182 On Guinea Grass. 



they readily take root.* A rich black mould, and a 

 soil somewhat moist, I think produces the most luxu- 

 riant grass, but I have had very little experience on 

 this subject. I hope that before many years, it will be 

 tried in every climate in the United States, and on 

 every variety of soil.f No kind of grass with which I 

 am acquainted, supports the heat of the sun so well, 

 and this property, was it even less productive, would 

 recommend it to the notice of the agriculturalist, for, 

 from the first of July, until it is killed by the autumnal 

 frosts, it will afford a constant, and an abundant sup- 

 ply of green food, and consequently enable the farmer, 



* There is no more difficulty in transplanting it, than in plant- 

 ing tobacco or cabbage. A basket or two of the young plants will 

 be sufficient for an acre. One hundred plants would enable a poor 

 family to keep a cow in town, or to supply a dray horse with green 

 food all summer. How much would the general cultivation of this 

 grass add to the comfort of the poor and middling classes of so- 

 ciety ! 



t The planters are beginning to be sensible of the importance of 

 winter pasturage in this climate, where snows seldom remain 24 

 hours. Wheat fields, and the tall meadow oats, [avena elatior,] 

 may be pastured from November until March, when the white 

 clover begins to supply our animals with green food. This grows 

 luxuriantly until the month of July. Then Guinea grass will fur- 

 nish a still more grateful food, until our early wheat lots require to 

 be eat down, in October or November. Wheat, tall meadow oats, 

 clover, and Guinea grass, afford green food every day in the year, 

 in the climate of the Mississippi Territory. In what part of the 

 union can sheep be raised with so little expense ? In most parts of 

 Europe, and in the middle and northern States, the winter keeping 

 constitutes a principal part of the expense, and the severe frosts and 

 deep snows destroy multitudes of Iambs. 



