White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-11
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Kentucky Blue Grass-wOOd Pas

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lures.
This grass, which constitutes the glory
of Kentacky pastures. is regarded supe-
rior to all others for grazing, and what
adds more to its great value, it grows
with such luxuriance on lands necessarily
retained for'timber, which, without the
grass, would yield nc annual return be-
yond the value of the timber removed
from them.
The system Of Converting these wood
lands into productive pastures, was in
PRODUCED into Kentucky, in the counties
of Benton, Clark and Fayette, fifty
years ago, by emigrants from the South
branch of the Potomac. This system
extended gradually, until it embraced a
considerable portion of the State, and it
is now beginning to constitute an impor-
tant feature 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 majestic forests of Missouri and
other States removed, and the lands
Welding rich returns from these unrival-
led pastures.
PREPARING TIE LAND AND SowING THE
SEED.-Where timber is an object, the
important point to be considered is, to
admit into the enclosure the greatest
amount of sun, consistent with the pres
ervation OF the valuable portions of the
timber. Various methods have been at
tempted in Kentucky. according to cir
cumstances, in preparing these woodland
pastures I; some cut out the underground
and firewood, AMI then sow the seed
others belt the timber one season, and
clear out the undergrowth, aud then sow
the ensuing winter; this latter method
is the most expeditions, and requires the
least labor. After the underground is
removed, the leaves should be gathered
up, so that the seeds may come in con-
tao. 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 con-
dition to receive the seed. by the nse of a
scraper. This is made in the following
manner: take piece of plank, five or
six feet long, and about two feet wide
insert therein, at right angles, common
ox-tongue, and attach one yoke of oxen
and one horse to it. With the aid Of
one man, six or eight acres can be ssraped
in day-jumping the most of the logs
with case. The leaves are gathered into
piles, leaving the surface of the ground
clear and smooth, and ready for the re-
ception of the seed. 1t is best to have
the man follow. and sow the seed as fast
as the ground is cleared. The seed may
be sown at any time from November to
Arril but the best time for sowing is in
January or February and uQder the
operation Of the weather, the seed will
penetrate the earth more readily, and it
will vegetate the first season. -
QUANTITY OF SEED.-From ten to
fourteen pounds of cleaned seed should be
put on an acre. Some farmers add to
this three or four pounds of timothy
seed.
Blue grass is very delicate the first
year, and it should be sparingly pasturcd
until it has gone tossed, or it is liable to
be pulled up with the roots.
Blue grass is an excellent renovator for
open, worn lands; when sown upon
cleared land, a mixture of timothy and
clover seed, in the proportion of three
or four pounds Of each. to ten or twelve
pounds of cleaned blne grass seed, is pre-
ferred. The advantage resulting from
this is, it secures at once a well covered
pasture. that will bear n considerable
grazing the first year; the blue grass will
soon expel the clover and timothy, and
take full possession of the gronnd.-
Open grounds are usually sown in March,
upon wheat, rye or OATS Valley Farmer.