HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 105 



its bent awn. 4. Germen, with the stigmas feathered 

 on the upper side. 5. Germen valves, or nectary. 

 Obs. — In the works of Linnaeus, Curtis, and Host, this 

 grass is found under the name of avena elatior ; under 

 this name it was also received in the first account of 

 the results of these experiments. The jointed and 

 twisted awn, from the back of the blossom, which 

 caused it to rank with the avena, is frequently wanting 

 altogether, which is evident in the next following va- 

 riety. It was thought to agree better with the hold 

 in structure ; it has in consequence been referred to 

 that genus by Scopoli, in the Flora Carniolica ; and by 

 Sir James Edward Smith, in the Flo. Brit, and English 

 Botany ; indeed, it appears to belong to neither of these 

 justly, but serves to form the connecting link between 

 the avencB, hold, and airce. 

 Native of Britain. Perennial. 

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



a clayey loam is 17,015 lbs. per acre. 

 The produce of latter-math is 13,612 lbs. per acre. 

 The proportional value in which the grass at the time of 

 flowering exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe is as 

 5 to 2, and is superior to the grass of the latter-math in the 

 proportion of 2 to 1. 



This grass sends forth flowering culms during the whole 

 of the season, and the latter-math produce, consequently, 

 contains nearly an equal quantity of culms with the flowering; 

 crop. It is subject to the disease termed rust, but it does 

 not make its appearance till after the period of flowering ; 

 it affects the whole plant, and at the time the seed is ripe 

 the culms and many of the root-leaves are withered and dry 

 from its baneful effects. This clearly explains the cause of 

 the latter-math being superior to the crop at the time the 

 seed is ripe ; and points out the propriety of taking the crop 

 as soon as the grass is in flower. 



This grass is eaten by all sorts of cattle. Its produce is 

 very great, but the nutritive qualities of the grass are inferior 

 to many other grasses. It pushes rapidly after being 



