^J CULTIVATION OF GE.LSSES. 



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to escape when it can be traced ; -vvhicb, together with a judicious application of the 

 knife in cutting oft', and out, all the aftected parts so soon as they appear and burning 

 them, I manage to preserve and keep my trees clear of the unsightly tumors. If all 

 those who are interested in the growth and preservation of those trees would adopt 

 the course pursued by me, this destructive insect might, in time, be extenninated, or 

 its effects, at least, very much lessened. Indeed, unless something be done to arrest 

 its progress, many years, in my opinion, will not elapsed ere the cultivation of the 

 Plum and Cherry will have to be abandoned. 



CULTIVATION" OF GRASSES. 



BY L. DURAXB, DEEBT, COXN. 



One of the most important of all farming operations is the cultivation of the several 

 kinds of orasses for hay and pasture ; for when the farm can be made to grow any or 

 all the improved kinds of grasses well, any other crop, gi-ains or vegetables, will grow 

 well. We intend to say something of a few of the most important of the cultivated 

 grasses. 



Hed Toj). — Of all the many valuable kinds of grasses, we think none is better than 

 Red Top either for cattle or horses. This is very heavy, and we think that there is 

 less shrinkage in a ton of this hay, after it goes into the barn, than in any other kind. 

 As an improver of soils, we are satisfied that, in the long run, there is no grasses, in 

 all respects, equal to Red Top. This grass has a faculty or nature of spreading its 

 roots over the entire surface of the soil, starting out all weeds and foul grasses, and 

 making a close and firm sward. This is one reason why it is a better improver of soils 

 than most grasses, because it affords a perfect protection to the soil against the hot 

 sun, washing rains, &c. It delights to grow in rather moist bottom lands inclining to 

 clay, yet it will grow well on high, dry, loamy soils, if the soil has been plowed to a 

 good depth. We are speaking now more particularly of grass lands intended for 

 mowing. This grass is also a good one for pasture lands, as it will continue to grow 

 through the season where fed off by cattle. With Timothy grass this is not so much 

 the case, as it is not inclined to grow much as after-math, unless in quite moist ground. 

 Yet there are many farmers now who never sow this grass upon their land and of 

 course they never have any, only what happens to como up naturally. After this 

 grass once gets firmly rooted in the soil it will remain without much difficulty. Turn 

 over a sward of this grass for winter grain, wheat or rye, and the next season after the 

 grain comes up the ground will be almost entirely swarded over with Red Top, 

 although no grass seed has been sown. But the better and more safe way is to sow 

 the grass seed at every breaking up of the ground. 



Timothy. — This grass is also one of the best of our cultivated grasses, and it is, 

 perhaps, in most cases, more largely grown by farmers than any other one kind. Fo 

 horse hay it is thought to bo far preferable to any other, and it does make a 



kEife 



