Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-01

HUNGARIAN Grass.

The great difficulty experienced in making
Iowa a stock raising country, has been the
want of some reliable article of winter food
in the form of hay. The general impression
in regard to the common domestic grasses is
that they are not reliable A farmer raising
stock extensively cannot depend upon them
for his winters provender.
A substitute-and more than asubstitute-
for the more common domestic grasses has
been found in what is here known as the Hun
garidn Grass. / have been watching 1T and
obtaining all the information within my reach
concerning it, ever since its introduction, and
| am now satisfied that it will take position
in the agricultur of Iowa second only to the
corn crop.
The Hungarian Grass was first grown in this
region in Mantua, Tp., Monroe country. by
Mr. Bates who as / am informed. obtained
the seed from Hungarian by whom small
quantity had been brought from Hungary
hence the name by which the grass is known.
The first seed was sown four years ago this
spring. The luxuriance of the growth, and
the fine appearance ofthe hay together with the
avidity with which stock eat it, induced Mr.
B. and several of his neighbors to try 1t next
season. so far as the limited supply of seed
secured would permit. The experiment was
more than successful, and those who tried it
were confirmed in their opinion regarding
ii.
Last season the circle of its production was
much enlarged, with corresponding increase
in the reputation of the grass. The quantity
grown, together with the varied circumstan-
ces attending its production by so many diff
ferent persons have settled its character upon
firm foundation. Almost every person who
can obtain the seed where its merits are
known, is preparing to sow some OF II this
spring.
In appearance the Hungarian Grass resem-
II - 20 Ill - H1a nI 70
worth from three to four dollars per bushel.
1t has been sown with the best success about
the first week in May; but it may be safely
sown earlier or later. A bushel of seed to
three acres is found to be about the right
quantity. 1t should be put in the ground in
the same manner as oats-the ground harrow
| ed before and after ssowing-it would benefit
the crop to roll Though the experiment
| has not been tried.
The time for cutting, is when the seed is
| nearly at perfection and the whole plant of
| fine yellow color. If cut too soon the seed
will not be perfect, and if too long delayed it
will fall off in the curing, and the stalks will
be too woody. 1t may be cured in the same
manner as Timothy.
A good crop is probably about three tons
to the acre of the hay. and thirty bushels Of
seed. 1t will not, of course, always produce
| such a crop as this but it will often go be-
yond it. Such crops were grown last season
Notwithstanding the drought, and with good
management, on good SOIL the result would
seldom fall below what / have stated. By
early sowing the farmer can be certain of
full supply for if the first sown does not take
well, ii will be known in time to sow again.
As feed, the hay after threshing is fully
equal to Timothy and when fed out with the
seed in, as it generally will be, it is better
than good sheaf-oats. n richness it is fully
| equal with the advantage of being eaten up
clean by stock. Horses fed on it need but
little grain. A friend who had been feeding
Timothy hay to span of horses states that
they ate less than half the amount of grain
after he put them on the Hungarian Grass and
that they improved by the change. 1t is also
stated that it is much better for Mich cows
than the best Timothy, improving the milk in
both quality and quantity change from
Hungarian Grass to Timothy being observable
| in single day.
have been led to writing this article for
The Farmer by the supposition that the merits
of the Hungarian Grass is not understood
outside of the narrow circle of its produc-
ton. l have not heard of it except in the
one locality. w. NJ. ALLISON.
Eddyville, Wappello Co., Iowa, Apr. 1, 81.