190 FORAGE PLANTS. 



G62. By the use of many judiciously selected species 

 together, a greater weight of grass and hay can be 

 obtained from an acre than if only a few species be used. 

 Probably this arises from the fact stated above, that the 

 different species use different kinds of nutriment. On a 

 certain space, say on a square foot of soil, as many plants 

 of a particular species of grass will grow as can find there 

 the kind of nourishment they need ; no more of that 

 species can grow there, of course ; they would starve as 

 it were, but other plants of a different species of grass, 

 which require different substances to support them, may 

 grow on the same soil, because the plants of the first have 

 not consumed any of the substances which- they want ; so 

 as many plants of the second species will grow there as 

 can obtain the sort of nourishment suited to them; a 

 third species, and others needing different kinds of 

 nutriment may be added, and this may go on till the soil 

 is crowded as thick with the plants as they can grow. 



GGo. In selecting a mixture for mowing or for pasturage, 

 regard should be had to the modes of growth and other 

 peculiarities of each kind. A grass well adapted to cut 

 for hay, may be very unsuitable to form a pasture turf. 

 Timothy, though one of the best of our grasses for 

 mowing, is not good to sow for pasturage, as it cannot 

 bear the close cropping of cattle. 



664. Among the grasses which may most profitably be 

 cultivated for mowing, may be mentioned Timothy, 

 rcdtop, white bent, orchard grass, perennial rye 

 grass, June grass, rough stalked meadow grass, fowl 

 meadow grass, meadow fescue, and tall fescue.* Other 



* The natural history, culture and economic value of the grasses arc fully 

 -t.iti-.l in the Tr.-ali.-c on (irassrs and Forage Hants, uhich those who desire to 

 make themselves mure lam i liar \\ith the bitljeet may cunaulL. 



