24 
ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
Tall spear grass. sj 
Lucerne. ;j 
Red clover.( ( 
Italian clover.J 
Per acre. . 
For stiff clay soils : 
Timothy. 
Meadow foxtail. 
Rough meadow grass. 
Meadow fescue. 
Sheep fescue.. 
Wild parsnip ( P.dannm officinale) . 
Medicago muculata (species of sea weed) 
Red clover. 
Vetch.. 
4 ( 
.1 
4 
4 
C 
4 ’ 
r 
3 
IC 
3 
Per acre. .30 
The comparative value of very nearly all the varieties mentioned in the above 
formulas has been heretofore given, and where they may be grown in this country has 
also been stated, especially in the northwest and central western states, which are 
directly interested in the improvement of our grass lands. 
In this series of papers less attention has been paid to the clovers than to the 
grasses proper, because their value is so generally known through discussions in the 
secular papers. On a closer inspection of the English formulas for seeding we find a 
light mixture of the clovers in their various combinations of grass seed for different 
soils. Lathy rus pratensis, a species of the wild pea, can be found growing in the cul¬ 
tivated fields of southern Wisconsin. Vetch will be found growing in the low mead¬ 
ows of the Northwest. Italian clover has been found in the vicinity of Lake Mills,' 
Jefferson county, YVis.; we have a specimen growing m our herbarium. Lucerne, or 
alfalfa (Medicago sativa ) grows on well-drained soils in the northern states; but of this 
plant I may have something further to say at another time. 
CONCLUSION. 
Here is a lesson for the farmer to study, although I am aware that we do not have 
the same climate as in Europe. But select those grasses that will grow in this cli¬ 
mate, cultivate and sow seed, as we can grow more varieties than are grown. Eng¬ 
land boasts of twenty-two species grown on one square foot of surface. Let us not be 
satisfied until the entire surface of the ground is covered, leaving no room for the 
growth of obnoxious weeds, and yielding that which is of value in prosecuting the in¬ 
terests of its owners; nor rest from well-doing until we can say with pride that the 
unproducing grass lands of the Northwest are covered with verdure. May the work 
of surface culture of our grass lands be prosecuted until the coffers of its owners are 
groaning under their heavy golden burden—is the wish of all who are interested in its 
results. Sow the seed till the globe is a mass of vegetable life. Their functions are 
to reclaim naked, barren spots, and improve all their surface. They are the basis of 
all animal life and existence. Their very beauty social and benevolent language ren¬ 
ders this a place of delight. He who communes and meditates among trees, flowers 
and grasses will find his Maker there to teach his listening heart. 
A PRIME FORAGE CROP IN A DAIRY DISTRICT. 
Alfalfa belongs to the great order of plants known as leguminosse, which includes 
the peas, beans and vetches, lupines, as well as other sub-orders and lucerns. Its bo¬ 
tanical name is Medicago sativa , and its best known common name French lucerne. 
Having first gained a foothold and a good reputation in our country, in California, by 
reason first, of being capable of withstanding their long-continued drouths, and sec¬ 
ondly, by its own high value as a forage plant, on account of the unusual amount of 
saccharine matter it contains. It has been known locally as u California clover,” as 
it has also been known in California as u Chili clover,” from having been thence in¬ 
troduced into California. In its South American travels, French lucerne acquired 
the Spanish name of alfalfa, which, being a single word, is preferable to its former 
compound name. Another result of its southern travels has been to cause those not 
familiar with its history to consider it a southern plant, and to lead them to question 
its ability to withstand the cold winters of a northern climate. But its long con¬ 
tinued cultivation and permanent and profitable growth in portions of France and 
Germany, where the cold is as great as in the middle of the United States, settles the 
question of its hardiness. Besides, the great depth to which its tap-roots penetrate, 
not only prevents its being “ heaved ” or “ spouted” out by frost, and so indicates its 
capacity to stand hard winters, and aslo indicates its equal ability to endure the se¬ 
verest drouths without being “ killed out” or failing to produce its frequent and suc¬ 
culent crops. Its exceeding value as a soiling plant for all domestic animals—-horses, 
