237 



Blue-GtRAss in Arkansas. — Dr. A. Guthrie writes to the Department 

 as follows : 



I have a tract of laud of 125 acres, cleared laud, situated in Van Buren County ; its 

 character, good upland, partly valley land. In summer there is good " stock range " 

 throughout this and adjoining counties, but in winter the native grasses are of little value. 

 It has been on my part an object of great solicitude to cultivate a portion of my land success- 

 fully in grass suitable for hay and winter pasturage. In the spring of 1872 I sowed with 

 my oats seven acres of timothy, one of blue-grass, and one of red clover. All have done 

 well ; but the clover does not seem to withstand the hot, dry season as well as the other 

 two. Having long been a resident in the blue-grass region of Kentucky, I have observed 

 my experiment hei-e with interest, and I can say that while blue- grass does not grow quite 

 as well as in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, it grows finely here, and will succeed and 

 keep green in summer.' Mine has afforded pasturage for my horses till the middle of Jan- 

 uary. 



Guinea-grass. — A correspondent writing from Green sborough, Ala., 

 says that Guinea-grass is largely raised in that section; those who 

 have tried it most like it best. He thinks if it could be confined 

 within proper bounds, it would be invaluable. In good years it may be 

 cut from two to three times, and yields an enormous amount of hay. The 

 great trouble experienced by some arises from their neglect to cut it at 

 the proper stage of growth." It ougLt never to be allowed to go to seed 

 before cutting, as it is then too hard and woody for good hay, but it 

 should be cut when from 2 to 3 feet high, when it makes a palatable, 

 nutritious hay, of which all kinds of stock are very fond. The great 

 and only objection to the grass is, that when it once " takes hold " it 

 (fan never be eradicated, and, unless great care is taken, it spreads rap- 

 idly. It is the earliest grass to make its appearance in the spring, and 

 stock are very fond of it when young and tender. 



Profits on hens. — A farmer of Maine reports his experience in keep- 

 ing forty hens. He kept an accurate account of expenditure and receipts 

 for one year, beginning in December. He says : 



In the course of the year 2 died. On 14th of June, dressed and sold 26 hens for $15.56 

 OniHh July, had 158 chickens. Lost 6 by hawks and 27 by fire, which left 125. Of this 

 number, 40 were sold as poultry for $39.68 ; also, one pair Black Cochins for |6. Remain- 

 ing on hand at end of year, 83 — 26 to make my stock of hens good, and 57 for which I would 

 not take $57. Number of eggs during the year, 257 dozen, sold for $54.66. Total income, 

 exclusive of loss, $172.84. Total expense, $70.36, leaving balance in favor of hens of $102.48. 

 No credit for eggs used in family, nor for the 27 chickens lost. Therefore, I consider it safe 

 to account a clear profit of $2.50 per head on the hens. 



Inter-dependence of agricultural and manufacuring inter- 

 ests. — That farmers and manufacturers are mutual producers and con- 

 sumers — that is, that each is a consumer of the other's products — is quite 

 plain. It ought to be equally plain that it is for their mutual advantage 

 and profit that they be in juxtaposition. The cost of transportation 

 between them is a tax on both, audit increases with the distance between 

 them. If the price were fixed to the producer, whether of agricultural 

 or mechanical products, then the cost to the consumer must increase 

 with the distance between them ; if the price were fixed to the consumer, 

 then the profits to the producer must be diminished as the distance be- 

 tween them increases. As a matter of fact, the cast of intervening 

 transportation is a tax which is divided l>etweeu them, and this would 

 still hold true were that cost reduced to its minimum. To transporta- 

 tion companies and middle-men distance may " lend enchantment to the 

 view,'' but he is an unwise farmer who does not do all in his power to 

 encourage manufacturers to locate beside him. A former correspondent 

 of this department, who has emigrated from Indiana to Morgan County, 

 Alabama, calls attention to the great disadvantage agriculture labors 

 under in that section for the reason that it has hitherto been made the 



