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Occurrence, climate, soil, manure. Alpine meadow-grass is found in the arctic zone and the Geographical 
alpine regions of most mountainous districts in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere (Sierra distribution, 
Nevada, Pyrenees, Jura, Vosges, Black Forest, Alps, Carpathians, Apennines, Ural, Caucasus, Altai, 
Himalayan and Rocky Mountains). | 
= The viviparous variety is very common in Alpine pastures where the soil is moist and rich, on Habitat. 
rocky slopes, in wood clearings and by mountain roadsides, 
Jt has been found at the following altitudes: — Stilfserjoch 8,450 ft., Torrenthorn 7,850 to Limits of 
8,850 fi., the Muretto Pass 5,900 lo 6,900 ft., Tschir(schen 4,400 ft., Bavarian Alps 3,900 to 7,300 ft., altitude. 
Auvergne 6,200 ft., Pyrenees 6,500 ft., Vignemal 9,800 ft, Caucasus 9,800 ft. It is carried by torrents 
and rivers into the valleys and plains. (Wolfsschlucht in the valley of the Téss 2,450 ft., Wimmis 
2,250 ft., Nettistall 1,450 ft., Weinfelden on the Thur 1,450 ft.) 
This grass requires a moist atmosphere, and in winter, a snowy covering to protect it Climate. 
from the frost. These conditions are attained on the Alps where the snow persists during 
the winter and protects the grass. It cannot live in localities dried up by the summer sun. 
It succeeds best on rich, moist soils which are light and calcareous, even though Soil. 
somewhat shallow. | 
1000 Ibs. of hay remove from the soil: — Substances 
Niikover “ .-.. « .f6-9.1bs. Re Be ee te ifs! removed — 
; . from the soil. 
Phosphoric acid. . 441 ,, Magnesia... « » 48 ,, 
Persie ot, & . ath 3! Suphurie acid . 5 5.0 §, 
Doge © see eee eet eiiGdiwr es Sy +! ae ange Oy. 
A rich, old soil is preferable to one recently manured. To counteract the drying action — Manure. 
of the sun, irrigation is resorted to, even in. mountainous districts, as, for example, in ° 
Valais. 
Growth, yield, nutritive value. ‘he plant is formed of a tuft of branches compacted — Growth. 
together. The radical leaves are large, numerous and surrounded by leaf sheaths. The 
culms produced are few and vary in height from ten to eighteen inches. The spikelets of 
the viviparous variety, which is the most abundant on the Alps, do not produce flowers 
but small leaf buds (bulbils) which in moist districts soon grow up and become small 
plants. By the weight of these bulbils, the culm is gradually bent down and ultimately 
comes to lie upon the ground. The buds soon strike their roots into the moist soil 
with which they are in contact, separate from the parent and develope into inde- 
pendent plants. 
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Even while the culms are still erect, the buds often fall off and strike root. 
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During the first year, the plants produced in this way always remain small and develope Development. 
few leaves. During the second year, culms and bulbils are produced. ‘These, in their 
turn, if they are not destroyed by browsing cattle, develope a new generation of plants. 
The former fate usually awaits them on those parts of the pasture accessible to animals, 
the delicate buds being very tasty and nutritious. 
Sinclair obtained from common Alpine meadow-grass, the seed- producing variety grown on a Yield. 
light sandy loam, 1700 Ibs. of hay per acre. The yield is thus seen to be small, | 
As fodder, this is a very nutritious grass as shewn by the analysis of its hay, made Nutritive 
ut the Swiss station, value. 
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