AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 23 



Having a long tap root, comfrey is little affected by prolonged 

 droughts. In 1879, we had a long drought terminating the 

 last day of May. ^Pastures were parched, streams and springs 

 dried up ; but the comfrey flourished, and on the first day of June 

 we commenced cutting the fourth time since March. At such 

 times it is extremely valuable for all farm animals; but especial- 

 ly for hogs and cows. It may be cut six or eight times a year ; 

 and if the seasons are very favorable perhaps ten times in my lo- 

 cality. 



It is said to yield on rich land eighty tons per acre ; and thirty 

 tons is probably a medium or moderate crop. I do not doubt 

 the estimate of the Carew castle farm crop. On good land the 

 broad leaves may attain a length of three feet and form an im- 

 mense conical pile for each plant. Like other things of value, 

 it requires some work with attention and patience ; and without 

 these, one would better not touch it or any other crop. From 

 one-fourth to one acre, on every farm properly managed, cannot 

 be better occupied. 



Comfrey can be propagated from seeds, root cuttings, crown- 

 cuttings and stem-cuttings ; the seeds and roots being best. 

 The seeds may be sown in autumn, winter or spring. If plant- 

 ed early they may not appear till spring. They should be barely 

 covered with soil. The roots may be cut in pieces an inch long 

 and the larger ones may also be split in two or more pieces and 

 set almost any time if the ground is sufficiently wet; but best 

 from Febuary first till April. I speak with a view to my own 

 experience in latitude 31. The plant is perennial and requires 

 little cultivation after once getting rooted. For large crops it 

 must be manured whenever the yield falls off too much. 



The ground should be well broken and as deeply as possible 

 with convenience. The distance at which the cuttings or plants 

 must be set will depend on the quality of the soil and the prep- 

 aration. Two feet by one and a half would require 14,520 

 plants per acre; 2-J by 1J feet, 11,600 plants; 2 by 2 feet, 10,- 

 890 plants; and2J by 2 feet, 8,712 plants. This' is as close as 

 I would advise to plant ; and on very rich land I would have 

 the plants three by three feet. Mr. Ashburner recommended 

 setting the cuttings very deep in the soil, and following his in- 

 structions in a heavy soil, many of my cuttings never got out. 

 Four or five inches may do in very light soil, but in very heavy 

 soil one inch is much better. 



Most animals require some training to learn the value of this 

 plant and to acquire a relish for it. But when they do eat, and 

 it requires but little effort to induce them to try it, they become 

 excessively fond of it. I have never found it necessary, as prac- 

 tised by some persons, to confine animals te make them eat it, 

 nor to mix it with other food. If hungry, the animal may be 

 more ready to taste ; but even when full, they have been indu- 



