103 



VII. PoA PRATENSIS. 



1 now pooceed to the smooth stalked meadow grass, univer- 

 sallj well spoken of, and in many respects deservedly; its 

 soil shews the first verdure in spring, just before the alopecurus, 

 but the latter outsrips it and covers the ground with a more 

 luxuriant sward. 



The Poa pratensis is by no means deficient in any of the 

 qualities I have stated, as essential to the value of the grass ; 

 its aftergrass is good, it regenerates quickly, and the sole 

 seems close and kindly. 



This does not appear to be an obtrusive grass, as I never 

 found a single root in any collectaneous plots, yet it is ob- 

 viously indigenous, as I find it in abundance in all my natural 

 meadows, especially in dry ground. 



VJII, AvENA FLAVESCENS. 



I once recommended this grass strongly, as producing a 

 nicer sward for hay than any other grass, it looks better even 

 than the rye grass, the stalk not quite so wiry, and two or 

 three siiort leaves on each stalk give it a very rich appear- 

 ance ; the stalks too are more abundant than those of the 

 rye grass. 



Still the Avcnajtavescens is deficient in two very important 

 points; it is much later than I once imagined, and it is 

 totally deficient in after grass. 



^'or- XI- p Notwithstanding' 



