230 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



than 5 pounds of seed per acre in any instance, and 

 seldom necessary to sow so mncli. From 2 to 3 pounds 

 of good seed should furnish many plants in the mixture. 

 For various reasons it is not easy to secure really good 

 seed. This no doubt accounts in part at least for the 

 unsatisfactory results that have frequently followed 

 the sowing of this grass under American conditions. 

 The high price of the seed has also been against its 

 extensive use. 



Pasturing. — The high value of meadow foxtail in 

 producing pasture under conditions favorable to its 

 growth cannot be questioned. Its earliness, permanency, 

 j>ersistency in growth and high palatability recommend 

 it for such a use. Moreover it withstands cropping well. 

 It is these qualities which have made it a favorite pas- 

 ture grass in the permanent pastures of Britain and 

 more especially in the sheep grazing districts. While 

 it may be cropped do^\'Ti quite early in the season at 

 which time it grows with much vigor, it does not grow 

 so well later, hence it is much better to sow it with 

 other grasses when sowing it for pasture. Since it lux- 

 uriates on rich soil it is peculiarly responsive to dress- 

 ings of fertilizer in various forms. 



Harvesting for Hay. — Although frequently groAvn for 

 hay in Europe, it is questionable if this grass will ever 

 become highly popular as a hay plant under American 

 conditions, since where the conditions are most favor- 

 able to its growth in this country they are also quite 

 favorable for the growth of timothy, which is king 

 among the hay plants in America. It is very light, com- 

 pared with timothy and is lacking in what may be 



