The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-03-28
agricultural Department.
w. S. SHIELDS. EDITOR.
Permanent Pastures.

grazing TO keep our STOCK al IeasC tlSHb
or nine months of the year.
To attain this object we commenced
by experimenting with the various spe-
cies known to flourish in the grazing
regions, and after closely observing for
several years the growth of each varie-
ty, the soil best suited to its production,
the effects of our climate and its capa-
bility of enduring severe weather, freez-
ing, drouth, close cropping, etc, we
have arrived at the conclusion that I'M
der proper management most any of the
best of them will grow to pefection, and
further that our soil and climate are as
well suited to grass growing as in any
other portion of the Union.
We have read that there is no more
power Of spontaneous geneneration OF
grass in the earth than in a red hot vac
um, and yet if every mans farm does
not send up a luxuriant growth OF green
grass without even sowing a seed or the
slightest cultivation, he at once concludes
that his farm is not adapted to its
growth, and abandons all idea of grass
culture.
But if the soil of this country in its
virgin state, had been naturally grass
producing soil, and had had the power
of spontaneous generation, would not
tile cultivation of corn, wheat and oats
for more than three quarters OF centu-
nv have completely extirPated every
root and branch of the green sward! Or
II must have been possessed OF a hun
dred lives.
In the cultivation of grain it is not
expected for it to grow and mature into
a full crop without constant and careful
working, to protect it from the encroach-
ment of various weeds and plants, until
the crop is sufficiently grown to take
complete possession of the ground,
leaving no room for wild growth.
I'm the sweat of thy brow shalt thou
eat bread is equally ash applicable to
the successful cultivation of grass as Of
grain, and the same vigilance in its pro-
lection in its infant state as absolutely
necessary to its proper Development
Nor will it flourish in worn out fields,
but requires the same elements of fertl[
ity as grain, but unlike the latter, unus-
uaIly increases the richness of sell.
Our efforts in this branch of farming
has been as successful as we could well
hope for in the length of the time
we have given it close attention, for set
ting lands in grass is not the work of
single year, but of many years, and
with age they improve, becoming more
valuable every year, and requiring less
care and labor to protect them from
foul growth.
The park of an English lord was re-
Gently spoken of as being the best grass
pasture in all England, and it was said
that it had been in grass for thousand
years.
For permanent pastures in East Ten
nessee we consider orchard grass superb
rior to most any kind We have ever
known. 1t is easily set out, and is
ready for close cropping year earlier
than any other, commences to grow ear
Iier in spring, and later in autumn. To
extreme heat or cold, drouth, winter
pasturing and tramping it is alike irwin
chile, continuing to grow, supplying a
luxuriant croppage of succulent food
nearly the entire year, and from the
moist alluval bottoms to the highest
mountain peak. Any soil containing a
sufficient quantity of organic matter to
produce weeds and briars will grow or
chard grass.
To secure a good catch it is essential
to have the land thoroughly pulverized,
which is best accomplished early in the
autumn and repeated narrowing the.fol-
lowing spring. Sow from twenty to
twenty-five pounds of clean seed and
be sure they are fresh, to the acre,
brushing in just enough to entirely cover
the seed, using care not to get them too
deep. We greatly prefer spring to fall
Have never failed to secure a
good set when sewed from the goth OF
March to the 10th of April or even later,
and we also greatly prefer sowing it
alone, though have known it to do well
with oats
When once set, if kept clean of hedge
grass (Which is by far the greatest OBJ
stacle in the way of grass culture in
this country it may be considered set
for a life time, and the crop Of seed the
second year win return the entire cost
of procuring the pasturage, and hand
some profit besides.
Any land III this grass, for seed alone,
will yield q crop worth double what the
snme land in wheat will.
Saving the seed is an easy and simple
process, and can be done with the reap
er common cradle. 1t requires about
the same time as wheat, and is cut,
bound, shocked and threshed just as it |
is The seed stalk grows above the |
grazing stalk, and after taking the seed |
4 finer pasture is unimaginable.
As above stated the sedge is the great |
enemy of grass in East Tennessee, and
It is an undeniable fact that this pest is
he direct result of bad farming. If |
every farmer in the country would de-
ermine TO exterminate it entirely, it !
would require but few years to do so,
md if it is not done it will eventually |
prove as great pest as did the Canada
histle in the Eastern States many years
go.
So long as it is permitted to grow on
single farm in the neighborhood, it is
With great difficulty that it can be pre-
-ented from scattering all over the sur
ounding country. The seed are very
ight, every passing wind carries them
OF miles.
In the management Of our own grass
ands, we have adopted the plan of
aking it up with the grubbing hoe, COM
lencing in time, and persevering in go