The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-05-30

If besides the IL lbs. clover seed
per acre sown on wheat or oats, (some
recommend sowing timothy or clover
seed, or the two mixed, as crop indie
pendent of either of these grains,) you
will also put in /, or, better, 2 bushels
of orchard grass seed, the advantage of
the operation will be duly acknowledged
in its excellent results. Put the or
chard grass seed on floor, and moisten
it with water slowly poured from wa
tering-pot, the seed being thoroughly
turned over during the process, and
shoveled into pile, and thus remain in
bulk II hours before being sown. Sow
the clover seed first, by itself, and then
the orchard grass seed by itself-the
latter should be mixed with twice its
bulk of sand or ashes, the more readily
to effect evenness of distribution. The
two grasses mixed make much better
hay than the clover does alone-a great
er production is secured at the first cut
ting, while the aftermath is much lar
ger, and the pasture in the fall viii be
more luxuriant and enduring, and the
liability to hoven in cattle is less than
when clover is eaten alone. They beth
come into bloom about the same time,
when they should be cut, as the objec-
ton of coarseness to orchard grass is
thus avoided. When the grain is har-
vested, it will be advantageous to clover
to have bushel or two of salt, and half
that quantity of plaster, per acre, sown
as top-dressing. This will attract
moisture from the atmosphere, giving
the plants an impetus in their growth,
and will be an additional protection to
that afforded by the orchard-grass, the
latter, by its rapidity of growth, secur-
ing the clover from the effects of the
sun after the grain is cut and removed.
We have perhaps, said enough upon the
value of these grasses, and may again
have occasion to refer to them; but be-
fore leaving the subject, we will quote
from Lorain, in his day ranking among
the most successful and intelligent of
our American farmers, who, in speaking
of grasses, remarked: "Orchard grass
is very valuable; it springs very early
when cut off by the scythe, it neither
waits for fresh shoots from its roots nor
until its wounds be healed, but contin-
ues growing on just as if nothing had
happened. The leaves, which have been
cut, will grow on rich soil, nearly, if
not quite, one inch in twenty four hours,
forming new plants gradually as they
increase in length. The stalk is very
abundant; therefore the first crop will
Horses and cattle eat the hay freely,
and thrive well on it. and it is believed
to be much more profitable grass for
this purpose. In this connection we
will add, that if the land is in good
ho@ ~ h
of wheat, and has lime in it, three OBJ
lects can be effected-the improvement
of the land, the securing of hay crop,
and good pasture afterward, by SOW
ing with care this spring peck of timo-
thy, bushel orchard grass, bushel
red-top, and II lbs. clover-seed per
acre; the three first should be thor
oughly mixed and suwn as soon as the
ground is sufficiently firm to bear a
team without injury; and then the clio
yer should be sown by itself-lightly
harrow in with light one-horse har-
row, and then the field should be rolled
with heavy roller.-AnaericG1a Farmer.
Greenland "skies" or Snow Skates.
These are made of wood, from six to
ten feet long, but only from five to six
inches wide, turned up at both extremi-
ties, and covered on the under side with
Unframed seal-skin. About midway on
the top of each skie is loop which fits
the toe piece of the boot of the skie To-
Der, or operator, and further back is
peculiarly constructed leather strap,
which passes forward across the instep,
then round the ankle, and again for
ward, where it is securely fastened
about midway between the knee and
foot. By the aid of these skies, one on
each foot, the native Esquimaux and
settlers of the Greenland colonies will
compare favorabIy with an experienced
skater on ordinary smooth ice, and far
outrun him If there is the least snow on
the surface. Snow acts as q lubricator
to the oily seal-skin, which is placed on
the wooden frame in such manner that |
it is perfectly smooth, with the hair all |
turned from the front part of the skin. |
The utmost care is taken in selecting |
the skins for this purpose, aud only SUI |
perior, strong skins are used. In look |
ing at these contrivances in their cases, |
they look plain and simple enough but
the utmost skill and care is required to
make a first-class pair of Greenland
and such a pair commands
the value of a sled and team of dogs,
or about SIS to $40 in our currency.
Often, when deliberately trimmed and
they cost much more, and
there is pair at Copenhagen a pair for
which the government paid the sum of
230 rix-dollars, or nearly $115 in gold.
The body of this pair is made of whale
bone, while the runner" is of perfect
Iy white seal-skin, without spot or
Olemish. They measure about IL feet
IN length, with noses turned up fully
loot, and secured in position by cords
IF finely spun and colored sinews.-
Shoe and Leather Reporter.