THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH GRASSES. 35 
2. A. agrestis—taper foxtail—spike cylindrical, pointed 
at the apex, from 2 to 8 inches long —A. 
8. A. geniculatus—floating foxtail—spike cylindrical, blunt 
at the apex, about half the size of A. pratensis.—P. 
The Alopecurus pratensis is a common native grass, espe- 
cally in moist meadows and in deep rich pastures, for which 
situations it is admirably adapted, as it yields a large pro- 
portion of hay and a quick growth of aftermath; it should 
always form part of the grass for irrigated meadows, as it is 
very early and bears cropping well, sending up culms and a 
plentiful supply of herbage for the second or hay crop, after 
the first depasturing by sheep. 
As a grass for self-cultivation, it may be stated that it 
grows fast even on a medium soil and in exposed situations, 
and its upright habit would point it out as no bad species 
to mix with rye-grass in “seeds,” whilst in laying down 
land for permanent pasture it should always take a place 
with other grasses. 
The Alopecurus agrestis is sometimes called the black- 
bent, at others hunger-weed, terms expressive of the low 
estimation in which it is held, and the poor agrarian land 
in which it delights to grow. Sinclair says, “the appearance 
of the black-bent among wheat is a certain sign that the 
crop will be worthless.” It is seldom found in the open 
meadow, but is mostly an accompaniment of strong heavy 
land which has been badly tilled and is much out of con- 
dition ; its presence therefore denotes a want of drainage 
and liberal manuring, which treatment, as we have frequently 
witnessed, will eradicate it even in a single season. 
A. geniculatus is here noted as a denizen of wet places, 
where, if cattle can get at it, they invariably keep it well 
cropped down. In some situations it appears in a stunted 
condition, apparently on dry soil, but this is only after 
drought, as, if it be not surrounded by water for a great 
part of the year, it soon dies out; under such circumstances, 
therefore, it is an indicator of some value. 
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