Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-28
THE HONEY-BLADE GRASS.
BY FELIX Fl. BENTON.

tistlcs as my experience and investiga-
tions have furnished me in relation to the
H9,aey Blade, or what is known, in some
sections, as the Hungarian Grass. The
partial introduction of this product in
some of the western States as forage
plant and the almost incredible statements
that have appeared in public prints, Of the
results Of experiments in its cultivation,
have already excited a spirit of inquiry
and no small amount of discussion as to
its character and merits. Regarding this
product, if only, as forage plant, the |
subject is one of the most important that
can engage the attention of the agricul-
turist. The value of the annual grass
crop Of this country is not less than three
hundred millions of dollars, and any i'm
provement, or the introduction of any
new species, which should add only ten
per cent. to lis amount or value in the
United States and Canadas, would increase
their agricultural wealth more than forty
millions of dollars per annum.
The Hungarian Grass (Moha de Hon
gr'e,) is grown quite extensively in seve-
raj European States, where it is regarded
as among the most valuable productions,
not only as forage plant, but also for its
other qualities, which will hereafter ap-
pear. 1t was introduced into France in
1915, where its cultivation has become
very extended. According to a popular
agricultural writer, some of the seed of
the Hungarian Grass was received
through the Patent Office, and the sub
ject is mentioned in the report of 1854.
but, from the best information | have been
able to obtain, am satisfied that we owe
its introduction to an entirely different
source. A western agriculturist, who
has evidently taken a deep interest in
the subject, says:
a few years since, Mr.. Gleason bro't
a small quantity of this grass seed with
him from Illinois. He had procured a
handful of it the spring before, from a
Hungarian exile who was passing through
the country. What became of the exile
or the balance of his seed | cannot learn
nor yet the name of one who has confer
red such favor upon the people of the
Great West. His name should be writ.
ten in letters of gold for that little hand
ful of seed is destined to change the ag
ricultural character Of dozen States, ,ant
give US product which will stand as sec
ond only to the c'rn crop upon the rici
prairies of the advancing West. Thi
poor exile and Mr.. Gleason with hi
handful of seed have done more to pro
mote the agricultural interests of tn
country than the government has, with al
its seeds, in the last ten years. The,
have done so. because they have given u
an article completely adapted TO our sol
and climate, and one which we needle
above all others. This may sound lk
enthusiasm, but it is a sober reality. w
have now, in this region, the best ha
county that ever SaW-until this seaso
and the last it was the a0orSt. The CON
mon grasses are a total failure, yet W
have hay of the best quality in sue
overhowing abundance, that we can fee
seven months and still have hay TO sci
and this hay was grown upon the higl
dry prairies at the rate of three or foL
tons to the acre.
Mr.. Gleason sowed his handful
seed in Illinois, and the next seaSo
brought the product to Iowa, where /
sowed again. 1t may be well to obser1
that he had difficulty in procuring
piece of ground, as farmers were afra
it might somehow ruin their land. Tt
next season he distributed among SUI
of his neighbors as had overcome the
fears. This year it began to attract son
attention in the vicinity, and its popula
ity has increased as fast as the little han
full of seed has multiplied itself. Tho
who have seen it every year since Il
first was sown are now better pleas
with it than ever-this years crop e
ceeding all that went before it. With
the circle of its present production,
popularity is unbounded.
Il have thought best to secure the
facts while they were within reach, |
cause a great effect is destined to fl,
from this small beginning, and, when +
little stream becomes great river, (
world will wish to know in what seclr
ed fastness the handspring is situated.
In appearance, the Hungarian CIR;
somewhat resembles the German mill
and this fact has caused considerable d
cussion, in agricultural circles, as
whether it belongs to the same fami