208 HORTUS (IRAMINEIJS WORD U N K N SI S. 



partial stalk, all over hairy ; leaves involute, finely ser- 

 rated, naked ; sheaths smooth. 

 Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial. 

 • Experiments. — At the time of flovt-ering, the produce from 

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

 The proportional value which the crop at the time of 

 flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 

 9 to 4. 



This species of oat-grass is much less common than the 

 aveua pubescens or avena Jlavescens. It is found more fre- 

 quent on chalky than on any other kind of soils ; I have 

 also found it in moist meadows as well as on dry heaths. 



From these observations, it cannot justly be recommended 

 for cultivation. Its nutritive matter contains a less propor- 

 tion of bitter extractive and saline matters than any other of 

 the oat-grasses that have been submitted to experiment. 

 It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August. 



HORDEUM pratense. Meadow Barley-grass. 



Specific character : Lateral flowers imperfect, with shorter 

 awns; all the calyx valves bristle-shaped and rough. 

 — Refer. Fig. 1. Neuter florets. 2. Perfect floret. 

 3. Germen, feathered stigmas, and nectary. 



Obs. — This species has affinity to the hordeiim murimim, 

 wall barley-grass, in appearance ; but this is strictly 

 perennial, while the hordeum murinum is annual. 



Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial. 



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

 a sandy loam with manure is 8,167 lbs. per acre. 



The grass, at the time of flowering, contains more nutri- 

 tive matter than at the time the seed is ripe, in the propor- 

 tion of 15 to 12. 



This grass, though said to be partial to dry chalky soils, 

 I have always found most prevalent on good rich meadow 

 o-round ; it thrives under irrigation ; and there are but few 

 pastures in which it is not to be found ; dry sandy heaths, 

 and moist sour soils, are uncongenial to it. The Rev. 

 G. Swayne observes, that in moist meadows it produces a 



