nOW TO GROW GOOD GRASSES. 



species, which, though not fully or botanically de- 

 scribed, will yet aid the practical farmer in estimating 

 the species, and their value and significance, which 

 he will commonly find in his fields. 



The Meadow Poxtail 

 (Alopecurus pratensis, fig. 

 13) is an early species of 

 the spicate form— i.e., the 

 flowers grow close toge- 

 ther, into a more or less 

 dense head. It yields a 

 great quantity of herbage, 

 especially in moist situa- 

 tions ; and is particularly 

 adapted for the irrigated 

 meadow. It should be 

 distinguished from the 

 A. geniculate (Kneeling 

 Foxtail), whose spike is 

 only about half the length 

 and size, as this is par- 

 ticularly a water species, 

 so that if found when a 

 meadow is dry, it is yet an 

 evidence that water must Flr J- is. The Meadow Foxtail. 

 have lain where it occurs for a considerable period of 

 the year. Also from the A. agrestis (Slender Pox- 

 tail), which has a longer and thinner spike, as this 

 latter is a weed in poor hungry clays, which is useless 

 except as serving to indicate that the land wants 

 perhaps both drainage and manure. Here, then, our 

 first genus presents us with species indicating the 

 varied conditions of rich meadow, wet places, and 

 poor arable ; and it is this variableness in adaptability 



