ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
19 
eld of grass begins to fall below the standard—which should not be less than three 
ns of hay per acre—then apply the system of surface culture, in the following man- 
»r: Thoroughly cultivate the surface of the soil; that is. top-dress with a good 
•mpost of fine manure, sow a combination of grass seeds, such as are adapted to the 
,il. if it be an alluvial soil, well drained, the selection that I have found to give 
itire satisfaction will grow and meet the requirements of the farmer in quality and 
lantity of product: Meadow fescue, sweet-scented vernel grass, orchard grass, tim- 
hy, meadow foxtail, fowl meadow grass and red top. I do not use any Kentucky 
ue grass seed in this combination, as farmers will get all the blue grass they wish, 
1 their farms without sowing the seed, for it is identical with the common June grass 
: the Northern States. This has been shown conclusively, and the evidences are 
en in specimens of our herbarium. White, red, mammoth and Alsike clover will 
) well on this class of soils. In the clay soils, all of the above-mentioned grasses 
ill do well if properly dressed, and on sandy loam soils with thoroughly, or naturally 
rained subsoils. The alfalfa or lucern (medicago sativa) is giving satisfaction when 
•own on this class of soil. We believe that there are grasses adapted by nature to 
1 classes of soils, and worthy of investigation to establish their merit for agricultural 
jes. 
RENOVATION OF GRASS LAND BY SURFACE CULTURE. 
A golden adage is this: “Nature is not to be conquered except by obeying her 
ws.” Says Sir John Herschel: “ The power of man over nature is limited oy one 
mdition; it must be exercised in conformity with the laws of nature.” Before we 
m exercise that power with certainty and effect we must understand those laws. By 
le aid of science (which is classified knowledge), inquiry and observation have opened 
ysterious avenues, and thus man has been able to observe effects and particularly 
nderstand those laws and obey them. Science has taught the farmer some of the 
dden mysteries of the effects that different soils have in the production of different 
>ecies of the vegetable kingdom. It has taught him that one class of soils is not 
rofitable in the cultivation of all kinds of crops. The habits and requirements of 
afferent plants are as diverse as the plants themselves. It is not necessary to enlarge 
pon this proposition, as it is universally understood. 
The relative value of grasses is becoming a subject of increasing importance every 
3 ar with the farmers of this country, and the renovation of grass lands by surface 
ilture constitutes one branch of this great department of rural pursuits which can- 
ot fail to interest the farmer who reflects upon the outcome of his business from his 
eld crops each year, the uncertainty of paying returns from his plow land, and the 
irtainty of a crop of grass at comparatively small expense. Many farmers in the 
7e stern States of recent years have already realized the fact that their grass lands are 
le sure sources of their wealth. The best method of increasing the productiveness 
E those lands is what such farmers desire to know, and this applies not only to lands 
lat are worn by constant cultivation, but to such as are thinly covered with grass, 
ad to such also as are nearly worthless in their natural condition, so far as any re- 
lrns from them are taken into account, yet are almost exhaustless in elements for the 
ipport of valuable vegetable life. 
Let us consider brieflv the relations that theory, practice and nature bear to each 
ther, and to the ultimate* result in our investigations. Theory is often referred to in 
erision, but all experiment is based upon theory, good or bad. Theory plans the 
ork like an architect; practice performs the work like a workman ; nature will pay 
l proportion as her laws have been obeyed by the plans of the architect. 
Theory has suggested that all wet lands should be thoroughly drained, else they 
dll not produce paying crops, and this has been demonstrated by practice. I shall 
ot discuss the various systems of drainage, for they are very closely allied to the the- 
ry and success of surface culture. To know when, where and how to drain lands, 
'hile intimately connected with the subject in hand is a branch of it too extensive to 
e considered at this time, and is not necessary to our purpose, but it is one which 
emands close examination and careful study by farmers generally, and of late is 
ttracting much more attention than it has done heretofore in the central tY estern 
tates The theory of surface culture of grass land is not a new one. In England 
nd Holland there are grass lands that have not been plowed during 200 years, and 
neir rental value has increased with their age. Even in New England there are grass 
mds whose soil has not been disturbed by the plow for a long period, yet they are the 
lost valuable lands in the Eastern States. I assume, as tenable, the position that 
tie grass lands are the most valuable lands in the Northwest, and by proper treatment 
hey will yield a large increase to the wealth of their owners in proportion to time, 
ibor and money invested. This has been demonstrated in my own experience. 
Vhen this series of papers was commenced in the Prairie Farmer there was a promise 
hat a review would be given of the writer’s personal experience in cultivating the 
ultivated grasses. This will now be done. 
