GRASSES FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS 193 
ized grasses, for it takes the combined experience of 
many thousands of farmers to determine the peculiari- 
ties and adaptability of any new crop. 
WET LANDS 
Lands too wet for cultivation are frequently ex- 
tremely fertile, and would be very productive if we 
could find grasses that could be started upon them 
merely by scattering the seed. ‘There are many wild 
grasses, and a few tame ones, adapted to such soils. 
Some of these wild species produce excellent feed, and 
a careful study should be made of them with a view 
to learning how to propagate them by seed. 
Where land, not otherwise inclined to be wet, is 
merely overflowed by running streams for a period of 
a few days at a time, it is usually not difficult to grow 
the ordinary grasses. Even alfalfa thrives under these 
conditions. But where the land is covered for long 
periods, and particularly where stagnant water remains 
for a considerable time, the problem is much more 
serious. Even the wild swamp-grasses will not stand 
prolonged submergence in stagnant water, particularly 
in warm weather. Many grasses will grow in shallow 
water, but none of any value can bear continued sub- 
mergence of the whole plant. ‘Timothy can be started 
on moderately wet soils merely by sowing the seed. 
On soils a little too wet for timothy, redtop and 
FowL-MEADOW GRASS (Poa serotina) can be started 
in the same manner. The latter grass is a very good 
one, but it is not much used, so that seed obtained 
in the markets is apt to be old or otherwise of poor 
quality. These two grasses, mixed with alsike clover, 
