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out their presence, we could not have the magnificent parks of blue- 

 grass seen around. 



Blue-grass lands do not exist everywhere in the United States, 

 and that should increase their value. They will be in demand, and 

 that soon. The wild grasses that now are such an attraction to 

 immigrants, on the table-lands of Tennessee, will ultimately be ex- 

 hausted by the increase in population, while the demand for food 

 and every variety of domestic animals will be proportionably aug- 

 mented according to the increase of the population. Then every 

 acre of land that will produce blue-grass will be in active demand, 

 and will be devoted to stock raising, for which it is so well adapted, 

 and sheep and cattle will then fleck every hillside. 



The fame of the Kentucky blue -grass is so great that the majori- 

 ty of people suppose Tennessee cannot produce it so well, and they 

 demand practical evidence of the fact. We have that very evidence 

 here spread out before our eyes in the magnificent pastures of those 

 who have adopted the proper management. Kentucky has famous 

 pastures, because, in the outset of her cultivation of the blue-grass, 

 a system of management was adopted that proved a success. That 

 system has been thoroughly tested both in Kentucky and in some 

 counties in Tennessee, and no one has made a failure who has at- 

 tempted it. Those who have put themselves to the trouble of 

 learning that system, and putting it in practice, have made as good 

 grass as can be made in Kentucky or elsewhere. As in other crops, 

 the quantity and quality of grass are in exact proportion to the care 

 and management bestowed upon it, and the sod is as good, the 

 blades as wide and long as can be seen anywhere, but this all de- 

 pends on the skill and attention of the farmer. Some will sow a 

 lot and then put in cattle, horses, sheep and hogs to keep it eaten 

 to the ground throughout the year. Under such treatment the 

 grass disappears, and such farmers conclude their soils are not 

 adapted to grass. Let the grass 'get a vigorous start, protect it 

 from stock for the first year, and fertilize it with stable manure, or 

 some of the superphosphates, and be sure not to overcrowd the 

 pasture with stock. This is the true secret of having good pastures. 



Dr. F. H. Gordon, of Smith county, spent years in studying the 

 habits of blue- grass, and finally succeded in giving the best instruc- 

 tions for securing a stand : 



"Some seventy years ago," be says, writing in 1871, "two 



