30 THE GRASSES— TALL OAT-GRASS. 



suited, as it is easy to save and keeps well. In drjr 

 warm situations it might be used in mixtures to the 

 extent of 20 per cent. If only for one year's cutting 

 Italian Eyegrass is of more value, but if for two or 

 three years' meadowing the Tall Oat-grass should get 

 the preference. 



Sinclair's remarks upon it are rather contradictory, 

 but certainly very little in favour of its agricultural 

 value. After mentioning the properties it possesses, 

 which would entitle it to a high rank amongst the 

 grasses adapted for alternate husbandry, he adds that 

 it contains too large a proportion of bitter extractive 

 and saline matters to warrant its cultivation without a 

 considerable admixture of other kinds. 



Chas. Johnson, quoted above, adds his own opinion 

 that : — So long as it has to struggle for existence with 

 other self-established tenants of the soil, it is harmless, 

 and probably beneficial to the animals feeding upon 

 the mingled herbage amongst which it is an admitted 

 but never a prominent associate. 



Mr. Martin J. Sutton says that its roots penetrate so 

 deeply as to enable the plant to withstand the effects 

 of both cold and drought. It is almost indifferent to 

 soil, and may be grown pretty nearly everywhere. It 

 cannot be called strictly perennial, but is twice as 

 long-lived as Italian Eyegrass, and grows as much 

 herbage in its first year, while in its second and sub- 

 sequent years it is far superior to its better known 

 rival. When sown in autumn a much larger produce 

 is obtained in the following year than from a spring 

 sowing. For a three years' ley one-fifth of entire 

 sowing would not be an unreasonable quantity on "ood 

 deep soil. 



