106 HORTIS (JUAMINEUS W O B IJ R N E NSIS. 



cropped ; and though later in flowering than many other 

 species, produces an early and plentiful supply of herbage in 

 the spring. These properties would entitle it to rank high 

 as a grass adapted for the alternate husbandry, but its nutri- 

 tive matter contains too large a proportion of bitter extractive 

 and saline matters to warrant its cultivation, without a con- 

 siderable admixture of different grasses ; and the same objec- 

 tion extends to its culture for permanent pasture. It is 

 always present in the composition of the best natural pas- 

 tures, and, as before mentioned, eaten in common with other 

 grasses. It does not, however, constitute a large proportion 

 of the herbage, but rather the least of any of the more valua- 

 ble grasses that have been mentioned. 



From the above details it appears that this grass should 

 have a place in the composition of the best natural or per- 

 manent pastures, though its proportion, as a constituent, 

 should be much limited. Flowers towards the end of June, 

 and ripens the seed about the second week of July. In dry 

 or fluctuating soils the roots become largely tuberous, and 

 then constitute a troublesome weed. 



HOLCUS avenaceus, var. muticus. Avvnless tall Oat-like 

 Soft-grass. 



Var. — Flowers without awns. 



Obs. — This variety is smaller in every respect than the 

 preceding ; leaves very short ; root slightly bulbous ; 

 panicle much contracted ; glumes pencilled at the apex 

 with purjDle. Flowers a week later than the awned 

 variety ; in all other respects it is the same. 



Native of Scotland. 



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

 a rich clayey loam is 12,251 lbs. per acre. 



The latter-math is 3,403 lbs. per acre. 



This variety is much later, in respect of producing herbage 

 in the spring, and in coming into flower, than the awned 

 variety. It seldom perfects any good seed. 



The latter-math produce is very inconsiderable, and but 



