106 AGRICULTrRAL ESSAYS. 



Meadow grass, {Poa Praiensis,) will flourish well even iu 

 the driest soils, and will endure drought better perhaps than 

 any other grass. It makes fine hay and is fit for early cutting. 

 It is also good for early pasture. It yields plenty of seed ; but 

 this is difficult to sow on account of their filaments, causing 

 them to adhere to each other. To remedy this it is recom- 

 mended to put them in newly slacked lime, to separate them, 

 and then to be rubbed in dry sand. 



Vernal, or spring grass, [Anlhose Antiem Odoratum,) is 

 a very early grass for pasture, and grows in almost every sit- 

 uation, though not equally productive in each. It is an odor- 

 iferous grass, and is recommended by some to be sowed with 

 other grasses, in proportion of about one eighth for meadow. 

 It is not very productive. 



Meadow soft grass, [Holcus Lanates,) grows well on any 

 soil not too dry and barren. It is best calculated for sheep in 

 pastures. It is injurious to horses when made into hay, by pro- 

 ducing a profuse discharge of urine, and general weaknesi?, 

 which rnay, however, be readily removed by a change of food. 

 It is not a very early grass. 



Sheeps fescue, {Fcstuca Ocina,) grows well in dry s^^n-y 

 soils ; is very good for sheep, as they are fond of it, and soon 

 fattened with it. It is perennial, and flowers in June. 



Hard fescue, [Festuca Duricustula,) flourishes in almost 

 every situation, wet or dry, and blossoms in June. It grows 

 luxuriantly at first, often to the height of four feet ; but it soon 

 becomes thin and disappears after a while. It is best for mix- 

 ing with some other grasses. 



Annual meadow grass, {Poa Annua,) is in flower through- 

 out the summer. " Cattle of every kind are fond of it. It is re- 

 commended for milch cows, on account of its alTording butter 

 of a superior quality. 



Rough stalked meadow grass, [Poa Th'iviaJis,) resem- 

 bles tlie preceding in its appearance and its flowering, but is 

 best suited for moist or wet meadows. It is very productive, 

 and good for pa?ture or hay. It is hovvever said, that it is lia- 

 ble to be injured by severe cold, or excessive drougiit. 



Fowl >ieadow grass, {Poa Avaria, Spicnlis LuhbiJlonsA 

 was first said to be discovered in a meadow in Dedham, ana 

 was supposed to have been brought there by water fowls, says 

 Mr.Deane. It is an excellent grass for wet meadows, and has 

 been known to yield three tons to an acre in a season. It re- 

 mains so long green that it maybe mowed anytime from July 

 till Ov-^tobcr."^ It makes very good hay for horses, and. neat cat- 

 tle particularly. 



