GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 



145 



The name of timothy, by which it is more generally known over this country and abroad, 

 was obtained from Timothy Hanson, who cultivated it extensively, and, according to some 

 accounts, introduced it into England, from whence it is supposed to have been originally 

 brought to this country. It forms a large proportion of what is called English hay. 



For land that is adapted to it, there is, all things considered, no better grass than timothy, 

 and it is probably unsurpassed for hay by any kind now cultivated. If allowed to stand too 

 long, however, it will, as almost every farmer knows, become hard and 

 woody, and its nutritive value greatly lessened, yet if cut when in bloom, 

 it is relished by all kinds of stock, especially so by horses, while it 

 possesses a large percentage of nutritive matter in comparison with 

 other agricultural grasses. It was formerly often sown with clover, \ 

 but the best practical farmers have discontinued this custom on account 

 of the different times of blossoming of the two crops; since timothy 

 being invariably later than clover, the former must be cut too green, 

 before blossoming, when the loss is great by shrinkage, and when the 

 nutritive matter is considerably less than at a little later period, or 

 the clover must stand too long, when there is an equally serious loss of 

 nutritious matter in that. It grows very readily and yields very large 

 crops on favorable soils. We have known instances where its yield 

 was four tons to the acre of the best quality of hay, the timothy con 

 stituting the bulk of the grass. It is cultivated with ease, and yields 

 a large quantity of seed to the acre, varying from ten to thirty 

 bushels on rich soils. This grass has long roots which extend deep 

 into the soil, and when once well established, it will withstand drouth 

 better than many other varieties. When a good growth is once well 

 started on a mellow surface-soil overlaying a moist subsoil, this crop 

 is quite safe against any ordinary drouth. It only requires a good 

 start in the spring, so as to occupy and protect the ground. May is 

 the best month for the grass crop, and if it be unusually dry, or 

 cold winds prevail then, the product will be liable to be affected 

 accordingly; but such grasses as have a good soil, and deeply penetrat 

 ing roots, will endure without permanent injury, the effects of un 

 favorable weather better than those varieties with roots lying near 

 the surface, as they can draw moisture from the subsoil, and also 

 passes the basis for a good crop the following year. 



In one respect, perhaps, it must be admitted that this grass is in 

 ferior to meadow foxtail, and that is, in the quantity of its aftermath ; 

 for while that of the latter is very great, the aftergrowth of timothy 

 is but slight, and if allowed to stand too long and then mown in a 

 dry time, it starts so slowly as to leave the ground exposed to the 

 scorching rays of the sun, unless there happens to be a rapid growth of clover to protect it. 

 It is frequently attacked by an insect, apparently just before the time of blossoming, which 

 causes the stalk to die. 



When pastured, it yields abundantly during the season, starting very early in the spring, 

 and is greatly relished by stock of all kinds. It may be sown on wheat or rye in August, or 

 later, or in the spring. The quantity of seed required per acre depends largely on the soil 

 and its condition. From ten to fourteen quarts is sufficient, where the soil is fine and mellow, 

 while from eighteen to twenty might be required in heavy clay, when sown alone. It is stated 

 by good authority, that a crop of pure timothy produced three tons to the acre, on the farm of 

 Mr. George Geddes, near Syracuse, N. Y., and also that Mr. John Fisher, of Carroll Co., Md., 



TIMOTHY. 



