180 AGEICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS. 



for pasture, and in many places for meadows. It flowers with early red clover^ 

 is rather coarse, and speedily becomes ripe and woody after flowering. It grows 

 in tufts, unless sown at the rate of about two bushels of seed in the chaff to 

 the acre, or mixed Arith other grasses or clovers; it is a perennial, and not 

 easily killed by feeding or. mowing. It is one of the most promising for 

 trial in northern Michigan and in Dakota, as well as in many other places. It 

 does not spread like quack grass, and is not hard to kill by cultivation. It 

 thrives very well in shady places Orchard grass is especially suited to deep,, 

 rich loam, but not to stiff, cold clay, or very thin soils. 



ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM. TALL OAT GRASS. (Avena Ekitior.) 



Various inquiries have been made. This comes from Europe, where it does 

 not usually rank as high as some of the finer grasses. 



Tall oat grass is a very vigorous perennial, starting early, usually making a 

 large growth for meadow or pasture. It is rather bitter, but stock eat it well 

 if not allowed to get too far advanced before cutting. Like orchard grass, it 

 should not stand one day after flowering, if good hay is any object. This is 

 very suitable in many places west, north and south to mix with early red clover 

 and orchard grass. Most people who have tried it in our State report favor- 

 ably. This is inclined to grow in tufts, and does not spread like quack grass. 

 It is Avell worth trying on the light soils of northern Michigan. 



FESTUCA ELATIOR. TALL FESCUE. MEADOW FESCUE. 



I. P. M., Penn., says this grass comes up luxuriantly, and thrives in the 

 shade of trees. He would like to know whether to make it welcome, or begin 

 an extermination. This comes from Europe, where it has long been highly 

 esteemed for pasture and meadow. Like the two preceding, tall fescue 

 grows in tufts, unless thickly sown. In quality it ranks high. The plants 

 start early in spring, whether they come from seed or old stubble. This is liked 

 in many places, and is especially worthy of trial in northern and southern 

 Michigan. It is adapted to loam, but will thrive on any good soil. 



SAeeP'S fescue. {Festucaovina.) 



This is often inquired about, but hardly merits attention on account of its- 

 small size and tufted habit. 



BUFFALO GRASS. 



There are many species of western grasses which are popularly and indis- 

 criminately called by this name. They are all small and few, if any, stand Avell 

 the tramping of close pasturing. Inquiry Avas made in reference to trying 

 them in northern Michigan. Those named above are more promising for that 

 country. 



ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS. MEADOAV FOXTAIL. 



At the first glance, Avhen in flower, this grass is often mistaken for Timotliy, 

 but it blooms about four Aveeks earlier, the spikes are shorter, broader, and 

 much softer, and the whole plant is smoother. In plats it attracts much 

 attention. 



The plants from seed require a couple of years to get Avell established. The 

 seed is light, and often poorly filled. It is a perennial from Europe, Avhere it 

 is highly esteemed in mixtures for permanent pasture and meadow. Meadow 



