HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 299 



always lacerated ; panicle branches numerous, intermixed 

 with simple branches, thread-shaped, always more or less 

 pubescent; outer husk of the blossom seven-nerved, the inter- 

 mediate nerve terminating in an awn, which rises a little 

 below the apex. Flo. Ger. 363 ; Host. i. p. 13, t. 15. 



German, Dach-Trespe. 



Native of England, discovered by Mr. Taunton. It is found 

 in most parts of Europe. Root annual. Martyn. 



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



light sandy soil is — 



Produce per Acre. 



dr. qr. lbs. 



Grass, 11 oz. The produce per acre - - 7486 14 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry -, 42 7 oggn g j2 



The produce of the space, ditto - 92 1|^ J 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3556 4 4 

 64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 7 ^^q |g g 

 The produce of the space, ditto - 8 1 3 



This is another of the annual bromes which is comparatively 

 of no value. Dambourney, indeed, says, that at the time it 

 approaches to a state of maturity, it may be useful in dyeing, * 

 when it can be collected in sufficient quantity. Birds are fond of 

 the seed, and the plants require protection before the seed be 

 perfected, in order to secure a sufficient supply for the next year's 

 sowing. 



It may be remarked from the facts that have been brought 

 forward respecting the annual bromes, that most of them, com- 

 paratively, afford more nutritive matter at the time they are in 

 flower, than some of the best perennial grasses at the same stage 

 of growth. The reason of this appears on considering, that the 

 whole of the nutritive matter which is accumulated in one year 

 by these annuals, is present in the plant at this period or shortly 

 after, for when the seed is ripe, the straws contain but a small 

 proportion of nutritive matter ; and the seed itself contains little 

 more than the plants afforded at the time of flowering, the differ- 

 ence being as 7 to 5 : which seems to prove that the culms and 

 leaves, a little after the time of flowering, contain nearly all the 

 nutritive matter which passes into, or constitutes the substance of 

 the seed. It must be observed, that the produce of two square 



* Recueil de Precedes et d'Exp^riences sur les Teintures Solides, &c., par 

 M. L. A. Dambourney, NIgocian eI Rouen. Par. 1786-8. 



