68 STOCK BADGES OF NORTH WESTERN CALIFORNIA. 



foliage for forage. The stems are somewhat succulent, and with the 

 leaves, are tender and much liked by stock. In the marshy borders 

 of the lagoons at Crescent City it has formed a valuable addition to 

 the wild forage, and around Clear Lake it is said to have taken pos- 

 session of the Tule lands within the last few years. 



Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), Professor Scribner says, 

 "is a valuable grass for moist meadows and pastures, particularly 

 the latter, on account of its early growth, being one of the earliest 

 of cultivated grasses. It is very hardy and on good soil yields a 

 large amount of excellent forage. In Europe it is regarded as one 

 of the best pasture grasses. It should enter into all mixtures for per- 

 manent pastures, because it is very lasting, highly nutritious, and 

 earlier than most other species. It is never sown by itself, but is 

 always mixed with other grasses and forage plants, because it gives a 

 full yield only in the second or third year." It soon dies out from 

 poor and dry lands; and though adapted for moist situations, and 

 consequently for irrigated lands, it will not endure stagnant water. 



This grass must not be confused with the k ' large foxtail " and ' ' small 

 foxtail," species of Hordeum, which are such troublesome and injuri- 

 ous grasses. They are not even nearly related plants and bear no 

 resemblance to each other. 



Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) yields a heavy crop of excellent 

 hay and is a good pasture grass for woodland pastures, yielding 

 excellent early grazing. "The aftermath is unequaled in amount by 

 any of the grasses ordinarily cultivated for hay." Professor Scribner 

 says orchard grass has been known to yield 27,905 pounds of green 

 forage, 11,859 pounds of hay, and 11,910 pounds of green aftermath 

 per acre. 



The success of orchard grass for woodland pastures has already been 

 demonstrated in the region of Scotia and Areata. It has also been 

 tried with success between "Willits and Sherwood. The main objection 

 raised against it is that it is difficult to obtain a good stand during the 

 first year. This difficulty can largely be obviated by sowing the seed 

 of some rapidly developing grass, such as tall oat grass or Italian ray 

 grass, at the same time. These will also act as fillers or bottom 

 grasses, occupying the spaces usually left between the tufts of orchard 

 grass. Moreover, Professor Scribner states : ' ' The tendency of orchard 

 grass to form tussocks is much diminished and the sward greatly 

 improved where sown with other grasses." He also recommends 

 heavy rolling "for checking or preventing the tufted growth which 

 this grass naturally assumes; by this operation the tufts are pressed 

 down to the level of the other grasses and the turf becomes more 

 uniform." When sown alone, 3 to 1 bushels of seed are required to 

 the acre. 



Ray grass (Lolium spp.). Three distinct varieties are sold by 

 seedsmen, and much doubt and confusion exist as to their relative 



