222 COMMON WEEDS 



somewhat compact, opening widely when in full flower 

 (June to July) ; the spikelets are much flattened and 

 two-flowered, the upper flower being male and the lower 

 bisexual. The colour of the panicles of Yorkshire Fog 

 is very variable, many shades of green, pink, and purple 

 being common, the whole blending so characteristically 

 in infested pastures as to give rise to the name " Fog," 

 such pastures being termed " Fogged " or " Foggy." 



Yorkshire Fog, like other hairy grasses, is generally 

 refused by stock. It should be discouraged and re- 

 duced in favour of better grasses, or its introduction 

 prevented. This may be carried out : (i) By consistent 

 manuring, as the pest is less plentiful in rich pastures ; 

 (2) by preventing seeding, by running the mower over 

 infested pastures with the knives set high to take off 

 only the weed, which is generally well above the pasture 

 grass in June ; and (3) by preventing the introduction 

 of the tl seeds " in grass mixtures for sowing, either for 

 leys or permanent pasture. On damp land Yorkshire 

 Fog is less hairy, and is readily eaten by cattle, which 

 thrive upon it. Some good pastures in Norfolk and in 

 Holland consist largely of this grass. 



Creeping Soft Grass (Holcus mollis L.) much re- 

 sembles the last species, but is much less common, 

 being usually found in hedges, thickets, and shady 

 places. It is sometimes met with in the open pastures 

 on poor sandy soils. In contrast with H. lanatus, 

 which has tufted fibrous roots, the Creeping Soft Grass 

 has an extensive creeping rootstock ; it is not so hairy, 

 except at the nodes of the stem. 



Quaking Grass (Briza media L.) is one of the best 

 known perennial grasses, and frequently gathered for 

 decorative purposes. Its loose spreading panicles of 

 spikelets, variegated with purple and green, appear to 

 be always moving or trembling hence the names 



