THE SELECTION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS 21 



possesses an undoubted value, it has been recommended for 

 the production of high-class hay everywhere, and even for 

 sowing on geological formations for which it is totally unsuited. 

 Excellent pastures have been literally ruined by the introduc- 

 tion of Cocksfoot. Alternate leys on the Chiltern Hills, where 

 Rye Grass and Clover had previously answered well, have, by 

 the introduction of Cocksfoot, yielded almost unsaleable hay, 

 and, having once been allowed to seed, the Cocksfoot has 

 proved difficult to eradicate. Those who are familiar with the 

 art of forestry are well aware that it would be futile to 

 attempt to grow elm timber on sandy land, or larch on land 

 which is only fit for Scotch fir. Had the laying down of grass 

 received the careful attention which has been devoted to 

 forestry, it would be considered just as unreasonable to sow 

 any one species of grass on all soils and for all purposes, as to 

 recommend elm trees to be planted everywhere. 



The sowing of Poas has been condemned as unnecessary 

 because it happened that some varieties of Poa were indigenous 

 where the experiment was made. But a New England farmer 

 will not hesitate to sow Poa pratensis alone, and long experi- 

 ence has proved that he does not prize this grass too highly. 

 On the other hand, in certain districts of New Zealand, where 

 Poa pratensis develops a troublesome twitch-like habit of the 

 worst character, the suggestion that it should be sown at all 

 would only provoke an expression of incredulous amazement. 

 Surely such a widely different estimate of the value of a single 

 variety may well suggest a doubt as to the universal adaptation 

 of any one kind of grass to all soils and districts. Those 

 who possess the largest knowledge, obtained from the widest 

 sources, agree that each individual case must be considered 

 independently and on its own merits. From the beginning 

 there should be a clear understanding of the condition and 

 capabilities of the soil. The subsoil, too, must be taken into 

 account, for sooner or later its influence wiU tell decisively 

 upon the existence of certain grasses. Then the purpose of 



