NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



grass for mixing with clover ; it is free from the objection 

 which applies to the case of timothy, as it reaches its mature 

 state about the same time as clover. Hence, it will be per- 

 ceived that it is an earlier grass. The time for cutting it for 

 winter food is when it has blossomed. If delayed until the 

 seeds have ripened, it is far less valuable, as it loses at this 

 stage its juiciness. Thick tufts of it form in pasture lands. 

 when it is not fed close. As it regards resistance of drouth, 

 it is well known that it bears it well, in which respect it is 

 quite unlike the timothy. Good observers declare that it 

 produces more pasturage than any other grass. On this point 

 the opinion of the late Judge Buel, of Albany, coincided with 

 other eminent agriculturists, and all agree in two other im- 

 portant points, viz : that it should be kept fed close and that 

 when it has had only five or six days to recover, it acquires a 

 good bite for cattle. These points give it a preference again 

 over timothy. Sheep are more fond of it than any other 

 grass. It is less exhausting to the soil than many other nu- 

 tritive grasses, which arises from the lightness and small 

 amount of seed which it produces. A bushel of seed weighs 

 only twelve or fourteen pounds. This grass is but little culti- 

 vated in New England, probably from the preference given 

 to timothy and red top, which is rather remarkable, seeing so 

 much hay and pasturage is required. One of the finest fields 

 of grass the writer ever saw was upon the plantation of Col. 

 Capron, at the Laurel. Orchard grass, when sown spar- 

 ingly and upon uneven ground, is disposed to grow in tus- 

 socks. This fault may be remedied by preparing the ground 

 properly and sowing a snfh'cieut quantityy of seed. This 

 grass, however, should not be cultivated by itself, unless it is 

 wished to grow it for seed. The celebrated Sinclair gives ;i 

 formula for the formation of a crop for pasturage. lie rnixe'.i 

 the seeds of certain grasses in the following proportions : 



Doctylis plomenata, 4 pecks. 



Festuca pratensis, 3 do. 



Timothy, % do. 



Fiorin, or agrostis stolonifera, 1 do. 



H olcus arenaceus, 2 do. 



Lolium perenne, 8 do. 



