1906-1907.] The Graminece under Economic Aspects. 399 



We shall now consider those genera and species which are 

 cultivated as food for our herbivorous animals — viz., the 

 natural grasses, all of which are indigenous to our country, 

 and consequently to the Field Naturalist more interesting 

 than purely cultivated grasses. 



For the hay crop in Europe the Lolium perenne, Perennial 

 rye-grass, and its variety, L. italicum or Italian rye-grass, 

 named after the country of its original cultivation, are the 

 grasses mainly used. Lolium perenne grows wild all over 

 Europe. In one respect it is the most interesting natural 

 grass we have, being of great economical value to Scotland 

 and Ireland. For seed purposes it is largely cultivated in 

 the north of Ireland, in Ayrshire, and, in a lesser degree, 

 in Aberdeenshire and the Black Isle of Eoss- shire. The hay 

 crop is a very important one to our farmers, but increasing 

 importation, amounting to several thousands of tons every 

 week, and fostered by preferences in freight charges, is tell- 

 ing a tale. Hay can be brought from France, Germany, or 

 Holland to London at less cost than from Peterborough or 

 Norwich. 



The great hay grass of North America is Phleum pratense, 

 — Timothy grass, or Cat's-tail. It is a very important grass 

 for permanent pastures. The seed is imported from America. 



Somewhat similar in appearance to Phleum is the genus 

 Alopecurus. Two species, P. geniculatus and P. pratensis, 

 are very common in this district. The former has no com- 

 mercial value, but P. pratensis, or Meadow Fox-tail, recom- 

 rnends itself to agriculturists on account of its early growth 

 and succession of broad succulent leaves. The seed is saved 

 in Finland. 



Dactylis glomerata, or Cock's - foot grass, is well defined 

 and easily recognised. In the United States it is called the 

 orchard grass, being sown among the orchards of Kentucky 

 for seed purposes. The seed is also saved in New Zealand. 

 It has a large production of leaves, which are much esteemed 

 by cattle, sheep, and horses. 



The Poas form a very useful group. There are eight 

 species of British Poas, of which four are very common in 

 this district — viz., P. annua, P. pratensis, P. trivialis, and P. 

 nemoralis. The Poa annua, the grass that one sees on every 



