

FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 129 



FLATSTALKED MEADOWGRASS (Poa Comfirensa) flou- 

 rishes in dry soils, and flowers from Juns to AugUbt, Dr. 

 dndrrson esteems this as the most valuable of all the 

 Poas It forms a fine turf, and imparts a delicate flavor 

 to the flesh of Sheep and Deer, which animals are very 

 fond of it. 



SILVER HAIRGRASS (Aira Caryofihyllea) is most suita- 

 ble for sandy lands, and is recommended by Mr Stillingjieet 

 for Sheep- walks, on account of the fineness of the muiton 

 of those Sheep which are fed on it. It flowers in July. Mr. 

 Stillingjieet applies the same remark to the waved mountain 

 hairgruss (aira Jlexuosa} which grows in heaths and barren 

 pastures, and is in flower from June to August. 



B EN r GRASS (Agrostis Stolonife ra ) This grass, which 

 is commonly called the JFiorin^ is a native of this Country, 

 as well as of others. It grows abundantly in that part of 

 Ireland which is contiguous to the Giant's Causeway ; and 

 also round Logh Neagh. 



Mr. Green says it grows in great profusion in the island 

 below the city of Albany. By chemical experiments, it is 

 found more nourishing than any grass known. 



In the Orcheston meadow, in England, it has yielded 

 nine tons to the acre, in a season. Its bulk, when growing, 

 does not seem greater than that of some other grasses ; but 

 it is uncommonly heavy. 



Sheep and Neat-cattle are very fond of it. When given 

 to the Cows, it increases the quantity, and improves the 

 quality, of their milk. It grows as well in the shade as 

 elsewhere, and may be grown either from the seeds, or 

 from the strings or runers of the grass; and from these 

 latter it is most readily cultivated, as they will take root, 

 at each joint, with a slight covering, after they appear to be 

 perfectly lifeless. 



The method commonly practised, in Ireland, for rearing 

 it) is to cut the strings in short pieces, strew them evenly 

 over the ground, and cover them with suitable earth, or 

 with compost, as the nature of the ground may require : 

 After which they are to be kept clear of weeds, until such 

 time as the young growth has got a sufficient hold of the 

 soil; when it will cover the ground thickly, to the exclusion 

 of every other grass or weed. 



Mr. Peters, of Pennsylvania, is successfully cultivating 

 this grass, and from his communications we derive most 

 of our information respecting it. By his trials of it, the 

 dry uplands of this Country are not well calculated for its 

 growth. 



It delights in a moist or wet soil; thrives well even on 

 wet boggy lands, and covers them with so tough a sward, 

 that teams may readily go on them. It is also well suited 



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