GRASSES OF IOWA. 339 



meadow, sometimes called duck grass, and sometimes swamp 

 wire grass.' " 



This grass is seldom sown in this state, and it is only in the 

 northern and northeastern sections of the state, where it is 

 abundant, that it is used for forage purposes Lamson-Scrib- 

 ner* says it is found in nearly all parts of New England and 

 often forms a very considerable and valued portion of the 

 native hay of the low meadows. Professor Bealf says the 

 stems in damp weather branch at the lower joints, and thus it 

 is inclined to spread. On account of Ihe large top and the 

 slender stem this grass is rather inclined to fall over or lodge. 

 For this reason it is frequently grown with red top, and as a 

 matter of fact this grass is not infrcquenly found in low 

 meadows as a naturaliz d grass with red top. 



Meadow Foxtail {Alopecurus pratensis, L.) — Though of 

 little value in Iowa and scarcely cultivated, it has been tried 

 in an experimental way on the College farm for twenty years. 

 Stebler and SchroterJ state: "Although long ago recom- 

 mended by Linnaeus, its cultivation has only recently com- 

 menced.'' Sinclair § in 1824, wrote: "The meadow foxtail 

 constitutes part of the produce of all the richest pastures I 

 have examined in Lincolnshire, Devonshire, and in the vale of 

 Aylesbury. In Mr. Westcar's celebrated pastures at Creslew 

 I found it more prevalent than in those of Devor shire and 

 Lincolnshire." It does not, however, appear to have been cul- 

 tivated. It was early introduced into this country and has 

 spread extensively in the eastern states. It is cultivated par- 

 ticularly in the middle and New England states because of its 

 earlim ss. 



Meadow foxtail is of little value in this state. It comes on 

 rapidly in the spring ard matures early. During the season 

 of 1900 the culms measured two and a half feet, but they were 

 rather sparingly produced. However, there were an abundance 

 of leaves clo-e to the ground. During the season of 1899, 

 which was much more favorable, the plant was a foot taller 

 and the flowering culms were much more numerous. It may 

 be said further in regard to this grass that it produces no after- 

 math. In the east, however, this grass is considered very val- 

 uable, and in Europe one of the most valuable of the peren- 

 nial grasses. Dr. Wm. J. Beal says in regard to it: 



*1. c. 63. 



tGrasses Of N. A. 1: 140. Ed 2. 

 $The Best Forage Plants. 57. 

 §1. c. 142. 



