[41] 



than they do in a mountainous region. The outcrops of 

 limestone along the streams, forming high bluffs, furnish 

 excellent retreats from the wintry blasts, and in such situa- 

 tions tufts of grass often keep green throughout the winter, 

 and enable sheep to procure a ready subsistence. This 

 highland district also furnishes some of the best wheat lands 

 in the State. By sowing early, and allowing the wheat to 

 get a good growth in the fall, it is found equal to sustaining 

 a great many sheep during the winter. Rye and barley are 

 often sown also for winter pasturage. 



A practice that ought to be more generally adopted, is to 

 sow herd's- grass, and let it grow during summer, leaving it 

 uncut. The dried grass will protect from frost and freezes 

 the new grass which springs up in the warm days of autumn, 

 and this will supply good winter grazing for sheep. Unlike 

 timothy or orchard grass, herd's- grass will bear without 

 damage the close cropping of sheep. This grass is probably 

 for all purposes, grazing and mowing, the best that can be 

 sown upon the thin lands of this division. It is very hardy, 

 bears grazing well, makes good, though light hay, and will 

 survive the worst treatment. Its greatest enemy is the 

 broom -grass (Andropogin scoparius and A. furcatus). 

 Orchard grass grows well also on these highlands, and for 

 summer grazing is greatly superior to herd's-grass. Blue 

 grass, except in some favored localities, does not make a 

 good or lasting sod on the highlands. 



In many parts of Warren county the Japan clover (Les- 

 pideza striata) has taken possession of all uncultivated 

 places, and has proved a most formidable enemy to the 

 broom-grass, the villainous pest of all meadows. This 

 clover is highly relished by sheep, and though short, it fur- 

 nishes a good pasture from May until frost. 



All along the Tennessee river, in its western passage 

 through the State, are wild lands now heavily clothed with 

 valuable timber, that could be made splendid sheep walks. 

 These lands are well drained, generally rolling and elevated, 



