CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 990 



arable soils in consequence of the sward becoming bound and 

 thickened with other grasses; that, if not too closely pastured 

 in the fall, harrowed every spring, and stock not permitted to 

 enter upon it for a suitable time, it will last many years; and 

 that in the rich and kindly soils, unless destroyed by close pas- 

 turing, it will last beyond the memory of man. 



The, produce on good soils, when not pastured, is four tons 

 to the acre frequently more, at two cuttings. When not pas- 

 tured it yields nearly double the quantity of hay. The pro- 

 duce per acre in seed varies greatly from ten to thirty-four 

 bushels; the saving of the seed does not essentially diminish 

 the yield of hay, and as it is easily gathered, separated and pre- 

 pared for market, is a matter of considerable importance to the 

 farmer, especially as the seed has always a ready market, and 

 produces a fair price. Timothy should not be cut until it is in 

 blossom, or a little later. 



5. Tall (Meadow] Oat Grass. 



Tali meadow oat grass, sometimes called the "Egyptian 

 oat," and the "Peruvian grass," vegetates with uncommon 

 luxuriance; flowers in England in June and July, and though 

 coarse, is very profitable when closely fed down. It makes but 

 an indifferent hay, but what is of great importance to the Ame- 

 rican farmer is, that it produces a very plentiful aftermath. It 

 is the Wiesenhafer franzosisch ray-grass of the Germans. Mr. 

 SWAYNE asserts that it yields a greater weight than any other 

 description of grass; but according to Sir H. DAVY, although 

 very productive, it is disliked by cattle, especially by horses; 

 which, he says, perfectly agrees with the small portion of nu- 

 tritive matter it contains. JOHN TAYLOR, Esq., of Caroline, 

 President of the Agricultural Society of Virginia, and Dr. H. 

 MUHLENBURGH, of Lancaster, Penn., speak of this grass in the 

 highest terms of commendation, recommending it with great 

 earnestness to the attention of the American farmer. The last 

 named gentleman says: 



I have cultivated this grass for a number of years, and find it, after a great 

 many trials of pretty near all other grasses, the earliest, latest and best grass 

 for green fodder and hay. It blossoms in the middle of May, the same time 

 with the common red clover, and the seed ripens a month later. Horses, it is 

 true, do not like it green, at least not all of them, but eat it in hay. Horned 

 cattle prefer it to all other grasses. It will grow best in clover soil, and the leaves 

 are from two to four feet high before it blossoms. In the blossom the stalk rises 

 from five to seven feet. It ought to be cut in blossom about the end of May, 

 [from the middle of June to the 5th of July in New York and the eastern 

 states,] and will yield an abundance of sweet good hay. The seed may be 

 sown in the fall or spring, with or without grain, and must be brushed in or 

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