THE GRASSES— TALL OAT-GRASS. 29 



must always be, costly. It is gathered by hand from 

 plants growing wild in the ' woods and clearings of 

 Central Germany, and only a very small quantity is 

 sent to this country. 



Tall Oat-Grass. 



(^Avena elatior, Linn. Arrhenatherum avenaceum, &c., &c. 

 Holcus avenaceits.) 



Standard of germination, per Dr. Stabler, 70 per 

 cent. 



This grass is known under a variety of botanical 

 names ; in France it is called Fromental, and in other 

 parts of the Continent is known as French Eyegrass. 



Dr. Paenell says this grass produces a plentiful and 

 early supply of foliage, and is valuable either for hay 

 or pasture. On the Continent it is highly prized. 

 AU kinds of cattle eat it with avidity, although it is 

 said to be unpalatable to horses. 



Dr. Steblee's opinion is that it is certainly one of 

 our best forage grasses. In mixture with other grasses 

 it is an excellent plant, which should not be omitted 

 from any mixture, provided it is not sown on too moist 

 a soil. It is most valuable as a grass for meadowing 

 purposes. On account of its deep-rooting propensities 

 it succeeds well on dry soils that have depth and are 

 not too compact, but if the soil is too poor the plant 

 becomes sickly, and gives but a mediocre produce. It 

 is a quick-growing grass, and flowers at beginning of 

 June. Gives considerable produce the first year, but 

 the second year's cutting is the most important. 

 Having _a bitter taste, it should not be given by itself 

 to cattle in a green state. For hay it is especially 



