The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-04-01
agricultural department.
CONDUCTED By ALBERT CHAPMAN.
Meeting of the State Board of Agricul-
ture, &C., at Brandon.

CONCLUDED.
Wednesday afternoon Mr.. Jameson, of
Irasburgh, member of the Board, open
ed the meeting with an address on grass
es, exhibiting large number Of speci-
mems of the common kinds, in illustra-
tion of his subject
Mr.. Jameson commenced by giving a
definition of the word grass, which he
defined as plant having long leaves and
center stalk that was the seed stalk. 1t
was a plant of almt st universal growth, a
plant so universally depended upon in all
countries for forage for all domestic, ru-
minating animals, that its failure for even
one season would bo calamity so great
that all the inhabitants ofthe globe would
feel its effects. In some Of the more
northern countries Of Europe, the rein
deer subsisted upon moses, but nearly
all other Illuminating animals depend up
on grass for forage.
The great variation of growth, and the
great number of different kinds, some of
them seeming to adapt themselves to cv-
cry kind Of soil, climate and condition,
was remarkable, and showed its great
value for oil countries and all wants
This variation Of growth in different
climates and conditions was remarkable.
The effect of the growth Of grass upon
the soil was remarkable. If it was TAX
en- off year after year, The land became
poorer or exhausted. In state of ma.
ture it will continue to produce grass
year after year, but if the land is cuiti-
waited it will not
Grass was great protection to lands,
as with it, it became more fertile and
stronger to produce other crops, while
without it it became poorer.
Instances of lands producing natural
grasses in great and increasing quantities
were mentioned, as on the lines of the
Pacific Railroad, where it grew to great
height and furnished forage for the vast
herds of buffalos of those western terrific
ries. Instances of low or natural mead
ows within our own State were mention
ed, where original grasses had, and do
continue to grow.
In many countries no grass is harvest
ed for hay, grazing being possible during
the whole year, and even in our own
country there are sections where none is
harvested. While the crop is estimated
at 33S millions tons in Texas, no hay is
harvested.
There ara large number Of varieties,
several hundred being classed and de.
scribed Some of the more common and
valuable kinds were described, and their
uses explained.
One OF the most common was Timothy
or Herds Grass This was one of the
most valuable for hay, but was not good
for an aftermath, nor good grazing
grass. Red Top was quite common. AS
it comes in of its IF, especially on moist
lands, it was valuable and should be sown
oftener. Blue grass was the same as our
June grass; it was one Of the most val
liable as grazing grass, as its leaves con.
tinue to grow when grazed and it was
very nutritious.
Foul Meadow grass was, according tc
Flint, one of the most valuable, keeping
green through the season, as its juices
continue to flow through the main stalk
it made most valuable hay even when cu
later than other hay. Orchard Gras.
was described as one of the most valua
Bile, producing very large crops being
very early it had been found better t.
mix with clover than herds grass, it rip
ened or came to maturity more nearly
with it. Glover, although not strictly {
grass, was used for the same purposes
and the different varieties were very val
liable for grazing and hay. Alsiko clio
yer was proving valuable for hay for tun
ing dowr, and as pasturage for bees
Witch grass was liked by some, but 9th
ers did not. 1--WE do not know but som
people, from Christian principles, may be
come resigned under severe dispensation
Of Providenc and even work themselvc
into the belief, that what cannot be help
ed is blessing, but in no other view ca
we conceive of the value Of this grass
better known in some sections as quacb
nor do we believe any enc who has ha
any experience with it, will introduce
knowingly into lands sooner than Canad
thistles, or any other pest that it is a
most impossible to eradicate from the so
after it has once obtained foot hole
Quack, or witch grass, is an unmitigate
nuisance.-ED.)
Tbs management Of grass lands wa
then consider. Irrigation could b
practiced benefeially in many parts {
the State, Top dressing after hayinl
and then blowing under, we're then ret
commended as good to renew the gra.
crops. If good grasses are already
possession OF the soil, continued CROP
may be raised by top dressing, but if tn
poorer grasses were in possession, the fol
mer system was better.
The amount of seed used to stock dow
land was considered. In his own case
had used 60 lbs Of clover and one-ha
bushel of herds grass on seven acres.
For hay,very early cutting was recon
mended, and examples given where ha
cut much earlier than even those practiC
that cut early, had proved much MOI
valuable to feed than any other.
After this address, this synopsis
which is very imperfect, there was di
cussion upon the subject of raising gra
and clover, the management of gra
lands, the cutting and curing of hay, an
blowing in green crops to renew the fe
tility of the soil and increase the valu
OF our grass lands.
During this discussion. the phenomer
Of plants springing up unexpectedly WI
discussed, and many curious example
mentioned, such as clover on earth throw
out Of the bottom of bitches, that ha
been cut to drain swamps, and weeds
places where such weeds had never bee
known before. As an explanation of tn
last, Mr.. Prindle, of Charlotte, stated tn
many weeds that as first crop, or und
favorable circumstances, grew very larg