32 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY PASTUEES. 



seeding of other varieties has been decided on, if there is still 

 money to spare, by all means include a pound or two of Avena 

 seed as a luxury, but no other grass should be excluded for the 

 sake of it. 



This grass has shown itself capable of holding its own very 

 fairly without any manure at all. Nitrate of soda and mineral 

 manures give the most favourable results. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given 

 on page 136, facing an illustration. 



Avena elatior {Holcus avenaceus; Arrhenatlierum avena- 

 ceuiii). — Tall Oat Grass is known by all these names ; and in 

 Dauphiny, where it is very much grown, especially for seed, it is 

 called Fromental. Sinclair recommended this grass for agricul- 

 tural purposes ; but, notwithstanding his favourable opinion, it 

 has not of late years, in this country, received the attention it 

 merits. At one time, no doubt, its value was over-estimated, and, 

 in the reaction which naturally followed, the grass was consigned 

 to undeserved neglect. Possibly its somewhat bitter taste, and 

 the aversion which cattle at first display towards it when grown 

 alone, may account for the indifference shown to it in England, 

 although when mingled with other grasses the objectionable flavour 

 is not perceived. On the Continent, and especially in Sweden, it 

 is largely cultivated, and both cattle and sheep take it freely. Its 

 value for cold northern countries is indisputable, but a warm 

 climate is necessary to fully develope its great merits. In the 

 Southern States of North America it is regarded as one of the 

 very finest grasses for jiroducing an immense weight of herbage, 

 surpassing even Timothy in the abundance of its crop. The 

 roots penetrate so deeply into the soil as to enable the plant to 

 withstand the effects of both cold and drought. 



Tall Oat Grass is almost indifferent to soil, and may be grown 

 pretty nearly everywhere. It is seen to least advantage on poor 

 thin land ; but on all good light and medium soils, as well as in 

 all forms of clay if not too damp, it grows from two to four 



