FOOD FROM PASTURES 307 



and Tall Oat grass (Arrhenatherum avenaceum), but these 

 are not so extensively grown as the former. 



Orchard grass grows best in various centers all across 

 the continent between parallels 35 and 45 north latitude. 

 It is a leafy grass and a vigorous grower on good soils, 

 and it will endure shade better than other grasses. It has 

 the habit of growing in tussocks which may be modified 

 by growing it with blue grass. It is not so palatable as blue 

 grass, but is more productive. In the spring the grazing 

 should be measurably close to keep the seed stems in check. 

 The autumn growth is usually abundant and may be made 

 to furnish much grazing for winter where the climates 

 are reasonably mild. 



Meadow fescue is hardy, palatable and nutritious. It 

 has been grown in various centers widely distant from one 

 another. It is slow in becoming established so as to pro- 

 duce a maximum amount of pasture; hence it is better 

 suited for permanent than for temporary pastures. It 

 grows better than blue grass in summer and has more 

 power also to make growth in the cool and cold weather 

 of autumn. It is prized for winter grazing in some of the 

 Middle Atlantic states. 



Tall Oat grass will grow north, south, east or west, 

 but in climates not really severe it has proved of highest 

 value. It comes up very early in the spring, grows quickly 

 and is persistent in growth. The foliage is abundant but 

 coarse and, owing to a bitter property which it possesses, is 

 not so much relished as several other grasses. It should 

 be kept from throwing up seed stems, which of course, are 

 less palatatable even than the leaves. 



Three other grasses are capable of providing much 

 pasture, but they are so difficult of eradication that it is 

 at least questionable if ever they should be sown under 

 arable conditions. These are Quack grass (Agropyrum re- 

 pens), Johnson grass (Sorghum halpense), and Crab 

 grass (Panicum sanguinalis) , 



