. 
di 
At that time the Duke of Bedford instituted his famous series of ex- 
periments at Woburn, in England, for determining the nutritive prop- 
erties of different grasses. These experiments brought into notice 
many before unnoticed grasses and greatly stimulated their cultivation ; 
and the subsequent development of this branch of agriculture has been 
the means of obtaining astonishing results, not only in the multiplied 
facilities for the grazing and fattening of cattle and sheep, but also in 
the reaction of this business on the cultivation of grain, by tite greatly 
multiplied means of obtaining manures by which the exhausted lands 
were renewed and the yield of grain increased. 
History of Grass Culture in the United States——In the early history of 
this country, particularly in the Northern States, while the settlements 
were sparse, the natural pasturage was abundant, and the natural. 
meadows and marshes furnished a supply of hay for winter feeding. 
But in course of time, by the increase of population, the farms began 
to crowd each other, and the range for cattle was restricted. 
Then probably arose the question of forming meadows and pastures 
of limited extent. Early in the last century Mr. Jared Elliot (of Con- 
necticut) made some valuable investigations respecting the grasses suit- 
able for cultivation, and by practice and teaching sought to bring this 
subject to the attention of the people. 
In 1749 he wrote a particular account of the fowl meadow grass (Poa 
serotina) which is native in New England, giving an interesting account 
of its value as a meadow grass. 
He also refers to Herd’s grass, or Timothy, as having been found “in 
a swamp ip Piscataqua by one Herd, who propagated the same.” Itis 
also said to have been cultivated in Maryland about the year 1720. This 
was some fifty years before its cultivation in England. It is also stated 
by Parnell in his work on the British Grasses, that orchard grass 
(Dactylis glomerata) was first cultivated in the United States, and thence 
introduced into England about the middle of the eighteenth century. 
Probably soon after this date two other standard grasses came into use, 
viz, Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass) and Agrostis alba (redtop). 
Some other grasses have had a limited trial, but the Timothy grass, 
blue grass, orchard grass, and redtop have continued to be the prin- 
cipal meadow grasses of the Northern States. To these should be added 
red clover, which, although not a grass, is a very common meadow crop, 
usually combined with Timothy. 
Grass in the South.— Although the Southern States were earlier settled 
than the Northern ones, there was a very different condition of agri- 
cuiture as respects grazing and hay-making. In some of these States 
the climate permits of the growth of grasses during the greater part of 
the year, some species making their growth during the hot season and 
others during the colder moiths, so that cattle may commonly obtain 
subsistence in the field throughout the year, and hay is little employed 
_ except for horses and cattle kept to labor. 
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