110 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



By means of manures the yield of dry matter per acre was in several of the 

 experiments considerably more than doubled. Every description of manure 

 diminished the number of species and the frequency of weeds. 



In the unmanured plats the miscellaneous herbage, including weeds, was 16 

 per cent, while on the manured plat they decreased to 3 per cent. Irrigation 

 produces much the same effect as manures, though some weeds, like docks, 

 are increased by irrigation. Manure and drainage improve the hay also by 

 making it less woody, by increasing the amount of flesh-forming material, 

 by increasing the albuminoids one-fourth, by raising the per cent of sugar 

 from 10 to 15 per cent, by increasing the fatty and waxy matters. The good 

 hay is the more succulent. 



Good grasses are a "sign" of good land in good condition. Over our vast 

 country with a great variety of soil and climate we cultivate only a few 

 species of grasses. It has long seemed to some of these possessing the great- 

 est foresight that we might profitably seek new grasses for new or old farms. 

 Why not look for them in Patagonia, the valley of the La Plata, in Siberia or 

 Kussia, in South Africa or Australia, in Mexico or Japan? Because the 

 grasses are so numerous and look so much alike to all except botanists, it is a 

 good reason why the State or nation should assist agriculture in an undertak- 

 ing which seems so fruitful of good results within a short time at so trifling 

 expense. Here is a grand work for some rich philanthropic person or for 

 some experiment station. 



Prof. Beal urged every farmer who had not already done so, or at least some 

 enterprising man in every township, to make a fair trial of meadow fescue, 

 orchard grass and tall oat grass. Be sure you are not deceived. Purchase 

 the seed on condition that it is pure, true to name and possesses good vitality 

 after being examined by an expert. 



Prof. Beal was asked the best mixture of grass seed for a marsh, and how 

 much to sow to the acre? He replied that a mixture of foul meadow grass, 

 and red-top, sowed about two or three bushels to the acre, is the best, although 

 blue-joint is good, and June grass is sometimes used. 



The best time for cutting grass is just at, or a little before, the time of 

 flowering. 



Mr. Crawford stated that his experience was that early cut grass, though a 

 little harder to cure, was much preferred by all kinds of live stock to hay 

 made from grass cut later, and could be fed with more economy. 



To the question, " what grasses are best for lawns?" Prof. Beal replied 

 that June grass, with a little white clover, made by far the best lawn. Ehode 

 Island bent grass is also good. 



To kill quack grass he knew of one sure remedy. It was to kill it by thor- 

 ough cultivation. Plow it under in the fall, and early in the spring cultivate 

 and harrow every four days, not letting a green sprig appear. 



Canada thistles may be choked out by red clover. 



A sedge which springs from a bulb about the size of a pea, and which is 

 exceedingly tenacious and troublesome on certain pieces of low ground, is best 

 exterminated by thorough drainage. 



Kentucky blue grass and our June grass are the same plant. 



