GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 219 



they will fail to germinate. If the weather is showery and warm after sowing, they will soon 

 make their appearance from the soil, but dry weather after sowing will necessitate a longer 

 time for starting. The plant at first seems to expend most of its energies in root formation, 

 and does not grow very fast, but, after the roots are well-formed, the growth of leaves and 

 branches is more rapid. 



It is very important that the seeds be perfectly ripe when sowed, imperfectly ripened 

 seeds either failing to sprout, or producing sickly plants. The wild lupine of this country is 

 found growing in many sections in sandy soil. The most numerous species of this plant in 

 the United States are found west of the Rocky Mountains. 



The cultivated lupine will grow well in all except calcareous spils, but seems to thrive 

 best in a sandy soil. 



Prickly Comfrey (Symphytum asperrimum). This variety of comfrey was first intro 

 duced into England from Caucasus, as an ornamental plant. It grows luxuriantly, and is 

 very hardy; so much so that it is difficult to eradicate it when once it has possession of 

 the soil. 



A few years since it engaged the attention of agriculturists as a forage plant, and much 

 was said and written pro and con on the subject. Its cultivation has not, however, grown 

 into general practice among farmers, although it is cultivated to a limited extent in some 

 localities. It produces an immense amount of fodder per acre, while, being a deeply-rooted 

 plant, it is not easily affected by drought or excessive moisture, and roots out effectually other 

 plants when once established in the soil. It starts early in the. spring and remains late. It is 

 a large, coarse-leaved plant, remarkable for the prickly bristles with which it is covered. One 

 farmer who favors its cultivation, says that he has cut 24 pounds of green fodder from one 

 hill at the third cutting in the season, which would be an average of 53 tons per acre, the 

 hills being three feet apart each way. 



The advocates of its culture claim that it is especially adapted for the fattening of stock, 

 and increasing the milk of cows; while the objectors claim that it is difficult to make stock 

 eat it at all, as long as they can find anything else to eat. Hogs will eat it more readily than 

 other stock. 



Its culture is very simple. It cannot be grown from seed, and is propagated from cut 

 tings. The best way to cultivate it, is to sprout the cuttings of the roots in a hot-bed, or by 

 covering them with an inch of moist earth, and two or three inches of horse-manure. When 

 sprouted, they may be planted in the field (which should be of rich, mellow soil, well plowed 

 and harrowed), three feet apart each way, with plenty of well-pulverized manure under them. 

 It should be kept well-cultivated at first to keep out the weeds, and will do better not to make 

 any cuttings during the first year. After that, three cuttings per season can be made. In 

 winter the roots ought to be well-dressed with manure. When once established, it is culti 

 vated with little labor. It should not be allowed to flower. It requires about 3,000 sets of 

 plants per acre, one pound of the roots making about 175 cuttings. 



Having had no experience in its cultivation, we cannot speak from that knowledge, but 

 from information gained from various sources, we doubt whether it will ever be a general 

 favorite, as a forage plant, with the majority of farmers. 



