THE GRASSES—REED CANARY GRASS. 97 



Dr. Paenell says it produces a large and early crop, 

 and will bear cutting three times during the summer. 

 From the coarseness of the foliage cattle are said not 

 to be fond of it. It is best suited for tenacious clay 

 soils, and grows naturally by the sides of rivers and 

 standing pools. 



Dr. Steblee's opinion is that it is not at all suitable 

 for pastures, but on wet soils it has considerable agri- 

 cultural value, considering that in such situations it 

 gives a large yield of vegetation which, if cut before 

 the flowering period, is freely eaten by cattle, and is 

 especially useful as forage for horses. It is not affected 

 by extremes of temperature, nor by inundations ; and, 

 though growing to a considerable height, does not lodge. 

 It receives no injury from the overshadowing of trees, 

 &c., and when once established it never dies out. Its 

 chemical composition is somewhat similar to that of 

 maize. When young it has a sweetish taste, due to 

 the sugar in its composition, but if not cut till after 

 the flowering period its produce is only fit for litter. 

 Owing to its extensive root-system, and numerous and 

 vigorous underground stems, it is useful for consolidat- 

 ing the borders of rivers and lakes, and for rendering 

 marshes and mosses more firm and accessible. It is 

 sometimes used in mixture with Fiorin for moist land. 



Curtis says that where great quantity of produce is 

 the object, he would recommend planting this and Tall 

 Fescue in marshy ground. 



SlNCLAiE says that the superior nutritive matter 

 which the striped Eeed Canary Grass possesses recom- 

 mend it to the notice of occupiers of tenacious clayey 

 soils. The foliage cannot be considered coarse when 

 compared with other grasses which afford a produce 



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