AGEICULTURAL GRASSES. 67 



the seed is formed. Of course, if the plant is permitted to mature 

 seed, little or no aftermath is to be expected. All cattle eat it 

 greedily, and horses manifest especial fondness for it. 



Timothy is generally spoken of as a late grass, and correctly 

 so, because it flowers in July. Still the early herbage is good, 

 and sheep may be run over a pasture containing a large pro- 

 portion of it until late in spring without endangering the crop of 

 hay. Indeed, it frequently happens that the herbage must be fed 

 off before being laid in for hay, to prevent the Timothy from 

 being ready before other grasses are fit to cut. Timothy is really 

 mown to greatest advantage before the ears are out of their 

 sheaths, having regard to the fineness of the hay and the after- 

 math. It should be clearly understood that I am here alluding 

 to the treatment of a meadow containing an unusual quantity of 

 this grass, from which superior hay is wanted. When grown 

 alone as a fodder plant, Timothy may not only be allowed to 

 remain uncut until in full flower, but even for ten days or a 

 fortnight later, and during that time the nutritive value will be 

 augmented. Sinclair says that, ' subject to the weather being 

 such as to keep it in growth, every two days' growth after 

 flowering will increase its nutritive value as much as any eight 

 days' growth before that period.' Still, it must be admitted 

 that these hard wiry stalks, when dried, can scarcely be called 

 hay. If mixed with other grasses in hay, they will reduce its 

 selling value.. They may be very nutritious, but they will 

 have to be cut into chafi" before being given to cattle. 



The greyish-green tint of the short, broad leaves, and invo- 

 lute character of the emerging leaf, together with the smooth 

 sheath and obtuse ligule, clearly distinguish this grass from others 

 when the cylindrical flower-spike is wanting. 



Timothy should form a principal constituent of every per- 

 manent prescription intended for heavy soils, but as there has 

 been a tendency of late years to give undue prominence to this 

 grass, I think it necessary to say that mischief may be done by 

 using it in excess. It is decidedly inferior to Foxtail. The 



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