THE SELECTION OF GEASSES AND CLOVEES. 61 



herbage is coarse, the stalks soon become hard, and their in- 

 creased feeding vakie in that state is of no avail if cattle refuse 

 to graze them, as they undoubtedly do ; or if the presence of this 

 grass in abundance lowers the price of the hay. When seed is 

 freely shed there is a danger that the plant will take almost 

 exclusive possession of the land, especially on those formations 

 which favour its growth. And once sown it is a very difficult 

 grass to eradicate. All points considered, great judgment is 

 requisite in order to reahse the full advantage of Timothy, and 

 at the same time to maintain the general efficiency of the pastiire. 

 There is need of especial caution in prescribing it where hay of 

 fine quality is an absolute necessity. 



Timothy is not so suitable for sowing with clovers for alter- 

 nate husbandry as other grasses, because of its late flowering ; 

 but with Cow Grass, which flowers considerably later than 

 Broad Clover, this difficulty does not arise, and perhaps it would 

 be impossible to find two plants which could more suitably be 

 sown together. For alternate husbandry it certainly does ofier 

 substantial benefits, and the only objection to its employment for 

 a term of years is the trouble experienced in getting rid of it 

 when the ley has to be broken up. 



Nitrogenous manures appear to have a very marked efiect 

 in promoting the growth of this grass. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given 

 on page 156, facing an illustration. 



Poa pratensis {Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass). — Although 

 there is a general resemblance between this grass and Poa trivialis, 

 the two plants differ materially in habit, character, and structure. 

 Poa pratensis is unlike Poa trivialis in having broader and blunter 

 foUage, an obtuse ligule to its leaf, smooth stalks, and creeping 

 roots that send out long stolons which take a horizontal direction 

 and send up little tufts. Each variety has a value of its own, 

 and is fitted to serve a purpose which the other is less adapted to 

 fulfil. Poa pratensis is naturally suitable for enduring drought. 



