86 



wild grasses increases in Michifi^au and Wisconsin; clover occupies from 

 a fourth to a third of the hay-fields, either separately or mingled with tim- 

 othy, which is here, as in the Eastern States, the special favorite among 

 the cultivated grasses. Blue-grass, red-top, Hungarian-grass, millet, 

 orchard-grass, blue joint, &c., claim attention in many localities. 



West of the Mississippi River, Missouri has learned to discard the 

 wild grass, as a hay-crop, to an extent unknown in other States of this 

 region. In Iowa seven-tenths, in Minnesota eight-tenths, and in Kansas 

 and Nebraska over uiue-tenthsof the hay-crops, are made from indi- 

 genous grasses. 



On the Pacific coast the alfalfa, capable of resisting severe droughts, 

 promises a special adaptation to peculiar climatic conditions. Large 

 amounts of forage are also made from volunteer crops of grain — oats, wheat, 

 and barley — which are mowed and cured in the same manner as timothy 

 and clover in the Eastern States. No culture of white or red clover of 

 any extent is found either in California or in Oregon. In the latter 

 State timothy is found a profitable crop in many sections. Wild hay 

 is also used in these States as well as in the newly-settled Territories, 

 whose capacities for grass-culture and hay-production are not yet 

 tested by experinaent. Among the few attempts at grass culture on 

 these new soils, timothy enjoys about the same pre-eminence as in the 

 older States. Occasionally alfalfa and red-top are spokeu of 5 red or 

 white clover very seldom. 



Duration of the peeding-period. — The length of time in which 

 the farmer expects to keep his animals upon dry feed of course varies 

 with the latitude, but" this general variation is also affected by local 

 circumstances. In New England the average length of the feeding- 

 period is about six months, commencing between the 1st and the 15th 

 of November. Partial feeding lasts from one and a half to two months 

 longer. Contrary to expectation, our returns show a larger average 

 feeding-period in several of the southerly counties than in those farther 

 north. 



In the Middle States the average period of full feeding ranges from 

 four and one-third months in Delaware to five and one-fifth in New 

 York and New Jersey, Pennsylvania averaging about five months. In 

 these States partial feeding lasts from one and a half to two months in 

 addition. Maryland gives full feed about a fortnight longer than Dela- 

 ware; Virginia about four months; North and South Carolina about 

 three and one-half months ; Georgia averages a little longer period. In 

 these South Atlantic States partial feeding lasts over two months. Of the 

 Gulf States, Florida and Louisiana scarcely recognize a winter-feeding- 

 period. In Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas farm-animals (that are fed 

 at all, for most are left to the range or cane-brake) are fed from three to 

 three and a half months in full, with partial feeding for two to two and 

 one-half months longer. 



In the inland Southern States the average full feeding is about three 

 and one-third months in Arkansas and four and one-third months in 

 Tennessee and West Virginia, with about two months' partial feeding. 

 Kentucky averages a somewhat longer period both for full and'for partial 

 feeding. 



Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois being very nearly within the same climatic 

 parallels, and with a small difference of elevation above sea-level, aver- 

 age nearly the same, about four and a half months' full feeding and a 

 little over two months of partial feeding. The northern counties of Illi- 

 nois, however, somewhat enlarge the average for that State. Michigan, 

 Wisconsin, and Minnesota range from five and a quarter to five and 



