70 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



been a tendency to give undue prominence to this grass, 

 I consider it necessary to say that an excessive proportion 

 in a pasture may be mischievous. The herbage is coarse, 

 the stalks soon become hard, and in that state the increased 

 feeding value is of no service if cattle refuse to graze them, as 

 they undoubtedly do, or if the abundant presence of this grass 

 reduces the price of the hay. 



When seed is freely shed there is a danger that the 

 plant will take almost exclusive possession of the land, 

 especially on those formations which favour its growth. And 

 once sown it is a very difficult grass to eradicate. All points 

 considered, great judgment is requisite in order to realise the 

 full advantage of Timothy, and at the same time to maintain 

 the general efficiency of the pasture. 



A marked characteristic of Timothy is its extreme hardi- 

 ness, and for this quality it is extensively gi'own in Canada 

 in association with Alsike Clover, for one and two years' 

 leys. For the same purpose it has won favour in Scotland, 

 where experience has proved that hay made from Timothy 

 and Alsike is highly sustaining food for horses in hard 

 work. Such hay, when well harvested, is in constant demand 

 at a profitable figure. Another excellent crop is obtained by 

 sowing a mixture of Timothy and Cow Grass. It would 

 perhaps be impossible to find two plants which are more 

 suitable for growing together. For alternate husbandry 

 generally Timbthy offisrs very substantial benefits ; the only 

 objection to its employment for a term of years is the trouble 

 experienced in getting rid of it when the ley has to be 

 broken up. 



The greyish-green tint of the short, broad leaves, and 

 involute character of the emerging leaf, together with the 

 ■smooth sheath and obtuse ligule, clearly distinguish this grass 

 from others when the cylindrical flower-spike is wanting. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 5s. Edition. 



