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after which it will take care of itself. Ike chief merits of this grass are its soft 

 beauty, its productiveness, and its tenacity of life ; when once well set it bids defi- 

 ance to all other species. Enriching the soil is the only way to get rid of it. It 

 grows well upon thin sandy places, and will therefore suit the sandstone soil of the 

 Cumberland Mountains. The seeds weigh about 7 pounds to the bushel, and as many 

 as 80 bushels have been grown to the acre. 



Prof. D. L. Phares, in his " Farmer's Book of Grasses," says : 



In the Eastern States this grass is called Salem Grass, and White Timothy ; in the 

 South, Velvet Lawn Grass, and Velvet Mesquit Grass ; in England, Vvooly Soft Grass 

 and Yorkshire White. It has been sent to ine for. name more frequently than any 

 other grass. Having found its way to Texas, people going there from other States 

 have sent back seeds to their friends, calling it Texas Velvet Mesquit Grass, suppos- 

 ing it a native of that State. So far as has come to my knowledge, nine-tenths of all 

 so-called Mesquit Grass planted in the Southern States is this European Velvet Grass. 

 It grows much larger in some of the Southern States than in the Eastern States or in 

 England, and seems to have greatly improved by acclimation. 



Velvet Grass may be readily propagated by sowing the seed or dividing the roots. 

 It luxuriates in moist peaty lands, but will grow on poor sandy or clay hill lands, 

 and produce remuueratlve crops where few other plants will make anything. 



The reason that cattle do not prefer it is not because of a deficiency in nutrition, 

 but because of its combination. It is deficient simply in saline and bitter extractive 

 matters which cattle relish in grasses. 



It is by no means the best of our grasses, but best on some lands. Other grasses 

 are more profitable to me. It should be sown from August to October, 14 pounds 

 equal to two bushels per acre. Xorthward it is perennial, in the South not strictly so. 



Tall Oat Grass, Arfhenatherum avenaceum, PI. IX. 



Oat Grass, Taller Oat Grass, Tall Meadow Oat Grass, Bay Grass, &c. 



This vigorous perennial has been introduced, and widely distributed 

 in this couutry. It is adapted to a variety of soils and climates, and 

 is found naturalized in many localities, but it does not appear to meet 

 with the favor here that it does on the continent of Europe. It is used 

 both for hay and pasture, but is chiefly valued for winter and early 

 spring pasture, especially at the South, for light soils, and though not 

 of finest quality it is eaten very well by stock in the absence of other 

 grasses or when mixed with them. 



A. P. Kowe, Predericksburg, Ya. : 



Tall Oat Grass has been seeded here and does well. It comes in with Orchard 

 Grass for hay, and the two might be seeded together with the best results. 



T. W. Wood & Sons, Eichmond, Ya. : 



It is cultivated very generally for pasture and hay, and is the best grass we know 

 for thin soils. It is hardy, stands drought moderately well, is easily subdued, and 

 lasts five or six years. 



D. K. Xorris, Hickory Flat, S. G : 



It is popular with all who have tried it for pastures. It prefers moist (not wet) clay 

 loam, and lasts four years. 



Hiram Sibley & Co., Chicago, 111. : 



Taller Oat Grass is grown to some extent on moist sandy loam, and yields heavily, 

 but is not a favorite. It is hardy and withstands drought well after the first vear. 



