INTRODUCTION. 17 



of all the useful grasses. It is my purpose to make 

 eacli article as complete as possible so as to fix an in- 

 dellible impression of the character, etc., of each 

 species of grass on the mind of the reader. 



After mature deliberation, the form I have adopted, 

 viz. : Name of Grass, Specific Character, Analysis, 

 History, etc., appears to be the best adapted for that 

 purpose. I have been familiar with the theory and 

 practice of grass culture for the last forty years, part 

 of which time I have given it my special attention. 

 For the purpose of being able to communicate valu- 

 able information on the subject of the grasses to sub- 

 scribers and purchasers of this work, I have upwards 

 of thirty species of the best grasses of Europe and 

 America growing finely in my experimental grounds 

 at the present time. 



The subject of laying down lands to grass, whether 

 for lawns, meadows or pasture, also the selection, 

 mixture and sowing of grass seed, will receive care- 

 ful attention, and be treated of in the concluding- 

 chapters of this work. 



