Grasses for Pcnnancnt Pasture 



333 



takes most of the habit which might be ex- 

 pected from the first-named parentage ; and 

 it would be interesting to ascertain by prac- 

 tical experiment which, or if any, of these 

 theories are correct. 



NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. 



Found in rich moist meadows, and open 

 undrained grassy places throughout southern 



when the surface is periodically overflown, 

 growing generally in isolated patches, but 

 comparatively rare in Scotland ; and although 

 500 feet is the highest altitude usually assigned 

 for it in Britain, we have found it in consider- 

 able abundance above 600 feet on the sides 

 of a road near Woll, in Selkirkshire. 



QUALITIES AND USES. 



Compared with the perennial rye-grass, 

 which most resembles this in general appear- 

 ance, this is earlier, more pennanent in dura- 

 tion— being decidedly perennial; better suited 



Spikelet magnified. 



Calyx magnified. 



for irrigation, as well as for growing on damp 

 soils, forms a closer sward or turf, and is 

 decidedly superior in the quality as well as 

 the quantity of its produce ; b^ut being, as 

 before stated, incapable of producing perfect 

 seeds, it can only be propagated by division 

 and transplantation, the trouble and expense 

 of which have been generally looked upon as 

 an insurmountable bar to its cultivation. 

 These objections, however, are more ideal 

 than real. For, in the first place, a bed 25 

 by 2 yards of carefully groAvn two-year-old 

 and centraljEurope, but hitherto undiscovered plants will divide sufficiently to plant an acre 

 elsewhere. It is pretty common in the low at i foot apart — requiring 43,560 plants, 

 and fenny districts of England, particularly which may be put in at a cost of los. to 15s. 



Fesluca loliacea — Reduced in 



shewing habit of £ 



