(20) 



in the summer and harvested in August or September, and 

 timothy sown upon the stubble and harrowed in, the best 

 stand could be obtained. The Hungarian grass destroys all 

 DOXIOUS weeds, and gives a certain degree of compactness to 

 the soil necessary to secure a good stand of timothy. 



BED-TOP HERD'S GRASS (Agrostis xulgaris.} 



It was introduced from England, where it was known as 

 Bent grass. When first cultivated it went by the name of 

 English grass. There are many species now raised in 

 England, which are still known as Fine Bent. It is scat- 

 tered over the whole State, and but few old pastures are free 

 from it, but there it is so dwarfed by close grazing and 

 treading that it shows to but little advantage. It is com- 

 monly called in these situations fine-top. 



Next in importance to timothy as a meadow grass stands 

 Herd's grass. Unlike the former, it also makes a good 

 grazing grass in fact grazing is necessary to its preserva- 

 tion, as, if allowed to go to seed a few years, it dies out. It 

 loves a moist soil, and on swampy places that will grow 

 scarcely anything else, Herd's grass will thrive wonderfully. 

 It is the most permaneent grass we have, 

 and by means of its long, creeping roots, 

 will even, if sown too thin,* quickly take 

 possession of the .ground. It is greedily 

 eaten, while young and tender, in the 

 spring by all kinds of stock, and affords a 

 fine nourishing hay, though in less quantity 

 per acre than timothy. It grows from two 

 to three feet high, and with its purplish 

 panicles, when in full bloom, presents a 

 most charming sight in its soft feathery 

 undulations. 



