FOOD 209 



selecting seed for laying down land to pastures ; the best 

 grasses if planted in unsuitable soil become useless. 

 Besides, there are gradual changes occurring in soils, 

 which in course of years enable them to bear grasses 

 ■which they could not carry when the land was first laid 

 down to grass. See Soils. 



Meadow Foxtail, Alopecurus pratensis (Fig. 53). — This is 

 an early grass, and affords good grazing before the others 

 are ready. It supplies abundant forage through its large 

 bottom growth. It is wonderfully hardy, and excepting on 

 light soil, where it tends to die out, seems to flourish 

 almost anywhere. 



A member of the same family. Slender Foxtail (Black 

 Bent), A. Agrestis, also known as 'hunger weed,' is a 

 pernicious weed which mainly invades corn-fields. 



Sweet Veenal, Antlioxanthum odoratum (Fig. 54). — This 

 shares with Meadow Foxtail the distinction of being a very 

 early grass. It is mainly appreciated for its peculiar 

 fragrance, which may be perceived on chewing the stalk, 

 and is said to give the odour associated with new hay. 

 This grass does not contribute to any important extent to 

 hay, it is far too scanty, but as a tonic or stomachic it 

 may be useful. 



Crested Dogstail, Cynosurus cristatus (Fig. 55). — This 

 is not a particularly valuable grass, excepting for pastures 

 where it is much liked by sheep. It is hardy and widely 

 distributed, but, probably from the fact that it does not 

 contribute much to the hay-crop, it is not greatly in pubhc 

 favour. 



Cocksfoot, Dactylis glomerata (Fig. 56). — This is a plant 

 regarded by some as the most valuable of all grasses 

 owing to its nutritious character, rapid growth, and hardy 

 nature. On good, rich soil it is most abundant. It 

 should be cut, if possible, before flowering, owing to the 

 fibrous character of the stems which increases as the plant 



gets older. 



Sheep's Fescue, Festiica ovina (Fig. 57).— This is a 

 valuable pasture grass, but is of httle use for hay. It is 



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