92 RICHARD FROTSCHER’S ALMANAC AND GARDEN MANUAL 
grass is perennial and has cane-like roots, or 
more properly, underground stems, from the 
size of a goose-quill to that of the little finger. 
These roots are tender, and hogs are fond of 
and thrive on them in winter. The roots 
literally fill the ground near the surface, and 
every joint is capable of developing a bud. 
Hence the grass is readily propagated from 
root cutting. Itis also propagated from the 
seeds, but not always so certainly; for in some 
localities many faulty seeds are produced, and 
in other places no seeds are matured. Before 
sowing the seeds, therefore, they should be 
tested, as should all grass seeds indeed, in 
order to know what proportion will germinate, 
and thus what quantity per acre to sow. - One 
bushel of a good sample of this seed is suffi- 
cient for one acre of land. 
The leaf, stalk and panicle of this grass 
resemble those of other sorghums. It grows 
on any land where corn will grow; and like 
the latter, the better the land the heavier the 
crop. On rich land the culms attain a size of 
over half an inch in diameter, and a height 
of seven feet. It should be cut while tender, 
and then all live stock are fond of it; for a 
few weeks are sufficient to render it so coarse 
and hard that animals refuse it, or eat sparingly. 
A few testimonials are here quoted to give 
an idea of the productiveness and value of this 
plant. In a letter published in the Rural 
Carolinian for 1874, Mr. N. B: Moore, who had 
for more than forty years grown crops, speaks 
of this grass under the name of Guinea grass: 
‘My meadow consists of one hundred acres 
ITempiloy but four men, who are enough to 
work my packing press; in summer, when 
harvesting, double that number. In autumn 
T usually searify both ways with sharp, steel- 
toothed harrows, and sow over the stubble a 
peck ‘of red clover per acre, which, with 
volunteer vetches, comes off about the middle 
of May. The second yield of clover is uni- 
formly eaten up by grasshoppers. The top 
roots remain ,to fertilize the then coming 
Guinea grass, which should be but from two 
to three feet high. * * * On such land as 
mine it will afford three or four cuttings if 
the season is propitious. I use an average of 
five tons of gypsum soon. after the first cut- 
ting, and about the same quantity of the best 
commercial fertilizer, in March and April. 
* * * The grass, which is cut before noon, is 
put up with horse sulky rakes, in cocks, be- 
fore sun-down.” 
Mr. Moore’s income from this field was from 
seven thousand to ten thousand dollars a year. 
Mr. Goelsel, of Mobile, says: ‘‘It is un- 
doubtedly the most profitable soiling plant 
yet introduced, and also promises to be the 
plant for our Southern hay stacks, provided it 
can be cut every three or four weeks.” 
Note.—Recognizing all the above, I would 
say, that great care must be taken mot to sow 
this grass near cultivated lands. If done so, 
it should not be allowed to go to seed, as the 
wind will blow them off from the stalks, and 
when it gets amongst cane or other crops it 
causes a great deal of trouble. It is almest 
impossible to get it out of the land. 
of alluvial land near Augusta. * * * In winter | 
FLOWER SEEDS. 
The following list of Flower seeds is not very large, but it contains all which is desirable 
and which will do well in the Southern climate. I import them from one of the most celebrated 
growers in Prussia, and they are of the best quality. There are very few or no flower seeds 
raised in this country, and Northern houses, which publish large lists and catalogues, get them 
from just the same sources as myself; but they, on an average, sell much higher than I do. 
Some varieties, which are biennial in Europe or North, flower here the first season; in fact, if 
they do not, they generally do not flower at all, as they usually are destroyed by the continued 
long heat of summer. Some kinds grow quicker here and come to a greater perfection than 
in a more Northern latitude. 
Flower seeds require a little more care in sowing than the vegetable seeds. The ground 
should be well pulverized and light enough not to bake aftera rain. Some of the more delicate 
and finer varieties are better sown in boxes or seed pans, where they can be better handled and 
protected from hard rains or cold weather; the: other kinds do not transplant well, and are 
better sown at once where they are to remain, or a few seeds may be sown in small pots to 
facilitate transplanting into the garden without disturbing the plants, when large enough. Some 
have very fine seeds, which the mere pressing of the hand or spade to the soil will cover; 
others may be covered one-fourth of an inch, according to their size. Watering should be done 
caretully, and if not done with a syringe, a watering pot, where the holes of the spout are very 
fine, should be used. 
By setting the plants out, or sowing the seeds in the border, consideration should be taken 
of the height, so that the taller varieties may be in the middle and the dwarf kinds on the edge 
of the bed. 
The seeds are put up at ten cents a package, fifteen packages for one dollar, except, a few 
rare or costly kinds, where the price is noted. All flower seeds in packages are mailed free of 
postage to the purchaser. Where there is more than one color, I generally import them mixed, 
as I find that most of my customers do not wish to purchase six packages, or more, of one 
