

228 CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



The under grass should all be mown for hay as soon as possible, after the 

 seeds have been harvested. If it be allowed to stand but a few days, it loses 

 its nutritive properties in fact dies, after having lost the heads. The hay 

 thus made, and properly secured, although necessarily harsh from having been 

 allowed to pass the stage of its growth when most succulent and nutritious, I 

 have found good fodder for both horses and neat cattle. 



The product of seeds varies from ten to twenty bushels per acre. I have had 

 in a very favourable season twenty bushels upon land which would not have 

 afforded, I think, ten of wheat. The product of this, as of all crops, depends 

 much, of course, upon the season and the preparation of the land. The crop 

 to which I advert was purposely grown upon a poor soil, to show the excellence 

 of the plant, and the fallacy of the assertion, that it required very rich land. 



I sow from eight to ten quarts of clover seeds, and a bushel of orchard grass 

 seeds per acre in February, upon wheat or rye land. I should prefer their 

 being sown with oats or barley, as the seeds could be covered more regularly 

 with the harrow, and their vegetation would be secured. I do not apprehend 

 injury from frost in early sowing, hut I dread the effects of drought from late. 

 I have never suffered from early, but have generally had cause to regret the 

 evils of late sowing. 



4. Timothy. 



Timothy is a well known favourite and native grass of the 

 middle and northern states; it also flourishes well in the Caro- 

 linas, whence it was introduced into England by TIMOTHY 

 HUDSON, about the year 17SO. It is known in English practice 

 as the meadow cat's-tail or timothy grass. In New England 

 it is called herd's grass; while in other sections of the United 

 States it is known as the herd's of the north, or red-top timo- 

 thy.*^ It succeeds best in strong and moist soils, and does well 

 in low grounds, greatly improving moist meadows overgrown 

 with moss. On moist and rich soils it is very prolific. There is 

 none of the grasses more easily cultivated, and what is of great 

 importance is, that when cut in the seed it affords more than 

 double what it does when cut in the flower. Of its very su- 

 perior value, no doubt is entertained. 



The best way of sowing it on low moist grounds, is imme- 

 diately after they have been cleared and drained; on uplands, 

 it is best sown with red clover, as the mixture not only makes 

 hay of an improved kind, but the timothy, from its long, firm, 

 upright stalk, will support the clover should it be inclined to 

 fall or lodge. It is not to be mixed with clover in laying down 

 meadows. The "Farmer's Assistant" says, that it fails in rich 



* Dr. DARUNGTON, in his "Flora Cestrica," says, "this grass in a native of 

 Europe, but extensively naturalized in this country generally cultivated in 

 Chester county and is undoubtedly one of the most valuable grasses known 

 to our farmers. Mixed with red clover, it makes the best quality of hay. It 

 requires a good soil, and is considered as an exhausting crop. The seed is 

 usually sown in autumn, among, and immediately after, wheat and rye. It 

 succeeds well when sown in spring." 



t Professor Low and Mr. LONDON, both state that it is a native of Britain, 

 but that it was first introduced into notice from Carolina, and we believe that 

 Judge BUEL in his tables claims it as a native plant. 



