The Grasses 277 



Timothy lacks bottom foliage and should always have 

 some late-growing low grass like red top associated with 

 it to help out the crop. 



But timothy, with all its faults has such a hold on the 

 farmers and the markets that it will probably remain the 

 standard hay grass of a large part of the country. But 

 where the hay is to be fed on the farm and is not the money 

 crop of the farm, we would grow legumes and grasses that 

 go better along with clover. 



Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) has 

 ^^ ^ become in many parts of the country a popu- 



lar meadow and pasture grass. It is one of 

 the grasses that seems to be equally at home north and 

 south. It is better adapted to high land than timothy is. 

 It is a strong rooting grass and withstands drought better 

 than timothy, and from its strong rooting nature is a far 

 better pasture grass. Its name, orchard grass, comes from 

 the fact that it thrives well in the shade of trees. Orchard 

 grass is one of the earliest grasses, and gives a bite in 

 the pasture earher in spring than any other grass except 

 perhaps, the meadow foxtail. After the first mowing in 

 spring, it gives a stronger aftermath than most other 

 grasses, and if this is left on the land the strong tussocks 

 that this grass makes, keep the under part green in winter 

 and affords a great deal of grazing even in the most severe 

 weather, particularly in the South. The faults of this 

 grass are its habit of growing in bunches or tussocks and 

 not covering the ground densely. Though it grows tall 

 and shows a large crop apparently the harvest is apt to be 

 Hghter than the appearance owing to this scattering habit. 

 It is a very early grass, and to make good hay it must be 



