IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS LAND 229 



arable and grass land, flourishing most on damp land. 

 The spore-bearing or fructifying stout stems, with club- 

 shaped heads, resembling young asparagus, appear in 

 April. These are followed from May onwards by erect 

 or decumbent barren leafy stems (Fig. 71), with simple 

 branches in whorls, and ending in a long, naked point. 

 Horse-tail has extensively creeping, deep-lying rhizomes, 

 often lying several feet below the surface, quite out 

 of reach of plough, cultivator, or spade. The plant 

 is refused by stock. Another species, E. palustre L., is 

 regarded as being poisonous to cattle. As Horse-tail 

 favours damp soils, it can only be reduced completely 

 by draining. Ditches should be kept clean and clear of 

 weeds to allow of the free passage of water, and the land 

 should be limed. (See also p. 136.) Both spore-bear- 

 ing and barren stems should be regularly cut. 



Musci 



Mosses (Hypmim, Funaria, Sphagnum, &c.) are fre- 

 quently troublesome in pastures, and are an indication 

 that the land is damp or in poor condition. The general 

 methods recommended for the eradication of Mosses 

 are: (i) drainage, followed by (2) manurial treat- 

 ment, including an application of lime. Before manures 

 are applied it is advisable to pass the harrows over the 

 ground, so as to tear out much of the Moss and loosen 

 the surface soil and open it up to air, light, moisture, 

 and manures. Mossy pastures on heavy clay land 

 should receive 10 cwt. of lime per acre and 6 cwt. of basic 

 slag, both applied in autumn, and in the following spring 

 a dressing of i cwt. nitrate of soda per acre in April 

 or May. Lighter lands maybe given 10 cwt. lime and 

 2\ cwt. of kainit per acre in autumn, 3 to 5 cwt. good 

 superphosphate in March, and i cwt. nitrate of soda in 

 the middle of April. Combined with drainage and the 



