Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-28

about thirty bushels of to the acre without any
rain after the corn had come up with the exception
of very light shower that did not lay the dust. In
fact have been told by many who ought to know
that if corn could be planted early enough, that is
before too much of the moisture had dried out of the
ground, fair crop could be made without any rain.
But if planted too early they the risk of having
it killed by the frost; in which event they are set
back farther than ] have likewise been in
formed that the bottom lands stand the drought far
better than any Others and that fair crops Of cotton
or corn man.be made even without rain. If this be
so, then the bottom lands decidedly best and
most desirable of any, In this section of the State
that which is known as the CANA Grass Prairie is
perhaps considered the best. 1t takes this name be-
cause that grass is denSely set in those bottoms.
have heard it said that wherever this grass is found
the land is subject to overflow, and this believe to
be true.
Here I will say once for ALL that possessing as we
do a favorable climate, and being generally supplied
with abundant rains in spring and summer, regard
the swamp lands of our own State equal to any
lands in the Union for the production Of The
experience of past years think fully sustains this
position; for during those occasional droughts which
have sometimes proved disastrous to the billy and
rolling lands in the production of that important ar
tcle of food it has been abundantly supplied by the
swamp lands of our own State. Nor have the bene-
fits arising from this production been confined to
ourselves alone, but they have been felt in other
States through the medium of their ports. Consd
crng the eXtensvearea Of those lands, the general
advancement in retaining the same, and the vast
improvements in modern agriculture, no human
foresight aided by the light of reason. can discern
any diminuton of those advantages in the future,
nor any change in the high limit of position to which
destined to attain. do not allude to those
localities where irrigation is at command for in such,
the greatest production has ever been obtained but
it is worthy of remark that all those localities COM
bned FORM in comparative measure, but a speck
upon the globe.
You must not suppose from anything may have
said elsewhere that the production of the grasses is
confined to any distinct division of this State
Every county in which have been seems well adap-
ted to their growth, and learn that the same is
true in relation to those portions of the State which
have not yet seen. observe, however, in eastern
Texas that the underground is not only taking pos
session of the woodland, to the exclusion of the
grasses butts also advancing rapidly upon the prairie
This arises doubt, from the fact that the lands
have been heavily pastured by the stock, thereby
leaving but small amount of grass, which renders
an efectual burning of the woods impracticable
Some, however, of opinion that it the dens-
ty of the grasses which kept back the underground,
and not the burning. However this may be, the
process is now going on, and have observed the
same on the western side of the Trinity. The re-
suit Of this is, that certain parts of the State must
after while, be deficient in paSturage. If we Judge
from statement in the Crockett Printer, which /
SAW some Iiiie Oack, the emigration 10 tnS state
must be very great 1t was there stated that two
hundred wagons were then on the road between
Crockett and Alexandria.
Upon the little journey, to which have hereto
fore referred, perceived that the encroachment of
the underground became less we proceeded north.
This underground is nearly all of what is here called
scrub oak. Since have been here have observed
some ten or twelve different grasses, and most of
them entirely new TO me. Among the most impor-
tant in this section would name, is the Cana grass
which is the same that in our own State. This
however, is liable to one great objection. The peo-
pie here say it will tread out" that is twill die
and disappear under the pasorage and tread of the
cattle But for this grass in this particular
ton of the State would stand in higher repute.
could but remark the diiferen. estimate placed upon
this grass 10y the people here and those of State
With us, You know that this grass, for many years
past has been considered worthless, whilst here its
position in that regard is reversed There is anoth-
grass in this section which grows in rich bottom
landS-is highly valued, and known the Beaver
tail 1t derives its from the fact that its head
is fiat, and is supposed to correspond in likeness
with its name. do not believe that this grass l. to
be found in our State The crow foo. and crab grass
is here, but in more limited extent than with us,
and neither Of them flourish in prairie soil. have
also the wild rye here in the creek bottoms
have elsewhere stated. This is considered most
excellent food Tor stock, especially when green. l
have seen none in our State although have seen
What is there called wild rye
(CONclUDED IN OUR NEXT