39

DORR'S IOWA SEED MANUAL. 37.

[left column, continued from previous page]

is ready for grazing in spring two weeks sooner than most grasses, and when fed off is again ready for grazing in a week. It is palatable and nutritious, and stock eat it greedily when green. It stands a severe drouth, keeping green when many grasses wither, and will endure considerable shade. It is less exhausting to the soil than Timothy, and will grow more in one day, in summer, than Timothy will in a week. When sown with Clover, it makes excellent hay, as it blossoms at the same time, and they should be cut together. It has a tendency to grow in tufts, which can be prevented by close cropping. For grazing, it has no equal, and should be used more than it is. When sown alone two bushels are required per acre; if sown with Clover, half that amount. It ought not to be sown alone, except for seed. It is perennial, and will last for years, but its habit of growth unfits it for lawns; fourteen pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, 1 pk. $1.00; bu $3.00.
Red Top-Agrotis vulgaris. - In some sections this is called Rhode Island Bent Grass. In Pennsylvania and States farther south it is known as Herd's Grass, a name applied in New England and New York to Timothy. It is a good, permanent Grass, standing our climate well, and makes a good pasture when fed close. Is valuable for low, wet meadows, producing a large return in good hay. Is often sown with Timothy and Red Clover, in which case it makes a close sward in time. When sown alone, two bushels per acre are required, sown in spring or fall; fourteen pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 40c.; 3 lbs. $1.00. By express, 1 pk. 75c.; bu. $2.50.
Fowl Meadow, or False Red Top-Poa serotina. Grows tall and thick, and makes a more pliable hay than Timothy, and is more fit for pressing in bales, to ship. It yields well when sown on low moist land and will not suffer if not cut at the exact time. It can be mowed almost any time from July to October. When three feet high it falls down or lodges, and
after a little time every joint puts forth new branches. The stalk is always sweet and tender, and cattle and sheep are fond of it. It thrives best when mixed with other grasses. Though resembling Red Top in some respects, it is distinct, and we think superior in
every respect. Requires about the same amount of seed per acre as Red Top, sown in spring or fall; twelve pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, pk. $1.00; bu. $3.25.
Kentucky Blue Grass-Poa pratensis.-This is known in some sections as Green Meadow Grass, and June Grass, but should not be confounded witth Poa compressa, called by some June Grass or Wire Grass. It makes excellent pasture grass for our soil and climate, succeeding finely on our hill lands, and producing the most nourishing food for cattle, retaining its qualities till a late period in winter, and farther south affording abundant food through the winter. In conjunction with White Clover, it forms the finest and closest of lawns; for this purpose, an extra quantity of seed should be used, say two bushels of Blue Grass and six pounds of White Clover per acre. If sown by itself, two bushels will be required, sown early in the spring, or in October or November; fourteen pounds per
bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 40c.; 3 lbs. $1.00. By express, pk. 75c.; bu. $2.50.
English Blue Grass, or Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis.-This is one of the most valuable pasture grasses we are acquainted with, as its long and tender leaves are much relished by stock of all kinds. It succeeds well, even in a poor soil, and as its roots penetrate the earth twelve or fifteen inches, it is not affected except by exceedingly dry weather, and is as
valuable a fertilizer as Red Clover. When cured like Timothy, it yields a very fine quality of hay. Notwithstanding its acknowledged merits, this grass has been sown only to a limited extent in this country. It is deserving of much more attention than it has hitherto received from American farmers. Sow one bushel per acre, in spring or fall. September is the best season for sowing south of the Ohio river. Twenty-four pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, pk. $1.25; bu. $4.00.
Perennial Rye Grass-Lolium perenne.-A very valuable variety for permanent pasture, and makes a large return in hay; very nutritious, and stock are very fond of it. Succeeds best on moderately moist land, for which it is peculiarly adapted. Large quantities are raised in England, and nearly all of Europe. It is also largely used for lawns, in conjunction with other grasses. One and a half to two

[right column]

bushels per acre in the spring; twenty pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs, $1.25. By express, pk. $1.25; bu. $4.00.
Italian Rye Grass-Excellent for lawns or pastures; similar to last. By mail, 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, pk. $1.25; bu. $4.00.
Wood Meadow Grass-Poa nemoralis.-Grows from one and a half to two feet high; has a perennial creeping root, and an erect, slender, smooth stem. Its chief value is in that it will produce a good crop of hay in moist, shady situations, where it frequently grows quite tall. Cattle are fond of it; it is succulent and nutritious, and is perhaps the best variety for sowing in orchards, under trees, and shaded situations, either for hay or pasturage, and for parks and pleasure grounds; about fourteen pounds per bushel. By mail; 1 lb. 50c.; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, pk. $1.25; bu. $4.00.
Sweet Vernal Grass - Anthoxanthum odoratum. - One of the earliest grasses in spring, as well as the latest in autumn, and about the only grass that is fragrant. As a pasture grass, mixed with other species, it is valuable on account of its earliness, and mixed with Blue Grass and White Clover, it is an invaluable adjunct for lawns, presenting a beautiful appearance, and exhaling a delightful fragrance when in blossom. Should form a part of the mixed grasses in every lawn and door yard; about ten pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 75c.; 3 lbs. $2.00.
Common Millet - Panicum miliaceum.-Requires a dry, light, rich soil, and grows two and a half to four feet high, with a fine bulk of stalks and leaves, and is excellent foraging. Sow in drills or broadcast, from May 1st to June 20th, if for seed, or until the last of July, if for hay. For grain, sow in drills, one-quarter bushel per acre; if for hay, sow broadcast, one-half bushel per acre; forty-eight pounds per bushel. By mail, 1 lb. 30c.; 4 lbs. $1.00. By express, 1 pk. 75c.; 1 bu. $2.50.
German, or Golden Millet-An improved variety, medium early, growing three to five feet high. The heads are closely condensed, though the spikes are very numerous. The seeds are contained in rough, bristly sheaths, and are round, golden yellow, and beautiful in appearance. Though this variety has been in cultivation some three or four years, we have
never heard a single complaint about it. By mail, lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1.00. By express, pk. 85c; bu. $3.00.
Hungarian Grass-Panicum Germanicum. This is a species of Millet, growing less rank, with smaller stalks, often yielding two or three tons of hay per acre. It is very popular, and in the Western States is used extensively. Like the Millet, it is an annual, and requires to be sown every season, but will produce a larger return than almost any other crop. Sow and cultivate like Millet; forty-eight pounds per bushel. By mail, lb. 30c; 4 lbs. $1.00. By express, pk. 75c; bu. $2.50.
Fine Mixed Lawn Grass-The essentials for a fine lawn are proper drainage, a careful preparation of the soil, thorough rolling, and a selection of the seeds of such grasses as will present a luxuriant verdure from early spring to late in autumn; and then frequent
mowings with a lawn mower. However much care is bestowed on the soil and seed, no lawn will be beautiful without frequent mowing and rolling. Too much care cannot be bestowed, however, on the selection of grasses, as some varieties are the most luxuriant in spring, others in summer and others again in autumn, and a combination of the proper sorts is required for a perfect, carpet-like lawn. These we can supply ready mixed, in proper proportions of each. The quantity sown varies, according to the variety of grasses, from twenty to sixty pounds per acre, much more being required than for hay or pasturage. The seed can be sown in spring or autumn. By mail, lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1.00. By express, pk. 75c; bu. $2.50.
Central Park Mixture. By mail, lb. 50c; 3 lbs. $1.25. By express, pk. $1.25; bu. $4.00.
Flax-Linum usitatissimum. Sow late enough in the spring to avoid frost, and early enough to secure the early rains. A fair average quantity of seed to be sown on an acre is one-half bushel, when cultivated for seed; if for the fiber, a larger quantity should be sown. Cut before quite ripe, and, if the weather be dry, let it lie in the swath a few hours, when it should be raked bound and secured from the weather; thresh early in the fall and in dry weather. By mail, lb. 30c; 4 lbs. $1.00. By express, pk. 75c; bu. $2.50.