TALL OAT GRASS. 211 



havior in France, but it grows at its best under condi- 

 tions of both climate and soil that are not over moist. 

 An over moist climate is also much adverse to the prop- 

 er preservation of the hay made from this grass. 



Tall oat grass though not much grown in the northern 

 states, is susceptible of a wide distribution throughout 

 the republic. Many good words have been spoken in its 

 favor in the South and West. In some of the southern 

 states it is placed at the head of the list of the cultivated 

 grasses. As previously intimated it has been grown 

 successfully for many years in Virginia. In Georgia it 

 has been given first place among the valuable grasses. 

 In Nebraska, though not very extensively grown, it is in 

 good repute and in Idaho it is grown considerably both 

 on the upland and along with alfalfa on irrigated land. 

 Coming northward it has done well on certain of the 

 sandy soils of Michigan and in some areas of Pennsyl- 

 vania. It is not probable that this grass will be grown 

 to a very great extent east of the Rocky mountains and 

 north of the fortieth parallel, because of the success 

 with which other grasses may be grown in nearly all of 

 the area named that are considered superior. Never- 

 theless, in the light soils found in certain areas of 

 Michigan, Wisconsin and other states, this grass should 

 be further tested. For such soils it has this advantage 

 over Russian brome grass, that it germinates more 

 quickly and will produce much more abundantly the 

 season that it is sown. In the semi-arid belt it will grow 

 better than almost any other variety, unless it be the 

 Russian brome, but in much of this areu the conditions 

 are too dry even for tali oat grass. In nearly all the 



