QUESTIONS ON THE GRASSES. 243 



grass and hay for that season, I directed the following 

 circular to one or more farmers in every town in Mas- 

 sachusetts, and to many individuals in other states, 

 asking for replies from each : 



AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, STATE HOUSE, > 

 Boston, Sept. 1, 1856. 5 



DEAR SIR : Will you have the goodness to reply to 

 the following inquiries in reference to the grass and 

 hay crop of your town, according to the best of your 

 judgment and experience ? If circumstances prevent 

 your giving it personal attention, will you be kind 

 enough to put it into the hands of some one interested 

 in the subject in your neighborhood who will do me 

 the favor to answer it? 



1. What was the estimated yield of grass and hay in 

 your town this season, as compared with others? If 

 above or below the average, how much? 



2. What, in your opinion, is the effect of a wet or a 

 dry season on the quality of grass and hay ? Is grass 

 grown in the shade as good as that grown in the sun, 

 and what is the difference ? [This question embraces 

 the intrinsic value of hay this season as compared with 

 the crops of 1854 and 1855, both comparatively dry 

 seasons, while this has been unusually wet in most 

 parts of the country.] 



3. In what month do you prefer to seed down land 

 designed for mowing, and what is the reason of your 

 preference ? 



4. What varieties of grass-seed do you usually sow 

 for mowing, and what for permanent pasturage, and in 

 what quantities and proportions per acre ? 



5. Do you prefer to sow grass-seed alone in either 

 case, or with some variety of grain ? If the latter, why, 

 and with what grain ? 



