The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-04-24

The Culture Of Grasses.


Mr.. Brown, at 8 farmers club
meeting in the State OF New York,
read the following essay:
The subject for our considers
tion to-day is not new, but it is one
that will ever claim the attention
OF the successful farmer. To every
farmer in this section of the coun-
try grass is the most important
crop that Is grown will not say
cultivated, for we give it so little
attention that it is not worthy the
name of cultivation. but / am glad
to see that more is being done to
increase the growth of grass than
in years past. Theory is o-e thing
and practice is altogether a differ
ent thing, but a mans practice is
never in advance of his theory
Every one should have a clear idea
of what he wishes 20 accomplish,
and make his practice come as near
to il as possible. My theory is that
every two acres of land should keep
COW or its equivalent in other
stock. My practice is to come
somewhat short of it. the reason
for my theory is, that l do not
raise enough from one acre To feed
a COW well for one year; it is no
great trouble to get the value of
four or five tons OF hay from an
acre near the barn, but the trout lie
is with the back end of the farm;
how shall we get that to produce
its proper share of feed? If an
acre near the barn will support a
COW a year, it ought not to take.
from five to eight acres hall q mile.
away. No farmer should be salts.
fed until he can keep one half as
many cows as he has acres of land.
The question is how to bring this
about. My theory is, pillow more;
pillow TO destroy the worms, pillow to
destroy weeds, pillow to pulverize
The soil and put it in better coDdi
ton to absorb the fertilizing ele
ments1 in the atmosphere. When
ever we pillow we turn under con
siderable grass, turf or stubble,
which is good to enrich the soil
Seed often and with a variety of
seed, as there is no one kind that
will produce as much feed as sever
al kinds sown together. Scientists
claim that there are more than
three thousand species OF grass.
adapted 10 the various soils aud
climates OF the world, but It would
be of little use to us to study the
history of all of them, vet we
should learn something of the nal
ture and quality of those generally !
cult waited in this vicinity. Timo-
thy on good ground will produce
four or i've tons per acre, but the
growth is mostly from April TO the
middle OF July, therefore if sown
alone would not make good pasture
in the last of the season; but it is
good mixed with others of different
natures. Orchard grass should al
ways be sown in pastures, as it is
q vigorous grower ard starts quick |
after being moved or fed of, fur
nishing fresh feed from early
spring until winter. Clover, al
though not q grass according to
the general definition of the term,
yet for all practical purposes should |
be reckoHed among them. Red |
clover is one of the best fertilizers,
as has been amply proved by first
class farmers for many years;
it should be sown on all |
fields that are not already rich /
enough. and as plaster adds greatly
to its growth, it should be sown at
the rate of one hushel per acre.
As red clover lasts but two years it
requires re-seeding often: but tie
large roots that decay in the soil
add so much fertility that it well
pays for the seoding.~ White clover
should always be sown on pasture
lands. It's nature is to run on the
surface and root from the joints,
thus spreading out and filling up
every place not otherwise occupied,
and affording a. large amount of nu.
food. Z There are various
other grasses that are worthy of
our attention, and should be sown
on every tarm. -