346 Transactions of the American Institute. 



must be thousands of acres in this fine country that would pay 

 thoroughly well if it was sown down to a permanent pasture, where 

 the farmer would have a better opportunity to improve his breed of 

 cattle and sheep. 



The Grasses of the Great Plains. 

 Mr. E. Marshall, Crystal Lake, Iowa — There is an important differ- 

 ence between the growth of the black prairies and of the dry rolling 

 lands west of the prairies. It is true that the blue joint of other 

 prairie grasses do not furnish good grazing more than five months in 

 the year, but in the great pastoral belt alluded to, the case is different. 

 There the grass is short and hair-like in texture with heavily seeded 

 heads, never green, but of a somber gray color, and retains its nutri- 

 ment throughout the year. To such an extent is this true, that an 

 animal will prefer to graze where the last year's grass is unburned to 

 the fresh new grass grown on burned ground, even in the months of 

 June and July. This grass is very short, and covers not more than 

 one-third of the ground, grows slowly, and consequently its capacity 

 for supporting very large herds is limited. Two years' experience 

 and observation in the extreme northern part of this belt has con- 

 vinced me of the truth of the above statements. 



Fertilizing with Lime and Muck. 



Mr. H. H. Wickham, Big Run, Ohio, wishes to prepare wheat and 

 oat stubble this fall for next spring's crop. Shall he lime before or 

 after ploughing? Which is the cheapest, lime at four cents per bushel, 

 or loam and muck ? The former on the land in a pile, the latter on 

 three sides of it on the line. 



Mr. Frank D. Curtis — Lime should be spread on the surface after 

 the ground is plowed for the crop. It would be better to mix the 

 muck with the lime this winter, and spread the compost on the sur- 

 face just before planting in the spring;. The loam could be mixed 

 with stable manure with advantage, to absorb the juices and escaping 

 ammonia. This is the best way to use the loam. Muck will answer 

 for the same purpose, but is better mixed with lime to sweeten and 

 decompose the vegetable matter, which is generally sour and unfitted 

 for immediate benefit. 



Clover, as Manure for Turnips. 

 Mr. J. W. "Wagener, Holtsville, L. I., brought for the inspection of 

 the Club several large turnips, grown by him on lands which had 



