FORAGE PLANTS OF THE UNITED STATES A 1305 of grain, generally oats, daily. A mule is given | advantages of wild hay, being free from the dust but 9 pounds of grain, with 14 pounds of hay. FORAGE PLANTS OF THE UNITED STATES. See GRASSES, Vol. XI, pp 53-60 for description of the true grasses (Graminea). The majority of important forage plants are members of this great family, which is of more economic importance to man than all others of the plant kingdom. Popularly, the term grass is applied to all those plants which are used for pastures and meadows a classification founded upon use alone, disregarding the distinctive features. true grass has simple leaves, a stem generally jointed and tubular, the husks or glumes in pairs, and the seed single. This definition includes wheat, rye, oats, etc., and excludes clover, and some other plants commonly called grasses. In this article, however, there are also described important forage plants, which, though not true grasses, find much use in agriculture. Of the special adaptation of different forage plants to different sections of the United States, little is known. There are many climates, many kinds of soil and many degrees of aridity and moisture, and no one species of grass is equally adapted to all parts of this extensive territory; yet not more than a dozen species have been successfully introduced. This number answers, with a tolerable degree of satisfaction, the wants of quite an extensive portion of the country, chiefly the northern and cooler regions; but in other localities the same kinds of grasses do not succeed equally well. This is particularly the case in the Southern and Southwestern states, the arid districts of the West, and in California. To discover successful varieties for such regions is largely a matter of experiment and observation. that infests timothy and clover, while it possesses Of Chemical Composition of American Grasses. late years considerable attention has been given to the chemical composition of grasses, and much information has been gained concerning their nutritive value. The determinations of the grasses given in the above list of those commonly cultivated in the United States will be found in the table on the following page. The grasses most generally cultivated in the United States are: 1. Red clover (Trifolium pratense); 2. White or Dutch clover (T. repens); 3. Timothy (Phleum pratense); 4. Blue-grass (Poa pratensis); 5. Wire-grass (Poa compressa); 6. Redtop (Agrostis vulgaris); 7. Orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata); 8. Fowl meadow-grass (Poa serotina); 9. Meadow-fescue (Festuca pratensis) and 10. Alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa). For feeding during droughts, Indian corn, sown at the rate of two bushels per acre, in drills two feet apart, cultivated thoroughly once or twice, and cut when in blossom, will make a good reliance, as also will German millet (Panicum Germanicum) and common millet (P. miliaceum). Above are desig- The specimens used were from various parts of nated ten species of forage plants that do well the country, and grown under several conditions under ordinary conditions; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 con- of soil and environment. The stage at which stitute the bulk cultivated for pasture, and I and analyses were made was, in nearly every case, full 3 for hay; 7 is one of the most valuable in the bloom or slightly later, that being the period at whole list, and is always worth trial, unless the which grasses are usually cut for hay. The analyland to be grown over is exceptionally low and ses have been calculated for "dry substance,' wet; 8 and 9 are well worthy of trial; 10 is the and also for fresh grass where the amount of most successful forage plant of the irrigated and water in the fresh grass had previously been demoist portions of the Southwest. Fowl meadow-termined, otherwise for the amount of water in grass, especially, has been found to take the place of blue-grass in those sections of the Northwest where blue-grass does not succeed. The hay is especially valuable for horses, it having all the hay. The great variation in composition of grasses becomes apparent on examining a table of 136 analyses, given in the special bulletin of the United States Department of Agriculture on the 1306 FORAGE PLANTS OF THE UNITED STATES The highest ash is undoubtedly owing to the presence of adherents oil, and the lowest carbohydrates are dependent, relatively, on the same cause. The wide variations in fiber and albuminoids must be regarded, however, as being entirely due to physiological causes, which are difficult to explain. Species are not, in themselves, at all fixed in their composition, there being as large variations among specimens of the same as between specimens of different species. GRASS AND FORAGE CROPS. Of the native grasses of the United States, the timothy, or cattail, (Phleum pratense) is of first importance. It attains to perfection on rich clays and loams in the middle states, and yields, under favorable circumstances, a ton and a half to two tons of hay per acre. It is a hardy grass, of luxuriant growth, and its nutritive qualities are universally recognized. It is, also, a valuable crop for seed, an acre of prime grass yielding from fifteen to twenty-five bushels of clean seed, which is usually worth, in the market, from two to four dollars per bushel, and the stalks and chaff that remain make a useful fodder for most kinds of stock. It may be sown on wheat or rye in August or September, or in the spring. When sown alone or with other grasses, early in the season, on a rich soil, it will produce a good crop the same year. The blue-grass of Kentucky, otherwise known as June grass, is an early grass, very common in the soils of New England and the West, in pastures and fields, constituting a considerable portion of the turf. It varies very much in size and appearance, according to the soil on which it grows. In Kentucky it is universally known as blue-grass, and is considered the most valuable of all the pasture-grasses. It comes into the soil in some parts of the country when left to itself, and grows luxuriantly and is relished by cattle. Meadow foxtail is a valuable pasture-grass, on account of its early and rapid growth, and of its being greatly relished by stock of all kinds. It thrives best on a rich, moist, strong soil, and shoots up its flowering stalks so much earlier than timothy, that it need not be mistaken for that grass, though it closely resembles it. It is superior to timothy as a permanent pasture-grass. Orchard-grass is one of the most valuable and widely known of all the pasture-grasses. It is common to every country in Europe, to the north of Africa and to Asia, as well as to America. Its culture was introduced into England from Virginia, where it had been cultivated some years previously, in 1764. Its rapidity of growth, the luxuriance of its aftermath, and its power of enduring the cropping of cattle, commend it highly to the farmer's care, especially as a pas ture-grass. Meadow spear-grass, nerved manna-grass (Glyceria nervata), is the fowl meadow of many farmers, while the grass commonly called fowl meadow by others (Poa serotina) often goes with them under the name of bastard fowl meadow. It is a native American grass, the nutritive value of which is equal at the time of flowering and when the seed is ripe, while the nutritive matter of the lattermath is said to be greater than that of most other grasses. Hungarian grass, Hungarian millet (Panicum Germanicum), is an annual forage plant introduced into France in 1815, where its cultivation has become considerably extended. It germinates readily, withstands the drouth remarkably, remaining green even when other vegetation is parched up, and if its development is arrested by dry weather, the least rain will restore it to vigor. It has numerous succulent leaves, which furnish an abundance of green fodder, very much relished by all kinds of stock. Broom-corn (Sorghum saccharatum) is consid ered, by some botanists, as a variety of Sorghum vulgare; by others, as a distinct species. Its leaves are linear; ligules short and hairy; panicle with long, loose, expanding branches. It is an annual, and flowers in August, growing from six to nine feet high. It is a native of India. The panicles are used for brooms, and the seeds for poultry, hogs, etc. It is extensively culti vated in many parts of the country, along the Connecticut River, in Massachusetts; the Mohawk, in New York; and at the West. It is said to have been first cultivated in this country by Dr. Franklin. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is one of the most valuable and economical forage plants. It belongs to the pulse family, or Leguminosa, which includes the larger portion of forage plants called artificial grasses, in distinction from the Gramineæ, the only true, and often called the natural, grasses. White clover is widely diffused over this country and all the countries of Europe. It is indigenous, probably, both to England and America. Its chief value is as a pasture-grass, and it is as valuable for that purpose as the red clover is for hay or for soiling. The yellow clover, hop-trefoil, or shamrock (Trifolium procumbens), like the white, is of spontaneous growth, very hardy and prolific. It bears a yellow flower and black seeds. Alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), is one of the most productive plants for forage ever culti vated. It was extensively cultivated by the Greeks and other nations of antiquity for many centu FORAKER-FORCE BILL 1307 ries, and it has been a prominent object of atten- |ish and South African campaigns. In 1879 he tion in Italy, Spain, France, Holland and Flan- rode 110 miles in 15 hours to report the vicders. Its relative value, as compared with clover tory of Ulundi. He published a number of books (T. pratense), is decidedly inferior, while its abso- detailing his experiences, and has lectured in lute value per acre is much greater. It was early Great Britain, America and Australia. Among introduced into this country. It bears from three his published writings are a novel, Drawn from to five crops per annum, producing from three to Life; Glimpses through the Cannon Smoke (1880); eight tons of hay. Our climate in the Northern Barracks, Bivouacs and Battles (1891); The Afghan and middle states is too cold for it, but it grows Wars (1892); Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde (1895); luxuriantly in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Studies of War and Peace (1895). Utah and Colorado. It must have a deep, loamy soil, free from weeds, and well filled with manure. East India giant clover (Polygonum Sachalinense), introduced into the United States from Europe, being a native of Russia, is regarded of great value for forage in the arid regions of the Western and Southwestern states. It grows with luxuriance in territory formerly regarded unfit for grazing purposes, and attains a height of from 8 to 12 feet. It is a thick-growing, bushy plant, with large succulent leaves, and will produce from 80 to 120 tons per acre of green forage. Since it requires a minimum amount of moisture, and is such a rank grower, it is regarded of great value in the breeding of cattle on a large scale. In addition to the article to which reference is given at beginning, see also bulletins of the Department of Agriculture on the grasses and forage plants of the United States, and AGRICULTURE, in these Supplements. JOHN G. COULTER. FORAKER, JOSEPH BENSON, an American statesman; born near Rainsboro, Ohio, July 5, 1846. He entered the army when 16 years of age, and served to the end of the war, in the army of the Cumberland. He attained the brevet rank of captain, and when his regiment was mustered out, he was aid on Gen. H. W. Slocum's staff. He studied at the Ohio Wesleyan University and Cornell, graduating from the latter in 1869, and the same year was admitted to the bar of Ohio at Cincinnati. From 1879 to 1882 he was judge of the Cincinnati superior court. He took an active interest in politics and was always a stanch Republican. He was govHe was governor of Ohio from 1886 to 1890, and on Jan. 15, 1896, was elected United States Senator to succeed Calvin S. Brice. FORBES, JOHN COLIN, a Canadian artist; born in Toronto, Canada, Jan. 23, 1846. His first work was done without instruction. He afterward studied in Europe, especially in London. His reputation rests mainly upon his portraitwork, and among his sitters were Gladstone, Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Charles Tupper. His miscellaneous works include The Cañon in the Royal Gorge; The Foundering of the Hibernia; Sweet Sixteen; and The Lily. FORBES-ROBERTSON, JOHN, a British art critic and journalist; born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Jan. 30, 1822. Even before his graduation from Aberdeen University, he contributed articles in dramatic criticism to local papers. He engaged in business for several years, but, later, spent much of his time in art criticism. He was, for a time, editor of Pictorial World and was a constant contributor to various art periodicals. He published The Great Painters of Christendom (1877), Life of George Jameson, the Scottish Painter, and other works, all of which have been favorably received. FORCE. See DYNAMICS, Vol. VII, pp. 582, 583; MECHANICS, Vol. XV, pp. 746-749; and ENERGY, Vol. VIII, pp. 205-211. FORCE, PETER, an American historian; born near Little Falls, New Jersey, Nov. 26, 1790. For a time he was foreman of a printing-office in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, and in 1812 was president of the New York Typographical Society. In 1815 he removed to Washington, District of Columbia. Here he was engaged in the publishing business, and from 1823 to 1830 edited and published The National Journal, and several special government documents. In 1833 he was authorized by Congress to compile a vast work, to be called the American Archives: A Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, covering a period from the discovery of America to the final ratification of the constitution of the United States. About one fourth of Mr. Force's work was completed when it was discontinued by Secretary Marcy. His collection of material was sold to Congress for $100,000. He published other works of historical importance. These include Tracts and Other Papers Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement and Progress of the Colonies in North America (1836-46). FORCE, TUBES OF. See ELECTRICITY, § 9a, in these Supplements. FORCE BILL, otherwise known as the FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILL, a measure introduced in the Lower House of Congress, March 15, 1890; considered from June 25th to July 2d; passed the House the 1308 FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER-FOREIGN ATTACHMENT last-named date and went to the Senate. FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER, a legal phrase used to describe an unlawful entry upon real estate, such as lands and tenements, accomplished by means of force-vi et armis, as the old indictments ran. Feudalism, until the passing of the Statute of Forcible Entry (5 Rich. II, c. 8), was the golden age of forcible entry. Then each petty feudal lord took and retook lands as the fancy seized him, or the forces were numerically in his favor. The exercise of this right was found to be so prejudicial to the public peace that the statute forbade the exercise of a right of entry except where it was given by law, and then only in a peaceable manner, "not with strong hand, nor with multitude of people." Following this statute, the laws of many of the separate states prescribe punishments for the offense of forcible entry. In every case a civil remedy also exists, and a person detaining lands and tenements belonging to another can be dispossessed by due process of law. FORCING, in gardening, the artificial application of heat to accelerate vegetation. Many of the fruits and vegetables which grow well in the open air are very commonly forced, in order that they may be procured at seasons when they could not be without artificial means. See HORTICULTURE, Vol. XII, pp. 215, 246. FORD, EDWARD ONSLOW, a British sculptor; born in London, July 27, 1852. He studied painting in Antwerp and Munich. In 1871 he turned his attention to sculpture, and returned to England in 1874. Among his best-known statues are Sir Rowland Hill (1882); IV. E. Gladstone (1883); and Henry Irving as Hamlet (1883). FORD, SIR FRANCIS CLARE, a British diplomatist, was in the army from 1846 to 1851, after which he entered the diplomatic service. He was chargé d'affaires at Carlsruhe (1862-63); at Buenos Ayres (1865-66); secretary of embassy at St. Petersburg (1871-75); 'commissioner to Halifax (1875); Minister to the Argentine Republic (1878); envoy to Uruguay (1879); British fisheries commissioner at Paris (1883); Minister at Madrid (1885); ambassador to Spain (1887); ambassador to Constantinople (1892), and to Rome (1893). He became a privy councilor in 1888 and was knighted in 1885. 2 FORD, WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY, an American historical writer and statistician; born in Brooklyn, New York, Feb. 16, 1858. He studied at Columbia College, and was for a number of years an editorial writer on the New York Herald. He was appointed chief of the Bureau of Statistics in the Department of State, at Washington, District of Columbia, in 1885, and in 1892 chief of a similar bureau in the Treasury Department. He edited the 1879 edition of Wells's Natural Philosophy, and published a number of volumes, chiefly of letters of prominent Revolutionary characters. Among his publications are The Standard Silver Dollar (1884); Writings of Washington (1889-92); Letters of William Lee (1891); and Correspondence and Journals of Samuel B. Webb (1892). FORDHAM, a station on the New York Central Railroad, 10 miles N. of Grand Central Depot, New York, was, in 1874, annexed to that city. It contains St. John's College, a Roman Catholic theological school, an academy for ladies, a female deaf-mute asylum and other educational institutions. Edgar Allan Poe's cottage is situated here. FORECASTS, WEATHER. See METEOROLOGY, in these Supplements. FORECLOSURE. See MORTGAGE, Vol. XVI, p. 848. · FOREFATHERS' DAY, the anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, from the ship Mayflower. The day celebrated is generally December 22d, although the proper date is December 21st. This discrepancy is explained as follows: The date under the old-style method of reckoning was December 11th; according to the Gregorian or new-style method, in 1620 the addition of but ten days to the old style was necessary. When the Gregorian calendar was adopted in England in 1752, it was necessary to add eleven days. The first commemorators of the landing thoughtlessly added eleven instead of ten days, thus placing the anniversary on December 22d, instead of the 21st. The first organization for the celebration of the anniversary was the Old Colony Club, formed in 1769 at Plymouth. This club celebrated the day by banquet and speeches annually until 1773, when it disbanded. The churches of Plymouth, by special services, commemorated it from 1773 to 1780, and from 1794 until 1819, when another society was formed, the Pilgrim, and the formal banquet and speeches again made a part of the ceremony. Throughout New England the day is celebrated, and in every state in the Union where New Englanders have settled. The largest of the societies, outside of New England, is the New England Society of the city of New York, formed in 1805. See also HOLIDAYS, in these Sup plements. FOREIGN ATTACHMENT, a proceeding whereby the property of a debtor, who does not reside in the state, may be seized under legal process and held for the payment of the plaintiff's demand. Laws exist in almost every state of the United States, permitting this form of attachment. The purpose of such enactments is that a citizen of the state may have the most complete remedy which the law can afford him against a non-resident debtor who is not under the jurisdiction of the laws of such state, and thereby frequent injustice and vexatious delay are prevented. 2 END OF VOLUME II SUPPLEMENT. |