Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-19
fm the farmer.
KENTUCKY BLUE CROSSWORD
PASTURES.

OhLOs
This grass, which constitutes the glory
of Kentucky pastures, is regarded super
or 10 all others for grazing, and what adds
more to its great value, it grows with sucl
luxuriancc on lands necessarily retained
for timber, which, wiihouithe grass, would
yield no annual return beyond The value
OF the timber removed from them.
The system of converting these wood
lands into productive pastures, was M
~rroduccd into Kentucky, in the counties
Of Benton, Clark, and Fayelte, fifty years
agr, by emigranis from the south branch
Of the Potomac. This system extended
gradually, until it embraced a consider
able portion If the State, and it is now
lightning 10 constitute an important fea-
lure of farming in many other States
1t is equally applicable to all the rich
~calcareous soils of the West; and we hope
soon to see the underground in the ma
iestic forests Of Missouri and other States
removed, and the lands yielding itch re-
turns from these u~nrivalled pastures.
PREPARING TnE LAND, AND SowING THE
SEED.- Where timber is an object, the
important point 10 be considered is, 10 ad.
NIT intothe enclosure the greatest amount
of sun, consistent with the preservation of
the valuable portions ofihe timber. Va
rious methods have been adopted in
Kentucky, according 10 circumstances, in
preparing these woodland pastures; some
cut wi the underground and fire wood,
and then sow the seed; others belt the
one season, and clear out the un-
dergrowih, and then SOW the ensuing
winter; this latter method is the most ex-
Pedi:ious, and requires the least LABOR
After The underground is removed the
leaves should be gathered up, 30 that The
seed may come in contact with The moist
soil; some gather and burn it, but we
prefer to gather it into heaps, and let it
lie upon the land. This may be done,
and at the same time leave the ground in
the best possible condition TO receive The
seed, by the use of a scraper. This is
]
made in the following manner: take a
piece of plank, five or six feet long, and
about two feet wide; insert therein, al
right angles, 4 common ox-tongue, and
attach one yoke Of oxen and one horse TO
it. With the aid of one man, six or eight
acres 4 be scraped over in a day, jump
the most of the logs with case. The
are gathered into piles. leaving the
surface Of the ground clear and smooth,
and ready for the reception of the seed.
1t is best 10 have one man follow, and sew
The seed as fast as the ground is cleared.
The seed may be sown at any time from
10 April; but The best time for
is in January or February; and
under the operation of The weather, the
seed will penetrate the earth more read
lily, and it will vegetate the first season.
QuANrITY OF SEED.-From ten 10 four
teen pounds Of cleaned seed should be
put on an acre. Some farmers add 10
this three or four pounds of timothy seed,
Blue grass is very delicate the first
year, and it should be sparingly Paslured
until it has gone TO seed, or il is liable TO
be pulled up with the roots.
Blue grass is an excellent ~renova'or
for open, worn lands; when sown upon
cleared land, a mixture of timothy and
seed, in the proportion of three or
four pounds of each, TO ion or twelve
Of cleaned blue grass seed, is
preferred. The advantage resulting from
this is, it secures at once a well covered
pasture, that will bear q considerable
grazing the first year; the blue grass vii.
expcl the clover aud timothy, and
take full possession of the ground. Open
grounds are usually sown in March, upon
rye, or OATS FaAey Farmer.