The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-01-16

of food and good variety Of it; pure,
clean water, and q warm coop In
winter and a wide range in summer,
and they will always give satisfac-
tory return.
Blue grass is especially adopted to
rolling lands, which are unsuited to
the pillow, as when once set with 1t
there will be no further loss from
washing. There is no such thing as 8
failure Of crop with it, as in the dry
est season there is always at some
part of the year a heavy growth, ana
almost without exception it makes a
rank growth both in spring and 1all.
A pasture once set in it is for life, and
there is not the expense of preparing
a seed bed and furnishing seed every
few years, as with most other grasses
This grass grows very rapidly IN cooi,
wet weather an yet is very nutritious
when young, so that cattle fatten on
it early in the season, when on
clover or timothy pasture of equal
growth they would hardly make
living. This makes it a first class
early pasture grass, and usually will
give a full months good feed before
either clover or timothy should be
Lrazed. The fall rains again start a
second growth, which furnishes nu-
trltious pasture until covered with
snow, so that the grazing season Is
heightened in the autumn as Wen as
fastened in the spring. Add to these
good qualities the fact that it Is less
! Injured by tramping than any other
grass. aud it will be- seen that it is
very nearly perfect pasturage. 1t has
been the great basis for the finest
agricultural product yet grown upon
! American soiI-the Kentucky horse
! a fact alone which speaks IN )Ie for 1T
than words can possibly do
Mulching.is one of.the easiest meth
DDS by which early vegetables can be
brought forward in the spring. a
mulch properly applied-that Is, not
too heavy nor compact~-will admit
fha air. Warmth and moisture, bat
shut out scorching sun and blightlng
wind. 1t also assists in feeding the
plants by preventing the escape oil
feItiIizing grasses. A mulch of vege-
table matter collects warmth from
the sun, transmits it to the soil, and
retains more or less of it through the
night, thus stimulating the growth OF
vegetation. When not mulched, the
cool night air of the early spring
even If it does not check growth, does
not advance it. This may be listed tC
the SatlSIdcIlOn VI any OAO W hNSAh5
the temperature in the early morning
as indicated by the thermometer, and
then sinking the bulb in the soil
The ground, if mulched, will be found
not only several degrees warmer than
the atmosphere, but also warmer than
an exposed soil. An experimental
pnt in a plot of potatoes on April IA
mulching one-half and leaving the
other half uncovered. On May 5 the
potato tops on the mulched portion
we're breaking thr ugh the ground
while none were visible on the othel
half. Another advantage is that the
soil on the mulched portion will re
main loose and friable, not bee miue
compacted by heavy rains nor hard
ened by sun aud wind. 1t may even
relieve the necessity of cultivation
through all the srly part of the sea
son. A mulch laid upon the sol
about plants, not covering the plants
themselves, will hasten forward the
maturity of cucumbers, tomatoes, etc
from one to two weeks. Even boards
or fiat stones are effective for thl:
purpose, although not so good as
loosen covering. ). II. Il.