The Camden Journal

Collecting And Preserving The DIFFERENT Grasses.

For a short time past some of the most ardent friends of scientific agriculture, have agitated the subject of collecting specimens of the various grasses of the United States and designate them by their common names. We presume in giving the common names, the classes, orders, genera and species, will not be excluded. We see great utility in this, as some of the grasses are known by different names in different sections of country. Timothy, for instance, is to the north called Herds grass; and what we call Herds grass, is there called Red top. Were we to pursue this subject, we might find many similar illustrations; but no farmer of ordinary intelligence, can help seeing the importance of a book on the grasses in which all the species are fully described. One object we have in view in these remarks is, to enquire of Mr. Curtis of Washington North Carolina. (who first brought the subject before the public,) and others who are taking some interest, if it would not be well to give the appropriate soil to each, the proper cultivation and the relative value of all the varieties? Such a work would be invaluable to the American farmer. There are many grasses in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas, (where our paper circulates most,) not to be found in other states,--these we should be pleased to collect ourselves, and ascertain all in relation to them. that would be valuable to the farmer. What do the people of the south west think of it? If agriculturists would lend their aid, they will much improve themselves in one of the most delightful sciences. and contribute a good deal to the object proposed during the present year. We should be pleased if farmers generally would commence the investigation of the grasses, native and foreign, on their own farms, and send us the result of their experience, that if the contemplated work is published, we shall be ready.
Agriculturist.