224 



TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF [Sess. lvi. 



The poas are seen to be poor rooting grasses. But it is 

 to the proportion between the upper and under growth that 

 I wish chietly to direct your attention. 



Table II. — Proportion of Grass and Roots per cent. 



That is a character less under the influence of external 

 or accidental circumstances. The bulk of the crop of grass 

 may be large or small, according to circumstances ; but it 

 may be presumed that the relative proportion of that which 

 is above and below ground will be pretty constant, inasmuch 

 as that is a circumstance depending chiefly on the nature 

 and habit of the plant. 



If I am right in that assumption, then the results of this 

 experiment (as shown in Table II.) convey information of 

 considerable value to agriculturists, for it shows that the 

 foxtail {Alopccarus pratensis), the golden oat-grass (Avena 

 Jiavescens), and the common meadow fescue {Festuca pratensis), 

 are even better than rye-grass in respect of the proportion 

 of root matter which they contribute to the soil after one 

 year's growth. Of these three grasses the first is a much 

 prized early grass, the second is apt to be overlooked, and 

 the third is regarded with disfavour l)y some on account of 

 the hardness of its leaf. 



The poas, which are a much esteemed class of grasses, are 

 seen to be among the least valuable of the grasses in so far 

 as rooting power is conceined. As to the sweet vernal 

 grass {Anthoxantlium odoratu/m), it is seen to Ijc the feeblest 

 rooter among tlie grasses. 



