136 



Agricultural Section 



[PT II 



drought, it is of little use. It is one of the first species to 

 commence growth in the spring (flowering usually in April in 

 England), thus affording early grazing which is always especially 

 welcome. Both "top" and "bottom" growth are produced and 

 owing to its slightly creeping habit the plants mix well with 

 other species. Complete development is generally attained by 



Fig. 150. Meadow Foxtail, showing its habit of growth. 



the third season after sowing and it may therefore be used for 

 leys of four or more years' duration as well as for permanent 

 grass on the types of soil indicated above. 



In productiveness even under favourable conditions it is 

 probably behind Cock's-foot, Tall Oat-grass and the Rye-grasses, 

 but in quality it is unsurpassed. Its hay is free from coarseness 

 and the proportion of leaves to flowering stems is very high. 



