228 IIORTUS GRAMINCUS WOU U R N EN SIS. 



varieties, but equally difficult to extirpate when once in 

 possession of tenacious clays. The next following species 

 (agrostis repeiis), is more troublesome as a weed, though 

 less productive. Neither of these plants produces stolones 

 or runners, like the varieties of the agrostis stolonifera ; 

 sometimes, indeed, a few slender runners are found, but they 

 seldom strike root at the joints. The creeping roots abun- 

 dantly supply this defect in the plant for its propagation, as 

 they creep under the surHice, and send up at intervals nume- 

 rous young shoots. This property of the roots is the best 

 character of distinction for the purpose of the agriculturist, 

 as it may be found at any season or stage of growth of the 

 plant. 



Flowers in the first week of August, and the seed is ripe 

 about the beginning of September. 



AGROSTIS repens. Creeping-rooted Bent, White Bent. 



Specific character : Panicle scattered ; branches bare at 

 the base ; florets few ; calyx inner valve smooth ; root 

 creeping. 



0^5. — The difference between this and the preceding 

 grass is, perhaps, too little to constitute them distinct 

 species ; the culms of the former are decumbent ; in this 

 "•rass they are upright, and the root is more powerfully 

 creeping. It is later in coming into flower and in per- 

 fecting its seed. 



Native of Britain. Root perennial. 



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

 a clayey loam is 6,125 lbs. per acre. 



Though a later growing grass, it is less productive than 

 the preceding. It is subject to the rust, and a peculiar 

 disease which dries up the extremities of the leaves, and 

 gives it an unsightly appearance. Simple ploughing will be 

 found ineffectual to root out this weed in clayey soils. It 

 will be found ultimately the cheapest and most expeditious 

 mode of extirpating it to follow the plough and fork out the 

 roots. Burning, under such circumstances of soil, would 

 doubtless be highly beneficial, but the roots of this couch- 



