32 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



a full seeding of other grasses must be given, and then, if 

 expense be no object, a pound or two of Avena flavescens may 

 be added. 



Both at Rothamsted and Kidmore this grass has shown 

 itself capable of holding its own very fairly without any 

 manure at aU. Nitrate of soda and mineral manures, however, 

 considerably augment the produce. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 pages 154 and 155. 



AVENA ELATIOR 

 {Holcus avenaceus ; Arrhenathenim avetiaceutn). 



Tall Oat Grass, or False Oat Grass, is known by aU these 

 names ; and in Dauphine, where it is very much grown, 

 especially for seed, it is called Fromental. Sinclair recom- 

 mended this grass for agricultural purposes ; but, notwith- 

 standing his favourable opinion, it has not in this country 

 received the attention it deserves. At one time, no doubt, its 

 value was overestimated, and, in the reaction which naturally 

 followed, the grass was consigned to undeserved neglect. 

 Possibly the 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 slightly bitter flavour is 

 not apparent. On the Continent, and especially in Sweden, 

 where it is largely cultivated, both cattle and sheep take it 

 freely. Its value for cold northern countries is indisputable, 

 but a warm climate is necessary to fuUy develop its great 

 merits. In the Southern States of North America it is 

 known by the names of Evergreen Grass and French Rye 

 Grass, and is regarded as one of the very finest grasses for 

 producing an immense weight of herbage, far surpassing 

 Timothy in the abundance of its crop. The roots penetrate 

 so deeply into the soil as to enable the plant to withstand both 

 cold and drought. 



