Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-01-28
From the Agricuitmist.
BLUE GRASS.

After tic Imagination is completely cX-
hausied IN culogIs'ng the various products
Of mother earth, there is nothing TO be
compared to the oil fashioned Blue Grass
for permanent pasture. 1t is not denied
there are other grasses very valuable; but
the Blue grass comes forward early in the
spring, will lear moderate grazing through
the summer, and when not too closely
cropped, will keep neat stock, such as
yo NC cattle. colts and sheep, in good con
dtion all the winter. This cannot be
predicated of any other grass; and as
this is favorable time, something in
re'aton TO its management may lie Gene-
fetal.
|. Soil. Almost Hnv land with a mod
crate quantity Of vegetable mould will
grow it most luxuriantly; but experience
has taught, that Il c richest limestone soil
gives by far the best crop, Old fields We
re- much worn will answer, if the farmer
can have patience till he tender liant
gets properly rooted. In'r'o, II. u.E
ex osed TO the sun is rest for ever XII 49,
p stare, if the full set c1n be obfamyd.-
Stock will not into thet,IIcst grass in the
shad .. willie a mo-sel can be procured in
the sun shine. IIoweverycry gool Blue
grass pasture can lie obtained in WOO J.
aud, if the timber does not entirely shade
the ground, and the farmer will find il to
his advantage to cut out the under growth
to let his grass hive a lit)c sun. Light
san V and st.T clly soils viii nat answcr
for Ble grass. and we may he sure remark
ably poor land will not DO.
,. PREPARATION OF LAND. IF it is de-
sired to SOW in woodland, the logs, brush,
leaves aid trash should lie taken off AZ
ter it is clean, harrow the land thorough
ly, and sow Immediately. This is the
hest plan for Blue grass ON any kind of
land.
3. QUANTITY OF SEED. A buShel or ten
pounds Of well stripped seed is the usual
advance, but if busheI and a half can
be spared, the sand will be sooner and
much thicker A gallon Of eileen seed
will 60 as well as Lushol in the chafI.-
Care should be taken that the seeds are
good. Notice that the straw was not cut
wien too green, or that the secs appear
not batk and smell musty. The chat
should appear Jel'ow and smell sweet
The eye and nose, will Sc, n tel good from
bad scei. Seed properly gathered and
preserved. vii ut BE- injured for years,
but if they have ever been vet, or the
least heated, The prohaNi'ity, is that they
wi not vegota'e. As a general rule, the
frosher the seed the c.tcr.
4. TINE or SOWING. January and Feb
ruary are the lest mrn'hs for sowing; but
March, September and October viii do
pretty we'll Many experienced farmers
prefer sowing while the snow is on the
ground. in this way, most of the seeds
come in contact with the earth, as the snow
melts away, and the stand is apt TO be
good.
5. AFTER MANAGEMENT. When the
grass first comes up, the blades are remar-
kably small, and not unirequently the
stroug weeds seem to have choked it OFT;
but he MOI ailrme', the grass is only wait
ing TO send down its roots 10 get better
hold. an b, and Ivy, it will conquer every
intruder. Some pasture lightly the first
year. but we prefer nothing should touch
the Ian, iii! the second year, or immcdI'
ateIv after toe seeds ripen. Then, pas
ture bat lightly, The third year is as soon
as fail and vigorous stand can be anticl-
pa,cd. Care should hen lie taken TO tread
The surface close with heavy stock, and
the grass wi he ri h and strong in pro-
portion to the density of the sod on
" hich it grows. The more YOU pack il,
other things being equal, the stronger it
will rise.
T. +.