AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 165 



country has not met with so much favor It has numerous leaves 

 from the root, and an erect, dry, wiry stem 20 inches high, with a 

 long undulating spike, somewhat resembling our common Witch 

 grass {Agropyrum repens.) It blossom.ed July 3. 



18. Tall Oat Grass. — This grass is said to often attain a 

 height of 6 feet ; in our plots it was a little over three. It bears a 

 resemblance to our common oat, though is smaller in every way 

 except in height. It will produce two crops in a season, and 

 many declare it to be an excellent grass, while others say it is 

 bitter, liable to smut, and difficult to eradicate r It needs to be 

 tested farther before it can be recommended. Blossomed June 21. 



19. Sweet Vernal Grass. — A common grass in old fields and 

 pastures, and one of the earliest to blossom, June 13 being the 

 date of our plot. It is fragrant when drying and gives a pleas- 

 ant odor to new mown hay. It is too small for a hay crop, being 

 less than two feet high. Our plants were only a foot high, owing 

 to the seed being sown too thickly. 



20. Timothy. — Also called Herd's grass, and too well known 

 to need any description. Is generally considered one of our best 

 grasses, although a chemical analysis shows that there are many 

 others more nutritious. The height varies greatly according to 

 the fertility of the soil. Our plants were 3 feet. It blossomed 

 June 21. It should be cut early as it grows woody rapidly after 

 blossoming. 



21. Velvet Grass. — A pretty grass with an abundance of 

 velvety leaves from the root, and a soft purplish spike. Grows 

 best on moist land, but will adapt itself to any soil. Said to be 

 of no value as an agricultural grass as cattle do not relish it. 

 Blossomed June 21, and grew 18 inches high. 



22. Orchard Grass. — A tall grass growing in bunches, and 

 furnishing a large crop of hay when sown thickly or with other 

 grasses. It starts quickly after mowing and produces a good 

 aftermath. It blossomed June 13, about the same time as Red 

 Clover, and these two sown together will give two crops of excel- 

 lent hay in a season. It grew 4 feet high. It deserves to be 

 grown more in this vState. 



23. Reed Canary Grass. — This is a tall, coarse grass found 

 in wet places ; not much value as hay unless cut very early. It 

 may be mown two or three times in a season, as it is a rapid 

 grower. One plot produced a growth of leafy stems about 2 feet 



