154 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
CHUFAS, GRASSES, &;c. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — Accept my many 
thanks for your kindness in answering my inquiries. 
And do me again the favor of answering the following: — 
Where can I get a few tubers of Chufa, or Ground 
Almond 1 If you have them, or can have them sent per 
mail, or by Railroad, to Doctor Town, care or E D Hendry, 
Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad, de so, and I will 
remit. 
T want to try a pasture of the grasses. Please inform 
me what species would most likely succeed upon this 
light soil 1 I propose to try a pond or savannah which I 
have partially drained ; all the fallen water runs off in a 
day or two at farthest — the top of the sutface is a black 
mould, with a white sand subsoil, and a sandy pipe clay 
within three or four feet. I have bought of Reese’s Mani- 
pulated Guano, which I propose to apply at the rate of 2 
to 300 lbs. I would apply Lime, but that it is so far to 
haul; yet will, if you think best. 1 am confident that the 
soil has too much sulphuric acid in a free state to suc- 
ceed with, if prejudicial to the Grasses that would be most 
suitable for the South. I see Dr Philips, of Miss., seems 
to think best of the Bermuda. Having no experience and 
wishing to start right, if possible, I impose thus upon 
you. 
[ would like to buy a few head of a superior head of 
Sheep. I have commenced to buy me a stock of sheep 
and am picking up a few in every direction. Please tell 
me the best and where I can get them to my place ; 
also where I can get the grass seed you may re- 
commend. I live some 25 miles from the Savannah, Al- 
bany and Gulf Railroad. Henry J. Smith. 
Hulmesville, March, 1859, 
We cannot say where the Chufa may be had. It is of 
small value in this country. Open sufficient ditches in 
your level ground, that is occsionally inundated, to carry 
off all the water to the depth of thirty inches. This drain- 
age will wash out of the soil all injurious acids and acid 
salts, and thereby sweeten it for the growth of nutritious 
grasses. As soon as you conveniently can, give the 
ground a top dressing of lime. Sow v/ood ashes over 
the land if you can get them; but, above all, see that it is 
properly drained. Stagnant water is fatal to every valu- 
able plant. Even rice require a change of water. See 
that the out fall of your ditches is all right, and that they 
are kept open everywhere. 
The best single grass for your first trial is the Meadow 
Foxtail Grass, {Alopecurus pratensis) a valuable perennial. 
In general appearance it resembles Timothy, but is better 
adapted to low wet land like most savannahs in sandy 
districts. Hanham describes Fox-tail grass as being 
“one of the best of meadow grasses, possessing the three 
great requisites of quantity, quality and earliness in a de- 
gree superior to any other.” It is often fit for the scythe 
by the middle of May in England, and might be cut in 
April in the climate of Central Georgia. It flowers twice 
a year, and according to the higest English authorities, 
it yields more weight and bulk of forage than any other 
grass. It is well suited for permanent pastures on a 
moderately light soil, with a good supply of moisture. 
Mr. Sinclair says ; “The Meadow Fox-tail forms a part 
of the produce of all the richest pastures I have examined 
in Linconshire, Devonshire and in the vale of Aylesbury. 
In Mr. Western’s celebrated pastures at Creslew I found 
it more prevalent than in those of Devonshire and Lincoln- 
shire,” Hanham characterises it as being “not only re- 
markable for its early growth, but equally so for its late- 
ness.” It will grow in this State all winter. 
The “Smooth-Stalked Meadow Grass,” (Poa pralensis) 
dnd the “Rough-Stalked Meadow Grass” (Poa trivialis) 
both perennial, are probably the next best grasses to cul- 
tivate. Alter these come the “Reedy Sweet Grass,” 
{Glyceria aquatica), “Meadow Fescue Grass^' {Pestuca 
pratensis), “Common Cats- tail” or Timothy grass {PKleum 
pratense), Tall Oat Grass, Orchard Grass, and Blue Grass, 
which we have before described. 
Remember at least two things in grass culture. The 
first is to sow seed on well-prepared ground, plowed and 
harrowed fine and smoothly. The second is, not to cover 
the seed too deep in the soil. Use a light brush and a 
roller in putting in seed. Keep all stock off the young 
grass until its roots are fully developed. 
You will probably have to send or go North to obtain 
the first quality of improved Sheep. For wool-growing, 
ihe Merinos are the best, either the Spanish or French. 
L. 
DIGNIFY AND EXALT AGRICULTURE. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — I fed that it is some- 
what presumptuous in me to trouble you with crayon 
sketches, nevertheless I venture. 
Why is it generally considered that the profession of 
the farmer is an unworthy occupation for a man of talent I 
From time immemorial there has been an error in the 
minds of men, the effect of which is to separate in point 
of rank, labor and gentility. This error, like the leaven 
of old, hath continued to spread itself from age to age and 
from country to country until it has reached our own 
bright land and brilliant age. The consequences have 
been the crowding into the ranks of the farmer of ignor- 
ant men, unfit for anything; hence the profession has 
ceased to be respected even by its own members and of 
course by other professions. 
Again. There is another principle that serves to de- 
grade the farmer. ’Tis that material idea which reigns in 
all professions, but probably to the greatest extent in ours. 
I speak of that principle that would resolve everything 
into the “dollar and cent;” it b this principle that de- 
prives the farmer of a good library, and his children of 
an education; the same which “keeps them shelling corn 
during the long nights of winter,” instead of feeding the 
soul with good reading. The grinding of the mill, the 
rattle of the railroad constitute the music most complais- 
ant to the ears of men. This inordinate passion is like 
the lean kine of the dreaming monarch, swallowing up 
every other better purpose. 
Can we expect the beauties of our profession to be de- 
veloped under such influences'? Can we expect the edu- 
cated and aspiring youth to turn his attention to a pro- 
fession that promises no reward to genius I Is it not re- 
duced almost to an ordinance among farmers, to look 
with an eye of suspicion upon the man of science'? 
“Hang him with his pen and ink horn about his neck,” is 
the universal verdict. How often do we see talent lan- 
guish in our midst '? How often do we scorn the man 
who would tell us how “peas and corn grow?” That 
their growth is governed by fixed laws, and that those 
laws are subject to explanation. No matter how great may 
be his intellect, no matter though he could thread and un- 
tangle almost with the ease of intuition, the thousand 
little intricaces over which we blunder and fumble with 
painful perseverance, he is elbowed aside m the press of 
life to make room for men as far his inferior as the 
shrivelled shrub of a summer’s garden is to the tempest- 
stemming pine. B. F' K. 
Near Okalona, Miss., March, 1859. 
