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fi'om rival grasses which Nature invariably sows along with it; 

 and likely to be soon choaked by rising weeds which, being 

 mostly annuals and of rapid growth, soon overpower it. 



When we attempt to obtain a crop of" any one grass by 

 itself, we find the trouble of weeding and keeping it distinct 

 from other grasses sufficiently great, even in the experi- 

 mentalist's diminutive plots; on a large scale it could not be 

 encountered. 



The Farmer, therefore, has the alternative, either of sowing 

 his grass by itself in spring, and, when necessary, weeding 

 (as we call it) with the scythe, repeated mowing being fatal 

 to weeds, while young grass, though certainly injured by the 

 operation, is never diestroyed — 



Or, he must sow his grass-seed with his grain, by way of 

 protection; and this mode he generally prefers, as, by the 

 former, he loses a year's produce. 



From these difficulties and impediments it follows, that the 

 agriculturist (at least in my country) generally relies upon 

 Nature for clothing his ground, rarely troubling himself to 

 inquire what are the grasses that rise spontaneously, or to 

 consider whether it would not be more for his interest to 

 sow better kinds. 



Let us then, before we have recoarse to experience, try the 

 question, a priori ; let us endeavour to get a lesson from Nature 

 herself, and, by watching her steps, find out what seem to 

 be her favourite grasses, and what species she is most ready 



to 



