Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-21
ORCHARD GRASS.

ORCHARD GRASS.
We have more than once, during the
present year, adverted to this grass and
commended it for its hardy qualities,
quick growth and its adaptability for al
most all soils and all climates. Wher-
ever it has been tried in our State it has
given satisfaction, and the grower has, in
almost every instance, signifed his inten-
ton of increasing the acreage. The fol-
lowing from A. W. Cheever, in the ~,
e. Farmer, will be found highly inter-
esting and instructive to those pers 1ns
who are thinking of seeding portion of
their farms to grass. We are of opinion,
however, that all perennial grasses do bet
Ter in this latitude if sown in the fall.
They get better start and the roots de-
scend to such q depth that there is no
dsnger of their being killed out by the
hot weather. We are glad to note q
growing interest throughout Middle Ten
nessee on the subject of grasses. Grasses
mean less labor, less worry, fewer hands,
more profit, more enjoyment, fner stock
and more charming homes, and as con-
sequence, happier families, more educa-
ton, more taste and refinement and
higher elevation of the moral character.
Let q asses be sown aud our homes beau
titled and there will be more contentmcnt,
more satisfaction, less gloom and de-
spondency, less carping and discomfort.
Says Mr.. Cheever:
"The more l become acquainted with
this grass the better l like it. Not the
| least among its merits is its hardness. 1t
stood the hot, dry weather last summer
| better than any other valuable grass with
which am familiar. 1t should be sowed
thick, | think two bushels not too much
seed for an acre; and it must be cut early,
before it is in full bloom, TO have the hay
the best quality. On rich, moist land il
is as sure to yield three crops in a year,
as is red-top 10 give one. Unlike clover,
| it never inclines to blossom but once in a
season; the second and third crops are
mostly leaves, and the best feed for COWS
in winter l ever grew. 1t is a good grass
to SOW in early spring with clover, but
without grain. Two good crops of leafy
hay may be counted on the first year, and
three crops yesr afterwards, as long as
the land will carry it cut l believe it
the best of grasses to SOW where l intend
to keep the crop up by top dressing. The
dressing should be spread Immediately
after removing the hay, and should be
well pushed down, then the new crop will
come up in very few days, cover the
ground and keep it from drying. would
recommend it to any one who is not
afraid to begin hsying the last of May or
the first of June. By the 10Th of June
it is in full bloom in this latitude, and
past iis bsst condition for nay. l have
grown it five years, and like it go well
that intend to SOW it this spring on the
whole of my reclaimed meadow"
STRAWBERRY CULTURE,
A correspondent wants TO know some
thing about strawberry culture and man
agement, kind of soil best suited to them,
snd average yield and profit.
We have never grown strawberries for
market, and, therefore, as to yield per
acre, will have to rely upon the state
ments of others.
The most profitable method of cult
waiting strawberries, az indeed is the case
with all crops, is to give them plenty of
room and prepare the land well. Ridges,
eighteen inches apart, should be thrown
up, and vines planted the same distance
on the ridge in such manner that the
plants in every other row shall be oppo-
site each other and appear in straight
lines, looking diagonally across the land.
The best soil is q rich, black, clayey
loan. The best manure is the rich,
black dirt from the woods. Keep all
runners down, and work them as well as
crop OF cabbage, destroying all weeds
and grass and keeping the land loose six
or eight inches. In the fall of the year
| fill up between the rows with saw dust
or wheat chah, 1--WE prefer the latter,
snd they require no more work until the
crop is gathered the next spring. The
most important thing is to keep the crown
mon and not 6eLOaO the surface.
We do not know the yield of any
strawberry plantation in Tennessee, but
are satisfied they would bear as well here
as anywhere. Ia the State of Ohio the
yield il field crops vsries from one hun
bred to two hundred and fifty bushels, as