The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-02-20

tention. is greater at the present date,
or was before the present disturbed safe
of our country. han the combined crops
of rice, cot on and tobacco.
According to the census Of 1910, the
mere hay crop Of the United 5 ates was
lu,2lS, 1903 ;ons; in 1850 it had in
creased TO l3,S3S,64S tons-a fair esti-
mate Of the increase of the crops at he
present time, 1868, at ST. per tots,
would amount to the round sum of $780,,
100000. Notwiths anding these facts,
we ;rea the hay crop as one Of minor
Importance, and but little ten ion is
paid to it,-the meadows must wait till
the other crops are disposed of, then
the grass is cut too often without refer
cnce to its condition Or any well prepared
place for its reception.
We would endeavor to increase our
knowledge by means of scientific Invest
iga ion and judicious eAperlmen. 3 with
respect to this Important branch of ag-
rcultural interest.
The farmer who understands the i'm
portance of bestowing careful! attention
upon his stock, is not careless in hus-
banding the grass which furnish them
no only with food, but clothes them
with flesh. blu how li:tlc does he think
Nt the TACT, thar these very grasses have
as great IA claim on him for attention as
the stock to which they are fed.
Grass cannos live without food and
care, any more than our cattle and other
animals, and hence there is great field
for study and care in the kind of soils
and fertilizers adap ed to the mos; sue
cesstui production of grass. Care is
needed in projecting them from injuries
aud depredationS-lnany farmers spend
money and labor in rendering their hocks
secure from wild animals and in protect
lug their granaries troul the pil'erings of
vcrnin, aud yet think nothing Of the
noAious weeds thar are constant v steal
ing from ie.r grasses the food which ma
ure has provided for hem. Sou. f, itnus
of agriculture are making efforts to ill.,
prove our grasses BY the introduction of
'ore' On varieties, -many of the English
grasses are hardy and very uu'ricious-
they may no. endure our Gina e, hut 1t
is possible that a change of climate
would result in an Improvement Of the
good qualities Of good grass 1t will,
however, be time enough to make exper-
lnents upon foreign grasses when We
shall have learned more full, of our
own ma i've and Spontaneous kinds, wh ch,
with proper cui u,e, would prove an in
valuable treasure. Within the bounda-
rles OF our vast national domain, in va
rious latIrudcs, climates, soils, and STU
atious, we have, doubt not, more DIFF
terent kinds of grass than are found in
any other portion Of the globe, aud yet
the cultivation does not exceed TWEEN y
kinds Nature gives us numerous kinds
OF hose which arrive at perfection in
different laIi udes of our coun ry during
each successive month, from spring to
autumn. A careful selection of such
kinds adap ed to soil and climate will be
Of much interest to tarmcr>-and We
propose IN subsequent numbers Of your
paper to speak Of ,hese. their cultiva-
ton, curing, &c
These few remarks are made, not wi h
he conviction that l am Offering any
pew fac fol- the consideration OF any
good farmer, bnt with the hope OF incit-
ing him to look with special interest into
tho subject of native grasses-the i'm
por'ance of cultivating a crop which is
second to none that occupies the atten-
tinn OF tar.ucrs, especially considering
the present facilities Of packing, the
gres, demand, and present value.
r. WAKEMAN.
Port Deposit, December Is, 1863,