RYJ&-&SASS AND TIMOTHY. 187 



in the other that it was somewhat smaller, than where ten 

 quarts was sowed alongside. The probability is, that in an 

 average of ten years it will prove the larger crop on the 

 thickest sown, in both fields. 



The commonest grass-seed sowed in England, what may 

 be called the staple grass, is rye-grass, or ray-grass (perennial). 

 It is a .much smaller, closer-growing grass than our timothy ; 

 I think it has a sweeter taste, is probably, bulk for bulk, con 

 siderably more nutritious, and perhaps so pound for pound ; 

 but I think more fat and muscle can be made from an acre if 

 sowed with timothy, than with rye-grass. A valuable quality 

 of rye-grass is its early spring growth. A field of rye-grass 

 will be up some inches, offering a tempting bite to cattle, be 

 fore a field of other grasses will begin to show a green surface. 

 I believe that it ripens earlier, too, than timothy, and is better 

 for mowing-ground on that account, to be sown with clover, 

 which is much injured by over-ripeness, if not cut till timothy 

 is in its best state to make hay. I have seen no timothy in 

 England, but I know it is sometimes sowed. 



Rye-grass has stood at the head of the mowing grasses in 

 some parts of England for centuries. In districts of light and 

 dry soil, it is least in favour than elsewhere, but I judge be 

 comes of more value with the improvement of husbandry 

 generally. Marshall (1796), writing from Gloucestershire, 

 speaks of the general strong prejudice of the farmers against 

 ray-grass, which he calls his favourite grass, &quot; smothering every 

 thing and impoverishing the soil, until it will grow nothing!&quot; 

 they say ; and arguing against them, he makes an observation 

 of value with reference to the question of quantity of seed. 

 &quot; If real ray -grass has ever been tried alone, and without suc 

 cess, it has probably risen from too great a quantity having 

 been sown. Be it ray-grass or rubbish, I understand seldom 

 less than a sackful &quot; (three heaped bushels) &quot; an acre is thrown 



