.r the little
outhiy whi(d. they re.piire I'artieularly is this the case
with pastures led l.y nnj.ji eows. They do not return
the essential elements of the plant to llie nround in so
large a proportion to what they take from it as some
other animals. These elements are recjuired in great
<iuantities to form their nn'Ik. while in other animals
they are reciuired only to Ibrni hone and muscle. The
manure made by cows is, therefore, less valuable and
fertilizing than that of some other animals. The con-
serjuence is, that lands fed wholly by cows are exhausted
sooner than those fed by other animals. For it is evi-
dent that when> more is taken from the soil than is
returned, exhaustion must follow.

Wo furnish animal and vegetable matters to the earth
to supply it with substances which the growth of plants
has taken from it. It will be obvious, on a moment's
reflection, that the constituent parts of the plant are
taken up from the earth and the air, in somewhat the
same manner as our food and drink l>ecome our bone and
flesh. The analogy is still more distinct when we reflect
that all our applications for the improvement of the soil
are nothing more than the supply of food for plants. .
^^)r the food of plants is foun<l in all manures, and the
value of these depends ni)on the quantity they contain.
The methods of renovating mowing and pasture lands
by means of top-dressings do not essentially diifer. An
interesting experiment fell under my observation not
long ago, where common meadow mud, rich barn and

ticahlo and
mients for

■it me lands
wliich led
ist' ; for it
• the little
is the case
not return
ound in so
t as some
<l in groat
er animals
'Cle. The
liable and
The con-
exhausted
r it is evi-
)il than is

the earth

1 of plants

moment's

plant are
ewliat the
•bone and
we rellect
of the soil
Ibr plants.
■J, and the
y contain,
ture lands
litter. An
ation not
barn and

MIXTUHE OF SOILS.

liiMiid

<lre>siii!

>n dill

was hauifMl out in tl

3G3

ere used as a top-
'•'•i^nt parts of the same Held. Tlie nnid

manure impreu;nated with 1

nne, u

there left to the action of the I

It) autiniui and thrown in I

tor. 1

U 8

pnng it was spread about tl

<'ther manure was apjjlied
top t

o wlilcli

the

mud

leaps, ami

I'osts and snows of win-

10 same time the

Hceni, the

Mranj-e as it mav

I'est advanfiige. Tl

crop had been removed, tl.

the mud was applied came

was applied appealed to lar tl
le grass was heavier, and, alter tl

le
le

I'iitntiv than tl

':'t part of the Meld on which
ill more cpiickly and luxi

■<oil, which had not i

'0 rest. This Held was a I

M

been under very high cultivat

irave

lly

and

ii'V ot our soils are gravellv, witi

ion.

The

mu(

o soils need a mixt

I- Marl and mud contain the carl

1 a mixture of
me of marl and meadow

•ases the sulphate of I

a mixture of clav, whici

"I'le, or plaster of Pi

)oiiate, or in some

"'^ "' ^"ly, wnicn sandy (

On these soils clayev mud has I

mdy oi

aris, an

id oft

en

best. Peat

small

iiabl

gravelly soils need,
■en found to do the

'."'"' ';"' '^ '■'••1' vegetable food : and if

proportion of potash, or ashes, be added

e as a mnimre

it is val-

Liglit soil

s are alwav.s

whieh make them Hr

soils

cxn the other hand, are ben.^fi

""P'-oved by any substances
eompact. Stiff clay

nier and more

which make them light

of the tl

nee kinds of e;irtl

or and tnon

immixed with the oti

f^'*' by applications

permeable. No one

md, clay, and lime, when

sui)porting vegetation. Tl
one predoiniiifites, will

'er varieties, would I

le mixture of them, wl

'0 capable of

correct and

it is well known that the fertil

len any

improve them; since

the relative

proportions of their dim

ity of soils depeixls up

on

prod
Tl

ommatcs, and tl
le practice of mix

erent constituents.

iuates, and these should

the sanrl

are adapted to stiffer Innds.

"ig sods has always been attended

In some marls the clay predom ..„, ,.„. „

euse., on the l^ht, sandy soils: in o;;,::

lese a

I" '' ■

i 5

r ' i.

r . I

I i

364

TEXTURE OF THE SOIL.

with success when judiciously managed, and it offers a
practicable means of iniprovement.

Xor is tin"s a[)plicaiion of mud and clav any new flict
to the practical agriculturist. The county of Norfolk,
in England, is said to owe much of its great fertility to'
this source. The greatest European improvements in
sandy soils have been made by these means in Beloium.
As mtimated in the experiment alluded to, it has always
been found best to expose the mud or clay to the action
of the frost. It becomes mellowed so that it may be
spread evenly upon the ground. Peat mud is compoocd
of vegetable matter which has been accumulating for
ages. When taken fresh it ih found to contain itn
amount of acid whicli would make it improper for im-
mediate use. Exposure to the frost, wind, and rain,
will, in time, entirely neutralize the acid properties!
Ashes, or potash, would have the same effect in a much
sliorter time.

These substances may be said rather to ameliorate
and improve the texture of soils than to furnish imme-
diate sustenance to the plant. And in this view thev
cannot be too strongly recommended; for we have
never known them to fail of having beneficial effects,
both on pasture and mowing lands. And, besides, the
application of them is so sim[)le, so much within the
reach of every farmer, that it is well worth the trial.
If the soils are much worn, or very barren from a great
prepondeiance of any particular earth, a liberal allow-
ance will be rerpiired ; but, ordinarily, as in the experi.
ments which have come under my notice, some twentv-
five or thirty cart-loads to the acre have been fouiid
sufficient to increase very greatly the productiveness
of the land, while a still less quantity would be of essen-
tial service. Nor is the expense of this application so
great as some imagine ; for almost every fiirm contains a

i *

USE OP LIME.

id it offers a

3G5

at a. d. It may be removed and nreiiaieil it l
»ea.o„ o. the ye»,- when there ,« l,„t litt e i to do
n,e^expe,.e, therefore, „eed „ot deter any one from

"■hi"' acs 'b'^th".:"'" '"Y'"'" "l"""^- »---'''«.
tl e soil , f h ™ '"""'•"'■■''"•■ '""i a fertilizer of

All ^' '*' P^haps. one of the clieapest and mo.t
priilitable top-dress uo-s It ,^ ii ■ ■ ,

the efFpft nF fi.i. i ^u "^^^'^ '^"e lias observed

uie enect ot tiie loam thrown otit unon tJm n-.. •

;; :':^;e;"t;; -r,t --^i "-^ "■» ^''- -» "-":

ul ellect. For this conlams, besides the putrescent ■„,(
nia ma ters trom the road.a qnantitv of fine sa, d h il

the su face. .Spread upon such soils when covered with
Ki-ass, ,t ,s very efScacious, and often makes the "eta'
.on as vigorous as stimulating maiime. E.periiiKnt,
.ave clears- shown that the effeet of sand on iom so"
IS to operate as a miinure.

us;d"a?f,"rd ''""•'*' """I""'"'"""' ''"» -^""'etimes been
used as a o,,.dressing, Its effect arises not so much
i.o n any due.t nutriment furnished by it to the Zs
- .-..n, lis influence on the substances in the oil It'
hasten, the decomposition of vegetable and mter
matters ,n the earth ; and in this w„v it may be said
.■enew exhausted soils. It increases the tempe tu '
ooW. sour ands, after being drained, and L ," a
'ap.-l decay of peat substances. Hence its use in tli!
ompost heap. It destroys the mosses and coarse e,t

want of lime in tho soil. It produce, from them a ."no

ol*

N !. m

3(;()

EFFECT OF LIME.

vegetable mould, by causing the white and red clover,

and son-io natural grasses, to come in thicker and thicker

each year. Lime pioihices a nn.re marked ellect on the

grasses than .„i any other crop. It seems, very fre-

(luently, (., inn-ease the nutritive quality of the grasses,

as well as to increase their quantity, by assisting theni

to elaboraJp the juices, the albuminous substances, and

tiie sugar, in which their value as food for stock lar^elv

consists.

But lime can never supply the place of other manures.
Ihere are properties which it cannot supply, which plas-
ter can ; others which it cannot supply, as bones can:
and othe.s winch it cannot supply, like ashes, and ma-
nures that contaiu salts. There are situations, however
in winch It is invaluable. On reclaimed meadow lands!
after thorough draining, and a covering of three or four
im^hes of gravel, a top-dressing of lime has a beneficial
ettect. Crops of grass of two and three tons to the
acre have been taken after such a dressing of lime In
many cases H.e first crop will repay the expense of
brmgingsuch land into cultivation. In these situations,
then, as well as on many pastures, it may be called one
of the most useful applications that can be made. Such
lands wdl bear an abundant supply of lime without
exhaust.on But on poor, sandy soils it should never
be used. It will soon exhaust and may render them
competely barren. When it meets with clay in lands
to w ,ch ,t ,s applied, it forms a kind of marl, and
greatly nnproves the texture of the soil : but, when it

ZnZ '"i5°"^-V""l '""^' '' ''^™^' -^'-' - -'-t of

I.me, a..d on these a further application is not needed.
No definite rule, with respect to the amount required
can be given. It must depend upon the natnrp U the

id red clover,
3r and thicker
1 eU'ect on the
'Ills, very fre-
>t' the gTiLsses,
ssisting tliem
bstaiices, and
stock largely

her manures.
)^, which plas-
I bones can ;
^hes, and ma-
)ns, however,
eadow lands,
:hree or four
3 a beneficial

tons to the
of lime. In

expense of
le situations,
le called one
made. Such
me without
lould never
ender them
lay in lands
f marl, and
lut, when it
r, a sort of
s on sandy
quantity of
)t needed,
it required,
ture o.f the

USE OF ASHES.

36;

1 he additioij of lit,.,, f j.i
great n„p,,,.,,, :''"■::, --P^f/'-p ,-,, „rte„ ,,,■

farmers would bear in mind thif ...i '"'^P^"'^'^- ^^
«^ +u 1 iiiinu tnat ashes contain mn<f

i :,,£;r;; ;ti;,',f ' ;":■"■■-"■ "-■"■-'

lent .l„,.., I l'_° '""" ''*':^ ™- » "-"P "f excel-

over, where for

unproductive

voaru

the land had been almost

\:h^l

|t^^

■ -,

'■ 1

I

i

368

LEACHED AND UNLEACHED ASHES.

cro'^pTrerr^'" """ '""'^^^ ^>^ -'-« than other

wZ; . \ -■'''""'' " «''^''^t*^^' ^^'"^"•'t of the sails

w Midi {isiies eontfim T^r>.. ..ii ^aiis

eopeoially on e idl" "" '"""7"^'"' '»»"-i"g lands,

Acaii „g to Professor LieWc witi, pv„,,. *

d.ed u.,d ,en po„„d, of leached a e „f P '""

l.eecl,.t,.ee, spread upon the o I we fur,? :'""""."
P osp,..e as «ve hldred and 's:;,;";;^ "or,',:
iichest manures could yield \nvv Ji '/'^ ^"^

'"■gWy useful to all kh,ds 'of soil ' ''"'"'"' "^

akes ,ro,„ the ashes a part of their fertilizir,^ prone,?
t^es For mauy uses this i, „o oljecti,,,,. eZ7JL

o LVt r ™" "''' "-^ '"'' '''""■' l^'ohedthts a ^
tTu7:r" I" ""r" ""'^ ---able, as the
ftem f! ''"'"'P''?'-'^, *« "»■■« ■•^"'lily ooml,i„es ,vith
tliem E>eo- practical man has heard of the „„,az,„„

effects which bone.d„st has upon the soil. Yet th !

aluable c lefly for the phosphate it contains. B,, if

ve m,^,- rely upon the statement of Professor Mcbij

be. Bnt, suppose we allow four bushels of leached
ashes ,0 one bushel of crushed bone-, the e.perso of

ES.

' than other
'f the suits
'wirig lands,
among the
n su/liciont
ci, countries

carried to
lie matters
^ or bones,

iiereafter.
ui'ope and

to tlie use

held in so
i.-^taiice of
■di'esHing.

one hun-
' common

as much
da of the
!)ates are

leaching
r proper-
I^pecially
ishes are
e, as the
nes with
amazing
it this is

But, if

Lit'big.
os})hate
y valua-
leached
Bnse of

ASHES AND PEAT UUD. 359

ul expon,„.„t, b^ p,,,,„,,, co„»e,.vutiv„ ,0,; ^^
that land pro.lu.nig one to.i to the acre 1,.,

™p™ved .y t,,,. , .a„. as ,„ ,,■.ld^:;: t,;t"t,:

«■«. -Vltere tlurt^ bushels weie u.ed „„ three-fbu, h^
of an acre, ,n one instance, the crop w i,„ , ' a
tllan three.fold. Xor are loich, 7 <" '""',''!"«<' '"°">
objections which . re rt sed In "'''"-l^'y™' <-° ">«

Itao. They ,lo n t a™ 'T' "S"'"^' ""' "»« °f

effect of ti 0 u s fe tTr ■' ,"""""" ""-■ ""''■ ■""^

ter as a top-dressing for'h e'd e .^ . strf " ,';''•

it it;:o;e:.'irertT,°'r f *" "^^ °f p-' ™^.

mud in he pZcrtiorr "'" ""'■'■'" "i""! with

ti.o„«h litr je'^i^,:;;;:- f:f, '" "^ "'""■""■

application to the soH If !. , I , ''""'«' "'' ""
Proportion tna, I'lnt'^t^t t.^^ T l^' ^'.'^
th» two substances ^ntuall, assist each otbe, :,:dth:

I

\ i' ■

' 1

•

U f

f;

if*

370

USE OF SEA-WEKD.

J::^^tjz:-::i::^.-^^ -« •» t,.

ill'-- flip ...1., L'i>\tta .us a lumiure, an, sureafl-

' even forfv cart-loads to thp «r...o ^^^ ' "''

Pr-.t «.!.■ r acre, are .sometimes anr)Iie(l

1 . „ '^'111, lu some cases, a verv vi ii.iMr. *■

^ ui iuiiy on the heavier t<oi s. tliev -vMI 1... oi
dantly repaid. ' *^ "*^ ^''""■

If what has been said be trup — -mri ,f ; *u
ma;,- ..pe,™e„., 3„.e „f":Ll, l ' '0^7^^^'
under mv own observHtinn e ^^t. come directly

buy ash;., on the reJ r'J ™'" "*"'^^ ^^' '^^^^- ^'>

th4 as i often .1 "'•^' 'f'""^' *^»^^" to «eil

II. -Hi, as IS Often done in noiie spoHnrx ,.f *i

my observation ffoes — -mrl t \ V"7^^^- ^^ far as

r alone would

l<es H VciluabJe

mude to the
«; itnd spread-
l They form
it the process

most fertiliz-
cient mode of
!'»e grass as a
kelp decay in
1^ and are no
^fist on sandy
to thirty, or
imes applied,
k'ai liable top-
>lland, where
'at ashes, as
earned. The
lany, and if
on grass, at

lift'liter, and
vill be abuii-

he result of
me directly
do better to
■han to sell
lie country.
i*, the most
So far a<
n and tried
8 soils and
Is has been
' does nul

PLASTEK OK PARIS.

371

l^enefit natural {)astures 'J'l,;. r

^•'!ie% on the character\,f t :^,i^''T "''-'^^^"^'^
-n.e won. and ;;^wh "^ '"?"'^/ "'''^■'' ^""1 '"-
generous top-dressin^i-plasr ^^'^^' "^^'^'^^ "
;:-'"er, and continued thron..:],., ,( tu ^""' '''"'^"'
<ar better, than the adiob.in ^''^' ■'^oason to h,ok

— -ii. So far^:: Hi ^tri' ''■-•-'>' ^i-

i- grass over the adjoin . . ^ r'^""^'; ^'"" '"—
«ve per cent. Xo,;,„ .i^ii '""?•" '' '''""' ^^"^-^^"O"
ti'o next season with the '.n'e ■, 'to ■ l" '''•""''' "*''""'"
'oad of beautiful green v , % "X"nanee, and its

hood. Itsetleeton; ;::, ""/'''^^-^"^''--ig

tl.an on old pastures M ,' ; /^ ^ """^''^' ''^ ^^'^^ .^'-eater
--Id exha 'st t e soil f b ;7. ■■"^'''"■^^'' ^'"^^ P^-^-

e-willappearfrr;; ,i' ..--"^V'"V''^^^
^^"^' thirty parts of water to d '"' ^'""^^''^^

plaster, while its decon posi on '""T'' T ^"''^ '''
enee is felt for scn-eral ve h,"^ f'' *''^^^ '^'^ ^"A-

-h immediate and be.n^;-^em:^;''^;'rV^'T
matte,-, and gives it „,M '™"""t"ig v-gcfaM.,

-„t „'f ti,o';,a ,' rd„r,rHbe"'i' '"■"■" "■""■'■^''■

teWe matter., to <leoav h„, ^^1 '""' ?'"" ™P'-

..ci^ .>.i. „„. i.p„:;;n:;* r tr^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "-»--

aec„r,.,„K to the «e„eran; e li ! , '";;;.L:^ "™»';?.

J.. •"

■ Ml

372

OPINIONS OF SCIENTIFIC MKN.

a.ninonia which it contains. Ammonia, ccmmonly known
iM hartshorn, is an exceedingly powerful st'iniulant.
.Nor will It appear unimportant, when we bear in mind
tliat tw„ and oncpmrter pounds of tl)is ammonia, lost
by fermentation, is equal, according to some, tc. the loss
of one hundred and fifty pounds of grass or grain.

fc^cientific men will say that this gas is taken up in the
atmosphere by the rain, and descends with the rain to
fertilize the earth; and this is probably true. This
ammonia, so valuable, so indispensable to the earth, is
not lost forever when it flies away into the air; but the
shrewd farmer will perceive that as much of it as he
allows to escape from his own hands, by neglect, falls
upon and improves the fields of his neig'hbor as much,
and perhaps more, than his own. Is it not evident that'
l>y saving all that we can, and by receiving whatever
the genial ram brings with it, wo get a double benefit?
If the effect of plaster is such as has been described
no one can fail to see how important are the functions
It may be made to perform. Hut it also adds a certain
amount of lime and sulphur to the earth. It is com-
posed ot these substances for the most part, and hence
called by chemists sulphate of lime. I shall have occa-
«ion to speak of its use in connection with other ma-
"ures in the compost heap, and I now allude to its use
by Itself, simply as a top-dressing

On some soils it is not so satisfactory as on others :
but our pastures are, many of them, covered with the
white clover or honeysuckle, and these are often called
clover lands. On all such lands, whether reserved for
pasture or mowing, plaster generally has a wonderful
influence. A bushel, or two bushels, to the acre, have
been known to double the crop, and to add more than
twenty times its own weight to it. while even greater
results have followed. For, if we may believe Bous-

USE OP CHARCOAL.

373

Dili}' known

stiumlant.

Jar in mind

rnonia, lost

to the loss

L^THJI).

n up in the
the lain to
rue. This
le earth, is
r ; but the
'f it as he
gleet, falls

iis much,
itlent that,

whatever

0 benefit?
described.

functions
a certain
ft is com-
nd hence
lave occa-
other ma-
te its use

n others :
Avith the
en called
^rved for
wonderful
ere. have
ore than

1 greater
I'e Bous-

smgault one of the most distinguished chemists, every
pound 0 n.trogen which we add to the grass increascis
the produce one hundred and ten pounds; and thi.
mcreased produce of one hun.ired and ten pounds is
eftected by the aid of a little more than four pounds of
gypsum, or plaster. Another accurate investigator, Sir
Humphrey Davy, found, by actual experiment, that the
ashes of an acre of red clover contain no less than
three bushels of plaster o*" Paris. This iniportant fltct
proves that the earth already contains a large anumnt
o this substance, and that it is essential to the growth
of clover This may, perhaps, explain the so-called
0 over sickness in some land. The requisite supply of
plaster has been exhausted. In any case, the addition
of plas er to clover lands, and especially to pastures, is
of the highest importance.

The effect of charcoal is somewhat similar to that of
P aster. Charcoal will absorb ninetv times its own bulk
of ammonia, which is held from escaping till it is sep
amted by water, and carried into the earth for the plant.
^V hen dry, the operation of fixing the gas is repeated
till the next shower sends the gas into the earth, and
che particles of water take its place in the charcoal. In
this ntiy, as a top-dressing, charcoal, as wc^l as plaster
performs the most important functions. If we take any
decaymg animal matter, which has begun to give off its
offensive and noxious odor, its ammonia, and cover it
with charcoal or plaster of Paris, this eseapin- jvns i^
imme.|,ately stopped. No infectious odor arises from
It. _ The decay of the substance has sudd.i.lv ceasod
1 his simple fact will show the " .felligent farmer to what
Pjirposes these substances may be applied. His choice
ot these should depend somewhat on the expense of
, .....^ ..,( ,n. ir.Q iciafive expense depends so much
upon circumstances, that I need not make the estimate.
32

,' i'

371

EFFECT OF BONES.

As an absoihont «in(l retainer of the valnabi

)f' ma

0 proportlt'rt

nuro, peat mu.l and loam will also he fm.nd „f
essential service. If used on a high and dry soil the
ettect u plaster will not he very apparent the'^first'se -
son, unless there are fre.p.ent rains.

There is an impression an.ong- many that plaster does
not produee so good results in the immediate vioinitv
o the sea-s ore. If this is so, it does not arise, prob-
ably, from the proximity to the sea, but fron. other

oHlf; ^^''7/1' r ^^"'J« ^- "«t need the application
)t pl.L.te , but I have seen it used, to the best a.lvan-
age, w.th.n two miles of the sea. ]f there were anv-
nng n. the sea air to prevent plaster from performing
t. usual unctions as an absorbent, ,he effeet would he
perceived to a far greater distance inland. If any fail!
ures have occurred in its use in the vicinitv of the sea
tboy were probably owing to the soil rathe'r than to the'
Htn ...p.ere. There is one other remark in this connec-
tH>u, \/hen plaster has been applied without immediate
e.icc , we should not at once conclude that it is useless
on the particular soil to which it is applied. The first
season may be dry, and ill-adapted to its .lecomposition
In such cases good results have ordinarily followed the
second year.

The great utib'ty of bones as a manure arises from
the large amount of phosphates which they contain
On all pastures which have been long fed the phos-
phate of lime is exhausted. It is constantly taken from
th.> earth in the grass, to form the bone, the" muscle, and
the milk of animals. Of the earthy matter in bones,
nearly five-sixtlis consist of phosphate of lime and mag'
nesia. Nitrogen is also al)undant, and, of course, am-
monia, for nitrogen is an element of ammonia. Afew
bushels of bone-dust will often quite restore old, "worn-
out " pastures. Indeed, almost every part of which

BONE-MEAL AND ASHES.

375

projH'rtiort

iotind of

y soil, tho

i first sea-

aster does
e vicinity
'ise, prob-
oiii other
f»|>lit'Hti(»n
•^t advan-
veio any-
M-fbrrning
rt'ould be
any i'ail-
■' tiio sea,
an fo tlie
■! connec-
nniediate
s nseless
Tlie first
position.
)wed the

5es from
contain,
le plios-
:en from
H'le, and
1 bones,
nd niag--
rse, ani-

A few
"worn-

wiiifli

bones are composed goes directly to the nourishment
of vegetable life. The asiies of all grains are very rich
in itiiosphatc of lime. This shows the importance of
furnishing this element for their use.

A mi.Kture of crushud liones and ashes, or leached
ashes, forms a valuid)le top-dr ng. Nor will this ap-
plication, in small (piantities, thought expensive, if
what is said bo true, that the animal part of bones,
whi<;h amounts to alxnit one-third, ccjntains eight or ten
times as much annnonia as the mannif of the cow. A
small quantity of bone-dust will answer the purpose, in
some respects, of a larger ([uantity of manure from the
stable. We can l)ut hope that every liirmer will try
the experiment. It maybe done on a small scale at
first, though in the vicinity of (ivery butcher's estab-
lishment bones can commonly be procured in anv
quantity.

Thus far I have s{)oken of manures which belong
more peculiarly on the surfiice, as a top-dressing foT-
grass. For, though tiiev are sometimes used, cspcciallv
plaster, on ploughed land, with potatoes and other
*'rops, yet their inHuence on the surlace is thought to
be far more ell'ective. Indeed, the benefit of'lime,
plaster, and charcoal, would, in a great measure, be lost,
were they to be buried to any depth in the earth. But
there are other maimies which are often used as tc.p-
dressings.

One of the best practical farmers in the country savs.
'• I top-dress almost all of my mowing in the Ihll, cut
two crops on all of them, and <m some a third. I make
a compost of earth and manure; make in the lot where
it is used, by ploughing off a thin turf on the lower
side of a .small hill or knoll, taking the turts to the hog-
yard, and then cart from the stable three, five, or tc!'.
loads, or more, as 1 have the manure. Drop the manure

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

«P.

/.

(■/

V

f/j

fA

1.0

I.I

1.25

112.5

♦" IM IIIII2.2

IIIM

ijliO

— 6"

2.0

U llll 1.6

PhotnPTi^nhir

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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376

OPINIONS OP FARMERS.

upon the ground that the turf was removed irom then

plough on t e upper .ide of the Inil, and «hov"l t t

uuchs ut earth upon each Juad of manure, beginning a

e spr.ng, and so on through the season, is the ma.ti e

ot the barn mcreases, cart to the meaduu- placin-.' it

.hovel as belore. Fiom one ht,nd.-ed Joads u? good

arable manure ,t makes three hundred loads of good

omjxjst, and wdl make as nauch grass as so many L.d

ot .table manure. For grass, put ten cart-loads per

;; kt n! "' ''"/"^^ "^^"'^ -owing, this compo

" c I^e. more grass than green manure, carted and

'^ knoll or lull carted until it is level with the adjoin-
ing g.ound produces more crop than before " ^

Another writes me as follows: -rop-dressing for
u.own.g lands ,s very beneficial, but too expensive i
barn-yard manure alone is used, so much pas'es off 'b,
evaporation. A compost of one-half or two-thirds turf
or s.vamp muck, arul one-third good manu.e, is quite as
benehc.al to t e land, and probably better or m'!; et
dur.ng than a 1 manure. If ashes are nn^xed in this com-
post, ,t .s all the better. But, if stable manure allneTr

ccm.post, ,s to be applied, it shoulo bo in autur,'so
that the frosts of w.nter may incorporate it with the .

s.nt""<'n ^'T'"' "^^■''''' ^^P^'-'«"^^ '-^"d observation.

'i) « • I op-dress generally late in the fidl, but should

pre er early spnng dressing, if we could 'cart of J

fie rl w.thout m,,urv. and the time could be spared from

so. . and a compost ,s made of one-fourth stable manure
a ,,.e-four.hsIightIo.m. For warm land. peat3

0 .rt io7 ;"'":^-^!" 'r '•""• ^^--^>-ommon
oxca.t loads, from tlurty-threc lo thirty-five bushels

&■)

(

)cl I'rom, tlien

sliovul two
Ijt'giiiniiig- in
s tlia irmuure
V, placing- it

piuugji uud
tds of good
ids of good

many Jouds
I't-loads per
Jiti coiijpost
carted and
■>st all cases

the adjoin-

■essing for
:peiisive, if
sses off" by
tliirds turf,
is quite as
f more en-
1 tills com-
e alone, or
intumn, so
with the .

servation,
ut should
'■t on tlie
u-cd from
tenacious
0 mannn?
peat mud
common
bushels

COMPOSITION OP POTATO-TOPS.

377

each, to the acre, is as small a dressing as can bo judi-
ciously applied. Double that quantity would not be ex-
cessive. " With respect to top-dressing for mowing
ands says another practical larmer, " 1 would state
that or several years we have been in the habitof rais-
ing Irom one to three acres of early potatoes for
marke Ue have usually dug them early in August,
and belore the tops were dead. The tops are ttken
directly irom the lield, and spread on (he mowing lands
to very great advantage. We think the tops from an
acre of potatoes sufficient to top-dress an acre of mow-
<ng land, and the effect is equal to three or four cords
of good niiinure."

The practice alluded to in this extract is worthy of a
careful trial by those who are so situated as to adopt it
It IS known that the tops of potatoes contain a lar-e
percentage of the organic elements of plants.

Fromberg found in one hundred pounds of the leaves
in a natural state, from .82 to .92 per cent, of nitrogen!
and that one hundred pounds of leaves dried contain from
5.12 to 5.76 per cent, of nitrogen, if bis results are
correct,— and there is no reason to distrust them,— we
add to the land fifty pounds of inorganic salts, besides
nearly twenty pounds of nitrogen, among the organic
constituents of every ton of potato-tops. This would
make a ton of them equal in value more than two
tons of the b.^st Tchaboe gijano.

In a case which T have ni mind, a very poor, worn-
out grass lot was top-dressed with fourteen ordinary
cart-loads of good stable manure to the acre. The
quantity of grass was increased four-fold. Clover and
Jimothy came in as luxuriantly as on any new-laid
r»iece. If the top-dressing wore repeated oiice in five
or six years, there would be no danger of exhaustion,
though there would be an advantage in loosening the
82*

378

PRACTICAL OPINIONS.

^•H.-tl. With the plough. But the use oi' stable manure
^:lKu.ld bo eoulincd n.ostly to mowing- land. On etselv
fed pastures It would be injudicious fm,.. ,> ' ^'°''6'>^
to tbo «7in n..n /"J""'^'""^ 'I <"ii Its exposure

to t e sun. On these, ashes or plaster would be better
One expeneneed fUrn.er, in answer to the eireula o n'
- P'-eeed.ng pag-e, says : <- Peruvian guano, mixed wit
loam IS unquestionably the best mam.re fbr to^ I
ng that can be fourul Ashes are very good ZZl
y are liable to be wasl.e.l by the fldhut H r^^^^

r;o l:^" r/'T' ''"':''' spring would beZS
tune o spread it; but on la.ids not so situated the Ml

would be entirely mixed m around the roots of thp
"ua.mt,. I top-dress moist n,o,vi„g I,„k1s in winter

No farm should be managed wi' . mmnn f i

mud sl)nnKi 1 1 t"^^^^^u)g. A quantity ot meadow
nnul should be dug out in the autumn fbr this snecnl
purpose, where it is practicable. Two cor .nT
"JU'l, added to one cord of on i '^,''''*^^' °^ P^^^t

-ke,hitheestiH:'o iJ:;';!::^^^^^^

-".post of three cords of val i^ j^i^ "^^^ '
boon tned repeatedly, and is constant vdne h ^

ambitious to excel in fn-mn.o- t .i • ^ ®

«^ooik.,. ,,,gs, the regains of fish, the hlooj 'L'^L;!'

«

THE COMPOST HEAP.

370

Of animals, the hair of animals, all the.o make an ex-
eee.hnglv nchnmnure. A most intelli..e,)t g-entleman
connected w.th a wool factory, informs n.e tlmt a coni
f ."at., eolleeted at the establishn.ent is worth a
east hve or six cords of the best stable nmnure, for a
^-^^^-^- Tins we cannot doubt; for h-re ar'e the
blood, the wool, pieces of the skin of the anin.al, a little
l«me, and many other substances, all collected too-ether
A fermentation takes place, by which the richest a-ases
H.0 formed. Such a compost heap, with an addition of
loam and mnd, would be invai-able for a top-dressino-.
R-'t, though m most cases all these substances cannot
'•e pr<.cure.l, many of them can, and should be saved by
overy one who is desirous of improving his land. Those
who are near the sea, or near the market, can procure
:'" al'-Klance o fish to add to the cou.post. Nothing
.;s better ior sods than this. A little lin.e added to tht
heap causes its rapid and thorough decon.position.
Ashes should also be added. When additions of
manure are made, they .hould be covered with mud or
loam, to prevent waste.

We need not enter mo.-e minutely into the details of
tonmng the con.post heap. It is sufficient to sav in v
word that everything capable of fermentation ^:shoui;

mud. iSot nng ,s more common among farmers, on the

death of a hoivse or any other animal, than to throw tie

body away. It ,s estimated by some that the body of

a single horse, when divided and mixed with peat mud

and loam w.l make a compost worth fifteen or twenty

oads of the best and richest manure. This is, perhap.;

oo iMgh an estimate; but animal substances ferment

ap.db or rather they may be said to putrefy without

fermenting, so quick is their decomposition "if le.ve

grasses, moss, straw, and other substances of like

If

m

4 ^

'j '

f

i

i .

H.:ll^

I • ■■.•

180

USK OP LIQUID MANURES.

nature, are used, lime will be useful in « • x, .
rapid decay. Wl.en these a e ZtZutTZ '"
.iK.„ld be thrown over, and if .na g ' iV'; „T

thm'Tl ™'"° "'' " '"'"'P''''. PropeHy ,„„de, ia greater
Uan tl,e aggregate v.dne of the several ingedie^rll
P.ed separately, no n.atter what or how rich ley n>ty

animal sub tanc-es, unless peat muck, gyp.um or char
coal, were largely u.od in the .au.e mixture '

Animals fed on rich food make far the most valu^blp
'nanure This will serve, in part, to s"ow Jb tl e
n^anure from the sty is so fertilising. Swine arl fed
on a great variety of neb food. TlL.ctual p;^ fit '
using them arises mainly from the amount of sul-
stances they will mix together and make into gCo^i
manure If the sty be supplied, at intervals, with mud
oam and other vegetable matter, the farn er will n^'
complain of the cost of these animals.

I.iquid manures are highly useful to grasses C-ue
s ould be taken to apply them, also, t! the comp':
heap. Ihe richness of manure from the sty is due to
the quantity of lic,uid matter it contains. Hence tie
importance of adding a great variety of vegetable sub-
s a ices loam, and mud. In a word, it may be said that
all liquid manures contain a large amount of nitrogen
which ,s one principal ingredient of ammonia, to which'
we have alluded. The importance of savin., he li^u d

'f ^^i I

MOnES OP IMPROVING PASTURES. 381

Of the Stable eitlier with the compost or to he applied

In Itself, may be seen, also, in the fact that the exceed-

ng richness of guano, and the manure of all fowls and

bn-ds IS due to the union of the liquids an.l solids.

After fermentation has taken place in a.n-mal manures,

out HKl. loss by evaporation; and hence it matters not
whether the top-dressing is applied in the autumn or in
the spring. Plaster is better spread in the spring, when
the moisture of the earth makes it immedia'tely'lvaila-
ble. borne prefer the autumn for spreading compost
rnanu..s while others prefer the spring, just'before'tlie

and wind. The soil, in autumn, is not injured bv the
loaded cart as is liable to be the case in spring. Odier
st.ll, apply them after the first mowing, and before the
summer rams. The new crop preserves the manu e
from drying up and wasting. This, however, is ord'
nanly too busy a season to attend to it w th con-
venience.

We have, then, these several methods of improving
our pasture lands. First, To allow some of tiem tf
run to ,vood, or, which is far better, to plant them with

Z« f ,V''^yPP''«^ t° poor, thin soils, at a dis-
tance from the homestead, and chieffy in the older

Z2t ''"" '"''"''' ^''''' '^^°"^^ exhauLd or

Second, To plough and cultivate, where this can be

and"rockv"'°Tr ^"^ f^'' "''"^^ ""^ "^^^°« «^"^bom
and rocky. This applies to many lands which have

been used as pastures time out of mind, the soils of

which are natundly good, but have run out from neg.

Jeot. Put soil into a good state of culture, and rich

and nutritive grasses will flourish as naturally as

382

SOWIXG GRAS8-SKED.

„ oil MIS d8 tie lattur „rc on poor ojiea, Tlie sue
... .,,, .,epe,K, Ciefl, on «„„U .u,.„,., if „„r,„:,l

gras„-see.l» .pake,, of above, a„d the,, l,arrow,„d bru ,
over aga,,,, ,l,e work to be done in ^^eptembj t vo y

TvT. ■ „?""'^'; '' ""•' ■'""■'''='= ■' l""d '"""gl- '" KO over
v,th cattle „„l,o„t too n.ud. ,,oacl,i„g. TI,i,^a„Z»

<oold pasture. c.ove,.ed witi, ,„oss, ,W,ere . e wee
glasses are ran out, but wbich, from their partioahr
location, „,ay not be desirable L woo K ,1 no pav
""„" nioio ^".plele and ca,.eful in,p,.ovea,ent. ^'^

i^ouilh, 1„ ,n,x the grasa-seeds as evenly as nossibl„
ith a flneiy.d,vided eompost, and use it as^, o^ »:
•ng, first ha,row,ng the surface to loosen it and ater
«pread,„g the compost, brushing it over v th a br sh
harrow- to b,eak up the lumps. This wi I co't a 1 tl
more than the p.-ecediug method, but ,e ^a s' ed
w start sooner make a larger and finer gfowtl, he
fi. St season, and g,ve greater satisfaction. This Inl lie
o very much the same class of lands as the p ecedtt:
tn both cases, if the pasture or any narrtf it ^-^ ^

water^lh'e si,':,,' Tf :Z: ^^^J'^ '•"«™"'
least to leave a d,y and lie:! I y ^rf c'" Itt ,1" "
'a,y to say that the top.d,ess ug sCid 1' 'f r '
weed.seed,„nd be in a flnelyd v fed to f T,,; " {?"l

un'pTomaht ^rthro':,rer^ "°"' '"""'^'^'^^ -"

J, stocKing, m other words, pretty

itaneons on
• The sue-
i this mode

h\y with a
mixture of
■V and brush
ber or very
to go over
'his applies
the sweet
particular
(1, nor pay
t.

as possible
t top-dress-

and, after
th a brush
St a little
grass-seed
rowth the
lis apph'es
)receding.
it is GOV-
'6 cut or

stagnant
I so as at

nnneces-
Vee from
s method
isands of
able and

7 as the
8, pretty

rs

IRRIGATINO GRASS LANDS. 38^

Closely, for a few years. The first objection that manv
armers nuse to this method is, that tile cost oM^^

-^.•oat,andthatitisabranchofhusband,vwithw^h
^ZZl^ "TT' ''^'■'--y^'esoj.utthet^:

mprove„K.„., while the raising „f ,,„.„,, „„,, „r,°'^
foltt ,. destined to be a p™h',able bid. rf

Another practicable means of improving our jrrass
ands ,s by „-..,gation. Every casual observer, ven
fam.har w,th the fact that lands are fertilieed bv ir ' 1
t on, and especially that the grass by running stre ms
shoots earlier in spring, and makes ■. fin mc>re X
grow , ^an mds on the s.me Kind of soil wh^h h^
no the advantage of runn.ng water. The introduction
o the hydrauhc ram among the implements of the farm
offers facht.es for irrigating grass 'ands not hitheTo
known; and ,t w.ll unquestionably b.-o-me, hereaf^r an
ToCts ™T"7^^-'-^.-^ «^--tour severe succ-
our lands " '"^'-^^^'"^^ vastly the production of

rt would be impossible to state with anv detail the
different methods adopted to effect the oljects of irri-
gation smce ,t would require a distinct treatise upon
the subject ; and it is sufficient to allude to the simplest

offered '""^^^''"^ '"'^^ '"'"""''' """^ ^^'^ advantages

Superficial irrigation, which is, perhaps, the oldest

and the most common form in which water is artifi-

ciaily applied for the purpose of increasing the growth

[I , ,

, I

II i

nm

EFFECT OF IIIRIGATION.

of g?-a.ss, was nndonhtedlv siifrc-estPf? hv «i

Ktnuikul.le examples of this ,ire fumiliir tn ,

he Hn..ual or periodical ove^flo^vi„ " ' L VII "T ''

tlie water, without beinn- l^it i ""' ''"''^^''^

Uce, is .novin.. gently ofet ," '""''' "'^"" ^''^^ ^'^"'-

viHl rnatfer hnrThLriT ^^' ^'^^f'*!^'^"'«- ^vhutever ullu-

ll«-.V ncl,„Ma of tlie vallev of fij \ ■ '.'"-. "•^'"""■''l-
»m„ller8ca]e oCtlie v„l e,„^ ,1 P "'"■'.''''"■ ""'' °" »

Km" l«.„l by a ml 'f I 1, """'""^ "■"""' °^'^'-
lake ti,„ ,v„(e,- from r„ !7' "P"" '''"'"■'' '"'"•''I'

;''T and g„lellv n^aC L I, C "'' "■'■' '" "^ "
by irrigation, i,, p„t into a stlto , f ""^ ""Pmved
-■thout,.„,ocoa!i„, fori : S^^ "^'^y'

01- «ny other material . ^pense it I '''^'"'"'«'

«ive a, to yield tl,e largest b'ik fT'T ™ P"'""""
dance of the very best Znltf "■'■ '"""'''='' "»•""■

spring, and for co.^Vj^ ,f";;--,"";' '-'-n .^e

every year. I„ favorable sit rwi ', T'™" "^
earlv grass i„ the spring wb n Tt"-' , '"n""'^'" "'"■^'
and not only is the land Z' ^ '* ''""'''>' ^'-able :
occasion for ma „ " b. tTf "■' r""'""'- "'""""'any
'vhich is converterinto 1 '""'^""'■' /""'^ ^r animals
lands, thns angmentinTthaT"'! '" '"' "'"=<' ™ ""'er

The effect^„"d vab,e of^''' "'"■™ "^ ^''^^'^'^y-"
valne of ,rr,gat,„n do not depend

observing the
low of rivers.
J" to many, aa
le Xile, where
npoii the sur-
vhiitever allu-
he extraordi-
ppi, and on a
'ut ajid other
I'lfffition ; and
t Water over
haim, which
eping a con-
' in any part,
so Himple as
lile skill and
sxperiments
^ntion. Sir
' operation,
lost certain
if it is of a
} improved
'il fertility,
)f weeding,
so produc-
ides abnn-
mhs in the
lutumn of
uces very

valuable ;
ithout any
'1" animals

on other
rtility."
t depend

^^ OF DliAI.VAGE.

[^'together npon the nrtifi ■ ,

t H3 irngatory current of water in '•'""'' ^^''^'"'^ of

r^^^ .^•■•ouns clear of t^^^: ^''^''''^ ^''^^''- ^t.L and
• b'« e.rculation of wate . '' ^''"'^^""^'"^^ ^''^^ -'1'.

f ^-^-.iertili.ition. Tl^ ^^^""^"'--'''^ I-rt in i J
»««'•« en-cun.stance of /luwif'^'r' '^ ""^'''> ^'^'om the
^J- prodigious ,. for, u ,r /L; ''''^"'^^^'^'" -^' ^''0 water
fjnest indigenous g a.se i ?'^^^ 7'''' '-'-^^-^ up he
^''^"^ -v-'t, and wl :, :; '^«, ^'"-vte, and ,,,^, ' ,

™^ ^^j'Mnant water tCSl'""^'-'^'-''^' -'' '"-'
t'^^good giasses." ^'' deteriorates, or ki||«, ^j,

Ihe effect which snrf.^o • •
--^ritive .uulities of t" T^'^'^" P^°^"^^« on the
^^f-.'-ence to the tab Is of ^ "'?'' "^^^^^ ^« «een bv
«e,d'ng chapter. '' °^ ^"^'^^^^^s found in l\,Z

i-^nd.,ov lands under . nf I '"^P^ovement of ,.ras.
«3-ten. of drainage C f'^'''''''' '^ ''^ ''^ P'opo
^-^ -et land.. .^.^ itt?::;;^;'^ ^'t -.port^it t
fluous water, tl.us mak,n * fl^ '"' *'^^'» ^'-""^ ««per-
^''%e in early sprinTbuf « f'"!, ""''' ''^"^^•epti'>le of
Perature sevend 'd "4 s L • "'"^^' '"^^^'^-^ ^'-^ em
^7 e.ght to ten, and r ;w e^ftr ?"^ ^"^ "^-^' -
-'-^nd admits the air to ci, cnl f '" ^''""^ *"'" *« four
'•"^^^ of the plants. Thrao 1 r """'' ^''^^'3' around the

S3 u' dined, chere are few

Iff

886

urrcniN(; halt mai{sf?rs.

iS;

I I

which cannot, be ditchod, un.l gvontly hnproved, hv the
•ntro. uct.on of a hotter .,„ality of gruHHos than ihose
usually foun.i tl.no. Tlu, (ollowi,.,,^ statcn.ont of one
ot ho most M.telh.ent practical larn.ers of the conntry
uill show what may ho done in this direction •
The nmr.sh was one which never had been ditched.
I purchased ,t/' says he, "in 1840, which year it pro,
duced rather less than half a t.>n per acre of pior,
«hort, w.ry hay, worth but little more than the cost of
cutting and curing. In the autumn of that year, 1 hired
faithful laborers, well skilled in the business, to cut
<htches over the whole lot, two rods apart, eight inches
w.de and three feet deep; the sods taken out were laid
in piles, to prevent the ti.le from washing them away.
The two following winte ., they were taken upon a
sled to the cattle-yard, where they remained until the
roots of grass contained in them were decayed, so as
to break in pieces readily. For manure, and as an
absorbent, they are as valuable as the best of meadow
muck or peat. I paid for ditching the entire lot ninety
dollars ; more than one hundred cords of sods were
dug out and carted away, which I consider worth as
much to me as the sum paid for ditching. They were
placed in the barn-yard, in a compact form, to insure
a proper degree of moisture and cause a speedy
decomposition, and afterwards mixed with animal
manures.

" Three years after ditching, the produce was double,
— full one ton per acre was cut, of an improved quab
ity,— since whicn it has annually increared. This year
the produce, as estimated by good judges, was two tons
per acre, including about five tons of second crop, cut
from the best part of the marsh. As an evidence of
the quantity cut this year, I would state that the prod-
uce has been sold for three hundred dollars in cash

<l

roved, by tlie
L's than tliosi'
'iiiont of oiiu

tlio country
ion :
»et'n ditcliod.

yoiir it pro.
ere of poor,
ti tlio cost of
year, I liircd
nesH, to cut
eight inches
•lit were laid
thorn siway.
ken upon a
ed until the
cayod, so as
!, and as an

of meadow
'e lot ninety

sods were
jv worth as

They were
II, to insure
! a speedy
'ith animal

ivas double,
roved qual-
This year
IS two tons
J crop, cut
v^idence of
t the prod-
rs in cash.

WELL HKOUN, HAL. WELL DONE.

387

nftor the owner had used nearly one ton for feed for
bis cows, the puirhusu'r agreeing to take it at tlio barn
where it is now stored.

"I consider salt hay, when cut from marshes that
mve been ditched, where the ijra^s is Uddc an,l the „UUl
lar.je, to be worth as much as thn average „t .ulland
liay ; that cows thrive as well, and give as much milk
!is when fed with TiiMotiiy gra.s and clover hav it U
n.y hehef tbit all marshes can be made more^pn^luc-
tive by thorough draining, at a very small expense I
Uit.Mid. next autnmn, to cut ditches upon n-.y own
marsh between those heretofore made. My (,„!,„•„„
is unchanged, that the sods are worth us m.ieh as the
expense of ditching, when within one mile of the iarm
wliere they are to be used."

This subject ought to receive the careful attention
of the enterpns-ng farmer. Even a fivrmer of verv
b.n.ted means may do something each vear toward;
.mproving h.s pasture lands. He may lessen the area
of he bushes; he may plough up a small piece, at least,
and seed down at once with grass-seed and winter rve
e.ther in he spring or in the fall, and in either case l.is
stock will are enough better to pay for it; and the
next yea he may ake another piece in the same pas-
tuie till the whole ,s finished, when it will carry more
stock, and more stock will give him more manure, and
more manure wnl increase the fertility of other lands
and increased fertility will add to his means of furthe
•mprovement. The difficulty with most small farmers
18 to beg.n. Well begun is half well done ; for, the
nrioment any real improvement is begun in earnest,
the mterest is excited, the mental aetivitv is in.
creasccl the desire for improvement partakes the
nature of a passion ; and hence, though the begin-

388

THE CONCLUSION.

"■r:;;:r:^,itrir^''-^^--'™

CONCLUSION.

In conclusion, I have another sufftrestion fn rr,ni

our agncultum societies It ,v„„i^ i '(-^tnals of

I tlilnl- f -^L'Lucs. It would be an easy thina-

1 thn.k. to engage many in this faseinatino- ,,„w'
7'""^' u'Hlou btediy, would be interested b> ^he n Je
^^ugg•e.stlon, but the offer of «nv,)i • "'^,^""P'<^

liH-pest in 1 I., f , '^' Pi-ennums for the

i< g(,st and best-arranged collection would induce
others to attenjpt it who now want something t s t m

might mi: ^h^ ^"'^'- ^''^ ^^---' '----• -^,

m.giit aifoHl the necessary stimulus ; and, if an interest
were once excited, the subject would be stil 't t
pursued, till many others were interested, while
collections, if properly named, would do much to d is

" The royal rose, the tulip's glow,

The jiismine's gold, are fair to see ;
Cut while the graceful grasses grow,
O, gather them for me !

" The pansy's gold and purple wing,

The snow-drop's smile, may light the lea ,
iJut while the fragrant grasses spring,
My wreath of them shall be ! "

f

il^M

3 renovation

on to make,
ollection of
festivals of

easy tiling.
"g pnrsuit.
' tlie simple
ms for tlie
lid induce
"g to stini-
ever small,
an interest
till further

while the
leli to dis-
less riches

INDEX OF SySTiiJiAIIC NAMES.

(i

AoROSTis stoliHiifera,
" pi'iviMiaiis, . '
vulniiris . . .

""''i, • . . . ,
" Ciiriiiiii, . .'
" sciilini, . . . '.
" <lw|iar, . . . ."
" elatii, .
AntlMXiiiitlminodo

Ami Mi'xiiDSii, ''

ca'pitixa, . . , I '
lltHi;itio;i, . . .' [ I
'■ atniiHiriJiiiva, . ' '
Alopecuius piMtfiisis, .

ilfTR'Stis, . . ,

■' t-'i'iiiiMilatus, . .
' "I'istiihituH, .

Aiiimopliila,.nii„ii|,,,u_
Aii(lr<j|,o„'(),i fui-uatHs, .

]' stMiiarius, . .'

^^ aWMtcus, . .

.„ Vii-ffiiiieus, . .

Aveiiii prateiisis, ....
" fiavesceus, . ' " *
" striata, ...."'
" lii'iBodx, . " ■ ■
" aativa, ..."'*'
Aristida ilicliDtoina, .' .' '
" ni'acilH, . . ,' '
'' raMi.Mis^iiiia, ." .'

tiil>eivulusa, . .
" strifta, .....'
'' piiriMirascens, '
■' "lii,'aritlia, . .

Arrhenatlnrun. avenaceum "
Aruiiiliiiaria maei-ospcrini
Unituloua uli^'ustaehya, . ' '
" liirsiita, . .' ." " ■
" nirtipoii.liila,' ."

nirli.vc'lytnirnaristatum,
Uriza iiK'li 1, ....

" maxima, ....'''
[JnzMpyruni spicatum,' ! " *
UnjiiiiH swaliims, . . . ' '
" rai.'1'iiiosus, . ! .' '
" mullis, ...
'■ kalmii, . . ' ' ' '
" sterilis, ..,'■■
" ciliatiH, ...."'■
'■ pratfiisis, , .' " ' *
Calaijiagrosti;, Caim.lensis,' .'
" eoarctata, . ."

iiit'xpaiisa, . .

vi|iilis,
longilblia,

• • 17, « CalumiVKrustis Wokeringii,

12,35,4u' •■ '"•«^" '■■

. . . 42

' . u }^!^^'"-'>'i-"« trilml„i,ie:i, .
Lirina anihdiiiacfa, . .

'■ peiKlula, . . .
( teniiiui Amcricanum,
•-yiKwunisiTiatatus,

. I:JJ

102,
102,

by

44

-.M

22J

• . . 120
. . l-'l,20ii
■ . . . Hi
. . . . 12.J

• . 30, 222
. . . . bl

• . 3a, 207
. . . . :i:;

■ ■ 49,207

■ . . . 14S

• . . . 140
... 140
. . . 14 )

125, 200
120, 222
... 120
. . . 127
. 127, 171
... 59
... 50
. . . 59
. . . «0
. . . 59

• . . 59
. . . 00

• 127, 222
. . . 110

249, 25S
. . . 02
. . . 02
. . . 48
. 96,222

. . 90

. . SO
,10;i, 105
102, 100
197, 222

. . 107

Poge
... 49
... 49
... 49

. . 49
. . 147
• . 45
. . 40

. . 01

lb", 222

Ob, 254

• . 21)0

^.-'3,60, 111, 2o'o
12 i

•'.vriixliiM ilactyloii, '.
Lyin-iacuit, .

i'aLtih.sg|oi„erata, . . i-j'
IJiiritli.Miia spicata, .
piMiua muscijmla,

IJiaiYliena Amurioaua, -^

lJii|)'iiitia coiileyi •"'

Katm.ia I'en.isylvlanica, .' .' »»

Weusiiiu Iiiilioa, 7o

tlyiims, Hrenanu.s, .' ^4

jj Virgiiiieus,
Caiiadfiisis,
sti'iatua, . .

107

108 :

48
48
49 I

mollis.

^, " nystrix,. ; :

iii'aKrostis rrjitans, .

1^" pniL'oiiles, ',

nH^'a.stacl,ya,
pilcisa, .

" capillaris, .

PL'ctinacea, . ,

Fraakii, . . .

"■iiuis, . .

l'.nan(hiia aliipuciiroides"

I'l'i'viOarljis, .'

iestiica tcni'lla, ....

" "Vina, . . " '

11 pratiMisiii, . .' ■

t'lati(»r, . ,
" (luriusciila, .' !
" riihra, .
" loliaCKi, . , ■ ■
" . nutans, . . . ."
(jlyoeria Caiiailciisis, .

"Otnsa, . . . ." :}

" ilistans, . . y

" (-'loMgata, . . ; ; /'•

niTvata J;?

" pallida ■ !f

" aciuiiiiira, . i^

. (19

. 118
119
. 119
. 119
. 120
. 92
. 93
. 9;i
. 9b
94
94
94
94
14S
14S
90
290

• ■ . 99

• ■ 100, 200
97, 200, 222

• • . . 97

97,

101
101

297

a(|ua(ifa, ....

fluitans, ... • • • . _

""-"•'"ma. . . ; : ; :7v,-in'iuJ

(389)

390

INDEX OF SYSTEMATIC NAMES.

Oymiiopogon lirevif.iMus,
" rac.-iijnsiis,

Ik'ilysai'um (iiiuuiycliis, .
Iliurocliloii hiirealis, . .

" iilpiiia, . . .

IIolcus lanatiis, ....

" mollis,

IIorileuiiLJiiliatuin, . . .

" ilistidmiii, . .

" viilpire, ...

" imsiUuin, . . .
.'uncacem,

.UlllC'llS lllllllllSUH, . . . ."

Kiului-ia cri.slata,

" tniiii'ata, . . . .

Lwrsia in'.v/.niiles, . . . .

" \ii'.:.'iiii(;a, . . . .

" It.'nticiilarrs, , , .

Ix'ptoclil.Bi mucniiiata, . ,

" lasoiciilarit!, . .

ii''|itni-iis iianiciiiatus, . . .

Loliiiiii |i ■i-ciiiio,

" Italifum,

" tuinulc'iitmii, . . .
" multilliHiiiii, ....

Mi'dioa;.'!) nali\'i,

Mclii-aiiiiiticra, ....,'.'

-Miliiun I'll'usiiiii, ..'.'*'

Mulilfiil)urf,'ia diirusa, '. '.

Kl'iincrato, .

.'li'xicMiia, .

" s.vlvatica, .

" s.il)o|if,.ra, .

" M'ilMciiovii,

" Ciiiiillaris, .

Oryzipsis nii'la -ai-pa, . .

" as|)oi-if„li;

" Caiiaduiisis, .

On'zasativa,

I'aiiicuiii lilifiiniii', ' .' " .' [
" t-'labniin, . . . , ,
" saii.i;iiinalL', . , . .
" aKiMstoiiles, . . . '
" prolifLTimi, . . . .'

" capillaiv

" ant'PiM,

" ainariiin

" autunuialf, . . . ."
" l)aiicirl'inin), . . '.

" ilichdt nil), . . .

" <lei)aiiperatiini, . .
" vorniciisuiii, ....

" virjiatiim,

" latifiiliiiin,

" clanik'stiiMim, . . ',
" xaiitliciplijsuiii, . .

" crus-ftalli

" germaiilcum, . . '

" visciilmn,

" iniliaci'Hiii, . . . '

P.ispalum liiiitans

" (litritarla, . . .

la'vr,

" disticlmm, . . . .
" setaoiMini, . . .
I'lialaris arundinacoii, . . .'

'■ f'anariensis, . . .
I'lileuin prateii30. . .

Pupo

03

t)2

VJi

i:il

];j:i

• • . Vi9, 222

Wl i

117;

■ • 118,104
118,163, l(j4l

"s;

lOS I

- 77, 198, •JO- i
• . . . To'

I'lili'um alplimin, . . . .
I'lira.irniitua ouimiiuiiis, .

1 i>a siTotina

" praU'iisis, ... 07'
" C(]in|iiV3aa, . . . '.

" annua, \

" trivjalis, ...'..[

" nuiiKiralis, . . . ' '

" li'Mi, ....

" liri'viftilia, ....'."

" flf.\u(jsa,

" "Isndus, . ' ■ ■

" 'i^'i'iii", ...'.';■

" sj-|vi>ti-is, ...'"'

-ib, JO, f-aiThai-nin .^llicinaruiu, .

. . 2() i» calc Lvrcalo, ....

. . 27 i fci-tai'ia \micillata, . .'

• • 64 1 " MliiiU'a, . . . . '

• • fl-*' " \iridis, . .
,••110: " Jtalica, . . . ; ■
110, -222; goi-Khmn t^aciliaratum, .

" intiriiiii,. . . .
" nutans, . . .

„ ". vul^'ari., . . .
Ppartimi cj-ncisuniidi's, ,
•' I'iil.\staeloa, . ,
t-'lahra, . . . . ,
" uttrnitlora, . . ',
" juncta, ....
" sti'icta, ....'.
Sporobolu3 sorotinus, . .
" juneeun, . . '

III tcrnlfpls, , .
cryptandrus, . .
couipressus, . ,

Btipa avonacca,

Stipii pciinata, .....'."
" lUclianLsonii, ....
" parti

112
•112,115
■ • . 115

. 189, 22:1
... 71
. . . 137
... 47
... 40
. . . 40
. . . 47

• . . 46!

• . . 47i

• . . 47

• . . 6,5
. . . 56
. . . 56
. 27, 156

. .140

140 Tricu.^pis purpurea,

. 140
. 141
. 141
. 14T
. 140
. 142
. 141
. 143
. 144
. 144
. 144
. 141
,142
142
142
144 j

105, 134
12,' 17, 34;

(•i'sliT(jides, .
I ■• ciirnuta, . .

Trifiiliuin iiratcnse, . .
" ripens, . . .
" liudiuiu, . .
" hyliriduni, .
Triglochin pallustre, .
" inaritiinuin,

" elatuni, . .

Trisetum in, .lie, . . .
l)allustre, . .
lailiescens, .
Iriticum rejieas, . .
" canlnum, . .
" vulp\re, . .
,,.;„. " coinpnsiiuni,
• Jt^ [ Tnpaacum dact.vloi.les,
142 I niola i>aniculata, .
14-2 " latif„lia, . , . .
l-!0 " Kracili.s, . . . .

140 \ilfa aspera,

1.3!) " vanina'florn, '. '. '.

VM .\yris liullmsa,

1-30 " caroliniana, . ! '
206 Z,.a mays, .......

.'i'.", ^'''■""'" "Oimtica, . . ! .'
'■'" " uiiliacoa, ....

Pope
BB

• • 100, 207. 258

SO, 86, 88,' 222*258

Ul

. . 13, 14, H). 222

85, 222

84

80

81

81

81

81

81

45

152

118.168

146

140

146

146

150

150

' 149

• • . . 150,254
60

• . . . 60,207

61

61

.... 01, -.07

• • . . 6], 207

08

37

37

oS

38

68

67

67

68

65

66

65

• • . . 185. 223

• . . . 188, 223

• . . . 189, 223

189

l!'7

197

197

124

125

• . .125, 222

• ■ . 115,116

• • . 117

• . . 117,168
117

... 147

• . . 108
. . . 109

• . . 109
. . . 37
. . . 37
. . . 199
. . . 199

164, 174
. 28, 20?
. . . 29

IS.

;i(>

• • • 100, 'JOT. 2i)S

, TJi, M

", SO, 8S, 88, 'J^-^. L'oH

Ul

• ■ • 13, 14, K), L>L'2

85, :i2:i

84

80

81

81

81

81

81

' 45

152

US. ]H8

146

140

146

146

150

150

149

150,l.'54

60

60,207

61

61

61, LOT

61, 207

ti8

a7

o~

o8

:is

68

57

57

58

05

66

65

185. 22^

1^8, 223

180, 223

ISO

107

107

107

124

125

• • • . 126, 222

• • ■ . 116,118
117

• • ■ . 117,168

117

147

108

100

100

37

37

109

190

• . . 154, 174
■ • ■ . 28, 207
29

I

GENERAL INDEX.

Aftormath, growth anJ use of the, 31 ^r, 87 01 q^l q-i q.,

Agricultural Museum, follectiu,,. tor the ■51> ^6, 87, 91, 3ol, 3o3, 354

A|,y-ieulturalSodetk..s .should offer prizes 'ibrcolle'ctions d'i

Albuuiiiiou.s I'r noiDl.w »"• i-uiiLunons, 3yg

Alfalfa, culture of' ' 222, 224, 22G, 228, 2:14

Allen's Mower, illu.-^tnition of ^'^'■^' l'^"^' ^'>'^

Alpine IJrown iJent, natural history of, '''■*

A pine ileed lieiit, ile.soription, . . ^"

Alsjko (,'luver, oliaiacteristics of, '^^

AoinKuiia, iniportanoe of, . ■'''*'■'

Analysis of the (J ras.ses, . .' .' .,:, \n'o '.,.;, '*"'' •*"2. ^'1

" Weeds, '■*' ^'*^' ^^^' 220, 22S, 231

Annual Spear (iiass, 234

Annual IJeard (ini.ss, de'scripUiui 13,14,80

Arrow (ira.-i.-ies, list of the, . •*'>

Ash of the (irasses, analysis of! ! ^■*"

Ashes, use of as niaimre, ...,.' 231,233

Atmosphere, elements of the" 3(i7,3(i'J

A wiie.l Ijrachyelytrum, description "of 20,^,210

AwnlessMuhlenbergia, natural historV of," '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 1^

Barley, eomposition of, . . ''

;; description and culture'of, ." ." I,",','' ,^""' ]^^

" climatic range of ll'3, Id.), I(i7

Barley (ira,ss, description of," 2(11,2(13

Barn Gia.-s, description of, . '. '. 11«

Beach Grass, natural history* of, .*.'.' ^^'^

" " culture of, . . ' ■i'>

Beard (irasses, natural hi..tirv"of" the 50, 52, 5j, 21)0

Bearded Darnel, seeds uf in.isonous, '. '. ]f'>

carded U heat (iia.s.s, description, . . L'

Benefit of .Mr. JJ„bbs, H"

Bengal (Jrass, description of," i '^23

Bermuda (Jriuss, natural history of ^^''

Black (JiiLss, description and value of" ' ^''*' ^^'^

Black Mountain Kice, natural history of ^1!?

Black Oat (Jrass, description of, . •*'>

Blossoming, period of, .... ^8

Blue (Jrass, natural historvof, .' .' 278,2110

Blue Joint (ira.ss, description 'of, ! '. '*'

Bones, value of as manure, ' '*■•

Burden's (Jrass 374,375

Bottle IJrush (Jrass, deseripti"on" ^"

Bottle (Jrass, natural history of, ^20

Branching Spear (jJrass, . . .' * 1-"J

Bristly Fo.\-tail, ileseription of." .'!.'"'' '•'■^

Bri.scly Muskit, natural history of . . ' '■*''

Broom Corn, description of ' ti2

150

(391)

r j'i M

hi : r

r ': ,.

'11 SHili

■i. t

392

GENERAL U'DilX.

BroTvn Bont, naturnl histcry of,

Butt, o (in.,s „„ ,|„. ,,,,,i,,:', ' ,„

Califuniia, grasses „C, U7

U„a^iaaL,m.,irass Uc«c.;pu„;j^- ! : 11)0,251,255

Unt, n tunil history of tl,e, . ' 5

Ureal.a, Uesfiiption of tho, ' ■ ^7

„ ""ipoitanceof the, . .* ^''-J- 1J«, IC;!, l(i«, 171

'•'lliiiatif raiii'c of tho I".".

Charcoal, uso of a.s a „i„ue' ^^^> 2^' m

l^heaj, lm,,l..,„ents, coonou, v of 373

<^f'<;sH, natural history of, / ! S (1

^rculai Letter on the (irasses ' 1^0, 151, ir.v •ftH

„ '""'' ' -^f f^ui-iiig, ..'.:: 1*^'^. 226, 228, 2;io: 335

„ etiect ot on the soil, ... :(,(.-,, 337

r/., * ™';^'' t""o of sowinff, . . 210.285

Uustenuj; A uhlenbergia, natural histo/y of TS)

" mE !"!"' :''=^"''''""" "i^ ^ ■:::::::;;::;•• 13J

" Keed (irass, natural history of,* ! • • i'^i 143

.Spear (irass "^ '' lUi), 207 258

Composition of the (irasses, - • • 87, s'J 91

Compost, modes of fonning, . , [ 2LM, 227, 22i5

CornFodd^';",';!nnf'""''"'''''^'''"'^'«"p^^^^^ '■'■'■'.' '''"''''• ^

Couch Urass, natural histo'ry'of '. '. ' :m S

Cows cxperiMients in feeding .' 115 !«

Cow Grass, -leseription of, !' I05' 06

Creep„,gAleadow, irass, 'de^,.;,ti,-^- ; [^

Cre^tedUo,:- , ';"V"''.""'""^^''^'-yof,. . 92

t^rop Uiass, .lescription of, . . 137, 138, 224, 227

Crowded Calamagrostis, descri, ti^n'of • • ol

Cut brass, natu.al history of, . ' is

Cutting Grass in ihc blossom: . 20

" modes of, 130, 2l)lt, 301, ;;,)3 307

Darnel, or Perennial Rye Gras. ^"'. ^l"^, 310, 313: 320

Division Fences on tho Farm, :' ; 110,111

Downy Oat Grass, . . ' 'tlo ■ iw

^^ inple .Awn, description of, . 125

Drnin ■^'•'?'""'' '"it"'-"l history of, . 59

Drainage, importance of . v,i

Drought, ert-ect of on vegetatioi,,' : ! 38':.

Dupentia Grass, description of, . . [ 294, 2!)(i

Early Wild Out Grass, description of •"

■ ' ' 127

39

■ • • U'J, 252, 258
147

• •190,251,255

IIU

5t)

110

.•••... 27
M, Iti;{, I(i8, 171

155

• ^.VJ, 2(il, 2(i3

373

310

102

• 104, J 05, ]0U
JO, 151, 1.-,-^, 338

• . . . 243-245

'■>, 257, 2(;0, 2(,2
•i, 254, 255, 2(;0

• 250, 2(;], 2ti2

to

«, 228, 230, 335

• • .335,337

• . . 210,285
. 1«7, 200, 207

79

46

04

135

75

• • . 142, 143
lUi», 207, 258

• • «T, 89, 91

• 224, 227, 229
•378,370,382
380

• • 338, 339

■ . 115, HG

• 105, 100

• • . . 180

• ... 92
. 130, 131

138, 224, 227

.... 04

• • . . 48
.... 20

iCl, "03, 307
ilU, 313, 320

. 110, 111
. :!!«, 318

• ... 125

• . . . 59
. ... 124

• . . . 385

• .294,290
' - . . (,0

■ ... 127

GENERAL INDEX. 393

Egyptian Grass, description of.

•ilemuiitii of respiration, . . 03

>-;ngl..h IJent, nati.nil history of, 223

Ivsscntiai parts „r tlif plant, . 42

Jivapuratioa (Voiii tliu soil, . 12,10

Fall l.Vu,li„«, practice of, 2^,241,(8.

,,", '"'^f''%' ; ; 351,353,354

ialso 1 tdto),, nntural liistory of, 294, 290, 298

Hico, tlosoription of, . 81

I'oathcr lJru,,><, natural history 'of 20

iertjlization, process of, . /. 57

Jield Ijarley Grass, ... 15

iinetop 2] J,

i'iiiger (Jra.ss, description of, ".'.".' 40

iMiiKt^r-shaped Paspalum, where fijund '«

i nger-spikea Mood (irass, descriS of IW

I'lorin, natural history of ''"■'"on ol, ^^^

^lesh-lorming elements, '. .' ,.; 43

iloaU„g,jK,i,iow(in,ss, description of ^'*''' ^20, 221, 225, 228, 230

^^' ioxtail, natural history of ' "o

Finn, f ^Vi'''"'"'"' "■''^■'■^' '^'""il, ■".'.'. ^3

* our of U heat, composition of, . 139

* owers ot the Grasses, 102, 103

l'ly-awi.y(irass, description of,' " ^'A 13, 14, 10, 22, 25

*ooa of .Animals, nutritive value of, ■ •,• 39

l-orest Trees, culture of, . . . ' 219, 221, 225, 235

vl ^V.?''''""' ^'■ass, description of 300, 3(il

iresh "ater Cord Grass, where found «1

1 ringed lirome Grass, description of, .;:;;; ««

Gama (Jrass, description of, '""

Oenus and Species, distinction between ^■i^

Goose Grass. ,kscription of, . . ' 17

Grains, climatic range of, . 77. 79

" and Grasses sown' together. 259,290

Gramineas the (,rder, . , ' 294. 290

Gramma Grasses, history and distrfbiition' of 1 1. 10, 25

brasses, adapte,! to green manurS ' C2, 241), 254,258

analysis of the, . *' .,.* \- '••• • 209, 21]. 213

'' changes in the growth of ^'^' ^^^' ^^^' ^21, 220. 22s, 331

classification of, ' 302,303,329

" climatic range of, ^^> ^^3, 205, 207. 2i(i

" collection of, . '. .' 240, 254, 255

" cultivation of the, .' .* 10, 388

" description of the, . * 1*^3, 184, 180, 208

" etfect of soil and se^isons on, ''- 20, 154

" floweraoftho, ... 239.211, 2.7

" green manuring, ^2, 13, 14, Ic, 22, 25

" growth of in sun and "shade ^^' 2"'''. 211, 214

height of cutting, ... ' 255, 250

" importance of the, . 32t), 327

" list of tho natural, . '. 9, 205

" mixtures of the, . . 1", 18, 20, 22, 222

" nutritive value of the," 208, 278

" of the Southern States, , 217

" studying the. . . , . ^ ' 2,)3, 254, 255

" the artificial, . . ' ' 1*', 17, 22,388

" tho litter, .... 183, 223

.2i5

IS

\il

•^^^ GENERAL INDEX,

Grasses, the rush-like,

" time of sowing the, ' .* ' ,' ^'*"' ^'•'^

" " cutting the, . .,,:,. •^''.^''■^'•^"'■'''^^

Grass Lands, dniinago of, ^■'■^> •*"!. •'"". ^i^i^

" treatment of, . ! " i •-', •,,•••.• 'I^''' ^«'i

" " top.,i.u8sinKu(; .i:;'':l.';^;">^ "'■'«:'

" Seed, depth of covering, . '. . '. ''^ ' •*''■*' '"">' 'j'J'' ''^^

" " geruiiuatiouof, . '. . '„,'-'„'.' ^' ^' ^^'^

;; " loss of fr.m, too deep cm-^ring, ". ^''^' ^^^' 'i/"' r,l\

" " mode of buyiu<' iiil,2(3

" " seleetion of, . . .' .' Z / ' ' '■^""

" " time of sowing, . ^^■*' '*'''- -''^

" " weight of, .,.,■.■.■.■.' 'iW, 2!)C, 21)8

Green Manuring, importance of •. '.'f '"'''"'' ^"^

modes of, . . . : ''inl'oJJ'^^*'

Green Meadow (Jiiiss 210,211,214

Growth, pocuiiarities of, . ." „; * • • ^7, 88

Uuanoa.s a top-dressing, ..'.'.'.'.'.', 20(,, 23iJ, 240, :i2'J

Guinea (irass, description of 3.>(), 378

liJO, 254, 258

llair-panicled Meadow Grass, .

Hair (Jrass, | 94

Hairy Muskit, deseription'of,.' .' ' ' 39,47

" Slender I'aspalum, . . . ", "2

Hay, nutritive value of, ..'.'.' _" 139

" curing of, ... 329

" Caps, use of, ... ■ ^^5. =$20, 332, 334

" " permanent,. . . ' 340,347,349

Hard Fescue (Jrass, description of, .* ! '^■*^' "^'^^

lli-'at-foi-niing elements, . ' 97

Herd's (irass See Timotliy, Re'dtop 223,319,321

Holy (irass, description of, . . .

liorncd Sand (irass, description of ^^1

Hor>e-Fork . . ,. . (ia

Horse-rak(;, u.-e of the, 345,346

Humidity, ..feet of, ....'.!;■. ^*^' ?*2 344, 34«

lluiigaiiaa (inivs. description of 242, 2J5, 2.')7

' 145

Imitation ot nature,

Indian Coin, climatic range of, . . . , \ 2f!(), 293

" " composition of, . 259, 2(11

" culture of, , . . ! I'-i *,o^ ", ^'"^

" importance of, . ..'.'.'..'' ^'**' ^*^'^' ^^1. 2j9, 338, 339

" " natural history of, .' .' 'iiCi \ ' ' ' ' ^'^

" " stooking and curing of 154,174, 175,176

" varieties of, .....".', 339,340

" (irass, description of, . . . ! i | 1'^

" Millet, naturalhistory of' ,*.'.*.' ^'"^

" Kice, deseri[)tion of, .!!.".* l**'^

Irrigation, effect of, \ \ 27, 28

" process of, ... I * I I j I • 383, 385

Italian Rye (iruss, description of,' ! ! .' i | '■^^^

" " " comparative value of, ."."!!.'" '^'

Japan Clover

.Joint (Irass, description of, ....*..*. I'-'iJ

June Grass, natural history of, I'l'*

" t|ualities of, ... ^7,88

Jungle Grasses, list of, ... . 89, 90, 91

' = 206

Kentucky Blue Grass, description of

" " qualities of, . . .' ! ^7, 88

' 89, 91

I

. . • . 107, ]'J8
. . 294,2UG, '2'JH
Jl», 301, ;tO(i, ;u;i

• . . . ;(H,'), 38(1
J3, ;(7'>, U77, ;)n;t
ii, ;t(i.'), ;i7.'), ;iHi

• . . . 271, 27;{
i5, 2m, 270, 271

• . . . 271,273

270

. . 2U4, 2ti.'), 207
. . 204, 200, 208
■ ■ 270, 271, 273
0, 2011, 211, 214

210, 211, 214

... 87, H8

(i, 230, 240, 320

• . 3.J0, 378
150, 254, 258

94

. . . 30, 47

02

139

329

, 329, ;t:!2, 334
.340, ;J47, 349
. . . 340, 3,)0

97

. 223,310,.S21

131

(15

• • 345, 346
342 344, 340
242, 255, 2:>7

145

• . . 209, 293
. . . 259, 201

177

259, 338, 339

176

174, 175, 176
. . . 3;i9, ;540

178

140

. . . . 150
. . . 27, 28
. . 383, 385
.... 384
.... 112
. . . .113

. . . . I'ju'
.... 130

. . .87,88
. 89, 90, 91
.... 20ti

• . .87,88
. . . 89, 91

GENERAL INDEX. 3<^'5

LarKe-pi.niclcd Vilfa, description of, ,

Lato Krop Seed, natural l.istory of, 38

LiiHiH. lasses, mixture of, 38

Linio ill the (iiasses, '^^'^' 283, 284

" applioaticjii of, ..." 232

Liquid .Manures, value of 234, 365, 367

Lon«-awiiedJ',,vert.y(Jia,:,, n,;tu;.J,;i,t- • •,. '*'*"

w«;r"'"7'-^'''!!-'-''''^-^doseriptiu : : i;o

Ijueerne, culture of, . ' 73

description „r, '.'.'.', ^'^'>> l!'0, 192

Lyme (irass, natural liistory oi, '. . ', [

Machine and liand lalior, . ^'"^

Jluny.|loweiedl»arnel, description ^f," .' ^i 10, :!12, liKi. :!15

Manny's .Mower, illustrated, . 1I'>

Waniiies for (irass Lands, ,;. 317

iMarsli Oat (Jrass, description of 3,j9, ;i(;2, ;{(,5, ;!o7, 374

Mcadoiv liromo Grass, description of ' '25

" Fescue " « ,, ' 108

" io.xtaii " " ., 09

u n„'t'n " . ™'".« "f' ''»r pastures, .* .'.■.'.■,■ .'!?

Uat Urass, description of, . , >1

" Soft " .. .,' 125

" Spear Grass, " « 129, 1:10

" orSwalo Hay, . . 72,73

Melic (Jiass, desciipticii of, . .' ''••!•> 200

Millet, description and cul'tJre'of, '. ! ''^

Millet (.rass, natural history of 112, Ml!

Mixtures of Urass Seed, . . . .' ..W .I.- •• ' • ' , ' ' ' • '''^

^, ." " soils, importance of, ! ' ' " * '^' '"'*'' '''■*' ^"- ''^'^' 2'.'1, 203

Moisture and ileat, etleot of, 2i;;i, ;J(i4

Mountain Cat's-tail, descriiition of 230,211,204

Mowing,', height of, . ' 30

Mowing-machines, use oV," .*.",' ." .Ino .•,,„•,• ij'-^''. 327, 328

„ ,", " nianagementof, ." !<>«. ^10, 312, 3i:!, :!15. :!J8

Muck-beds in low giountfs 320, :i21

Muskit or Uramma (jfrasses, .'.'.'.*.". ", • -['^' -^'>

Naked Ilea rd Grass, description of, <>2, 2ol, 258

Nimble Will, description of, ... Ii2

Nitrogen, importance of in food, .* ■^'

i\itrogetious compounds, . . ,' * * •-'19,235

Nodding Fescue Grass, descrintiJn of' 130,210,220,235

A utritive equivalents, tables of, . .!.".'.*,'.''' .:-'}?\

Oats, natural hiytory and culture of, . "'' ''^^

" quantity necessary to sow . ''1

" varieties of, . . . 173

Obtuse Spear (irass, desJription" of ^'1

Orchard Grass, iiatuial history of, . No' ' * * '^

Over-curing of grasses injurious 12, 00, 08, 09

Over-seeding with few species, .'. .' V'^V-'o- * ^''^

Pale Manna (irass, description of, ^'>^, 27o. 2r6, 292

Pasture Grasses 74

Pastures, turf of old, .!'.!*.! 277, 278, 280

" renovation of, .'.'.*.' o--' .',.; '' '• 274, 278

" top-dressings for . >i-''^. -i'^'- ;.>!•, 302, 381, ;}83

Perennial Rye Grass, description of, -J^H, 302, ;{07, ;i75

Peunsyivanian Eatonia, dosoription of ' ' ' ' 110

' "0

r ]

" GENERAL INDEX.

Pliosphat... taken fro.n tlio soil. .

J ants, niifnhor oC in tlio turf, . 23J

1 iaster „f l>uris, uso uf, 274, 27(i, 278

1 oro,i|„no (in.Ms, natural hiato"ry'of ■''"' '''2. 374

ii'tat(.-t(,ps, coiniiositionof, ' M

poverty (}n,ss, description of, :!77

i I'llihe I{,fu, (loseription of, , (iO

I'ungont .Meadow (iia.ss 2i»

i'urolo Alpine Hair (iri'iss,* ! ." !>3

" AVood (iras.s, . . '. 123

" M'ild Uat (irasii, .".'.*.'.'." 14!)

Quakin- (ira.s.., descrijjtion of, .....,, ^^"

Ifains, distribution of, . "'*'

Kattle.snalaMJnis.s, ,,,itnnil history "of 242

IWper, In.storyaMduseofthe, /. ' 71

«i-( top, deseriptiun of, . . 322, ;{24, 325

Ited Clovor, natural history of 40,331

„ , „" t-''irinf,M.f, . . . ' IH.J, lH(i, 2H2

ne"d Canary Grass, . . 335, 337

Re 1 Fe cue Grass, natural hi.story of, J^G

ithodo island l'.,.„t .l. ...,.„:..: •;. ' y^

40

27, 15(i, ],-)8

57

,< i 1, , ,, .ustory of, •'7

Rush )ike\- '"",•''"' *'''^''--'Je^«ription of; ♦'!

ivusB-iike (iras,se.s, list of, . 85

" Suit Uniss, description" of, 23U, 241,2G0

■10 c, (lescriptiou of. . . . . .' ,* (;i

Salt .Marshes, ditohin.' of 1««

" Marsh (irass, naUiral history o'f 38(!, 387

Sa.nfojn, history an.l culture of . «0

»and (Truss, description of, 1!I4, ]!I5

Scytlie, use of the, . . (io

Sea .Spear (Jrass, description of 307,320

Seasons, inthieMcc of, . . 77, 7.)

Scdfe'es, de,serii,ti(ui and list of 2311, 241, 2(,0

Seed, selection of, ' 199, 200, 203, -lu

quantity to be sown, 17:i, '^{..i

," vitality of, 173, 278, 2m;

.;i!neca Ura.ss, de.scription of, 2(3, 2( (i

^ lade, erteots on the ,,uality of grass '^i

^l.eep^s Fescue (^rass,natunilhiftory of 239,241,2(4

Sheep etfcct of on the pasture, ^ ' 97

Short-loaved IJeard (Jrass, . 382, 383

hpear " . , (;;[

'.' stalked Meadow Grass, .* 81

Silicates taken from the soil, 05

felender-tail(;ras,s, natural hist"ory of 231,232

Spike (ira.ss, description of, ' HO

Meadow " '< « iQi)

" Three-awned (irass, description" of, '^'•i

['^ Io.xtail, natural history of ' 5!)

» Crab Grass, description of.' 31

ispiked Fescue, " «' " 140

101

23)

. 274, 270, 'J78
. 370, 372, 37-1

C)H

377

5i»

■' ()0

2lt

!»3

123

14!)

12(i

96

242

71

322, 324, 325
. . . 40, 331

1H'>, Ih(), 2H2
. . 33,->, 337
, 133, 134, 13(J

130

!)7

40

. 27, l,j(i, 1,")8

r)7

37

(il

85

23!J, 241, 2G0

01

. . . . 108

. 380, 387
.... 01
.... 00

. I!t4, ]!»5
.... 05
. 307, 320

• . 77, 7:)
!3'J, 241, 2(,l)
100, 21)3, 2/1

. 17l», -ji.]
73, 278, 2sO

• 2(,3, 21(1
. . . . J3i
JS), 241, 2(,4
. . . . !»7
. 382, 383
. . . . (i3

. ... 81

• ■ . . !»5
. 231, 232

... 110
. . . 10!)

. . . !»;{

. . . 5!)
... 31
. . .140
... 101

GENERAL INDEX. 397

Sloncler Hairy Lymo Grass, natural history of

filial IKesciio, (Icsoription of . "' "'"'^y O' ng

Smooth iMaryj) Grass, " "'.'.'.", '-Hi

'' Erect I'aspuluni, (lescri*|.tion of "^

Crab (iniss natural history of, '''i'

hnow, effect of on grasses, 140

Soft Ijromc (;rass, natural history o'f ,'.'.' .' '^'''' ''^"•'

l^yuio " description of, . '"'

Soil, cdect on tlie grii.sses, . , ll!<

Soils, mixture of, ....[[ 12

203, 2)i4

150, 152, 338

!I5

10, 388

- --,...,...,,.,.„ „., . . , 100,102

hjjike (irass, natural history of IH

Star (irasses, list of the, . . ' 80, 1U8

Starch transformation into woody ("ibre l'^'^

Striped (Jrass •' ' 302, 321), 330

Sterile IJromo Grass, description of 133,134,135,130

Strong-scentod Vilfa, natural history of 1"»

^^ • . " iMeadow Grass, . ^ ' 37

btooking of corn, practice of, . »3

Swale (Jrass 33!», 340

Sweet-scented Vernal Grass H'D, 204

Swale Hay, value of, . . ' 132, 133, 134

Sylvan Wuhlenbergia, history of, ^''>"> 204, 233

" Spear Grass, description of,* ! .' i i '^7

Tall Fescue Grass, description of, **^

;; O'lt " natural historv of, 100

Kedtop, description of, , . " 127

" Thin Grass, " << _ _ 05

Technical terms, use of, 39

Temperature <if wheat districts' ^'^' >t. 10, 17

Three-awned (Jrass, description'of, 241

licklo (jtrass, << ,< 59

Time of sowing grass-secd, 3!)

Timothy? description of, . . ' ,' 2!»4, 2!)(;, 2!)8

" sown with clover, . .' .' 12> 17,34,332

" time of cutting, 35

Toothache Grass, natural history "of" 29!), 301, 303, 305

Top-dressing of grass lands, ..'.', 'a 'nA,\:^- • • •'!

Treatment of grass lands, . ^:^' ^'^-' 307, 375, 370

Truncated K.vleria, natural historyof ' ^^''' ^"^' ^^^' 385

lutted llair (iniss, description of" ' '^0

Iwin (irass, natural history of ' 121

Twitch " " .. ,;' I GO

Upright Sea Lyme Grass, description of,' .*.".".'*,'* 115, 110

Vanilla Grass, description of ^^^

Vegetation, conditions of, .' 131

Velvet Grass, natural historv oV 239,240

Vilfa, rough-leaved, . . •. ' 129, 130

" hidden-flowered, . '. 37

Virginia Cut Grass, descrijjtion of,' ',',[] \ /^ 37

Water Hair " « „ '

" Spear " natural history o'f ^23

34 ' 75

398

GENERAL INDEX.

Wavy Meadow Orass,

Weak Meadow Oraas !!.'!.'.',' ^^

Wet'ds, analysis of, !.'.'.' ,^'

Wheat, natural history of, . '''■'*

" culture of, •,,• •.,•'• 'll^

'■ co.ni,o8iti,;n of, ::::;::::::;••• • ' ' '^'^' '^^}

" eliiiiatie range of, \ [ •ri'o*''^

White Clover, description and culturo'of, ' .' .' ' ^tl

" tirasa, natural history of, ,,

" Top, " '< " . . . . , ■ , '

" Mountain Rice .*.".'!! '^' ^'P,

Wild Water Foxtail !.'!!!!! i*'

" Chess, description of, .....'.'.' ' A^

" Out (Irass, natural history of, . , Il,,

Winter Wheat, effect o«" snow on, . .,,,:;

Wire OniHs ^^■^

Wild Rico, descrii.tion of, ....'. L'^

\VitchCiruss. Sec Twitch Grass . .'.".'.'.'". ,,1

Wobuni Experiments, account of the ' nf9

Wood lliiir (Irass, natural history of, .....' f.m

" Heed " description of, .... f?

" Meadow Grass, *,

" .Spear '■ , .'..".".'.'.*.' c]

Woolly Reard Grass, description of, i ..".*!.'!!.'! i .'.' | .'" ' 14s

Yellow Oat " " " * ,, ,

Yellow-eyed Grasses, list of, .....' .' .' .* ." .' .' .' .' .' i .' * ' * ' lyy

80

fil

234

117

158, l(iO, l(i3, 281

162

■ . ■ . 'i(;i, 203

1M8

2B

.... 42, 123

56

33

107

123

2(13

!»1

28

115

218

120

45

84

SI

148

126

lUO