132 HORTUS GRAMINKUS WOBURNENSIS. 



to most of the grasses that have aheady come under obser. 

 vation, and ofler no grounds on which to recommend it to 

 the notice of the agriculturist. 



The smooth awnless brome-grass flowers in the second 

 week of July, and ripens the seed in the second and third 

 weeks of August. 



MELICA cHiata. Ciliated Melic-grass. 



Specific character: The outer petal of the lower floret 

 ciliate j panicle spike-like ; spikelets erect. 



06s.— Culms from one to three feet high, according to the 

 quality of the soil. Leaves spear-shaped, mucronate, 

 from three to nine inches long, smooth underneath, 

 slightly pubescent above, somewhat rugged downwards, 

 a white nerve runs along the back. Sheath-scale 

 white, cloven; sheaths striated, the lower a little pubes- 

 cent and rugged, the upper ones smooth and glossy ; 

 but as the seed approaches towards perfection, it be- 

 comes feathered with long woolly hairs. Native of 

 Germany. Root fibrous. Perennial. 



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

 a rich sandy loam is 6,806 lbs. per acre. 



The produce of latter-math is 2,041 lbs. per acre. 



The above facts show this grass to be one of the inferior 

 species with respect to produce, nutritive qualities, and re- 

 productive powers. In Germany it grows wild on hilly 

 grounds, downs, and by the margin of woods ; it may be 

 ranked with the glaucous and sea-green meadow grasses 

 (poa glauca et poa casia). Among the grasses not natives 

 of Great Britain, that have been brought under observation 

 in the course of these details, two species only have offered 

 proofs of fitness for the purpose of permanent pasture, on 

 soils of the best quality ; nerved meadow-grass (poa ner- 

 vata), and fertile meadow-grass (poa fertilis) ; the superior 

 merits of these over many other grasses have already been 

 considered. 



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

 about the second week of July. 



