FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 127 



land as clover: On the contrary, it binds, and somewhat 

 exhausts, the soil. It is perennial, and will last beyond the 

 memory of Man, if not destroyed by close pasturing. The 

 proper time for mowing it is, when it is in blossom, or a 

 little later. 



From the trials made in Greatbritain, of this native 

 American grass, it is however asserted, by Mr Curtis, to 

 possess no excelence which is not possessed, in an equal 

 degree, by the 



MEADOW- FOXTAIL (Alofiecurus Pratcnsis ) This grass 

 is much cultivated in Greatbritain. It is an early grass, 

 and vegetates with such luxuriancy, that, according to Mr. 

 Curtis^ it may be mowed three times a year. The British 

 Graziers consider it as one of their best grasses, parti- 

 cularly for larger cattle. The soil best suited for it is 

 moist meadow-land, or that which is occasionally over- 

 flowed; though it will grow well on almost any soil, 

 except those which are very wet, or very dry. Linn<gus 

 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 destroyed by an insect. 



MEADOW-FESCUE ( frestuca Pratensis) is an early, hardy, 

 perennial grass, and grows well on almost every soil ; good 

 for hay or pasture ; produces abundance of seed, which is 

 easily gathered. Mr. Curtis says, it has a great resem- 

 blance to raygrass ; but is superior to it for forming mea- 

 dows, as it grows longer and has more foliage. It blos- 

 about the middle of June. 



DARNEL, or RAYGRASS (Lolium Perenne} is good for 

 an early supply of pasiure, 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 Racehorses, particularly, has been 

 found preferable to any other hay. It is, however, apt to 

 run too much to stalks, in most soils ; and then cattle dis- 

 like it in pastures. A natural sort of raygrass is mentioned,, 

 as having been lately cultivated in Greatbritain, which is 

 much superior to the sort usually cultivated there. 

 See further Quit c'i grass, in WEED-.. 



CRESTED DOGSTAIL (Cynoaurus Cristatus) is good for* 

 upland pastures, and is a wholesome food tor Sheep. It 

 forms a thick turf, and blossoms about the middle of June. 

 It abounds with seed, which is easily gathered; but care 

 should be taken, that it be fully ripe, as otherwise it will 

 sometimes fail to grow. It is suitable for dry, sandy soils, 

 and will not thrive in wet meadows. 



