The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-05
FOWL MEADOW GRASS

Among our native grasses would cal
attention TO the ." fowl meadow" whicl
grew at Madawaska before the place wa
settled by The Arcadian French. II Flourish
es best on " Intervals or meadows along
rivers or streams, which in the Spring ar,
overfowed by backwaiers or eddies, an,
receive fresh deposit Of earth or mud.
also grows well where there is no overflow
from the rise Of natural or artificial ponds
provided the wafer runs of before the wealth
er becomes too warm, and the land is wei
drained. II not, other wafer grasses vii
prevail, and force the fowl meadow out
With an abundant Spring overflow, will
perfect drainage when the waters OF ,h,
ponds or streams subside, fowl meadow vii
give crop Of more value than any othe
grass. Water lying upon it all winter vii
kill il; but an occasional overflow by win
Ter freshei. is beneficial.
II this grass be cut three or four year,
before portion Of the seed scaiiers itself
il will disappear. A safe practice is, never
10 Gu, for hay before the seed is ripe, which
takes place before the stalks begin TO turn.
Where the seed naturally takes root in open
space, in two or three years il ",illers," OF
forms bunch Of numerous stalks, is short
lived bu, in cases where meadow oI
this grass has been cut two years in success
Sion, earlier than the seed could scatter il
self, by narrowing the surface and breaking
the long iibrors roots, the plants will be
multiplied from these roofs. Ii the mead
ow be miry or soft, let il be narrowed when
the fros, is about half out.
In feeding out the hay, il is a good prac
,ice TO save out the seed chat, ard scatter
il over " swales;n or moist upland moving
lots, and over well drained lowlands occa.
sionally oycrhowed. In such situations il
produces seed in abundance, and will read
lily take roo, among other grasses. Sowr
Literally over mois, old moving fields, j
will keep out much foul vegetation, which
would otherwise be liable 10 work in.
II is another good practice for the
farmer 10 cultivate small patch Of fowl
meadow, TO rpen for seed 10 sow over such
moving lots as are mown too early 10 ripper
the seed. II need not stand late, rs, af;e
reaping the tops for seed, the butts may b.
mown for hay.
As fodder for cows and sheep, fowl mead
ow makes an excellent hay; bu, for horse
iced, with grain, il is too fine 10 keep tn,
bowels Of the animal properly dis,ended 70
health. II here may be remarked, tina
however large, the yield OF this gras, j!
never coarse. As the butts are eaten witt
relish, there is no waste in feeding out. |
the burden be heavy, il does no, fall llai OF
The ground by lis own weight, but scrip
plesn with the lower part, on OF near IN,
ground, with the tops erect. IL a summe
lfreshe, beats down this grass fiat on ih,
ground, new plants resembling florin
start up from the joints, and increase III,
Yield without 10, or decay.
The butts or stalks Of this grass, near III,
ground, being small, why, and full Of john,
containing very little moisture, are easil,
dried and converted into hay and, MS IN,
upper potiions Of the plants are small an,
Timber, it is very little affected by rain
when lying in the cock in The field. Henc'
il isyery easily made into hay.-PG,en, OF
fee Report for 1883.