THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 399 



sowed at any season of the year, in any manner, and 

 upon any kind of soil, will grow and flourish, sooner or 

 later, according to circumstances. Tramping the ground 

 at intervals is of prime necessity to bring it out, as far 

 as my observation extends. Blue grass spreads very 

 rapidly by //.? roofs, as well as by the annual seed. 



Blue grass pastures, as well as others, will become 

 what is called hide-hound, in the course of years. In such 

 a case, a sharp harrow, well loaded and dragged over it, 

 so as to tear the sod materially, or a scarifier which should 

 cut two or three inches in depth, will produce the best 

 effects. In truth, all our grasses are as much improved 

 by cultivation, in frequently tearing the roots, as any of our 

 grains or 'vegetables. The best time for the operation is 

 late in the fall ; but the spring will answer, if done 

 early. 



From the Union Agricultural 



BREAKING PRAIRIE. 



MR. SECRETARY : 



I had long since intended to have redeemed my pro- 

 mise, to communicate to you such observations as may 

 have occurred to me in my agricultural pursuits, and may 

 be deemed interesting or useful to the farming communi- 

 ty ; but circums f ances have hitherto prevented me. 



Prairie Farming, its difficulties. When I commenced 

 making a farm on the prairie, I found myself engaged in 

 a task by no means without its difficulties and perplexi- 

 ties. Whatever I had learned of farming at the East, 

 had to be principally learned over again here. It is true, 

 that making fences, erecting buildings, etc., are matters 

 of not so much difficulty, nor is there anything very pe- 

 culiar in the process here ; but it is in opening the farm, 

 in cultivating the soil, and in the whole process of raising 

 the crop, that Western experience is wanted. I looked 



