The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-04
OH @armeE,
The Blue Grass Of Kentucky.

not now sufficiently eradicated from the
minds Of the farmers Of the Southern
states--that it,was impossible to raise cont
mon clover Of the Middle and Western
states upon their soil; but Che fact has
been demonstrated over and over again
that as fine crops Of clover can be produced
il 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
eessfully cultivate the celebrated blue grass
ofKentaeky, which has been considered
as Indigenous TO the solo the state whose
name il bears; but this conception, as in
tho case Of clover production, is undoubt-
eddy erroneous 1t is conceded that lime
stone land is most suitable to its produc-
ton to 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 Yalley--through
Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.--is where
the soil aud climate suit il best The
name Of "blue grass" is, perhaps, the most
common designation in other states, and the
reason why il has not attained to that dis.
tinctiou as q permanent pasture which it
enjoys in the three states named above is
that, in addition 10 their superior adapta-
ton to its necessities, greater degree Of
the preliminaries necessary have been af-
forlcd ii than is generally consistent with
the ideas Of most farmers Of this country.
We are loath to wait more than year for
returns from any crop We may SOW, not
outstanding by the delay Of returns for
two or three years we may be we'll 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 sraz-
iDS districts of the West.
II is evident that our farmers are turn.
ing their attention more and more to the
Kissing Of live stock, not ouly 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 a
mere temporary squirt, but to become as
fixed field for their product as is now en-
joycd by our cotton and tobacco. 1t has
ever been conceded that the more atton-
ton and success which the grasses have
secured the greater is the wealth and pros
perity Of such states and nations Conse-
quently, the Improvement Of our grass
crop cannot be but Of iu6uite Importance
10 every American landholder We have,
in our clover and 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 Que
Of our most profitable branches Of agricul-
gure which is now looming up.
A planter Of Missouri, in recent com
munieation to the Rural World, says he
has been growing this gn S for forty years,
and Of all the grasses grown for perma-
nent pasture, it has been found Of the
greatest value. He says that orchard
grass win produce hrger amount of for
ago per acre, aud viii stand close feeding
and dry summers very WE'LL still, for pas
tare the whole year round, it is not the
equal of blue grass. 1t grows mole in
bunchcs 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 well set with il? One says, "My
land will not produce blue grass. Anoth-
er says, "Blue grass will not grow except
on limestone land This is not SO, as al
ready shown. The climate and soil Of the
Mississippi Valley suit it best, but still it
is the principal pasture Of grass growing
on the hills and in tho wales Of the East
ern aud Middle States. More than forty
years ago, in company with my four elder
brothers, tended my fathers focks as they
fed on this same isJune grass" MS it 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 viii bat take nature for your
guide, You can easily obtain blue grass
pasture that yon 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
pulverized land, as you do other grass seed
yon 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 hot, wet or dry, never lose
the seed or make fixture Of IT, The last
of February ] SOW on the wheat eight
quarts Of timothy and FIVE pounds of clover
seed per acre The following year NOW
the field or pasture il as suits me best.
Now the freezing and thawing Of tho two
winters and theraias have made the ground
solid, aud il September 1.-TWO years from
the tine | seeded 10 wheat / sew two
bushels Of extra clean blue grass seed per
acre, and in two years from that time |
have a solid matted sod, which viii stand
pasturing summer and winter, and the
three years in which | have my field 10
timothy and clover pays me well while
waiting for the blue grass sod. Some will
tell you to sow your blue grass seed on the
wheat with the other grass seed. Don't do
il; you win lose two-thirds Of your sced
Others viii tell you, after you SOW tho seed
on bard ground, to harrow il. Don't do
that either II causes the seed to gcrmi-
nate, aad If dry weather sets in, as is Of
ten tho case ID 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 a hard
surface, exposed to the action Of the soil
daring the winter mouths, il will set itself
when Tie weather suits Il; and when it
has done 80. il viii drive out the timothy
and clover and take undisputcd possession
Of the whole field.
GRKAsrNo WAeoss.-The plan Of
greasing wagons BY which Mr.. Babeock, Of
llie Onondaga Farmers Club, is enable to
make the bearings oetlast four setsof tire,
and eren chen show nopreceptible wear,
Is thus stated ip the Land and Home.
He uses castor oil in summer aud sperm
I'll n winter for fine axies. In summer when