S' ..^^-V ;,\ /.^^-'i^.-^ /.■■;.^-.\ /.^^I-."". \^ „.<^' V ■° •'.. A ^•^°o ^0 V .0' »*" o > ^%. <\^ , • ♦ . '>'^ •f ^^•o^ ^'^'^-^ .V ^°^t. ^,^ .-rf^K^ \„ V" 4 O .0^ % ^•^^^ '^o. "-^^n^ .^^ ■■-■ * , o '-■ ^0,>^ ;^U:' ^:- .0* ' ^^ ■J^. J.-- •'-.^ <'- /' 'p. V 7; *P-v. '.^' .V 4 o ■0? ^> a?' ->. ..^ -'^ 'J^>c% '^ . /^3 AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. FOR THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES. / BY D. L. PHARES, A. M., M. D., o Professor of Biology, A. & M. College of Mississippi, Sanitary Commissioner for the State at large of Mississippi ; Member of A. P. H. A., and many other Scientific Bodies. Author of "Synopsis of Medical Flora of Mississipjjj/' and of many papers on Medicine, Natural His- tory, Veterinary Science, Education, Improved Farming, Etc. Etc. Etc. STARKVILLE, MISS. J. C. HILL. Printer. 1881 ;/ COPY RIGHT, August, 3r(]., 1881, in Office of Librarian of Coiigross. D. L. Pharks. ^' PREFAl']^ I'liis little manual hae been ])rejTiare(] at the iirg-ent solieila- tioii of many planters for many years. It is written in as plain, simple language as eould well he done; so that any intelligent reader may easily understand it all. Full (Je.scrijdions in plain English of all the plants mentioned would have nuudi more tlian doubled tlie size of tiie l)ook ; technical descri])tions would be hard U) ('(.nijireiiend , and luinee it was deemed i)est to gi\'e first the botanical name of each phuit, so that any desiring, may consult sucii books as Gray's, C'hapman's, or Wood's recent works for fuller descriptions. The more important distinctive characters are given whenever deemed necessary. Much more time and labor have been expended in collecting and (!orre(!ting synonyms, and carefully identifying plants hv their popular or common, names, than in all the other portions of the work together. A number of j)lants new or unknown to most farmers have been described at some length, especially when giving promise of much agricultural value. Many others of little worth are mentioned, that farmers may not waste time and mone>y in ex- ])erimenting with them. Man}- that are very valuable are too briefly treated because the s])ace assigned me would not admit of tuiler detail. And for the same reason many important top- ics have not been even mentioned. My own experiences and practises have been given quite free- ly as requested by friends. The work has been prepared in the intervals of other absorb- ing labors, with an average of not less than twenty interrup- tions for every page. It has been printed from the original rough draft as it has been impossible to find time to copy or re- vise it. For the same reason a few typographical errors may have escaped uncorrected. In spite of all efforts to the contra- ry, the work contains over 50 per cent more than the limits assigned me would have permitted. Should health and leisure permit, I desire at some future time to pre})are a large illustrated work on all the J^^orage Plants of the South'U'n United States. D. L. Phaees. A. & M. College of Mlss, \ September, 1st., 1881.) EUR A Tl'M: Page 7, line 5 from top, read pecks instead of pounds. Farmer's Bool of Cirasses aiiS Otlier Forap Plants. CHAPTER I. The Pulse Fainiltf, From the oldest records, it is evident that members of tliis family have been used as food for man and beast from i\\v in- fancy of the human race. And for many ages other members have furnished timber, fuel, fibrous materials, dyes, medicines and many other products employed in economic uses. This fam- ily contains about 550 genera and 7000 species, of ^v^lich our country produces more than 60 genera and over 200 species. In the limited space allowed in this work only a few of tliese can be mentioned. 1. Lotus Tribe. Blossoms butterfly-like, pods not jointed, stems not climbing, cotyledons leafy. LupiNus. Lu])ine. Of this genus, several species are found native; the more com- mon being the perennial, diffuse and viUous; all with generally purplish flowers, rarely white, and woolly pods. While afford- ing some food and worthy of protection, they are not of suffi- cient value to justify cultivation. Crotai.aria. Eattle-box. We have three native species of this genus, all with yellow blossoms and dark purple inflated pods. They are low plants, growing on sandy pine barrens and other poor soils, affording considerable food for live stock, where better plants do not thrive. They are sometimes cultivated, only however, for amusement of children. 2 FAKiMi:i;\s Book oi^ (iiiAs.sES Medioaoo. Medick. 1. M. SATIVA. Mcdiek, Lucerne, Spanish Trefoil, French Lu- zerne and Alfolfa. This plant is very pretty and very valuable. When first hrcnight from South America to the LTnited States, it was supposed to be a new plant and called Braz'dhin chim: A few years ago, it was taken from western South America to Cal- ifornia, and thence to the older States as a new plant with its Spanish name Alfalfa. But it was knoAvn in the earlier ages of the world. By the Greeks (about 500 years iiefore Christ) it was l>rought from Medea and hence its generic and one of its common names. It has been known ever since in most civil- ized States, and often mentioned by Roman agricultural writers and by others from their time to this. It is still grown in Per- sia, where, as in Peru, it is cut throuhout the year. It had been cultivated in the southern States 50 years l)efore received from California. It is ready for use early. Last year I had it two feet high, the middle of February ; tliis year the same height a montli la- ter, all the forage plants being late. It should be planted in drills 12 or L5 inches apart, and I think at the very least, ten pounds of seed per acre. The ground should be rich, dry and mellow. The first year it should be cultivated to keep down grass and weeds. The mowing should be made when the first blooms appear, if for hay. It makes a good hay, relished by stock. It is better however, for soiling or feeding green, or rather wilted. For this purpose the cutting should begin before the plant shows any blooms; otherwise, before going over all the lot, some stems become too hard to digest promptly. By the time the last is cut, the first is again ready for the sickle. And thu« it may be cut four to six times a year. The amount of rich fi>rage it may produce is probably greater than from any other plant. It is very rich in milk and butter principles, and spe- cially suited for feeding milk cows. For this purpose cut after noon and feed next day. Stock must not have access to the growing lucerne ; for by easing out the crowns, the plants are killed. If protected and manured a little every few years, it will continue a vigorous growth for a life-time. Some plots of it are now in fine condi- tion, that are known to have been growing for over thirty-five years, without any marks of decay. Where the sub-soil can be penetrated and is not too moist, lu- cerne sends its roots down 10, 15, even 20 feet deep. Hence it is less affected by drought than any other plant. This should render it specially valuable in the Mission Valley and some oth- er portions of Texas, and perhaps on the skirts of our western desert. And OlJlEH FuJlACJE 1'LANT^;. 3 It may succeed well, sown ln'oadcast on well cultivated lands free from seeds of grasses and weeds. In this case full twenty pounds of seed per acre; should be used so as to cover the ground early and thus suppress weeds. It may afford good mowings the first year ; and these mowings prevent maturing of seeds of noxious weeds. Every owner of a horse or milk cow sliould have at least one acre of lucerne. These animals, sheep, svv^ine and poultry rec- ognize the value of lucerne at the first glance. 2. M. LUPULINA is naturalized with us, but is of too little value to require special notice. It is the JSTonesuch, or Black Medick. ?). M. MACULATA, spotted Mcdick, is a valuable plant. It was brought from Chili to California, and thence to the States under the names of California Clover, Yellow Clover and Burr Clover. Many mistook it for lucerne and still so call it. This has only tivo or three yel/oio blossoms in each cluster, while lucerne has many blue blossoms in an elongated head. From the melilots and clovers proper, the medicks are readily distinguished by the pods or legumes being spirally twisted or coiled. That of 31. sativa is loosely coiled about twice so as to somewhat resemble a rams horn. That of the M. malcuhda is very compactly coiled, so as to present the appearance of a solid oblate spheroid, thick- ly covered with curved prickles. But seize the prickles at the poles and draw gently ; the spheroidal burr is changed to a spiral liat legume with two rows of hooked prickles on its thicker edge. I have grown this plant about thirty-five years. It furnishes good grazing from I'ebruary till April or May ; a small lot ot ground feeding a large number of cattle, sheep, etc. Many think it the best thing possible for grazing and hay. It is the opinion of some, that animals naturally prefer it to other green plants. This docs not accord with my experience. They do not incline to eat it at first ; but it is easy to teach them, and they acquire a great fondness for it. But all the grass eating animals including geese, etc., know and eat lucerne greedily at first sight. Horses that refuse the spotted Medick when green, cat it readi- ly v/hen wilted or dried. The last lot I sowed was in 1859 or 1,ssil)le to plow the ground. But by earlier plowing or wait- ing till July there is none of this trouble. The plant may be recognized at an early stage of growth by the leaf, whicli is com- posed of tiiree inversely cordate, rather large leaflets, each hav- ing near the middle a dark spot. It is from this spot that the plant receives its specific and one trivial name. 4. M. BENTICULATA. This differs from the preceding in the sharp edged pod being less compactly coiled and having shorter prickles. It is often confounded with the preceding. 5. M. SCUTELLATA, Bcc-hive, Snail Medick. This is culti- vated only for its curious, large pods, which are coiled like a snail shell with many turns. As we have no process for removing the seeds from the pods of spotted medick, it is necessary to sow the burr-like pods, say half a bushel per acre. The planting should be done early, in July or August, in order that the tough pods may have time to rot and release the seeds. If covered deep, the seed will not ger- minate, but remain in the ground for years, to grow when brought to the surface. Am)(>tfii:r 1'\)i;a<;e l'r,ANTs. 5 MEJ.iLorrs. SwiTt Clover. Of thin we have two , species : 1. M. officinalis and M. al- ba, White Melilot, Tree Clover, Bokhara Clover. Tliey are cultivated for forag'c ; but oftener in the flower ij;arden for come- liness and fra^ranct . They have run wild in many places, thus adding- to the value of native ])asturag'e. Trifoliim. Clover. 1. T. rRATEXsE. Ked Clover. In a larj>;e portion of Missis- sippi, Louisiana and other southern States, this plant grows as promptly and as luxuriantly, and yields as heavy crops of forage, as in any other portions of America. In truth, from a compar- ison of tile clover crops of Mississipjn with those I have seen and had reports of in all the States further north, it is evident that in the former there is much more certainty and less difficulty in ob- taining a good catch, and in maintaining a good stand ; and in C(»nsequence of this, in connection with climatic influences, a larger yield is annually i-ealized, and for a greater number of years, if desired. True this is putting it pretty strong; but not a whit stronger than, i believe, the facts warrant. I have secured good stands whether the seed were sown in September, October, November, December, January or February ; and even to the middle of March. That growing in the field on the east side of the telegraph lines, which so manv of vou have stopj)ed to admi^'c, and which Northern and Western men have so often gone in to examine closely and handled to be certain that their eyes had not deceived them, was planted five years ago. Yet the hands declare the crop of this year is as heavy or heavier than that of any former year. By sjiecial request, I measured a jiart of this field two years ago, and after tiioroughly drying the clover (dryer than 1 make it for housing) it weighed at the rate of nine thousand pounds per acre. But others, in various and widely distant j)arts of the Sta^', have done e(|ually well ; and some much better, I am happy to acknowl- edge. 1 have been asked many times what fertilizers I applied. All of you perhaps have seen and some of you are well acquainted with every foot of this field, and know that it is old, that the sub- soil is a red clay many feet deep, as seen by the cut in the adjacent road, and that there is but little surface soil. It was worn out and abandoned in 1833, the first time I ever saw it. In 1840, having located near by, I purchased and enclosed it for pasture. Thus it was used fi)r} ears and very much improved. Two years before sowing the clover, I bedded for cotton, and in the beds l)efore sowing the c(»tton seed, on one portion, I applied Bradley's Fer- {} Fal'MEk's i)(H)i; of (Juassks tilizer ; on another part Sterne's Superphosphate; on another Dickson's C\)ni])oinicl ; and on another in the first furrow stable manure, upon whieii the bed was made. All parts made a o()od crop of cotton. It has had no fertilizer since. The next year 1 raised corn on it and a good crop of weeds. In September all the live stock was turned on it for a month. It was then l)roken and harrowed several times and seeded with clover in Xovemi)er and January. It has had two mowings a year, and more or less stock on it every winter. Yet it is wliat you have seen. I have otlier lots of clover equally g'ood, one better. The first wxH'k in A])ril, 1wed in with tlu' oats. The Am»Oti(i:i; 1m)1;a{;k Plants. 7 next .-^priiiij; showed the huii'est stems and iieaviest vield (»!' oats f have ever s(>en. Seed pcf <(cr( . Xot less tlian ten ])()unds should Ik' nsed. This may do very Avell when orchard g-rass is sown Nvith it, at the rate of four or five poinids per acre. And this is a good comhijia- tion, as the orcliard grass is ready at the same time with the clo- ver for tht' mower, and it assists in curing the clover more })rom])t- ly and nicely, though not quite so nicely cured itself in the mix- ture. When clover is planted alone, I prefer to use twelve or lifteen pounds; or one l>ushel (sixty pounds) for four acres, or at most five. By using plenty of seed we obtain a better catch, and the increased harvest j)ays many times over the additional cost of more seed. Soil. Any good soil with red clay subsoil near the suriace is well adapted to clover. 2. T. ARVKXSE. Rabbit-foot Clover, Stone Clover. This species is small and almost worthless. The calyx of this and red clover remanis erect in seed, while in all the f >llowing it be- comes reflexed or turned downward. It may be known bv the corolla being of fiosh color, or whitish with a purple spot, and al- most concealed by the ])lum()se silky calyx. The iieads are verv soft silky-downy, oblong at length cylindrical. '3. T. REFLEXU?-r. Bntfiilo Clover. This native })lant grows a foot high wiih very stout asc(>nding pubescent stems and large lieads of rose-red and whitish flowers. It is a valuable plant and cattle are fond of it. The large succulent stems and leaves affoi'd so mucli forage, tliat it might be cultivated ])rotitably. 4. T, KEPEUS. W^hite Clover. This universally known plants though perhaps Jiot a native, grows luxuriantly and spontaneous- ly on nearly all deej), red clay lands and furnishes excellent gra- zing in many parts of the s(uithern Stat(sfrom January on for some months, sometimes through spring and early summer. The later second growth, like that of red clover, salivates horses, mules, and sometimes cows. The flow of saliva is often enormous and very damaging to horses. I have seen but one bad case in the COM-. White Clover yields a large quantity of the best honey that can be made. It is however not reliai tie for this use from the fact that sometime.^, without any apparent cause, it disaj)- pears almost wholly for one or more years, and then suddenly again covers the eartli with a most luxuriant and nutritious growth. I have often had much trouble on account of its per- sistent, luxuriant growth among other crops where I did not want it. It frequently starts well into rich growth earlier than the red clover and though soon concealed from sight by the latter, both are unavoidably mowed and cured together, thus giving a hay that will salivate. 8 Farmp:r's JJook of GrashKH 1 Uiwv louiid that red ciuvcr hay oi" the ,se<'oiul cuttiiiji, ke]»t a year or more, loses the property of salivating; but whether the same is true of white clover I have not learned. In nutri- tive value, it is about e<{ual to red clover; as a fat {)roducer much better. 5. T. PiKXU.MP.EUs. Low Hop Clover. This plant is small, spreading, downy and of little value. a. T. AGRARIUM. Yellow Ho}» Clover. 'I'his is a little lar- ger than the ])recediMg, but not very valuable. Both have yel- low blossoms. 7. T. CAHOLINIANUM. Carolina Clover, with j)urj»lish blooms, is proeumbent, small and iiffords but little gi-azing. 8. T. KTOLONiFERUM. Ruuuing ])ui^'alo Clover. This is much like, and may be a variety of number '^ above, l)ut differ- ing by sending out runners. 9. T. MP^DITM. Zigzag Clover. This is only a variety ju-ol)- ably ofthe red clover, from which it differs in having spotless, more oblong, entire leaves and zigzag stems. 10. T. ixcARNATUM. Crimson Clover. An annual, matu- ring earlier than the red of which it is perhaps a variety. 11. T. ERECTUM. Sapling Clover, as stated on a preceding page is a coarse, erect variety ofthe red clover, later maturing. 12. T, HYBRIDUM. Alsike Clover. This 8weedish species is superior to red clover in feeding value, furnishes more fat and flesh forming materials and less crude fibre. Its yield per acre of hay however is less. It is admirable for grazing. It is slow taking possession of land, l)ut is perennial and does well with or(diard grass, both for grazing and hay. It is quite fragrant and a good honey plant. My personal knowledge of it is too li«iited to estimate properly its true value in the South. Psora LEA. Six or more species are native. No common or local name is known tome. These plants furnish considerable forage for live stock; but they arc hardly Avorthy ot cultivation. Petalo.stemon. Prairie Clover. Wo have five or six species, w^hich, though valual)le and use- ful to stock in pasture or forest, are not sufficiently so to assure cultivation. Onobrychis Sativa. Esparsette, Sainfoin, This perennial, European, pea-like plant has a high character as a feed in France. It is cultivated to but a limited extent in the South. It is worthy of trial as it belongs to a warm climate. And Other Forage Plants. 9 Astragalus. Milk Vetch. Of these bean-like plants we have five or six species, two of" which deserve mention. The TenneHsee milk vetch and the Caro- lina milk vetch furnish considerable food for cattle and might be improved by cnltivation. Arachis. Pea Nnt, Ground Pea, Pinder. A. iiYPOGvEA. This species from South America and the Af- rican Gcnira or Goober are every where known and much esteem- ed for the large seeds and the bland oil made from them. But the stems and leaves making an excellent hay, are too often left to decay in the fields. The fodder made from these is very nutritious, valuable and much relished by animals. The seeds are admirable for hogs and other live stock. II. The Vetch Tribe. Pods not jointed, two valved ; the thick fleshy cotyledons re- main under ground in germination; climbing vines; the petiole of the abruptly pinnate leaves terminated by a tendril. PisuM. Pea. P. sativum. Common Pea, English Pea, Garden Pea. This species, in its many varieties and uses is so well antl univer- sally known that it needs only to be named here. Lathy Rus. Vetchling. 1. L. venosus, and 2. L. aiyrtifolius, native species are of little value; and L. odoratus. Sweet Pea and L. latifo- Lius, Everlasting Pea are from Europe and planted only for ornament. ViciA. Vetch. 1. V. RATIVA. Conwnon Vetch or Tare is much cultivated in Europe for fodder, and to a limited extent in this country for the same purpose. There are two varieties, winter and spring. The winter variety is sometimes planted with turnips and with oats, barley and rye for winter pasture or soiling. My expe- rience with it is too limited to commend it highly for cnltiva- tion in this country where other things perhaps more profitable and hardier are in season at the same time with the tares. As a variety it may be cultivated to a small extent as the product is very valuable if not abundant. V. FABA. Bean, Windsor or Horse Bean. This is well known every where and in some regions cultivated for the edi- ble seeds. 10 Farmer's liooK of (iit asses 3. V. AMERICANA, 4. V. CA KOLINIANA, Carolina V'.'icli, 5. V. ACUTiFOEiA. Acute Icavod Vetch, 6. V. miorantha, Small flowered Vetch, and 7. V. HIRSUTA, Hairy Vetch, nat- uralized, arc all valuablcj wild forage plants. Deer and cattle iced on these grcinlily and grow fat. Some of these grow abun- dantly and richly in tlu^ southern States and would no dou})t give better satisfaction in cultivation than the imported varietivs. Lens. Lentil. L. EsciTLENTA. Common Tj(>ntil, This is from Europe and cultivated both for fodder and for the seeds. But it is too f !G- ble and small to yield much of either. III. Tick Trp^foil TRiiiE. T*od separating transversely into one seeded joints, en- having one joiiit or achene. Stems not twining. Styeosantiies. Pencil Fly lV((iueiit grazing or mowing it is lcsinO(iiuin, jier c. Kff coni]>arison, the carbohydrates are group- ed together. It will be seen tliat tlie albuminoids of the Desmo- dium are to those in red clover as 132 to 100, while the amount of ash varies but slightly in the two plants. The immense value of clover as a crop preparatory to other crops, especially wheat, is well known, and there is perliaps no way by which exhausted lands may be more readily restored to fertility, and maintained in such condition, than by th<- use of clover; certainly there is no method which compares with it in expense. Now, although clover re(piires an amount of ])lant food, Itoth mineral and at- mospheric, far in excess of a wheat crop, nevertheless it is a flict very well esta')lished that tlie former crop may i)e successfully grown upon a field where wluat would invariably fail of a crop. "The reasons tor this are to be seen in a comparison of the two plants; and, although it is a 'thice-told' tale, the sulyect especial- ly in connection with tliis ])lant under consideration, is such that every farmer should practically up.derstand the matter. "Clover and Mheat, then, belong to two families of plants, which in nearly every respect are in the strongest contrast. "Clover is one of the dicotyledonous, or those of which the seed is divided into halves, as with the pea, beau etc. These })lants are characterized also l)y a strong tap-root, which, descending in- to the subsoil, enables the })lant to secure r.ourishment from be- yond the reach of plants of the other sort. "Wheat, on the contrary, belongs to the monocotyiedonous plants, the seeds of which are not so divided in halves, as Ijiidian corn for example. The roots of this family of plants are surfoce or crown roots, and are destitute of the tap-root already spoken of. "Again, if we consider the hal)its of growth of the two plants, we have in clover a plant of continuous growth through out the season until cut down by frost or the scythe of the mower, and an enormous leaf development, as compared with wheat with its scant leafage and its short life. We have, then, in clover a plant with a tap-root and an enormous root development, ena- bling it to seek out and assimilate mineral food, with a great ex- tent of leaf surface, fitting it to take in and ass/)niU>te atmospher- 14 Fakmj::e'« Book of Grasses ic food; a ioii_<.>,' periou of o'rowth,,wiiicli caust's it to a]»])r*j)i'iaf<' the g■l•eate^^t aimmiit of botli kinds of food aad store them uji in root and stem. In wheat, on the other hand, we have a surface rooted plant, a seanty h'afage, and a short period of growth. What w^on(h'r, then, tliat so coars'' a feederas cU)ver should thrive, even where so dainty a plant as wheat sliould utterly fail, as is so often the case? But, as will be ixnnembered, all this atmospher- ic and mineral food, which lias been assimilated and stored uj) in the roots and stems of clover remains to furnish an abundant supply, l)y its decay, to the crop v.hich shall succeed it, and thus (dover or similar plants have always played a most importani ]iart in all systemsof rotation, as in the v,-!)cat growing regi(»n of the (ienesee valley of New York. In this Desmodium we have a phvnt whicli appears to be a substitute for clover and to possess this great advantage, viz: that it will flourish vigorsusly upon certain lands upon whicii a crop of clover can not bi^ securcil. This seems to be especially true of the sand barrens of the At- lantic seaboard. Certainly if t!ie statements niade concerning it are to ])e credited, it is destined to effect a revolution in agricul- ture throughout this section, and to restore to fertility lands which have been pa];tially abandoned !)v the former." — Dept. Ag., Report for iut the Desmodiums are so liglit and so diltust- in growth ih.at I tliink the (|uantitT p^r acre would l)e small. In soils mentioned tiie}' would act as de- scribed, but the ])lant food they could bring from tJie subsoil and store from the atmosphere would be comparatively littl(\ On the same kinds of soil, I opine, the Le.'ipedezd. striata would grow well and obtain and store plant food in the ways mentiori- ed by Mr. Collier, and in larger quantity than the Desmodi- ums could. The I^espedeza possesses other jiropertics which would give it preference on the soils and for the purposes con- templated. I'he growth is so dense as to completely blanket the earth for the hot months, jirotecting from washing and by tiie dense shade preventing evaporation of fertilizers and promoting absorption from the atmosjihere. A great objection to the Des- modium too is the fact that the hispid jointed pods adhere to the coats of animals and people. RifiTARDSONiA srAHiJA. Mexican Clover, This is a native of Mexico and South America. It lias be- come naturalized in Florida and tiie southern parts of other southern States. It is called Mexican Clover, Spanish Clover, Florida Clover, water pursley, bellfountain, poor Joe, pigeon- weed etc. The analysis of this plant, made in 1874 by Mr. Mc- AM>()Tiib:H FoHAGE Plants. 15 ftLui-lru', shows it to lie (njiiai to clover as green food, or hay. !t is as foihtws, being tlioroughlv air drieil : Oil, ' 1.50 G.un. 1 r 13.80 Siisar, dextrin etc. Jcarliolivdrates, -, 12.80 Starch, I ■ 111.00 (Jhlorophyl, ^ ( 5.20 Gluten, ^ nitrogenous coni])onnds, ^ 0.90 Albuminoids. j ' l -^-^O Cellulose, 33.30 Jnorganie matter, 11.90 ^ 100.00 The reader may compare with the analysis ofr<-d clover. I'he analysis of" the ash gave Insoluble silica, " 22.740 Holublc silica. "2,740 Lime, 29.45(; Magnesia, 1.G05 Phosphoric acid, * 7.457 Teroxide of iron, trace Sulphuric acid. 2.(n7 Chlorine. 2.S4() Potassa, 2;}.824 Soda, <;.eing killed, should be followed the next vSpring by tol)acco, corn or potatoes. ] V. The Bean Tribe. Tliese are mostly twining herbs bearing two-valved [)ods, not jointed. I'he fleshy cotyledons rising above ground in germiu- ation. Vv'e have seven native genera of this ti:imily. Phaseoeus. Bean, Kidney Bean. Of this we have four natives: P. i'EREN.\is, 2. P. diversi- FOLius, P. HEEVOEUS ami P. siNUATUs, plants of considera- ble value for cattle. Of the more valuable cultivated species may be named P. VULGARIS, Common Kidney, String, Pole, or Snap Bean ; P. NANUS, Dwarf or Field Bean; P. eunatub, Sieva, Lima or Butter Bean ; all much esteemed for the table ; the green pods of the lirsttwo and grc^en secnls of the last being used. In this connc^ction may bci mentioned also P. muetiflords. Scarlet Runner or Spanish Bean, with many showy white or bright scar- let flowers; and P. caraoalea. Snail Flower; the latter of lit- tle use, the former valuable for table and forage. There are ma- nv other cultivated varieties. DOEICHOS. D. LABLAB, Egyptian or Black Bean from India, and D. CHINENSIS, China Bean with its variety 'inelunojjldhcdinm, Black- eyed Bean are useful cultivated plants. Our native species D. MUETIFEORUS, Many flowered Bean, somewhat rare, might be cultivated. Our native GaladUis, Milk Pea, ClUor/a, Butterfly I\a, and Centrosema, Spurred Butterfly Pea are common and valuable, but they yield too little to justify cultivation. Southern Fieed Pea. Of all the varieties of Beans, however, there are none more valuable than most of those known in the South under the mis- nomer "■Field Pea." Of these there are many varieties. A va- And Otjtkr Forag?: Planth. 17 riety with luther ,^niall yield of vine, l)ut an abundant yield of .small white seed, which whether green or dry, when cooked af- ford a delicious tender dish. Another white variety with lar- ger seed and more vine is also an excellent article for the din- ner table, but not so nice as the former. The "Wliippoorwill" with larger, mottled seeds of early, rap- id growth and may be mowed several times ; or when a few seed nuitnre the whole may be plowed under and soon another crop covers the ground. The Red Ripper, Black, Co^v Pea and others yield a heavy crop of seed and hay. They should always be sown among the corn broadcast or drilled each side of the corn row at the last woi'king. I always prefer laying by corn, as early as possible in Mav; both for a better corn crop and for ol)taining a heavier growth of the pea vines. Peas sown in June rarely yield half so much vine and leaf as those planted in May. Those planted in July groW' but a few inches high. I plant rather for the leaf and vine, of which I wish the largest possible growth both above and in the ground ; the root to release and bring up pot- ash, lime and pliosplnu-us from the deejicr subsoil and render the latter friable ; the vines and leaves to shade as densely as possi- ble at the time, (July, August and September,) when the earth so shaded absorbs with most avidity fertilizers from the atnios- ])here in addition to tlie quantity assimilated by the plant itself. These field peas should be sown on all stubl)le lands also, as soon as the grain is mowed, either broadcast or ] Jo wed under ; or if seed be scarce, drilled in every fourth or fifth furrow. In the latter case they may be cultivated. By thus following the crops of grain with peas the land may be continually improved. Af- t<'r a single good crop of peas, even when mowed or pastured off, I am confident I have seen the yield of the next cotton crop in- ci-eased fifty or one hundred per cent on clay soils. Asa food crop they cannot be too highly prized ; they, like small grain and grasses, require no labor except sowing and har- vesting. A hand Avill pick as many pounds of peas as of cotton in a given time. Peas rarely sell for less than one dollar per bushel, oftener for more ; and as during the current year the pur- chaser sometimes pays three dollars per bushel. They are cheap at the highest price for fertilizing alone. Every one should save at least enough seed for his own next year's planting. In some parts of the country peas are very often much dama- ged bv the pea weevil, or bug. This may be obviated by letting them remain in the pod till ready to use; or when w^ell dry by threshing on dry dusty ground and gathering up dust with the seed. If threshed by machinery, dust or ashes may be supplied while putting in sacks, barrels or bins. Any air tight package will prevent insect depredations. But if put up in air tight pack- ages, they must be free from moisture. A scriouH ohjoctlrip. to kccpiiiii' in pitci ti'l ready t(^ plant i> that in tiic .spring wiien the air becomes \varin,tlie potln art' in- fested with numerons taites. When animal or person then touch- es the pods, the mites attack the intruder, penetrate the skin and produce an intolera!>k' itchintj' that will sometimes render person or animal franti(^ witli paiii. For feeding daring' the cool nu;!it])s, I much prefer tlumi in the pod. If im])ro})erly fc.!, however, to a hungry animal he may be- come chok-ed ; if free from hull, lie will eat too rapidly and will have colic. An aninjal that is to have a feed of dry ])eas should first be watered, then take a handful of pods, giving Idni one at a time ; after which there is no further danger. I*eas should yield as many l)ushels as corn on th( samc^ land if properly planted, cost misch less to produce and always sell for more. Or again ; on two ]>lats of land of the same quality plant- ed in totton and peas the crop of peas will pay many times more than the cotton in projiortion to expense of production. Now a uord as to pea vijie hav. This is not dilficuk to cwt with the hoe or scythe if in drills; nor ^vith a gocfd mower if broadcast. It is easily raked into long piles or larger nrande-.] ones, witli the he>i'se rake of proper construction. It re<|uires, it is true, more time and care to cure well than grass; paclcing loosely, it is more bulky and difficult to handle. Yet it is high- Iv relished by all live stock and is worth nu;<'h more thaji all the labor and expense of saving. AThen sniliciently drv it innsi be protected by a roof sufficient ro turn all rain. It may be housed in rail pens with rails for open floor a foot above grou.nd and others every few feet above; or in houses with rails, .slats or poles above ground and six to tvvclve inches apart for it to rest on and then poles through at intervals. In this way it may be cured in fine condition though housed wdien l)ut half dry. .^''en- tilators may be made bv nailing together three or four planks to form a tube extending from the floor upwards as high as neces- sar\^ After filling the house these tu])es may be witlidrawn for use in another place. It should have been mentioned that peas fed in the pod arc excellent for sheep; ami a few daily will keep tliejii in fme con- dition during our severest winters. The analysis of tiie pea and vine confirms tlie practical obser- vations of feeders and farmers as to the value of both as fi)od for animals and land. While containing less fat, they contain much more of the other and more valuable nutritive matters than any of tlie otlier forage crops. They contain also more ash- es jieculiarly rich in potash, lime and phosphoric acid, l)esides plenty of soda, magnesium and sulphuric acid. Am) Other Foils gh Plants. 19 Glycine iiisfiDA. Japan l\a. This lyea.H (it isiint a pea) camo iniiU'V my observatioi! some twentv-nvo vears aij(>,a.s the Japan Pea. It was then cultivated to a limited extent ior a few years; but ceased to attract atten- riua till the close ofoiir civil war ; when it was again widely sold as tiie Soathern Relief Pea. Tiie eatalogues name it S!oJ/- da. Though not a climber, it may be the I)o!icho>< Soja, or Soy bean of China and Japan. In this country, this bean is probably not esteemed so b.ighiy as ii sliould be either for the table or for forage. Few people bi'ingit to the t;iiJe ]nore than once ; for when prepared as other beans it is inedible and disgusting. But when the ripe seeds are -oak<'( hv, also is niade ofthese beans. CHAl^TER U. This family is very large, containing one-tenth of all known ■pecies of flowering plants. Few of them are valuable as forage plants, some as human food, many as medicines; most of them are troublesome weeds and many of them pests on the farm. Only a few will be mentioned here. 20 Faioieh'w Book of Grasses Heliaxthus. H. ANNUUR. The Sun Flower leaves contain eonsidcralde nutritive material ; and the seeds are very rich, especially in oil ofal)land character. They are better food for j)()ulti'y than for large animals. The plant is coarse, large and not sufficiently productive to be desirable as a farm crop. 2. H. TUBEROSUS. Jerusalem Artichoke is more valual)le than the preceding. The leaves are nutritious and relished by stock. The plant is cultivated, hovv^ever, more for the tubers, which are produced in large quantities with little cultivation. They are wholesome, valuable food for stock. They remain in the ground without rotting or damage, and may be gathered by hogs at will. The tubers for planting sliould l)e cut in tiie same manner as Irish potatoes and planted like the latter or like corn i'vom one and a half to three feet apart in the rows. The rows should be from three to six feet apart according to quality of land. They may be planted in fence corners; and the hoeing to keep the fence-row clear of weeds will make the crop. In fence corners once planting is usually sufficient for annual crops. Thougli hogs be turned on them, euiuigh will be left for another crop from year to year. In the plowed land they should be cultivated like corn. The plants grow rapidly and require little attention. On good land the sun flower and artichoke both produce very large tall woody stems, those of the latter more branched. Where fuel is scarce and very costly, as on large praries, these plants may be profitably cultivatedfor fuel as Avell as food. This fuel is more especially adapted to use in the cooking stove. Being verv rich in potash, the ashes should be retunu'd to the soil. Achillea. A. MILLEFOLIUM. Yarrow, Milfoil. This plant is commend- ed by foreign writers as valuable in pastures. But its value probably consists mainly in its aromatic, bitter, tonic properties. But in this country, live stock usually find enough tonics in oth- er plants to serve all the requirements of health. CiCHORiUM, Succory. 1. C. INTYBUS. Wild Succory, Chiccory. This plant also is commended by foreign writers for forage. But as it imparts a bad taste to milk and has no great nutritive value, it should be excluded from our pastures and fields. The sole use, for which it is cultivated in the United States, is for adulterating coffee, the roasted root being the part employed. As it has not the propertiesof coffee, the practise is a base fraud, a criininal swin- dle, from which the poor especially suffer. AxD Other Forage Plaxth. 21 2. C. EXDIVA is the Endive or Garden Succory, the hlanch- i radical leaves of which are used as a salad. CHAPTER III. This family furnishes no plant of much value for forage or food of any kind. Pea NT A GO. Plantain. P. MAJOR. Greater Plantain, Way bread is diilTised nearly all over the world, following the foot-steps of man every where. It is of so little value for live stock that I would prefer not to have it in my pastures. It was long esteemed as an application (the leaves being used) to blisters, scrofulas, tumors and ulcers. Thus Shakspeare : ""Eoineo. Your Plantain leaf is excellent tor that. Ben. For what I pray '.' Bon). For your broken shin." It has recently attracted much atteiition as an antidote for the poison of snakes, the juice being taken internally and applied lo- yally. But it is probably most valuable as a forage plant for birds, the spikes of seeds being gathered for cage birds. P. EAXCEOLATA. Buckhorn Plantain, English Plantain, Rib- grass. This is eaten by all live stock. In Great Britain it is planted for sheep pasture especially. On poor lauds it may be tolerated ; but it is of too little value in our countrf to be en- couraged, except for the amusement of children, who delight in sti'iking off the short spikes or heads, called "bullies" or "sod- gers." The seeds are relished by birds. CHAPTER lY. SvMPHTTUM AsPERRiMr:\[. Prickly Comfrey. This plant^ a native of Caucasus, was brought to England in 1811 as an ornamental plant. Later it was cultivated as a forage ]>lant to a limited extent, but was not esteemed by English for- 22 Farmer's Book of Grasses iiiers. Ill Ireland it was grown more extensively and Ibund (j^uite valuable for dairy cattle. The bishop of Kildnre was es- pecially conspicuous in its culture at Glassnevin. On the Ca- rew castle farm, the experiments showed a yield of forage re- ported at 82 tons per Irish acre : — 2H^ tons in April, 'M tons in July, and 221 tons in Se])teniber. A few vears ago, Mr. Ashburner of Virginia introduced the best variety of prickly conifrey into America. From him, as soon as possible, I ol)tained I'oot cuttings and have grown it ever since. Some of the first jdants obtained remain in full vigor — all perhaps that w^ere not divided, nor permitted to seed. An analvsis of the comfrey, made by Voelcher, gave the fol- lowing results — the ])lant taken in green state and also dried at 212° F. Natural state. drv. Water, _ 90.0(] Nitrogenous, or flesh forming matters, 2.72 29.12 (containing nitrogen 4.34) Non-nitrogenous, or heat and fat pi-oducing coni]K)unds, 4.78 01.28 Mineral matter, (asii) 1.84 U).60 Water, (Jil and chlorophyl, *tSolul)le albuminous coin pounds, rlnsoluble " " Gum. mucilage and Sugai', Woody fibre (cellulose) Mineral saline matter^^ solul)le in water, Mineral nuitters insoluble in water, 100.00 100.00 a lysis of Voelclu 'r iiives: Natural state. dry. 90.(;)(i .20 2.20 1.10 11.81 1.G2 17.31 1.28 13.G5 3.30 34.43 er, ' 1.25 . 13.32 .50 ().2s 100.00 100.00 -^Containing nitrogen, 1.75 1.88 tContaining nitrogen, 2.59 2.78 Like many other forage plants, comfrey, in a green state, con- tains a verv large per cent of water. It is extremely rich in mu- cilage and contains the essentials for forming flesh and milk in abuittlance with little increase of oil or butter. Hence when milk is too rich in oil or butter to be wholesome, as often occurs in the Jersey cow, feeding comfrey would reduce the excess oi" oily matters in the milk and increase the quantity of the latter. I find it excellent for nurs it uj .soi/w, and indeed for all kinds of hogs, cattle, horses, mules etc. Pigs for slaug;htering, feci free- ly with comfrey and sweet potatoes with a little*corn or meal, furnish probably the most deliciously nice pork that can be produced by any feed whatever. Axi) Other Forage Plants. 23 Flavinti' a long taj) root, eonifivy is little affected by proloiig'etl (Irouglits. In ]stimate of the Carew castle farm crop. ()n good land the l)road leaves may attain a length of three feet and form an im- mense conical pile for each plant. Like other things of value, it requires some \vork with attention and patience ; and without these, tine would better not touch it or any other crop. From one-fourth to one acre, on every farm properly managed, cann<»t be better occupied. Comfrey can be propagated from seeds, root cuttings, crown- cuttings and stem-cuttings; — the seeds and roots being best. The seeds may be sown in autumn, winter or spring. If plant- ed early they may not appear till spring. They should be barely covered with soil. The roots may be cut in pieces an inch long and the larger ones may also be s])lit in two or more pieces and set almost any time if the ground is sufficientiy wet; — but best from Febuary first till April. I speak with a view to my own experience in latitude -'U'^. The plant is perennial and requires little cultivation after on(H' getting rooted. For large crops it must be manured whenever the yield falls off too much. The ground should be well broken and as deejdy as possil)Ie with convenience. The distance at which the cuttings or plants must be set will depend on the quality of the soil and the prep- aration. Two feet by one and a half would require 14,520 plants j.er acre; 2J by U feet, 11,000 plants; 2 by 2 feet, 10,- 81M) plants; and 2^- by 2 feet, 8,712 plants. This^'s as close as I would advise to plant ; and on very rich land I would have ihe plants three by three feet. Mr. Ashburner i^commended setting the cuttings very deep in the soil, and following his in- .structions in a heavy soil, .many of my cuttings never got out. Foui- or fiv(^ inches may do in very light soil, but in very heavy soil one inch is much l)etter. Most animals i-ecjuire some training to learn the value of" this plant and to acquire a relish fiu'it. But when they do eat, and it requires but little effort to induce them to try it, they become excessively fond of it. I have never found it necessary, as prac- tised by some persons, to confine animals to make them eat it, nor to mix it with other food. If hungry, the animal may be more readv to taste ; but even when full, thev have been indu- 24 Far:mer's Eook ov Gha8sp:,s ced to test it. With a hand fuil of leaves, go among; your ani- mals; if one will take a leaf, others from jealousy will come and try one. If this does not succeed, have with your comfrey, some other green plant that will be readily taken, only enough to giye one animal a mouthful. Others seeing the one eating jvill come and try the comfrey. A few trials will get up a lively competition for what they soon regard as a choice luxury. They may at first nibble daintily ; l)ut soon eat greedily. Poultry also may be taught to eat it with great benefit. It is a very wholesome food and very valuable medicinally in inflamations of the mouth, throat, stomach and bowels; and may be used as an external local application in wounds and other injuries that become very hot and painful. CHAPTER y. C'f^iivolvtihf.^c Family. This family embraces a number of genera and species native in the south; some ornamental, as the quamoclits or cypress vines, morning glory etc. ; others are pests as the bind weeds, tie vines and dodder or love vine; a few are medicinal ; and two or three useful for food, as the hog potato and sweet potato. Only the last will be considered in this connection. Ip()>[EA. I. BATATiTs, or Batatlls eduIjIS. Of the sweet potato there are very manv varieties, in \vhich the forms of the leaves differ very greatly. The shape and size of the tubers differ greatly al- so, as well as the color of the epidermis or skin and of the liesh. The texture and flavor of the edible part differ much too in the varieties. Some Contain apparently no sugar, others a large (juantitv. All are highly valuable as food for man and beast. Horses, cows, sheep, swnne, poultry and many wild animals are very fond of them and they are superior food for all. The pork, bacon and lard made from swine fattened on sweet potatoes are firmer, ivhiter, xweeter, fes.s dispoiD Othek Fue^ge Plants. 25' with a root cutter. Otherwise animals are liable to choke; but this is not the only or principal objection to feeding whole. There is great waste in several ways in feeding- whole large po- tatoes and that is the sort all should produce. But it is cruel to feed them whole ; for in attempting to bite off pieces the gums of the animal (even of the hog) are often badly lacerated and the blood flows freely. No animal can be benefitted under such suf- fering however fed otherwise. For milk cows, potatoes are very profitable in coml)ination with hay, grass and other foods. They improve the appetite, di- gestion and condition generally. For the horse there is no better food than sweet potatoes. In a warm climate, even in winter, I should say if a horse is to be deprived of corn or potatoes, let him have the latter. The rider or driver will soon discover that the animal has a softer smooth- er coat, a healthier skin and secretions, more life, elasticity and l)ottom than when fed on corn; that he will endure more hard- ship, render more service and last longer. For the table, we have nothing that may be prepared in a great- <^r variety of ways or that can furnish a greater number of ap- ))etising dishes than the sweet potato ; to say nothing of its many other uses in domestic arts and medicine. The ijines. As fodder, nothing can be found richer, better, or more relished by live stock. Even when thickly covered with mould, they are readily eaten by animals. They are full of rich, starchy, sugary gum and milk and consequently very diflfieult to cure — cannot be dried at ordinary temperatures. When i-eady to harvest the crop, a very large plow may be used to tear ofi'and heap the vines. These vines may be hung on fences, stumps, rails, poles or under open sheds and thus par- tially dried. Those exposed to rain or dew should be used first; and those under shelter reserved indefinitely for emergencies du- ring winter. If not convenient to gather the vines ; long before harvesting the roots, calves and colts, or a milk cow or two may be turned on the vines an hour or more daily with much benefit to the animals and little detriment to the tubers if the growth of vines be rank. Cultivation of the Sweet Potato. A variety suitable for the purpose contemplated should be se- lected. If for the table, none can surpass the old white or rather creamy yellowish yam with deeply lobed leaves and slender vines. One or two other varieties are nice for the table, for starch and other purposes. But it is for stock food that we are to consider it here. The red or Cuba yam is approved by many because it is early, attains large size, mostly rounded and yields an abundant harvest. It however, contains less nutritive matter and more 2(H Fakmek's Book of Gkasses wiiter tliaji any other variety that I have examined. Hence 1 object to it. It has so little solid matter tliat it may be cooked through in one-half or oiu'-t()urth the time requii-ed to cook some other varieties. The Bermuda is another red variety with mostly elongated lirittle tubers — very many of them breaking in harvesting and the skin slipping off easily on prsssure. Yet I prefer this to the preceding. It yields largely and is more dense than the Cuba in texture. The Shanghie has a white tuber very hard, rather insipid, sometimes with much woody fibre, few rounded, but rather in- clined to elongate indefinitely, gradually diminishing in size as the roots of a tree. It yields largely of both vines and tubers. In harvesting the tubers are broken, the milky gum probably com- bined with some resin adheres tenaceously to the skin and what- ever else it may come in contact with, and it is very difficult to scrape or wash off. The Brazilian yam, another white variety is jny preference for forage. It is not so earlv perhaps as one or two other varie- ties; but it produces ijumense crops of vines and tubers, a goo(! proportion of the latter rounded, and containing a very la?-ge quantitv of nutritious material. Tiiey grow very large too, ran- o'ing from one to fifteen pounds in weight. Sometimes one is found that cannot be put into a peck measui-e. The Soufhcrti Queen is perhaps as valuable as the preceding. HoU. The sweet yam attains greatest perfection on a rather poor sandv clay soil. The Spanish re(pnres a similar soil but richer. The other varieties named above require still richer soils wirh less sand. The more sod, straw and weeds turned into the betl and covered the better provided there be earth enough to enalde tht^ plants to take root. The crop must l)e kept free from grass and weeds. No crop is more seriously damaged by grass than the sweet potato. They re(pui'e a large, loose, deep bed, and a little earthing up about t)nce. I greatly prefer a high flat l)ed tct the sharp ridge or conical hill. With the flat bed the cultiva- tion can be managed mostly with the plow, and the plants suf- fer less from drought, than in the sharp to]>])ed ridge. AVhatever mode be adopted, there is a tendency in the vines to strike root at every joint, especially if there be frequent falls of rain. These roots form tubers and diminish the siz(^ and (piantity of those in the bed. Hence it is well, when tliis occui-s to lift the vines from the ground so as to destroy these seconda- ry roots. Harvesting After removing the vines as al)ove described or otherwise, the bed may be opened with the digger, or with any large turning plow, hands following to pick up and pile the po- tatoes turned out at each passage of the plow. After all visible are thus removed a heavv harrow mav then be run over the A>iD Other .F()i;av;e Plants. 27 gTouinl, which will hriug many bushels more to the light. IVat still miuiy will be left foreows, sheej), hogs, mules and hor.es to glean after a rain. Time to harvest . J would prefer, if 1 had the making of the seasons, to dig a day or two after a light frost to scorch the leaves and check growth. As to wet or dry condition of the ground, I find little dilference as to the keeping of the tubers. I have felt obliged to harvest when the tubers were covered with mud, sometimes the potatoes much smaller than the mass of adhering mud. They have kept perfectly sound through the entire year. It is more pleasant and rapid work to harvest when the ground is dry enough to crumble freely, but I have not found the tubers keep any better than when put away wet. A cold rain on them while iiarvestino' is danuipino;. But there is one infallible rule I think as to the time to har- \'est. Break or cut a few tubers ; if the raw surface dries and .-cabs over promptly, and the air is not too cold, the crop may be harvested at once without reference to any other indications, ft will be hard to make the tubers rot. But if the raw surfaces do not so dry, many will rot no matter wiiat course and meth- ods may be adopted to prevent it. The later the harvesting can safely be delayed tlie l)etter as some varieties grow most rapidly in the cool autumn when the nights are ehiliy. Sicefl and phinlirir/. My rule is never to plant the small, re- fuse potatoes. This soon runs down the valuable tuber. I se- lect my roots for planting while harvesting, reserving for that })urpose the largest, smoothest, most perfect tubers, and as near- ly globular as possible. In February J make a hot bed, in which I place these potatoes close together, but not touching. 'I'he bed may l>e a yard wide and long enough to produce as many plants as may be desired. If the tubers are very large, I sj)lit through the middle and place the cut surface downward. As soon as the plants are large enough in April, they should be drawn and set out, the beds being at least four feet from middle to middle, and the plants along the middle eighteen to twenty- four inches apart. Frequent drawings should be made. It is not necessary to wait for rain, "seasons." INIake a grout by mixing in a hole in the ground recent coav dung and clay with water, dip the lower part of the plant in it, set out, pack earth firmly at bottom of root without bruising, pcnir in a little water, then cover the damp surface with earth loosely and your ])lant will gnnv. Cut vines also grow very readily managed in the same way. Whether cut vines or plants, I prefer to have not more than two eyes or leaves above ground. Either grows best by being put in the ground slanting. It consumes time and makes some work to cut off all the leaves from the part to be put in the ground ; but I prefer to do it, because the earth can be so much more nicelv 28 Farmer's Book of Grasses fitted around the planter cutting. The leaves if buried rot off, leaving openings through which the plant dries up. The cut vines yield abundantly ; but I think plants make more round tubers. One accustomed to use his eyes for seeing, can distin- guish at a glance as far as he can see distinctly, a pile of pota- toes grown from plants, from another pile grown from cuttings of the small, refuse tubers generally saved for planting; the for- mer being nearer round, smoother, more symmetrical, larger, l>etter everv way. And there is about as much difference in quality as in appearance. Prodvx't. I think 200 l)ushels not a large crop per acre, and 400 not difficult to attain. Yet liow many planters never get 100 bushels per acre ? The most successful potato grower I ever knew thought 700 bushels per acre not a very extraordinary yield. The crop is easily made, the yield very large and may be fed or sold with immense profit. Yet how little attention does it receive on the cotton plantation of to-day I Saving. Drive, barely deep enough in the ground to hold, three boards so as to form a sort of rough tube, pile th(> potatoes around heaping u]) to a cone, cover with grass, corn stalks, or leaves, (pine straw is most convenient in some respects,) then with boai-ds and the last with earth from six to twelve inches in thickness, according to latitude, leaving the ventilator open, and lastlv a little above the top of all fix a cap to exclude rain. Another way is to arrange several such ventilators as de- scribed above, or any other shape, a few feet apart in a row, heap the potatoes along so as to form a long rick and (^over as above directed. Use from one end. Another way. Put in the ground three or four feet deep four posts eight or ten inches thick and projecting as high as de- sired above the ground, so arranged as to form the corners of a house. Pin or spike on to these posts thick planks or slabs in- side and out, and fill in between with earth ; cover with strong joists, floor and earth on that; put on a roof and the house is "completed and ready to receive potatoes. In this and the long rick the entrance should be at the south end ; and the earthen covering should be very thick at the north end. In very cold weather some straw or hay may be thrown over the top of the potatoes. I have been equally successful with each of these methods, having never lost potatoes but two seasons when not able to give ray personal attention to the storing. I have given much space to this subject ; but it is because its iniportanc'e demands it. We in the southern States can grow no cheaper or more profitable crop than the sweet potato. Farmer's Book of Grasses 29 CHAPTER VI. The Night Shfifle Ftunily, While this family affords many poisons and valuable medi- cines and a few nice vegetables and condiments, as red pepper, egg plant and tomato ; it gives but one of much value as food, tlie Irish Potato. SOLANFM. S. TUBEROSUM. The potato is too well known to need de- scription and its value as food for man is every where recogni- zed. It is valuable also as food for live stock. But as it should always l)e cooked for them, is more expensive to grow, less rel- ished and less profitable than the sweet potato and less certain as a crop, I can not recommend it as a food crop for livestock. CHAPTER VII. Nettle, Buchtvhetit and fine-Appfe Faniities, 1, The Netih' Family includes the Elms, Figs, Mulberries, Osage Orange, Hemps and Hops ; but no forage plant perhaps properly so called, although cattle eat with relish the foliage of some pbnts of this order. The leaves of the mulberry are quite nutritious. The Bmhmeria seems to be worthy of some attention as a forage plant. We have but one native representative of this genus ; but it is everywhere regarded as a nuisance. The B. nivea, (formerly Urtica iiivea) better known in Amer- ica by its Malayan name of Ramie, was introduced into many parts of the south some years ago as a fibre producing plant. It produces a most beautiful, strong fibre, of a transparent, glossy whiteness surpassing the finest specimens of linen. I have seen nothing in textiles more beautiful than handkerchiefs and shirts made of Ramie fibre of American growth. It is from this that the famous Chinese grass cloth is made. It is said to be supe- rior to all other materials for Brussels lace. This plant grows readily from seed and from root-cuttings and may be rapidly multiplied. It may be cut three times a year, yielding an immense quantity of fibre. It requires little culti- vation after once fairly started to grow. But being a new thing requiring a new mode of industry and special machinery for prepariag it for market, it has nearly disappeared from our countrv. 80 Farmer's Book op Grasses It yields in its broad leaves an immense quantity of foliage much relished by cattle ; and a few persons who could not other- wise utilize it, fed to their cows. I have no doubt it is very valuable as a forage plant and deserves special study as to its nu- tritive qualities. Jt is easily mowed with a machine. 2. Oi' the BuckivJieatfamily, we have several native and exotic genera and many species ; mostly noxious weeds, some ornameji- tal and but few useful. The docks are pests as also some of the smart weeds; though some of the latter are eaten by sheep. Of Fagopyruin, Buckwheat there are two cultivated species and sev- eral varieties. It is commended much as forage in some coun- tries. Three crops a year may be grown in the southern States. The seeds are good for poultry and pigs and when well cleaned, ground and pre})ared for the table, by many people much relish- ed as Buckwheat cakes. I have planted Backwheat several years at intervals. But as a forage crop, or for plowing under as a fertilizer, I tiiink we have many other plants much more profitable for the use of the southern farmer. 3. Of the Pine- Apple family , we have but one plant to mention in this connection. Tillan(l>ests, very difficult to eradicate and causing many a fine farm and garden to l)e abandoned. Hogs are fond of the bitter, rank-od(»red tubers and by rooting for them damage lands seriously. The under ground stems and fibrous roots are literally woven together in such a dense, strong fabric as to render plowing tough work and hoeing very uncom- fortable. The i)lants improve tenaceous clay lands and prevent washing. I would advise, however, to saflPer not one to grow any where. They multiply with astonishing rapidity. On clay lands infested] by them good corn crops may be made and still better cotton crops. It requires more hard work than on other lands. But after one good plowing and careful hoeing of the crop, they give very little further trouble for the season. In most other crops they are utterly intolerable. Like (juack grass, these plants grow through Irish potatoes; and not unfrequently tubers are found within potatoes. H an eye happens to stop within a potato, it seems to develop a tubei- there as readily as any where else. Many experiments and attempts have been made to destroy these Coeos. If the place occupied be small, shaving daily the surface of the ground so as to remove the preceding twenty-four hours' growth of leaf will in course of time exhaust the tubers and thus destroy the plants. For they can make no new tubers if prevented from leaf-making. On larger spaces, by obtaining early in spring a dense growth of vinesof our common field pea, I have so far destroyed it as to have little trouble with it for two or three succeeding years. I have tried other experiments with it, such as watering it with crude carbolic acid of full strength, without any apparent injury to the plant. The most satisfactory results I have had were obtained by sowing, on ground as thickly set with it as possible, red clover seed. When a full stand was not obtained at once on any part I reseeded till it was covered. In two or three years not a sprig of coco could be found ; while all the time I was having fine clover crops, worth more probably than any 32 And Other Forage Plants. other ci'op that eoukl have been grown on the same land even thongh free from the Coco. Cladium effusum is the Saw grass of marshy placea, with its saw-edged leaves working fearful damage to clothes and skin of those coming in contact with it. The principal use of the Cnrex sfricta, or tussock grass is as a footing to persons crossing boggy lands. CHAPTER IX. The Cfrftss F'aniih/, The first and oldest fiat ever uttered calling into existence any organized V)eing of which we have any knowledge or record went forth as soon as the land was born from the watery womb of the Abyss; and it runs thus : '^ Let the Earth bri7ig forth grass." — Gen., I, 11. Promptly Earth donned her emerald robe. Ge- ology confirms the record that grasses were among the earliest organized things of our terraqueous globe. And this must neinls be so, since it is written "bread is the staff of life" and declared that "All flesh is grass." The greatest earthly blessings con- ferred on men and animals are derived from a luxuriant growth of grasses; the greatest distresses and curses, from their ai^sence or destruction. This very large family or Order furnishes a greater number of useful plants than any other. And they are in many respects more valuable and more essential to the support of animal life than all others together. Besides fibres for cordage and textiles of many kinds, coal and other fuels, many other materials use- ful in many arts, sugars and syrups, they supply the bulk of foods for man and beast. As illustrating the value of this family, it may be stated that the value of the annual products of grasses in the United States is several times greater than that of the cotton crop of the whole world. Even the hay crop of the United States is worth more than the entire cotton crop of the whole world. The farmer, therefore, has a deeper, more abiding interest in this order of plants than in all othei's. For what would be the condition of man without maize, wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice and sugar cane ? What of animals without other grasses ? Yet on- ly a few of the thousands of species can be mentioned here. Leersia. 1. L, ORYZOiDES. White Grass, Cut Grass, False Rice. This beautiful native grass is found in wet, swampy places, and along the margins of ditches and streams. The stems grow XSD OTtlElt FOIIAGE Pl.AMS. 33 iVoiu t^\■o ro lour feet high, commuiily prostrate at the hase. The leaves are long and narrow, and the sheaths very rough anut as it grows in lakes and ponds even th(»ugh watei' l)e pi'etty dec[), this is impracticable. 4. r^. LENTKThAKis. Catch Fly (irass. This species having much the same liabit as the i>rec(>ding is of as little value. It is chietly interesting because Pui-sh says that he has observed it catching iiies with its pales, which in structure resend)le the leaves of the Venus' fly-trap. ZlZAM A. 1. Z. AQUATicA, Wild Rice, Indian Rice, Water Oats. This grass abounds in nuu'shes, ponds, shallow streams and on some of the floating islands (jr shaking prairies. The broad leaves are rough underneath and the stems from four to ten feet high, bear- ing a widely spreading pyramidal panicle one or two feet long, the long lower brunches of which bear the staminate l)looins, the upper erect branches bear the pistilate or fertile flowers. The cylindrical seeds, half an inch long, when ripe fall l)y a slight motion of the stems, and furnish a large quantity of food for birds and other animals. The Indians often harvest the seed for their own food, as other races may have done in some cases, this being the/o//e avoine of the early French settlers < if the Mississippi val- ley. When the anthers burst, the grains of [)ollen, being light- er than the atmosphere, float up to the stigmas ; just the reverse of what occurs in our Indian corn. This grass is relished by stock, maybe cut twice a season, and yields a large quantity of good hav. It must be cut before maturity to obtain the best re- sults. 2. Z. MiLiAdEA, Prolific Rice, grows in the same localities 34 Fakmeu's Book of Glasses as the preceding, nearly as tall ; panicles Nvith staniinate and pFs- tilate spikeiets intermixed ; leaves somciwhat glancons, smooth, witli rough edges ; grain o\al, and in great abundance. It may be used in all respects as the preceding. When the spring and summer prove dry, many of our shallow lakes dry up, leaving these and othei- water grasses growing luxuriantly. Planters for miles around mow and utilize these gratuitous harvests. Oryza. O. SATTVA, Rice, from Asia, but now cultivated in many parts i)f both hemispheres of our globe forms the principal arti- cle of food to more millions of the human race probably than any other grain. In our southern States, we have several varieties of rice^ known as white and red ; awned and beardless; upland and lowland. The larger quantity is produced on lands that may be flooded and thus kept clear of most weeds, and the ex- pense of cultivation reduced to a minimum. But on the other hand, snuill areas for home consumption and as an auxilliary crop are cultivated over a very large portion of the southern United States in highland rice. The large grained beardless white is the variety usually preferred for uplands. To rendei- cultivation easy, many farmers annually clear a "new ground" for the rice crop, as by this means the plants are less beset with grasses and Aveeds and the cultivation is lighter work, it is on- ly as food for live stock (cattle especially) that it is here noticed. The seeds mature v/hile the stems and leaves are still quite green. These last when properly cured constitute a valuable hay. The upland rice planted on new land in April matures a crop of large-sized grain of the best quality and a large quantity of hay. If the season be favorable, a second crop from the same roots of smaller growth and smaller grain may be mowed in October for hay. Both, usually thrown away, are very valual:)le and should be carefully utilizfMl. Alopecurus. 1. A. ciENioULATUS, Floating Fox-tail Grass. The culms of this grass are from G to 12, rarely 18 inches long, bearing compressed cylindrical spikes from 1 to 1^ inches long, bent, geniculate at the lower joints; leaves 3 or 4 inches long, the sheath of the upper one about as long as its leaf, which distin- o-uishes it from meadow fox-tail in which the upper sheath is more than twice the length of its leaf. It blooms from Febru- ary till May, growing in damp cultivated grounds and mead- ows, ditches, ponds and sluggish streams. It is of little Avorth. (xreen. Dried. 80.20 2.44 13.32 .52 2.92 8.59 43.12 (J. 70 33.83 1.55 7.81 And Other Forage Plants. 35 2. A. PEATENsis, Meadow Fox-tail, is larger than the preee- ding-, 2 to 3 feet high, grows with great luxuriance, and in Eng- land is regarded as holding a i)laoe \vith the hest grasses, both as green forage and as hay. AVay's Axat,ysts. AV^ater, Albuminous or flesh forming prineijiles, Fatty matters. Heat producing princi])les, starch, sugar, etc., Woody fibre, jNIineral matter or ash, 100.00 100.00 This grass resembles timothy in appearance, but the head is soft, Avhile that of timothy is rough. It grows after cuttino- much more rapidly than timothy ;ind bears grazing better though it does not attain perfection till two or tliree years old. Ji grows l)est on rich, moist or even wet soils and is one of the Uiost valuable of grasses. PlTLEI M. P. PRATENSE, Timothy. About one hundred and seventy years ago, a Mr. Herd found this grass in a swamp in Xew Hampshire. He cultivated it; oth- ers Ibllowed his example and called it Plerd's grass, by which name it is still know in New York and the New England States. It must be noted, however, that this is not the herd's grass of the other States. From the sha])e of the spike it is often called Cat's-tail grass. About the year 1720, it was brought to Mary- land by Timothy Hanson, who cultivated it so successfullv on the Hanson farm as to give it a Avidespread fame and the familiar name now generally accepted for it. Loudon claims it as a native of England. The Am. Farmer's Cyclopedia says it is "perennial, native of Britain," and in the next sentence but one says, "This is a great Amcr/caii grass, and is called timothy from Mr. Timothy Hanson, who first introdu- ced its seeds into Maryland." It may have become naturalized in America at a very early time ; but from a large amount of testimony, ^vith which these pages need not be encumbered, there is strong reason to believe that it is a native of the United States, and was taken from A'irginia to England about the year 1760. It atti-acted but little attention in England till 1824, when Sinclai]"'s Woburn Abbey experiments were made. The more elaborately accurate investigations of Prof. Way ful- ly establislied its value. Subjoined is 36 Fau.mek's Book of G^AStii Peof. Way's Analysis. Green. Dry, 57.21 4.8() 11..% 1.50 8.55 •I-l.Ho 5;3.;35 1 1 .;i2 26.40 •l:2ii 5.2.S Water, Albuminoids, b'atty matter,^. Heat produring' principles, Woody fiV)re, Ash, ■ 100.00 100.00 These cxperiuients and tmalyses haye no doubt contributed largely to the extended cidture of timothy as a hay grass. This o-rass being easily handled, the hay haying a tine appearance and subject to little waste in transportation also serye to render it a fayorite for marketing. Analyses showing further that this trrass cut when the seeds are fully ripe Cfuitains twice as much nutriment as when cut in bloom, this fact also seryes to render it more generally popular. But this yeryfact, while perhajs fully comprehended by the shrewd fai-mer, is liable to ndslead the ptirchaser. The increased nutriment is accumulated in the ripe seeds. These the farmer threshes out, ships the hard, woody stems, and sells the seeds to other farmers for more than his hay brino;s him. Or if he use such hay at home, it is so difficult to dio-est that it taxes the powers of the animal and then a large portion of the nutritiye matter is lost from the inability of th<' assimilatiye organs to appropriate it. Timothy is a yery destuetiye (U'op in one sense ; it exhausts and impoverishes the soil yery rapidly unless heavily manured. Its ruld be cut early to obtain the best adyantages from it. It succeeds best on moist bottom land, but does not bear gi'a- zing very well in any situation iii the south. But it will give as heavy mowings in the soiithern States as any where. I have, however, ceased to grow it, although on good land it will yield four tons per acre. But this quantity of timothy luiy removes from the soil six hundred povnd-'< or n ore of potash per acre. AiND Other Foeage Plants. 37 It should be sown on well prepared land in September or Oc- tober, February or March, at the rate of twelve to fifteen pounds of seed per acre, and harrowed. In the eastern States it has been more and more damaged each succeeding year by an insect killing the stems, and the same may occur in the south. It should have been stated that in mowing, timothy should be cut above the second joint as it then recovers more promdtly than when cut close to the ground. Sporobolus. S. iNDicus, Smut grass. This perennial plant from India is thoroughly naturalized and at home in our southern States. In some localities it is known as ^carpet grass.' But we have several other carpet grasses. After blooming a large proportion of the panicles become af- fected with a dark parasitic growth, which adheres to the cloth- ing of any one coming in contact with it, giving it a smutty ap- pearance ; and hence it is appropriately and more generally termed smut grass. It grows abundantly and luxuriantly on many uncultivated fields and commons, and furnishes grazing from April till frost. It thrives under much grazing and many mowings, and grows promptly after each if tlie soil be moist enough. Cattle and horses are fond of it, if frequently cut or grazed down. But if allowed to remain untouched long, they will not eat it, unless very hungry as it becomes tough and unpalatable and probably difficult to digest. It grows in clumps producing many long leaves one to three feet, and culms, the latter generally eighteen inches to two feet high, though on rich land sometimes three feet. July 27, I have just measured some 4 feet 8 inches. The long, (6 to 18 inches) slender, compact paniclsBS usually appear like spikes unless closely examined. Like other grasses, especially Bermuda, Johnson and gama grass, it must be cut early and often to make good hay. But under the most favorable circumstances it does not make a very choice hay, although containing a large quantity of nutritive principles as shown by Mr. Collier's analysis, which is here given : Proximate analysis of Sporobolus Indicus from Mississippi. Oil, 2.99 Anylaceons cellulose 27.06 Wax, .31 Alkali extract. 14.16 Sugars, 8.17 Albuminoids, 12.46 Gum and dextrin. 2.75 Ash, 6.19 Cellulose. 25.91 100.00 38 Farmer's Book of Grasses Analysis of Ash. Potassium, 12.16 Sulphuric acid, 4.60 Potassium oxide, 33.53 Phosphoric acid, 6.02 Sodium, Silicic acid, 27.36 Sodium oxide, Chlorine, 11.03 Calcium oxide, 2.64 Magnesium oxide, 2.66 100.00 Its generic name is founded on the fact that it sheds its seeds so easily ; and hence it has been called also Indian drop-seeds. Of several other species found in the southern States, none need special mention. Muhlenbergia. M. diffusa. Wire Grass, Nimble Will, Drop-seed Grass, Tliis and Bermuda grass are often mistaken for each other. But the stems of this are not so much covered by the sheaths as in the Bermuda ; the leaves are shorter and broader in proportion to length, rougher and lighter tinted than in Bermuda ; it has but one leaf to each node and joint, while Bermuda has two or three and even four ; and the culms of the latter are crowned with usually three to five digitate spikes, while the former has an appressed rather long panicle. Both are perenniaL Wire grass aifects the open woodlands ; Bermuda, open sun-exposed fields. Bu- the latter is often found in open woodlands also ; and sometimes we see its possession of the open field contested by the former with pretty equal success for years. The wire grass is more wiry, grows taller and is less nutritious, less di- gestible and 1 ess relished by stock than the Bermuda. Yet it has a very good percentage of nutritive matter as shown by Mr. Collier's Analysis of muhlenbergia diffusa. Oilj 1.39 Amylaceous cellulose, 19.81 Wax, .43 Alkali extract, 23.89 Sugars, 8.96 Albuminoids, 10.06 Gum and dextrin, 4.48 Ash, 7.61 Cellulose, 23.37 100.00 And Other Forage Plants. 39 Analysis of ash. Potassium, 6.78 Sulphuric acid, 3.39 Potassium oxide, 17.32 Phosphoric acid, 6.65 Sodium, 1.33 Silicic acid, .39.98 Sodium oxide, Chlorine, 8.21 Calcium oxide, 11.95 Magnesium oxide, 4.39 100.00 The analysis shows that those who esteem it as a butter pro- ducing grass have good reasons for their faith. Some think it also imparts a specially agreeable flavor to butter. Some say their stock are fond of it and that feeding on it in ^the range' they become sleek and fat. My own horses, mules, cows and hogs have never seemed to like it ; and although sheep eat it readily and profitably, I am obliged to confess 1 regard it on one piece of land at least as one of the worst pests I have ever had. I have mowed it from two to four feet long and made pretty good hay of it; and it is easily cured. But it is difficult to control and exterminate ; and I would prefer not to have it on my lands, occupying the place of better kinds. Another species, M. Mcx'wana, is very similar in all respects. A large area must be mowed and a huge bulk of these grasses ac- cumulated to obtain a considerable weight of hay. The several other species are of too little agricultural value to merit special notice. Cala magrostis. C. CANADENSIS, Bluc Joiut Grass, grows in bogs, reclaimed marshes and moist meado^^^s in many parts of the eastern, north- ern States and about lake Superior. The culms are from 3 to 5 feet high. On soil suited to it, its growth is rank and luxuriant and it yields an immense quantity of hay. It is greedily eaten by stock. I am not aware that this grass has ever been tried on any of the bogs or wet lands of the south. Our southern species, G. coareatata, or glaucous small reed grass is rare, grows in swamps and has attracted no attention. The C. arenaria, beach grass, mat grass, sea-sand reeds grass, of no agricultural interest directly, is yet very valuable in many parts of the world, doing what King Canute could not. Only two or three feet high, its roots 20 to 30 feet long, are full of tubers, strong, and bind the sands and hold them against the action of winds and waves and thus prevent the encroachment of the seas. It has been the subject of much legislation, municipal. State and na- tional, on both sides of the Atlantic ocean ; and much property has been saved by a judicious planting of this grass, in the east- ern States. 40 Fakmer's Book of Grasses Spartina. Marsh Grass. In the south are four species growing in brackish marshes. These, especially ^S'. pohjstackia with culms 4 to 9 feet high and leaves ^ to 1 J inches wide, furnish in spring and summer a large quantity of green forage, esteemed very valuable. But they can be grown only on limited areas and are of so doubtful util- ity that more special notice is not demanded. Agrostis. 1. A. VULGARIS, Red Top Grass. This is the bent grass of England, the herd grass of the southern States; not in honor of any man, but probably because so well adapted to the herd. It is called also line top. Burden's and Borden's grass. Varying greatly in characters according to soil, location, climate and cul- ture, some botanists have styled it A. polymorpha. It grows two to three feet high and I have mown it when four feet high. It grows well on hill tops and .sides, in ditches, gullies and marsh- es ; but delights in moist bottom land. It is not injured by overflows though somewhat prolonged. In marshy land, it pro- duces a very dense, strong net work of roots capable of sustain- ing the weight of men and animals walking over it. It furnishes considerable grazing during warm 'spells' in win- ter, and in spring and summer an abundant supply of nutrition. It has a tendency, being very hardy, to increaee in density of growth and extent of surface, and will continue indefinitely, though easily subdued by the plow. Cut before maturing seed, it makes a good hay and large quantity. It seems to grow taller in the southern States, than it does further north, and to make more and better hay and grazing. It and timothy being adapted to the same soils and maturing at the same time do well together and produce an excellent hay. But the red top will finally root out the timothy — if pastured much it will do so sooner. Sow about two bushels (24 lbs.) per acre, if alone, in Septem- ber, October, February or March ; if with timothy for hay, from 6 to 10 pounds ; if with other grasses for pasture, 3 to 5 pounds. It is an excellent pasture grass, and will grow on almost any kind of soil. 2. A. ALBA. White top, dew grass, bonnet grass, has become naturalized in some of our southern swamps. In similar local- ities we have also 3. A. perennans and 4. A. elata, (A. dispar, Mich.) The latter or southern bent grass, is stouter, has^broader leaves, and more numerous creeping roots and furnishes more grazing and hay but coarser than the true red top. It deserves the attention of those having lands adapted to it. On sterile lands now and then may be seen 5. A. scahra, hair grass, tickle And Other Forage Plaxts. 41 grass, more curious than valuable. Its large, loose, delicate j^anicles when dry, break off and sail away on the wind. It is hence called fly-away grass. G. A. ST()i>()NiFERA, var. T.ATi FOLIA, largcd leaved creeping bent grass, or Fiorin, Faureen of Ireland, has attracted much attention in that country as yielding large crops of hay, from four to seven tons per acre. Those who have marshes otherwise useless, would proliably find their profit in introducing this grass. C'VNODOX. C. DACTYLON. Bermuda Grass. This plant is called also scutch grass, dog's tooth grass, (a literal translation of Cynodon,) wire grass. Messrs. Darlington and Thurber quote Sir James Edward Smith, the botanical editor of Rees' Cyclopedia, as say- ing, in the article J'ANICU^i davtylon, that "This grass was per- ceived by Mr. Lambert to be no other tlian the Agrostis linearis of Kcenig, Retzius and Willdenow, — the Durvaof the Hindoos, — which the late Sir William Jones, in the fourth volume of the Asiatic Researches, has celebrated tor the extraordinary beauty of its flowers, audits sweetness and nutritious quality as pasture for cattle." This points to Ilindostan as the native land of Ber- muda grass. Yet Loudon, on the authority of the English Bot- anist in 36 volumes by this same Sir James Edward Smith and James Sowerby, claims that it is a native of England. Here seems to be a clash between Smith's Cyclopedia article and his Botany. lioudon's description is clearly that of Bermuda grass, or as he has it, Ci/nndon dacti/lon. In the next line he gives Cynodon linearis, as native ot the East Indies and introduced into England in 1796. His description of this plant does not at all suit Bermuda grass. He says further, Cynodon linearis, the Agrostis linearis of Kcenig, is the famous durva grass of the Hindoos, for which, see Lambert in the Linn, trans. VII, No. 22. In the Department of Agriindture, Report for 1878, Messrs. Geo. V^asey, Botanist, and Peter Collier, Chemist, state that "This grass is a native of Europe, and is abundantly naturalized in many other countries. It is said to be a common pasture grass in the West Indies." Hence I think it clearly evident that Bermuda grass is neither the sacred Durva of the Hindoos, nor a native of Hindostan, nor what Mr. Howard in his pamphlet calls "the celebrated Daub sacred grass of India." It seems ev- ident to me that Smith in the Cyclopedia article inadvertently substituted the C. linearis for C. dactylon, and hence all the er- rors about it since the .publication of Rees' Cyclopedia. Since the above was written, I read in the American Agriculturist for 1880, page 64, "Bermuda grass, or Scutch grass in our southern 42 Fak.meu's Book of Grasses States, (.i-eepiiig Dog's-tooth grass in England, Chiendent in !<' ranee, and Doob or Dnrva in the East Indies, are different eom- nion names for the grass called by botanists ih/nofhn fhu-tyloti.'^ This writer continues :— "In one respect it is the most remark- able grass within our knowledge, as one can with equal ease tind that it is the most valuable of all the grasses, and one that is to restore wori|-out southern fiekls, and bring untold blessings wherever introduced, or that on the other hand that it is a curse to the soil, and that when this once gets a footing upon a farm, the owner may as well give it up at once, as to do so at the end of a struggle in which he is sure to be worsted." One side or the other may be true as one's stand point may be ditferent from that of another. It without previous preparation of the land, one breaks it up while well set with this grass and plants his crop, he will tind it indeed an unmitigated curse in the management of his (trop. If on the other hand he needs it as a ]>asture and hay grass and renovator of the soil he will pronounce it as nearly as can be an unmixed blessing. Sixty years ago Mr. Elliott said very justly, of this grass, it is "tender, delicate, growing over and bintling the most arm and loose sands in our country, and apparently preferred by stock of all descriptions to every other grass." The last portion of this statement has been verified annually for the last thirty years on a common three miles west of Woodville, Mississippi, hundreds of animals feeding there on this grass summer and winter. This is true also of localities on the St. Catharine bottoms near Nat- chez and hundreds of other places. INIr. Elliott adds "The cultivation of this grass on the poor and extensive sand hills of our middle country would probably convert them into sheep walks of great value ; but it grows in every soil, and no grass in close, rich land is more formidable to the cultivator ; it must therefore be introduced with caution." Thousands can confirm this statement also. Yet I know farm- ers who take pains to introduce and retain it on their cultivated, 'close, rich lands.' But they keep it under sufficient subjection to interfere but little with cultivation ; and they think that by preventing the land frcnn washing and improving it otherwise, this grass more than pays for the little additional expense of cul- ture. But a poor manager or indolent planter would do well to keep it out of his cultivated fields. As a permanent pasture grass, I know no other that I consid- er so valuable as this, after having transplanted it from near the mouth of lied River to my present residence thirty-five years ago and having studied it on hundreds of other farms, commons and levees for a longer period. Under the head of Blue grass I give in a table the comparative quantities of nutri- tive matter of the two grasses, the analysis showing the Bermu- And Other Forage Plants. 43 (la to contain more than the Blue grass. Here i.^ iu more de- tail, Mr. Collier's proximate analysis of (Vuodon daetylon : From Georgia, From Alabama. Oil, 1.8«) 1.23 Wax, .36 .36 Sugars, 6.56 8.17 Gum and dextrin, 9.29 3.59 Cellulose, 24.55 23.57 Amylaceous cellulose, 27.43 29.30 Alkali extracts, 12.64 12.23 Albuminoids, 11.15 13.59 Ash, 6.16 7.96 100.00 100.00 Analysis op asfi. Potassium, Potassium oxide, Sodium, Sodium oxide. Calcium oxide, Magnesium oxide. Sulphuric acid, Phosphoric acid, Silicic acid, Chlorine, 1 Georgia. From Alabama. 6 My 9.61 22.99 22.89 .42 13.44 7.99 5.00 2.96 9.37 11.31 (>.20 5.09 30.29 30.27 6.05 9.46 100.00 100.00 As hay this grass has heeu cured and held iu high esteem by many farmers in Mississippi for more than forty years. The late Mr. Thomas Affleck of Texas, but for many years a well known planter of Mississippi, with characteristic Scotch thrift ])rom]>tly recognized the value of this grass, largely profited by it, and, as long as he lived, by mouth and pen inculcated its great worth for pasture and hay, himself nuiking five tons per acre of the latter. Dr, Ravenel by the aid of nitrate of soda ob- tained at the rate of ten tons per acre on a lot near Charleston, S. C. Many other examples could be given as to the quantity of hay cut from this grass and innumerable testimonials as to its nutritive value. Having grown this grass only on worn hill lands without fertilizers my crops have of course not been so heavy as those mentioned ; but thev have been entirely satis- 44 Farmer's Book of Grasses factory. On g-ood soil it covers the gromul densely several in- ches deep with its prostrate stems and dense leafage which is always moist even in dry weather. It does not bear dense shade, and when grown in shade is, like other plants, much less nutritions. It grows best where most exposed to the intensest heat of the snn. It bears drought better perhaps than any other of our grasses. But its under- ground roots or stems being near the surface and hogs being very fond of them in dry weather, at such times, if these ani- mals are confined to small lots of this grass, they eat every root and thus exterminate the grass. I have seen this occur more than once to my own serious detriment. As a fertilizer it is one of the best. Being always moist and, where the growlh is vigorous, studded with dew drops under- neath throughout the dryest, hottest days ; air enmeshed in large (juantity, as in the packings for ice, in its densely tangled and packed masses seems to keep the carpeted earth cool and moist in hot w^eather and warm in cold weather. Hence the continu- ous, ceaseless absorption, condensation and storage of plant food from the atmosphere in the roots, and subjacent soil. Nor is this all; perhaps not its most important influence in fertilizing tiie soil. At any rate a more remote or secondary effect, though so far as I am aware w^holly ignored, is of no little importance in arriving at its value as a fertilizer. It is well known that earth worms have the power under certain conditions of impro- ving and elevating the soil, and even making soil where there is none, by elaborating materials from the subsoil and atmos- phere and depositing on the surface the manufactured fertilizer. t have often looked with wonder and admiration at the yast amount of this kind of beneficent work performed by thCvSe little creatures in a single night. A piece of ground well coated with this grass is the paradise of these worms — rather the cheerful laboratory of these indus- trious little manufacturers of fertilizers. Many may be surpri- sed to learn that here on any pleasant night and often day, the sounds emanating from the industrial works of these pigmies may be distinctly heard. With all their might, little individal- ly it is true, but in the combination of vast numbers mighty, they are constructing soil for the intelligent farmer. Nor is this all; their bodies are made up very largely of al- buminoids, — the best plant food, — and these as the successive generations die are added to the soil. I will not stop to men- tion other benefits bestowed on the soil by other kinds of labor of this industrial hive. But I must not omit another good growing out of the presence of these worms. Such a Bermuda grass meadow^ as that described is in summer a paradise for pigs too, — not merely for the grass, the value of which all recognize, and which the pigs enjoy, but the benefit h'AK'iMJOJt's Book of Grasses 45 and enjoyment are doubled by the animal food so much craved by hogs and furnished by these worms in ample supply. The pigs literally revel among the tender grass and tender luscious worms as the human animal delights in his green peas, mutton and fat oysters in March and April. Treating this grass from an agricultural stand point I need only mention its utility in binding together and holding levees of sand and loose soil against floods of water, its preventij>g lands from ^vashing and its filling gullies, in all which its value is inestimable. Mr. Howard in his manual gives the views of Col. Lane, who states that thirty years before, he had purchased an old planta- tion cheap because infested in places with this grass. He ])er- mJtted a man to occupy thirty acres of it five or six years. The man had a cow and calf, sow and pigs, and a brood marc. He cultivated a little corn never making enough to feed his fami- ly. For the increase of live stock in this short time grown on this grass almost wholly, Col. L. offered him |1,000. To show the value of this grass as a fertilizer. Col. L., after the man left, cultivated this thirty acres of land. "The first crop, cotton, half stand, owing to the mass of undecomjxjsed sod, eigiiteen hundred pounds of seed cotton per acre. Second crop, cotton, two thousand eight hundred pounds seed cotton per acre. Third crop, corn, sixty-five bushels per acre — corn manured with cot- ton seed. Fourth crop, wheat, forty-two bushels per acre. The average product of this land without the sod, would have been not more than one hundred jiounds of seed cotton, fifteen to tv»^en- ty bushels oi corn, and eight to ten of wheat. I know of no crop that will improve land more, and certainly none that will, at the same time, give so large an income with so little labor." Mr. Howard gives ecpially strong testimony from others. And I liave seen commons set with this grass, on which hun- dreds of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep and goats were running con- stantly the year round, mowed year after year and the hay sold for two to four times as much as any cultivated crops produced at five times the cost in the vicinity on similar land could be sold for. But this grass has its disadvantages too and sometimes no doubt kills pigs and possibly other young animals. If not ficquently grazed or mowed during summer, the stems l)ecome hard, wiry, and full of indigestii)le woody fibre in the fall.. This sometimes becomes impacted in the boAvels of young animals and thus kills them. To make good pasture it must be kept well trod- den and grazed to keep it tender, digestible and nutritious and to suppress othe-r objectionable grasses and weeds ; other- wise broom grass, briers and other weeds will in a few years de- stroy it. • 4() Kakmek's Book of (Brasses 1\) make good hay and the largest yield, this grass must be mowed from three to*^ five times every summer. Thus briers, broom grass and other weeds arc also repressed and prevented from seeding, multiplying and ruining the meadow. Properly managed this grass grows from ten to fifteen inches high. It may be known from other grasses similar in appearance; when in bloom by the stem bearing at the top from three to five digitate spikes ; and at all times by having two leaves to each joint, frequently three and sometimes four ; while no other grass of like; appearance has more than one leaf to the joint. The sheaths of the alternating leaves are so close-fitting and project one beyond another in such a way that unless these are stripped off one would think there was a joint to each leaf Propaqation. This grass having but one fertile flower to each spikelet and one flower in a hundred, a thousand, or million perhaps maturing seed in this country, trying to save the min- ute seed from it would be as bootless as seeking "a grain of wheat in a bushel of chaff," or "a needle in the hay stack." I am convinced and have long insisted that it matures some seed ; and there are many facts tending to'^establish this opinion. But these seed arc so few, however, that practically they are agri- culturally as if they were not. Hence we have no means with- in our own country of propagating it except by cuttings of the underground stems and th.e su))erHcial runners. These may be prepared by taking up the sod of any conve- nient size with a thickness of about two inches of soil adhering. Turn the pieces grass side down and with a sharp spade cut rapidly through the sod two ways so as to make pieces one or tv^^o inches square. Set the pieces right side up in the intersect- ions of small shallow furrows made two feet apart each way with a coulter or narrow opener, on the previously prepared land. The soil may be adjusted to the pieces by means of the hoe or by a very light furrow from a narrow shovel. With a few light plowin^s the land will soon be fully occupied by the grass. Some pre-ler washing all the soil from the sods and then passing them through a cutting box. The pieces are then scat- tered over the prepared land and plowed in. In either plan af- ter planting, passing a roller over the ground will benefit. Destroy hi.g. 1st.,, Keep stock from it and leave it alone. Broom grass, briers, and weeds in a few years will destroy it. This plan is not good farming. 2nd., It roots two inches deep. When expecting a drought in summer, turn up the soil from a depth of two inches ; best turned edgewise and not upside down ; after a few days' drying run a toothed rotary harrow over sev- eral times in every direction. Thus most rjf the soil will be A.Ni) Othjui J^\)UA(ij'] Plants. 47 shaken froiu the roots ; these will be in little piles and may be easily forked into larger ones and burned or hauled away, to set other lands or otherwise disposed of. This also is bad practice unless the o])eration is performed late, say in August or Septem- ber and the ground immediately sown with small grain, as wheat, oats or barley ; or done early, say June, and tlie ground sown with peas broadcast before harrowing, as thus the peas would be covered by the same process Avhich clears the land of the grass roots. Tiien in October the peas should be followed by small grain — barley preferably if to be harvested, as the other grains would probably grow too tall. In the spring the barley would be harvested in time to be followed by cotton, corn or potatoes, either of which would afford an abundant har- vest. 3. A third plan is to turn the sod with two inches of earth up edgewise in the winter. A few freezes will kill most of the roots and at dry times these may be collected by the rotary har- row. Or without tlie harrowing the ground may be bedded in the spring for cotton. The grass will give little trouble and two years' neat culture in cotton will clear the land of Bermuda grass. From this it may be seen how my friends who keep this grass on their cultivated lands manage it (not allowing too clean culture) and make better crops than those who keep it off their lands. 4. Unless plenty of stock is kept on this grass from April till autumnal frosts, as intimated on another page, where Lespcdeza striata grows well, it will exterminate the Bernuida grass. Eleusine. E. INDICA, Yard Grass. This is called also crop grass, crab grass, wire grass, dog's-tooth grass and crow-foot grass. All these names applied in different localities to the same plant and in other localities to twenty other plants show the impossibility of identifying plants by their pop- ular names. The flexibility, toughness and strength of the culms well entitle it to the name of wire grass. The clumps have many long leaves and stems rising one or two feet high and many long, strong, deeply penetrating fibrous roots. It grows readily in door yards, barn yards and rich cultivated grounds, and produces an immense quantity of seeds. It is a very nutri- tious grass and good for grazing, soiling and hay. The succu- lent lower part of the stems covered with the sheaths of the leaves renders it difficult to cure well, for which several days are required. It may be cut two or three times and yields a large cfuantity of hay. 48 Farmer's Bocjk of Gi;as,sk« Mr. Collier's analyses of samples froiii throe States follows : Texas, Georgia. Alabama. Oil, Wax, Sugars, Gum and dextrin, Cellulose, Amiylaceous cellulose, Alkali extract, Albuminoids, Ash, 1.78 1.72 2.27 .38 .35 .29 11.92 13.29 8.69 6.33 5.84 4.98 31. 2U 22.38 21.53 25.46 26.37 21.97 .00 10.44 20.97 13.72 13.28 12.23 9.12 6.32 7.(yr 100.00 100.00 100.00 Analysis of ash. Potassium, Potassium oxide, Sodium, Sodium oxide, Calcium oxide. Magnesium oxide, Sulphuric acid. Phosphoric acid. Silicic acid. Chlorine, Texaij. Georgia. 9.52 7.39 10.27 24.79 1.26 10.27 13.65 4.10 7.38 4.24 5.79 2.69 9.68 47.56 24.61 10.09 6.71 Alabama. 4.55 30.98 3.55 11.10 5.57 8.55 9.84 16.25 9.61 100.00 100.00 100.00 A few planters encourage the growth of this grass on lots SDecially assigned to it and mow regularly one, two or more tons per acre per annum. Dactyloctenuim. D. egyptiacum. Crow-foot Grass. This grass very much resembles the Eieusine in general appearance and character, though not quite so nutritious and nice. The culms ascend from a creeping base, bearing, at the top, usually four spikes awn-pointed, and one or two inches long, the spikelets three- howered. The upper glume is awn-pointed and palets pointed. The flattened culm of Eieusine bears from two to many spikes two to live inches long, the lower ones scattered, spikelets six- flowered, glumes and palets pointless. Mr ."^Collier's analysis is subjoined Oil, 1.64 Amylaceous cellulo.se. 31.63 Wax, .32 Alkali extract, 16.46 Sugars, 10.96 Albuminoid.s, 9.01 Gum and dextrin, 5.60 Ash, 6.90 Cellulose. 17.48 1 OO.O'.J And Other Forage 1*lants. Analysis of ash. Potassium, Potassium oxide, Sodium, Sodium oxide, Calcium oxide, Maf^nesium oxide. 7.50 21.20 20.67 6.91 Sulphuric acid. Phosphoric acid. Silicic acid. Chlorine, 4.42 8.37 24.17 6.76 100.00 Lp:rTociiEOA. L. MUCRONATA, Feather Grass. This grass is an annual, having long, broad, rough leaves v.ith hairy sheaths, and culms two to three or more feet high, the lattcj- terminating in i>anicles one or two feet long, with many slender elongated branches, bearing the small spikclets — altogether presenting a peculiarly light feathery appearance of great beauty. It grows on cultivated lands and especially Avhere Eleusine grows well. Its growth is very rapid, although it has little root and it is easily uprooted. After its attractiveness to the eye and roughness to the touch, the next most striking property of this grass is its liglitness even in its greenest state. Although it contains a good percentage of nutritious matters, it is of little agricultural value. Its as- snrgent leaves and stems and immensely large panicles occupy ' o much space that a comparatively small number of plants would occupy an acre of land, while it has so little weight that the product of several acres of the finest growth of it would be required to produce a single ton of hay. Stock eat it with rel- ish when unmixed ; but in grazing horses reject it among other '.rrasses. Here follows Mr. Collier's Analysis of liEPTOCHLOA mucronata : Oil. 1.68 Amvlaceous cellulose, 23.69 Wax, .40 Alkali extract, 11.55 Sugars, 7.33 Albuminoids, 7.80 Gum and dextrin, 6.41 Ash, 8.98 Cellulose. 32.16 100.00 Analysis of ash. Potassium, 1.81 Sulphuric acid. 3.31 Potassium oxide, 20.21 Phosphoric acid. 6.46 Sodium, .80 Silicic acid. 55.92 Sodium oxide, Calcium oxide, Chlorine, 2.89 5.94 Magnesium oxide 2.66 100.00 BUCHLOA. B. DAC'TYLOIDES. BufFiilo Grass. Mr. S. B. Buckley ofAu&tlu, Texas, makes tlio following slateiuents about this gr:iss : ^'Tliis is one of tiie best grasses of Texas for pasturage, if not the very best ; being perennial, it affords food lor stock both summer and wiriter. Even in midwinter it presents a green covering over many hills and prairies in this vicinity. It is al- so the best grass for lawns indigenous to Texas. It is not con- fined to the State, but extends over the western plains to the liocky Mountains, as far north as Missouri, and perhaps ft.rther. It thrives on every variety of soil, growing on poor, gravelly uplands, and also in rich river bottoms, i:)ut it mostly abounds on the prairies among the mcsquit trees, scattered over their surface tliroughout a large portion .of our State, whence it is commonly called mcsquit grass in Texas. This name, however, is given to two or three other species of grass which are often as- sociated with it. On the v.-estern plains it is known by the name of buffalo grass, hence its botanic name {Buchloa.) "It seldom grows more than six or eight inches in height, in flowering stems, but its leaves are long. It also grows by sto- lons or runners, by which means it extends rapidly and soon covers the surface. 'Unlike most grasses it is dioecious, that is, it has male and female flowers on different stems ; the female flowers and seed are near the root, and seldom seen or noticed unless seai'ch is made for them. On this account its true nature was long unknown to botanists, its male flowers only having been collected. I have been told by many people in Texas that it does not bear seed. When in flower it can easily be known from every other species of mesquit by its upright staminate or sterile flowering stems, with one or two short, horizontally ex- tending branches, one or two inches long, densely crowded with yellowish brown florets. ''The Bucliloa is not difficult to eradicate, nor is it ever troublesome in cultivated fields, because it has so few seeds. No one need fear introducing it on his phmtation, either for lawns or pasturage. All kinds of stock are extremely fond of it, from vvdiich we infer that it is very sweet and nutritious. To the peo- ple of Texas it is certainly one of the most valuable grasses for pasturage, yielding as it does an abundance of food both winter and summer, nor do the droughts of summer hurt its vitality. In extreme droughts often all the grasses seem dead, but a rain will make this mesquit grass green and growing in a few hours. Even when dry, weather-beaten and seemingly dead, it is still good food for stock." Mr. H. W. Ravenei writes of this grass as follows : "This remarkable grass is found 'in the western j^rairies, from the Brit- And Otheii Fouaue Plants. 51 ish i\).s.sos.sions tlii'oughout to Missouri Territory, Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico, down to Texas and North Mexico/ and well knov\'n to herdsmen and hunters under the name of Buffalo grass. I saw it in 1869 in Texas, growing abundantly a few miles from Corpus Christi, and in the prairies near In- dianola; and it was there called '3IesHt gmss.' It was represent- ed as oneof tlioir best pasture grasses for their herds of cattle, nutritious and alwa}'s preferred by animals to any other. ^'The grass has the peculiarity (possessed by very fi-w otlier grasses) of bearing its male and female flow^ers on separate plants, (and called in botany dicBcious.) '•The male plants are the largest, growing from six to twelve inches higli, and being most conspicuous, are those most frc- ((uently seen and noticed. They grow in den.se tufts, and from these send out their shoots. "The true Illeskd grass is Bordelov/i hdrsuia, growing also in the YVcstern Prairies." The buffalo grass certaiiily should be more Avidcly cudtivated on our southern waste lands, la v/ns, and pastures. It is often confouiidcd with Ijoijteloua, Mcsquit Grass. Throe species of this grass grow in the v\^est, and are known by various names, as gramma, {not gama from which it is total- ly diifbront) mesquit, i-dth the many ways of spelling, etc. The bristly mcsquit grows abundantly in Texas in tufts from 8 to 20 inches high. It isa valual)lc grass and has been experimented with in nrany parts of the south with gratifying results. Pcr- haj)s the other two species have also been tried under the general name of ipesqiiit. But this name has been applied to a number of other gtasses and caused no little confusion. Many specimens of so called mesquit grass have been sent to me from Texas and from several other states, (the seeds having been first obtained from Texas) and in every instance it has proved to be JTofcit-s- fdvntus, velvet, or soft meadow grass. And it is this velvet <;rass, naturalized in Texas, that is generally cultivated in tlie .southern States under the name mesquit. Eatonia. L E. PENN8YLVANICA. Eaton's Grass. The Eatonias are slender, erect, tufted, ])ercnnial grasses with narrow leaves, and small, smooth, shining spikelets of pale flov/- ers in a panicle. In this species the panicle is slender, loose ; the two- or tlirce-fiowcrd spikelets ; scattered on the slender bran- ches; stems one or two feet high, flo-wcring in April and found r)2 K.-MiMKU's J>()(>K OF Ul^ASSKS in 'oorclers of woods. Cattle seem to relisli it better than othei- sjrasses growing in forests. 2. E.' OETUSATA. This diifers from the preceding in liaving a dense, spike-like panicle, v/ith two-flowered spikelets much crowded on the siiort, erect branches. These grasses are of lit- tle agricultural value. In Darby's Botany of the southern States, they are mentioned under the names Aira mollis and A. obtiisafn respectively, thus classing them with the A iKHi Met.tca. M. MUTiCA, Melic Grass. This perennial grass with stems on.e or two feet high blooms in April, growing in dry, open woods. Its three- to iive-tlow- cred spikelets, few, nodding and arranged in a loose, simple panicle. Though eaten by stock, it is of little value. The 3L dlffuHa and IT. Mnhkuhcnikm are similar and scarcely worth mentioning. Glycerta. 1. G. NERVATA, Meadow spear Grass. This is called nerved manna grass also. In the eastern States, some farmers call it fowl meadow grass. But it must be distinguished from Foa ser- otinn, every where else known as true fowl meadow grass and described on another page. It has a creeping, peren- nial root; erect stems, tvv'o or three feet high; diffuse panicle, the capillary branches at length drooping; the rachis separating into joints; spikelets rounded, purplish, five- or six-flowered, small ; leaves in two row^s like a fan. It grows naturally in wet swamps ; but will succeed on good upland soil also. Although a native, nutritious grass, it has received little at- tention in this country. Sinclair in the Woburn experiments, however, made some remarkable statements in regard to it and held it in high esteem. He stated that in February, 1814, af- ter the severe preceding winter, this grass was green and succu- lent, while out of nearly three hundred species that grew around it not one remained healthy, but all were injured and rendered inferior by the severe weather. He found also that the quantity and nutritive quality of this grass was the same or equal whether cut at the time of flower- ing or when the seed were ripe, wdiich was not the ease with any other grass tested at that time. The aftermath w^as also re- markably valuable ; for after the seed mature, it sends up large fan-like shoots which are succulent and even more nutritious than the leaves. It is certainly w^orth trying on our marshy or moist lands. It blooms in June and July. • 2. G. PALETPA. Pale Manna Grass, grows in shallow water, A.\i) OriiKU 1m)[;a«k Pi.axts. ;j.3 witii ])('n'nninl roots: (Uilius on^eping at t]\v !)ii.s(,', one to three leet lonti' , paniele erect, narrow, nearly simple ; spikelets round- ed, five- to nine-fl'nvered, half inch lono-, pale, h\aves short, sharj) })oirrtcd, j)ah' green. It is of little agricultural value from the fact that although nutritious, it cannot be niova'il or culti- \ated conveniently, growing as it does in water. '']. (I. FL[JITANS, Common Manna Grass, or Floatin/ ■ Manna (Jrass, growing in shallow water, produces culms from one to five feet long with panicle one foot long in June or -T.ii y, from the perennial, creeping roots; leaves long, broadly i'nunii-. It differs from the other species markedly in its s]:];;.( r lont- jian- i(;le and few long linear spikelets. It gro\,'S i;! cultivation on permanently moist lands, and its yield compares favorably with many other good grasses. It is cultivated in France and nitiiiy other portions of Europe. The seeds whole or ground into meal or Hour are nourishing and used in soups and broths This grass is eaten watli avidity by horses, cattle, sheep and swine, and the seeds by birds. 4. G. RIGIDA, another species indigenous also to the southern States and growing on dry soils, seems to possess little value and attract no attention. Several other species of manna grass are native in our eastern and northern States; but none (»f tli< in native or (Uiltivated in the south, except the 0. G. CANADENSIS, Rattlesnake grass sometimes found in gardens. It has a long, pyramidal, spreading panicle, with handsome, drooping spikelets ; has the general appearance of quaking grass; and is used for I)ou(juets and vases. It is of little agricultural value. POA. 1. P. PRATENSis, Kentucky Blue Grass. This is called also smooth meado^'^ grass, spear grass, and given grass, all three very appropriate, characteristic names. Blue is a misnomer for this grass. It is not blue, but 'green as grass' and tlic greenest of grasses. The P. compressa, flat-stalk- ed niead(/v,- grass, wire grass, blue grass is blue, the 'true blue' grass from w'hich the genus received its trivial name. Kentucky l)lue grass, known also in the eastern States as June grass, although esteemed in some parts of America as the best of all pasture grasses, seems not to be considerered very valua- ble among English farmers exce]>t in mixtures. It is certainly a very desirable pasture grass howev r. Its very narrow leaves, one, two or more feet long, are in such profusion and cover the ground to sucli depth with their luxuriant growth that a mere description could give no one an adequate idea of its beauty, quantity and value; that is on rich laud. On poor, sandy land it degenerates sadly as do other things uneongenially located. 54 l<\-\ i;i\ij;i;'!s JiooK of Gkassks ' Percunial and bearing cold and drought well, it furnishes grazing a large part of the year. It is specially valuable as a winter and spring grass for the south. To secure the best win- ter results, it should be allowed a good growth in early fall, so that the ends of the leaves being killed by frost afford an ample covering tor the under parts whicli continue to grow all winter and afford a good ])ite whenever reqnii-ed by sheep, cattle, hogs and horses. In prolonged summer drought it dries completely, so that if fired, it would burn off clean. But this occurs in Ken- tucky, where indeed it has seemed without fire to disappear ut- terly; yet when rain came, the bright green spears promptly re- carpeted the earth. With its underground stems and many roots it sustains the heat and drought of the southern States as well as those of Ken- tucky ; where indeed it is subjected to^severer trials of this kind than in the more southern States. In fact it bears the vicissi- tudes of our climate about as well as Bermuda grass and is near- ly as nutritious. Mr. Collier's proximate Analysis of poa pratensis : Oil, 1.82 Amylaceous eel 1 u lose, 22.53 Wax, 1.04 Alkali extract. 17.20 Sugars, 9.61 Albuminoids, . 11.54 Gum and dextrin, 3.14 Ash, 5.18 Celinlose, 27.94 100.00 Analysis of ash. 4.76 9.89 30.25 6.30 Potassium, 6.96 Sulphuric acid, Potassium oxide, 33.81 IMiosphoric acid, Sodium, Silicic acid. Sodium oxide, Ciiloriue, Calcium oxide, 4.81 Magnesium oxide, . 3.23 100.00 Blue grass grows well on hill tops, slopes, or bottom lands if not too wet and too poor. It may be sown any time from Sep- tember till April, preferably perjiaps in the latter half of Febru- ary or early in March. The best catch I ever had was sown the 20th. of March, on unbroken land, from which trash, leaves etc. had just been burned. The surface of the land should be clean- ed of trash of all kinds, smooth, even; and if recently plowed and harrowed, it should be rolled also. This last proceeding is for compacting the surface in order to prevent the seed from sinking too deep in the ground. Without harrowing or brush- ing in, many of them get in too deep to come up, even when the surface of the land has had the roller over it. The first rain af- ter seeding will put them in deep enough, as the seeds are very An J) Other Forage Plants. ;■>;■> uiinute and the spears of grass small as fine needles and there- fore unable to get out from under heavy cover. These spears ;ire so small as to l)e invisible except to close examination and in higher latitudes this condition continues through the first year. Thus some who have sown the blue grass seed, seeing the first year no grass imagine they have been cheated, plant some other crop and probably lose what close inspection would have shown to be a good catch. This, however, is not apt to occur in the southern tier of States as the growth here is more rapid. The sowing mentioned above, made on the 20th. of March, came up ]^rom]itIy and in thrc* montlis the grass Avas from six to ten in- ches liigli. One year here gives a finer growth and show than i wo in Kentucky or any other State so far north. Sown alone 20 to 26 pounds, that is two bushels, should be used ; in mixtures, four to six pounds. 2. P. ANNUA, Annual Meadov/ Grass. In many parts of the southern States this grass has become naturalized. It is a tender plant, with linear leaves three to six inches long and stems six to ten inches high, blooming in February and Manfh, and through the summer if moist. It is a beautiful grass, but so small that the yield is not large. But it is exceedingly relished by all kinds of cattle and is supposed to have a specially good effect in improving the quality of but- ter. It does not resist the effects of drought as well as other species of this genus. It is so very like blue grass (P. prafense) as to be easily mistaken for it. In some places it is called goose grass. 3. P. CEISTATA, six to ten inches high, and 4. P. FLEXUOSA, Southern spear grass, Vvath slender stems twelve to eighteen inches high, are southern species growing in dry wooded lands. They have not been tested to ascertain their agricultural value. They bloom respectively in April and May. 5. P. CO.MPRESSA. This is the Blue or Wire grass of the north. It has priority of chtim to tlie name blue grass and justly too as the leaves have a deep bluish green tint. It differs from the Kentuckey blue grass in the deeper tint of the foliage and flattened stems. The stems are decumbent at the base, the middle portion ascending and the upper erect, with panicle dense, contracted at first, but later expanding. It grows one or two feet long and is very hardy, and thrives on poor, hard, trijdden soils, sandy knolls and rocky places. It is very nutri- tious and greatly relished by all kinds of cattle. Cows fed on it produce very rich milk and finely-flavored butter. Its thick rich turf renders it specially agreeable to sheep and deer and it imparts a delicate flavor to their flesh. Its stems retain the deep bluish green color after maturing the seeds. Shrinking less than most other grasses in drying, it makes a very heavy hay in proportion to bulk. Both in Eng- F)C) Farmer's Book ov Ghasses land aiu! our mn'thcrn States it is veiy liighly csteeined as a pasture grass. It is found uaturaliz<'d or native in nearly ;dl the southern States. In cultivated lands it is diflieult to eradicate ; and how to de- strov it has caused more discussion at the north., than how t(. eradi(?ate coco and Bermuda grasses at tlie south. B. P. TEiviALis, Rough-stalked Meadow Grass. This also much resembles the Kentucky blue grass. But it H'.av be readilv distinguished by noting that it has rough sheaths, with long, pointed ligules, the marginal ribs of the five-ribbed outer palet not hairy, and the roots fibrous, in blue grass, the sheaths are smooth, ligules obtuse, marginal ribs of outer pali't hairv, and roots (n-ee]>ing. The stems ai'etvvo ov three feet higli. According to Way's analysis, it contains, albuminoids, 9. SO; fairy matters, 3.H7 ; hent producing principles, 40.17; v»m leaves short, radical leaves nearly as long as the stems, is found in rocky, hilly woodlands. 1). P. ALSODES, Wood Spear Grass, with narrow, acute leaves, the upper (Hies often sheathing the lower part of the panicle, the slender branches of which are generally in threes or fours, is found in hilly woods flowering in April or May. 10. P. DEBiLis, \¥eak Meadow Grass, is perennial, gro wing- in rocky woodlands, flowering in April and May, with panicle small, loose, few flowered, and branches slender, flexuous, in pairs o rtriplets. And Other Forage Plants. 57 11. P. sYLVESTRis, Sylvan Meadow or Spear Grass, has a %t, erect stem and short pyramidal panicle with numerous branches in fives or more. It is a light, tender grass and found in rocky woods. All these last named grasses grow so scattering as to be of little value, A few other species of Poa are found in our northern States, of no value there and not worth introducing any where, except the following one : 1 2. P. SEROTiNA, Fowl Meadow Grass. This grass belongs to the same genus that the Kentucky blue grass does. Being taller, (culms 2 to 3 feet) it is spec- ially adapted to moist or even wet lands. It makes a large quantity of excellent hay ; but it has not been sufficiently culti- vated in in the southern States, so far as I am aware, to know how long a meadow set with it may remain profitable. It is however, worthy of extended trial ; and that its comparative nutritive value may be knov;n, Mr. Collier's analysis is annexed : AnATA'«IS of poa SEROTINA. Oil, 1.95 Amylaceous cellulose. 25.24 ^¥ax, 1.53 Alkali extract. 15.19 Sugars, 9.33 Albuminoids, 8.91 GuiU' and dextrin. 7.49 Ash. 7.47 Cellulose. 25.62 100.00 Analysis of ash. Potassium, 2..79 Sulphuric acid. 3.35 Potassium oxide, 31.71 Phosphoric acid. 10.80 Sodium, .83 Silicic acid, 37.10 Sodium oxide. Calcium oxide, Chlorine, 3 80 6.70 tJt^JXj Magnesium oxide, 2.92 100.00 In portions of the western States this grass has for some years been very highly recommended. In the eastern States it has been cultivated for 150 years or longer and valued highly. Jared Eliot in 1749, spoke of it as growing tall and thick, ma- king a more soft and jjliable hay than timothy and better adapted for pressing and shipping for use of horses on ship- board. He says it makes a thick, abundant growth on land more moist than is adapted to common upland grasses and may be mowed any time from July to October, as it never becomes so coarse and hard but the stalk is sweet and tender and eaten without waste. It is a nutritious grass and easily made into valuable hay. It is superior to other grasses in its property of remainino- tender and ffood for so lono- a time after first bloom- 58 FARiMi^u's Book of Grasses ing. As it constantly sends np flowering stems from the joints, the lattermath contains more nntrition than the first crop at the time of blooming. Tlie morel see and know of its growth in the southern States the more am I ])leased with it„ Tricuspts. T. SEST.EROiDES, Tall rcd-top Grass. This is a perennial grass with long rigid leaves and culms, from three to five feet high, crowned with large diffuse panicles. The scatterered, pedieeled, purple spikeiets give the grass a fine appearance. It grows on dry, sterile soils. Although not very nutritious nor desirable in cultivation, yet where it grows nat- urally and one has nothing better, it may be worth cutting and curing for feeding cattle in conjunction with concentrated food in Avinter. Its comparative value will be seen from IMr. Col- lier's sul)joined analysis : AnAEVSTS of TRK'USPTS sesleroides. Oil, 1.81 Amylaceous cellulose, 26.45 Wax, .24 Alkali extract, 12.63 Sugars, 6.98 Albuminoids, 6.32 Gum and dextrin, 3.16 Ash, 4.55 Cellulose. 37.86 100.00 Analysis of ash. Potassium, Potassium oxide. Sodium, Sodium oxide. Calcium oxide, Magnesium oxide, 8.13 ^8.49 2.32 .53 Sulphuric acid, Phosphoric acid, Silicic acid, Chlorine, 4.04 1 .58 37.52 • 7.39 100.00 Eragrostis. E. reptans, Creeping Meadow Grass, is a beatiful annual, with long creeping roots, stems six to eighteen inches high, pan- icles one or two inches long, spikeiets ten- to tiiirty-ilowered, leaves nearly awl-shaped one or two inches long, flowers in Ju- ly, whole plant pale green, and found in low^ sandy places, gravelly banks of streams, fence corners and open pastures. It is relished by cattle, but not of much value in agriculture. 2. E. PO^oiDES, Strong-scented Meadow Grass, is handsome also. The variety E. megastachia, Pungent Meadow Grass is very pretty, but emits a disagreeable odor. The stems are pros- trate, geniculate at the base, ascending ; panicles contracted ob- AiN'i) Ot!ip:r FuiiAGE Plants. 59 long, or later pyramidal spreading ; spikelets oblong or later linear, three to five lines long, ten to thirty flowered, often lead colored; leaves linear; sheaths smooth ; flowers in July and Au- gust ; found in waste or cultivated lands. Stock do not relish it. 3. E. PiLOSA, Slender Meadow Grass, is a pretty annual, six to twelve inches high, with loose pyramidal panicle ; spikelets five- to twelve-flowered, of purplish lead color. It is found in sandy gravelly barrens and old fields, aifording some accepta- ble, nutritious food for cattle. 4. E. PURSHii, Southern Spear Grass, has stems six to twelve inches long, slender, geniculate near the base, ascending; pani- cle three to six inches long, loose, widely spreading, the lower i)ranches whorled ; spikelets five- to ten-flowered, pale or pur- j)le ; l)Iooms from June to September. It is found in cultivated grounds and waste lands, and is of little value for stock. 5. E. coNFEPtTA, with stems two or three feet high and pan- icles one or two feet long, whitish, found on river banks, bloom- ing in xlugust and September. 6. E. TENUIS, Branching Spear Grass, with ])anicle one to two and a half feet long and spreading branches; leaves one to two feet long ; flowering from August till frost and found on riv^er banks and rich sandy soils. 7. E. CAPiLLARis, Hair-panicled Meadow Grass, with loose, delicate, widely expanding })anicle, one or two feet long ; spike- lets very small, mostly purple, on long diverging capillary ped- icels ; flov/ering in August and September ; and found in sandy, dry, waste places. 8. E. PECTiNACEA, Mcadow Comb Grass, with panicle one to one foot and a half long, widely diffuse, or the branches finally reflexed ; spikelets purple, flat ; flowering in August and September ; and growing on dry, sterile soils ; the dry panicles wafted about by the winds ; and 9. E. XITIDA, Shining Eragrostis, growing along the coast with ])anicles one and a half to three feet long ; blooming in Au- gust and September ; the leaves and sheaths shining ; — are all of little agricultural value. Some of the species of this genus are beautiful in bouquets and vases ; and for those uses they have been cultivated in lawns and gardens. That etymology may be correct which derives Eragrostis from Eros (of vvdiom the unfortunate Er of Genesis may be the original,) and there- fi)re calls it Love Grass. Though it may be named from era, earth, from some of the species having stems partly prostrate on the earth. Dactyeis. D. glomerata. Orchard Grass, Kough Cock's-foot. Leaves broadly linear, very long, rough, bluish green ; pani- cle with few scattered branches below, more dense at top ; spike- ()0 1*' A liJM )■:(;'« J:U)()K OF Gkashes lets iiboiit tiiree- or fonr-ilo\vorccl, in densely crowded^ oiie-.sided clusters; both glumes and lower palet awn-pointed; stamens three ; seed oblong, acute, free ; roots perennial, fibrous, long, penetrating tiie soil deeply ; stem three feet high and on good soil often five feet; flowering in the southern States from the last of April till July first, according to latitude, character of season and treatment. Of all grasses, this is one of the most widely diffused, grow- ing in Africa, Asia, every country of Europe and all our States. It" is more highly esteemed and commended than any other orass, by a larger number of farmers in most countries — a most deciided proof of its great value and wonderful adaptations to many soils, climates and treatments. Yet, strange to say, though growing in England for many centuries, it was not appreciated in that country till carried there from Virginia in 17(54. But, as in the case of timothy, soon after its introduction from Amer- ica it came into high favor among farmers and still retains its hold on their estim.ationas a grazing and hay crop. Nor is this strange when its many advantages and points of excellence are considered. It will grow well on any soil con- taining sufficient clay and not holding too much water. If the land be too tenaceous, drainage will remedy the soil ; if worn out, a top dressing of stable manure will give it a good send off and it will furnish several good mowings the first year. It o-rows well between 29° and 4S° latitude. It maybe mowed from two to four times a year according to latitude, season and treatment; yielding frojn one to three tons of excellent hay per acre on poor to medium land. In grazing and as hay most an- imals select it in preference among mixtures with other grasses. In lower latitudes it furnishes good winter grazing, as well as for spring, summer|aud fall. After grazing or mo^ying, few grasses grow so rapidly, (three or six inches per week), and are so soon ready again for tooth or blade. It is easily cured and handled. It is readily seeded and catches with certainty. Its long, deeply penetrating, fibrous roots enable it to sustain it- self and grow vigorously during dr(nights, that dry up other o-rasses, except tall oat grass, which has similar roots and char- acters. It grows well in open lands and in forests of large trees, the under brush being all cleared off, I have had it grow lux- uriantly even in beech woods where the roots are superficial, in the crotches of roots and close to the trunks of trees. The hay is of high quality, and the young grass contains a larger per cent of nutritive digestible matter than any other grass. It thrives well without renewal on the same ground for thirty-five, nay forty years ; how much longer I am not able to say. It is easi- ly exterminated when the land is desired for other crops. Is there any other grass for which so much can be said .~ And Othf.u Forage Plants. 61 I know 'out one act.ylis4 ijlomei-Mta, Tril'oiium pratense, Phleum pratense, Poa pratense, H'auimek ,S 1 )» X ►] C OK iHAS.SK^ When cut. wciglit Weight JSTuti-itiw groen. dry. matt'T. In ilov/er, r,l,04(i 17,Mi6 3.91-S Tall fescue grass. i,s,;i7() 8,269 l,0i!4 Hard fescue grass. ti i;j,i)l-: 0,4C5 957 Meadow fese\ie srasp. " iti,;«5 7,140 7(j."> «piked I'oscue grass. " l»,0:-,7 G,(J81 1,191 Meadow soft grass. In seed, 27,225 !i,52s 2,2:« Sweet M. soft grass. 2ti,n4-l 18,272 l,4r.l Orchard grass. 4i),0!'o 12,2 1 1,914 Red Ciover. rinciples, starch, sugar, gum etc.j Woody fibre, Mineral matter or ash. contains accordinp- to a:reen. 69.33 3.70 1.02 dried 12.10 3.34 12.46 11.83 1.66 40.43 38.71 5.42 100.00 100.00 And Other Foi:A(ij: Plants. Ho This gi'iiss, though luuch smaller than the two preceding, is also perennial, green through winter, withstands summer droughts, thrives ou various soils, grows a foot or two high, and is a good pasture grass. 4. F. RT'BRA, Red Fescue, one of the largest of the genus, is probably only a variety of the precediug; and though grow- ing naturally on sandy and dry soils is said to be a better grass than some of the other species. o. F. oviNA, Sheep's Fescue is also regarded by some as a smaller variety of the Hard, and grows from 6 to 12 inches high with many very uarrow radical leaves and tufts of perennial roots. This also is a good jiasture grass specially for sheej>, and on dry sandy lands. <). F. TENELT.A, Small Fescue gnnvs on dry, sandy soil from ■- to ]'l inches high and is of little value. 7. F. >[VURU.s, grows on the same soil as the preceding (i to 1 '2 inches high and is about equally valuable. 8. F. T;()LiAr'F:A, Spiked Fescue, Darnel F'escue, like tall fes- cue, to which it is closely allied, matures few seeds. In appear- ance it resembles rye grass, to which, Loudon says, "it is con- sidered superior either for hay or permanent pasture, and it im- proves in proportion to its age, which is the reverse of what takes place with the rye grass." On rich, moist meadow it is a good pasture grass. 9. F. NUTANS, Nodding Fescue grows two to four feet high in rich as well as rocky woods and banks, with a one-sided pan- icle nodding when ripe. This and some others of this genus are well suited for woods pastures, where they could be mixed with Kentucky blue grass, tall oat grass, Terrell grass etc. In some localities in the southern States, meadow fescue is now begin- ning very im])roperlv to be called English blue grass. Bromus. 1. B. rN[(ji,oiDEs, Rescue grass. This grass is called also, B. schraderi, B. willdenowii, CERATOOHLOA UNKH/JIDES, and FESTUCA UNIOLOIDES. It is an annual winter grass. It varies in the time of starting growth. I have seen it ready for mowing the first of October and furnish frequent cuttings till April. Again ; it may not start betore January, nor be ready to cut till February. This depends up- on the moisture and depression of temperature of the fall, the seeds gei-minating only at a low temperature. When once start- ed, its growth after the successive cuttings or grazings is very rapid. It is tender, very sweet and stock eat it greedily. It makes also a good hay. It produces ou immense quantity of leaves. On loose soil some of it may be pulled up by animals grazino' it. {)(■) i< AKMKii's iiuUK OP' (jKAS^KS The «iuantity of sugar and oil it contains, as shown by the fol- lowing analysis of Mr. Collier, specially commends it for win- ter feeding. Amylaceous cellulose, '23.74 Alkali extract, 13.13 Albuminoids, 12.45 Ash, 7.7Ut)K oK (TKAhSEii Hmola. 1. V. LATiFor.iA, Wild Fe«('ue (Irass, Broad-lfiivcd Spikt-d (xrass. This beautiful grass is found on the banks of streams. The culms, two or three feet high, bear loose drooping j)anicles, with large, broad, flat compressed spikelets often to fifteen .flowers. It blooms from May till August. It is perennial and in some localities is sufficiently abundant to be cut for hay. I have seen it cultivated in but one place ; with what residt I am not informed. As it was sown on poor hills, it certainly could not yield much hay. And on lands where it might be profita- ble to cultivate it, many other grasses would be more pi-olitabh'. A local name for it in Mississippi is, 1 believe, 'wild oats.' Mr. Collier's Analysis of iiniot.a [.atikoija. i)\\^ j ., ,^.y Amylaceous cellulose, 10. 2^ Wax, ^ o.-o Alkali extract, 14.40 Sugars, 6.78 Albuminoids, 11.29 Gum and dextrin, 4.02 A.sh, 11.38 Cellulose, ;58.(j7 A>'ALYsrs OF ash. lOO.OO Potassium, 0.19 Sulphuric acid. 2.62 Potassium oxide, 5.52 Chlorine, 4.71 Magnesium oxide. 3.02 Silica, 66.87 Calcium oxide, 7.15 Phosphoric acid, 4.92 100.00 A clump of this native grass set in the flower garden would be much more attractive than hundreds of other plants iinj)orted and sold at high prices. 2. U. PANicuLATA, Spike (irass, growing from two to eight feet high among the sands along the coast, has, like the prece- diiig, long-pedicel led, drooping s]>ikelets. It is a pretty but worthless plant for forage, :">. U. graciIjIS, Slender Spike Grass, found in rich, damj) soils, with slender stems two to four feet long, flowering in -lulv and August ; and 4. U. NiTiDA, Shining Spike Grass, found in swamps, with slender stems one or two feet high, have stemless or nearly ses- sile spikelets and are of little feeding value apparently, Phragmites. P. COMMUNIS, Common Reed Grass. This is one of the largest grasses in the United States, grow- ing from five to twelve feet high with numerous leaves one or And Other Forage Plants. 69 two iuohes wide. The steniis (lying down in the liill, tlie peren- nial roots send uj) in the spring a large growth of stems and leaves. These while tender, the cattle eat, but quit as the plants beeome harder ; leaving them to perfect their large ter- minal panicles and load them with the large seeds for feeding the winter swarms of geese, ducks and other birds. This grass is found in swamps, along marshy streams and bor- ders of ponds. It is found in both hemispheres. In Great Britain it is used for thatch, and is preferred to sla,te ; being warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It might be used for the same purpose in this country ; but owing to diiference of climatic inHuences, it would not probably last here as in Eng- land tor eighty years. Arundtxatiia. 1. A. (JKiANTEA, or MACROSPERMA. I^argc Cane. This largest of our grasses has a hard, woody stem from one half to three inches in diameter, and ten to forty feet high, erect rounded, tapering from near the base, jointed every eight to twelve inches for one half the length or more, then joints be- coming shorter and smaller to the top ; leaves one to two inches wide, ])ersistent, on elustered spreading branches, which also arc jointed and appear the second year. On rich land, in the spring, the yoimg stems shoot u}) full size, ten or twenty feet high and ai-e crisp as asparagus ; and by some persons as much relished. The stems would probably make nice pickles also and various kinds of preserves by adding suitable flavors to the syrup. Hogs, cattle and other animals are fond of the young plants and seeds. Turkies and other birds and many other animals fat- ten on the seeds where abnndaiit. The age at which this large cane blooms has not been definitely decided. It probably va- ries with the latitude, soil and surroundings, from ten to thirty years. When the seeds mature the cane dies. Grazing animals feed greedily on the leaves in winter, and find protection from the driving rains and piercing ^^nnds uiAler the dense roof of the cane-brake or thicket. The stems are used for fishing rods, scaffolds for drying cotton, with the joints punched out for blow- guns and water pipes, pieces for pipe-stems and pipes, and splits for baskets, mats and other purposes. 2. A. TECTA, Small Cane. Some hold that this is the switch cane and that it is a seedling of the preceding. Its habits are different, however, from those of the large cane. It Idooms sometimes two or more consecutive years without dying down to the root. Live stock like it as well as the large cane. Botli grow best on rich lands, hills or bottoms ; but they will grow on thin clay soil, improve it and, if protected from stock rapid- Iv extend bv sendino- out lone roots with Imds. 7(.) FAKiMER's Book oi' (^ijas.sks Triticum. T. vuLGARi], Wheat. This is little used for grazing, or hay. The straw, however, is used for foddering stock and contains 2 per cent albuminoids, 30.2 carbohydrates and 1.5 fat. The chaff contains of albumin- oids 4.5, carbohydrates 33.2, fat 1.4. Wheat straw, therefore, contains considerable nourishment ; but less than oat straw. All know the value of wheat bran, shorts etc., as stock feed. For a number of years I sowed wheat for winter pasture with mode- rately remunerative i-esults. For that purpose, I found oats, rye and barley better. Bread grains as such do not come in the plan of this work, and I therefore add in this connection only that the wheats used for human foods are annuals. Many per- sons believe thai pigs are killed by grazing on wheat. 2. T. EEPENS, Couch, Quitch, Twitch, Chandler, Dog Grass and many other names. This is perennial with stem two or two and a half feet high, so much like wheat as to be called al- so wheat grass. Cattle eat it heartily when green ; and cut ear- ly it makes a good hay. But it fills the ground with roots, is as difficult to cultivate amongst and exterminate as coco or nut grass ; and hogs are as fond of, and root up the ground as indus- triously to obtain the roots. Cows and horses also are fond of them. It should be destroyed as soon as found in cultivated grounds, but it is very valuable in permanent pastures. 3. T. CANINUM, Bearded Wheat Grass, of our northern States is comparatively harmless and not likely to trouble southern farmers. And 4. T. COMPOSITUM, Egyptian Wheat, is only a cultivated garden curiosity. Secale. 5. CEREALE, Rye. Of the four prominent species of rye, this is the only one cultivated in this country. It occupies a place intermediate between barley and wheat ; and it is not al- ways readily distinguished by the inexperienced from them, es- pecially from wheat. But the barley spikelet has but one per- fect flower, that of rye two, and that of w^heat three or more : and there are other differences. Rye has a long, slender stem, bearing a terminal, erect long-bearded spike from two to four inches long. Two varieties of rye have been produced by cultivation, win- ter and spring rye. The former may be be planted in fall or spring, indeed in almost any month of the year. It may be planted in late corn and plowed in laying by the corn ; or it may be sown iu cotton and plowed in the last working, thus cheaply AxDOriiKfi Forage ri.A.NTS. 71 preparing winter and spring pasture ; or the ground may be prepared as for wheat, or oats, the rye planted from August to Der-ember, But as it is sown in the south ahiiost exclusively for winter pasture, the earlier it can be put in the better, provi- ded it is not so early as to joint before it can be pastured. A bushel and a half per acre should give a good catch : if planted early and the ground in good cfnidition a bushel may do. It grows well on any good, well drained soil, but requires less clay and moisture than wheat or barley, and more sand and pot- ash. My objections to it as a grazing plant are stated in treat- ing of barley. Rye yields a light crop of grain but it is very nutritious. The straw is hard and almost worthless for fodder. But it is worth ten or fifteen dollars a ton to the manufacturers of hats, bonnets, paper, mats and many other articles. To be very val- uable, however, for most manufactures, a special machine, in- vented for the purpose, must be used in threshing it so as to keep the straw straight and unbroken. In Europe, rye and wheat are often sown together, producing the mixture called ineslin, from which the most wholesome of all oreads is made. Rye may be grown longer on the same land than most other crops. \Mien seeding, if the season be wet, it is very liable to a fun- goid disease, producing what is called ergot, the grain assu- ming somewhat the shape of a cock's spur and hence called spur- red rye. These spurs are filled with a dark mass having the odor of spoiled fish. It is very dangerous to people and ani- mals eating it, causing gangrene and death. Yet it contains several valuable medicinal principles ; by the use of which, separated from the poisonous elements, many valuable lives are daily saved. HORDEUM. 1. H. PEATENSE, Wild Barley, Squirrel-tail Grass. Only a fcM- years ago, I noticed an occasional specimen of this plant in several parts of Mississippi. Next year many acres were densely covered with it. It appears in the latter part of winter and spring, growdng from six to ten inches high, sometimes eighteen, with few leaves. Cured for hay it contains according to Knop : water 14.3, albuminoids 9.6, carbohydrates 42.0 and fat 2.0; a fair quantity of nutritive matter. But the plant is so small and light as to be unworthy of attention as a cultivated crop. Stock relish it. 2. H. PUSILLUM, Barley Grass also is small, growing six to twelve inches high. Cattle relish this grass and it is nutritious ; but the product is too small to justify cultivation. 3. H. JUBATUM, another Squirrel-tail Grass, widely diffused throug-h our northern States in marshes and moist sands near 72 Fak.mkk's Book ok Grasses seas and lakes, and in moist prairies, has not yet found its way to the more southern States. These three i>'rassesall look mueh like the cultivated barley. 4. H. VULGARE, Common I)arley, is one of the first .ti:rains used for human food, beina; mentioned in the oldest records ex- tant. It adapts itself withi wonderful facility to' all climates, maturing' ecjually in the heat of the torrid, and cold of the friti'- id zones? It is to be treated here only as a forage plant, and two varieties only need be mentioned. The common six-rowed varietv is largelv planted in this country, both in the latter jKirl of summer, early fall and spring. Originally a spring bar- lev, it became inured to winter. The rows are not perfectly regular, the alternate rows being less prominent. This, howev- er, is not what is called the true winter l)arley, square barley, or Hordenm hexadichmn. The common barley produces more grain, but the grains are not quite so large as those of the Two- rowed barley, Hordevm disfiehim. The difference in the yield of the two, however, is not very great, and both may ho sown in our more southern States either in fall or spring. There is no four-row-ed barley as sometimes stated and as mio-ht be supposed by not examining carefully. The ear or head of barley is what "is called a spike. At each joint of the spike are three spikelets, each with a fertile flower, in the com- mon barley. As these triple s])ikelets alternate, when the seeds mature, the head becomes rounded and there appear six, more or less pefect, rows of grain. In the two-rowed kind, only one spikelet at each joint of the rachis has a perfect flower; the other two spikelets being reduced to sterile rudiments. The spike is longer, however, and the grain having more room is a little larger than the six-rowed kind. I have planted barley almost solely for winter pasture, the o-rain being a secondary consideration ; and I cannot say that any thing has given me more satisfaction. I have tried it re- peatedly," in the same fields and under all the same conditions as nearly as possible, with all the other small grains; and it inva- riably gave far better results. I think that on my lands one acre of barley affords as much green food during the winter as the eombinecl product of one acre each of wheat, oats and rye. When grazed down, it grows again very soou, so that it may be orazed two or three times to once with the others. It makes larger and more dense foliage and is greatly preferred by ani- mals to the others. I think the l)arley decidedly more whole- some also than the others. This is not due probably to the chemical composition of the barley, but to its being cleaner. The foliage stands up and hence does not become so bespattered with clay, sand and other injurious matters as that of other small grains. With the latter much filth is eaten, especially witli rye. The leaf of this liek so closely on the ground, that in And Otheii FoiiAGE Plants. 78 grazing it, animals receive so much sand and other dirt that their teeth and stomachs are damaged many times and the nu- tritive function seriously obstructed. Barley seems not to be damaged, but rather benefitted by winter grazing ; and with me it has never shown any sign of rust or other diseases, while all the other grains around it have been utterly destroyed by rust. Possibly ray lands may be specially adapted to it. , Preferably I plant in September ; but everything favoring, a few days earlier would not be objectionable. The quantity of seed per acre should be two and a half or three bushels. It suc- ceeds well on almost any well drained land that has not been exhausted. On good land the crop should be forty to sixty bushels of seed per acre. The proportions of nutritive iirinciples in barley straw are as nearly identical with those in wheat straw, as would probably be found in two samples of the latter taken from the same mow. Now 100 pounds of barley, clean grain, contains twelve ounces more nutritive matter than 100 of clean corn. But the nutri- tive matters are differently proportioned and combined in the two kinds of grain. The barley T think more wholesome for an- imals, especially growing animals. Arab horses in their native country are fed almost wholly on barley. Many pages might be quoted to show how highly it is prized in foreign countries as a forage plant and the most gratifying results from its use in that way. I think it has given as good results in this country whenever tried. I prefer it to corn not only for young stock, but for working animals, especially in warm weather. When harvesting barley, a portion should be left standing in the field for the hogs. It carries them through the hot months in most admirable condition. It is, indeed, a most wholesome food for them at all times, and the flesh of pigs fed with it has a peculiar tenderness, delicacy and sweetness, that induce the con- noisseur to pay an extra price for it. It is said that barley-fed meat increases also in bulk when boiled. But because barley is used for raising bread and beer, it must not be supposed to have the same effect on boiling meat. The improvement must be made in the live meat. Barley is a good food for all farm stock, including poultry ; l)ut specially as part feed for milk cows. It can be grown cheaper than corn, heavier crops are made per acre, the crop is less liable to p,ccidents in growth, and when harvested worth more for home consumption or as a money crop. But it requires nice care in harvesting. It should be cut as soon as fully ripe, tied in small bundles and dried thor- oughly and as soon as practicable. The long beards and abun- dant chaff catch and hold much water from dew and rains and thus the grain is very liable to be injured. It should be thresh- 74 i' AiiiMKK's Book of Grasses 0(1 as soon as may be, spread in airy rooms and frequently stir- red till fully dry. In threshing the machine should be run slow and the pins not so close as for wheat. This is to avoid breakino- off the 2:erm, (which is very easily done,) as this would render the grain worthless either for seed or for brewing. It is altogether safer for these purposes to thresh by hand. Seed wheat also should be threshed by hand as the machine breaks a large per centagc of the grains, destroying the germs. Elymus. 1. F. viRGiNicus, Wild Rye, Terrell Grass, Virginia Lyme Grass. This perennial grass is a native of the southern States. As all farm stock except hogs are fond of it and it is green through the winter and spring, it has been destroyed when grazing ani- mals have access to it at all times. It is, however, found in many of our States along the banks of wooded streams, of ditch- es and in fence corners, among briers and thickets. . It is read- ily propagated by sowing the seed, (two bushels per acre,) or by separating and setting out the plants from November till April. It will grow on thin clay, gravelly, or sandy soil; but much better on rich lands — hills, bottoms or alluvials — dry or rather moist on a great variety of soils ; in open or wooded land, and will thrive ten, twenty or more years on the same land. It o-rows two to four feet high and matures seeds in July and Au- gust, the spikes being erect, rigid, dense, three inches long. 2. E. STRiATUS, Dennett Grass, Slender Hairy Lyme Grass. This also is perennial and a native of the southern States. Every thing said of the preceding applies with equal force to this except the spikes of this are three to seven inches long and often slightly nodding. In the eastern States it is small and of little value. But in the extreme south it is larger and more valuable. During the last month I have found it in seed in its native haunts in many localities — nowhere less than three or four feet high. Cultivation improves both this and the prece- ding so that they sometimes grow five feet high. The spike of the Dennett grass is raised by its long peduncle far above the sheath of the upper leaf, while the spike of the Terrell grass is partly included in the upper sheath. The latter is the better of the two. They may be grazed or mown repeatedly during spring and ear- ly summer, and grow rapidly after each mowing. Where culti- vated if not mowed or grazed, they bloom and mature seed ear- lier, than in the wild state. Many acres have been planted in the last few years ; generally those who have tried a little have been encouraged to extend it to a few acres and some to many acres. And Othjou Ii'ujkage Plants. 75 As hay it is rather hard unless cut while young. It should be cut as soon as the blooms appear or earlier. It would be preferable to have these grasses for grazing or green soiling, and to sow better grasses for hay. By setting the plants in the spring two feet each way on pre- pared land and cultivating ; in the fall, the seed that drop and germinate and the tillers will cover the ground with a good winter pasture. If it shows any sign of exhaustion manure and scarify, or plow solid in fall or winter and harrow. It will soon be in full growth. 3. E. CANADENSIS, Canada Lyme Grass. This perennial is probably not found native in any of the southern tier of States. It is about equal in value to either of the two preceding. Siberian Lyme Grass and Soft Lyme Grass are not found in the southern States. 4. E. ARENAEius, Upright Sea Lyme Grass belongs to Eu- rope. Sir Humphrey Davy analysing the soluble matter afford- ed by this gi'ass found that it contained a large proportion of sugar, besides other nutritious matters. But it is too hard to make a desirable grass for stock ; though much used mixed with other grasses chopped for winter feed for cattle, in Hol- land and other places. It was introduced into this country by the Patent Office many years ago and planted at a number of places. But its principle use in this as in other countries is the same as that of beach grass, to bind drifting sands and prevent encroachments of the waves. Its long, creeping, perennial roots well fit it for this purpose. Gymnostichum. G. HYSTRix. Bottle-brush grass differs little from the Lyme Grasses, except in the absence of glumes. It is a native, peren- nial, and a good forage plant. The spike, three to six inches long, when ripe resembles a bottle brush. The grass makes a stem two to four feet high and is found along the shaded banks of streams and moist rocky woodlands. LoLIUM. 1. L. PERENNE, English, or Perennial Rye Grass. This is the first grass cultivated in England, over two centu- ries ago, and at a still more remote period in France. It was long more widely known and cultivated than any other grass, became adapted to a great variety of soils and conditions, and a vast number (seventy or more) varieties produced ; some of which were greatly improved, while others were inferior and be- came annuals. Introduced into the United States in the first 7(j i* AitMiiK'a Book op UKAissJBb quarter of the current century, it has never become very popu- lar, although shown by the subjoined analyses of Way not to be deficient in nutritive matter. In 100 parts of the dried grass cut in bloom were albuminoids 11.85, tatty matters 3.17, heat producing principles 42.24, woody fibre 35.20, ash 7.54. The more recent analysis of Wolff and Knop, allowing for water, gives rather more nutritive matter than this. It grows rapidly and yields heavy crops of seed, makes good grazing and good hay. But as with all the Rye grasses, to make good hay it must be cut before passing the blossom stage, as after that it deteriorates rapidly. The roots being short, it does not bear drought well and exhausts the soil, dying out in a few years. In these respects it is liable to the same objections as timothy. The stem one to two feet high, has four to six pur- plish joints and as many dark green leaves. The fiexuous spiked panicle bearing the distant spikelets, one in each bend. It should be sown in August or September, at the rate of twenty-five or thirty pounds or one bushel seed per acre. 2. L. Italicum, Italian Eye Grass. This grass grows two or three feet high and has a broader leaf than the preceding. The spikelets are arranged on the main stem as in the preceding ; but differ in the florets having slender awns, giving each s])ikelet the appearance of a small brush. The leaves are very dark green with a metalic glint ; and a field, well set with tJiis grass undulating under wind and sun, presents the most delightfully beautiful appearance I have ever seen in the way of grasses and green fields. All the grass eating animals are very fond of it green or cured. It is highly esteemed and cultivated in European countries and is becoming better known in America. Like the preceding, it is adapted to many latitudes, soils and conditions. Sown from August to October, twenty or thirty pounds of seed per acre, it affords good winter and spring pasture. But being an annual it must be reseeded every year, unless seed are allowed to ma- ture and fall. It may be mowed very early in the spring, some- times in the winter as early as December, and from five to ten times between April and November. On rich lands no other grass will probably bear so many mowings, nor is any other better adapted to green soiling. It is a ravenous feeder and thrives on the richest soils and many applications per year of rich fertilizers. But the enormous yield of delicious forage amply repays the expense of such feed- ing, in the sleek coats and distended sides of the happy colts, horses, sheep and cattle, the improved health of the animals, the big pails brimming with rich delicious milk and the well- filled tubs of beautiful, fine flavored butter. In the darying districts of Europe, where irrigation is em- ployed, the quantity of forage afforded by this grass is simply Axj) Other Forage Plants. 77 Vnonnous. But to obtain the best results, it must be abundant- ly fertilized. This grass stands drought well and grows most luxuriantly in our southern States. If not kept grazed or mow- ed, however, the leaves cover the- ground so deeply and densely, tb.at an excess of rain in very hot weather in the extreme south causes it to rot suddenly, destroying even the roots. This I have never seen or heard mentioned by any otiier person. But it occurred on my own larm one season where I was reser\^ing a lot for seed. Way's analysis of this grass taken green from the field shows KM* parts to contain : water 75.61, albuminoids 2.45, fattv mat- ters .80, heat producing principles 14.11, woody fibre 4.82, ash 2.21 : or about 17.;:) ground well and sow turnips in ro->vs two and a half feet apart in July or August. When up tliiu to six or eight inches, cultivate once or twice and sow the grass seed broadcast and brusli in. Little or nothing is seen of the grass till the turnip crop is taken off; then the iirst warm days in January and February give the grass a rapid growth. From that time a part is cut daily for the cattle and work hor- ses, one acre affording an abundant daily feed for six horses till oats are ready to cut. Then, ceasing to cut, it matures five or six bushels of seed. According to Way's analysis 100 j)arts of velvet grass dried at 212° F. yielded : albuminoids 11.52, fatty matters 3.56, heat- ing principles 39.25, woody fibre 39.30, ash 6.37; showing that in flesh and fat forming principles it surpasses timothy sMghtly, thouo-h not equaling it in heat producers. Yet some of our northern as well as English farmers tell us it is an inferior grass, not relished by cattle etc. This cannot be because of any lack in quantity of nutritive matters as shown by V/ay's analysis. This will be still further manifest by considering Sinclair's - Wo- burn experiments. Let us use one of the l)est, orchard grass, for the comparison. Cut in bloom from rich sandy soil it yield- ed green per acre, 27,905 pounds which dried gave 11,859 pounds, containing 1,089 pounds nutritive matters. Velvet orass, cut in bloom from stiff clay loam, yielded 19,057 pounds, which dried gave 6,661 pounds, containing 1,191 j)Ounds nu- tritive matter. Of the orchard grass 64 drams gave 122 grains nutritive matter, while 64 drams of velvet grass gave 240 grains nutritive matter. The advantage seems to be all the way through in favor of velvet gyass. The reason then why cattle do not prefer it, is not because of its deficiency in nutrition, but of its combination. It is deficient simply in saline and bitter extractive matters, which cattle rel- ish in grasses. It is by no means the best of our grasses ; but best for some lands and on such lands more profitable than other grasses. Other grasses are more profitable to me. And Otiip]r Forage Plaxtb. 88 It should be- sown from August to October, fourtoeii pounds, equal to two bushels, per acre. Northward it is perennial; in the south not strictly so. It sef^ms to haYe been greatly im- ]n'oved by acclimating in Texas and other southern States and this is true of some of the other grasses and forage plants. 2. H. MOLLIS, Creeping Soft Grass. This has a shorter, more open panicle than the preceding, but the same soft, woolly appearance. It grows on a great variety of soils, but its strong creeping roots render it undesirable wliere we have so many better grasses for all purposes. Hip:r.(K'nLoA. H. KOREALis, Seneca, Vanilla, or Holy Grass. This fragrant grass has strong creeping roots and little foliage ; and though cattle eat it, it is not desirable for this country. 2. H. ALPINA, Alpine Holy Grass, found in the northern States is still less valuable. Ai\THOXAXTniT:\r. A. ODORATUM, Sweet-scented Vernal Grass. This is an early spring and late fall grass, and b(\st known of the two fragrant species. A native of Europe, it is naturalized in most of our States to some extent, planted in gardens for use in bouquets, in meadows to flavor hay and in pastures to give va- riety and with a view, probably erroneous, of improving the quality of milk and butter obtained from cows feeding on it. The grass rubbed in the hands imparts its aromatic odor, as it does also to hay with which it is cured. This is due to benzoic acid found in this grass, or I'athor to an aromatic oil associated with the acid. Way's analysis of this grass dried at 212° F. shows in 100 parts: albuminoids 10.43, fatty matters 3.41, heat producing principles 43.48, woody fibre 36.36, ash 6.32. The proportion of nutritive matter is very considerable, but the yield per acre is small. This and the fact that cattle do not relish it alone in- dicate that it Avould be profitless sown alone. Hence it is al- ways properly mixed with other grasses for pasture or meadow. It is perennial and hardy, and grows one or two feet high. The palet which encloses the ripe seed has on the back a long twisted and bent awn. This gives the seed a property similar to that possessed by the "animated oat." Place the seed in the moistened hand and the awn, absorbing the moist- ure, is thereby made to untwist and cause the seed to move like an insect. It is by this action of the awn and palet that the seed is lifted ont from the other parts of the spikelet and thus prevented from germinating before matured in wet weather. The. seeds weigh six pounds to tlie bushel. Two pounds should be planted in mixtures. Milium. M. EFFURu:.r, Wild Millet Grass. This foreigner has beeome naturalized northwardj but I have not found it in the south. It grows irom three to six feet high from a perennial root and has broad, flat, thin leaves, eontain- ing little nutritious matter. It is not desirable on the farm. The closely allied genus Amphigarpum is found in the southern States where it is native. There are two species A. purshii and A. Floridanum, the latter a new species found by Mr. Chapman. ^Neither is of suiticient importance to reqv.ire further mention here. Cywosub.us. C. CEiSTATUS, Crested Dog's Tail. This has been introduced into this country spar- ingly ; and though nutritious it is not much esteemed, being short and soon becoming hard. According to Way 100 parts dried contained : albuminoids 11.08, fats 3.54, heat producers 52. G4, woody fibre 26.36, ash 6.38. It is good in mixture for sheep walks and lawns, ten or twelve pounds per acre of seed being required. It grows on dry, sandy, calcareous uplands. Fhalaris. 1. r. INTERMEDIA, American, or Stewart's Canary Grass. This is a beautiful native grass of the southern States, highl)^ esteemed, by the few who grow it, for Avinter and spring gra- zing, soiling, and hay. The variety, (angusta) especially is much larg |)ouu(ls, and giving 1,701 ])ounils mitritive matter. A ten- acious clay soil yielded 34,().')1 pounds of grass, losing in drying 17,015 pounds and giving 2,1 2G pounds of nutritive matter. According to Scheven and Rltthaiiseu the dried grass showed in 100 parts: protein (J. 12, fat 1.30, heat j)i'odu(!ing principles 40. (j;) woody fibre 48.55, and ash 8.40. Vet it does not produce as much flesh or milk as its cfjmposi- tion would warrant us to expect, lint ^'c should remember that when in bloom, as it was in the Woburn trials, although it contains more nutritive matter than at an earlier stage, yet it has already become hard, woody and comparatively indigestible. It' utilized therefore for stock-feed, it should be cut while young and tender, only a foot or two high. It may thus be cut two oi- three times each summer. It should never be allowed to reach full bloom, because subject to atta(4<:s of a fungous growth sim- ilar to, or [)crhaps identical with spurred rye, or ergot, which is considered very fatal to cattle eating it. This hard grass might be rendered tender and digestible by placing in silos or by ensilage, as now practised in France and l)y a few in America, with corn fodder for winter forage. This grass may be propagated by dividing and transplanting the roots every square foot, or by sowing the seed at the rate of half bushel or twenty-five pounds per acre. In marshy lands it weaves such strong webs of roots that it (^an bear up teams of oxen and loaded wagons. It retains wash- ings, thus assisting to fill up and reclaim small marshes. It may obstruct small streams and thus produce other marshes however, which must be guarded against. In ('onclusion, as we have so many better grasses for agricul- tural purj)oses, I would not recommend to cnltivate this for forage. 8() l-* AKMfiK's EOOK OF GliASSKS 3. F. CANARiEXSis, Common Canaiy Grass, partially natu- ralized in some localities, is pretty, and, when young, relished by cattle ; but it is cultivated only for the seeds for bird-feed. Paspalttm. In the southern States there are twenty species of Paspalum recognized. No trivial name has been generally adopted for any of them. The name 'water grass' has been a]iplied to one or two of thorn that grow not in the water but in cultivated fields; but is only of local use and not distinctive from having been longer appropriated and more generally given to si^veral other grasses. Paspalum is more generally used; and there is no reason wdiy it should not exclude all other names. The sev- eral species can then be designated by adding a word marking some characteristic of each. Except two, these paspalums are all perennials. They are all succulent, tender, nutritious, hardy, thrifty and relished by all grass-eating animals. They fill the soil with a matting of roots and cover the surface densely with luxuriant foliage from early- spring till autumnal frost. In some localities fi'om this dense, rather smooth covering where grazed, they are called as if one, 'carpet grass.' But this name, also having been previously ap- propriated, is not distinctive. Several species are often found on the same common, arriving at maturity at dilferent periods. and some are in perfection throughout the season. The genus as a whole is one of the most valuable of all our na- tive southern pasture grasses, perhaps I should add, hay grasses. For compared with three of the best known and esteemed culti- vated grasses the nutritive matter they contain is in the follow- ing order : timothy 67.26, paspalum 65.85, orchard 60.91), blue grass 56.04. Although this shows timothy containing a little more nutritive matter, yet, being less digestible, it does not make so good a hay as paspalum. Mr. Collier's analysis shows that 1. Paspalum Iceve contains in 100 parts : oil 1.74, wax 1.02, sugars 8.86, gum and dextrin 5.47, cellulose 27.72. amylaceous cellulose 26,67, alkaline extract 13.95, albuminoids 8.14, ash 6.43. The ashes were found to contain potassium oxide 25.44, sodium 1.12, sodium oxide .60, calcium oxide 9.36, magnesium oxide 5.56, sulphuric acid 5.64, phosphoric acid 6.18, silicic acid 44.65, chlorine 1.73. Another farmer and myself have spent our lives so far in the same vicinity. He has always been Avidely known for tlie good condition in which he keeps all his animals and for liberal feed- ing. For twenty-five years he has been feeding this grass : and for many years lias had a meadow of this grass alone, from which without ever having seeded, he annually mows about two toiis of hay per acre. Drovers, who have been in the habit of AwD Othp^ii Forage Plaints. 87 stopping with hini cveiy year, declare this hay to bo unsurpass- ed for excellency by any hay produced in any other State. This PaHpohmi kecc, Smooth Ereot Paspalum is perennial, urowing naturally in dry woods, margins of fields, and open meadows, two to four feet high, with three to five slender spikes tiiree or four inches long near the top of the simple erect stem. Tiie leaves are rather long and broad. It grows rapidly in the cotton fields, even on poor clay and sandy hills. The seeds arc large and nutritious ai.ul fall easily while apparently green, though really mature, the stems and foliage remaining green long after. It should therefore be cut before the seeds get ripe enough to fall oh'. It is usually cut once a year. It might be cut two vr three times with much more profit. "2. P. PRj^icox, Early Paspalum, grows in the same localities as the preceding, erect, about the same height and having three to six spikes. Its leaves are narrower and the sheaths often pur])lish. The seeds arc in pairs arranged in thrge rows on the straight flattened racliis, and the glume three nerved, often dis- colored. The preceding has the glume with five nerves and thv siuffle seeds arranged in two rows on a flexuous rachis. o. P. E.ACEMULOSUM, Stemmed Paspalum, grows also in same localities as the preceding, two or three ieet high, bearing two or three erect, slender spikes four inclies long ; seeds single or by pairs distinctly pedicelled, distant on the filiform rachis. The leaves are long linear, glaucous, sprinkled as an; the slieaths with long white hairs. 4. P. ciLiATiFOLiu^^r, Hairy Slender Paspalum. This is quite common both on dry and wet soils, with stems one or two feet long, often prostrate ; frequently t\vo or more peduncles rise from the upper sheath, each bearing often but one spike ; leaves flat, one to three fourths of an inch wide, wavy, ii-inged on the edges and with the sheaths hairy all over. 5. P. DiSTiCHUM, Joint Grass, Twin Paspalum. One name is from the flower stems bearing usually a pair of spikes, (which are one to one and a half inches long,) the other {i*)m its many-jointed diffuse stems creeping along the ground inserting roots at every joint. The flower bearing part of the stem rises about a foot high. This species grows as well where partly submerged as otherwise. 6. P. DiGiTARiA, Finger Shaped Paspalum, has creeping, })ranching stem, finally rising a foot or two high ; often having several elongated peduncles from the upper sheath, bearing fil- iform, horizontally spreading spikes three or four inches long; sheaths compressed and leaves mostly fringed on the margins. This is found in open swamps. 7. P. VAGINATUM, Sheathed Paspalum, is found in brackish swamps. The short jointed stems are diffuse, creeping, two to four feet long ; the flowering branches erect, five to ten inches higli ; the dilated sheaths persistent. 88 I akmkk's Book of (jiKAssi:s folluni, keve, raeeimdoHuin, nndulainm ; and they continue to bloom from t\vo to four months each, making a fine succession tor pasture; for which I would sow a mixture of all these. There would be no ol)jection to sowing several of them, or even all for mowing and the mowing should be repeate*! :it proper intervals, allowing some seeds to mature l)efore each mow^ing to ensure a full setting next yeai\ although all these have perennial roots. The stubble may be plowed under in the fall or in thesj)ring, (»r replow^ed and harrowed in the spring; the latter plan ])erhaps | insuring a better crop than leaving the land unbroken fivun year to year. i^A.NK I'M. 1. V\ HANGi'iNALE, Crab Grass. « Every planter is familiar with this widely disseminated, nat- uralized foreigner, which has won many a hard contest against man and l)east with plow and hoe, forcing the man with wearied brain and exhausted muscle to gain his bread in the sweat of his face — wdth many a Thomsonian sweat forsooth from top to toe. Yet I have seen a crop (many of them,) of this grass har- vested worth more than the corn that could be produced on the same ground. I have seen corn fields and cotton fields of a wet season so overrun with this grass that in May, June, July or August, ten days' work with mowers and horse-rakes would se- cure in choice hay two to ten fold more value, than many months' labor with teams and machinery and heavy expenses And Otjier Forage Plants. 89 could obtain Irom the cotton or corn. Mowing among corn ridges is indeed rough work. But I have seen a mower that worked admirably and cut the grass all perfectly by running across the ridges. It is impossible with any mower to do satis- factory work running with the rows. Yv^hen the corn crop is good and early matured and the grass late, the former may be harvested ; and the mower may then be used as above, cutting stalks and grass ; or if desirable the stalks may be first cut with hoes and removed. When I had no mow- ers, I found the grass scythe a valuable implement for cutting this grass. Cutting with the hoe and pulliug by hand, as many do, gather too mucli dirt with the hay. This grass makes an excellent hay of which live stock are very fond, preferring it to the best northern hays. Mr. Collier's analysis gives, for crab grass : Oil, 2.87 Amylaceous cellulose, 24.29 Wax, .02 Alkali extract. 3.87 Sugars, 9.88 Albuminoids, 9.99 Gum and dextrin, 5.60 Ash, 10.68 Cellulose. 32.80 100.00 FOR ASH. Potassium, 6.67 Phosphoric acid. 6.40 Potassium oxide. 33.56 Silicic acid, 30.93 Calcium oxide. 4.40 Chlorine, 6.04 Magnesium oxide, 7.98 Bulphuric acid. 4.02 100.00 This grass varies much in size and other respects according to soil and season. Stems have been measured seven feet long; but it is usually two to four feet, and may yield one to two tons of sweet delicious hay per a(Te. It should be cut as soon as in bloom ; and often two mowings may be made in a season. Any good piece of ground that has had this grass matured on it the preceding year may be plowed and harrowed smoothly and then rolled in May ; and it will soon be covered with a rich growth. 'If the season favor, two mowings should be made. For a number of years I pursued another plan also with much satisfaction. A piece of land that had matured plenty of crab grass seed was prepared and in the fall sowed with spotted me- dick (sometimes called yellow, burr, or California clover) for winter and spring pasture, without any thought of the grass. As usual, the medick having matured seed, died in May. Im- mediately crab grass came up very thick. This mowed in July and August and again in October. This process was repeated for a number of years without reseeding, or any other work than mowino-the orass. The second cutting yielded not over half as 90 Kakjmkk's J^uok of Gkashes much hay as the earlier one, but it was of the choicest quality. The medick seemed to replace the elements removed by the hay cro}>, the last year yielding as much hay as any preceding;. The medick was never mowed, but grazed from December till April ; after which it covered the ground very densely, maturing seed promptly, whicii after removing the hay in the fall sprang up for winter pasture. This process was continued till the land was required for another purpose. See pages 3 and 4 for a fuller account. Crab grass is excellent for summer pasture also; and with many bad managers it comes as a God-send to eke out a short corn supply for work animals, saving their lives from May to August and thus saving the growing crop. .^ ?.,»„.;s 2. P. viRGATUM, Tall smooth Panic grass. This is called also switch grass; and h^ August and Septem- ber the stem attains a height of two to seven feet, being crowned with a large, diffuse, open panicle. On sandy, moist soil it thrives vvcll, yields considerable forage and is nutritious if cut young. A number of stems rise from each clump. Its proxi- mate principles vary considerably in different localities as is manifest from the following analyses made by Mr. Collier of samples from Texas and Alabama : ^" Alabaiii.i. 1.75 .17 9.61 3.02 28.87 25.94 22.50 4.58 • 3.56 X Texas. Oil, 1.25 Wax, .45 Sugars, 7.05 Gum and dextrin, 3.37 Cellulose, 37.38 Amylaceous cellulose 27.59 Alkali (extract, 13.06 Albuminoids, 5.01 Ash, 4.84 100.00 100.00 Ash anat.ysis. Potassium, 3.36 1.54 Potassium oxide, 18.76 • 22.53 Sodium, 1.22 1.74 Calcium oxide, 7.87 7,39 Magnesium oxide, 3.63 7.9*^ Sulphuric acid, 3.56 5.29 Phosphoric acid, 5.50 4.37 Silicic aci"d, 51.17 45.10 Chlorine, 4.93 4.O6 100.00 100.00 And Other Forage Plants. 91 This grass is valuable on the soil mentioned above and is per- ennial. 3. P. FILIFORME, Slender Crab Grass. This plant grows well on dry sandy soil, is about two feet high, very slender, has little foliage and is consequently of no great agricultural value although very common. Still Mr. Col- lier's analysis is appended : Oil, 1.29 Amylaceous cellulose, 29.96 Vt ax. .25 Alkali extract, 23.19 Sugars, 5.89 Albuminoids, 3.32 Gum ahd dextrin, 4.67 Ash, 4.65 CVllulose, 26.78 Ash. Potassium, 13.41 Potassium oxide, 12.98 Calcium oxide, 4.69 Magnesium oxide, 5.18 Sul])huric acid, 4.84 Phosphoric acid, Silicic acid. Chlorine, 100.00 6.37 40.36 12.17 100.00 4. P. ANOEPS, Double-headed, Variable Panic Grass. This perennial is very common on tenacious, damp, sterile soils, the flat stems rising from one to four feet high; the radi- cal leaves abundant, soon tough, eaten by cattle and horses, but not when they can get better, tenderer forage. It forms strong- ly rooted, spreading clumps, often completely carpeting the ground with very pretty, glossy, light green, assargent foliage. 5. P. AMARUM, Bitter Panic Grass. This perennial is very common on sandy lands, and especially about streams. It is too bitter and otherwise unpleasant to be relished by cattle and is eaten by them only when they can do no better. 6. P. CAPILLAEE, Hair-stalked panic, or Old Witch Grass. This annual grows preferably on sandy lands, but is found in old fields and poor cultivated lands all over the United States. The culms rise one or two feet high, bearing a few scattered seed on capillary wide spreading branches. The stems are frag- ile when dry, and the panicles are often seen floating high up in the air, landing in trees, houses, streams, ponds etc. Often the wind breaking them off where a field is covered with them, rolls them along and piles up again.st fences and hedges to a height of several feet ; and sometimes they fill up gullies and cuts in roads. But the branches although so slender are rigid and rough, so that they pack so loosely that one might pass through a pile of them at night almost without being aware of its pre^^intee. fliis grass, especially the ,,^.j.^ varieties is utter- ly useless for cattle. 7. P. DiVERaENS, Autumn Panift • g^^^^^^^ This perennial is very commoJt • ,^j^ ^^,^ ^^^^^^^ j^^^^^l^ ,^^^^1 ^^j^l fields, growiilfif about a foot lugb. Cattle eat it 'when they can find u()thiiig better; but it iswor' ^i^ jj^^j^^ 8. P. NrERUCCosDM, A\'artyP anic Grass. This perennial is found m ^iV ^j^-jpy^ xhe culms are from two to four feet long, ve3-y sleijdf j.^ smooth and branched. The o-lumes are rough with wiv ^^^^ warts. This grass is worth little. ■ 9. P. LATiFOLiiJM, Btos .d-leavod Panic Grass. This perennial gr6>Vs tw ^lyg ^^ eighteen inches high in moist or dry, rich wooded lalia g. with leaves an inch or more wide and three or four inches long. It bears repeated grazing from May on¥/ard and cattle relish it. But it grows too scattering to be profitable in cuP ivation. 10. P. CLANDBSTir ,UM, Hiddcn-flowcred Panic Grass. This valuable per' jnnial is similar to, and grows intermixed with the last. Pt is later and the stems one to three feet high, very leafy and wit).i axillary branches ; the panicles lateral and terminal, small arid more or less hidden in the sheaths; the leaves one inch or more wide and three to six inches long. 11. P. PANOJFLORUM, Few-flowered Panic Grass. This grass grows one or two feet high in swamps and bogs and is of little value. 12. P. VISCIDUM, Sticky Panic Grass. This soft, densely velvety, downy grass grows one to four teet high in wet swamps and bogs ; stems very leafy and much branched, varies very much. It is of little value. 14. P. DiCHOTOMUM, Polymorphous Panic Grass. This perennial growing in swamps, woods, fields, every sort of place from a half foot to three feet ;high is very variable in stems, panicles, branches, leaves, down, hairs etc. Stock eat it; but it is not very valuable. 14. P. GLABRiJM, Smooth Pauic Grass. This is common in pastures and along road-sides, resembles P. sanguinale in general appearance, but is smaller and not hairy, nor so mucl) relished by cattle. 15, P. OBTUSUM, Obtuse flowered Panic Grass. This grass, found in Texas, New Mexico aud South Amer- ica, is described as "similar in appearance to the P. Texmmm, but lower and less vigorous in growth, with narrower panicles, and narrower, smoother leaves." Ag. Dept., R. 1878. Mr. Collier's analysis annexed shows its nutritive value about equal to that of Texas millet. And Other Forage Plants. 93 1.77 Amylaceous cc Wax, .50 Alkali extract, Sugars, 9.68 Gum and dextrin, 5.74 Cellulose, -33.32 Oil, 1.77 Amylaceous cellulose, 24.21 8.75 Sugars, 9.68 Alhuminoids, 7.28 Gum and dextrin, 5.74 Ash, 8.75 100.00 Asn. Potassium, 4.02 Phosphoric acid, 5.18 Potassium oxide, 21. G5 Silicic acid, 48.60 Calcium oxide, 5.91 Chlorine, 4.20 Magnesium oxide, 3.13 Sulphuric acid. 6.71 100.00 16. P. PROEIFERUM, Prolific, or Sprouting Crab Grass, in favorable, moist situations, with many creeping stems rooting at the joints, throws up a large number of thick, succulent, ten- der, sweet, geniculate, much branched stems from three to sev- en feet high, with lateral and terminal, diffuse panicles. The broad lea^-es and panicles vary in length from six inches to two feet. It grows vigorously from mid-summer till frost; admit- ting several mowings and yielding a large quantity of excellent, Init somewhat coarse hay, requiring, as all succulent lai'ge plants, care and time to cure well. Horses and cattle eat it ravenously at all times, green or dry. I esteem it as a very valuable grass and worthy of much attention. Although naturally pre- ferriig river and creek bottoms and even brackish marshes, yet it grows luxuriantly on hill sides and tops, and late in the fall in moist cultivated fields. Where cattle have free access to it at all times, they keep it eaten so closely as not to allow seeds to mature. It should not only be protected, but cultivated as more valuable and much more promising than many other forage plants of inferior worth now receiving great attention and care. It delights in and needs rich land, as do all very valuable for- age grasses. 17. P. TEXANUM, Texas Panic Grass is perhaps the most beautiful of all the many species of Panicum. In habit it is much like crab grass, more branched, with more abundant and broader leaves — the latter |- to 1 inch wade and six to eight inches long. The whole plant is tender, nutritious and highly relished in both green and dry stat'^ by live stock. Its growth is luxuriant and rapid, the stems attaining a length of three to five feet, and the yield of forage is very large. The analysis made by Mr. Collier as published in the Agricultural Depart- ment Report for 1878 is as follows Oil, 1.98 Amylaceous cellulose, 20.64 Wax, .56 Alkali extract. 18.43 Sugars, 12.49 Albuminoids, 5.61 Gum and dextrin. 5.98 Ash, 6.63 Cellulose, 27.68 - 100.00 <)4 FAiiMKii's Book of Grasses ANALVSIS OF ASH. Potassium, 4.54 Sulphuric acid, 4.(j;3 Potassiuni oxide, 27.95 Phosphoric acid. 8.48 Sodium, 1.58 Silicic acid, .34.;31 Calcium oxide, 7.39 Chlorine, 6.55 Ma&ncsiiim oxide, 4.57 lOO.OO In the same report, Mr. Pryor Lea of Goliad, Texas, is quoted: "I consider it far superior to any grass that I ever saw for hay. It is a much more certain crop than millet, and cultivated with less labor, and ail kinds of stock prefer it. I expect to report a "-ood second crop on the same ground this year. In this re- o'ion this grass, in the condition of well-cultured hay, is regard- ed as more nutritious than any other grass. It grows only in cultivated land ; it prospers best in the warmest fourth of the year ; its luxurious growth subdues other grasses and some weeds, with the result of leaving the ground in an ameliorated condi- tion." The experiments of the present writer and others in Missis- sippi confrm the above statements substantially of Mr. Lea, ex- cept that it is subdued by some othc'r grasses. Our hardy crab grass (Panicum sanguinale) especially resists successfully the permanent establishment of its Texan relative. Where the seeds are sown on well prepared ground free from other grass seeds, the plant comes ^^^ell up to Mr. Lea's statement. But we, with others, have had to abandon it, reluctantly it is true, wh(;re other grasses overpower it, in districts noted for fine forage in great variety and perfection of growth. In some of our prairie country, however, and some other portions free from other gras- ses, it must be a very valuable crop. Since the foregoing was written, I tind that Prof S. B. Buck- ley first published a description of this grass in his Preliminary Report of the Geographical and Agricultural Survey of Texas in 1866. I think this grass so important that I quote his de- scription! : ''Culms erect or subdecumbent, terete, smooth; sheaths shorter than the internodes, subpubescent, and at their mnuths hairy; upper portion of the internodes and joints pubes- cent ; leaves six to ten inches long and eight to ten lines broad, long acuminate, under surface subpubescent; panicle compress- ed, five to eight inches long and five to seven finches broad; rays alternate, erect, lower glume. ovate, acute, one-half shorter than the rioret, five nerved; upper one seven nerved, acute, hy- aline, between tlie nerves subpul)escent, longer than and cover- ing the floret. Several stems often grow from the same root, stems sparingly branched, seed numerous and aggregated. "Common in the vicinitv of Austin, Texas, where it is often cut for hay, for which it is highly esteemed, because it is relish- And Otiikr Forage Plants. U') ed and eaten eagerly by hotU horses and cattle. It grows thiek and very rapidly, one or two months being sufficient to bring it to aiaturity enough for hay. It should be cut before the seed is fully ripe. It is said that it will yield sometimes two tons to the acre. Here it is generally permitted to grow in the corn fields, where it s])ringH up in June after the corn is laid by. It is of sufficient maturity to l)e cut from tlie middle to the last of August. The corn is often gathered, the stalks pulled, and then the grass is cut with a machine. It thrives best on the Colorado bottom lands, yet i have seen it growing on poor up- land soil, but it was dwarfed at least one-half. "It spreads very rapidly. Those who have a suitable soil can easily propagate it by scattei-ing a few of its seeds in a corn field. It is an annual, hence I do not think it will be hard for those to eradicate who do not wish to continue its (niltivation." This is no doubt the same grass mentioned in the Tallahassee Floridian as quoted in the kSouthern Cultivator for 1879 page 415, thus: "We have been shown a specimen of the Concho grass, grown by R. C. Long, Esq., of this place, from seed brought by him from Texas, which certainly comes nearer ofl'er- ing^ all the desired qualities of pasture and forage plants than any we have ever seen." He adds that on the Colorado bot- toms, many of the farmers "have devoted their farms entirely to its production, finding it more profitable than corn or(;otton.** * We understand that in Texas, this grass is cut twice, and some- times three times a year, yielding about oiie and a half tons per acre at a cutting. The stubble is very heavy, and improves land almost equally with clover." Further experience will no doubt show that the last statement is erroneous; and this will the sooner a'ppear on hill or other lands not subject to overflow. 18. P. AGROSTis, Agrostis-like Panic Grass, Munro Grass. For a few years this gi-ass has been experimented with by a number of planters in most of the southern Stat(\s. Never hav- ing grown it, I give from the Southern Cultivator for 1879, pages 425, 426, Mr, Geo. C. W. Munro's account of it. "The grass I discovered in 1875, has been ex])erinu'nted with more than ever before ; and from every State 1 receive favora- ble reports of it. G. W. Brit^Avn, Miiieola, Texas, writes, Sep- tember 1st., that it is seven feet high, still growing luxuriantly. — W. F. Rowell, Lodi, Miss., writes, September l6th., that all the seed I sent him germinated, and grew ofi finely, but that it was so late he feared he would not be able to save seed, as they had just begun to make their appearance. His grass was six feet high. Himself and ncMghbors were well plesised with it. — 96 Farmek's Book of Grasses Dr. J. II. Watkins, Palmetto, Ga., writes that it is four feet high, and began seeding September 12, had stood a five weeks' drought without wilting, while erab grass and corn were badly parched up ^ "In order that the public may have all the benefit of my ex- perience with this grass, I have concluded to tell what I know about it in your .columns. I have, this year, set on« and one- half acres in the plants on land badly worn and cleared about seventy-five years ; but a portion of it has been used as a cow- pen, and planted in potatoes, sugar cane, wheat, oats and, last year, in cotton, producing at the rate of one-half bale per acre. This year it was broken deeply, and manured with compost of cotton [seed?] and stable manure, two pounds each to on© of Merryman's ammoniated guano, at the rate of 1,000 lbs. per acre, put in the drill and bedded on with long narrow scooter plough, run very deep, rows nearly three feet apart. The plants were set about eighteen inches apart, about the first of April; received two plowings and two hoeings; was cut 18th. July. One row thoroughly dried and weighed by sev^eral of my neighbors and land measured ; yield ascertained in that way 15,842 lbs. per acre. The test row was under an average, if any thing. Although there had been no rain since July 29th., the grass began putting out and, in four weeks, it was about four feet high, and should have been cut again in five weeks, but I let it stand eight; and although I made good hay I had much trouble with it, as the weather was cloudy and occasionally a light shower. "Yield the last cutting 7,928 lbs using two rows instead of one as test rows. One was the row used in first cutting. It had several pounds less than the other, and the other was far inferior to some — both upon the wIkjIc about an average. To- tal yield per acre, 23,870 lbs. I should have broadcasted the manure instead of putting it in the drill. I should have had the rows 2 feet apart instead of 3, and the plants 12 instead ot 18 inches. It jshould have been cut at least 10 days or two weeks earlier the first time and 3 weeks earlier the second. I would, in the same space of time that I got two cuttings, have gotten three, and fourth full of seed Lst. of November, the yield of hay would have been greater, the quality better, and the time required in curing lessened. For grazing purposes for cows, and work oxen I do not think it has an equal at the sea- son of year it is on hand. Cattle are more fond of it than any other grass — so are hogs. Horses and mules prefer crab grass, but will eat the other when they can not get the crab. A patch can be continued indefinitely, by taking stock off in time for it to ripen its seeds. "The seed should be planted in our latitude in January, and if set out, it should be done as soon as the plants get 3 or 4 inch- es high. And Other i*\)RA(iE I'lants. 97 '"To .sum up, the grass is an annual — begins to seed in Sep- tember. Can be cut and fed green or (uired for hay. Stoelc an; as fond of the hay as they are of corn fodder. It can be used for grazing, soiling, or any other way that any other grass can. Jt l)cgins to come up in latitude 32i° about the 1st. of March, <;r a few days earlier if vveather IS moderate. Makes line feeii ibr cattle and iiorscs, stands drought well, and has nuidc with a o weeks' drought in May and weeks' drought in .July and Au- gust, nearly 12 tons of well cured hay. Seed are difficult to save, but the grass will seed the land wherever it grows, as crab grass does. It requires very rich laud and abhors the shade." In August, fp in color and general appearance of the panicle gives the speciti(; name. By saving sufllcient seed, one need not have the trouble of transplanting ; and by broadcasting, no doubt, a better hay could ])e produced — not so coarse. This grass is perennial further north ; but it is not the only one that has changed in this regard in lower latitudes. Kor is it the only one that lui'> shown like astonishing development under cultiva- tion. 19. P. cuus-ciAi,Lr, {OpUHiaeyms of Beauvois,) Cock's-foot Gi-ass. This grass is called also barn-yard grass, and other names. It is very widely distributed in Asia, Europe and A- merica and varies very much in size, in hnives, stems, sheaths and panicles, even in localities not very remote one from anoth- er. It is found perfect in all its characteristic parts in speci- mens that never exceed three inches in height as well as those of sevcui feet. The spikes ran'ge from a few lines to four inches 98 Farmer's Book of Grasses in length, with or without abundant stiii hairs; the sheaths may be smooth or covered with hairs ; and the palets with long awns, or with none. Tlie panicle too varies much in color. The jtlant is annual with many stems, arising from a common base, each })earlng a long panicle with a large quantity of seed which readily fall oif even before fully matured. It kixuriates in rich, moist soils. In Louisiana, Mississippi, and some other States it is mowed annually. Some farmers assure me that they harvest four or f ve tons of hay per acre. It may be cut twice each season by making the first mowing as soon as it begins to bloom. I know no one who plants it; but it annually reseeds the ground and requires no cultivation, or other care, save protection from live stock and the labor of harvesting. Being a coaise grass, with long leaves and large succulent stems, it requires care to cure well. In one county in Missis- sippi, hundreds of acres are annually mowed on single farms. Cows and horaes are very fond of it whether green or dry. Farmers who have tested it most thoroughly for many years, prefer it to the best corn-fodder. I have been assured by some that on substituting this hay for corn-fodder, their work ani- mals immediately show decided improvement and require less corn. To make the best hay, it must be cut when in bloom. Cut later the awns and woody fibre become unpalatable and less digestible ; and much of the nutritive matter is lost by shat- tering off the seeds. The Ag. Dept. Keport for 1878 gives Mr. Collier's analysis of the plant and ash. ANALYSIS OP PLANT. Oil, Wax, Sugars, Gum and dextrin. Cellulose, 1.54 .57 13.87 5.07 32.27 Amylaceous cellulose. Alkali extracts. Albuminoids, Ash, 21.37 IhOS 4.14 10.14 100.00 ASH ANALYSIS. Potassium, 12.00 Potassium oxide, 13.26 Sodium, .37 Sodium oxide, Calcium oxide, 7.23 Magnesium oxide, 5.52 Sulphuric acid, Phosphoric acid, Silicic acid, Chlorine, 3.69 4.27 42.18 11.48 100.00 Cultivation and well prepared land would greatly improve this grass. 20. P. JUMENTORUM, Guinea Grass. And OTiiEK Forage Plants. 99 The luime Guinea grass has often been applied to Johnson Grass, (Sorgliuni halapense) which see on a subsequent page. The latter matures seed in the United States, while the former seldom does even in Florida. The Guinea grass therefore must be propagated by dividing the clumps or from seed imported from tropical climates, usually from Jamaica. The tussocks may be divided and set out any time of year when the ground is moist enough and the temperature of the air not lower than 40° F. But the best time to set is late in March and through April. If set in April after the ground becomes warm, the plants are up in a few days and by the laet of May ready for the first mowing ; which with favorable weather may be repeat- ed about every six weeks till frost kills it down. The roots are very easily killed by cold and must be protect- ed like sugar cane roots in winter. This cannot well be done by throwing earth on, unless it is kej)t like sugar cane in rows. On hill land"! have succeeded best in preserving sugar cane ratoons by covering with the cane tops and fodder. It is prob- able that the Guinea grass roots might be protected in a similar manner by taking oif no grass later than August and then mow- ing just before frost, or in October and leaving the grass as it falls on the ground. It is too tender to grow at any great dis- tance from the gulf shore ; but by protection might be cultiva- ted successfully in the southern portion of all the gulf States. The subjoined analysis of Mr. Collier shows this grass to bo more nutritious than many others, so that with its immense product of hay it is very valuable, especially near the seashore and on the sandy lauds where other good grasses do not thrive. ANALYSIS OF PANICUM JUMENTOKUM. Oil, 1.27 Amylaceous cellulose, 16.30 Wax, .31 Alkali extract, 22.60 Sugars, 5.93 Albuminoids, 8.95 Gum and dextrin, 4.51 Ash, 8.37 Cellulose, 31.76 ANALYSIS OF ASH. 100.00 Potassium, 8.*57 Phosphoric acid, 4.37 Potassium oxide, 35.93 Silicic acid, 16.51 Calcium oxide, 10.18 Chlorine, 7.77 Magnesium oxide, 14.16 Sulphuric acid, 2.51 100.00 Although this grass will do well on rather poor sandy land, it does much better on richer or fertilized land. Wherever i>t has had proper care the crop is enormous and satisfactory. A lO;) i'AinU'JI.-'s j^OOK OK (jitiA.S.SKH trojrical grass originaliy from Africa, it is now grown largely in the East-iind West Indies. Jn Jamaica it is held next to su- gar in value of crop, a single farmer producing five tiiousanJ dollars worth per annum of the hay. Propagated to any de- sired extent bv rapid increase of tillers it is esteemed in Florid;; and other parts of the south as a first c!a:^.s forage pltint. Cat- tle eat it with avidity, green or dry. • Mr. C. Codrington, a former resident of the island of Jamai- ca, settled some ten years ago in Florida. Finding the condi- tions adapted to the growth of Guinea grass, he ordereare to a''oid losing it outside the tropics, as the experi('nce of many persons has proved in our southern States. Yet it is worthy of trial on a large .scale on our poorer ."undy lands in the southern districts of the gulf States. It tillers' ,so rapidly and abundantly that each plant may i)e separated into many parts a number of times each year — sometimes a single root w\\\ sup])ly over fifty new j)lants at one time. 21. P. MILIACEUM, Common Millet. This is the 'common millet/ 'cultivated millet,' 'millet com- mnn' of authors. The genus, as shown under the head Tlie Millets, has been cultivated from very early times, (being the dochan of Ezekiol,) in all the countries from Southern India to Cential Europe : and later in Western Europe. It was brought from India to England in 1596, and has been long known to a Anl» Other ForiAOE Pt.ants. 101 'iniitcd extt'iit in the United States. There are several varie- ties of it, founded on diff'^renee of eolor of the panicle or seed. On good land, it attains a height of three to six feet, resembles dwarf broom corn, produces much foliage and a panicle of which the branches lieavily h)aded with seed all incline to the same -ide. For feeding stock it should be cut, like the setaria, when in bloom. It is then tender, digestible and veiy nutritious, and may reach seventy bushels per acre if well cultivated. In order to show something of German industry, methods and careful; culture, we make a few extracts from the celebra- ted Thaer's great work, "Principles of Agriculture." Though of humble birth, his fame became so great that his friendship was sought by the most celebrated agriculturists of England, France, Denmark, Germany ; almost all the great sovereigns of Europe complimented him on his great success; those of Prus- sia, Russia, Baxony, Hanover, Bavaria and Wurtemburg sent him their orders of knighthood ; and noblemen from all parts of the world came to visit him, especially from England. He MTites : "The common millet is preferred as having the largest grain ; and the German millet as being least liabh; to shed its grain, as ripening more quickly, and as not being so much robbed by birds. The cultivation required by ])oth is the same or neaidv so. "Millet requires a warm, rich, sandy, well pulverized soil. It saceeculs better wlum sown after some crop which has been abundantly manured than it does when sown after an amelior- ation of undecomposed manure. "A soil must be tilled to a great depth for its leception, and plowed three times, besides being harrowed, rolled and thor- oughly freed from weeds. Many farmers dig their ground to a great depth previously to sowing it with this plant ; but a good plowing answers the purpose equally well. Millet is in gener- al very successful on newly drained land, provided that it is in good condition, and also land which has been left in repose for several years. In the latter case a single plowing is sufficient, if the soil is subsequently harrowed and well broken up with a roller before the seed is put into it. "Millet should be sown in May ; about three metzen of seed 'is the quantity usually used per acre; a harrow then is lightly j)asscd over the soil, and where the ground is dry, a roller also must be used. The seed must be thoroughly ripe, perfect and free from disease. "As soon as weeds make their appearance among the millet which is just shooting above ground, they must be eradicated by weeding. This is absolutely necessary, if we would not en- danger the success of the crop ; and can only be dispensed with where the land has only lately been drained and brought into 102 Farmer's Book of Gkahsj^s cultivation, and nonseqiiently has few or no indigenous weeds. It is on this account that millet can seldom be cultivated to any great extent. One weeding is rarely sufficient for it ; for, if the soil is at all disposed to produce weeds, it will require a second, if not a third — each one following about a fort-night or three weeks after the other. "The ])est way is to tear up the weeds with hand rakes con- structed for the puipose ; this mode of proceeding answers far better than hand weeding, as by its means not only all the weeds may be eradicated, but the supernumerary plants may be thin- ned oif. The effect of this cultivation on the success and vege- tation of the crop is wonderful ; after it the millet shoots up so rapidly tiiat the weeds seldom have time to grow again, or, if they do, it is in small numl)ers, and they may easily be pulled up. "Great attention is requisite to seize on the exact moment at which the plant attains maturity, especially with common mil- let, which ripens ver^ unequally, and is very liable to shed its seed. This evil is, however, much less to be feared where the crop has been cultivated, and thinned in the way we have men- tioned. Those who cultivate millet only in patches, cut off the spikes as they ripen, and carry them home in sacks; but as this can be done only where the plant is cultivated but little, the reaping must be commenced as soon as the greater part of the plants are ripe, and performed with great care with a sickle. "This plant must not be left on the ground in swaths, be- cause if rain comes on, and it gets wetted, it sheds its grain. It sliould, on the contrary, be immediately carried to the barns and there threshed, and freed from all impurities and foreign substances as much as possible. The grain should then be spread in very thin layers over the floor and stirred about ev- ery day with a rake until perfectly dry, otherwise it will become heated and bitter. The straw is tied up even though moist, and carried into the air to be dried ; if not properly dried it will become mouldy on being stacked. This straw is much es- teemed as provender for cattle. "Although when cultivated to any great extent it is not pos- sible to cut ofl the ears separately as they ripen, it is worth while to gather all those is this manner which will be required for seed. Grain which ripens thoroughly, and of which proper care has been taken, shoots up evenly, and products perfect plants, free from disease, and especially from smut, which fre- quently manifests itself in this grain where proper precautions have not been taken. The portion of millet which is intended for seed should be preserved in some place through which there is a free circulation of air, and where it can become perfectly dry ; it should be threshed when wanted. The best way of free- ing millet from its husk is by making use of mills somewhat re- And Other Forage Plants. 103 sembling- fulling-mills, which beat it with sticks or hammers. "Millet is well known to be a very nutritious grain ; in most coMntries it forms an article of rice. Consecjuently its price generally bears a relative proportion to that of rice. ''Millet also is cultivated as fodder; it is then sown more thicklv, and mown as soon as its panicles are developed." Pp. 428-9'. The three 'metzen' are equal to about three pecks, and (contain about the quantity of seed to sow jier acre. This common mil- let may be sown here any time from April 10th, to July, perhaps later. None of the millets, indeed no other plants, receive so much cultivation in this (country as in Germany or Prussia. Timer's remarks on inafuriiuj and leaving and ^yreservhig seedi^ are speckdly valuable; rmd if generally practieed, tve should have better stands, more vigorous, healthy groirfh, and larger, Jieavier, sounder crops of all kinds. Prof. Flint says of this grass : "It is one of the best crops we have for cutting and feeding green for soiling purposes, since its yield is large, its luxuriant leaves juicy and tender, and much relished by milch cows and other stock. "The seed is rich in nutritive qualities, but it is seldom ground or used for flour, though it is said to exceed all other kinds of meal or flour in nutritive elements. An acre well cultivated will yield from sixty to seventy bushels of seed. Cut in the blossom, as it should be, for feeding to cattle, the seed is com- paratively valueless. If allowed to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more nutritious, probably, than oat straw. "Millet requires a good soil, and is rather an exhausting crop, but yields a produce valuable in proportion to the richness of the soil, and care and expense of cultivation." The seeds weigh forty pounds to the bushel. 22. P. GiBBUM, grows in low, wet lands. 23. P. DivARiCATUM, Small Cane, found in the Gulf States. Both perennial natives and perhaps one or two more of these Panic grasses possess considerable value; but they cannot be cultivated profitably and need no special attention. The Millets. Having made a careful study of this subject, in 1877, in the New Orleans Picayune, I published an account of many of the plants that have received this name. I here present some ex- tracts from that account which run through three numbers of the Picayune. This word is so comprehensive, is applied to so many plants widely differing both in appearance and botanical characters, there is so much confusion in the use of the word, and the sub- ject is so important that it will be proper, and even necessary, 104 i^AKiMKU'.S l^OOK OF (.)()K UF yKA.SHJll.S introduced into France in 1545, and thenco into the United States through tlie Patent Office. Among other seeds ordered from a house in New York were a pound each of Hungarian grass and common millet. Each package had a printed slip pasted on, disclaiming all responsi- bility for genuineness ; although 1 had ordered expressly for the purpose of arriving at the truth by my own personal obser- vations. Not a seed of either germinated. I ordered seeds for the same purpose from a house at Northport, L. I,, also. The Italian millet and Hungarian grass prove to be the same, or so nearly so that very few persons seeing a sheaf of each together would be willing to say they are not the same plant. I sowed other samples from other States with like results. Lastly, 1 sowed six acres with seeds of German millet from Missouri, a bushel per acre. It was harvested last v/eek. Among it are fine specimens of German millet, equally good of Italian millet, \-ery much better than that from the Northport Italian millet seed. There are also specimens of golden millet, Hungarian grass etc., all from, the same ' seed — all good. It was planted on broom grass sod during a drought, and had no rain till after ready to mow ; eonsecpiently, except on half an acre, the stand was very thin. It pays me, however, very well. Finding I would get too much dirt and dust by cutting and raking when it was just in bloom — in the right stage to be most valuable for forage — I purposed waiting a few days for rain, so as to avoid the dust. When the rain came, it was so copious that tlic ground became too soft to support either team or machine ; so I was forced to delay inowijig for two \veeks, wlien part of the seeds were in dough. A small plot — an eighth of an acre — was seed- ed from the same sample by accident. The plot was poor, part with no soil. This produces a good thick stand, but not' a stem of "German" or "Italian millet," according to the standard ; only the poorest possible Hungarian grass. Yet I Vv^as not disappointed in the result. It simply shows the effect of soil and other influences in producing varieties. By sowing a lot of these seeds from any of the varieties, or whatever called, in two years, by selection of heads and soils, half a dozen distinct varieties may be established. But on soil of even quality there will be little variation. Any of these va- rieties on good soil should, if the ground be moist, be ready for mo^^dng in sixty days from seeding, and produce fromv two t(» four tons of hay per acre. It is folly to sow it on poor land. For forage it should be cut as soon as it blooms, when of course it is worth nothing for seed but most valuable for forage and exhausts the land much less. If left for the seed to mature they are very abundandant and rich feed, but the stems are worth- less, while the soil is more damaged. The matured stems are AKh Other Forage Plants. 107 very hard, indigestible and very injurious, and the ripe seeds will founder more })romptly than c^nni and sometimes produce diabetes, if mouldy and too freely used. If cut at the right stage the whole plant is a safe and very valuable forage. Most peo- ple delay cutting too long. It sliould be carefully and well dried. If suffered to mould, or mildew, or ferment it will become almost worthless, and may even become dangerously unwholesome for animals. In Hun- gary it is said to be preferred to everything else for feeding horses. It is the Moha de Hougrie of France. For seed it is better sown in drills; for forage broadcast to prevent the stems growing too large. In 1875, there was a ^uania for German millet seed, which run them up to |20 a bushel in some locali- ties. In t'v\o.years, as predicted, the seed in some localities fell to fifty cents a buslu;! ; so many, not knowing how to manage it were so sadly disappointed in their expectations of a crop and its value. The German millet grown in Tennessee seems to be the best variety ; the plant is larger and head much longer. It stands drought well, waiting for rain, has a large quantity of succulent leaves relished greatly l)y ail farm stock, and is thought to con- tain a larger proportion of nutritive matter than any of the other so-called millets. For forage it should be sown broad- cast, one i)ushel per acre. Thick scedings prevent the stems from becoming too large and hard. For seed ten or twelve quarts per acre in drills will suffice. It w^ill grow from one to seven ■ feet high according to the ciualily and condition of the land, and yield from one-half to five tons per acre, with as great differen- ces in the appearance of plants as in quantity of forage. For using alone for feeding working animals, I much prefer it to corn, oats, or anything else. I have made many experi- ments with many kinds of feed, but never found anything more satisfiictory than German millet silone fed for two months to teams daily working. Another grass classed wath the millets is treated on a subse- quent page under the title PeniciUaria', and a fifth under the name Panicum sanguimde, treated on page 88. This last is the Di(jitaria sangiiinalis of some authors, the manna grass of the Germans. It is sometimes cultivated in Poland for the grain as a substitute for rice, etc., and heuce called Polish wiUet. It seems to thrive there under cultivation about as w^ell as wdth us in spite of attempts to exterminate it. It is not red or bloody in appearance as might be inferred from its specific name and as taught in some books. The name is said to have been founded on a practice of idle, vicious boys in Germany thrusting the spikes up the nostrils and thus causing a sanguineous fiow. Wc have in the southern States six other uncultivated grasses properly belonging with the Millets, and to the genus Setaria 108 FakiMku's Book of GKAswEh 2. S. SETOSA, Texas Millet, Pigeon grass, Bristle grass. Some vears ago I received seeds of this grass from Texas; and at first it was mistaken for ^S'. Italien, which it resembles in general appearance, though much larger. It has broad, long, light leaves and a stem from six to twelve feet or more high, bearing cylindrical racemose spikes from eight to thirty inches long, tapering to each end, gracefully nodding, and altogether making a fine display. The spike is extremely Innstly, and produces a verv large quantity of seed, which maturing from the top of the spike downward, are constantly dropping for many days. It is much disposed to branch at every joint, and sometimes the branches also send up other branches; and all these terminate in seed bearing s]>ikes. The whole plant is very light. Mr. Collier's analysis of it gives: oil 1.05, wax .46 sugars 9.25, gum and dextrin 5.15, cellulose 32.76, amylaceous cellulose 26.41, alkali extract 9.60, albuminoids 8.61, ash 6.71. His analysis of the ash gives: potassium oxide .39.33, sodium 2.47, sodium oxide 1.18, calcium oxide 2.31, magnesium oxide 1.56, sulphuric acid 3.51, phosphoric acid 3.24, silicic acid 42.59 chlorine 3.81. Although containing so much nutritive matter, none of my animals ean be induced to eat it. So that its utility is in the way of ornament. 3. S. VERTiriLi-ATA, Bristly Foxtail. This foreigner seems at home with us. The stems are two feet high sparingly branched and topped with cylindrical pale green spikes two or three inches long with bristles short, sin- gle or in pairs, roughened downwards. All the following have bristles roughened upward. 4. S. Gi.AUCA, Fox-tail Grass. Stems one to three feet high, branched ; tawny-yellow, or purplish spikes two or three inches long; bristles six to ten in two clusters, common. 5. S. viRiDis, Green Fox-tail, Bottle Grass. Stems one or two feet high ; spike one or two inches long, green; bristles one to tUiee to each spikelet. 6. S. coRRUGATA, Wrinkled Fox-taiL Stems two or three feet high ; purple spikes three to six inch- .es long, compound, dense ; bristles one to each spikelet. 7. S. coMPOSiTA, Large Fox-tail Grass. Stems two to four feet long; spikes six to twelve inches long; bristles single or in pairs, long. These grasses are widely diifused in fields, commons, along and in roads and open forests. Some of them afford grazing — none are of much value for that purpose. Poultry are fond of the seeds, and they probably serve a similar purpose as those of the German and common millets in increasing the egg crop, for which the latter are so much esteemed. Am) OriiKK FoKAGE Plaxts. 109 PENrcfT.LAJilA. P. si'KATA, African CVinc, Horse, Cat-tail, Eovptian, Ja- pan, East Indian, or IV'arl Millet. 'I'liis grass has been g-rown to some extent for twentv-tive years in many juirts of the sonthern States — more largely since 1805. Like all the other millets it shonld be planted on very rich, well pre|)ared land to obtain the best resnlts. It may l)e jjlanted in the .spring' as soon as the gronnd is snftieiontlv warm to bring it n}) promptly, one ])eck of seed per acre in drills two iiet apart, or two ]>ecks broadcast. No crop will pay better or yield more forage than this on very rich, highly fertilized land. On such land it has been cut on an average every forty-iive days from the time of planting till frost, with a reported pro- duct of .SO to 100 tons of green fiirage, or from 10 to 20 tons of dry hay. At the beginning of the season it the gronnd is too wet and (M)ld, it starts slowly; but as the temperature rises and more ]'<)ots are made its growth is more rapid so that it becomes marvellous, inci-easing from six inches a ^'^eek in the beginning to lifteen or twenty inches a week in the summer — the whole nund)er of cuttings in the season aggregating a total length of twenty or twenty-tive feet. It tillers enormotisly and produ(^es a large number of broad succnlent leaves and sweet, juicy stalks with rather short joints and ternunal spikes that resend)le . in general apjiearance the common cat-tail growing in southern marshes. Where it grows luxuriantly, it is impossible to cure it for hay on the ground upon which it is grown; so that it would be im- practi(;able to make hay of a large field of it sown solid. Hence it must be sown in small patt-hes or in beds with spaces be^ twi^en upon which to si)read it when cut. Another serious troub- le wcmld occur in the attempt to cure the grass on the ground where it grew. When cut, it would cover the stubble so deep and be so long curing that much of the latter wonld be killed and all damaged. These difticulties would occur only on rich land to begin with and then monnred with five or ten tons or more of stable manure or its equivalent per acre. But any one can have the crop as light as he chooses, even less than half a ton per acre, by sowing on poorly prepared and exhansted land. It will be readily understood however, that the best plan is to sow small patches on the strongest land on the farm; foron most farms a small surtiice of good land would produce enough of the forage whether to use green or dry. To maki! the best hay, it should be cut before seeding ; for feeding green, it may be (uit many times. It should always be 4Rut a few inches (three, or four) above the ground, as new growth will thus be more prom jit than when cut close to the o- round. 110 I'AU.MKK'.s i'OKK OK GliArt.sK.s Cattle and horses eat it greedily whether i)reen or dry. li' matared for seed before cutting-, the stalks l)ecome so hard that they are worth no more than stri{)j)ed, dry corn stalks. Planters, on tlu> bottom lands of the Mississippi river and its tributaries, who buy hay, would find themselves much more cheaply, abundantly and satisfactorily su})plied by sowing.small lots of this oi' Johnson grass on their dryest, richest lands. ( 'knch r.us. 1. C. TUiBUBULoiDEs, Hedgehog, or Bur (Jrass. This grass, with prostrate stems one or two feet long, spikes one or two inches long and having tei. or fifteen involucres arm- ed with spi'eading spines wliich become a hard l)!U'r, is found ou the sands along the coasts and at some places manv miles inland. 2. C. ECHINATUS, Cock-spur is found in fields and on waste lands further inland; the stems one or two feet long; spike three or four inches ; involucre purplish, with spines and barb- ed bristles. These are wortldess weeds, and tiie burs with theii- rigid spines pierce painfully the bare feet of children and ha\'e to be removed by tlie hands or an instrument. STKXOTAPHKr>f. S. AMKRicAxr.M, Hard Grass. This perennial evergreen grass makes excellent winter jxisturc''; l)ut it is limited to damp sandy soils along the coast. Its culms are creeping, flattened, with erect flowering branches six to twelve inches high; leaves two to six inches long; spike lets bv pairs, one sessile the other pedicelled, sunk in excavations of the flattened I'achis. IvoTTHd'.LLIA. R. RUCiosA, and K. coKJircjArA. These are found in ban-ens, swamj)s and ponds, from two to four feet high, and R. rylindi-lca in dry sandy soil in Florida and are probably worthless for stock food. Manisueus granularis is a foreign grass, one or two feet high, now found in fields and pastures in the southern States, of little value. AxDRf)P()c;ox. A. viRGixicuH, Viiginia Beard Grass, Broom Grass. This plant is often called 'broom sedge.' But this anomalous compound word is properly excluded from all dictionaries and is recognized by no standard author. It should find no place And Otiiku Forage Plants. Ill ill any language, oral or written ; f'U- each of its CDniponent.-, contuin.s a false notion, as the plant does not belong to either the broom or the sedge family. It is a true grass. 'Broom- .93 Sili(uc acid, 08.-33 ( 'alcium oxide, ().7<) Chlorine, (j.37 >Magniesinm oxide, 1.83 Sulphuric acid, 2.80 100.00 W^hen this grass dries, it may be burned' off in the fall; and in the spring the perennial roots send up a new crop of nutri- tious and tender herbage which cattle, horses, etc. relish and eat with much Ijenelit. As soon as the seed stems stai't, stock eat no more of it. It becomes worthless for grazing or hay. If cut l)efore the stalks start up, it is very easily cured and makes a valuable hay. It is easily damaged by moisture and therefore should not be allowed to take rain or dew after wilting. A few hours' sunshine will cure it and make a better hay than large quantities of some other kinds sold annually in all our southern markets. It is one of the best materials for the use of nurserymen in packing their trees and plants. Excellent, durable, handsome baskets are made rtf it — also bee-hives. Horse collars and oth- er things are stuflled with it ; and the dried culms, having the leaves and seeds hackled out, are formed into besoms, that are light, ])leasant to use and sweep cleaner than the proverl)ial new broom from the store. The practice of burning off annually the broom grass, wheth- er in fields or forests is very reprehensible. It dissipates the val- uable organic fertilizers which the plant contains and gives op- ))ortunity for the rains to wash away the rich mineral plant food 1 1 -2 Kakmek'h Book of Grasses ill the a.sli, and otlierv/isc damages the soil most seriously. jv\eh acre (»f' it plowed under is worth as much as many tons of home made manure that cost much time to make, haul and dis- tribute over the land. Plowed under any time from the loth, of May till the 20th. of July, the land imnu'diately sown broad- cast with one or two bnshels per acre of southern tield peas and harrowed, a good crop of the latter may be elieaply jiroduced. The earlier ))eas that make much vine niay be mowed :iiid re- moved to furnish. al)undant hay lor winter use ; or the vines may have a heavv roller passed over them and then be ])lo\ved un- der in September and (3ctol)er with oats or barley. ■Mngnili- cent winter pastures will be obtained from December first till March ; and in May and June such harvests of barley and oats as are rarely seen. Tiie broom grass is destroyed, the land is mellow and, if not desired for other crops at once, may, il'the season be favorable, soon i)e covered with 'volunteer' pea vines. j>utturn on the stubble no stock, except hogs to gkan the re- maining grain I'or a fi w tlays, plow the stubble under in beds, and the ground is in the best condition for producing sweet po- tatoes. Harvest these in October, harrow and roll the ground and it is just right for receiving red or white tain no better food to use with it. Ml-, ("ollier's analysis of A. scoparius follows : oil 1.J6, wax .43, suL!;ars 5.o7, gum and di'xtrin 3.44, cellulose 24.91, amylaceous cefiulose 2(3.51, alkali extract 2i, nearly smooth throughout and four to eight feet high, is found, like the others, on dry or wet lands and riv- er banks. They are not valuable for forage, but the first is quite ornamental with its graceful, large, plumose panicle. SoKdHTijr. On another page, (103) under the general head of The 3Iillet,s, this grass is partly considered, forming there the second divis- ion of millets, that of the dictionaries: Soruhum vulgare, Indian niilkt, great millet ; Fr. Sorgho, gros millet; Ger. Sorgsa- mur; It. Sagina; Sp. Moke, Ahandia. This is the Durra or Doura of Arai)ia, Persia, etc.; Jovaree of India ; Nagara of North China. It was brought from India to England in 1596, and to Cuba in 1824, and thence to Florida, etc. In our southern States, we have three native species of sor- o-hum, viz: 1. /S'. avenaceum, oat like sorghum ; 2. S. nutann, In- dian grass, wood grass, nodding sorghum ; 3. *S. .secunduin. These are of little value *s I'ound in sterile woodlands ; and I am not aware that they have ever been cultivated. There has been much diversity of opinion among botanists about the foreign species ; some contending for one species and many varieties; others ibr several species, each presenting va- rieties. The varieties are almost numberless. In a collection of plants sent to the Museum of Xatural History, at Paris, in 1840, by M. d'Abadie, there werethirti/ kinds of sorghum; and in 1857 Mr. Wray arrived in the United States, bringing with him the seeds oi fifteen varieties of South African sorghum, or imphee. Other varieties have since been introduced. But we cannot recount the history or even the names of these varieties ; to do so would require a large book. The most noted species or varieties besides the S. vulgare are : 1. S. CERNiTiur, Gnin- A Si) Other Forage Plants. 115 (•(I corn, with densely contracted panicle, and cultivated for the ^■rain : 2. S. halapexse, Cuba grass, cultivated for soiling, grazing, and hay ; and, 3. S. sacohaeatum, sweet sorghum, Chinese and African sugar cane, cultivated for the juices of the stems and the broom corn for l)rooms. The seeds of all the va- rieties are valuable food. The H. vulf/are, great or Indian millet, has Ijcen much culti- vated from the earliest times in India and across to Southern Europe and Africa and thence extending to all countries suffi- ciently warm. It was and is yet used jn many countries not only as food for inferior animals, but also for man. It has Ijeen, at different times durin»; the last sixty years, extensively advertised for sale in various parts of the United States under taking names and extravagant commendation, as chocolate corn, doura corn, Indian millet, Chinese wheat, Oregon rice, ivory wheat, upland or highland rice, pampas rice, etc, (^uite a number of planters of Mississippi have cultivated it during the current and a few preceding years. All with whom I have conversed speak very highly of its nutritive and fatten- ing properties for hogs and other animals and of the large yield of grain. They agree also that it makes a good, wholesome Hour, for bread, cakes etc., while all relish it as a substitute for cmcked wheat. Some of our own family esteem it as verv pal- atable and desirable food. Of course poultry and other birds devour it greedily. The only trouble I have experienced with it is, if a small quantity only be grown, the birds devour so much as it matures and before ready for harvesting. There are many varieties of S. vulgare, but for the table, that with large open panicle and pearl like grains is preferable, while it is as valuable as any other variety for animals — in fact, I prefer is for them. Bearded varieties are not so much dama- ge ! by birds. After harvesting all are liable to be destroyed by the weevil. It may be planted in April and cut several times during the season. In common with other sorghums it bears drought much better than corn, or any of our small grain. When it heads, cut ofP the top, and immediately other heads shoot out from ev- ery joint and many new stems from the root, all which may be used as needed. When thus cut it centinues to renew its growth till frost, unless prevented by drought. In all warm countries it is unanimously acknowledged to yield much more than any other grain. S. eernnum seeds are used for the same purposes as those of S. mdgare. The leaves of both are nutritious and are eaten by stock. They frequently eat the entire stalk. The grains of the S. oaccharatum may be used also for the table but are not so nice as the two preceding. They are per- ha]>s e(|ually valuable for stock feed. The whole plant has 116 Farmer's Book of Grasses been used bv some over a wide extent of our country for long;- er or shorter periods since 1855, as feed for horses, cattle and hogs. Some praise and others condemn in strong terms. All ao-ree that the leaves stripped off and dried like those of Indian corn make a fodder superior to the latter. They require more time to dry for obvious reasons. When the cane is ready to cut for rolling, the leaves are stripped and managed as those of corn, and the tops or heads cared for properly. Thus, much good forage is secured for the animals, and from fifty to two hundred gallons of syrup per acre for the people. If the cutting is succeeded by rains, there will be a second o-rowth for forage. Taking off such heavy ci'ops must ])roj)or- tionately exhaust the land. Among the first as well as last to plant and use the sweet sorghums for soiling and fi)dder, I have never, in a single instance, had any bad effect on or inju- ry of an animal. Where evil has resulted it must be from bad management. For feeding stock, the plant may be cut several times during the season ; and the stalks should be passed through a stalk-cutter. The S. vnlgare sometimes has a very large open panicle with long nodding branches ; and it varies from this form to a very short-branched, densely compacted, rigid, erect, club shaped panicle. S. eenmma, Guinea corn. Chicken corn, recently White Eo-vptian corn. This has all the variety in form of panicles as the preceding, differing in having the peduncle very lon^ and reflexed, turning the panicle so as to point directly down. This is the perfect character ; but often it is bent further and across itself; and then it varies in the other direction, so that panicles may be found inclined at all angles with the horizon. From my own study of these two so-called species, under con- ditions miles apart, where they could not possibly intermix. I am convinced that they are but one, with a natural tendency to return to the erect form of open panicle. Both are to be plant- ed and cultivated alike. Plant in rows three feet apart, drop- ping a few seed from twelve to twenty inches apart, using about four quarts clean, sound seed per acre, or drill thinly about a bushel. About two workings with a good cultivator will suffice if the ground be in good condition to begin with ; if not the hoe may be needed and other work. S. saceharatum, Imphee or African sugar cane, (S. nigrum, black or Chinese sugar cane being probably only a variety,) may be planted and treated in all respects in the same manner as a forage crop ; for which I prefer it very much to the varie- ties of Doura. The broom corn belongs to S. saceharatum, but is worthless for forage, except the seed which are very nutritious. For syrup and sugar the bent-top variety is, in my locality, decidedly the best, being more easily clarified and granulated. Anj> Other Forage Plants. 117 yieklin]gyptian grass, Means grass, Alabama Guinea grass etc. It seems pretty well agreed now however, to call this John- son 2:rass and leave the name Guinea grass for the Pankutn jumentorum, to which it properly belongs. (See pp. 98-100). It is true that in Mr. Howard's pamphlet, as well as in many periodicals and books and in letters and common usage this grass has been far more generally called Guinea gras.s than tlie true Guinea grass itself, thus causing vast confusion. It is therefore assuredly time to call each by its right name. Joim- son grass is perennial and has cane-like roots or more properly underground stems from the size of a goose quill to that of the little finger. These roots are, tender, and hogs are fond of, and thrive on them in winter. The roots litteval- Iv fill the ground near the surface and every joint is capable of developing a bud. Hence the grass is very readily proj)agate(l /rom root cuttings. It is also propagated from the seed, but not always so certainly ; for in some localities many faulty seeds are produced, and in other places no seed are matured. Before sowing the seed, therefore, they suould be tested, as should all grass seeds indeed, in order to know what proportion will ger- minate, and thus vv^hat quantity per acre to sow. One bushel of a good sample of this seed is sufficient for one acre of land. The leaf, stalk and panicle of this grass resemble those of other sorghums. It grows on any land where corn will grow ; and like the latter, the better the land, the heavier the crop. On rich land the culms attain a size of over half an iich in diame- ter and a height of seven feet. It should be cut while tender; and then all live stock are fond of it ; for a few weeks are suffi- And Other Forage Plants. 119 cicnt to render it so coarse and hard that animals refuse it, or eat sparingly. This plant is much more nutritious than the true Guinea grass as will be seen bv comparing the analyses of the two made by Mr. C\>llier. ANALYSIS OF SOTtOHT M llALAPENSEi Oil, 2.25 Amylaceous ce i 1 u lose, 25.87 Wax, .61 Alkali extract, 15.58 Sugars, 7.37 Albuminoids, 13.18 Gum and dextrin. 6.14 Ash, 4.85 Cellulose, 20.15 100.00 ANALYSIS OF ASH. Potassium, 3.68 Sulphuric acid. 2.96 Potassium oxide. 35.72 Phosphoric acid. 10.44 Sodium, .81 Silicic acid. 22.21 Calcium oxide, 1 2.87 Chlorine, 4.58 Mati'nesium oxide. (5.73 100.00 A few testimonials are here quoted to give an idea of the pro- ductiveness and value of this pla^t. I" a letter published in the Rural Carolinian for 1874, Mr. N. B. Moore, who had for more than forty years grown only grass crops, speaks of this grass under the name of Guinea grass. He says he jirefers it to all others after having faithfully tried many. "It is perennial, is as nutritious as any other; when once well set, is difficult to eradicate ; will grow on ordinary land and yields abundantly, "My meadow consists of one hundred acres of alluvial land, near Augusla. ... In winter I employ but four men, who are enough to work my packing press; in summer when harvesting, double that number. In autumn, I usually scarify both ways with sliarp, steel-toothed harrows, and sow over the stubble a peek of red clover per acre, which, with volunteer vetches, comes oif about the middle of May. The second yield of clover is uni- formly eaten up by grasshoppers. The tap-root remains to fer- tilize the then coming Guinea grass, which should be cut from two to three feet higli On such land as mine, it will afford three or four cuttings if the season is proj)itious. I use an av- erage of five tons of gypsum soon after the first cutting, and about the same quantity of the best commercial fertilizers in Marcli or April. . . . The grass which is cut before noon, is put up with horse sulky rakes, in cocks, before sundown." ]\Ir. Moore's income from this field was from seven thousand to ten thousand dollars a year. Mr. Goelzelof Mo])ile says, "It is undoubtedly the most]n-of- 120 FAUMKit'.s Ijook OK Grasses itiihle .soiling' })lant yet introduced, and also promises to he the phini for our southern hay stacks, jn'ovided it can he cut every three or foui- ^^ei'ks." In the Ivural C'arohnian for 1874, Mr. .John J. DehVliamjies furnishes the fdhjwing facts and figures : "I herewith make out a remmw of the several cuttings of Guinea ^/■Cf.s.s made hy me last year, . . . The cuttings were made from one square yard of land accurately measured, and it was a lair average of the entire plot in grass. 1st cutting May 16th, weight of dry hay 19th., 2 Ihs. H oz. 2nd cutting June IGth, weight of dry hay 2ord., 1 Ih ord cutting July 17th, weight of dry hay 20th., 1 7f 4th cutting August ISth, weight of dry liay oOth, (ruined l)y rain), S 1st Septemher, cut hy a friend througli mistake without weighing. 5di cutting ()(;Lol)t'r 1st, weight of dry hay Sth., 10 Total , () ;3i '•Reckoning the acre at 4,840 S(juare yards, for convenience, the result is over fifteen tons of dry hay per acre', twelve (hiys' growth heing lost l)y an aceitlent, and the season not a favora- ])le one. "J dug the roots from the same scjuare yard of ground in Jan- uary and tlu' weight was 2 Ihs., 10 oz., ecjual to ().45 tons per acre. Hogs devour these roots as eagerly as they do sweet ]X)- tatoes. Six and a half tons of hog feed and fifteen tons of good hay I should regard as a very gootl result from one acre of land. It may be well to add tliat on the square yard ol' ground frt)ni which I dug the roots, the grass is as thick now as on any other part of the plot." Two jjounds and a half of dry hay [)er square yard shows Mr. D>lcham[)i's' first cutting to have given him 12,000 jxninds. ^^'ell mav another writer exclaim : "Jf you want grass — a gi-ass — ///(■ grass — and have rich land — this is just the thing to fill the hill." If a farmer want his land for other crops, he should not plant this grass. But if he want a grass field to continue indefinitelv and to yield heavy crops year after year without resetting this is the best thing he can plant. W ith tlie ground rich and in good condition and M^arm, a bushel of good seed broadcast in Aj)ril will take possession and keep down other plants. Without these conditions, the seed shoidd be sown in drills sufficiently far apart to admit of culti- vation once or twice. Or if roots be used, the pieces should he placed one or two feet apart in the rows, and the latter two leet apart, so as to allow cultivation. In either case the plants will soon have and hold possession. The seed niay be sown also in August or September. And Other Forage Plants. 121 In south-west Mississippi where this grass was planted more than fifty years ago, where the fields were vacated during and after the civil war, it disappeared, except in spots inac- cessible to stock. It shows little tendency to spread much, and some planters of longest experience, consider it not very troublesome in cultivated fields. Poor cultivation, however, only spreads and multiplies it. Since writing this account of Johnson Grass, the fi)ll()wing letter has been received : Alabama Hay Farms, ] Marion Junction, Dallis Co. Ala., \- July 20th, 1880. j D. L. Phares, Esq., My Dear Sir : — Your favor of the 2d inst., asking me to write you my experience with, and knoAvledge of the Johnson Grass,, came duly to hand. It gives me pleasure to respond to your wishes, and through your proposed work on Grasses, to give the farmers of the United States, a knowledge of this grass which I consider stands at' the head of the list of grasses for this country, especially the southern part of it. After an experience of five years in raising it and shipping the hay made from it, my earliest opinion of it is more than confirmed, its value as both a grazing and hay grass not being equaled by any other in this country. It belongs to the Sorghum family, bearing a close re- semblance to chicken corn in its stalk and seed. It is perennial, of rapid growth, containing much saccharine matter, very nutri- tious and eagerly sought after by stock of all kinds. It is not a new grass as supposed by many, l^ut only of late years made available as a grass for hay. It has been upon this farm, (the Johnson place) for nearly forty years. The most re- liable history I can obtain of it is this : Gov. Means of South Carolina obtained some of the seed from Turkey as early as 1835 where it was called Uuinea grass. He planted it on his planta- tion, where it is still called Means grass. In 1840 or 45, Wm. Johnson of this place being in South Carolina, brought some of the seed with him and sowed upon his farm here, whence it de- rived the name of Johnson grass, by which it is now most com- monly known. The botanical name is Sorghum halapense, while the Guinea grass grown in Jamaica is known as Panicum jumentorum. The Johnson grass is of rapid growth, springs up early in the spring, and continues growing until frost, being less affected by drought than other grasses. It is propagated by both roots and seed, the former penetrating to the depth of three or four feet, reaching the moisture, which is so essential for gi-ass culture. On good soil the yield is from one to two tons to the acre and can be cut three times during the summer. With fertilizing, the yield could be largely increased, and one more cutting per l2"J Fai;mkr's BnoK f)F (trasses unimui. On this place I sowed this season a eroj) (^foats, whieh but for the rust coukl liave been eut in -lune. I liavc; already cut from a ])ortion two crops of hay and will cut another in Sept., making f )ur crops from same ground in one summer. The proper time for cutting for hay is just as the grass comes into bloom, when 24 to oO inches high. If left to grow largiM- it becomes woody, and not so good for hay. The usual ([uantity sown to the acre, is one bushel sown in September or October, or early spring, when sown in the early fall, it gets good root and will give two good cuttings the first season. The rit-her the S()il the greater the yield. While grass mav be enemy to cotton raising, it has proved to be much ms not so rlioicc tVoiii hcini;; coarser. 1m ■( H lAK N A ij ' \ ( R I A Ns, Toosint e. or Guatcnia la Grass. Within a few years this large and very beautitnl tropical o^rass has been introduced into the south of France, tiie Roval (hardens, Rew, England, and thence into the East and West Indies, Australia, Tropical and South Africa, Cyprus, the Ba- hamas elc., and later into various parts of the F^nited States. Jt is specially interestino- as allied to, and in some respects closely rcsemhlint;- Indian c(n-n. Jt lias the nude flowers in a tassel at the t(»p ol' the stalk, and pistillate at the joints like corn, the latter, or ihc seed inclosed in a loose involucre and ar- ranged on a slendei spike, as we sometimes see also in the In- dian corn ; thoutih the now recognized normal arrangement of the latter seems to he in lines on a col) as though the many single slender spikes were consolidated into a large compound one ; yet so often founiA('UY.MA, Jol/s Tears, Corn Beads. This [>lant is cultivated to a limited extent; but it has no agricultural value, notwithstanding its branching: stems and broad leaves. Its fruit is interesting, consisting of a fertile spikelet enclosed in a consolidated involucre which l)ecomes os- sified, very liaid, polished and perforated so as to be used for beads. And this is about the only use found for it; for these beads are too Ifuiu'- (ti- horn-like and indigestible to serve as food. CHAPTER X. A few other forage plants, omitted in their regular order as little cultivated in the southern States, yet too important to ig- nore wholly, are briefly mentioned here. The several species of nuistard, {Sinapis), are worthy of some care as stock-food. The several species of BraKsica with its many varieties of turnips, cale, ruta-baga, cal)bage, cauliflower, broccoli etc. are very val- uable, as are also the various l)eets and magelwurtzels. The leaves of all these plants are relished by live stock as are also th(^ fleshy roots. Thej" are valuable at all times but especially in the winter, when succulent food is so much needed by live stock. Immense crops of these fleshy roots may be produced on a single aci'<' of land and they are not difficult to ])reserve during winter. Cotton Sekd. This one of the most vahiable of nutrients produced on any farm, demands a ])aragraj)li. It is very valuable in the crude state as it falls from the gin-stand, for feeding cows, sheep and swine. Five or ten cents worth with a little hay or grazing will keep a large sheep in fine condition ail winter. A few serve to keep hogs in good condition at all times. In feeding they should be scattered thinly on the ground or mixed with other feed to prevent the animal taking too large quantity in the mouth and endangering choking. They may be wetted, and better boiled for hogs ; but never rotted. Mules S()metimes take to them and continue in good condition. De- And Other Forage Plants. 127 corticated, they are still better for all animals. The cake after expressing the oil is not surpassed as a feed for sheep, hogs, cat- tle, horses and mules, by any thing else. Being concentrated food it must be fed with discretion and mixed with abundance of coarser foods as grasses, hays and matters containing little nutrition. It is far more valuable than Indian corn. (H AFTER XI. It had long been believed both North and South that the "ar- tilicial" or cultivated grasses and clovers could not be induced to grow here. There never was a greater mistake; for most of t!iem grow spontaneously in the South where partially protect- ed, and some of them without any protection against stock. It has been to the interest of western farmers to teach that the grasses could not be grown here. The ill success of many southern planters in their feel)le attempts to grow them confirm- ed the opinion. Xoav, many of these men did not deserve suc- cess. The plow is started and the sod set up edgewise like the iblds of a palm leaf. The seeds (very small, some of them al- most microscopic), are sown and a harrow run over the ground. IMost of the seed ai'e covered too deep to ever germinat<;. The lew that sprout, find it difficult to live among the clods and fi- nally die out ; smothered i)y weeds on the richer spots and starved on the p(^rer. Freparatkjn ()1 the Land. Xo one should plant grasses and clovers, unless he determines to do it right. The ground must be plowed and harrowed, and th(! process repeated as many times as may be necessary to put tlic surface and sub-soil in proper condition. The subsoil should he broken and loosened ; the deeper the better, but not turned ii/i, The surface of the ground should be finely comminuted and smoothed. If too light, the roller should be used for com- pacting. When the ground is properly prepared, it should be very lightlv marked off in lands of such width as may be con- venient to sow. For an acre so laid off, take the proper quanti- ty of seed, divide into as many parcels as lands : then sub-di- \"ide each parcel into two equal parts. With one of the smaller ])arcels, proceed from one end to the other of the land, sowing ; then returning over the same land, sow the other half; and so on throughout the entire field. ■ Thus an equal distribution of seed may be effected and an even stand of plants obtained. 128 Faemer's Book of Grasses Grass seed should never be sown while the vind blows ; but if this cannot be avoided, the next best thii.g to do, is to travel with the wind in sowing. But even this can never give an even or tolerably satisfactory distribution of seed. After sowing the seed never use harrow, or brush or other de- vice, for covering. In some cases the roller may be used ; but it is seldom needed. I have tried all the methods ; and I have had best success by.leaving the seed to be beaten in sufficiently by rain. My best success with blue grass has been on unbroken ground, the leaves only raked away and leaving a rather smooth surface. „ Once I burned ofi leaves and trasli from a wooded lot and immediately sowed blue grass seed in March. Thev came up very promptly ; and in a few months the grass had* attained a larger growth than I had ever before seen at two years old. SIZE OF SEEDS AND DEPTH OF OOVEKINO. In order to understand clearly the danger of harrowing in grass seeds, let a few things be considered touching some of the best known forage plants. Red cJover has 256,000 seed to the pound, English blue grass or meadow fescue 400,000 and Tall oat grass 340,000; these small seeds germinate badly if buried deeper than a half inch in the lightest, fine soil. White clover with 500,000 seed to the pound, and Orchard grass with 640,000 find it difficult to get up M'hen covered one-fourth of an inch. What then shall be the depth of covering for Timo- thy seed of 1,184,000 to the pound, Soft meadow, or velvet grass with 1,500,000, Red top with 6,800,0(JI) and White top with 8,000,000 seeds to the pound ? From these statements • the utility — the necessity of the roller preceding on loose soil the sowing of light, minute seeds will at once be appreciated, as also the danger of harrow or brush after sowing. With a heavy, badly prepared soil the danger fi-om the harrow is niuch enhanced ; for covering these seeds one-fourth or one-half inch deeper than above mentioned the l)ulk of them never germin- ate. The failuies from too deej) covering are frequent and lead to unjust suspicions and charges against seedsmen. THE Ti:\IE TO sow must be determined by each one's OAvn judgement. The or- chard, red top, blue, timothy, velvet and Italian rye grasses may be sown any time from the first of September till the middle of March with success, or again with total failure. Each must be governed as to time of sowing by telluric and at- mospheric conditions. It is worse than useless to sow on a parched ground, or during a drought. If the ground be moist And Other Forage Plants. 129 from tlie surface down to perpetual moisture, and there be a reasonable prospect of its continuing- so by rains or otherwise long enough for the seeds to germinate and take root, sow ; the earlier the better. T have succeeded in all the months indicated. But as I expected, I had some failures — not so many however, as I was prepared to expect. If one carefully observe these di- rections, he will rarely be disappointed in results. 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CO c*^ ^r^ -^1 coT CO cr CO CO CO CO "co •^ •Th -t^' -t -+" -f -t-' -11* -t -t^' -f* -f," -fl' -r -t -14 -t* -t* -t* -t -f* -t "h* -t" CJ 1— 1 ^^ r-l 1— < T-1 r-H ^ T— ^H '"' 1 1 T^ ^^ ■^ , — 1 1 — 1 T-H r— ( T— 1 1-1 rH r^ 1-H la X X ■j: n bjr. X -tJ X o bJC > o3 03 ;*^ X ? ,o X — • 0./ x X ^C bjo fci; bJc rt s b/j ^ 5^ oi i X ■= Ji x CS c3 2 S ■r. X bJD X *C 5 X "— s C - CJ o" bJD 41 03 , So s^ ■^ X b/D -^ X 03 >>. 1= ^ 1 ^' 03 Early gra IS, Blue ins. Bro X m ■J. 2 .5 C H-J r-H 13 03* ^ ^ bJO fH S rSi-2^ rH ^C »— ^ a; :,- . r^ <^ . 03 *"^ M X '0 X _5d 5 G CJ bJC k 1 03 c; X 'CJ X X oi oi .2 ?i X' 'X r = ?! i o3 '^ - X B _>< 'x X ua o autlii setosi 'bjo'^ r^ , r- ^ o bC o 1 X a; X 53 x" 03 5 S ^ ,1 'TJ .„ ci .-H •+2 ■cS O i^ « p-j ^ o ^ Loptocl Cinua s Ely mils Aristid; X S .^ Boutel Antho: Setaria Jh 03 X 13 s ^ hH >-. 03 H T-1^ ^ g c3 > bi3 cj r; S o '2; X ;^ n O ':=; "x a INDEX. 141 INDEX uV SYSTEMATIC NAMES. XA3IE. 1'aGE. Achillea niillefolia 20 Agrosti.s vuli^ai-is -h ulha ■JO pftn-tinans ■id ("lata (dispar) 10 sea bra ■id stoloiiiffriM'a var. latilolia 41 linearis 41 Aira flexuosa 7S CiC-ipitosa "K Alo!'<'ciiin.s goniculatus S4 pratensis ;>5 Anipliicarpuin Purshii S-l Fioridaiium 84 A n< i ropo^oii V i ierni Oi» tecta 6!) Astragalus Aven.-i urati-nis 79 fiavesceus 7fl striata 79 pra^cox 7'J saliva 79 elatior L. 80 Hataiiis ediilis 21 iia-hnieria nivea 29 i;oiit2 Clitoria 16 Coix lacryma 126 Crotalaria 1 Cynodon daetylon 41 linearis 41 Cenclirus tribuloides 110 ecliiuatus 110 C^yprrus r^ liens .'iO eseulfiitiis 31 Dactylis i^lonierata 59 Dactyloftenium Egyptiacnm 49 Danthonia spicata 78 sericea 78 Desniodiinn 12 Dolichos lablab 16 Chinensis var. nielaiioiJJitlialmiis 16 multitlorus 16 Soja 19 Eatouia Pennsylvaiiiea 51 obtusata 52 Eleusine ludica 47 Elymns Virginicus 74 striatus 74 Canadensl.s 75 arenarius 7r)' Name. Eragroatis rcptans V'lOa'Oides var. itaii'^astachia ))il()sa , : , ■ Purslili eoiiferia tennis capillaris jieetinaeea nitida Eria'Uhnsalopeeuroides eon toil us breviliarbis strietus Euchloena kixurlans Fagopyruni Fesluc;i pratensi.s elatior diirinscnia rulira ovina tenella niyurns lolhicea nutans wiiiuioitlc'S Gala el ia Glyeeria nervata pallida tlultans rigida Canadensis Glycine hisiada Gymnosticluim liystrix Helianthus anuuiis tub(iusus Hierochloa Seneca alpina Holcus lauatus niolus Hordeuni pralense pustihuu jubatuui vulgare var. Iiex- nsticliauii, 9 114 114 114 114 12;} •■iO (i;; 63 64 65 65 65 ()5 65 (io 65 65 1^ 53 53 53 19 75 20 20 83 8;i 81 83 71 71 71 24 9 9 9 32 ;« 33 ;« 10 49 10 10 10 10 10 10 1^ 75 76 77 77 78 1 HO \-i-2 INDT.X. Malil ciibcrgia 52 Me'iilotns ollicinali.s o alba 5 Milium effusnm 84 M u 1 1 1 ( ' 11 b (,' r g i a d i ff u sa 38 Mesicana 39 Onobrycliis saliva 8 Oplismonus 97 Oryza sativa 3-1 Paiiicuni sangninale 88 virgatuni 90 filitorme 91 an cops 91 aiiiarum 91 capillaro 91 divergeiis 92 vcruccosum 92 la li folium 92 clandestiiium 92 paucitlorum 92 viscidum 92 dicbotomum 92 glabrum 92 obtusum 92 Tixanum 93 proliferuni 93 agrostoidcs 95 Cru.s-Galli 97 jumentoruni 98 miliaceum lOO gibbum 103 divancatum 103 Paspalum heve 86 praicox 87 racemulosuui 87 ciliatilolium 87 distichum 87 digitaria 87 vaginatum 87 Waltori 88 fluirans 88 uiidulatuin 88 Penicillaria spicata 109 Petalostomon 8 Phalaris intormedia var. aiij^usta 84 arundinacea 85 Caiiariensis 86 Phasaolus pereniiis 16 diversifolius 16 helvolus 16 sinuatus 16 vulgaris 16 16 naiuis lunatus 16 multiflorus 16 caracalla 16 Phleum pratcnse 35 Phragmltes communis 68 Pisura sativum 9 Plant ago major 21 lancoolata 21 Poa prateusis 53 53, 5S 55 comprcssa annua crista ta 55 flexuosa 55 trival s 56 56 nemoraiis brevil'olia 56 a:sod('s 56 debilis SO sylvcslris f e"'>tina Psoralfa Kicliardsoiiia seabra Kottbcelia rugosa corrugata cylindrica Secale cereale Setaria Italic i, or Gcr- manica setosa verlicillata glauca viridis corrugata composita .Sina;-is Soja hispida Solanum tuberosum Sorglium vulgare av(>naceuin nutans seen 11(1 um cernuum saccharatum II i £^111 in halapense Spartina polystachya Sporobolus Iiidicus" Htenotaphrum Ainori- canutn Stylosaiithes yymphitum a s p e r r i- mum Tillandsia usucoides Tricuspis scslcroidos Trifoliuin pratensp arvense reflexum rcppns procumbens agraiiiun Carolinian a stolon ill' rum medium incarnatnm erectum liybriilum Tripsacum dactyloi dps Trisetum prlustre moUe pubesceus Triticum vulgar«> repeus caninum compositum Uniola lati folia paniculata gracilis nitida Urtica nivea Vicbia sativa faba Americana Caroliniana acutifolia micrantha liirsuta Zea Mays Zizania aqnatica millaoea !) 14 llO llO lit. 70 1(15 108 1(18 108 108 1(1^ 1(18 126 19 ?9 114, ll-.,li(i HI 114, 117 Hi 115, 115, 11(1 115, iKi 116 il'S 118 4(1 11(1 10 58 7 8 8 8 H 8 8 8 112 78 79 79 70 70 70 70 08 08 68 68 29 9 9 10 1" ic 10 1" 124 33 33 INDEX. 143 (GENERAL INDEX. African cane, no Broccoli, 126 Alabama ouinoa grass, lis Broom grass, 65, 110, 112 Alcandia, 114 California 67 Alfallli, 2 smooth 67 Alpine holy grass, 83 soft 67 American canary grass, 84 fringed 67 Annual rye grass 77 Buckwheat family, 30 Artichoke, Jerusalem 20 Buckwheat, 30 Barley grass, wikl 71 Buflalo grass, 50 squirrel-tail 71 Bur grass. 110 connuon 72 Bush clover, creeping 10 Barn-yard grass, 97 purple IC Beach grass, 39 downy 10 Bean, Windsor 9 hairy 10 horse 9 headed 10 kidney, common 16 Japan 10 string, pole, snap 16 Cabbage, 126 dwarf, or field 16 Cale or kale, 126 8ieva, Lima, butter 16 California timothy. 84 scarlet runnel. Spanis h 16 Canary grass, American 84 snail-flowered 16 Steward's 84 Egyptian or black 16 reed 85 China 16 common 85 black-eyed 16 Cane, large 70 many-flowered 16 small, switch 70, 103 Beard grass, Virginia 109 Car])et grass. 37, 86 cluster flowered 112 Catch -fly grass, 33 finger spiked 112 Cat -tail" millet, 109 silver 112 Cauliflower, 126 purple wood 112 Cheat, chess 67 Beet, 126 upright 67 Bengal grass. 105 soft 67 Besom grass, 111 Chiccory, 20 Beehive medick, 4 Chiendent, 42 Beggar lice. 12 Chuta, 31 Bellfountain, 14 Clover, Brazilian 2 Black moss, 30 California, bur, } ellow 3 Blue grass, Ky. 53 sweet 5 true 5-3 , 55 tree 5 Blue joint grass, 39 Bokhara * 5 Bokhara clover. 5 red 5 Borage family, 21 sapling 6, 8 Borden's, or Burden's grass , 40 medium 6 Bottle brush grass, 75 smaller 6 Bottle grass, 108 rabbit-foot 7 Brazilian clover. 2 stone 7 Bristle' i>Tass, 108 buffalo 7 144 INDEX. running butfalo white low hop yellow hop Carolina zigzag crimson Alsike prairie l)ush, purple f Japan downy hairy headed Mexican Spanish Florida Cock's-foot grass, Cock-spur grass, Coco grass, Corafrey, prickly Common millet, Composite family, Con'-olvulus iiimily, Corn beads, 8 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 14 14 97 110 31 21 100 If) 24 1 2(i Corn, Guinea H"), 1 1') broom 11-) chocolate, Doura 115 chicken 115 white Egyj)tinn 116 Indian 124 Cotton seed, 12(3 Crab grass, S8 slender 91 prolific, sprouting93 Creeping soft grass, 83 Crested dog's-tail grass, 84 Crop, crab grass 47 Crow-foot grass, 47, 48 Darnel, many flowered 78 Dennett's grass, 74 Dochau, dukhun, dura 105, 114 Dog's-tail grass, crested 84 Dog's-tooth grass, 41, 47 Downy oat grass, 79 Downy persoon, 79 Dropseed grass, 38 Durva, daub, doob grass 41, 42 Early wild oat grass, 79 East Indian millet, 109 Eaton's grass, 59 Egyptian grass, 118 Egyptian millet, 109 Endive, 21 English blue grass, 65 Ensilage, making 132 plants 134 value 133 feeding 134 machines 134 Esparsette, 8 Evergreen grass, 63, 80 False rice, 82 Feather grass, 49 Fescue grass, 62 meadow 63 tall 63 fertile 64 infertile 64 hard 64 red 65 sheep 65 small 65 spiked 65 darnel 65 nodding 65 wild "" 68 Fiorin, faureen • 41 Flat stalked meadow grass, 53 Floating fox-tail grass, 34 Florida clover, 14 Fly away grass, 43 Folic avoine, 33 Fowl meadow grass, 52, ij(i iU)x-tail grass, 108, 114 bristly 108 green 108 large 108 wrinkled 108 French luzerne 2 Gilbert's relief grass, 84 Goober, goora 9 INDEX. (irass fainiiy, •.VI (jrass nut, ;>( ) (Ji'ass <.<'('(], plan! ino- 127 size, (lf])tli 128 time to SOW- 12S :\ra for orchar.l 12!t not mixed to sowl 21) (J lasses for winter pasture l-'iO permanent pasture l-'JO meadows 132 defective seed 133 Great millet, 114 Guatemala grass, 123 (Juinc^a eorn, 1 lo grass, 98 Hair grass, 40 ■wood 78 tufted 78 Hard grass, 110 Hedge-hog grass, 1 1 H(>rd's grass, 35 Holv grass, ' 83 ali)ine 83 Horse millet, 109 Imphee, llo, 116 Index, systematic 141 gcnieral 143 Indian corn, 124 Indian dropseed grass. 38 Indian grass, 117 Indian millet, 114, llo Japan clover, 10 Japan millet, 109 Job's tears, 126 Johnson grass, 118 Joint grass, 87 Jovare'e, 114 June grass, o3 Lentil, common 10 Lespedeza, creeping 10 two colored 12 Long moss. 30 Lotus tribe, 1 Love grass, 59 Lucerne, 2 Lupine, 1 Lyme grass, Virginia 74 slender hairv 74 CAanada Siberian soft upright, sea aizc, ■Nlangelwurtzel, l\[anna grass, nerved pale 145 75 75 75 75 124 120 52 52 common, floaiiiig 53 Manna grass, \()~ i\[arsh grass, 40 JMarsh oat grass, 78 ]\Iat grass, 39 Meadow gi'ass, smooth 53 annual r)r) rough stalked 5o wood 5(j weak 56 sylvan 57 fowl 57 creeping 58 strong scented 58 pungent 58 slender 59 hair panicled 59 59 132 711 81 52 118 ■) comb ]\Ieadows, ISIeadow oat grass, soft grass, spear grass. Means grass, Medick, black 3 spotted 3 beehive 4 snail 4 Me lie grass, 52 Mel i lot, white 5 Mesket, meskit 51 Meslin, 71 Mesquit, 50, 51 hairy 51 Mexican clover, 14 Milfoil, 20 Milk ^-etch, Carolina 9 Tennessee 9 Millet, common, cultivated 98 Thaer's culture 101 l-l(i INDEX. German, or Ilniliau 105 sticky 92 Hungarian, golden 105 polymorphous 92 Indian, great 114 smooth 92 Polish 107 obtuse flowered 92 Texas 108 prolific, s})routii .g93 Pearl, east ] r.dian | Egyptian, Japan :> horse, cat-tail j Texas 93 109 agrostis-llke 95 Paspalum, smooth erect 87 i^Iillets, the 103 early 87 Dictionaries, encycio - stemmed 87 pedias 104 hairy slender 87 Bible and Pliny on 104 twin, joint 87 Millet grass, wild 83 finger sliaped 87 Moha de Hongrie 107 sheathed 87 Moke, 114 Walter's 88 Monro grass, 95 floating 88 Mustard, 126 pur[)le 88 Xagara, 114 Pea eomiiion, English gard en 9 Netth^ family, 29 sweet, everlasting 9 Nightshade family. 29 milk 16 Nimble Will grass, 38 butterfly 16 Nut grass^ 31 spurred butterfly 16 Oat, common 79 southern field 16 red rust j)roof 79 v^■hippor^vill 17 potato 79 red rippci' 17 water 33 black IT Oat grass, wild 78 cow 17 taller wild 78 Japan southern relief 19 marsh 78 Pea •1 millet. 109 common 79 Pea ntit, ground 9 downy 79 Pencil flower. 10 yellow^ 79 Persoon, downy white 79 purple wild 79 Pigeon w^eed, 14 early wild 79 Piuder, 9 tall meadow 71 ), 80 Pineapple fjxmily 30 (Jld fog grass. 78 Plantain family 21 (ild witch grass. 91 greater 21 Orchard grass, 59 btickhorn, Englisl 1 21 Panic grass, tall smooth 90 Plume grass 114 double-head, va - Pois on rye grass. 77 riable 91 Polish millet. 107 bitter 91 Poor Joe, 14 hair stalked 91 Potato, Irish 29 autumn 92 sweet 24 warty 92 viue hay 25 broad leaved 92 culture 25 hidden flowerec 92 varieties 2 5, 2G few Howered 92 soil for 20 INDEX. 147 ]iar\'e.stinj;i- 2G Soft grass, woolly 81 time to haiv( 'St 27 meadow 81 seed, plantin g 27 creeping 83, ]>r()(luct, sa^'i ng 28 Sorgho, 11 1- I 're face. iii Sorginim, oat like 114 I'rolitic, eA'ab ^rass, '.)■■'> nodding 114 r\ve ' swec-t 115 Pulse fiiiiiily. 1 goose neck 117 Pmiii'v-ut meadow i>"niss, oS Sorgsamur, 114 rur[>le wild oat, ;i> wSonthern bent grass. 40 wood i;rass, 112 Held pea. 10 (j)nii('k, quitch .U'rass 70 relief pea 19 Ramie, 2!) Spaiiis:! (dover. 14 E;indall iivass. (;;5 moss. 30 Ivattle box, 1 trefoil. 2 snake o-rass. .">.' > Spear grass, 53 Red top ii'vass, •w soutiu^rn r,-}, r,\) tall oS branching r>^ Reed c^mary "rass. 85 short loaA'ed 50 ,^i';iss, eommou CS wood 5() sea sand -'59 sylvan 57 Rescue grass, (J.") S[)i]ced grass, broad leaved 08 Rib'oon grasSj 85 slender 08 Ri'o grass 21 shining 08 Rice, :h Sprouting crab grass, 'XI talse :V2 Stewart's canar,\' grass. 8-1 wild Indian :v.i Strong scented meadow grass oS l)rolitic .">") Succory, wild 20 Oregon, Pampas, li gh- garden 21 land 115 Sugar cane, African, CI d- Ptve, 70 nese 115-6 wild 71 black 110 grass, English 75 Sun llower, 20 perennial 75 Table of grasses com;)ai ed. 04 Italian 7(5 of forage plants. 130, 140 annual 77 Tall meadow oat grass. 80 ])oison 77 oat grass, 80 many Howcred 78 Taller wild oat grass, 78 Sagina, 11-1 Tall red top grass, r)S Bainibin, 8 Tare, 9 Salem grass. 81 Teosinte, 123 Sweet scented vernal grai> s, 8;j Terrell grass, 74 Switch grass, 90 Texas crab grass, 9.} Saw grass. 32 velvet mesquit, 81 Scutcli grass, 41 millet. 108 Se.ssnne grass, 112 Tickle grass. 40 Seneca gra^s, 83 Tickseed, 12 Shining eragrostis. 59 Tinu)tliy grass, 35 Silo, 132-3 Trefod, ;5']>anish 2 Small cane. 103 tick, tribe 10 Smut grass. 37 Tree clover, " , t* ij ^4 Snaii medicl<. 4 Tufted hair grass. 78 It ^ *> f li 148 INN EX. Tnriiii)s, 120 Egyptian 70 Tussock <>rass, 32 Chinese, ivory 115 '■J'witeli grass, 70 Wheat grass, bearded 70 Vanilla grass, 81 White grass, 32 Velvet grass, European 81 small tlowere' R4 1^ . r\ ■^^ 4 P^ ^0 ri. * ,0* » .■/' -.iv ?r. .-I ■?^ o.^ O, * „ . ^ .0' ^''^-. ° -. » ' • ". ■ ,0^ O 'o..- A V ^•' ""-i- "'"' f° %. '"' \^^ "^^ ■'■••A <. •ryfT' .(p- V -=. .• A <^ ♦-T. > ^ y -i^'- ** / ■■"■ ° -'* »• *.* '^ O iV ■^0 ^^icv^^ ^% ^^p^ /"% ^^w:^ ^'% \^^;^ HECKMAN BINDERY INC. ^^^ ^ SEP 84 N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962 iP'^4. V./^ •>V ^^- -^^ ,