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The very rapid manner cattle take on flesh when grazing on the prairie 

 grass in this State, during the summer, leads me to believe that some of 

 the native grasses are very nutritive, and that a valuable variety may be 

 selected for culture that might answer as good, and perhaps a better 

 purpose, than the English varieties. One difficulty presents itself, and 

 that is, in procuring any large amount of seed, as so little is to be seen 

 ripe on the prairies Avhich are not stocked. I have remarked also, that 

 where these natural pastures are closely fed, the wild grass dies out, and 

 weeds take its place ; from which I draw the conclusion that they will 

 not endure close cropping. Good tillage might obviate this, and i-ender 

 the plants more luxuriant and hardy. 



The experience I have had thus far inclines me to think that the 

 meadow cat's-tail, or timothy grass, sown with red clover, is the most 

 certain to live in this climate. Timothy is a most valuable grass. It is 

 eaten by all kinds of animals, and horses prefer it to every other kind of 

 hay ; it produces plenty of herbage early in the Spring, and it may be 

 cropped until late in the season. When cultivated in union with clover, 

 it is better able to endure the summer heat. Its roots run very near the 

 surface, and it is on this account that it seldom produces much hay on 

 high, dry soils, without clover. It is not, however, as good hay-grass 

 as the rye-grass, from the thickness and toughness of its stem, and the 

 deficiency of the latter-math ; but when it is intended for hay, particu- 

 larly to feed to cattle and sheep, it should be cut a week before it flow- 

 ers. It flourishes best in this climate, in a rich, deep loam, in low 

 situations. 



The American Cock's-foot Grass, being a native of North America, 

 should be more extensively cultivated. It grows luxuriantly in moist, 

 loamy soils, and when kept closely fed, it afl'ords early and excellent pas- 

 turage, for sheep ; oxen and horses are also very fond of it. 



The possession of the most nutritious food will enable the Wisconsin 

 farmer to keep the best breeds of cattle. It behooves us, therefore, to 

 endeavor to 'make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before,' 

 and great will be our reward. 



