60 
GRASSES, MEADOWS, AND PASTURES. NO. 1. 
varieties : while in the occupied portion of this 
country, embracing an indefinitely greater variety 
of latitude, climate, and situation, we hardly culti- 
vate twenty. The number and excellence of our 
natural grasses are probably unsurpassed in any 
quarter of the globe, for a similar extent of coun- 
try ; but this is a department of our natural history, 
hitherto but partially explored, and we are left 
mostly to conjecture, as to their numbers and com- 
parative quality. Their superior richness and en- 
duringness may be inferred, from the health and 
thrift of the buffalo, deer, and other wild herbivore ; 
as well as from the growth and fine condition of 
our domestic animals, throughout the year, when 
permitted to range over the woods, and through the 
natural prairies and bottom lands, where these 
grasses abound. The writer has seen large droves 
of the French and Indian ponies come into the set- 
tlements about Green Bay and the Fox River, in 
Wisconsan, in the spring, in good working condi- 
tion, after wintering entirely on the natural grasses 
and browse north of latitude 44°. 
Timothy, CaVs Tail, or Herd's 
Grass (Phleum pratense), Fig. 9. 
For cultivation in the northern 
portion of the United States, I am 
inclined to place the Timothy 
first in the list of grasses. It is 
indigenous to this country, and 
flourishes in all soils except such 
as are wet, too light, dry, or san- 
dy ; and it is found in perfection 
on the rich clays and clay loams, 
which lie between 38° and 44° 
north latitude. It is a perennial, 
easy of cultivation, hardy, and of 
luxuriant growth, and on its fa- 
I7W y \ vorite soil, yields from one and a 
Fig. 9. half to two tons of hay per acre, 
at one cutting. 
Sinclair estimates its value for hay, when in 
seed, to be double that cut in flower. From its in- 
creased value when ripe, it is cut late ;. and in con- 
sequence of the exhaustion from maturing its seed, 
it produces but little aftermath, or rowen. For 
milch cows, or young stock, it should be cut when 
going into flower, and before the seeds have been 
developed, as it is then more succulent. It vege- 
tates early in the spring, and when pastured, yields 
abundantly throughout the season. Both the grass 
and hay are highly relished by cattle, sheep, and 
horses ; and its nutritive quality, in the opinion of 
practical men, stands decidedly before any other. 
It is also a valuable crop for seed, an acre of prime 
grass yielding from 15 to 25 bushels of clean seed, 
which is worth in the market from $1.50 to $4.50 
per bushel ; and the stalks and the chaff that re- 
main, make a useful fodder for most kinds of stock. 
It may be sown upon wheat, or rye, in August 
or September, or in the spring. When sown either 
alone, or with other grasses, early in the season, 
and on a rich soil, it will produce a good crop the 
same year. From its late ripening, it is not advan- 
tageously grown with clover, unless upon heavy 
clays, which hold back the clovei. I have tried 
it with the northern, or mammoth clover, on clay, 
and found the latter, though mostly in full blos- 
som, still pushing out new branches and buds, 
when the former was fit to cut. The quantity of 
seed required per acre, depends on the soil and its 
condition. Twelve quarts, on a fine mellow tilth, 
are sufficient, and equal to twice this quantity on a 
stiff clay. Heavier seeding than this may be prac- 
ticed with advantage, and especially where it is 
desirable to cover the surface with a thick sward. 
Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Fig. 12. 
Meadoio Fox Tail (Alopecurus pratensis), Fig. 10. 
This is a favorite grass in England, both for mead- 
ows and pastures. It grows early and abundantly, 
and gives a large quantity of aftermath. It is best 
suited to a moist soil, bog, clay, or loam. It is in- 
digenous to the middle states. 
Smooth- Stalked Meadow, Green-Spear, or June 
Grass, the erroneously-called Blue Grass of Ken- 
tucky (Poa pratensis), Fig. 11, is highly esteemed for 
hay and pasture. It is indigenous and abounds 
through the country, but does not appear to reach 
its perfection north of the valley of the Ohio. It 
is seen in its glory in Kentucky and Tennessee. 
The seed ripens in June and is self-sown upon the 
ground, where the succeeding rains gives it vitali- 
ty ; and it pushes out its long, rich, slender leaves, 
two feet in height, which, in autumn, fall over in 
thick windrows, matting the whole surface with 
luscious herbage. Upon these fields, which have 
been carefully protected till the other forage is ex- 
hausted, the cattle are turned and fatten through the 
winter. It maintains its freshness and nutritive 
properties in spite of frost, and the cattle easily 
reach it through the light snows which fall in that 
climate. A warm, dry, calcareous soil seems to be 
its natural element, and it flourishes only in a rich 
upland. 
Tlie Roughish Meadow Grass (P. trivialis), Fig. 
12, has the appearance of the Poa pratensis, but its 
stalk feels rough to the touch, while the other is 
smooth. It has the further difference of preferring 
moist or wet loams, or clay. It yields well and 
affords good hay and pasture. — Allen's American 
Farm Book. 
Substitute for the Potato. — M. Masson has 
lately grown a new root, called" the ulluco, which 
can, it is thought, replace the potato. It originally 
came from Peru, and grows perfectly well in the 
open air ; the flavor is very near the same as that 
of the potato. The part above ground furnishes a 
very agreeable vegetable, something like the bean 
in flavor. Three crops of the green part '■an be 
obtained in the same season. — Paris Paper 
