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4

It is deemed very proper therefore to continue the history of the grasses of Wisconsin begun in the last volume by describing and pointing out the qualities of these grass-like plants; for that history would otherwise be incomplete. [without it.] Nor is it deemed inappropriate in a work like the present, devoted to the agricultural interests of Wisconsin, to present such history with as much completeness as possible.-

The Cyperaceae possess less of nutritive matter than ordinary hay, a larger quantity being necessary to sustain life and flesh in our cattle; but it is evident that this difference cannot be very considerable, when we remember how well they were sustained in the earlier years of the settlement of the country. Wild hay is also more harsh, [and] rough, hard, and dry; the proportion of water given off in drying being much less than in tame hay. According to the experiments of Prof. Emmons this difference is about forty percent. The quantity of ash remaining after burning wild hay is about fifty percent more than in the best hay. It is a little remarkable that Eleocharis tennis which grows in and about water should contain forty percent less of it than timothy hay, which grows on dry ground.

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