Cultivation of Arable Land. Rib Grafs or Plantain Varieties of. 53 1 



much feed, it is faid to feldom wear out of the lands on which it is eftablifhcd. 

 This plant is often difHnguifhed by the titles of Noncfuch, Yellow Clover , &c. 



As it is always of much importance to the farmer to have the land he lays down 

 for pafture to produce an ample crop the firft year ; and as there are fome grafTes 

 or plants which require two or three years to eftablifii themfelves, and acquire their 

 perfect growth, while others arrive at their extreme growth and expanfion the firll 

 year after they are fown j fome of the latter fort fhould be chofen, among which 

 trefoil will be found highly valuable. This proves the advantage of mixing it with 

 other fown graffes. Some think the quantity of four pounds of trefoil feed to the 

 acre is too fmall ; and intend in future either to double it or add as much red clover 

 feed, which may be more proper. In this quantity, it is fuppofed, they will not 

 injure the other grafs feeds fown at the fame time, but furnim a copious vegetation 

 until the others come to perfection, at which period both the trefoil and red clover 

 have a natural tendency to difappear or wear out.* The feed may be readily pro. 

 cured, and without much expence. It has likewife been found to anfwer on the 

 (lone-bram foils by Mr. Davies.f On chalky, and all the drier forts of foil it is 

 recommended as proper and beneficial. J 



Bird s-foot Trefoil. This has been found ufeful for cultivation in meadows which 

 are inclined to moifture, as growing to a great height, and affording good hay, 

 It is cultivated in Hercfordfirire as pafturage for fheep.j] 



Rib Grafs or Rib-wort Plantain. This is a plant much relimed by neat cattle 

 and horfes j and on grounds that are rather foft and porous, as fands and loams, it 

 good heart, and which have a tendency to moifture, it affords a large produce of 

 herbage ; but on thofe that are very dry and binding, its produce is but fcanty.^ 

 But on thefe it is afTerted to anfwer for meep-pafture, though inferior to others.** 

 It has been long eftabliihed in fome diftricts, where it is in much efteem for fheep- 

 feed, but from its fueculent nature improper for hay.|f 



According to a late writer, it feems a good plant for thickening the bottom of 

 the grafs. Cattle are faid to have a diflike to it, by fome ; but certainly the flo wer- 

 ing-ftems are here eagerly eaten by all forts of flock. It is early in flower, and 

 flourimes particularly in mofs lands that have been drained in a perfect manner.^ 

 It affords feed in great plenty. The Grafs-leaved Plantain \\ \\ is alfo a plant ca 

 pable of being employed with advantage in the laying down lands to pafture, 

 It is faid to fucceed on barren foils and clays. It has the property of refitting the 



* Campbell in Communications to the Board, &c. t Ibid. J Boys in Ibid. 



{) Withering s Botanical Arrangement. Plantago lanceolata. 1f Anderfon s Efiays, vol. II. 

 ** Ibid, ft Marflwll s Rural Economy of Yorkfhirc. JJ Ibid. U|| Plantago tenuifolia. 



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