D. M. FERRY & COS DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



51 



orchard grass. It may be sown in the spring and cut the same 

 season, but does much better if sown in September or Octo- 

 ber. Not less than two bushels < thirteen pounds per bushel i 

 should be sown to the acre. The hay. if cut early, is of 

 excellent quality. 



ORCHARD GRASS, OR COCK'S FOOT (Dactylis 

 atomerata).— One of the most valuable grasses on accouut of 

 its quick growth and valuable aftermath. It is ready for 

 grazing in spring two weeks sooner than most grasses, and 

 when fed off is again ready for grazing in a week, and will 

 continue green when other grasses are withered by dry 

 weather. It is palatable and nutritious, and stock eat it 

 greedily when green. It has a tendency to grow in tufts. 

 and so does better if sown with clovers, and as it ripens at 

 the same time the mixed hay is of the best quality. For 

 grazing it lias no equal, and should be used more than it is. 

 When sown alone, two bushels are required per acre : if sown 

 with clover, half that amount. It is perennial, and will last 

 for years, but its habit of growth unfits it for lawns. Four- 

 teen pounds per bushel. 



RED TOP (Agrostis vulgaris).— In some sections this is 

 called Rhode Island Bent Grass. In Pennsylvania and 

 states farther south it is known as Herd's Grass, a name 

 applied in New England and New York to Timothy. It is a 

 good, permanent grass, standing our climate well, and makes 

 a good pasture when fed close. It is valuable for low, wet 

 meadows, not being injured by somewhat prolonged over- 

 flows, and it yields a large return of excellent hay. When 

 sown alone, two .bushels per acre are required, sown in 

 spring or fall. Fourteen pounds per bushel. 



FOWL MEADOW, OR FALSE RED TOP (Poa sero- 

 Hna >.— It yields well when sown on low, moist land, and will 

 not suffer if not cut at the exact time. It can be mowed 

 almost any time from July to October. When three feet 

 high it falls down, or lodges, and after a little time every 

 joint puts forth new branches. The stalk is always sweet 

 and tender, and cattle and sheep are fond of it. It thrives 

 best when mixed with other grasses. Though resembling 

 Red Top in some respects, it is distinct, and we think superior 

 in every respect. Requires about the same amount of seed 

 per acre as Red Top, sown in spring or fall. Twelve pounds 

 per bushel. 



KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS (Poa pratensis).-This is 

 known in some sections as Greex Meadow Grass, and June 

 Grass, but should not be confounded with Poa compressa, 

 called by some June Grass, or Wire Grass. This species • 

 produces the most nourishing food for cattle of any. and till 

 a late period in winter, and in the South abundant food 

 throughout the winter. In conjunction with white clover, it 

 forms the finest and closest of lawns : for this purpose an 

 extra quantity of seed should be used, say four bushels of 

 Blue Grass and six pounds of White Clover per acre. If 

 sown by itself for pasturage, two bushels will be required : 

 sown early in the spring, or in October or November. Four- 

 teen pounds per bushel. 



PERENNIAL RYE GRASS (LoUum perenne).— A very 

 valuable variety for permanent pasture: very nutritious, 

 and stock are very fond of it. Succeeds well on almost any 

 soil, but is particularly adapted to moderately moist or irri- 

 gated lands. Large quantities are raised in England, and 

 nearly all of Europe. It is also largely used for lawns, in 

 conjuction with other grasses. Sow one and a-half to two 

 bushels per acre, in the spring. Twenty pounds per bushel. 



MEADOW FESCUE, OR ENGLISH BLUE GRASS 

 (Fegtucapratensis).— A perennial grass from two to four 

 feet high, with flat, broad leaves. This is one of the stan- 

 dard European grasses, and cattle are very fond of it. both 

 green and dry. It needs rich ground, and it succeeds well on 

 prairie soil, and is an excellent pasture grass to take the 

 place of the wild grasses, as it yields a large amount of early 

 and late feed. It also makes excellent hay, and is certainlv 

 worthy of more general cultivation. 



WOOD MEADOW GRASS (Poa nemoralis ,.— Grows 

 from one and a-half to two feet high : has a perennial creep- 

 ing root, and an erect, slender, smooth stem. Its chief value 

 is in that it will produce a good crop of hay in moist, shadv 

 situations. where it frequently grows quite* tall. Cattle are 

 fond of it; it is succulent and'nutritious. and is. perhaps, the 

 best variety for sowing in orchards, under trees, and shaded 

 situations, either for hay or pasturage, and for parks and 

 pleasure grounds. About fourteen pounds per bushel. Two 

 bushels per acre. 



SWEET VERNAL GRASS {Anthoxanthum ocloratum). 

 —One of the earliest of grasses in spring, as well as the 

 latest in autumn, and about the only grass that is fragrant. 

 As a pasture grass, mixed with other species, it is valuable 

 on account of its earliness, and mixed with blue grass and 

 white clover, it is an invaluable adjunct for lawns, present- 

 ing a beautiful appearance, and exhaling a delightful frag- 

 rance when in blossom. Should form a part of the mixed 



grasses in every lawn and dooryard 

 bushel. 



About ten pounds per 



COMMON MILLET (Panicum miliaceum).— Requires a 

 dry, lignt, rich soil, and grows two and a-half to four feet 

 high, with a fine bulk of stalks and leaves, and is excellent 

 for forage. For hay, sow broadcast, one-half bushel per 

 acre, from May 1st to August 1st. For grain, sow in drills, 

 one peck to the acre, and not later than June 20th. Fiftv 

 I>ounds per bushel. 



Wood Meadow Grass. 



GERMAN, OR GOLDEN MILLET.— An improved 

 variety, medium early, growing three to five feet high. The 

 heads" are closely condensed, though the spikes are very 

 numerous. The seeds are contained in rough, bristly 

 sheaths, and are round, golden yellow, and beautiful in 

 appearance. 



From close observation during the past few years, the fact 

 has been established beyond doubt, that seed of the German, 

 or Golden Millet, grown in southern latitudes will produce a 

 much larger yield of hay than from seed grown in northern 

 or western sections of the country, and for that reason is far 

 better for farmers to sow. We have a good stock of southern 

 grown seed, and knowing its value confidently recommend 

 it. Bear in mind that to the farmer southern grown seed is 

 worth double that of northern or western grown. Northern 

 and western grown seed is degenerated and hybridized with 

 other millets. 



JOHNSON GRASS (Sorghum haZapense).— This is one of 

 the most valuable forage plants of recent introduction, and 

 is already very popular in the Southern States. It is per- 

 ennial, a rapid grower, very nutritious, being eagerly 

 devoured by all kinds of stock: comes early in the spring, 

 grows until the frosts cut it down in the fall, stands the 

 drought better than any grass, having long, cane like roots 

 which penetrate the soil for moisture; superior both as a 

 grazing and hay grass. The best results follow sowing the 

 seed in August and September, enabling the seed to get a 

 good root by fall, and forming a better turf the following 

 season. Sow with clean seed, broadcast, at the rate of one 

 bushel per acre, and cover with a light brush, or sow just 

 before a heavy rain. Three good crops the following season 

 will be the result if the season is favorable. Sowing in the 

 spring does well, but the crop would not be as heavy the first 

 year. The seed we offer is of this season's crop, and has been 

 well recleaned. One bushel will sow an acre. 



HUNGARIAN GRASS (Panicum Germanicum).— This 

 is a species of millet, growing less rank, with smaller stalks, 

 often yielding two or three tons of hay per acre. It is very 

 popular and valuable with those who' are clearing timber 

 lands. Like the millet, it is an annual, and requires to be 

 sown every season, but will produce a larger return than 

 almost an}' other crop. Sow and cultivate like millet. 

 Forty-eight pounds per bushel. 



EXTRA FINE MIXED LAW N GRASS (Central Park- 

 Mixture ».— The essentials for a fine lawn are proper drainage, 

 a careful preparation of the soil, which should be made as 

 fine and light on the surface as possible, thorough rolling. 

 and a selection of the seeds of such grasses as will present a 

 luxuriant verdure from early spring till late in autumn: and 

 then, frequent mowings with a lawn mower. However much 

 care is bestowed on the soil and seed, no lawn will be beau- 

 tiful without frequent mowing and rolling. Too much care 

 cannot be bestowed upon the selection of grasses, as some 

 varieties are the most luxuriant in spring, others in summer, 

 others again in autumn, and a combination of the proper 

 sorts is reouired for a perfect, carpet like lawn. We have 

 given much thought and made many experiments to secure 

 the best mixture, and think our Central Park Mixture is the 

 best possible mixture for permanent lawns, resisting the 

 severe droughts of our climate better tluiu any other. It may 

 be plant>ed early in spring, or fall, and should be sown at the 

 rate of from sixty to eighty pounds to the acre, much more 

 being required than for hay or pasturage. If sown in the 

 spring, sow as early as possible, making the surface von 

 fine and smooth, then raking it over and sowing the seed just 

 before a rain, which, if the surface n raked, win 



