228 THE HORSE 



It is most important, therefore, that this should be artificially 

 replenished, either by manuring with some form of lime 

 itself or with some substance largely containing it, of which 

 an economical and favourite vehicle is basic slag; while 

 ordinary farm-yard manure can also supply a small quantity, 

 which is contamed in the straw when ordinary litter has 

 been used. Hay grown on land deficient in lime is wanting 

 in one of the most essential elements it should possess. 



The best hay is known by the fineness of the stalks and 

 leaves composing the herbage. It should be of a green colour, 

 and contain clover, the meadow grasses (Poas), rye grasses 

 (Lolium perenne), sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum), 

 crested dogstail (Cynosaurus cristatus), meadow fescue (Fes- 

 tuca pratensis), foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), and some 

 rib-grass (Digraphis arundinacea) . When such grasses are 

 recognised it is at once known that they have been grown on 

 the uplands, and they are also certain indications of the 

 presence of lime. The cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) is a 

 valuable grass, in that it is always growing during the winter- 

 time in the large tussocks it produces, thus afi'ording a 

 precious bite of young grass when all others are at a stand- 

 still ; but it makes coarse hay, more suitable for cattle than 

 for horses doing fast work, as there is a large bulk of woody 

 fibre in its composition ; and since it gradually diminishes, 

 and even dies out, when pastures are well limed, the presence 

 of a large quantity in hay points to the probability of there 

 being a deficiency of lime. The meadow catstail (Phleum 

 pratense), an excellent grass in itself, and often sown in 

 conjunction with clover and Italian rye-grass as a farm crop, 

 likewise disappears when the fields are well limed. 



The presence of meadow soft grass (Holcus mollis) and of 

 Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) are most undesirable, and 

 although occasionally occurring in upland pastures, show a 

 want of condition in the land and a lack of drainage. 



Lowland hay, from swampy ground, is known by the 

 coarseness of the stalks and the absence of herbage charac- 

 teristic of the uplands. It should not be used for horses, 

 but given to the cattle. 



Hay may be composed of the finest grasses, and gathered in 



