No. 199.] 145 



why it is soj and why some have been so impressed. Considerable 

 nas been said in discussing this point, it was thought important, as 

 mischief is believed to have resulted from a practice here considered 

 decidedly erroneous. The origin and probable cause of the error 

 having been pointed out, and the more recent researches of science 

 having shown it to be one, and this being in accordance with the 

 opinion of a large majority of the most intelligent practical farmers, 

 it is hoped and believed the practice under it will in time be entirely 

 abandoned. Most of the grasses, and especially timothy, when 

 growing big and rank on good land and in a fine season, are apt to 

 lodge and fall ; in this state they should be immediately cut, even if 

 there is no appearance of the flower and may not be for some time. 

 Otherwise laying on the ground thick the lower part becomes brown, 

 it will heat and ferment, and the whole deteriorate much in quality. 

 Timothy, it is thought, does best on a clay loam ; like most of the 

 grasses it requires considerable moisture, and in addition to the hu- 

 midity the soil must be rich, possessing the mineral ingredients in due 

 proportion, combined with plenty of decayed animal and vegetable 

 matter. Timothy being perennial, is excellent to form permanent 

 pastures where it will grow; many of the natural meadow grasses 

 will spring up and grow with it, being of a kindred nature and simi- 

 lar in habits, the soil good, the climate and degree of moisture of the 

 one are congenial with the other. Some of these social grasses have 

 no regular common names, many of them are short and belong to the 

 dwarf family of grasses, but are succulent, and make a rich, nutri- 

 tious feed. A close carpet of such grasses spread over a low or 

 upland meadow, properly located, soil fine, and with judicious man- 

 agement as to feeding, cleaning, and occasional top-dressings, will 

 last good for many years, with scarcely a rent patch or vacant spot 

 in it. Timothy and all grasses may be cut too young for good hay. 

 At an early period of their growth their juices are thin and watery, 

 have not acquired the requisite consistence, exhale or dry up and are 

 lost ; the stems become wiry, hard, and have none or very little nu- 

 tritive matter in them. In some parts of Germany they cut their 

 grasses quite young, and gather them up immediately and put them, 

 in a perfectly green state, in pits under ground, salt them in layers 

 with the best of salt, and compress them close by weights and let 

 them ferment for a while, letting nothing escape from exhalation^ 



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