The Democratic advocate., 1900-03-31
GRASS THAT IS DROUGHT
PROOF AND IS PERMANENT.
Extent of the Hay Crop---Second
Only to Corn and Exceeding
-Emmor Roberts's
Rotation.
E. s. s., in Philadelphia (fa., Ledger.

Smooth bronze grass Bromus inermis) !,
recently under trial throughout the coun-
try, comes to the front, and with opinions
invariably favorable The variety has
been known in Europe for over century,
and because of its creeping root stocks was
not acceptable. But this very feature is
its strong point for locations where periods
of drought are the rule and grasses die out
in consequence. 1t is not entirely new
here, having been tested and found worthy
in 1884; but it dropped from sight, except
in few localities, until about four years
ago, when some 600 growers, representing
different conditions, and in every State in
the Union, made test of it.
1t is described by these as a vigorous,
hardy perennial, with creeping root stocks
and upright, leafy stems one to four feet
tall. 1t is thoroughly permanent, forming
very tough sod, crowding out other
growths, whether grasses, weeds or clover.
It grows rapidly, producing luxuriant pas
ture. All kinds of stock eat it with relish,
analysis showing it to be richer in flesh
forming properties than timothy. 1t be-
gins growth early in the spring, and re-
mains sueculent very late in the fall.
The seed is high priced, and the recon-
mendation is to put in small piece OF
good clean land and save the seed from
this for extending the acreage, and from
this again, until the desired area is cover
ed. By the use of red clover or alsike
with this smooth bronze grass a larger area
can be covered at first; as the clovers die
out the bronze will fill the space.
Last year the bronze was tried in New
jersey, and came through in good condi-
ton where other varieties were drought
killed
Not for years, our seedsmen tell us, has
there been such demand as now for grass
and clover seeds. For three seasons, at
least, weather conditions have been con-
trary, and, except in favored localities, the
returns, all counted, have been less than
the outlay Thus far the indications for
the year are hay ward, and with summer
fallow in prime condition and the ground
just right, hope has again revived, and
with it firm market for the seeds.
A large crop, of course, means lower
price. "Who makes two blades of grass
grow where but one grew before cuts
prices in half, unless the quality is dou-
bled with the quantity, when the multipli-
cation still goes on.
When clover and timothy are grown the
object is hay to sell, since nc farmer in.
these days of enlightenment: would grow
for feeding, knowing he can get
greater food values at less cost in other
crops and spot cash for timothy hay. The
buyer calls for timothy, and, being willing
to pay for it, timothy it is
The extent and value of the hay crop
can only be gathered from statistics, and
the best figures recorded give hardly more
than the moving product, and are thus far
below the actual The wheat and corn
product can be more nearly estimated, and
yet, in the summing up, hay is second only
to corn and exceeds the wheat, cotton and
many other of the products we build upon.
At the meeting of the National Hay
Association last August the Central Traffic
Association report showed that to move
the hay of year required 6, $40, 615 cars;
corn using 8, 238, 992; wheat, 1872, 253;
oats, barley, potatoes and rye, l ,O67, $50.
Or. 1.478. .675 more cars than for all other
crops combined. Another report showed
the railroads to be aware of the proportions
Of the business and were building hundreds
Of cars especially designed for it. This is
the baled product only. The ''loose, as
IS seen in the almost unending procession
from the high priced farm land of the sub
urbs to the city buyers, is enough more to
make up for the difference in bulk.
Or, taking the figures Of the Year Book
for 1898, when the product was 66, &c.,
92O tons, from AZ, 780, 1927 acres, value
1898, 900, ,647. The value of the corn
crop was s552, ,O23, 42S; Of the wheat
crop, 1892, 770, ,320; the oat crop, $780,
405, ,364.
And this was only the cured product.
That same year there was exported about
II, 900, 600 pounds timothy seed and over
81 900, 600 pounds Of clover seed. The
leading purchasers e this were
Clover. Timothy.
10, ,s32, ,72s 1,507, ,075
SIC, 1892 1885, 866
canada q (l29 S84 7074.2 .25fl