The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-04-30
ESSAY ON GRASSES.

UranSe, at mcADceS 8 Academy on the lUtI
inst, the following Essay on Grasses wal
read by Gen. j. G. Anderson, and its pub
lication in our county papers Farmers Col
umn) unanimously called for:
Worthy Master and Patrons:
know of no subject more fit and more
worthy from which we may draw many
practical suggestions for the good of the good
of the Order than the cultivation of the gras
ses, and there is every reason why we should
be as much interested in this branch OF
Husbandry as in any other. 1t is of vital
Importance in the annual success, and per-
haps most vital in reclaiming and improving
It is to be regretted that VIC know SO
little and that we have made such slow pro-
gress 10 this branch. Its Importance and
extent in the United States is very great.
AS shown by the reports of the Agricultural
Department., its value ranks equal to that
of the cotton crop. This fact ofitself should
elicit more interest and inquiry than to-day
exists among us as farmers, and contribute
a mite to this end and purpose by giving
you some of my personal experience with
the Grasses.
We should not be surprised to see so
much Indifference and neglect when we re-
view the past history of our country, and
remember that under the old system that
this branch was totally ignored by our faith
ers. Its importance was not seen by them !;
its need was never felt; it was not their
purpose to reclaim or to enrich the soil,
because it was of less value than the slave
Being able to command the labor at all
times, it was their policy to cut down, wear
out, and sell out. Under tho circumstances,
they acted wisely for themselves, but unwise-
ly for posterity. We find ourselves under
different circumstances, and we must adopt
different policy. Some of the advantages
they possessed we have not, but at the same
time we have many they did not enjoy. AT
the beginning of this change in our system
we found much prejudice existing against
any new departure in farming, and the in
PRODUCTION Of the cultivated grasses did not
escape. Many young farmers who dared
to depart on this line met the taunts of the
more advanced, and were told to stop their
nonsense, or you bug corn nent gear"
But We are glad to see, that notwithstand-
ing this pressure and the want of informa-
tion on the subject, the cultivation of the
grasses is growing more in favor, and that
some progress is being made, and that in
terest and inquiry are on the increase. Our
increase their productive capacity and mar
ket value is to the interest of the individual
farmer as well the interest and prosperity
of tho country at large.
What we as farmers wish to know is how
we may improve our land with the smallest
outlay of money and labor, and at the same
time continue to produce paying crops. To
sec our lands growing poorer or washing
away into the adjacent streams, will dispirt
and unstrng the energies of any one. l
believe if there be any answer to this inquiry,
or any remedy for the continual waste, we
may find it in the cultivation of the grasses,
more particularly Orchard and Red Glover.
These two possess the quality of producing
fine forage and at the same time improving
the soil. Timothy and Herds Grass are
more properly grazing and hay grasses, and
our native Crab Grass is by no means infe-
rior for hay and possesses many advantages
over some others.
| have had limited experience with the
five just mentioned, and while they have not
all attained to that perfection we would
desire, still they have succeeded sufficiently
to encourage and even to be profitable.
Crab Grass may be grown to perfection,
and made the friend instead of the great
enemy We are wont to regard it on the farm.
1t makes most excellent hay, and any one
may succeed with it on any land. Allow
me to suggest that each one present set
apart small lot, one-half or one acre, and
break it deep, aud two or three times by
the tenth of May, making the last plowing
about that time, leave the surface smooth
with Harrow or pole drawn at right angle
to the team. If the land is poor and light
manuring will double the crop. Keep off
stock any try the hay; cut when in full
bloom. One acre under this treatment last
year produced for me more than two tons
of good hay. l sprinklcd with salt as put
the hay in barn or stack. No one need be
without forage if he will handle the Crab
Grass.
Timothy may be grown on rich loam in
our county, but is poor crop on high, dry
upland, either for hay or grazing. In fact
it is strictly hay grass and will not bear
close grazing here. 1t finds great enemy
in the Broomsedge and is generally over
come in three or four years. | have sown
it pretty extensively for this country and
have made some fine hay from it, but have
abandoned it for reasons above, and also
because | regard the Orchard superior for
our purposes.
Herds Grass is to be preferred as q graz
ing meadow on damp lands. While it
makes fine quality of hay, the quantity
is less per acre than the Orchard or the
Timothy. 1t will not be profitable if sown
on dry or poor land.
In 1872 put down two acres in Herds,