Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-08-06


that may be sown,
though this point was long since en-
phasized by Flint Mr.. r. Lamson
Scribner chief of the grass division OF
the department of agriculture and one
of the best experts on grasses, In one
of his admirable addresses made these
very practical points: The best wlId
or native hay grasses are blue JOINT
fowl meadow grass, a species OF GIy-
'ceria, and one of the Muhlenberglas
or drop seeds" These are valuable
in the order named, and often AFFORD
IN our low-lying meadows large oulk
or native hay of excellent quallty.
Like other species of grasses, they re-
spond readily to good treatment. Ilm-
othy, meadow fescue, orchard grass,
rye grass and redtop are the chleI anu
best known of the cultivated OF So
called tame" grasses for the produc-
ton of hay. In the markets tlmothy
is the recognized standard by Whlch
the value of other grasses is estimated.
1t is the farmers gold coin, although
it does not appear to me to be equal IN
some respects to other varieties. It's
clean appearance, even growth, fair
productiveness, and easy propagation
make it a faVorite grass. The presence
OF meadow fescue indicates good soil,
and upon well-drained clayey land 1t
is one of the best grasses we can culti-
vate; it is alike good for hay and pas
turage. Where the soil is moist, but
deep and strong, the large fescue (Fes-
tuca arundinacea) may be cultivated.
1t is one of the most productive Of hay
grasses. Almost equally productive on
soils suitable TO it is orchard grass,
and by many of our farmers this is re-
garded as equal if not superior to tim
othy. 1t has a serious fault, however,
of growing in punches or tussocks. 1t
is not a turf former, and when cult
Tated the seed should be sown thickly,
and it is a good plan to add some other
species as a filler. This Objectionable
habit of orchard grass may be over
come in a measure by heavily rolling
the fields in early spring. Were it not
for this tussock-forming habit, or
chard grass would make one of the
best of grasses for pastures, because OF
the early production of tender leaves.
Rye grass, so popular in England, has
never come into much favor here, al
though it is usually recommended as
an ingredient for mixtures designed
for permanent pasture. On very rich
soils, where the ground is fairly moist
and the atmosphere humid, its produc-
tiveness is very large. 1t will make
a fair turf if well cared for, and may
be used alone for lawns, but not in
mixtures. Red top is one of the finest
and best of our hay grasses, especially
for low meadows, but is less produc-
tive than other sorts. The require
ments of a good hay grass are produc-
tiveness, hardness and adaptability to
the soil. 1t must also be nutritious,
rich in fesh-forming elements, and
possessing little fiber, and must be
palatable to stock. Our pasture grasses
are more numerous than those which
yield us hay. The most important
kinds are meadow foxtail, Kentucky
bluegrass, English bluegrass (Poa
compressa), certain varieties of redtop
and species Oh fescue, quite productive.
and by many is very highly esteemed. |
It is recommended in all mixtures
compounded for the production of con-
tinuous heritage through the season.
Kentucky bluegrass is a good turf |
former and a good pasture grass where
the land is rich, but does best upon |
strongly calcareous or limy soils. It |
is the grass which has made the pas |
lures of portions of Kentucky and |
Tennessee so justly famous. English |
bluegrass is a better pasture grass for
light sandy soil than Kentucky blue
grass. 1t will grow on soils so thin
and poor that little else will grow. On
good land its productiveness is scarce
ly inferior to that of Kentucky blue
grass, and it is equally tender and nu-
tritious. 1t makes a very firm sod. and
the tramping of stock bet
ter than many other kinds. The Gull
tivation of this grass in certain por-
tons of Virginia has changed poverty
stricken districts to areas of wealth
and prosperity. This has been eff
fected by the cultivation of this Eng
fish bluegrass and the raising of dairy
stock. Lowland pastures should al
ways contain redtop in some of its
varieties. 1t makes the cleanest,
incest looking and sweetest turf of any
grass know. The fine-leafed varie-
lies should be selected for cultivation
n pastures. Meadow fescue is a valu-
lble pasture grass, as already ipti-
mated, where the soil is good; and on
sandy soils red fescue is perhaps one
II the best species we can cultivate.
lssociating with it English bluegrass,