GRASSES AND CLO\ 'ER. 1 2 1 



that would not admit of pasturing many other varieties. The 

 grass is nutritious, and stock fatten rapidly on it, arid it is not 

 in the least injured by close cropping. It is seldom injured by 

 the frosts of winter. As it starts slowly, and requires at least 

 four years to become well set, it is not advisable to sow it on 

 level plow lands ; but on all soils where it flourishes, it should 

 always be sown with other grasses for permanent pastures. It 

 should be sown during the winter, that the melting snows and 

 the freezing and thawing may cover it, so that it will start in 

 early spring. Wherever it gains a foot-hold, it will, in time, 

 crowd out all other grasses. It is claimed that it will catch as 

 well on the hard surface of an old pasture as on a mellow field. 

 It is usually recommended to sow about four pounds of this seed 

 to the acre in connection with other grasses, but I would not 

 sow less than twice that amount, and believe that one bushel (14 

 pounds) is none too much. I would not sow old seed, as I 

 doubt if it will germinate, and to know that you get new seed 

 will require care, as much seed is held over and sold the second 

 year, or later. 



ORCHARD-GRASS. also called Rough Cocksfoot, stands pre-emi- 

 nent as a pasture grass. It possesses a host of good qualities. 

 It is palatable and nutritious, and makes a very rapid growth. It 

 blossoms early, and when pastured close or cut, makes a luxu- 

 riant aftermath. It resists drought well, and is less exhaustive 

 to the soil than Timothy. The seed weighs twelve pounds to 

 the bushel, and when sown alone requires two bushels to the 

 acre. When sown with a mixture of other grasses for pasture, 

 about one-fourth the above amount is best. I have succeeded 

 best with this grass sown in the spring with oats or barley. It 

 forms an admirable mixture with red clover, either for pasture 

 or hay, as it blossoms about the same time, and keeps the clover 

 from lodging. 



RED-TOP. This grass is called herds-grass in Pennsylvania, 

 and is known by many local names, and assumes a variety of 

 forms on different soils. It is well adapted to a great variety 

 of soils, but flourishes best on a moist loam. It makes a heavy 

 crop of hay, but inferior in quality to timothy. It is well suited 



