HORTllS GRAMINEUS WOBU RN EN SI S. 183 



from pastures, by mowing them before they perfect their 

 seed (to which only they owe their continuance of exist- 

 ence), it is absolutely necessary that the mowing should 

 be often repeated during the season, otherwise the intention 

 will be completely frustrated. 



It flowers the first week of July, and the seed is ripe about 

 the last of the same month. Birds appear to be very fond 

 of the seed. 



HORDEUM murinum. Wall Barley-grass, Way-bennet. 



Mouse Barley. 



Specific character : Lateral florets barren ; calyx valves of 

 the intermediate one lanceolate, fringed. 



Obs. — Root fibrous, annual, supporting a number of 

 culms ; culm from half a foot to a foot and a half high, 

 procumbent at the base, afterwards erect ; spike-stalk 

 brittle, flexuose, compressed, rough on the margin ; 

 flowers placed in two rows, imbricated, roundish, inter- 

 mediate flower nearly sitting, bisexual ; lateral florets 

 unisexual, or neuter. 



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

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



The produce of this annual, at the time the seed is ripe, 

 contains more nutritive matter than at the time of flowerinsr; 

 this is a contrary result to all others of the annual grasses ; 

 but it is, I believe, chiefly owing to a part of the seed having 

 been left on the spikes, while in all other instances it was 

 separated from the grass previous to its being submitted to 

 experiment. 



The above details prove this to be one of the most infe- 

 rior grasses with respect to nutritive powers. The long 

 awns with which it is armed must make it dangerous to the 

 mouths of horses when it enters into the composition of their 

 hay. Fortunately, it is uncommon in pastures, but chiefly 

 confined to road-sides, and other beaten or barren places. 

 I never could observe this grass eaten by cattle of any de- 

 scription, not even by the half-starved animals which feed by 

 road-sides, where this is often the most prevalent grass. 



