84 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



cnttinp and f^rubbiii":, ami liairowing and sowinj^ the seed, and by a very 

 careful imrsinf^ for a jcar or two. 



31 r. John G. Bergen — la the Kentucky blue-grass the same as a similar 

 grass that we have here. 



Mr. Solon Robinson — The same differenco of opinion had existed for a 

 long time among those who have written upon the subject. I will not 

 undertake to settle the dispute, but I will say that I have never seen any 

 grass growing naturally in the Eastern States that compared favorably 

 with the growth of the blue-grass of Kentucky. It often forms such a 

 heavy coat upon the gr.:-und that it will bear up the heaviest fall of snow, 

 .ind cattle push their noses through, and obtain an abundance of green, suc- 

 culeiit food. The blue-grass is of more value to Kentucky than her boasted 

 tobacco crop. 



Clover and Clover Hay. 



Mr. Solon Robinson — Botanists give the names of 59 sorts of clover 

 (trifulium), yet only four or five are cultivated, and, as generally under- 

 atood, oidy two — the white and red. A kind called yellow clover is a weed 

 pest. Until lately, clover has not been highly esteemed by American 

 farmers. It is now considered excellent for all stock by many who have 

 tested its value thoroughl}-. It has been cultivated in America about a 

 hundred years. As a renovator of worn-out soils, clover has no equal. As 

 food for cows in a milk-dairy, clover stands ten per cent, ahead of timothy. 

 We may judge something of its value from Prof Way's comparative analy- 

 sis, showing the following results : 



"R'ntcr. Fleshy Matter. Futty Matter. 



Crcen Timothy 57.21 4.:{6 1.50 



June r.rnss 07.14 .3.41 .86 



(^)rchnr(l (Jrass 70.00 4.06 .94 



I^ed Clover SI. 01 4.27 .69 



M'hilc Clover 7'J.71 3.80 .89 



Pry Timothy 11.:'.6 .3.55 



June (Jrass 10.;i5 2.«;1 



Orchard Ora?g 1.3.53 3.14 



Red Clover 22.55 3.67 



Mbite Clover 18.76 4.38 



It will thus be seen thai timothy is best when green and clover when 

 dry. 



One of the reasons why farmers have not grown clover for Winter forage 

 to a greater extent, is that it is c(tnsidered diiTicult to cure. Part of this 

 diniculty is purely imaginary. "The modes," says a writer upon the sub- 

 ject, "of curing clover hay widfly differ in tlu; same neighborhood. Some 

 let it go to seed before cutting, then dry and turn it till many of the leaves 

 and blossoms arc shaken ofl", and lastly cart the dry and bulky clover 

 sticks. Others cut it when the blossoms begin to show, fork it the same 

 day into Kinall cocks, ami then let it stand several days, either with or 

 without hay caps, till dry enough to cart. Latterly it has been found safe 

 to cart it the same day, or as soon as wiltecl, being careful only to avoid 

 artificial moisture, and to fill up the bent or nK)w within throe or four days, 

 or before it begins to sweat. Hay is improved b}' sweating and changing 



