ch. viii] Tall Oat-grass 141 



other more permanent species must however form the bulk of a 

 mixture for such a purpose. In a meadow its abundant "top 

 growth " contributes very largely to the yield, while its aftermath 

 is so considerable as to frequently afford a second cutting. It is 

 perhaps less suitable for permanent pasture. Owing to its slightly 

 bitter taste and rather coarse tufts it should never be grown alone 

 but always mixed with a suitable proportion of clovers and 

 "bottom" grasses. The merits of this plant have for many years 

 been recognised on the Continent and it is largely grown there, 

 especially in France, where it is called "Fromental" or French 

 Rye-grass. 



The variety bulbosum (Onion Couch) has the lower internodes 

 of the stem greatly thickened. These bulb-like stems form root-" 

 lets and separate at the nodes, thus forming an efficient mode of 

 propagation. On some arable soils it is a troublesome weed and 

 very difficult to eradicate. (Fig. 54.) 



Commercial Seed. 



The seed of Tall Oat-grass is seen to be comparatively expensive 

 when the number of seeds per pound is taken into consideration. 

 Most of it is obtained from France. The Purity of good samples 

 should be about 90 per cent. Of usual impurities, the Brome- 

 grasses (B. erectus, B. arvensis) and Avena pratensis are the worst 

 and should not exceed one per cent, of the bulk (see Figs. 61, 68 

 and 75). Other impurities are seeds of Cock's-foot, Eye-grass and 

 Yellow Oat-grass which are of course useful. Even well-cleaned 

 samples will generally contain from five to eight per cent, of chaff. 



The pure seed should give a Germination of 60 per cent, in 

 seven days, and from 85 to 90 per cent, in eighteen days. 



Bromus inermis, Leyss. Awnless Brome-grass; 

 Hungarian Forage-grass. 



For Botanical description see p. 87. 



This plant though not a native of Britain is indigenous to a 

 large part of Europe and Northern Asia. It is a tall growing 

 perennial, extensively creeping by means of its numerous, long, 

 underground rhizomes. If sown in the spring it produces a fair 

 crop in the first year, and attains its full development during the 

 second or third season. 



