Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, January 5, 1884 | Page 2

from three to four feet high. At this
time it was ready for the mower; but as the production of seed was the
object in view, it was not cut till the second week in June. The plot of
ground of about half an acre, on which ten pounds of seed were sown,
produced three barrels of seed.
He exhibited a little sheaf of this grass at the semi-annual meeting of
the Kansas State Horticultural Society, where it excited much
attention--the height, softness of the stem, length of blade, and sweet
aroma surprised every one present.
On the last day of August, he went into the plot with a sickle, and cut
two handfuls of aftermath which measured twenty inches in growth.
This he tied to a sheaf of the June cutting, and exhibited the same at the

State Fair, where it attracted much attention and comment.
Here, then, we have, he continues, a grass that will insure a "good
catch" if the seed is fresh; that can endure severe drouth; that produces
an abundant supply of foliage; that is valuable for pasture in early
spring, on account of its early and luxuriant growth; that makes a
valuable hay; that shoots up quickly after being cut; and affords a fine
crop of aftermath for grazing during the late fall and winter months.
The Professor is very anxious that the farmers of Kansas should test
this grass during the season of 1883. Still, his advice is not to invest too
largely in the experiment. Purchase from five to ten pounds of seed,
and give it a fair trial, and he is confident that the experiment will be
satisfactory.
The name given to this valuable grass in the State of Michigan is
"Evergreen," but this is only a local synonym. Its scientific name is
Avena elatior; its common name, "Tall Meadow Oat-grass." Fearing
that he might be mistaken in its nomenclature, he sent a specimen to
Professor Carruth, State Botanist. This is his reply:
"Mr. J.W. Robson--Dear Sir: Yours mailed on the 22d, I received last
evening. I do not get my mail every day. The specimen of grass you
sent agrees perfectly with the Avena elatior, of Wood, and the
Arrenatherrum avenaceum, of Gray; but I have never seen this grass
before. I agree with you in the scientific name, and also in the common
name, 'Tall Meadow Oat-grass.'
Yours truly, J.H. CARRUTH."
The ground should be plowed in the fall, and early in the spring, as
soon as the soil is in good tilth; sow broadcast two bushels (or
twenty-eight pounds) of seed to the acre; cover well with the harrow,
both lengthways and across the piece of ground sown. Should the
ground prove weedy, cut the weeds down with the mowing machine in
June, and leave them upon the surface, and they will afford shade to the
young plants.

This grass is extensively grown in Eastern Tennessee, and is very
popular in that portion of the State. In some portions of Western
Virginia it is largely grown for hay and for grass. It is known as tall
meadow oat-grass in each of the States we have mentioned above.
* * * * *
The main building for the New Orleans Cotton Centennial Exposition
next year will be 1,500 feet long and 900 feet wide, with 1,000,398
square feet of floor space, including Music Hall in the center, with a
seating capacity of 12,000 persons. The design also provides for main
offices, telegraph office, newspaper department, fire department, police,
hospital, waiting-rooms, and life saving apparatus. The building will be
the largest exposition building ever erected, except the one in London
in 1862. The design adopted was the work of G.M. Jorgenson, of
Meridian, Mississippi. There were ten competitors.

JOSEPH F. GLIDDEN.
The Barb-Wire Industry--Some Facts in its Early History not Generally
Known--Its Growth.
Joseph Farwell Glidden, "the Father of the Barb-Wire Business" of this
country, is now a hale and hearty man of seventy-one. He was born at
Charleston, N.H. When about one year old the family came West, to
Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, and engaged in farming. The
young lad, besides mastering the usual branches taught in the common
schools, gave some time to the higher mathematics and Latin, intending
to take a college course, an idea that he finally abandoned. He taught in
the district schools for a few terms. In 1842 he came to Illinois and
purchased a quarter section of land a mile west of what is now the site
of the pleasant and prosperous town of DeKalb. With the exception of
three years his life since then has been passed upon this farm and at
DeKalb. He has from time to time added to his homestead, his farm
now embracing 800 acres. His land is