THE GRASSES— MEADOW FOXTAIL. 23 



the plants have little or no tendency to extend them- 

 selves laterally. It has been affirmed to yield more 

 bulk and weight of hay than any other grass hitherto 

 subjected to experiment. The first crop may be cut 

 about middle of May, and the lattermath is unusually 

 productive. 



Sinclair's opinion was that it should never form a 

 less proportion than one-eighth of any mixture pre- 

 pared for permanent pasture. 



Dr. J. A. VcELCKEE (who made a series of analyses 

 of the grasses for Mr. Sutton's recent work) says that 

 in Meadow Foxtail, Perennial Eyegrass, and Timothy, 

 the amounts of nitrogen and true albuminoids are con- 

 siderably higher than in the other grasses. Meadow 

 Foxtail, indeed, shows a marked superiority in almost 

 every respect ; for, besides being so rich in nitrogen, „it 

 has also the highest amount of digestible matters. 



J. S. Gould (an American authority) says that 

 pastures well covered with this grass will afford a 

 full bite at least one week earlier than those which 

 do not have it. No grass bears a hot sun better, and 

 it is not injured by frequent mowings — on which 

 account, as well as for its early verdure, it is valuable 

 for lawns. 



Dr. Stebler counts this and Sweet Vernal as the 

 earliest of the good grasses of our meadows. It puts 

 forth its long succulent leaves already in commence- 

 ment of April, and its flower-spikes begin to appear 

 about middle of same month. It reproduces itself by 

 means of short stolons from the stump, and conse- 

 quently does not grow in thick tufts. It does not 

 acquire its full development till the third year. 



Mr. Hunter says that it thrives best on a rich, 



