THE GRASSES, MEADOWS, ETC. 



103 



an indigenous swamp grass, yielding a large amount of grass 

 or hay of inferior quality. 



BIENNIAL RYE GRASS, or frequently called, RAY GRASS 

 (Lolium perenneoi bienne, Fig. 18) and ITAL- 

 IAN RYE GRASS are highly esteemed grasses in 

 Europe. They have been more or less cultiva- 

 ted in this country for many years. They were 

 not successful on their first introduction here, 

 owing to our severe frosts. Recent experi- 

 ments, however, have shown them to be suffi- 

 ciently hardy for the middle States ; and they 

 are now extensively cultivated in the neighbor- 

 hood of New York, wh^^ they are highly es- 

 teemed both for hay ano^asturage. On good 

 soils, they yield large returns of valuable for- 

 age. It is better to sow early in the spring, 

 FIG. is. either by itself or with barley. With oats or 

 wheat, it does not succeed so well. When put in with Tim- 

 othy and orchard grass, the latter has usurped the place of 

 both the others in a few years. Heavy clay lands are liable 

 to throw out the roots by frost, and thus winter-kill. 



FIORIN GRASS (Agrostis stolonifera, Fig. 19) has 

 been much lauded in England of late, but it has made 

 little progress in the estimation of 

 American farmers, and probably 

 with sufficient reason. It is a di- 

 minutive grass, affording conside- 

 rable nutriment in a condensed 

 form, and is adapted to a winter 

 pasture. It grows on a moist clay 

 or boggy soil. It is probably on 

 such, and in moist climates only, 

 that it attains its full size, charac- 

 ter and value. Many results have 

 been attained with it in England 

 and Ireland, which would seem to 

 commend it, as a valuable forage 

 plant, in its appropriate soil and 

 climate. Several of the florin family abound in this coun- 

 try, among which is the squitch, couch, or quick grass, 

 which are considered as pests in the cultivated fields. 



FIG. 19. 



