Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-10-30
GUINEA GRASS.

been only partially cultivated in the
/ United States. But the few experiments
made in tile cultivation have succeeded
ESQ well as to prove that il is highly adapt
ed 70 the soil anI climate Of the South
crn States. Il has been proved to yield
| a quantity Of grass and bay almost ex-
ceeding belief. The following account
of it is given, as taken from a cotnnuni-
cation addressed by Dr.. S. Brown OF
Natchcz, 10 Tie Philadelphia kgricultu-
raj Society,"
| "Six years ago, saw one or. two
plants Of the Guinea Grass, in the gar
den Of Mr., Irene, nearthe city Of New
| Orleans; ant as was, at that lime, ,nap
way concerned in agricultural pnrsuils,
/ il attracted little ofmy attention. Last
antumn, ! again met With ii. ii gre per-
Election at Mr.. Munson's a few niles
north of Fort Adams. Although Mr..
MunsoDhsd not tnosc than half asdozsu
lplsnts. he obligiHgiy furnished me with
a pint of seed, which Ishared with my
frlends in this tcrrnory. Kentucky and
Tepnessec.--Hevins determined 10 Gull
Itivate this grass, | SOM ht torinfoematio
on il from SUCH books as were w!,hin
my reach. Ii Bryan Edwards history
Iof Jamaica we have the following ac-
iicount oil il 80 H 8..4Es
Guinea grass E3ay be considered
next to the sugar cane, in point Of impor-
tancr, as tnest of the grazing farms
throughout the island were originally
created, and are still supported chiefly
by means Of this Invaluable 4hcrbsge.
Hence the plenty Of horned cattle both
for the butcher and planter, which is
such, that few markets in Eurppr. can
furnish beef at a cheaper rate orof a bet
I ter quality than Jamaica. It thfives Oh.
the most rocky partss Of the lsiand, be-
slowing verdure and fertility ON lands
which otherwise would not be worth cul-
ltiyation." i' $3.50 ifs
e From WiIiicn's Domestic Eneyc.o.
pedia | make The following eStracss:--
&" Guinea Grass, . valuable species Of
bcrbage, thus denomlnated asst was FIRST
discovered on the cost of Guinea, whence
| ii was brought to Jamaica and afterwards
Imported INTO England. About ten yesrs
since il was i,,irodueed into Tie East IN
dies, where il is naw sle cess.uliy cu.i
waited, and grows TO tire seight OF sever
al feet il adnns Of beng reqticutlycps
and makes excellent hay: cattle eat il
both in a fresh and dry state with ayidity
hence the culture OF tits valuable her.
bage has bcenstrongly recommended to
the farmers of Cornwall and Devon
shire"
The subseq aest remarks on The cul-
Etare ofthis grass, are BY the late Henry
laurens, OF South Carol,na:
\, In the last spring procured from
Jamaica three half pintsai Gninea Grass
seed, winch, planted in drills on one
fourth OF an acre OF very ind 6stenf iand.
The seed sprung, and soon covered the
ground with grass, four fec. high and ups
wards. Beng drsirous otsaving as much
seed as possible, cut one bundle CT
grass, for horses; they ale il all with
great asidity. InsAugus,l took one Of
me grass roots and stiy,dcd i. into twenty
eight parts, which we're Immediately re-
planted every part took root, aud the
whole are now growing very iineiy,s ANU
seeding.
lam Of opinion ,his grass viii bear
'lhc best pasture we can wish for. II is
easily managcd, requires but one good
|hoeing, after which it viii take care OF
ITSELF"
Z