232 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



VELVET-GRASS (Holcus lanatus) 



274. Velvet-grass is also known in England as York- 

 shire Fog, and meadow soft-grass. On the North Pacific 

 Coast, where it is extraordinarily abundant, it has acquired 

 the name " mesquite." 



It is native to temperate Europe, and Asia, and extends 

 southward into Algeria and the Canary Islands. It is 

 adapted primarily to moist, cool climates, and under such 

 conditions is not particular as to soil. In hardiness it is 

 much like orchard-grass, but is more injured by late spring 

 frosts. It does not endure shade. 



Velvet-grass forms thick, rather high tussocks, which 

 make mowing somewhat difficult. The culms are usually 

 about 30 inches high. The whole plant is very hairy and 

 probably on this account is not readily eaten by animals 

 either as hay or pasturage. It possesses very little sub- 

 stance, the hay being probably the most bulky of all 

 grasses. Under favorable climatic conditions two cuttings 

 of hay may be obtained. European authorities state that 

 the hay yield is best in the third year. Sinclair in Eng- 

 land records a yield of 6160 pounds an acre, and Vianne 

 in France, 6950 pounds. 



In America the grass is utilized to a slight extent in 

 western Virginia, and to a great extent on the North 

 Pacific Coast. In all the region west of the Cascade 

 Mountains in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia 

 it is very aggressive, and in the very moist region near 

 the ocean occupies the land practically to the exclusion 

 of other grasses. Under such circumstances its use is a 

 matter of necessity rather than choice, but the returns 

 are not unsatisfactory. The grass is best cut when in 

 full bloom, at which time the rays of the panicle are 

 spreading, but after blooming they become erect. 



