360 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



Produce per Acre, 

 dr. qr, lbs. 



From a strong tenacious clay, the produce is — 

 Grass, 50 oz. The produce per acre - - 34031 

 80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 7 j^^aj^ o a 



The produce of the space, ditto - 400 3 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 17015 8 

 64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 7 oiofi 15 

 The produce of the space, ditto - 50 5 



From these details of experiments, it appears that the striped 

 reed canary-grass is much more productive on a tenacious clayey 

 soil than on a rich sandy loam. The superior nutritive powers 

 which this grass possesses, recommends it to the notice of occu- 

 piers of tenacious clayey soils. The foliage cannot be considered 

 coarse, when compared to other grasses which afford a produce 

 equal in quantity. Dry straw is a much coarser food than the 

 hay made from this grass. The Festuca elatior grows as luxu- 

 riantly, and affects a similar soil, though of a nature less reten- 

 tive. It being greatly superior to the Arundo colorata in early 

 growth, nutritive qualities, and in the produce of latter-math, 

 should be preferred before it, to cultivate on tenacious clays that 

 are less fitted for the production of superior grasses. The objec- 

 tion, as to the coarse nature of the produce of these grasses, 

 might be obviated by reducing the hay to chaff. Their nutritive 

 powers are equal to those of Jthe superior grasses, and their pro- 

 duce in quantity superior. The striped reed canary-grass has 

 not yet been found in a wild state. It is cultivated in gardens, 

 for the beauty of its striped leaves. The common wild variety, 

 which grows by the sides of rivers and standing pools, wants this 

 distinguishing feature. It grows to a greater height than the 

 striped-leaved variety, and does not appear to be eaten by cattle ; 

 but birds are fond of the seeds. There are striped-leaved varieties 

 of the j4(rroslis alba, and Dactylis glomerata, in the Woburn col- 

 lection of grasses, which, for the strength and beauty of the tints 

 in the leaves, are equal, if not superior, to those of the striped- 

 leaved reed-grass. 



It comes into flower about the first and second weeks of July, 

 and the seed ripens about the middle of August. 



