Cultivation of the Grasses. 145 



makes a good grass for cattle when fed down, and not permitted 

 to run in to flower and seed before the animals are " turned in." 



Red clover, we think is entitled to be called a grass, although 

 some claim that it is not a grass proper, then call it a grass 

 improper. A late writer in the American Agriculturist, called 

 Indian corn one of the grasses. If this be the case, I think there 

 need be no question but that clover may be recognized by a simi- 

 lar distinction. 



Red clover for pasture, is the most economical use to which it 

 can be devoted. It is also valuable as a soiler turned under when 

 green. The amount of feed that red clover will yield in a season, 

 is almost incredible. After it has thoroughly "headed out," 

 " turn in " stock enough to feed it down in the shortest time, in 

 which case it will continue to grow fresh feed during the remain- 

 der of the season. It is a bienial. 



White clover is another excellent grass of the kind ; it forms a 

 thick bushy bottom, spreading rapidly over the surface, and forms 

 a much tighter sward than the variety just described. Generally 

 it will spontaneously appear in newly seeded meadows. In order 

 to make it into hay, it should be cut while in blossom, otherwise 

 it wastes in drying, losing its nourishing properties by exhala- 

 ati on. 



Orchard grass — one of the great advantages of this grass is, 

 that it will grow very eai'ly in the season, and thus afford a good 

 bite for the cattle by the tenth or fifteenth of May. On this ac- 

 count it is also valuable for lawn purposes, giving a delicate ver- 

 dure to the landscape before vegetation has assumed its summer 

 garb. By the middle of June in this locality it is ready for the 

 scythe. One great advantage attending the cultivation of the 

 orchard grass, is its adaptibility for growing beneath the shade of 

 trees without any apparant diminution of vigor, or quantity to 

 that grown in open exposure, hence its characteristic name, orch- 

 ard grass. There is, however, one drawback attending this vari- 

 ety. Difficulty is experienced in unfavorable seasons in making the 

 seed " catch," therefore, it becomes imperative to perform the seeding 

 with a liberal hand. Clover and orchard grass should be sown togeth- 

 er as they arrive simultaneously at cutting condition, I believe it 

 is the rule among English cultivators, to sow eight or ten different 

 varieties of seed together for mowing lands, but in this country, 

 the advantage of such a promiscous crop is not apparant ; two or 



