194 



Meadow Foxtail. 



[JUNE, 



season a greater weight per acre of valuable fodder than 

 almost any other species of natural grass. The importance 

 of Foxtail as occurring in the best grass land of the country 

 cannot well be over-estimated, for, as an agricultural writer 

 remarked more than one hundred years ago, "Foxtail pos- 

 sesses the three great requisites of quality, quantity, and 

 earliness in a superior degree to any other grass." The 

 opinion thus expressed as to its quality and importance 

 has been confirmed again and again by many, if not all, of 

 those best qualified by their experience and knowledge to 

 express an opinion. 



In a rich clay or loamy soil, Foxtail grows luxuriantly and 

 produces a considerable quantity of nutritious, succulent, 

 leafy herbage; it is specially adapted for moist situations, 

 and thrives well on irrigated land ; but where water is stag- 

 nant, or on poor, dry land, the growth is meagre and 

 stunted, and it soon dies out. The early sp.ring growth of 

 Foxtail may in a measure be due to the manner in which 

 it resists the adverse conditions of even a very severe winter. 

 It is a hardy grass, and withstands with comparative ease 

 the keenest frosts as well as the heat and sun of summer, 

 and grows well under the shade of trees. 



For a number of years the writer had under observation a 

 piece of rich and somewhat heavy pasture and meadow land 

 containing a good proportion of Foxtail ; the special features 

 which are usually associated with the growth of this valuable 

 grass in suitable environment were there most marked. The 

 ground in question was rich, but low-lying, and damp during 

 the winter and early spring, yet under these conditions the 

 Foxtail started into growth early, and as it predominated it 

 was prudently mown much earlier than the crop in the ad- 

 joining fields not so favoured with an abundance of Foxtail. 

 The aftermath also came quickly into growth, and produced 

 a heavy and nutritious crop; thus on the pasture-land in 

 which the Foxtail was in abundance, that early and full bite 

 so highly appreciated by stock-owners, and so necessary after 

 a hard winter, was secured at least a week in advance. 



The characteristic tail-like appearance of the ear or flower- 

 head closely resembles the cylindrical spike or flower of 

 Timothy, but a marked difference between the two may 



