THE SELECTION OF GKASSES AND CLOVERS. 



'21 i 



most important grasses we possess. The great partiality whicli 

 cattle manifest for it and the chemical test alike reveal its hiiih 

 nntritive qualities. It is thoroughly perennial in character, but 

 does not attain to full development until three or four years 

 after sowing, and is therefore only adapted for alternate husbandry 

 Avhen the ley is to remain down at least three or four years. 

 Even then it is less suited than Cocksfoot for temporary pastures, 

 although more nutritious than that variety. This is, in fact, 

 essentially a landlord's grass, for which he may willingly contri- 

 bute in the full assurance that the future of the pasture will 

 justify the outlay. 



Foxtail begins to bloom about the middle of April, but by 

 the third week of May it is practically in full flower and should 

 be cut ; for although ripening does not seriously deteriorate the 

 quality, if there be a sufficient proportion of it in a meadow to 

 warrant early mowing, it is wasteful to allow so palatable and 

 nourishing a grass to be shrivelled up and lost while other 

 varieties are maturing. The necessity for early cutting should 

 influence the proportion of Foxtail included in a prescription 

 for a meadow, but in laying down a pasture this consideration 

 need not be entertained. After taking a crop it is one of the 

 quickest grasses to commence growing, shooting up its green 

 herbage before other varieties make a start, and in bulk the 

 nftermath frequently exceeds the early growth. 



Foxtail is remarkable for the immense quantity of leafy 

 herbage it produces in proportion to the quantity of stalk, and 

 this characteristic alone gives it a high value. Other points 

 being equivalent, a pasture which contains it in abundance will 

 carry stock ten days in advance of a })asture in which it is 

 wanting. These facts have no doubt given birth to the idea that 

 it is pecuharly a pasture grass, but it yields so good a cro]) 

 and of such excellent quality that it is almost of equal service for 

 making into hay. It is one of the few grasses that thrive under 

 trees, and should therefore be plentifully used in sowing down 

 orchards and shady pastures. 



