230 CULTIVATION OF GRASSES. 



the seed-stems four and a half feet long. The latter- 

 math, it will be perceived by the table which is append- 

 ed, is nearly equal in weight, and superior in nutritious 

 matter, to the seed crop. Sinclair says it thrives best 

 on a strong tenacious clay ; and Muhlenburgh prefers for 

 it a clover soil. Dickson speaks well of it, and says it 

 makes good hay, but is most beneficial when retained in 

 a close slate of feeding. The seed falls and wastes un- 

 less gathered early, and with care. Sow at the rate of 

 six or eight pecks the acre, with grain, in the spring. 



5. Sweet-scented Vernal Grass [Anthoxanthum oclo- 

 ratum) is a foreign perennial grass, of dwarfish habit, sown 

 principally on grounds intended for pastures, for the very 

 early feed which it atlbrds, and for its growing quick after 

 being cropped. Muhlenburgh says it delights in moist 

 soils ; the ' Bath Papers' assure us it does well in clayey 

 loams ; and Dickson, that it grows in almost any soil, 

 including sands and bogs. It is eaten by oxen, horses, 

 and sheep, though not so freely as some other grasses are. 



6. Meadow Foxtail [Alopecurus pratensis) is also a 

 foreign grass, possesses all the advantages of early growth 

 with the preceding, and is much more abundant in pro- 

 duce and nutriment, but is not so w^ell suited to difi:erent 

 soils. It almost invariably constitutes one of the several 

 seeds which are sown together by the British farmer, par- 

 ticularly when the grounds are intended for pasture. 

 '' Of all the English grasses," says Dickson, " this ap- 

 pears to be the best adapted for cutting twice. It starts 

 up very rapidly after mowing or feeding, and produces 

 an abundant aftermath." It does best in moist soils, 

 whether loams, or clays, or reclaimed swamps. It abides 

 nine or ten years. Sheep and horses have a better relish 

 for it, according to G. Sinclair, than oxen. It abounds 

 in seed, says Middleton, which is easily collected from 

 the swath during mowing time. 



The two preceding grasses were probably introduced 

 first some years ago, into the neighborhoods of Boston, 

 New York, Philadelphia, &c., by emigrants, or others ; 

 and as they seed earlier than the orchard-grass or tall oat, 

 and before they would be likely to be cut for hay, the 



