90 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and thence called by such an odd name. * * It grows tall and 

 thick, makes a more soft and pliable haj than Ilerdsgrass, besides 

 it is a good grass not in abundance inferior to English grasses. It 

 yields a good burden, three loads to the acre. This grass has 

 another good quality r.'hich renders it very valuable in a country 

 where help is so much wanting; it will not spoil or suffer, although 

 it stand beyond the common time for mowing. It may be cut any 

 time from July to October. * * This I wondered at, but view- 

 ing it attentively, I think I have found the reason of it. When it 

 is grown about three feet high, it falls down, but doth not rot like 

 other grasses when lodged. In a little time after, at every joint it 

 puts forth a new branch ; now to maintain this young brood of suck- 

 ers there must be a plentiful course of sap conveyed up through the 

 main stem ; by this means the grass is kept green and fit for mow- 

 ing all this long period."' 



Fowl meadow is properly a swamp grass, as it will not succeed 

 on land dry enough for grain : on the other hand it will not thrive 

 in soils which have an excess of water. It is most at home in very 

 moist localities, and those which are occasionally overflowed but not 

 long covered with water. In such situations it is of great value, 

 producing abundantly of excellent hay. It does not, as quoted 

 above, become hard or strawey by long standing, but is always soft. 

 The general opinion is, that it is best cut in August. 



Mr. Howard says — "Its tenacity of life is not great. Farmers 

 who desire to keep up its growth, say it should be allowed to shed 

 seed occasionally, in order that new plants may be produced."* 



Hon. Fred. Ilolbrook says — "This grass grows in patches, here 

 and there, in the intervale lands near my residence. It has come 

 in of itself and held long possession in certain places, and grows 

 very vigorously wherever it has foothold. It somewhat resembles 

 Redtop in general shape and appearance of stalk head and seed, but 

 the head is of a lighter and paler color and the stalk grows taller 

 and quite slender and delicate, while the bottom or lower foliage is 

 very abundant and fine. It undoubtedly excels Ilerdsgrass and 

 Redtop for a large product and fine quality of hay. It turns out a 

 full swath to the scythe, the hay is easily cured, remarkably soft, 

 tender and succulent, excellent for milch cows, and particularly for 

 working oxen, during their labors in the spring season. It is not 



