235 



ready for the scythe in ten days, or about the middle of June, 

 while the herdsgrass, at the same time, had not begun to show 

 its head.* 



The opinion of the farmers generally in this county is in fa- 

 vor of cutting herdsgrass early rather than late ; perhaps for the 

 reason that the hay is then of a bright green, and on this ac- 

 count commands in the city market a higher price. If we can 

 rely upon chemical examination in determining the nutritive 

 properties of grasses, it will be found that the gain in this re- 

 spect, in cutting herdsgrass when its seed is ripe over cutting it 

 when in flower, is as 86.1 to 37.2. 



Red Clover (trifoliiim pratense) is sown extensively in the 

 county, with other grass seeds, when land is laid down to grass ; 

 seldom is it sown by itself. As I have before observed, where 

 manure is brought to the farm from the city stables, there is 

 usually clover seed enough in the manure without applying any 

 more. The seed usually sown in the county is the large north- 

 ern clover ; and in general the growth is so rank and the hay so 

 badly made, that the fodder is worth little. It would be a great 

 deal better, in many cases, if the June or southern clover 

 were sown instead. This is smaller and more easily cured ; 

 and makes, when well cured, an excellent fodder. Two of the 



* " This grass— avena elatior, tall oat grass — sends forth flower-straws 

 during the whole season ; the latter math contains nearly an equal number 

 with the flowering crop. It is subject to the rust, but the disease does not 

 make its appearance till after the period of flowering. It affects the whole 

 plant, and at the time the seed is ripe the leaves and straws are withered 

 and dry. This accounts for the superior value of the latter math over the 

 seed crop, and points out the propriety of taking the crop when the grass is 

 in flower. The nutritive matter afforded by this grass, when made into hay 

 according to the table is very small." — Geo. Sinclair. 



J. Buel speaks of his " field experiments with this grass not being so suc- 

 cessful as he expected — owing partly to the seed not vegetating well ; and 

 partly, he supposed, to the soil (a light sandy loam) not being sufficiently 

 strong and tenacious." 



Taylor, of Virginia, says that, " according to his experience, it will not suc- 

 ceed in lands originally wet, however well they are drained." 



