ARRHENATHERUM, TALL OAT-GRASS. 133 



Even the English seedsmen, wlio recommend the use of many 

 sorts, the vahie of wliieh is questioned by farmers, do not inehide 

 tall oat grass in the list of valuable grasses. 



But the reader, doubtless cares less about Avhat the English 

 think of tall oat grass, than he does about what some of the best 

 American farmers think of it. 



Judge Jesse Buell, of Connecticut, in 1823, quotes the opinion 

 of Dr. Muhlenhurg and Mr. Taylor, of Virginia, who place this 

 at the head of good grasses. It possesses the advantages of early, 

 late, and quick growtli, for which the orchard grass is esteemed, 

 and is well calculated for a pasture grass. Dickenson, quoted by 

 Buell, says: *' It makes good hay, but is most beneficial when 

 retained in a close state of feeding." 



Prof. D. L. Phares, of Mississippi, says: "It has a wonderful 

 capacity of withstanding the severest heats and droughts of sum- 

 mer and colds of winter. It admits of being cut twice a year, yield- 

 ing twice as much hay as Timothy, and is probably the best winter 

 grass that can be obtained. To make good hay it must be cut 

 the instant it blooms. For green soiling it may be cut four or 

 five times, Avith favorable seasons. Along the more southerly 

 belt it may be sown in November and onward till the middle of 

 December. It is one of the most certain grasses to have a good 

 catch." 



The late Mr. C. W. Howard thought, this gi-ass deserved to 

 be placed at the head of winter grasses for the South. It does 

 not answer well on moist land. Seed sown in the spring will pro- 

 duce seed in the fall. 



Prof. E. M. Shelton, of Kansas, says: "This grass has within 

 a few years been extensively sold in the West under the name of 

 'evergreen grass.' We have tried it for a number of years upon a 

 considerable scale. Xo grass that we have yet tried has, during 

 its first season, made such a vigorous growth as meadow oat-grass 

 did last year. In this respect it has greatly surjiassed our old 



