238 llORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



drained (which is generally the case), it. should be effected, 

 and the soil will then cany the superior grasses, as the 

 meadow-fescue, cock's-foot grass, meadow cat's-tail grass, 

 meadow fox-tail grass, rough-stalked meadow-grass, 8cc. 

 Where draining cannot be economically practised, the sur- 

 face should be pared and burnt, and afterwards planted with 

 fiorin (agrostis sto/otiij'era, var. latifolia), or with the water 

 meadow-grass (poa aquatka). If the soil be not too wet for 

 the former, or too peaty for the latter, the produce will be 

 found amply to reward the labour of preparing and planting 

 the soil. Mr. Pennant says, that about April, in the Isle of 

 Skye, the farmers turn their cattle during the day-time to 

 this grass, which springs first, and at night drive them into 

 dry ground again. 



In Germany, Professor Martyn informs us, and in the 

 more northern parts of Europe, the down has been manufac- 

 tured into various articles of dress, paper, and wicks for 

 candles. In some parts of Sweden, the peasants stuff their 

 pillows with it, whence it is called " poor man's pillow," 

 but it becomes brittle when dry. 



Neither the productive or nutritive powers of this grass 

 appear, from the above details, sufficiently great to recom- 

 mend it for cultivation. Though it comes into flower in 

 June, it is late in the spring before the foliage attains to 

 any length. 



ERIOPHORUM vaginaliim. Hare's-tail, or Sheathed Cot- 

 ton-grass. 



Specific character: Culms obscurely three-cornered, 

 sheathed ; spike oval oblong. 



Obs. — Culms erect, smooth, with three or four joints, 

 roundish below, three-cornered above, from six to 

 twelve inches in height. Root-leaves sharp-pointed, 

 streaked on two sides, convex on one side, flat on two 

 sides. Stem-leaves less sharp, upper one with a 

 remarkable inflated sheath. It produces only one spike, 

 which is upright. 



Native of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous. 



