GRASS AND HAY 37 



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 hurpa. In good soil, when cultivated, it looses its 

 creeping character, and grows like English meadow grass ; 

 to which, I think, it is much superior. 



" Digitaria sanguinalis (called janowa in Hindustanee, 

 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 dhiob, is a kind called mcmiara by the natives, 

 and Pennisehim triflormi by English botanists. 



"Spear grass {Heteropogon contortus), called la7n 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." 

 (MeyricL) 



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 ferment, if kept tied up 



