OAT-LIKE SOFT GRASS. 429 



nearly as 13 to 9, and the nutritive property of the autumn grass 

 is to that of the first grass of spring as 9 to 7. This superi- 

 ority of the aftermath is a great recommendation for the pur- 

 pose of grazing. Altogether, its early growth, its continued 

 vegetation till autumn, and its hardy and permanent nature, 

 give it a high place among the grasses entering into permanent 

 pastures. It is the grass which chiefly gives the peculiar sweet 

 smell to permanent grass-hay. It is believed that pastures in 

 which this grass abounds give an improved flavour to the 

 mutton obtained from the flocks fed on them. It is recom- 

 mended as one of the plants to be sown, for permanent lawn 

 pastures, to the extent of J Ib. of seed to the imperial acre ; 

 and for permanent pasture and hay in orchards and other 

 grounds overshadowed by trees, to the extent of 1 Ib. of seed 

 to the same measure of ground. A bushel of the seeds averages 

 6 Ib., and the number of seeds in an ounce has an average 

 of 71,000. 



A rrhenatherum. The genus A rrhenatherum is a compara- 

 tively new genus, in which there is the one species, Arrhena- 

 therum avenaceum, tall, oat-like, soft grass, or French rye-grass, 

 formerly named Holcus avenaceus. It is a fibrous-rooted per- 

 ennial. It grows from two to three feet high. It is found in 

 dry pastures, rocky and stony places, woods, and is frequently a 

 troublesome weed in corn-fields. It is in particular the vari- 

 ety of this plant, distinguished by having bulbous or knotted 

 roots, that infests corn-fields, especially in high districts. This 

 variety is known as knot-grass, while it is sometimes made a 

 distinct species under the name of A rrhenatherum bulbosum. 

 There are some conflicting statements in respect to the agri- 

 cultural merits of the Arrhenatherum avenaceum. There is 

 no doubt that it affords a considerable bulk early in the season 

 of a somewhat bitfer-tasted herbage, of which, according to 

 some, cattle are rather unfond ; but, according to others, its 



