GRASS-LAND AND ARABLE 133 



are relied upon for sward formation ; and, although 

 we are undoubtedly dependent on indigenous varieties 

 (improved if possible) for rapid sward formation, no 

 endeavour should be spared to hunt the world for 

 untried species or varieties to add nutritious bulk to 

 the herbage, or for the purpose of crossing with our 

 local species or varieties. One genus in particular, 

 I think, holds out considerable promise, and that is 

 the genus Vicia. We have, of course, a number of 

 perennial Vicias in our own flora V. Cracca being 

 not at all an uncommon plant on some types of grass- 

 land. On the Continent and in America, moreover, 

 there are several species of Vetch other than F. sativa 

 used in agriculture. Lathyrus is another promising 

 genus for investigation, both L. pratensis and L. 

 montana being useful indigenous herbage plants. 

 Attention should not, however, be confined to the 

 Graminece and Leguminosse alone, but other natural 

 orders which contribute to the flora on old and semi- 

 natural grass-lands should be made to yield new and 

 improved strains of plants. The Rush and Daisy 

 families immediately suggest themselves. It is per- 

 haps not generally known that the Juncus Gerardi on 

 salt marshes, J. articulatus on wet pastures, and even 

 J. squarrosus on mountain pastures are readily eaten 

 by stock; whilst, turning to the Composite, Chicory 

 and Yarrow are pasture plants of proved merit. A 

 more perennial Chicory and a less woody Yarrow 

 would, however, be desirable, and one day, perhaps, 

 we shall produce a strain of thistles which will be 

 eaten as readily by cattle as our present spiny species 

 are devoured by donkeys; and it is quite likely that 

 all that is necessary is to produce a thistle without 

 the spines. To go beyond these orders, Rib-grass is 

 undoubtedly a nutritious plant, and is relished by 

 stock (especially sheep), and will produce keep on the 



