218 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



and which does to some extent lessen its palatability. If 

 sown in the early spring it will produce pasture the same 

 season. The aftermath, after cutting it for hay or 

 seed is also abundant. Its highest value for pasture, 

 however, is found in the South, in some parts of which 

 it may be grazed all the winter. Some consider it 

 the best pasture grass for winter which grows in the 

 South. In the North this grass is not likely to be grown 

 to any considerable extent to provide pasture unless in 

 permanent pastures, since other pasture grasses grow 

 there which are considered superior. Even in perma- 

 nent pastures it is not so enduring as some other grasses. 

 But in the central states and in some parts of the west 

 where it is grown in conjunction with orchard grass 

 and some other grasses its value for pasture is rela- 

 tively higher. 



Harvesting for Hay. — Tall oat grass is ready for 

 being harvested for hay very early in the season. Even 

 in Ontario, Canada, it should be cut for hay sometime 

 between the middle and end of June. It should be cut 

 promptly when the blossoms begin to come out freely, 

 as it rushes rapidly to maturity and soon loses much in 

 palatability and in relative digestibility. It is of course 

 cut with the mower, and may be handled and cured 

 much the same as timothy (see page 72). But in cut- 

 ing it, every reasonable effort should be made to protect 

 it from rain or heav v dews, as it very easily takes injury 

 from either of the sources named. It is not difficult to 

 cu^re after it has been ciit for seed. A reasonably good 

 crop of hay can be obtained from it, even as far south 

 as the Ohio river, while, soiith of that line, it is not un- 



