22 QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 



lowed the greater the probability of success. It must, however, be borne 

 in mind that a pasture sod cannot be obtained in one year. 



The judicious selection of grass seed for the creation of a durable pasture 

 requires a knowledge obtained only by an intimate study of the habits of 

 varieties as respects quality of herbage and vigor of constitution. Except 

 in the Blue Grass sections of Kentucky and Tennessee, it is not sufficient 

 always to select the one grass indigenous to the district, for it may not pos- 

 sess the double quality desirable for green pasturage and hay, for hardiness 

 and permanence, which combination of qualities and character is best found 

 in a mixture of sorts. That prescription, to be thoroughly scientific, 

 should be adapted to the geological composition of the soil, be it slaty, 

 calcareous or alkaline, as well as the mechanical condition of the soil, be 

 it sandy, loamy or clayey. These conditions vary so much that no one 

 can attempt to be entirely exact in a recommendation for grasses to be 

 planted. We cannot more than undertake to prescribe for soils heavy, as 

 clay or deep loam ; medium, as light loam or peat ; liglit, as sand, slate or 

 gravel. "We are prepared to furnish single grasses, or two or three in a 

 mixture, to meet the requirements of any ordinary farm land for the pro- 

 duction of hay ; or, if permanent pasture is desired, we are prepared to 

 furnish mixtures for soils either heavy or light. 



Hay Grasses. 100. Q. I should be pleased to have your views in regard to grasses for 

 hay and pasture for our Texas stock ? 



A. Most artificial grasses fail to stand in warm climates ; even in tide- 

 water Virginia there is difficulty. 



Natural grasses, when good ones can be found, are to be decidedly pre- 

 ferred. Attention is however invited to Orchard grass as a vigorous and 

 generally reliable sort. 



Alfalfa is a grass resisting heat. When once established it is a heavy pro- 

 ducer, but does better as a grass to be mowed than pastured, as cattle eat 

 oflFa large portion of tlie crowns which stand up above the surface. 



Red Top, 101, Q. What is the distinction between Herds grass or Red Top, and 



***■ Rhode Island Bent ? 



jjg^j A. Herds grass, growing very largely in New Jersey and the West, is 



known botanically as Agrostis vulgaris. Rhode Island Bent, found grow- 

 ing naturally over the States of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massa- 

 chusetts, is known as Agrostis vulgaris minor. They are very similar in 

 nearly all particulars. The Rhode Island Bent, when kept mowed down 

 closely, makes a fine lawn effect ; no other variety of grass being more 

 highly prized, for lawn purposes, in the New England States. 



Canada Blue 103. Q. What do you know about Canadian Blue grass? 



Grass. A. Blue grass seed from Canada was sold in the Eastern markets forty 



or fifty years ago in preference to the Kentuclty seed, because the latter 

 was fuzzy and not easily sown. But later on, by the use of improved 

 , machinery, the Kentucky seed was made as clean and free from fuzz as 



the Canadian, aud is preferred to the latter as being purer and free from 

 any danger of Canada thistle, which is the worst pest which can establish 

 itself upon a farm. 



