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our most forward grasses. Its panicles come out one day 

 after the Rye Grass, and eight ornine after the Alopecurus ; 

 yet it is ready for mowing before either of them, as it must be 

 cut in an early stage of its inflorescence, when I found it 

 made good hay and fragrant also, though unmixed with the 

 Anthoxanthum Odoratum. 



The next point of view in which the comparative merits of 

 grasses are to be tried, is quantity of iwoduce. Here simple 

 inspection enables us to pronounce the Dactylis to be the most 

 luxuriant of our grasses. 



Another point of comparison remains, of great importance 

 in meadow grasses, but of infinitely more when they are used 

 for grazing. I mean powers of reproduction, when cut or eaten 

 down. 



In meadows, this is readily decided by inspection, for the 

 pale gteen leaves of the Cocksfoot are easily distinguished from 

 the others, and soon attain double their length after being 

 mowed. The great fleece of after grass we observe in gentle- 

 men's pleasure grounds is generally composed of Dactylis ; 

 for here, cattle being excluded, it is permitted to exert its full 

 powers of reproduction. 



From this observation which we make in pleasure-grounds not 

 broken up for very many years, we can pronounce upon ano- 

 ther important quality, that of holding long {wssession of the 

 ground : since it appears that the Cocksfoot, though originally 

 spontaneous, is able to contend for the possession with ad- 

 vantage, against its perpetually obtruding competitors. 



The 



