The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-04
Ihs 6arImeI,
The Blue erusa Of Kentucky,

MtN uvN oAAANAtuAiJ NAAAANNAt4 AVA VIZ
misds Of the farmers Of the Southern
states--that it was impossible to raise CON-
mon clover Of the Middle aud Western
states upon their soil; but the fact has
been demonstrated over and over again
that as fine crops Of clover can be produced
10 most Of the states indicated as elsewhere.
In like manner the same error has OBJ
tanned very general foothold in regard to
the ability Of the Atlantic states to sue
cessfully cultivate the celebrated blue grass
Of Kentucky, which has been considered
as Indigenous to the soil Of the state whose
name il hears; but this conception, as in
the ease Of clover production, is undoubt-
edly erroneous Il is conceded that lime
stone land is most suitable to its produc-
ton 10 the fullest extent Of its capabilities,
but il IS an established fact that it does
grow naturally, and is successful according
to the opportunities afforded it, in every
state from Maine to Georgia, although the
great central Mississippi Valley-thrOugh
Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri-is where
the soil aud climate suit it best. The
name Of @blue grass" is, perhaps, the most
common designation in other states, and the
reason why it has not attained to that dis
tinetion as permanent pasture which it
enjoys in the three states named above is
that, in addition to their superior adapta-
ton to its necessities, greater degree Of
the preliminaries necessary have been af.
forded it than is generally consistent with
the ideas Of most farmers Of this country.
We are loath to wait more than year for
rcturns from any crop We may sow, not
withstanding by the delay of returns for
two or three years We may be well paid for
the supposed loss Of the intermediate time,
when we shall have reaped no profit in our
investment. And this probably has been
the reason why this crop has been found
50 exceedingly valuable in the great graz
ing districts of the West.
II is evident that our farmers are turu.
ing their attention more aud more to the
raising Of live stock, not only as the most
profitable means of farming to suit their
condition in regard to labor, but also to
supply the demand which is opening to
them in the ports of the world, which we
have every reason to believe is not to be
mere temporary squirt, but to become as
fixed field for their product as is now en-
joyed by our cotton and tobacco. 1t has
ever been conceded that the more atteu-
ton and success which the grasses have
secured the greater is the wealth and pros
perity Of such states and nations. Couse-
quontly, the improvement Of our grass
crop cannot be but Of infinite importance
TO every American landholder We have,
in our clover aud orchard grass, most val
liable auxiliaries 10 our efforts to extend
our hay crop; bat if we shall bring into
play the more extended cultivation Of the
blue grass in our Atlantic States, the most
acceptable service will be rendered to one
of our most profitable branches of agricul-
ture which is now looming up
A planter OF Missouri, IN recent com-
munication TO the RRyat World, says he
BIAS been growing this gr J for forty years,
and Of all the grasses grown for a perma-
nent pasture, il has been found Of the
greatest value. he says that orchard
grass will produce hrger amount of for
age per acre, aud will stand close feeding
aud dry summers very we'll; still, for pas
ture the whole year round, it is not the
equal of blue grass. 1t grows more in
buiches than blue grass, and will not make
the coveted matted sod. Now, as this
grass is so desirable for every Que to have
for the pasture, why do we find SO few
fields we'll set with it2 One says, "My
land will not produce blue grass" AnOth-
or says, "Blue grass will not grow except
on limestone land This is not SO, as al
ready shown The climate and sol! Of the
Mississippi Valley suit it best, but still it
is the principal pasture of grass growing
on the hills and in the wales of the East
ern and Middle States. More than forty
years ago, in company with my four elder
brothers, tended my fathers Aoeks as they
fed on this same "June grass, as il is
called there, on the granite hills of New
England Those four brothers graves are
now covered with that same June grass
sod, and | alone am left
If you will but take nature for your
guide, you can easily obtain blue grass
pasture that you win be proud Of You
can readily see that blue grass wants the
land hard, firm and solid; the harder, the
better If you SOW blue grass seed on soft,
pulserized land, as you do other grass seed,
you lose at least two.thirds of the seed.
When wish to set a field with blue
grass, this is my way; and let the weather
come cold or bot, wet or dry, never lose
the seed or make failure Of it. The last
- Eakr..an.r I tl,3 nh IL
quarts Of timothy and five pounds of clover
seed per acre. The following year NOV
the field or pasture it as suits me best
Now The freezing and thawing of the two
winters and the rains have made the ground
solid, and in September 1.-TWO years from
the time | seeded 10 wheat | SOW two
bushels Of extra clean blue grass seed per
acre, and in two years from that time /
have solid matted sod, which win stand
pasturing summer and winter, and the
three years ia which have my field in
timothy and clover pays me well while
waiting for the blue grass sod. Some viii
tell you to SOW your blua grass seed on the
wheat with the other grass seed. Don't do
it; you will lose two-thirds of your seed
Others will tell you, after you SOW tho seed
on bard ground, to harrow it. Don't do
that either IL causes the seed to germi-
nate, aad If dry weather sets in, as is Of
ten tho case iu the fall Of the year, you
will lose the seed.
Blue grass seed is covered with small
fine beard or hull, and if it is on hard
surface, exposed to the action Of the soil