AGRICULTURE AND PLANTING. 



On Natural Grasses. 



proved one grand obstacle; many of those plants are so much alike, that the'most 

 discerning botanists are often at a loss to know some of them apsKt j if so, how 

 easily may the husbandman be deterred from the arduous task. 



But, perhaps, the chief reason has been, that persons who might be expected 

 to collect the seeds, and to make the improvements, have not had the means fairly 

 put into their hands of making the experiment. 



In order to remove that difficulty, and to enable every husbandmaii to'expe- 

 riment for himself, I shall here, not only give specimens, of eight sorts of the best 

 natural grasses, but likewise such a brief description of them, as will, enable every 

 husbandman with certainty to collect them separately. 



He may then sow them singly on separate beds, or plats, and graze them 

 for a considerable time, to determine their different effects in feeding and fatten- 

 ing different kinds of stock; and afterwards join them in different coniG^na- 

 tions and proportions, as the result of his experiments may direct. 



Whether the method I have adopted on this occasion, may be more suc- 

 cessful, must be determined by my readers. 



At all events, the time I have employed, the pains I have taken, and the 

 expence I have beeen at, in collecting, and finishing the grasses, must be evident 

 to every one of them. 



The natural grasses here recommended, will, I am certain, do all that can be 

 wished for, assisted by some of the artificial grasses. They are eight in number, 

 which constitute the bulk of our best pastures; most of them are early, six of 

 them productive, and they are adapted to such soils and situations as are proper 

 for meadows and pastures. 



The natural order of grasses is so conspicuous, as to have struck all behold- 

 ers ; they constitute nearly a sixth part of the vegetable kingdom, especially in 

 open countries; the leaves are not easily broken by being trampled on, but die in 

 winter, become yellow and dry; but what is wonderful, they revive in the spring, 



