200 



latter particularly is considered by many foreign agricul- 

 turists as indispensable to the wheat, with which it is sown. 

 Its tap roots often penetrating to the depth of a foot serving 

 as channels for the admission of rains into the soil and de- 

 signed to absorb from the soil and atmosphere, many super- 

 fluous substances, which would give grossness to the wheat 

 plants, thereby causing the bursting of sap vessels and pro- 

 moting the growth of fungus and parasitical substances on 

 the stalk, usually known as rusts. The grass also is benefit- 

 ted by being sown in the manner referred to, as the wheat 

 plants in return very gratefully protect or shade the young 

 grass from the rays of the scorching sun by which the crop 

 is not unfrequently destroyed or burnt out. 



The grass seed should be sown immediately after the wheat 

 is covered, while the ground is yet moist on the surface, 

 after which the roller should follow, which covers the seed 

 sufficiently. Not less than a peck of seed should be sown on 

 an acre; either all timothy or five quarts of timothy and 

 three of clover. The cost of producing grass in the manner 

 recommended is very trifling as no additional labor is neces- 

 sary in preparing the ground. 



The advantages of mowing on a surface so smoothly rolled 

 must be experienced to be appreciated. 



Experiments are being tried with grass seed, (timothy) by 

 itself, and also with oats as a partial protection against the 

 sun and severities of winter; the results are yet in mystery, 

 but may be reported hereafter. The amount of hay made 

 during the past season will greatly exceed that of many pre- 

 vious. The latter part of spring and early summer being 

 unusually rainy it favored the growth of grass materially. 

 The produce on well taken grass lands will average very 

 nearly one and a-half tons per acre. 



The price per ton in Lafayette at the present time, is quo- 

 ted at $10. 



Potatoes. — Our soil is well adapted to the cultivation of 

 this crop, which would undoubtedly be one of the most prof- 



