504 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 







and the same grass, any difference in their appearance being produced by- 

 varieties of soils. Although it is claimed that the Agrostis, or Bent grasses 

 thrive best in moist soils, yet it has been sufficiently proved that Agrostis 

 vulgaris (the true Red Top) may be sown to advantage on a variety of 

 soils. 



It answers well to sow Red Top separately on moist lands where old 

 grass has run out, or become mossy. On such places it would fill the soil 

 with its numerous roots and make it more passable. Also on moist, un- 

 drained soils, liable to occasional overflow, if cut early, it has a thick 

 bottom, and makes a heavy crop of second-hand hay. 



PERENNIAL RYE GRASS. (Lolium perrenne). 



Perennial Rye Grass contains upwards of sixty varieties, some of which 

 are annual. 



It is found to flourish on most kinds of soil, and grows under circum- 

 stances of different management on many upland situations, though sound 

 and somewhat moist midlands are the most appropriate. It soon arrives 

 at perfection and produces in its first year of growth a good supply of 

 early herbage which is much liked by cattle. It produces an abundance 

 of seed which is easily collected. Perhaps there is no other grass so 

 widely known, and in years past, so extensively cultivated as Rye grass 

 has been, throughout Britain. At present it is supplanted to a great ex- 

 tent by the cultivation of Timothy, which seems as in this country to have 

 become an universal favourite. Like Timothy, the Rye grass is an impov- 

 erisher of the soil, and requires annual top dressing, else in a few years 

 the land becomes exhausted and the grass dies out. The analysis of this 

 grass will favourably compare with the best of cultivated grasses, and 

 should be a strong recommendation in favour of its cultivation on a more 

 extended scale than has yet been given it in America. It is superior to- 

 Timothy, as a mixture for permanent meadow or pasturage. 



ITALIAN RYE GRASS. (Lolium italicum.) 



The marked distinction between Italian Rye Grass and the perennial 

 rye grass and its varieties is fhat Italian Rye Grass has an awn or beard 

 adhering to the seed while the varieties of the perennial are beardless. 



Compared with any of the varieties of common rye grass, the Italian Rye 

 Grass affords a stronger braird, arrives at maturity sooner, has a greater 

 abundance of foliage, which is broader and of a lighter or more lively 

 green colour, grows considerably taller, is more upright or less inclined to 



