Culture of artifjcial grasses. 



i05 



beyond the memory of man if not destroyed by close pastuf- 

 in^. Some believe it is most valuable for hay if cut when in 

 blossom or soon after ; others, when the seed is nearly ripe ; 

 and others again when it is quite ripe. But as the nourish- 

 ment to be derived from it, is principally from the stock or 

 blade, and not from the seed, it certainly must furnish a bet- 

 ter hay for either cattle or horses, when cut soon after the 

 time when it is in full blossom. When however it is intended 

 to be continued a considerable length of time without plough- 

 ing, it might be well to let it stand some seasons until the seed 

 is fully npd, and by that means check, in some measure, the 

 prevalence of weeds and wild grass. 



Meadow fox tail, {Alopenerus Pratensis). This grass is 

 much cultivated in Great Britain ; it is an early grass and veg- 

 etates with such luxuriancy, that it may be mowed three 

 times in a year. The British graziers consider it one of their 

 best grasses, particularly for larger cattle. The soil best 

 suited for it is moist meadovV land, or that which is occasion- 

 ally overflowed, though it will grow well on almost any soil 

 except those that are very wet, or very dry. LinnaBous states 

 it to be a proper grass for grounds, which have been drained. 

 It is perennial, and yields abundance of seed, which is easily 

 gathered. The seed is however sometimes liable to be destroy- 

 ed by an insect. 



Meadow ri:^c\jE,{Festua Pratensis) is an early hardy pe- 

 remiia.1 grass, and grows well in almost every soil ; good fot 

 liay or pasture, and produces abundance of seed which is easi- 

 ly gathered. Mr. Custis says it has a great resemblance to 

 ray grass, but is superior to it in forming meadows, as it ^rowa 

 longer, and has more foliage. It blossoms about the middle (jf 

 June. 



Darnel, or -rat grass, {Lalium Pereene,) is good for an 

 early supply of pasture, as it starts very early. It grows to 

 the height of about two feet, and blossoms the latter end of 

 May. Horses are extremely fond of it when made early into 

 hay ; and for race horses particularly, has been found prefera- 

 ble to any other hay. It is however apt to run too much to 

 stalks in most soils, and tlien cattle dislike it in pastures. 



Crested dog's tail, {Cynosurus Cnstatus.) is good for up- 

 land pastures, and is a wholesome food for sheep. " It forms a 

 thick turf, and blossoms about the middle of June. It abounds 

 with seed which is easily gathered ; but care shoulo be taken 

 that it be fully ripe ; it is suitable for dry sandy eoils, and \^li,\ 

 net thriye in wet mes^dows. 



