148 [Assembly 



no tinge of blue ; the Kentucky kind, held m a certain position to 

 the light, has a perceptible shade of blue. Whether it would grow 

 north on a calcareous soil, and not degenerate, has perhaps never been 

 fairly tried. If it would grow and flourish here as it does in Ken- 

 tucky or the west, it would certainly be a valuable acquisition to our 

 farms. 



Clovers. First, Redtop clover is undoubtedly an imported grass, 

 used in most parts of Europe with great benefit ; it is also in as 

 general use with us, and with equal benefit. So popular is it almost 

 every where among us ; grows in such luxuriance and abundance on 

 almost all soils, at as little risk and labor as any of the nutritious 

 grasses, and less than some of them, especially on good sandy loams j 

 so long cultivated throughout our land, that it is considered in the light 

 of a native, and hardly known or thought to possess a foreign origin. 

 Its system of stems, leaves, roots and foliage, surpass in size, tenderness, 

 beauty and richness any of the grasses, taking all its advantages into 

 consideration. It is equally good for forage and pasture ; its long 

 roots penetrate deep into the soil, keep it loose and friable equal to a 

 plowing, and better than some plowings. If the land is in a proper 

 state for the seed, and this good, its growth is so rapid, thick and tall I 

 it chokes and destroys all weeds: none can grow among it. When 

 young and succulent, cattle are tempted to eat too much of it when 

 first turned in it, it often gives them the hoove ; timothy, orchard 

 grass, &c., sown with it will generally prevent this ; it should be cut 

 for hay before the flower is fully blown. It leaves the soil in a fine 

 state for tillage, planting any of the grains, root.>> or vegetables. It 

 is considered a biennial, at most triennial ; it has been known though 

 to last six or seven years on rich land, and with good management. 

 There are several other clovers, some native and others probably 

 foreign, some of the dwarf class very nourishing feed. The White 

 Clover grows low and thick on the ground, and is thought a native, 

 comes up naturally on most untilled soils, especially where clay pre- 

 dominates ; it is excellent for milch cows. 



Smooth- stalked Meadow grass is said to be a n; tive ; is well adapt- 

 ed, none perhaps better, to laying down permanent pastures and 

 meadows. An eminent farmer of our country says, it is equal to any 



