MEADOW FOXTAIL. 231 



termed "body," that is substance, firmness and weight. 

 The slowness with which it matures also so far unfits it 

 for a hay crop. 



It should be cut for hay when in bloom as then it 

 is claimed the plants are possessed of a maximum 

 amount of nutrition. When in full bloom a field of 

 meadow foxtail is handsome to look upon. It is claimed 

 that the hay has a higher nutrition than timothy. It 

 may be cut and harvested in the same way &s timothy. 

 (Seep. 72.) 



Securing Seed. The author has not been able to 

 obtain any information with reference to harvesting 

 the seed crop under American conditions. The seed 

 used in this country would seem to be all or nearly all 

 imported. Much of it is also adulterated with velvet 

 grass (Holcus lanatus) or with rye grass. The seed crop 

 ripens unevenly. Some of the heads are approaching 

 ripeness while other heads are still in flower. The 

 seed crop is also said to be peculiarly liable to injury 

 from insects and also blight. Moreover it is not easy to 

 thresh and prepare for market. These difficulties in the 

 way of procuring seed explain in part at least why the 

 seed is high. 



Renewing. When this grass is sown for meadow and 

 the stand is imperfect it would probably be better to 

 refit the land and sow again than to add seed, without 

 thus preparing the soil, as the young plants are unable 

 to flourish in soil where the conditions are not highly 

 favorable. The same reasoning will apply in the main 

 to the renewal of the pastures. 



