428 PHYSIOLOGY AT THE FARM. 



reed is now referred, placed formerly under Arundo. Ammo- 

 phila arundinacea, formerly called Arundo maritima known 

 also as Psamma, the common sea-reed, marum, mat- weed, 

 or mat-grass is a creeping-rooted perennial, abundantly met 

 with on our sandy shores. It flowers early in July. It grows 

 naturally among shifting sea-sands, for the consolidation of 

 which it is especially adapted by its strong creeping roots and 

 hard elastic foliage. So useful is it found in retaining the 

 drifting sand, and thereby forming an embankment for pre- 

 venting the encroachments of the sea, that an Act of Parlia- 

 ment exists for its preservation. Mats and ropes are some- 

 times made of this grass. It is not eaten by any kind of cattle. 

 It grows from eighteen inches to two feet in height. It might 

 be worth while to ascertain if any nutritive quality belongs to 

 the root. It grows only on the driest sandy shores. A bushel 

 of the seeds averages 15 lb., and the number of seeds in an 

 ounce rises to 1 00,000. 



Anthoxanthum. Anthoxanthum is the genus to which the 

 sweet-scented vernal grass belongs, that species being named 

 Antlwxantlmm odoratum. It is the only native species of 

 this genus, and is distinguished from our other native grasses 

 by having only two stamens or chives in the flower. It is a 

 fibrous-rooted perennial. It grows from twelve to eighteen 

 inches high. It flowers about the middle of April, and the 

 seeds are ripe in the second or third week of June. It grows 

 in dry meadows, pastures, woods, and moors. It makes a part 

 of the herbage on almost every kind of soil, but it attains its 

 perfection only in those that are deep and moist. It does not 

 appear to be a particular favourite with cattle, though eaten in 

 pasture along with other grasses. One of its chief merits is 

 its early growth. It thrives best when grown along with seve- 

 ral different grasses, and therefore is truly a permanent pasture- 

 grass. The value of the aftermath is to that of the seed crop 



