AGEICULTUEAL GEASSES. 85 



AVENA ELATIOE 

 {Holcus avenaceus ; Arrhenatherum avenaceum). 



Tall Oat Grass is known by all these names ; and in 

 Dauphin^, where it is very much grown, especially for seed, it is 

 called Fr omental. Sinclair recommended this grass for agricul- 

 tural purposes ; but, notwithstanding his favourable opinion, it 

 has not, in this country, received the attention it merits. At one 

 time, no doubt, its value was overestimated, and, in the reaction 

 which naturally followed, the grass was consigned to undeserved 

 neglect. Possibly its 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 objectionable flavour is not 

 perceived. On the Continent, and especially in Sweden, it is 

 largely cultivated, and both cattle and sheep take it freely. Its 

 value for cold northern countries is indisputable, but a warm 

 chmate is necessary to fuUy develop its great merits. In the 

 Southern States of North America it 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 with- 

 stand both cold and drought. , 



Tall Oat Grass is almost indifferent to circumstances, and 

 may be grown pretty nearly everywhere. It is seen to least 

 advantage on poor thin land ; but on all good light and medium 

 soils, as well as in all forms of clay if not too damp, it grows from 

 two to four feet in height. In warm forcing situations it wUl 

 produce two heavy crops of hay in one season, and will continue 

 to throw a blade until autumn frosts appear. 



The plant starts into growth very early in spring, and after 

 the crop has been mown there is one peculiarity which must 

 be borne in mind, or much waste may result. When cut 

 this grass absorbs moisture in the same manner as Trifolium 



