COMMON PASTURE GRASSES. 



19 



seem to be a grass well worth giving a trial under favourable 

 conditions of stocking, especially where winter grass is of 

 great importance. 



The seed is very large, and therefore a considerable 

 weight, say 40 pounds, should be sown per acre. Owing to 

 the difficulty of covering the seed when it is broadcast, it 

 should be drilled in 7 in. rows, and then cross-drilled, sowing 

 half the seed at each operation. Some seed is grown locally, 

 and it is always better than the imported article, which often 

 produces plants that suffer from smut. At Moumahaki 

 Experimental Farm a pure strain was isolated by Mr. W. S. 

 Hill, and this has given very satisfactory results from the 

 point of view of increased yield. The seed averages in price 

 5s. 3d. per bushel of 20 Ibs. 



Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). 

 A strong growing grass with bluish-green 

 leaves growing only on damp land or in 

 moist climates. From the main plant go 

 off rhizomes a couple of inches in length, 

 and the ends of these are upturned and 

 produce leaves. The sheath is round, the 

 ligule short and obtuse, the ribs on the 

 upper surface of the blade are noticeably 

 flat, not sharp. The whole plant is hair- 

 less and the leaf has a tendency to roll up 

 on hot days. The dead sheaths at the base 

 have a purplish tinge in their brown. 



Foxtail is a permanent grass producing 

 a great wealth of feed. It starts into 

 growth very early in spring. It is highly 

 palatable and improves under stocking, |i] \\.\ 

 there being several pastures over 40 years 

 old even in so new a country as New Fig - u - 

 Zealand. Foxtail - 



