The true Democrat., 1856-01-08

present unimproved condition of the latter crop. But if we make the value only equal, then the total value of the annual grass crop-hay and pasturage-of the United States may be estimated at 5000 900, or an amount equal to the aggregate value of all other agricultural products of our country, excepting wheat and 1 corn.
 1 use the word grass not in its strict bo- tanical signifcation; but according to common usage, to designate the herbage or plants which constitute the food of cattle and other beasts
 "Beginning with the few facts which are known in relation to the number and qualities of the grasses of this country, we should, by means of scientific investigation and judicious experiments, endeavor to increase our knowl- edge with respect to this great branch of agri- cultural interest. We find one kind of grass in this latitude which, it is said, is we'll adapted for making sure crop of hay, and good pas ture. It stands the drought we'll; is not much injured by rain ill harvesting; forms a feeble sod; and is easily subdued when the meadow is to be transformed into grain field. Another, elsewhere, that is suitable to wet prairies, less exhausting to the soil than the first; and is es- pecially recommended for cultivation in the early settlement of a country, before system Ol Cdu Ut ClltCtCu AHOtHcl, Sdlu IO be very productive. and exceedingly nutritious; and, when once we'll set, it forms permanent sod but it is slow in taking root, and will not stand our summer heat. Another, which grows in tufts; and, in autumn its leaves spread out most vigorously, for fall Iasturage. Another, from its aromatic and astringent qualities is rendered agreeable to the palate of stock, it re- talns its verdure in the depth of winter, and, in the beginning of spring it shoots forth with v- gor. Another with its rich, long slender leaves, two feet m height, IS seen in the fine uplands of the limestone region; in autumn 1t falls over, In thick wlndrows, mating the whole surface to- gether, and retaining its freshness and nutritious qualities amid the trosts and SHOWS of winter. Another, such as the grass which forms the ce- lebrated pastures of the Swiss Alps and those of the TyroI, is peculiarly distinguished for possessing qualities favorable to the secretion of milk, and is therefore preferred for milch cows. Another, it is said, will endure cold and shade, without suffering injury; another is only suitable for the light and heat of summer, rich and nutritious, comes up after the crops are laid by, and affords fine crops of hay; another, adapt ed to warm, moist river bottoms, and, in some sections of our country, yielding five tons of hay per acre. is highly valued by some graziers; another is found growing on dry, gravelly soils, and hill sides; and part of its value consists in the numerous seeds which are retained in the pod, long after they ripen--serving as food for beast and fowl
 "'Grasses,' said distinguished philosopher, 'are natures first care.' They are the most ge- neral extensive, and hardy, of the earths pro- ductions. They are nearly of endless variety, and adapted to almost every climate. They endure the tramping of men and beasts the browsing of cattle, the parching droughtS of summer and the snows and ice of winter; and spring into new aud often mole vigorous life, under influences which to other plants would prove destructive.
 con mountain tops where the warmth of the summers sum Is not sufficient to ripen their seeds, they live by their roots, and with thick clustering leaves protect these roots, producing thereby the densest and most beautiful verdurr And 1t is reported by one writer, that, for the preservation of the grasses in those localities where the rlpening of their seeds is important. the wild beasts, guided by remark able instinct, leave untouched the stems that support the
 flowers. Do not the protuson of grasses with which the earth IS clad, and the laws which so remarkably preserve them, indicate that they are worthy of the special attention and culture of those for whom the earth is ordered and es- tabshed in fertility and beauty?''