FAKMEES' INSTITUTES. 290 



Avith that areli fiend among weeds, quach grass. All kinds of stock are fond of 

 rye grass, and agree with the chemist in deciding it to be very nutritious and 

 wholesome. It is nice for lawns and parture, but rather short for hay though 

 of excellent quality. The Italian variety is better, but does not last for over 

 two years, while the shorter smaller varieties last longer." 



It starts so soon after mowing, that it may be cut two or three times or more in 

 a season. It likes a rather moist climate and rich soil, Avhich is true of most of 

 our best grasses. It has stood well in rich lawn for at least eight years at the 

 college, does not winter-kill. We ought to select and get good varieties of this 

 variable grass. 



Triticum repens (couch grass, witch grass, quitch grass, twich gra«s, chadler 

 grass, quack grass). This would be a good grass to raise for meadow or pas- 

 ture if you never cared to get rid of it. On the western plains in some places it 

 affords much feed in dry soil. It creeps precisely like June grass, but has 

 larger roots and undergroimd stems, and is mucli harder to kill out. It is ar 

 vile pest. 



OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 



Unquestionably red clover holds the first rank among forage plants other 

 than the grasses proper. Its peculiarities are too well known to you for me to 

 add much at this time. The short life of clover is one thing against it. Too 

 many farmers forget or do not seem to know that red clover is naturally a bien- 

 nial, i. e., only intended to live two years. Some of it often lasts several years 

 longer, but the main crop dies at the end of the second season, unless it has 

 been well treated with reference to prolonging its life. In England they claim 

 to have a variety (not species) of red clover which will last for several years. 

 By a continued selection of seeds for several years, I have no doubt that we 

 could get such a variety for our country. 



Of alsike clover, I have seen but little. It falls down too much to be a fav- 

 orite for mowing. For pasture I have heard much in its favor. 



We have tried lucern a little. It looks some like clover, though more slender 

 and stands up better. 



It starts very soon after mowing. It lasts for many years. The roots are 

 very long and large and tough, containing many woody fibers. It stands dry 

 weather without wilting better than red clover or any forage jilant with Avhich 

 I am acquainted. In England it is said to be much superior to clover for soil- 

 ing milch cows, giving no taste to milk or butter. 



It have now mentioned a few of the best grasses and forage plants omitting 

 almost entirely descriptions by which they can be distinguished from each 

 other. You see they look so nearly alike that it requires much care and observa- 

 tion to learn them. You, no doubt, also agree with me in saying that this 

 grass question is one of vast importance ; it holds the first rank in our agri- 

 culture. 



VALUE OF HAY AND PASTURE. 



According to the census, the hay crop of Michigan for 1873 was 1,134,484 

 tons. It is fair to call the pasture Avorth as much more. Calling the hay 

 worth $10 a ton, it amounts to $11,344,840, or the hay and pasture for the 

 whole State $22,089,680. This exceeds the value of the wheat crop by several 

 millions of dollars a year. The average per acre is not given but it is not far 

 from one and one-half tons. Perhaps it is as well to omit it for some rea-ons 



