82 



the grasses are the first to thrive, it is Dactylis glomerata 

 (Orchard-grass), Avena elatior {Tall Oat-grass) and P h 1 e u m 

 pratense (Timothy) that are to be used as producing a crop 

 soonest of all. We would not recommend any further varieties for 

 that purpose and such a short lay, as these are quite sufficient to 

 give both bulk and quality, and as they are the only-ones that are 

 sure to develop in time. Using any other Natural Grasses for so 

 short a duration would simply mean a waste, as they would bring- 

 in their share only at the moment when the field in question had 

 finished to serve the aim it had been laid down for. 



If, however, the purpose in view is to have a Red-clover field 

 go over into permanent pasture, the following varieties should 

 likewise be added, viz : Agrostis stolonifera (Creeping 

 Bent-grass), Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Foxtail), A n- 

 thoxantum odoratum (Sweet-scented Vernal, true), Av e n a 

 flavescens (Yellow Oat-grass, true), Cynosurus cristatus 

 (Crested Dogstait), Festuca elatior, pratensis and rubra 

 (Tall; Meadow- and Red Fescue) and Poa pratensis and 

 t r i V i a 1 i s (Smooth- and Rough-stalked Meadow-grass). 



There is one more purpose the Red clover is being used for in 

 Holland, largely even in the very best agricultural districts 

 and which, though it may seem a pity to many a farmer to have a 

 field of it used for that purpose, pays our farmers very well 

 indeed. We mean the use of Red clover as a green manure. It is 

 a common way in one of the best provinces of Holland to sow 

 amongst wheat-, barly- or other crops Red clover seed; 

 let the Red clover shoot up after the "fore" crop is off, as high 

 as it will go up that same summer and autumn and then plough 

 the land up and have it resown with some other winter crop. Or 

 to have the land ploughed up the next spring and put on some 

 summer crop. Or again to have the first cut taken that same spring 

 and have the land turned up after the plants have gone up fairly 

 high again, to serve for some autumn sowing. This is a system 

 which has been going on there for years and years, and though 

 some other plants are being used for the same purpose, it is the 

 Red clover which is mainly being used for it. 



In that case, it is the biggest plant producing seed that is being 

 looked for, and such farmers will then take the so-called Rozen- 

 daal-Rei, a sufc-variety of the Lowland Dutch. 



Needless to say, that it is the heaviest richest soils only where 

 this course is being followed. 



