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reproduction, the Alopecwus is rather superior to the Dacti/lis; 

 and tliough its sward be not quite so luxuriant, yet it is far 

 more delicate. 



Three years ago I had stated, that both Curtis and 

 Dickson had called this grass too coarse, but that I had 

 found it rather fine, and too much disposed to lodge. 



Attentive observation of its sward, and repeated experi- 

 ments upon its hay, have convinced me that, notwithstanding 

 its high reputation and characteristic name, yet that the mea- 

 dow Foxtail is unfit for hai/. 



Its seed stems bearing the panicle, are tall and very few, 

 S0 as to bear no proportion to tlie immense mass of soft root- 

 kaf of which its hay will be composed ; but it is well known 

 that the nutricious and saccharine parts of our hay are confined 

 almost exclusively to the stem, while the soft root-leaf, little 

 better than a caput mortuum when dry, shrinks, withers, and 

 wastes almost to nothing, in the operation of hay-making. 



As I advanced from theory tp practice, from my diminutive 

 experimentalists plots to more extended portions of my farm, 

 I endeavoured to save and keep distinct, exclusive parcels 

 from each species of grass of which I entertained good ex- 

 pectations. 



I was much shocked to find, when I examined my parcels 

 after some interval, that my Foxtail hay was quite soft and 

 greatly collapsed. Heavy rains came on soon afterwards; and, 

 as my parcels were small, I had considerable difficulty in 

 saving any of them, but I succeeded with them all except the 



Alopecuriis 



