396 
Holcus lanatus is similar in taste to gum arabic. Probably 
the Holcus lanatus, which is so common a grass in meadows, 
might be made palatable to cattle by being sprinkled over 
with salt. 
I have found no differences in the nutritive produce of 
the crops of the different grasses cut at the same season, 
which would render it possible to establish a scale of their 
nutritive powers ; but probably the soluble matters of the 
after-math crop are always from one-sixth to one-third 
less nutritive than those from the flower or seed crop. In 
the after-math the extractive and saline matters are cer- 
tainly usually in excess ; but the after-math hay mixed with 
summer hay, particularly that in which the fox tail and soft 
grasses are abundant, would produce an excellent food. 
Of the clovers, the soluble matter from the Dutch clover 
contains most mucilage, and most matter analogous to 
albumen : all the clovers contain more bitter extract and 
saline matter than the common proper grasses. When 
pure clover is to be mixed as fodder, it should be with 
summer hay, rather than after-math hay. 
