Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-16
VALUE OF THE GRASSES


The product of our grass land is not only far be-
yond that of any other crop in the United States,
but is probably greater than all other crops COM
bined, as they are taken from the field. This is not
true with certain parts of the Union, as in portions
OF the South, where cotton, rice, sugar, or other
leading articles are cultivated nor with such MS
are in the neighborhood of large markets, where
fruits and vegetables are in steady demand at high
prices But throughout the States generally, we
do not doubt that the aggregate of the production
OF grass is far beyond that of all other ruc products
combined: for it must be remembered that grain
and rice, after harvesting, must be threshed and
cleaned at an expense of several cents per bushel
cotton must be carefully picked and cleaned, and
then baled; sugar and tobacco must be manufac-
tured before they are ready for market; all of
which expenses should first be deducted before pla
cling them on par with grass, which is always
marketable in the field, either by the animals which
consume it, or as hay. If we consider farther that
nearly every one of the other products is raised by
long continued, expensive, laborous efforts both of
man and beast, we largely enhance the comparative
value of the grasses, they thus secured in all
their value and Importance at a much cheaper rate
than other productions. Another and highly impor-
tant advantage they possess over other crops is,
they but slightly impoversh the soil in any instance,
while, in many, they tend to its .fertsation but
all other crops exhaust it to greater or less de-
gree Ii these propositions be true, it behooyes
the farmer to look well after his grass lands. If
properly prepared and managed they are mine Of
wealth to him; while, with the generality of far
mers, if they be neglected wo betde his results for
he will secure nothing for his purse if he even sue
ceeds in providing himself and family with the
necessaries of life.
| With too many of the farmers, grass lands are
either totally neglected they receive Just enough
OF attention to rescue them from absolute abandon.
ment Some farmers never SOW an ounce of grass
seed on their land but after first clearing off the
original growth of wood or taking off a crop OF
grain, they heedlessly abandon it to the growth Of
such heroage as may spring up from the chance
seed OF former years accumulation in the soil and
as TINS Is pretuly equally made up of the seeds Of
grass and weeds the latter usually ursurp their full
share OF the soil, till such time as the former has
the power of assuming that performance which a
kind Providence has given to the useful over the
useless or prejudicial products of nature
Grass lands, whether intended for meadow Oh
pasture ought to be prepared with the same eau
ton as fields of grain or vegetables They shoult
be finely, evenly, and smoothly plowed and har
rowed they should be in high condition as to fer
llty; all the burrows should be carefully smoothet
down and levelled if leechy land, or as CAREFUL,
cleaned out and kept open for thorough surface
draining, II they consist of stiff clay. The seet
should be well chosen for pumpness and weight
and entire freedom from any improper mixture
and, lastly 1t should be evenly and most Hberafl
sown with one or as many varieties of grass O
clover, as is hest suited 10 the SOIL or the object
proposed. If, from unforeseen causes, us drough
or winter killing, or imperfecton of seed, any spot
should prove bare or inperfectly seeded, the frs
proper time should be taken for re-seedng it. Cat
tie should be carefully excluded till the grass ha
acquired fine sod, and, in the spring, and suffi
cienty early in the autumn, to prevent any poach
ing, by which unsghtly holes are made for stand
ing water, and to the total exclusion of all growt
of grass If the herbage at any time becomes THU
or deficient, or MOSES or weeds encroach upon tn
useful growth, guano, ashes, plaster, lime, stable
manure, peat or muck composts should be adde,
to remedy the first, and the usual appliances resor
ted to for removing the last Thus managed ant
looked after, the farmers generally will find thei
most profitable returns from grass lands -.4merica,
.AgricuNurist.