THE SELECTION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS. 35 



the unmanurecl plots and on the plots dressed with mineral 

 manures alone. The plant manifested a dislike for ammonia 

 salts, and a preference for nitrate of soda. 



Tlie botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 138, facing an illustration. 



Dactylis glomerata (Rough Cocksfoot) is one of the most 

 widely distributed of all the grasses. In America it has always 

 been known under the name of ' Orchard Grass.' Prior to its 

 introduction from the States into England for agricultural pur- 

 poses about the middle of the eighteenth century, it was in- 

 digenous in hedgerows and ditches in almost all parts of this 

 country, although it showed considerable variations in character 

 in different soils and situations. On dry calcareous land it is 

 stunted and wiry, while in fertile valleys and rich land it grows 

 to an immense size. Its proper place is on good, strong, damp 

 soils in low-lying districts, where it produces an enormous 

 quantity of leafy herbage. In such land the seed-culms do not 

 change so quickly to woody fibre as on a drier soil, and the 

 stalks are eaten down by stock with greater relish. But even in 

 pasture land, which best suits tliis grass, I would sow less of it 

 than is generally advised, and use larger proportions of Meadow 

 Fescue and Foxtail instead. For Cocksfoot is an unsightly grass, 

 growing in great tufts, the foliage is harsh to the touch, and the 

 coarse hard stems, two or three feet high, are not only objec- 

 tionable to the eye, but they prevent the hay from fetching top 

 market price, and the tlower-heads are extremely liable to ergot. 

 Besides, the aftermath of Cocksfoot is inferior in quality to that 

 of Foxtail, and on thin soils, in a dry season, the former is liable 

 to be withered by rust. 



It has been computed that Cocksfoot will sustain twice as 

 many sheep as a similar number of Timothy plants. Possibly 

 this may be true of the early growth, but it certainly does not 

 hold good of the later crop, for the productiveness of the two 

 grasses is pretty nearly reversed after midsummer. 



D 2 



