36 HOESE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



Doob (Cynodon dactylon), called hurry alee in Madras, 

 is generally regarded as the typical form of good Indian 

 grass. It is that peculiar root-grass which grows on, 

 or rather in, the surface of most sandy soils, and 

 spreads itself as a creeper, so that it has to be rooted 

 up (cheeled) with a sort of trowel, which is called in 

 Hindustanee, a "kurpa. In good soil, when cultivated, 

 it loses its creeping character, and grows like English 

 meadow grass ; to which, I think, it is much superior. 



" Digitaria sanguinalis (called janowa in Hindu- 

 stanee, and poliaong in the Punjab) is an excellent 

 forage grass, and makes first-rate hay. 



" In the Himalayas the finest of all grasses, superior 

 even to dhub, is a kind called maniara by the natives, 

 and Pennisetum triflorum by English botanists. 



" Spear grass (Heteropogon contort us) t called lam in 

 the Punjab, is also very common in some parts of the 

 country. The spears are long barbed processes at the 

 end of the seed-covers. It is good fodder if given 

 before the spears form ; and even afterwards horses 

 will thrive upon it, if it is well beaten so as to shake 

 them off." (Meyriclc.) 



When the grass is brought in, it should be opened 

 out ; carefully picked ; dried in the sun, for a day or 

 two, as may be deemed necessary ; and beaten, in 

 order to get rid of the dust and earth that may adhere 

 to its roots, before it is given. The grass-cutters 

 should not be allowed to wash it, as they are inclined 

 to do, before bringing it in, with the object of making 

 it look fresh and green, and, sometimes, to make it 

 weigh heavy ; for doing so is apt to dissolve out a 

 portion of the sap, and will render the grass liable to 



