CROPS. 283 



tivated in small patches, merely as an experiment ; but it seems 

 to be too woody for feed. Indeed, a stalk of it was shown to me, 

 with a silver head and ferule to it, which made quite a substan 

 tial cane, and might have been considered much rather as the 

 imb or sprout of a tree, than a stem of grass. 



There are many other varieties of grass, which are sown, in 

 some cases, for the sake of the variety. Where land is to be laid 

 down to permanent pasture, undoubtedly variety is to be recom 

 mended, as most conformable to the system of nature, which on 

 uncultivated and wild lands, as on the western prairies, for ex 

 ample, seems to multiply varieties almost without limit, and 

 likewise as adapted in their different natures to different soils and 

 circumstances of climate and aspect. It can scarcely be expected 

 that I should proceed further in the enumeration. The English 

 are remarkably fond of a close turf, and the compactness of the 

 turf in their lawns, and parks, and pleasure grounds, resembling 

 more than any thing else the close texture of velvet, or a Tur 

 key carpet, is always observed ; but in order to produce this, it 

 requires that the ground should be filled with a great variety 

 of seeds. 



22. RIB GRASS, OR PLANTAIN. I have observed, in many 

 fields, the narrow-leaved plantain, or ribbed grass, cultivated for 

 herbage. It produces its leaves early, and is relished by cattle, 

 horses, and sheep ; but I confess I was not favorably impressed 

 with it, as it spreads much upon the ground, and exclusively 

 occupies a space which, with other plants, would certainly have 

 produced a much larger amount of feed. The common parsley, 

 likewise, is frequently sown with other grasses, at the rate of 

 one pound of seed to an acre. It is eaten by cattle and sheep, 

 and is supposed to be a remedy against the liver rot in sheep. 

 Its habits are biennial, but it will in general perpetuate itself by 

 its own seeds. 



23. RED TOP, HERDS-GRASS. That most valuable grass, 

 among us known as the red top, (agrostis vulgaris,) the im 

 proved variety of which is the Rhode Island red top, I have not 

 seen cultivated in England ; and timothy or herds grass (phleum 

 pratcnse) is grown, within my observation, to a very small 

 extent. In my opinion, it would be extremely well adapted to 



