TIMOTHY. 21 



turf-men, will probably operate strongly against 

 Timothy ever monopolizing too large a share of at- 

 tention in that country. 



In the New England and Middle States, from an 

 early period down to the present day, Timothy has 

 been cultivated almost exclusively for sale in the 

 markets of the large cities. The preference given to 

 this hay, is no doubt in a great measure owing to 

 its attractive uniform appearance when well cured. 

 The little waste with which it may be handled, and 

 the easy means afforded of judging pure Timothy? 

 compared with other kinds offered for sale, 

 are considerations of no little consequence to dealers 

 and owners of horses in cities. 



Similar reasons have operated in favor of Rye 

 grass hay, for two centuries in English markets. 

 For hay crops, both in regard to quantity and quality, 

 Timothy is perhaps unequalled, but it is a great im- 

 poverisher of the soil, each ton of hay, as shown by 

 analysis, taking from the land at least one hundred and 

 fifty pounds of potash, &c., an equivalent to which 

 must be returned in annual top dressings, or else in 

 a few years the land becomes exhausted, arid the 

 Timothy disappears. A late writer in the Country 

 Gentleman, W. J. F., Monroe Co., N. Y., remarks? 

 u The roots of Timothy grass are fine and near the 

 surface, often in Hie second year forming a perfect 

 mat. Its net-work of roots takes only the strength 

 of the surface soil ; but they do that thoroughly, 

 while all beneath is left hard and not permeable to 

 air and light. In such conditions soils gain nothing 

 if they do not absolutely tend to sterility. In two 

 or three years the surface is exhausted, and unless 

 annually overflowed or artificially manured, the 



