GRAYLING INSTITUTE. 379 



GRASSES FOR PASTURES AND MEADOWS IN COLD CLIMATES. 

 BY PROF. W. J. BBAL OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



[Read also before institutes at Fremont, Coldwater and Fltchburg and at the State Dairymen's 



convention at Flint. J 



As I understand it, in this portion of our country the summers are short 

 and the soil is usually well mulched with a covering of snow ia winter. _ There 

 is some first rate laud, some not so good, and away over in another neighbor- 

 hood they do say there is some that is " as poor as Job's turkey." This 

 county has a fair proportion of marshes and some land that is rather rough, 

 hilly and broken. The water is abundant, easily obtained, of excellent qual- 

 ity, the cliaiate is healthful and the State in which we live noted for enter- 

 prising and thrifty people. 



I suppose you are interested in the treatment of stump lands, the best way 

 to prevent forest fires, how to make the best use of timber that is cut and how 

 to take the best care of that which is reserved. You are interested in know- 

 ing how to manage the different kinds of soil, that they may not only give a 

 profit in this generation, but may pass in good condition into the hands of 

 your posterity. In a word, you are studying what vegetables to grow and 

 how to grow them, what grasses, clovers, grains and fruits to raise and how 

 to raise them with economy and profit. As this is a cool, moist climate, it 

 should be well adapted to the growing of grasses and clover suitable for feed- 

 ing flocks and herds. The selection of grasses and their management in 

 pasture and meadow is a broad and important subject, and one which, if 

 properly handled, should always interest the farmers of such a country as this. 

 Good farming, as practiced in some portions of our country, is essential to 

 the best success here, as everywhere, in regard to stock, rotation of crops, etc. 

 You must not expect me to solve all of these problems for you. This will 

 take long years of experience and hard work by the best people in our State. 

 Pioneers will experiment for the benefit of those who are to come after them. 

 Study and experiments will help. 



So small and humble a thing as a blade of grass possesses much that is of 

 interest to the farmer as well as to the botanist. It is a most wonderful 

 structure. The lower part of the leaf is called the sheath and clasps the stem 

 of the grass ; the flat, upper portion "is called the blade. The sheaths and 

 young, overlapping leaves protect the tender flowers which are to produce the 

 seeds. The blades of most grasses are especially adapted for cropping by 

 cattle of all kinds. The tips of the leaves are the oldest portion and are 

 nipped off, but the blade continues to elongate by a multiplication and 

 growth of the cells near its base. In dry climates, or in dry seasons, the epi- 

 dermis of leaves is thicker, and helps to protect the tender cells within, while 

 in damp or shady places the epidermis is thinner. Leaves roll up or close up, 

 and, to some extent, protect themselves from severe dry or hot weather. In 

 some cases, a covering of hairs helps protect the plant from the severest 

 weather. Details cannot be given at this time. Grasses have flowers as well 

 as the roses and lilies, although they are not conspicuous. 



