9 



by substituting other grass seeds for these mentioned; as for in- 

 stance Paspalum laeve may he used in place of red top. The follow- 

 ing species may he also used as substitutes for the red top and 

 timothy — Digitaria sanguinale — Panicum gibbum — Setaria glauca 

 — Tripsacum dactyloides(gama grass) — Phalaris intermedia var 

 angustata — AJopecurus pratensis(meadow foxtail) — Arrhenatherum 

 avenaceam(Ta]l meadow oat grass) — Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda 

 grass). This grass however, yields better results when given the en" 

 tire land to itself — Elusine Indica(cral) grass) — Bromus uniloides — 

 Elymus Virgiuicus(Lyme grass). 



September and October are months in which economical planters 

 will endeavor to make and save much hay. Gnus should be cut while 

 in bloom, because then the changes of the nutritive matters would 

 be arrested and the hay retaining them would be in the best condi- 

 tion for nourishing stock. In curing, the grass should be exposed to 

 the heat of the sun only long enough to expeli the water and leave 

 the other substances in the best condition. It is evident, therefore, 

 the hay should not be exposed to dews or rains. Portions of the sugar 

 or mucilage would be dissolved by moisture and little be left 

 besides fibrous tissues A clear sky and bright sun will cure hay 

 very soon if it is frequently stirred. The hay should be dried just to 

 such a point so that not enough water remains to cause fermentation 

 when housed. To prevent fermentation salt may be scattered over 

 the hay as it is stored away, at the rate of 4 cr 5 quarts to the two 

 horse wagon load. When the seed ripens most of the sugar and 

 mucilage have been changed and the hay is not so good. It is well 

 to bear in mind that all dried grass does not compose hay: sb ck 

 fed on hay cut while in flower and carefully cured will fatten al- 

 most as rapidly as when fed on green pastures. There is a wide 

 difference in the quantity of hay that should be fed to cattle. Some' 

 farmers give a fixed amount of all kinds of dried grass, hit or 

 miss, in so far as the nutritive ingredients contained in the hay* 

 are concerned. Stock are thus sometimes scantily fed, because in- 

 correctly cured hay may not contain enough food to satisfy them. 



There are a few terms it will be well for all parties to becom e 

 familiar with, who expect to cultivate the grasses for forage pur- 

 poses. I have mentioned below the meaning of the terms in most 

 common use among botanists in describing grasses, and I think the 

 ordinary reader will find no difficulty in mastering them. I have 

 attempted to use as few scientific names as possible in preparing 

 this paper but it is necessary to use some, and I trust my reader 

 willuot beco m e discouraged when they meet with them. 



