The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-01
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Fowl Meadow Grass,

Letters continue TO come in, asking for in
formation about the cultivation of fowl mead
ow grass. We have one now before US asking
if the first week in September is too late for
sowing the seed how much seed to the acre?
whether it will do well without the applica-
ton of fertilizers? aud whether fine black
muck soil is suitable to its growth? We have
recently given, in the Farmer, about all the
information concerning this grass that we
could gather from publications.
1t is variety of grass that is but little Gull
tivated as that term is generally understood.
1t is most often found along the ditch banks
of fresh meadows that are occasionally over
flowed during the winner and spring months.
The seed is distributed naturally by the &C
ton OF watenbeing foated from place to place
during freshets. 1t is also said to have been in
troduced into certain meadows for the first
time by ducks or other aquatic birds. Its
natural habitat is upon wet, peaty meadows,
and it may be established in such meadows,
by sowing the seed on the surface of the
ground at appropriate seasons, without
poughing, Or it may be sown upon reclaimed
meadows after the ground has been ploughed
and rotted.
The former is hap-hazard method, and
several sowings may be found necessary be-
fore good catch will be obtained, as the seed
may be destroyed by dry weather, or be float
ed off from the land by freshets. If the land
has been recently ploughed, it would proba-
bly, pay to apply manure or fertilizers of some
kind at the time of sowing the seed, to give
the grass vigorous start while young; and
in this case, the seed should be narrowed or
brushed in.
Fowl meadow grass is usually cut on land
that is sufficiently fertized by the annual
overflow of the waters. AS there is little
call for the seed for sowing on cultivated
fields, it is rather dear in price. selling IN this
city for four or five dollars per bushel One
bushel of seed, if it all comes up, is sufficient
quantity for an acre. When once established
on land suitable to its growth, it may be kept
in an unlimited length of time, if it is cut late
enough to allow the seed to ripen and fall to
the ground.
A popularity of this grass, and one that
gives it special value, is its ability to remain
uncut several weeks after it is in blossom
without materially injuring it for hay. For
this reason, it should be found in limited
quantity on every farm adapted to its growth.
AS we have NO suitable place for it, we cannot
speak of it from personal knowledge, but
must give It's character as given by others.
We have seen one field of it grown upon
reclaimed bog that was handsome sight. 1t
grew like red-top till it blossomed, when it
tell down, but continued to hold its beautiful
light green color, and to increase in bulk for
several weeks after it was lodged; and, when
finally cut for hay, was relished exceedingly
by the cattle.
From some cause, however, it all died out
in few years-perhaps from winter-killing,
but more likely from starvation, as the annual
flowing was discontinued after the meadow
was drained. From all we can learn about
fowl meadow grass, it is very valuable in stu
atiohs adapted to it, but those situations are
few and far between where it will live and
produce heavy crops year after year without
either flowing or culture. We should be very
glad to hear from those of our correspondents
who have been successful in raising this grass
either.in wet meadows or on reclaimed lands.
Their experience should be of value to others
who may wish to experiment with the grass
upon their own farms.-N. b. Farmer.