204: 



The following observations on the selection of different kinds of com- 

 mon food by sheep and cattle, were made by Mr. George Sinclair : - 



"Rye Grass. — Sheep eat this grass when it is in the early stage of its 

 growth, in preference to most others; but after the seed approaches 

 towards perfection, they leave it for almost any other kind. Horses and 

 cattle are fond of it; the former particularly, when made into hay. 



<'Cock's-foot Grass. — Oxen, horses and sheep eat this grass readily. 

 The oxen continue to eat the straws and flowers. This was exemplified 

 in a striking manner in a field one-half seeded to cock's-foot and red clo- 

 ver; the other half rye-grass and white clover. The oxen generally 

 kept to the cock's-foot and red clover, and the sheep to the rye-grass and. 

 white clover. 



" Meadow Fox-tail. — Sheep and horses seem to have a greater relish 

 for this grass than oxen. It delights in a soil of intermediate quality, as 

 to moisture or dryness, and is very productive. In the water meadows,, 

 it often constitutes the principal part of the crop. 



" Meadow Cat's-tail. — This grass is eaten without reserve, by oxen, 

 sheep and horses. It seems to attain to the greatest perfection in a rich, 

 deep loam. 



"Rough-stalked Meadow Grass. — Oxen, horses and sheep eat this 

 grass with avidity. 



"Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass. — Oxen and horses are observed ta 

 eat this grass in common with others; but sheep rather prefer the hard 

 fescue, and sheep's fescue, w^hich affect a similar soil. This species 

 exhausts the soil in a greater degree than almost any other species of 

 grass, the roots being numerous, and powerfully creeping, becoming ia 

 two or three years completely matted together. The produce diminishes 

 as this takes place. 



"Crested Dog's-tail Grass. — The Southdown sheep and deer appear 

 to be remarkably fond of this grass. 



"Fine Bent — Common Bent. — This is a very common grass in all poor, 

 dry, sandy soils. It is not palatable to cattle, as they never eat it readily,, 

 if any other kinds are Avithin their reach. 



"Sheep's Fescue Grass. — All kinds of cattle relish this grass, but 

 it appears from trials made with it on clayey soils, that it continues but 

 a short time in possession of such, being soon overpowered by the more 



