The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-23
Grasses and cIovers,

0fdSSeS anu OlONcFSs
 Grass forms an important part in mak- ing up the wealth of all countries. From the earliest history of man grazing fields have been sought for the herds. Abra- ham, Lot and Jacob all recognized the value of pasture for their hocks and they searched the plains for grass. Since this early day of the patriarchs man in all countries has recognized the value of grass and great research has been made to find varieties suited for all countries. The efforts of man along this line have been greatly rewarded, for out of the great number of varieties of grasses can be found those suited for almost any soil or climate.
 Of the elovers known in America we have 255 varieties and of the grasses fully as many. These are to be found grow ing over a great range of country. So out of this great multitude of varieties can be found those suited for all sections. It may, however, require time and ex- perience in finding out the variety best suited for any one section, so that the sooner this experimental work Is com menced the sooner will the farmer learn what varieties he can rely upon for his particular location. We may in Q gen. eral way be able to assist in this work by giving the reader the experience of others and also our observation.
 Nature Has Been Kind.
 Nature has been very kind in providing for the wants of man, not only in vege- tables. but in all things pertaining to his actual needs. We have the vegetables the animal and mineral kingdom to draw from for all our wants. The gold, silver, iron and all the metals were placed in the earth for the use of man: hidden treasures, to be revealed only down the ages as the wants of man should require. But all these things would remain hid- den and of no value to man unless he put forth his energy and apply the knowl- edge with which nature has endowed him in searching out these hidden treasures. This is also true in the vegetable king dom. As the population of man increases on the earth the more intensive will be- come our farm operations. and instead of having from six to forty acres of wild grass for each COW we will have to grow better grasses, prepare better pastures and better forage crops, so that we may get far more from the soil than we are now getting. The great range is fast being taken up and each year will find a greater demand for pastures all over the country. This is a question that is attracting the attention of farmers every where
 Valuable in Other Ways.
 Not only is grass valuable for pasture, but it also has other offices to fill. Shad- ing the soil against our long, hot sum mers' sun is a very important matter, and this can be done in no better way than by the use of grass. Then the roots of the grass have an important mission as well as the tops. These roots penetrate the soil and act as sub-soilers, bringing mp moisture from below. and at the same time taking in plant food light and air from above. These continuous workings enrich the soil all the while.
 There is nothing that will build up and enrich a farm faster than will grass. ana when I speak of grass I mean all classes, clovers included. Out of the great null titude of grasses and clovers every farmer should be able to make a selection for his soil that will pay and pay well. Now while the different varieties demand diff ferent soils and climates yet there is on9 thing common to them all, which is that in order for obtaining best results all soil must be in a good state Where this is not the case it must be made so before sowing the seed, or else failure is sure to be the result. Here is where so