122 FARMER'S BOOK OF GEASSES 



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annum. On this place I sowed this season a crop of oats, which 

 but for the rust could have been cut in June. I have already 

 cut from a portion two crops of hay and will cut another in 

 Sept., making four crops from same ground in one summer. 



The proper time for cutting for hay is just as the grass comes 

 into bloom, when 24 to 30 inches high. If left to grow larger 

 it becomes woody, and not so good for hay. 



The usual quantity sown to the acre, is one bushel sown in 

 September or October, or early spring, when sown in the early 

 fall, it gets good root and will give two good cuttings the first 

 season. The richer the soil the greater the yield. While grass 

 may be enemy to cotton raising, it has proved to be much 'more 

 profitable than cotton. It is not as hard to get rid of as many 

 suppose. A neighbor here in August and September, 1878, 

 broke up some 15 acres which he has for two years successfully 

 planted in cotton, with no trouble from the grass. 



Thousands of acres of land are yearly lying idle, which are worn 

 out for cotton and corn, containing all the essentials for a crop 

 of grass or graiii. A field often acres of this grass would keep 

 the work stock in excellent condition, and save largely in the 

 consumption of corn. 



If one half of the land now in cotton were in grass, more 

 money could be made than is now made in cotton. The value 

 of grass culture is well stated in the old English proverb, "no 



frass, no cattle ; no cattle, no manure ; no manure, no grass." 

 o better stock country than the south can be found, taking all 

 things into consideration; where one kind of grass may fail, 

 there are others which will succeed. _ In this Johnson grass, a 

 kind Providence has given the south a mine of wealth, which 

 conld easily be made a foundation for wealth and prosperity such 

 as the south has never seen. 



It may not be out of place here to call attention to the man- 

 ner of putting in grasses. Frequently the seeds are sown too 

 deeply, thereby losing the seed and blaming the seedsman. Ex- 

 perience shows the necessity of plowing the ground thoroughly. 

 Then with a good harrow pulverize the soil, making a good 

 seed bed. Sow one bushel of Johnson grass seed per acre, and 

 brush it in, covering lightly. If -preferable use a roller which 

 will not cover as deeply perhaps, as a brush. The roller also 

 prepares the ground for the mower. 



Experience tells me that I cannot too highly reccommend the 

 Johnson grass. * * * 



Lain truly yours, 



HERBERT POST. 

 Mr. Post does not overdraw the yield or value of this grass. 



