274 HOHTUS GRAMINEUS WO BU RNEN SIS. 



Linnaeus observes, that it is very difficult to distinguish 

 this species. 

 Native of South America. Root perennial. Introduced 



into England by Mr. Gilbert Alexander, in 1780. 

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

 a rich black siliceous sandy soil incumbent on a tena- 

 cious sub-soil is 19,057 lbs. per acre. 

 It delights more in calcareous or clayey soils than in those 

 that are of a siliceous sandy nature. It perfects an abun- 

 dance of seed, which, when sown, produces plants that soon 

 arrive at perfection. So far, therefore, it possesses the re- 

 quisite properties of a grass adapted for the alternate hus- 

 bandry ; but it is late in the produce of foliage in the spring, 

 and that herbage is not distinguished by any superior nu- 

 tritive powers. It is perfectly hardy. Being a native of a 

 warmer climate, its defects may possibly be greatly lessened 

 by being naturalized, and by frequently raising it from seed 

 successively ripened in this country. At present it does not 

 offer any strong reasons to recommend it further to the 

 notice of the agriculturist. 



It flowers in the third week of August, and the seed is 

 ripe towards the end of September. 



From the facts brought forward in this and the preceding 

 series, it appears manifest that there are but a small number 

 of the natural grasses peculiarly fitted for the alternate hus- 

 bandry. 



The meadow-foxtail {alopecurus pratensis) is early, pro- 

 ductive, and nutritive, but it does not arrive at perfection so 

 soon as many other grasses. The seed is also often defec- 

 tive, and the crop inconsequence cannot be depended on. 



Meadow cat's-tail {phlenm prateiise) arrives speedily at 

 perfection. It is very productive in the fore-part of the 

 season, and the foliage and culms are very nutritive ; but it 

 runs much to stalks, and the after-grass is very trifling. 



Rye or ray-grass {lolium perenne) comes soon to perfec- 

 tion, and when in a young state produces a plentiful supply 



