426 PHYSIOLOGY AT THE FAKM.. 



produce a formidable plant. It is only useful where more nu- 

 tritious grasses will not thrive, to cover poor gravelly or sandy 

 soils and dry banks with verdure. It is said to be disliked by 

 cattle generally. It is one of the plants recommended to be 

 sown for pasturage and cover in thick shady woods, and for 

 warrens, or for light sandy downs, to the extent of from 1 to 

 2 Ib. of the seeds per imperial acre. The average weight of a 

 bushel of the seeds is 12 Ib., and the average number of seeds 

 in an ounce is 425,000. Nearly the same observations apply 

 to this species as to the former in respect to its want of succu- 

 lence, and the consequent large proportion of ligneous deposit 

 impairing its nutritive properties. 



Air a. The genus Aira, or hair-grass, is of as little utility 

 in husbandry as the genus Agrostis. 



The Aira ccespitosa is indeed sometimes sown, but as it 

 grows naturally in moist rich soils, it is commonly esteemed a 

 troublesome weed. It is disliked by cattle. It is a tall elegant 

 grass in shrubberies, but gives an unsightly appearance in mea- 

 dows, pastures, and parks, owing to its growing into large tufts, 

 termed rough caps or hassacks, very difficult to be got rid of. 

 It appears to grow in every kind of soil and situation, from 

 the marsh to the dry sandy heath, but prefers moist clayey 

 soils where the water stagnates. It owes its English name, 

 tufted hair-grass, to the hassacks which it forms in meadow 

 land. It makes a good under cover for game and shelter for 

 wild-fowl. It is one of the grasses recommended to be sown, 

 to the extent of from 1 to 2 Ib. per imperial acre, for pastur- 

 age and cover in thick shady woods. A bushel of the seed 

 averages 14 Ib., and the number of seeds in an ounce may 

 reach 32,000. 



A lopecurus. Of the genus A lopecurus., or fox-tail grass, only 

 one species namely, the Alopecurus pratensis, the meadow 

 fox-tail grass is of agricultural importance. It is a fibrous or 



