32 



Yelloio Oat Grass. — This is a somewhat smaller and shorter species 

 than the tall oat grass. It flowers at about the same season, and it is 

 the belief of the writer that it is worth inclusion in mixtures made up 

 chiefly of orchard grass. Unfortunately, as in the case of a number of 

 the other less-known grasses, the seed often germinates jjoorly, and is 

 held at a relatively high price. 



Italian Bye Grass and Perennial Rye Grass. — These species of grass 

 are said to be of the highest importance in Great Britain, and early 

 writers upon the grass crop in America, copying to some extent from 

 English books, frequently urged their cultivation. They seem to be 

 less well suited to the drier climate of this country, with its more severe 

 winters, than to Great Britain, and they are less hardy than most of our 

 grasses. It is sometimes asserted that the perennial rye grass is much 

 more hardy than the Italian ; but, according to the writer's observation, 

 there seems to be no great difterence between the two species in respect 

 to their ability to endure our winters. The seed of both varieties is 

 relatively large. These species, therefore, make a quick start, and are 

 capable of soon covering and occupying the ground. They are relatively 

 early in coming into flower, and, while they are not sufficiently hardy 

 to make it wise to depend upon them largely, it is the belief of the 

 Avriter that a moderate amount of the seed of these grasses may wisely 

 be included in mixtures composed chiefly of orchard grass, because of 

 the contribution they will make, with a fairly favorable winter, to the 

 product of the first one or two years, during which period they will help 

 fill in between the larger and coarser orchard grass and other early 

 species. If but one variety is to be tried for this purpose, the writer's 

 preference would be for the Italian rye grass. 



Awnless Brome Grass. — This species belongs to the same genus with 

 some of the annual grasses which are regarded as troublesome weeds 

 in some sections, and which are known by the names of chess, cheat, etc. 

 It has very vigorous underground stems, and it is sometimes suggested 

 that it may be difficult to get rid of it when the land is plowed. Ex- 

 perience on the Agricultural College grounds indicates this fear to be 

 groundless. Awnless brome grass is an early-flowering species, and 

 adapted, therefore, to sowing in mixture with orchard grass and other 

 relatively early varieties. It inclines somewhat to the wiry habit of 

 witch grass, but if cut early makes fairly palatable hay. It is the 

 writer's opinion that the species has been much over-praised, and yet 

 that it is worth trial by farmers occupying the lighter and drier soils 



Sweet Vernal. — This grass, also known as June grass in some sec- 

 tions, is characterized by the most delightful fragrance (especially after 

 wilting) of any of our common species of grass. Much 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 especiallj' 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 

 di'}' seasons on heavier soils, and gradually disi^laces the more valuable 

 timothy and redtop. There are two varieties, so-called perennial 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 Bed Clover and Mammoth Bed 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 difi"erences ; 



