122 IIORTUS (JRAMINEUS WOB U RN E NS I S. 



grass had at least three weeks of grovvtli more than tliat of 

 the flowering crop. But after the time of flowering, the 

 leaves do not appear to increase, but rather diminish, many 

 of them becoming completely dry before the seed be per- 

 fected. The culms retain their succulency, and become 

 heavier till the seed be ripe ; which points out the true cause 

 of the superior quantity of nutritive matter contained in the 

 grass of the seed crop. 



Sir James Edward Smith informs us, that it is an alpine 

 plant, and only as yet found a native of Scotland, where 

 it was found by Mr. Mackay, on Ben Lawers. It appears, 

 however, to be easily cultivated on soils of an intermediate 

 quality as to moisture and dryness. Its seed is good, and 

 produced in plenty. 



The above details prove this grass to be capable of culti- 

 vation ; but possessed of no excellence in a sufficient degree 

 to render it worthy of a place in the composition of good 

 pasture on soils of the best quality. 



It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe 

 about the second and last week of July, according to the 

 state of the weather. 



POA glauca. Glaucous Meadow-grass. 



Specific character: Panicle spreading, spikelets ovate; 

 florets from two to five, obscurely five-ribbed, bluntish, 

 silky at the keel and lateral ribs, hairy at the base, 

 without a web ; stipulas of the lower leaves very short 

 and blunt. 



Ohs. — This species resembles the poa nemoralis, and, in a 

 less degree, the p. trivialis, and likewise affects a si- 

 milar soil ; while the preceding variety of it resembles 

 more the poa alpina, poa subcccrulea and poa pratensis, 

 and like these, affects a somewhat drier soil. Culms 

 from a foot and a half to two feet in height. Whole 

 plant of a light pale glaucous colur. Native of Britain. 

 Root fibrous. Perennial. 



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

 a rich black sandy loam is 8,848 lbs. per acre. 



