Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-07-20

states that an intelligent practical farme
of his neighborhood, Mr. Richard McCrary
after many careful observations on tn
growth of timothy, has arrived at the fol
lowing propositions, which he illustrate
with specimens:
Il. Timothy grass is perennial plant
which renews itself by an annual formation
of bulbs" or, perhaps more correctl!
speaking tubers, in which all the vitality
of the plant is concentrated during winter
These form, in whatever locality the plan
is found, without reference to dryness OF
moisture. From these proceed the stalk
which support the leaves and head, anC
from the same source spread out the numer
Gus fibers forming the true roots.
,. To insure a perfect development ot
these tubers, a certain amount of nutrition
must be assimilated in the leaves, and re-
turned to the base of the plant through tho
stalk.
3. As soon as this process of nutrition
is completed, it becomes manifest by the ap-
pearance of state of desiccation, or dry
ness, always commencing above either the
first or second joint of the stem, near the
crown of the tubcr From this point, the
desiccation gradually progress upwards, and
the last portion of the stalk that yields up
its freshness is that adjoining the head
Coincident with the beginning of this process
is the full development of the seed, and
with its progress they mature. Its earliest
appearance is evidence that both the tubers
and seeds have received the requisite sup
plies of nutrition, and that neither the
stalks nor the leaves are longer necessary
to aid them in completing their maturity.
1. If the stalk be cut from the tuber
before this evidence of maturity has appear
ed, the necessary supplies of nutrition will
'be arrested; their proper growth will cease.
and an effort will be made to repair the in
jury, by sending out small lateral tubers,
from which weak and unhealthy stalks will
proceed, lat the expense of the original tubcrs.
All will ultimately perish, either by the
drouth of autumn or the cold of winter.
5. The tubers,. together with one or two
Of the lower Joints of the stalk, remain fresh
and green during the winter. if left to take
their natural course; but if by any means,
this green portion be severed at any time
of the year. the result Will be the death of
the plant.
From these five propositions, the follow
ing conclusions are draw.
l. That timothy grass cannot, under
any circumstances, be adapted for pasture,
as the close nipping of horses and sheep is
fatal to the tubers, which are also extensive
ly destroyed by swine.
. That the proper. period for moving
timothy is at any time after the process of
desiccation has commenced on the stalk
1t is not very essential whether it is per-
formed a week earlier or later, provided
that evidence Of maturity has become man
ifest.
All attempts at close shaving the sward
should be avoided while using the scythe,
and in gauging moving machines, care
should be taken to set them to run so high
that they will not cut the timothy below
the seco nd Joint above the tuber.
Any farmer can satisfy himself as to the
the correctness of these representations, by
a little observation in his own fields; and
as the point is one of Importance, it is wOr-
thy of careful attention.
If cut just after coming into bloom, it no
doubt makes the most catable hay for stock,
but gives less weight per acre than if cut
later. besides the risk of destroying the vi
tality of the plants for succeeding crops
Early cutting also renders it liable to be
killed by drouth. If cut when fully ripe,
it gives much larger quantity of hay per
acre, but hard and wiry containing more
condensed nutriment, and requiring to be
cut up fine to enable horses or other stock
to eat properly. If allowed to ripen, its
seed is very exhausting crop to the soil.
The best time to cut timothy would proba-
bly, be, as soon as the seeds are fully form
cd. but before they begin to ripen. But as
it is the latest of our grasses, and comes to
the proper stage for cutting just about the
commencement of the wheat harvest, many
farmers have either no patience to wait till
then, or they put off moving their timothy
till the wheat is secured-in either case
greatly to their own iniury.-Gaaes Far