GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 299 



long and feathery. Filaments three. Anthers long and narrow, 

 notched at each end. Scales acute. 



This grass is a native of Italy, first introduced into this country by 

 Mr Lawson, who annually imports large quantities of the seed for 

 agricultural purposes. The merits of this grass are thus stated by Mr 

 Lawson in a supplement to his Agriculturist's Manual, " An expe- 

 rience of ten years since our first introduction of the Italian rye-grass 

 into Britain, enables us now to give a more decided description of its 

 habits than formerly. In respect to duration it may be termed sub- 

 perennial, beyond which title even the most permanent varieties of 

 Lolium perenne have no claim. In most instances, two seasons of 

 Italian rye-grass are all that can, with any degree of certainty, be de- 

 pended upon ; and in very wet, cold, spongy soils it will often exhibit 

 a thin stock the second season. Instances have, however, occurred 

 in which as many as five and even six successive years' produce have 

 been reaped from the same field ; but this has arisen more from the 

 ground having been resown in course of reaping the seed than from 

 the actual duration of the original plants ; the seeds being remarkably 

 easily separated from the hay, even although not perfectly ripe, which 

 will always render the harvesting of them an operation attended with 

 considerable care and difficulty. 



" Although the tendency of Italian rye-grass is to produce many 

 stalks or stems from the same root, yet, from its upright habit of 

 growth, it by no means forms a close turf; hence the propriety of 

 sowing it with a mixture of other grasses of a different habit, which, 

 by filling up the interstices, will add considerably to the weight of 

 produce." 



To insure a good and profitable crop of this grass, it will be ne- 

 cessary to cultivate it on a rich deep soil in a sheltered situation, 

 for when sown on light land in exposed situations the produce 

 will not be sufficient to pay the labour bestowed. It thrives best in 

 company with other grass ; therefore, the following mixture of seed is 

 recommended for hay and permanent pasture of one imperial acre : — 

 Italian rye-grass, 2 bushels. 

 Purple clover, ( Trifolium pratcnse^) 8 lbs. 



