GRASS CROP. 1Q5 



by cattle. Its good properties consist in its early and rapid growth 

 and its resistance to drought. Sheep will pass over every other 

 grass to feed upon it. I prefer it to almost every other grass." 



He quotes from Mr. Sanders of Kentucky, who says: "My 

 observation and experience have induced me to rely mainly on 

 orchard grass and red clover. Indeed, I sow no other kind of 

 seed. These grasses mixed make the best hay of all the grasses 

 for this climate. It is nutritious and well adapted as food for 

 stock. Orchard grass is ready for grazing ten or twelve days 

 earlier in spring than any other. When grazed down and the 

 stock turned off, it will be ready for re-^razing in less than half 

 the time required for Kentucky blue grass. In summer it will 

 grow more in a day than blue grass will in a week." This is the 

 testimony of a man from the grass-growing State of Kentucky, 

 where we have been led to suppose that blue grass was the king 

 of the grasses. Many other eminent agriculturists miglit be cited 

 who would confirm the testimony of these two, but this is suf- 

 ficient. 



Mr. Hyde further says : "I would advise no man to sow it on 

 his lawn, for it would need cutting every morning before break- 

 fast. A^c have Lad it in one field for eight years, and see no 

 diminution of the yield, though cutting two crops regularly each 

 year. If cut wliile in blossom, both cattle and horses are exceed- 

 ingly fond of the hay and do well upon it." 



If sown by itself it is much inclined to grow in tussocks, leaving 

 many vacant spaces in the soil. So will some of the other grasses ; 

 but this is not an objection to it, but only another reason why no 

 one grass should be sown by itself; but sow a sufEcient number 

 of varieties to take into requisition every element of the soil that 

 is fitted for plant food. Another objection is, that it loves a deep, 

 rich, moist soil. I have no doubt that upon such a soil it will 

 produce as much or more than any other grass. But what grass 

 does not love just such a soil, and if you have not such a soil, 

 make it so by deep plowing and manuring. From'what I have seen 

 and read of this grass, I have become convinced it will become 

 the standard grass before the King of the Earlies takes the place 

 of our old Early Sebec potato. 



The next to which I call your attention is red-top. It has been 

 supposed tliat this grass would grow only on low, wet, swampy 

 lands, but experience has proved that it will grow on almost any 

 soil that will sustain herds-grass or red clover. If sown with 



