Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-12

orchard grass, but with respect to the lat
ter, he had not had so much experience.
The blue grass was confined to our lime
stone lands-indicated by the sugar tree,
the box, the walnut, the cherry and trees
OF that sort; but where it was an oak
growth or a poplar growth, he had
never seen bluegrass He did not believe
that our climate was as well adapted to the
grasses as it was further North. When we
undertook to make bluegrass in our old,
worn out fields, he thought it would prove
difficult task. In such a case We must
begin with clover. The General further
remarked that he had had great deal of
experience with clover, as he had bought
great many farms that had been worn out
They were originally good, but had been
run down, and he had no difficulty in get
ting good crop of clover on them. His
practice was to SOW the clover on such
lands, using no manure, except that in a
few instances he had sprinkled on little
plaster; and on such lands he had had a
better crop of clover than he had raised
on lands that had been in grass for
many years. But this was on limestone
land. He did not know why it was that he
had raised better clover on these old worn
grass for many years, but such was the
fact
DR.. Foster suggested that there might
be such thing as the land becoming what
was termed ''clover tired"
Mr.. Tanning said it might be owing to
the lime stone.
Gen. Harding said he desired informa-
ton why it was that this worn out land, the
first time it received clover Gas poor as
that land was) should produce better clover
than better land originally of the same
character. The General further remarked
that his experience with orchard grass had
not been very successful. Perhaps he had
not sown it thick enough, or there was
some other difficulty.
He. remarked that he intended to SOW
some orchard grass, but no should take the
advice that had been given, and instead Of
one bushel, he should SOW two.
The General further said that when a
farmer attempted to grow bluegrass in old
fields where there was no shade, he would
not be compensated for his labor.
Col johnson said that his observation
was to the effect that land that would not
grow any of the domestic grasses, would
not grow anything If it would not grow
red clover, or orchard grass or timothy,
the question was whet should be done with
it. 1t would not produce five bushels of
corn to the acre, and would not pro
duce enough of anything to pay for
blowing it. He thought the question of
the disposition of such land might be
solved by Gen. Harding's suggestion-to
use clover first and get the land in good
condition, so that it would afterwards pro
duce blue grass.
DR.. A A jackson, of Madison comfy,
who was present, was invited to participate
IN the discussion.
DR.. Jackson said he rose not so much to
give information as to obtain it. 1t would
be like carrying Goals TO Newcastle TO ad-
wise the experienced gentlemen who were
connected with the Club. The Doctor
then stated that, in his section of the
country, it was considered a good plan to
SOW clover alone, without mixing it with
any other seed, and the weeds thst grew
up would afford sufficient shade. He de-
sired information on this point.
In reply, Gen. Harding said that he had
had good deal Of experience, and would
answer the interroga,Ory. He could see
no reason why clover should be sown
alone. It could be sown with wheat, or
barley, or oats, and the cop could be
taken of, and the clover would do just as
well as if II had been sovn alone, and
there would be gained the additional crop
of wheat, or barley, or oats.
A sort of running conversation was kept
up for some time on this general subject,
but the above report embraces most Of the
points Of general interest.
DR. Foster moved that timothy be dis
cJissed at the next meeting, and the mo-
ton carried.
The Club then adjourned till the next
regular meeting, on the first Saturday in
March.