22 THE GEAESES 



and refinement, and a higher elevation of the moral char- 

 acter. Let grasses be sown and our homes beautified and 

 there will be more contentment, more satisfaction, less 

 gloom and despondency, less carping and discontent. 



•It is almost impossible for us to realize the splendid fu- 

 ture that would await us in such an event. We are groan- 

 ing under the burdens of a heavy debt incurred by our 

 State in a more prosperous time. Now it is with diffi- 

 culty the interest can be paid, and our creditors are alarmed 

 at the possible loss of the debt Should more mea- 

 dows and pastures be established, and the lands prove 

 themselves to be, as we know they are, a tide of im- 

 migration, of a character to be desired, would pour into our 

 borders, the lands would be quickly cut up into smaller 

 farms, and the returns would so increase their value, we 

 could pay the whole debt as easily as we can now meet 

 the interest. 



But, some will say, how can this be done ? On the gen- 

 eral principle that what has- been done by one man can, 

 under the same or similar circumstances, be done by all. 

 The amount of hay, on a given amount of land, can be 

 raised from 800 pounds to the acre, to five tons or 10,000 

 pounds, simply because it has been done. 



Were we confined to any one species of grass, with the 

 great diversity in the character of our soils, we might well 

 exclaim against. the chances of success, but fortunately such 

 is not the case. There are a great many to select from, and 

 he who has a farm with several kinds of soil, can make 

 such selections as suit the different requirements, or he can 

 mix the seeds of various kinds, if he labors under any un- 

 certainty in regard to its capability. 



The cultivation of the grasses in Tennessee is yet in its 

 infancy. It is true some have been engaged in it for years 

 with eminent success, but to the masses it is a sealed book. 

 Many have attempted it, and frqm a want of knowledge of 

 judiciously selecting seeds and the proper time and manner 



