126 



This was my first discovery of the slolones of fiorin, and 

 the first notice I had of a distinction made by Nature, be- 

 tween two tribes, or genera of her grasses, the culmiferous, 

 and the stoloniferous ; a distinction utterly unknown to the 

 practical farmer, though there be many varieties of each 

 description ; and some of the latter, as well as the agrostis 

 stoloni/era {Horin) of high promise, as showing great luxu- 

 riance, and containing much saccharum* 



I was now most sanguine in the pursuit of this new grass, 

 and on November 15, 1806, after potatoes, laid down a 

 rood with it, in the following way: — I raised fiorin roots 

 in abundance, from my plots which had luxuriated greatly 

 in the summer. I planted them in drills eighteen inches 

 asunder, trusting that the stoloneSj with whose properties I 

 was now acquainted, would, in the summer, shoot across 

 the intervals, and clothe the whole surface. 



I was right ; in May the stolones began to project across, 

 and so effectually to cover the new ground, that the rows 

 were soon no longer distinguishable ; the thick fleece was 

 uniform, and obviously a most valuable crop. I exulted in 

 the easy method I had discovered of raising fine crops of 

 hay, little suspecting it was the last I should lay down in 

 that way; for that new facilities would be discovered, by 

 which fiorin crops could be obtained at far less trouble 

 and expense. 



I was now most anxious to see what sort of hay fiorin 

 grass would make ; and the fleece on my rood was very 

 great, which I had determined to mow early in October ; 

 but in 1807 tlie weather had been so bad, that all crops 

 were then still in the field, and much alarm excited, lest it 

 should not be possible to save them. 



In this state of things, I had not authority over my own 

 people, to induce them to give up matters of prime neces- 

 sity, for the pursuit of what they called new whim of mine ; 



