144 PRACTICAL NOTES ON GRASSES AND GRASS GROWING. 
we consider that a spray of it should never be omitted from 
permanent or temporary pastures. Some agriculturists object 
to it on the ground that if they do not feed their pastures early 
the seed spikes get so forward that stock neglect them in 
preference to other grasses; also, that when the grass seeds. 
down it causes a surfeit to be reproduced. Still, to those who 
require early feed and an all-the-year-round green-looking 
pasture, it is invaluable. 
The seed of sweet vernal is often difficult to procure, and is. 
generally somewhat dear, besides, it sometimes contains an 
admixture of Anthoxanthum puelit, which is an annual not 
nearly so good as sweet vernal ; but its seeds may be detected 
by careful inspection, as the Axnthoxanthum odoratum are 
longer in shape and darker in colour than Anthoxanthum 
puelit. 
Unlike most other grasses, the herbage of sweet vernal is 
said to be more nutritious as the season advances, and to 
become more so in the autumn than in the early spring. 
A bushel weighs about 14 1b., and each pound contains on 
an average 450,000 germinating seeds. 
TaLL OaT Grass (AVENA ELIATOR, LinnN.). 
Tall oat grass does not seem to be so well known as yellow 
oat grass, although in our humble opinion it is the better plant 
of the two. It makes itself at home on moist soils, grow- 
ing to three feet in height, even taller under favourable 
circumstances. 
As its taste is somewhat bitter cattle are wont to pass it by. 
It starts growing early, and produces an abundance of herbage, 
whilst the second crop (if such be desired) makes excellent 
hay. Itis not strictly perennial, its life varying according to 
circumstances and situation, but it often survives five or six 
years, and therefore areal, have a place in three and four 
