HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNKNSIS. 139 



acre, is generally considered sufficient for sowing artificial 

 pastures. 



The above details relate to the Pacey's variety ; and the 

 following details will show to a certain extent the superiority 

 of the new varieties. 



1. The Russell's ray-grass. The produce on the 16th of 

 April from a brown rich loam is 5,445 lbs. per acre ; of 

 nutritive matter, 212 lbs. At the time of flowering the 

 produce is 15,654 lbs. of grass per acre ; of nutritive matter, 

 733 lbs. 



The value of this variety, it is perfectly evident, is there- 

 fore greatly superior to the Pacey's ray-grass in produce and 

 nutritive properties ; and to these must be added its superior 

 early growth in the spring, and its continuing to vegetate 

 later in the autumn and winter. These properties go near to 

 remove entirely the objections which have been so justly 

 urged against the common ray-grass. 



2. Stickney's approaches near to this in its habits and 

 nutritive properties, but I have not had an opportunity to 

 ascertain the produce of it, with that degree of precision and 

 certainty which would allow of my giving the results of the 

 trials a place here. 



3. The Whitworth's is finer in the foliage than either of 

 the above varieties. This variety seems also to possess the 

 valuable properties of early and late growth, in an eminent 

 degree. These varieties of ray-grass are a valuable acquisi- 

 tion to the farmer ; and more particularly, should those cha- 

 racters which now render them so valuable prove permanent, 

 after experiencing the various trying effects of different 

 changes of soil and situation under long cultivation. The 

 habit of the Whitworth's indicates an origin from higher 

 situated though rich land ; while the habits of the Russell 

 and Stickney indicate an origin from a less elevated though 

 equally rich land. It is more than probable that, should 

 attention be paid to have the seeds of those grasses always 

 supplied from their respective original soils, or from analo- 

 gous soils, that the valuable properties they now possess may 

 be perpetuated. Besides those varieties, there have been 



