The Van Buren press., 1895-03-02

er. but the basic hills which stretch
out for a considerable distance from
their feet the grasses OF northern eli.
mates will grow quite WE'LL Orchard
and blue grasses, red and white clover
will grow as we'll in these localities
as any where. But for the cotton states
at large we must look mainly to SOUTH
ern, not northern grasses.
No single grass will furnish continu4
Gus winter and summer grazing. We
need, therefore. both winter and sum-
mer varieties OF the former, our
choice is rather limited; of the lat
ter, our wealth is abundant. Bear
in mind, we are speaking OF the
cotton states at large, not OF the hill
regions alone. With present lights,
the Texas bluegrass promises to be
the winter grass Of the south. Like
it's Kentucky cogener, it is perennial,
not annual. Once established, it re-
mains indefinitely. 1t sends out un-
derground stems (stolons) like Ken
tucky bluegrass, and by this means
thclsens up when scattered, and forms
dense sward. These stout under
ground stems enable it to withstand
droughts. For as soon as rain sets in,
new shoots spring up from these,
even though all above ground
have perislied. 1t resembles Ber-
munda grass in this respect. The
greatest drawback to this grass
is that it is not readily propagated
from seed. The latter are very small
and do not come up well. 1t is grown
mainly from sets like the Bermuda 1t
is being rapidly spread over the outh,
and facilities for growing it will rapid
ly increase. 1t has done well in Flori-
da, in southern Alabama, in middle
Alabama and Georgia, in Texas and in
Kansas, standing both the cold and
the dry heat Of the last state.
The next most valuable perennial
grass for the cotton states is red-top
or herds grass. This is adapted to a
very wide geographical range, grows
apparently equally well north or
south, the only limitation being its
demand for a damp soil. 1t will
not grow in standing water, but on
land entirely too wet for corn thrives
wonderfully we'll. Large quantities Of
wet lands in the south, which can not
be easily drained, might be seeded
down in herds grass to great profit.
Another winter grass, though annual
and requiring to be sown every season,
deserves mention. 1t is the Rescue. or
Schrader's grass. very hardy plant,
grows we'll in southern ATTITUDES
Louisiana and Texas, and on light
soils-which is not true of most
grasses The best northern perennial
grass for our light soils is the tall
meadow oat. 1t hourishes in great
variety of climates and soils, is very
hardy, makes rapid growth in early
spring, and may either be grazcd or
moved. Some of the largest yields of
hay we have ever seen were from the
grass and red clover sown together.
Of the clover family mot strictly
grasses) lucerne is best suited to the
cotton states at large. 1t is native
of warm climates (southern Europe)
and is not adapted to very cold lati.
uuoSo' III CuotiiiS anu lcculuR RTccil,
no plant excels it, either in quantity
or quality Along the gulf borders the
so-called Mexican clover Richardson
Scabra) fills admirably the place of red
clover at the north.
To sum up: For perennial winter
grasses, Texas blue bids fair to take
the lead. 1t is southern plant
adapted to our climate. OF northern
perennial grasses, red top Or herds
and tall oat do well, and succeed under
most diversified conditions. OF an.
nual grasses, the Rescue or Schrader's
is the best. OF trefoils, lucerne takes
the lead; and for the light soils of the
gulf borders, the Mexican clover
(though not clover fills well the
| place of the true clovers of northern
latitudes. On rich clay soils in the
hill country, orchard grass grows adj
mirably. 1t is cultivated with great
success in middle Georgia, by heavy
applications Of manure on ordinary up
ands.-Southern Farm.