ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
15 
ich experiments in all the libraries to which we could obtain access, but have sought 
i vain. If there is a single reliable experiment having for its object the determina- 
on of this vital question it has escaped our vigilance. 
We must fai' ly grapple with the undoubted fact that the science of grass culture 
yet in its infancy. Until within a comparatively recent period (and such things are 
3 ry common at the present day, especially in some of the Western and Southern 
tates), meadows and pastures were formed by the simple process of leaving the land, 
fter the cereal crops had been taken from them, for nature to take care of. Such 
irasses as came by chance grew without the slightest intervention of man. If good 
masses took possession of the ground it was well; if poorer varieties established them- 
fives there was no help for it. The farmer did not dream that he had any more 
jhoice or control in the matter than he had in the formation of the clouds, or the 
irection of the wind. When, therefore, we see that most of what are now considered 
ur best meadows and pastures are those that have been found by nature without the 
id of art, it is not unreasonable to suppose that when science and practical skill are 
Systematically applied to iheir culture, we shall achieve better results than any that 
e have hitherto attained. 
From what has been said above it will be inferred that we make no high preten¬ 
ons to very extensive knowledge of this great subject. We cannot teach, for the 
nowledge we seek is yet to be acquired. Nature hitherto has not been faithfully 
iterrogated. If we succeed in impressing those who represent the agricultural inter- 
sts, the great value of the facts which are wanting in this department of husbandry, 
len the desire had in view has been realized, and our object accomplished. 
IMPROVEMENT OF OUR GRASS LAND. 
In this behalf it will be admitted that a gigantic work is to be performed by the 
irmers of America, which requires for its accomplishment intelligent laborers and a 
>ng period of time. Let us try to acquire a clearer understanding of these require- 
lents. They are : First, that the special use of each of the different species of grass 
gould be accurately ascertained. Second, that the absuiute and comparative values 
y chemical analysis and by practical trial at the manger, to be tested by the scales, 
3 determined. Third, that the adaptation of the different species to different soils, 
imate, and circumstances, should be tested by thorough and repeated trials. Fourth, 
lat the period of its growth, when it contains the greatest amount of those properties 
a which value chiefly depends, shall be thoroughly investigated until it is fully de- 
;rmined. Fifth, we must learn the kind of culture and the manures best adapted to 
imulate its growth and to increase its valuable properties. Sixth, we must deter- 
flne the time of flowering of each species, and the period when its seeds are ripe, 
eventh, we want to know what kinds of insects prey upon each species, and the best 
lethod of preventing their ravages. Eighth, the best means of curing and preserving 
le hay. 
These problems are obviously difficult. Their investigation involves some of the 
lost subtle questions in vegetable physiology and chemistry, and all of them require, 
Dr their successful solution, clear heads and willing hands. We must have no little 
reliminary training before we can enter successfully upon this inviting field of labor, 
first of all, we must learn to distinguish the family of the glasses from all the other 
imilies of the vegetable kingdom with absolute certainty, and then to distinguish 
ich of the individuals of the family from the others, giving to each its own proper 
nd peculiar name. The graminse forms an exceedingly large natural family, and for 
ns reason it is difficult for a beginner to distinguish readily individual differences, 
m acquaintance with the terminology of botany is essential to success in becoming 
imiliar with the structural differences of different plants. Patience and persever- 
nce will enable the enquirer to overcome every obstacle ; every difficulty will thus 
ecome easy. The words which at first appear to be crabbed and tormenting we shall 
nd to be symbols or only very precise and definite ideas. When the symbol becomes 
imiliar to the mind it loses the repulsiveness of its aspect. We find, too, on a closer 
lamination, that there are not as many hard words to be mastered as we first sup- 
osed there were. The same words may be used a dozen times on the same page, and 
>r the want of familiarity with it one may think he is encountering a new word ; but 
little attention will satisfy him that he is quite mistaken in his estimate, and that 
hen he has mastered about one hundred words they will take him safely over all the 
hoals and quicksands with which his journey through the grasses is beset. _ 
Grasses are not only distinguished from each other by differences in their external 
>rm but also by differences in their quality and the amount of nutriment that they 
fford. Mr. Sinclair, in view of his observations and experiments, is of the opinion 
lat those grasses which are mostly allied in their physical appearance, are also most 
early related in the quantity of the nutriment that they afford. Mr. Sinclair ex- 
resses his conclusion in the following words : 
“ First—Grasses which have culms with swollen joints, leaves thick and succulent, 
ad flowers in downy husk, contain a greater proportion of sugar and mucilage. Sec- 
