SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 17 



South has unusual fitness for the successful cultivation of 

 the valuable grasses." 



While admitting that there are portions of the South .(jas is 

 the case in all countries) where the grasses will not grow, 

 he declares unhesitatingly, " There is nothing in the climate 

 of the South to prevent the successful growth of the valuable 

 grasses." Omitting all that he says upon the culture of 

 grasses for hay, as the winter grazing at the South is a sub- 

 stitute, except in exceptional periods, for this indispensable 

 fodder for sheep at the North, we will condense his obser- 

 vations upon the grasses for pasturage. 



One of the most marked advantages of the South is the 

 ability to grow grasses which may be pastured in winter. 

 Thus the cost of cutting the grass, and saving the hire of 

 barn for storing it, arid the cost of feeding it out, are dis- 

 pensed with; while succulent food, which, at the North, 

 must be provided for by storing roots and vegetables, is 

 afforded throughout the year. By the aid of winter grasses, 

 it is perfectly practicable, throughout a large portion of the 

 South, to raise sheep without other cost than the interest on 

 land and the value of the salt. Oats, barley, and rye, sown 

 in the fall, may be grazed during the winter without injury 

 to the crop of grain, as is frequently done ; but they must 

 be sown annually, and are inferior to permanent grass pas- 

 tures. The meadow oat, orchard, and blue grass, with wild 

 rye or Tyrrell grass, are chiefly relied upon for permanent 

 winter-grass pasture. 



Spring pasturage is afforded by the broom sedge ; and the 

 summer pasture, by the native crab-grass, an annual pecul- 

 iar to the South, which springs up everywhere at the South in 

 the stubble where small grains had been harvested, making 

 a summer pasture which cannot be surpassed. Very sensi- 

 ble farmers at the South have estimated the crab-grass pas- 

 tures of a fair season, on stubble land, as being nearly equal 

 in value to the preceding small-grain crop. " The Northern 

 farmer," as Mr. Howard observes, " has nothing to correspond 

 with our crab-grass. His stock are eating, without appetite 

 or relish, in August and September, the old grass of the 



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