79 
In Switzerland the peasants call this species »Natural grass« (Natur-Gras) because of its readiness Name. 
to spring up and take possession of uncultivated land; in such cases it forms the bulk of the grass. 
The term rough-stalked refers to the roughness of the culm beneath the panicle. 
It was cultivated in England some centuries ago. In 41681 Worlidge recommended it. He called History. 
it »Orchiston grass« because of its abundance in the celebrated grasslands of Orchiston, near Salisbury 
in Wiltshire. About the year 1785 Boys cultivated it in the county of Kent, At the present time it 
is in high esteem and in common cultivation, both in Britain and on the continent; in mountainous 
districts it always forms the staple of the natural grass, 
In Lombardy, it is known as the »>Queen of forage plants«, although its value scar- Agricultural 
cely justifies this designation. It is so highly prized there because in the first cutting TRIE 
the yield is large and the fodder excellent. This is the case on the irrigated grass-lands, 
and more especially on the mountains and the moist districts near rivers. The produce 
of aftermath is, however, very scant consisting merely of diminutive grass a few inches in 
height. In this condition the peasants do not recognise it and look upon it as a worthless 
plant. If the produce of aftermath were as abundant as that of the first growth, rough- 
stalked meadow-grass would occupy the first rank among fodder-grasses ; but such is not 
the case. At the first mowing its height is 2 to 3 ft., at times 4 to 8 ft.; while in the 
aftermath it is quite diminutive. Since it has a strong perennial character, its principal 
use is to form »bottom grass« in permanent pastures. 
Occurrence, climate, soil, manure. Rough-stalked meadow-grass is indigenous — to all Hurope, Geographical 
extending to Ireland and Lapland, where, according to Wahlenberg, it often forms the bulk of the herb- distribution. 
age; to Asia, in Caucasus, Georgia, and throughout Siberia and Japan; to Africa, in Algiers and the 
Canary Islands. It has been introduced into America. 
It occurs wild in good meadows and pastures, by the sides of ditches, among cereals, on bare spots — Habitat. 
in clover and lucerne fields, etc. In Northern and Central Europe it is a natural denizen of all good 
grass-land. 
Its highest altitudes have not yet been recorded; if has, however, been found at 8,000 ft. On Limits of 
the Bavarian Alps, it ascends to 4,500 ft., at Fex, to 6,400 ft., in the Rhinewald, to 4,600—5,250 ft., altitude. 
at Schwefelberg, to 4,600 ft., and at Churwalden, to 4,250 ft, 
It succeeds best where the climate and soil are moist, e.g. on mountains, and by the Climate. 
side of running water. 
Drought is hostile to it; accordingly it cannot thrive in situations much exposed to sun. 
Excessive drought causes the plant to turn red and the branches which creep along the 
ground either dry up and disappear or become short, hard and wiry. On the return of 
moisture growth again begins and the creeping branches reach their normal length. It is 
not readily affected by cold; sometimes however injury is done; the plant rapidly recovers 
on the return of warmth. 3 
Rich, moist soils which are stiff rather than light are preferred by this grass. It thus Soil. 
thrives on all good clays and loams. On light, dry soils its place should be taken by 
smooth-stalked meadow-grass. 
1000 lbs. of hay remove from the soil, according to the Zurich analyses: — Substances 
f , removed from 
Nitrogen . . 9.8 Ibs. Magnesia . . 4.2 Ibs, fie aad) 
Phosphoric acid 12.7 ,, Dime 0 ea 7,205 
Silica + 3° « BOs 5, Silt mee 2, x, “ARR 5. 
Soda DY acne fees Sulphuric acid eee 
