OECHARD GRASS. 209 



prol)al)ly better adapted than any other grass to sow with clover 

 and other seeds for permanent pasture or for hay, as it is fit to 

 cut with clover and grows remarkably quick when cropped by 

 cattle. Its good properties consist in its early and rapid growth 

 and in its resistance of drought. Sheep will pass over every 

 other grass to feed upon it. I prefer it to almost every other 

 grass." Mr. Sanders, of Kentucky, says : " My observation and 

 experience have induced me to rely mainly on orchard grass 

 and red clover. Indeed, I sow no other sort of grass seed. 

 These grasses mixed make the best hay of all the grasses for 

 this climate. It is nutritious and well adapted as food for stock. 

 Orchard grass is ready for grazing in the spring ten or twelve 

 days sooner than any other. When grazed down and the stock 

 are turned off, it will be ready for re-grazing in less than half 

 the time required for Kentucky blue-grass. In summer it will 

 grow more in a day than blue-grass will in a week." This is 

 the testimony of a man from the grass-growing State of Ken- 

 tucky, where we have generally supposed that blue-grass was 

 the king of grasses. .We might cite the testimony of Judge 

 Peters, of Pennsylvania, and other eminent agriculturists, in 

 favor of orchard grass ; but we have said enough to call the at- 

 tention of farmers to it, and if its general cultivation can be 

 introduced into Massachusetts we shall feel that we have done 

 the State some service. We will add that we do not favor sow- 

 ing orchard grass alone. It is much inclined to grow in tussocks, 

 and thus leave much vacant space in the soil. This may be 

 remedied in a measure by thorough pulverization of the soil, 

 and by a liberal allowance of seed — at least two bushels to the 

 acre ; still, we should prefer to sow clover, meadow fescue, Tim- 

 othy and redtop with it, so that the surface of the ground may 

 be filled with roots and all the virtues of the soil be brought 

 into requisition. We have found, too, that orchard grass loves 

 a deep, rich, moist soil, and are confident that in such a soil no 

 other grass yields such an abundant harvest. Why it is so 

 much neglected among us we cannot divine, unless it is the 

 fashion of sowing Timothy and clover ; and fashion is as much 

 a tyrant among farmers as among the ladies, though showing 

 his power in a different mode. 



As a second suggestion for the improvement of our hay crop, 

 we mention early cutting. As to the time of cutting grass 

 27 



