CUTTING GRASSES. 
231 
the lapse of centuries, little can be added, and which shows 
how old is the idea that the maximum amount of nutriment is 
yielded by grasses when in full bloom. 
As all grasses, however, do not flower at the same time, we 
have to offer the following rules:— 
1. In the case of Italian rye-grass, always mow on the 
appearance of the flowers, as this grass is such a fast grower 
that, if cut at this stage, a second cutting is obtained equal to 
the first, and, on good land, a third and fourth very little 
inferior. 
2. Ordinary rye-grass may be allowed to produce the flowers. 
3. Clover is best cut when the heads are in full blossom. 
4. Mixed meadows should be mown when the bulk of the 
herbage is in full flower, or when the seeds of the earliest 
grasses are fully formed, such as sweet-scented vernal grass 
(Anthoxanthum odor alum ), meadow fox-tail ( Alopecuris pra- 
tensii); and the late grasses, as crested dog’s-tail ( Oynosiirus 
cristatus ), and meadow fescue (Festucci pratensis ,), are just 
begining to produce the floral organs. With us, Timothy 
(Phleum pratense ), Italian rye-grass (Folium Italicum ), peren¬ 
nial rye-grass ( Folium p>erenne), and cock’s-foot ( Dactylis 
glomerata) flower during the latter half of June, which, as 
thesse grasses constitute the great bulk of good meadow land, 
is our mowing season. 
