i)6 



J. STECKLER SEED CO.. LTD.. ALMANAC AXD 



Tall Meadow Oat Gra: 



TAI,Iv MEADOW OAT GRASS. 



AryJieiiatheruDi Ave)iaceuin. 



Evergreen grass in Virginia and other Sonlhern States, and it is the 

 Tall Oat (Avena elatior) of l.inaeus. It is closely related to the common 

 oat, aod has a beautiful open panicle leaning slightly to one side. 



It is widely naturalized and well adapted to"a great variety of soils. 

 On sandy or gravelly soils it succeeds admirably, growing two or three 

 feet high. On rich, "dry upland it grows from live u< seven feet high. It 

 has an abundance of perennial, long librous roots, penetrating deeply 

 in the soil, being, therefore, less attected by drought or cold.'and en-, 

 abled to yield a large quantity of foliage, winter and summer. These 

 advantages render it one of the very best grasses for the South, both 

 for grazing (being evergreen) and for hay, admitting of being cut twice 

 a year. It is probably the best winter grass that can be obtained. 



It will make twice a? much hay as Timothy, and containing a greater 

 quantity of albuminoids and less of heat-producing principles, it is 

 better adapted to the uses of the Southern farmer, wliile it exhausts the 

 surface soil less, and may be grazed indefinitely, except after mowing. 

 To make good hay it mu.st be cut the instant it blooms, and after being 

 ^^/^•:^^^^^^^^^^^^ cut must not get wet by dew or rain, which damages it greatly in quality 



^^ ^^^w^^^l^K*!. ' ^"^^ appearance. 



For green soiling, it may be cut four or five times with favorable 

 seasons. In from six to ten days after blooming the seeds begin to 

 ripen and fall ; the upper ones first. It is, therefore, a little troublesome 

 to save the seed As soon as those at the top of the panacle ripen suffi- 

 ciently to begin to drop, the lieads should be cut off and dried, when the 

 seeds 'will all thresh out readily and be ihatured. After the seeds are 

 ripe and tal^en off, the long abundant leaves and stems are still green, 

 and being mowed make good hay. 



It may be sown in March or April, and mowed the same sea.son : but 

 for heavier yield it is better to sow in September or October. Along the 

 more Southern belt, from the .SI degree parallel southward, it may be 

 sown in November and onward till the middle of December. When- 

 ever sown it is one of the most certain grasses to have a good catch. Not less than two bushels (28 

 pounds) per acre should be sown. J^ike Timothv on inhospitable soils, the roots may .sometimes be- 

 come bulbous. The average annual nutrition yielded by this grass in the Souihern'belt is |)robably 

 twice as great as in Pennsylvania and other Xorlhern States. 



DWARF ESSl^X RAPE. 



This Eape may be sown broadcast at the rate of S pounds per acre and harrowed in. I'nder favora- 

 ble conditions it is ready for pasturing sheep or cattle within six weeks from the time of sowing, and 

 -on an average one acre will carry twelve to fifteen sheep six weeks to two months. In the northern 

 States it should be sown from May to September for fall pasturing, but as il tiirives best in cool weather 

 it should not be sown in the southern States until September or October for winter pasture. 



WINTER OR HAIRY VETCH. 



Though it succeeds and produces good crops on poor sandv soil, it is much more vigorous on good 

 land and grows to a height of four or'five feet. It is perfectly hardy ihrouyhout the United States, re- 

 maining green all wintei-. and .should be sown during August and Sep'en^her mixed with Rye, which 

 serves as a support for the plants, or in spring with Oals ami Barley. It i.s the earliest crop for culture, 

 being nearly a month earlier than Scarlet Clover, and a full crop can be taken off the land in time for 

 planlins spring crops. 



BERMUDA GRASS 



Cynodon dactvlon. 

 Almost everybody living in this section of the cotintrv knows this sra.-^s ; it is planted as- a Lawn 

 grass, and nothing will stand the sun better, or will make a prettier carii.-t. '.vd-m! keiit short, than this 

 grass. It is also verv valuable as a pasture and hav grass. It is unlv lateU tliai we have been able to ob- 

 tain the seed of this grass, which heretofore had to" be propagated by the ro(.ts. .>ix lbs. will sow an acre. 

 Should be planted in the spring, but can also be sown later. Under the most favorable circumstances it 

 takes from 60 to 90 days to sprout : requires damp weather and hot sun : but when once up it grows very 

 rapidlv. 



WILD RICE. 



The natural time for sowinsT is in the fall, although it mav be 

 sown m the spring. The seed should first be thoroughly soaked in 

 water so that it will sink into the desired situation. It mav be sown 

 in shallow water, not over 3 feet deep, and from this depth in to the 

 shore. While it will grow in deeper water, it should be allowed to 

 work its own way, the .>tart being made in shoal water. A still dav 

 should be chosen for sowing so that it will not drift off into too deep 

 water. 



RESCUE GRA.SS. 



Ceratochlna aiistralis O) Brov.ius Shradern. 

 It is an annual winter grass. It varies in the timeof startins growth. 

 We have .-een it ready for mowing the first of October, and furnish 

 frequent cntiin-^ till April Again it mav not start before Januarv, 

 nor be ready to cut till February. This depends upon the moisture 

 and depression of temperature. When once stai'ted its growth, after 

 successive cuttings or grazings, is very rapid. It Is tender, verv sweet, 

 and stock eat it greedily. It makes also a good hav. It produces an 

 immense quantity of leaves. On loose soil some o"f it may be pulled 

 out by animals grazing i^. We have seen it bloom as earlv 

 as November, when tlie season has favored it, and no graz"- 

 ing or catting were permitted. Oftener it makes little "start 

 before January. But whether late or earlv starting, it mav bu 



Rescue Grass. 



We Carry a Full Line of Planet, Jr., Hand Tools. 



