For the Southern States. 



73 



Sliould those wtsliin^ to piant this grass not have g:roun(l 

 naUitally ridr, and are not ])re|iare(l with manurt s to mak<' it so, 

 then let them sow uny land, even the p(!or< st, and it will .cjive 

 them some pas me nnt 1 March. Tln^ii take oft* their stock and 

 a low the grass to ripi-n seed, which turn undt r with the straw, 

 weeds, etc. As s 'On ms this straw, weeds, etc., rots a little, ])lant 

 the ground in field |)ea<, wliicii turn under atraiu in tht^ fall e^rly 

 < noiioh for the grass se« d toconie up with tln^ first cool weather, 

 and it will astonish any one who hns never tried itto see how much 

 their pastures will be imi)roved the following winter. By follow- 

 ing thi- plan tor a few years the poorest <>f land canb Muade rich. 

 I am treating a goo 1 size ]) isture of this grass in this way at 

 present, and know whereof I write. 



With til is grass for winter and Bermuda grass for summer 

 pasture, slieep Avill keep lol ing fat the year round, »nd conse- 

 quently, give a much heavier cLp of wool in the spring than if 

 only fat dnring summer. 



I have Uf^ver known a winter, in this climate so cold but that 

 this grass would continue to grow and furnisii pastnre or soiling 

 the »ntire winter, and large cotton-fields might be kept covered 

 with this glass by once sowing them, hikI in the spring, when 

 bedding up for tiie next ciop, leave about two or three furrows 

 unbroken, to be broken out after the seed are lipe in May, which 

 would fui ni<h seed enough tot the entire land, and the ploughing 

 and hat rowing necessa-y to make the cotton crop would suffi- 

 ciently scatter the see<l over the land, wnd my word for it, they 

 will not germinate until the cotton is 1 lid by in the tali. Tims 

 m iiiy a poor oLi cow and horse would be "jRescwe^" from starva- 

 tion dining t'.e winter that would otherwise be *' gathered boroe 

 to their faihers." 



I Mgtee with yon perfectly that '' The Grass Question "is one 

 of vast iini>ortanci^, and especially is it so to the farmers of the 

 South, a"d if they would give it more attention, in a few years 

 their cotton ciops would be entire profit, and not go North and 

 West to buy corn, bacon and mules. 



But for fear >ou may think me too much of an enthusiast, I 

 will clos*" my letter by s 'ying that if you find an\ thing in it you 

 think of any value to }our many frien 'S of the South, you are at 

 liberty to use ii as ;^ ou S' e pioper, and I lemaiu, as ever. 



Your friend, 



THOS. B. HOPKINS. 



The following extracts have been taken, by permission, from 

 the author. Dr. D L. Phir<s, from his book just published, 

 '• Fa-mer^' Book of Grasses.'' It is the most \ aluable work of she 

 kind ever published in the South, and shouM be in the hands of 

 every one Avho takes an interest in the cultivation of grasses. 



Copies for sale at publishers' price. Paper covers, 50 cents 

 Cloth, 75 cents ; postage paid. 



