49 



it has, moreover, the advantage of giving same a less barren, more 

 homely aspect. 



Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dogstail). One of the most 

 useful under-grasses for permanent pasture, not so much on 

 account of a great productivity, but especially for its exceptionally 

 great nutritive value. It is a tuft-forming grass growing 20 to 25 

 inches high with rather narrow blades; it prefers a heavy moist 

 soil, and though the cattle only eat the stems when young and 

 leave the fullgrown-ones which tend to go wiry untouched, they 

 graze off the blades with eagerness. 



It is one of the later varieties, and if it has its right weather, 

 it may been seen profusely in all the better meadows of Holland 

 and other European countries, which meadows derive their greater 

 value in the first place from the multituduous presence of its 

 plants. It does not like the lighter soils so well, but is even seen 

 there in abundance in wet seasons with heavy rainfalls and alter- 

 nate sunshine. It should therefore be used without fail in every 

 mixture for permanent pasture on heavy and middling, but not 

 too light or dry a soil, as it materially improves the crops, both 

 for haymaking and grazing purposes. 



But not only for pastures is it a useful grass, it is likewise the 

 most splendid plant for fine lawns and pleasure-grounds^ so much 

 so even, that wherever a seedsman can get his customers to pay 

 for it the price which the article usually commands, there would 

 be nothing against its being used either entirely or in majority in 

 a mixture for that purpose. Its deep-green, very narrow blades 

 and its dwarf growth render it the most appropriate grass for 

 lawns. 



American authorities while endorsing these views of C y n o- 

 surus cristatus go further in recommanding it for hilly 

 situations as its roots penetrate deeply and the plant, therefore, 

 stands severe droughts very well. Another great advantage in 

 American practice is the colour which is the same as that of 

 Poa pratensis, the latter grass being used in America where 

 the British would use Lolium perenne and in similar impor- 

 tant proportion as the admixture to Cynosurus cristatus, 

 which latter is rarely, if ever, used entirely alone there, but mostly 

 in mixtures with other grasses for lawns and permanent pastures. 



Dactylis glomerata (Rough Cocksfoot or Orchard-grass). A 



4 



