LAWNS, PASTURES AND HAY. 



So many inquiries have reached the Station during the 

 past year from people in Alabama, concerning the methods 

 for grass cultivation, and the grasses best suited for lawns 

 and pastures, the author has deemed it wise to issue this 

 bulletin conveying the information desired. 



There is a bright outlook for the future when the farmers 

 are seeking for instructions how to make pastures and cure 

 hay. It is an indication that more milk and butter of a 

 superior quality, and finer grades of beef, will soon be placed 

 on the markets of the State by a larger number of farmers. 

 The climate and soil of Alabama are so well adapted to grass 

 cultivation, there is no excuse for any farmer buying hay 

 from other sections of the country. If he will raise his own 

 hay and keep in good condition a first-class pasture, there 

 will be but little chance for introducing into his lands the seeds 

 of injurious weeds, so often to be found in bales of hay 

 shipped from distant sections of the United States. For 

 instance, such an obnoxious plant as the Russian thistle has 

 no doubt been scattered in many portions of the country 

 through the forage purchased by farmers who have failed to 

 produce on their own lands a sufficient amount of hay to 

 supply the necessary food for their cattle. 



Now that the serious problem is presenting itself to the 

 consideration of the people : What can be done to in- 

 duce the farmers to plant less 5-cent cotton, and to so 

 diversify their crops as to make the farms self-sustaining ? 

 may not one solution be in the raising of cattle, which will 

 result in turning much of the land into grass for pasturage 

 and hay ? This bulletin is, therefore, written with the hope 

 that an impetus will be given in that direction, so that in the 



