SOLON ROBINSON, 1846 35 



Chapter on Grasses, which is well calculated to give 

 correct information to the boys. But, pray tell me, which 

 is the real Kentucky "blue grass," Poa pratensis or Poa 

 compressa? [Botanists have decided Poa pratensis.'] 

 What is called blue grass in New York is a different grass 

 from that which is so called in Kentucky. If "E. L." will 

 write an article giving a plain description of each kind 

 of hay and pasture grass — when sown — growth — size — 

 duration — use, &c., and the editor will illustrate with cuts 

 [we will do it], it will be a very valuable article for the 

 Boys' Department of this paper. I think that the distilla- 

 tion of spirit from the seeds of several of the true grasses, 

 as well as from the juice of the sugar-cane grass, is no less 

 "tLsefuV than the production of hay, bread, beef, pork, 

 paper, hats, mats, bags, and ladies' bonnets, all of which 

 are made of the "grass of the field that perisheth." And 

 yet I am a strict temperance man. But I know that dis- 

 tilled spirit is one of the blessings of civilisation, and for 

 many purposes not only useful, but almost, perhaps 

 wholly, indispensable. How dreadfully is this good gift 

 abused ! 



Boys, he Kind to Domestic Animals. — I could write a 

 long sermon from this text; but when done it would not 

 comprehend more meaning than those six short words. 

 Let me but learn the natural disposition of a boy to be 

 cruel to domestic animals, and I will paint his horoscope 

 most truly ; but it shall be an unenviable picture for him 

 to look upon. Very likely the prison and gallows will 

 form the end of the view. No trait in a child's character 

 is more displeasing to me. No nation of people, except 

 some of the very lowest grades of African barbarians, 

 attempts to live without the use of domestic animals. Let 

 them ever be treated kindly in all respects. 



Foreign Agricultural News. — Here I find an article 

 from the Gardener's Chronicle, upon the subject of sub- 

 stituting other seed wheat, with a view of shortening the 

 growing season, and consequently bringing on the har- 

 vest in summer instead of autumn. I should like to know 



