33 



Experience on tlie Agricnlhiral College gronnds indicates 

 this fear to be gronndlcss. .Vwnless bronie grass is an 

 early-flowering species, and ada])ted, therefore, to sowing 

 in niixtnre with orchard grass and other relatively early va- 

 rieties. It inclines somewhat to the wiry habit of witch 

 grass bnt if cnt early nuikes fairly palatable hay. It is the 

 writer's opinion that the species has been ninch over-praised, 

 and yet that it is worth trial by farmers occupying the lighter 

 and drier soils. 



Sweet Vernal. — This grass, also known as Jnne grass in 

 some sections, is characterized by the most delightfnl fra- 

 grance (especially after wilting) of any of our common 

 species of grass, lluch poetical license in reference to its 

 influence upon the quality of dairy products has been based 

 upon this fact. In plain prose, it must be stated that this is 

 one of the least valuable of the species commonly found in 

 mowings. It does not appear to be especially palatable to 

 cattle, nor is it known to exercise any especially favorable 

 influence upon the flavor of dairy products. This species 

 comes into mowings on the lighter soils or in dry seasons on 

 heavier soils, and gradually displaces the more valuable tim- 

 othy and redtop. There are two varieties, so-called peren- 

 nial and the annual. The latter seems to have absolutely 

 nothing to recommend it; while even the perennial sweet 

 vernal should never, in the opinion of the writer, be included 

 in mixtures of seeds for our mowings. 



The Common Clovers described. 



There are but four clovers of recognized value in our 

 mowings and pastures, — common red, mammoth red, the 

 alsike and the white. 



Common Red Clover and Mammoth Red Clover. — These 

 species, which are in general well known, closely resemble 

 each other in general habit. Between typical specimens of 

 the two there are well-defined dift'erenees ; but the species 

 seem to run together by insensible gradations, and the prod- 

 uct of commercial samples of seed sold under the two names 

 is often indistinguishable even by experts. The most im- 

 portant recogTiized differences between typical specimens 



