MEADOW OAT GEASS 109 



at all, but is placed in the list simply to warn buyers of 

 seeds not to purchase it, as the Means' grass under the name 

 of Egyptian grass, has obtained a considerable reputation, 

 and it would be easy for a swindler to palm off this for the 

 former. 



MEADOW OAT GRASS (J.ve?ia pratensis). 



Spikelets three to many flowered, with an open, large, diffuse pan- 

 icle; lower pale a seven to eleven nerved, with a long, usually twisted 

 awn on the back, grain oblong, grooved on the side, usually hairy and 

 free. 



This is a perennial grass, and is a native of Great Britain. 

 It is one of the few grasses that do best on a dry soil. It 

 grows to the height of only eighteen inches in its native 

 pastures. But here it is quite a different grass, and rises to 

 the height of from five to six feet. It will not grow well 

 on moist soils, but on rich upland or good sandy land it 

 grows with vigor. It deserves a place on every farm, as 

 the hay is excellent, and is greedily eaten by stock, and be- 

 sides, the yield is extremely large. Another advantage is 

 that the seed will be ripe before the hay turns yellow, so 

 that not only the hay will be saved, but a large amount of 

 seed can be secured ; upon a barn floor enough will shatter 

 out to supply the wants of most farmers. Or if the farm- 

 er wishes to sell the seed, he can cut off the heads .with a 

 cradle, and let the mower follow for the hay. 



Should the autumn prove a wet one, a second crop can be 

 cut, but if there is not sufficient aftermath to justify cut- 

 ting, do not pasture it, but allow it to grow on as long as it 

 will, and it will about Christmas turn over, the tops turn- 

 ing yellow, but underneath there will be a magnificent pas- 

 ture, all prepared for the hungry stock, and it will con- 

 tinue to sustain them until other grasses take its place. 

 However, should it be desired to use it for hay the succeed- 

 ing year, the stock should be removed about the middle of 

 February. 



