HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 161 



to possess merit in a sufficient degree to entitle it to a place in 

 the composition of the best pastures, particularly as a substitute 

 for the Festuca duriuscula, which might be effected with advantage 

 on soils of a drier or sandy nature. It flowers in the last week of 

 May, and ripens the seed in June. The culms are well adapted 

 for the manufacture of the finest straw-plait, being very distant in 

 the joints, and of an equal thickness throughout. By the com- 

 pression of the straws, in the process of plaiting, the furrows of 

 the culms disappear entirely. 



A VENA jiavescens. Golden Oat, Yellow Oat-grass. 



Specific character: Panicle much branched, spreading, erect; 

 calyx 3-flovvered, short, all the florets awned. 



Fig. 1. Calyx with its unequal valves. 3. The same magnified. 

 2. Floret, with the awn arising from above the middle of the 

 outer valve. 4. The same magnified. 5. Germen obovate, 

 stigmas densely feathery. 6. Styles, short distinct. 



Root fibrous, perennial. Native of Britain. 



Obs. — Leaves linear, acute, flat; margin rough, of a yellow 

 green colour. Panicle much branched, yellow green at first, 

 afterwards changing to a golden yellow, by which it may be 

 distinguished at a distance from other grasses ; wide spread 

 when in flower, but compact when in seed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. 

 p. 166. Curt.Lond. E.Bot.t.952. Wither. Arr. Host. t. 38. 

 Flo. Germ. i. p. 377. Hort. Kew. 



Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a 



clayey loam is — 



Produce per Acre, 

 dr. qr. lbs. 



Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 28 ^ 2858 10 



The produce of the space, ditto - 67 Of 3 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 

 64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 3 > ^yo q q 

 The produce of the space, ditto - 1113 



At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is — 

 Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre - 12251 4 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 ^ 4900 8 



The produce of the space, ditto - 115 0;^ 3 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7350 12 



M 



