ch. vm] Meadow Foxtail 135 



depends upon the spread of its surface-creeping stolons it 

 naturally succeeds best on moist soils. On such land — especially 

 when its fertility is low — it can be recommended for either 

 pasture or meadow, but on the more fertile well-drained soils it 

 is probably best to replace it entirely by such superior grasses 

 as Meadow Foxtail and Timothy. It attains full development 

 by the second year after sowing, but it is entirely unsuitable as 

 a rotation grass because of its creeping habit. It is one of the 

 hardiest of our grasses and its value lies mainly in its power to 

 thrive at high elevations and on water-logged soils where few 

 other plants of agricultural worth will do well. A further useful 

 feature is that it continues to vegetate in the late autumn and 

 winter months and thus affords pasturage when this is most 

 needed. 



Commercial samples of seed are seldom satisfactory. It is 

 imported from Central Europe and frequently consists of a mixture 

 of varieties or types, e.g. A. vulgaris, A. canina, etc. (see Figs. 35 

 and 36). These varieties are much inferior for the purpose of 

 cultivation. In addition to the frequent admixture of these 

 varieties the seed often contains large proportions of fine sand 

 and worthless chaff. Other natural impurities often present are 

 seeds of Yarrow, Timothy, and Poa sps., Agrostis Spica-venti, and 

 Aira ccespitosa. The two last are harmful weeds (see Figs. 37 

 and 40). 



Well-dressed seed will contain less than six per cent, of sand 

 and chaff and not more than one per cent, of weed seeds. The 

 Purity should reach 85 to 90 per cent, and the Germination 70 to 

 80 per cent, in 28 days. Samples with a Germination Capacity 

 of over 90 per cent, are now frequently met with. 



Alopecurus pratensis, L. 



For Botanical description see p. 59. 



Meadow Foxtail is indigenous to most North Temperate regions 

 and thrives even at high altitudes, enduring cold better than most 

 other valuable forage plants. It is especially suitable for soils 

 rich in humus and for moist rich clays, and on such soils it is 

 certainly one of the most valuable grasses either for grazing or 

 meadow land. On poorer soils, especially if they are subject to 



