94 IIORTUS GRAMINKUS WO B U UN F' N SI S. 



much less embarrassino;, and obviate, in a orcat measure, 

 in these plants the danger of mistake. 



Root fibrous. Perennial. 



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

 a clayey loam with manure, is 18,376 lbs. per acre. 

 The produce of latter-math is 10,209 lbs. 



The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of 

 flowering, exceeds that of the latter-math, is as 14 to 5; and 

 to that at the time the seed is ripe, as 6 to 5. 



The above details confirm the favourable opinion which 

 most writers have expressed respecting this grass. It is 

 most prevalent on hght rich soils; but it is likewise always 

 found in the richest natural pastures, where the soil is more 

 retentive of moisture, and is never absent from irrigated 

 meadows that have been properly formed. It appears to be 

 one of the best of the fine, or dwarf-growing grasses ; which 

 are best adapted for the food of sheep, as the festuca ovina, 

 festuca rubra, poa pratensis, agrostis vulgaris, &.c. Hares 

 are fond of this grass, they cropped it close to the roots, 

 and entirely neglected the festuca rubra and festuca ovina, 

 which grew contiguous to it. It attains to the greatest per- 

 fection when combined with the festuca pratensis and poa 

 trivialis. It springs rather early, and the produce is re- 

 markably fine and succulent. It withstands the effects of 

 severe dry weather in rich natural pastures better than many 

 other grasses. This property, joined to its merits above- 

 mentioned, entitle it to a place in the composition of the best 

 pastures, though in a smaller proportion, on account of its 

 inferior productive powers, which are not compensated by 

 any superiority in the nutritive qualities of the grass over 

 those grasses that are more productive, as is the case with 

 the poa trivialis, and some other species. 



The superiority of these natural pastures over those pas- 

 tures which are formed of one or two grasses only, in respect 

 of a constant or never-failing supply of herbage throughout 

 the season, is in one point, among many others, owing to 

 the variety of habits which exist in a numerous assemblage 

 of different grasses. Some species thrive best in an excess 

 of moist weather; others in a continuance of dry weather; 



