FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 
and the observation and experience of 
the stockman. When the relish of an 
animal for the forage is keen, the health 
preserved and improved, growth pro- 
moted, amaximum quantity of excellent 
beef or mutton or pork, and, if superior’ 
milk and butter, are obtained, we cer- 
tainly have an admirable food plant. 
The judgment of the cow, the convic- 
tions of the farmer arising from his 
experiences independent of, and indeed 
in utter ignorance of any chemical 
analysis, confirming the decisions of the 
chemist, give us the best ofall evidences 
of the value of forage. And all these 
we have in this case. Japan clover is 
also a great 
AMELIORATOR AND FERTILIZER. 
Its abundant, long tap-roots decaying 
render the soil porous and leave in it 
much nitrogenous material and humus. 
It releases and brings up from the sub- 
89 
soil valuable plant food; the ashes con - 
taining nearly 40 per cent. potash, 29.- 
60 oxide lime, 7.82 sulphuric acid, 7.54 
phosphorie acid —all most valuable ele. 
ments in plant life and growth. Soils 
are thus renovated, slopes prevented 
from washing, gullies filled, moisture 
solicited and retained, atmospherie fer- 
tilizers gathered and garnered; bald 
barren wastes covered with living green 
to fill the stomach, delight the eve and 
cheer the heart. 
It should have been stated that this 
plant has eradicated over large areas 
the much detested helenium or bitter 
weed, which so often damages the flavor 
of the milk of cows eating it while 
grazing. It is believed that it extermi- 
nates also two or three plants that are 
fatally poisonous to cattle and horses. 
Price, per bushel of 25 lbs.. 65° s bush., 
$3.00; per pound, 30 ects. 
BURR CLOVER. 
(Medicago Maculata.) 
This variety of clover was brought 
from Chili to California, and thence to 
the States, under the name of California 
Clover. Itis often taken for Lucerne, 
which name is wrongly applied. The 
Burr Clover has only two or three yellow 
blossoms in each cluster, while Lucerne 
has many blue blossoms in an elongated 
head. It furnishes good grazing from 
February till April or May. It is good 
for grazing and hay. As there is no way 
for removing the seeds from the pods of 
spotted medic, it is necessary to sow 
the burr like pods, say one-half bushel 
per acre. The planting should be done 
early in fall, so the pods may have time 
to rot and release the seeds. Should be 
covered very lightly. 
BERMUDA GRASS. 
ie (Cynodon Dactylon.) 
Almost everybody living in this section 
of the country knows this grass; it is 
planted as a Lawn grass, and nothing 
will stand the sun better, or will make 
a prettier carpet, when kept short, than 
this grass. It is also very valuable asa 
pasture and hay grass. It is only lately 
that I have been able to ohtain the seed 
of this grass, which heretofore had to be 
propagated by the roots. Six pounds 
will sow an acre. Should be planted in 
spring, but can also be sown later. Un- 
der the most favorable circumstances it 
takes from 20 to 25 days to sprout; 
requires damp weather and hot sun: but 
when once up it grows very rapidly. 
