THE GRASSES— COCKSFOOT. 47 



those of weaker habit but equally productive, it may 

 be advisable as a general rule in laying down land to 

 grass to exclude Cocksfoot where other species of a 

 fine quality are found to flourish. This grass, Johnson 

 thinks, is more valuable for pasture than for hay. 



Mr. Hunter says, for permanent pasture, for alter- 

 nate husbandry, or for hay, there is not a more valuable 

 grass. It is one of the earliest, most productive, nutri- 

 tious, and valuable of the cultivated grasses, and no 

 grass comes sooner to perfection. If kept closely 

 cropped its produce is enormous, and it is relished and 

 greedily eaten by all kinds of stock. 



Dr. Steblee's opinion is that it is an excellent grass, 

 growing quickly and ripening early. It constitutes in 

 his country (Switzerland) the principal part of the best 

 pastures. It should be cut before the flowering stage, 

 as at and after that period it contracts a toughness. 

 After each cutting it produces less stems and a large 

 proportion of root leaves, which give excellent forage 

 whether in a green state or as hay. Of all grasses 

 this one furnishes the most substantial aftermath. It 

 reaches full development the second year after sowing. 

 It is not advisable to sow it alone, or in too large pro- 

 portion for forage purposes, as it forms large clumps 

 with bare spaces between. It is best to use it in mix- 

 ture with Clover, Eyegrass, Foxtail, and Timothy — the 

 proportion of Cocksfoot not to exceed (unless in excep- 

 tional cases) IS per cent. A good rolling in the spring 

 serves Cocksfoot, the operation reducing the projecting 

 clumps to the level of the sward. In irrigated meadows 

 it does very well, attaining in such situations a very 

 large size. 



Sinclair recommends a mixture of three parts Cocks- 



