210 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



but more to a somewhat bitter taste which characterizes 

 it. In nutritive properties it ranks at least medium. 



The contrast is somewhat striking between American 

 and Eno-lish testimony with reference to this o'rass. The 

 former speaks encouragingly as to its value as a culti- 

 vated grass. The latter is pretty generally of such a 

 character as to discourage its growth, and this in spite 

 of the fact that it is extensively grown in France and 

 other countries in western Europe. Sir J. B. Laws, 

 after discussing it, evidently in an impartial manner, 

 concludes that its value is questionable. English opin- 

 ion with regard to it would seem to be influenced by the 

 large number of the other cultivated grasses which can 

 be grown there, some of which are in several respects 

 superior to tall oat grass for English conditions. Fur- 

 thermore, tall oat grass prefers a climate not too moist. 



Distribution. — Tall oat grass is common in Europe 

 and also in Avestern Asia. It is probably indigenous to 

 both of these continents. It was introduced into this 

 country from Europe and probably many years ago. It 

 has long been grow^n in Virginia and in certain portions 

 of New England it was cultivated to some extent as ear- 

 ly as the first quarter of the last century when it was 

 valued somewliat liighly, more especially because of the 

 early and rapid growth which it makes in the spring. 



It is a hardy grass and can endure much lieat and 

 cold. Its adaptation for southern conditions would 

 seem to be much higher than for those in the ]S[orth, but 

 this probal)ly arises more from congeniality in the soil 

 conditions than from those of climate. It will grow well 

 in a climat(^ tliat in moist, as is evidenced by its be- 



