The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-04-18
SOUTHERN HOME AND FARM.
DIsnprsarauce of Native eraser Dnd the
Castle Trade,

DIsnPrsarance of Native Grasses Dndl the |
C=sue Trade.
In the early history OF the states ads |
iacent to the great lakes, the land. both |
prairie and woodland, produced an
abundance of wild, nutritious heritage.
With the settlement of the country these
grasses gradually failed, the result of
close cropping, and finally disappeared
entirely. The same thing is noticed now
in the states west of as. From Iowa,
Kansas and Nebraska, where the land is
rapidly being taken UP, the wild grasses
are giving out. Like the bison and the
Indian, the indigenous heritage Of the
plains and prairies does not take kindly
to civilization; it dWarfs and dwindles
under the pressure of close contact with
man and his methods of farming. Even
where the land is not disturbed by the
pillow, but is graz3d through a few seasons,
the places that knew the native grasses
know them no more.
The habits and Characterization of these
grasses are such that they are not adapt
ed to permanent pasturage, hence the
cattle men" seek newer districts and
ranges for their herds. But this policy
can not always prevail, for the time will
come when the ranges of the newer
states and territories will have become
circumscribed, and there will be no new
fields TO occupy. That time is doubtless
somewhat remote, but it may come sooner
than most of us imagine. A letter in a
recent number of the Marx Lane Elk.
press, written by Mr.. w. II. Setham,
indicates how rapidly the ranges'' in
Kansas are being abandoned for sparser-
settled regions. The great cattle men
fhAFn nd al rnor ora 4
their herds to greener fields and pastures
new. Our own correspondence from
various sections indicates the same state
of things. AS long as cattle are
subsisted alone on prairie grass,
"ranges," large tracts of land, are, of
course, a necessity of the business,
and these can be found in Colorado,
Wyoming, ETC., for some time to come
But this vast interest must, perforce, in
time undergo transition, and the par
ticular class of cattle which at present
constitutes so large a factor of the live
stock trade will be no longer raised in
such vast numbers as now characterizes
the business, and the "cattle kings {"
who rear these immense herds on vast
ranges to supply feeders and farmers will
find their business Improbable. The
change may not be rapid but it is
accelerated a time rolls on.
The problem is presented, how to
make up the deficiency which will thus
be produced. 1t is net difficult to solve.
provided the farmers and stock-growers
take time by the forelock and, by begin
ming in time, provide pasturage which
will be permanent. 1t is not claimed thai
this method will produce cattle as cheaply
as they are raised under the present
system but if that system is doomed by
the operations of an inexOrablt
law to pass away, it is bu
the part of prudence to make {
virtue OF necessity and prepare for th'
change. 1t is gratifying to know that
~ to some extent, the improvement o
native cattle of which the western herd
are made up, is by infusions of the BLOOD
of improved breeds. But this is not The
greatest factor in the problem, although
very important one, as the demand To-
meat must go on and better quality
required than has hitherto sufficed. Thu
farmers of the country especially in thu
newer portions, must alternate grass will
grain-growing, and stOck-raising ente
more generally into their business thar
1T now does. Grass aud grain will main
tain the fertility of the soil while con
slant tillage will impoverish it. TIL,
trite adsge, mo grass, no cattle; no cat
tie, no manure; no manure, no crops,
is a nugget of agricultural wisdom con
tributed long ago by the experienc
of the Belgians, and corroboratec
by that OF every country wher
man tills the soil. Grass furnishe
the key to the problem, and there i
none better, if as good, for this purpOsr
as Kentucky bluegrass. Its superio
quality as pasture grass is UNIVERSAL,
admitted, and although it is sometime
difficult to obtain a good "catcn," re
peated sowings under suitable condition
will reward the persistent farmer wit
success, When once well set its valu
can hardly be over.estimated Startin
early in the spring and growing luxul
iantly when pastured, with thick, MAJ
like burden of radical leaves or blade
it makes a second growth in Septembe
which continues until the groun
freezes, often growing in a favorab
climate all winter This subject is OF
which many of our farming friends
hose of the newer portions of oil
western states especially, will do well
give more than a passing thought.
Western Rural.