GRASSES. 1157 



soil, and yielding a larger per cent of bitter extractive than other 

 grasses grown on poor, light soils. It is, therefore, recommended 

 abroad as a prominent ingredient of mixtures for pastures. It 

 flowers early in July. Fig. 8 represents this plant as it appears in 

 blossom. 



The Yellow Oat Grass, Wig. 43, is a perennial plant of slow 

 growth and medium quality, cultivated to some extent in France, 

 and suitable for dry meadows and pastures. It is sometimes re- 

 garded as a weed: It fails if cultivated alone, but succeeds with 

 other grasses, and is said to be the most useful for fodder of any of 

 the oat grasses. It seems to grow best with the crested dog's-tail 

 and sweet-scented vernal. It contains a larger proportion of bitter 

 extractive than most other grasses, and for that reason is recom- 

 mended by some English writers as a valuable pasture grass. It 

 flowers in July- 



Tall Meadow Oat Grass, or Tall Oat Grass, Fig. 39. — This is 

 the Ray grass of France. It produces an abundant supply of foli- 

 age, and is valuable for pasture' on account of its early and luxuri- 

 ant growth. It is often found on the borders of fields and hedges, 

 woods and pastures, and is sometimes very plenty in mowing lands. 

 After being mown, it shoots up a very thick aftermath, and, on this 

 account partly, is regarded as nearly equal for excellence to the 

 common meadow foxtail. It has been highly recommended for 

 soiling, as furnishing an early supply of fodder. It grows spontane- 

 ously on deep, sandy soils, when once naturalized. It has been cul- 

 tivated to some extent in New England, and was at one time highly 

 esteemed, mainly for, its early, rapid, and late growth, making it 

 very well calculated as a permanent pasture grass. It will succeed 

 on tenacious clover soils. *. 



Meadow Soft Grass, Velvet Grdss. — This • beautiful' grass 

 grows in moist fields and peaty soils, but is often found on dry, 

 sandy soils, and on upland fields, where it is cultivated with 

 other grasses. It is productive and easy of cultivation, but of very 

 little value either for pasture or hay,, cattle not being fond of it. 

 When once introduced, it will readily spread from its light, seeds, 

 which are easily dispersed by the wind. It does not merit cultiva- 

 tion except on poor, peaty lands, where better grasses will not 

 "succeed. ' v 



T/?e Creeping Soft Grass, Fig. 6, is of no value, and is re- 

 garded as a troublesome weed. Distinguished from the preceding 

 by its awned floret and its creeping root. 



