No, 199.] 4531 



different bases in wheat, barley, rye, oats, Indian corn, millet and 



nee. 



Raspail, (the modern French revolutionist,) in his memoir on the 

 structure of grasses, hazards a theory that the 'midrib of the bracts 

 of grasses is an axis of development in cohesion with the bracts, and 

 that when it separates as in Phleum, Bromus, or Coniphorus, it is 

 attempting to revert to the functions of ulterior development for 

 which it is more especially destined. 



Dr. Underbill remarked, in reference to extensive grape-vines, that 

 the natural tendency of great growth of the vine was to lessen the 

 value of the wine, the greater supply of sap dilutes the juices too 

 much to produce the best wine. 



Our regular subjects are now in order (viz.) The grasses, hay, 

 wheat and its culture. 



Judge Van Wyck. — A carpet of grass protects and enriches the soil. 

 In the northern section of country the most extensive use is made of 

 timothy and clover, the red top and the white, the latter being indi- 

 genous. The grasses require a rich soil as well as the grains. Most 

 farmers suppose that the grasses will grow continually without culture, 

 but they cannot expect a proper supply to feed their stock, unless 

 they maintain the soil in as good condition as they must to produce 

 grain. The best mode of planting timothy and clover, is to plant the 

 first in the fall of the year, and the clover in spring. Clover has this 

 superiority over other grasses, that cattle cannot eat so much of it but 

 that its roots and many of its leaves remain for the fertilizing of the 

 land Hay ought to be made of clover and grasses when they are in 

 flower; the rich juices are then diffused throughout the p]ants,before they 

 ascend to form the seeds. After the the seeds are ripe, the plants are ren- 

 dered inferior for making hay. Farmers however are beginning to 

 cut them earlier than they have formerly done. Some let timothy 

 develope its flowers more fully, and begin to fall. But on this point 

 there is a diversity of opinion as in some others, in regard to hay 

 making. 



