Book VI. WOBURN GRASSES. 831 



5174. Poa marilimti, E. B. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at 

 the time of flowering, is as 4 to 18. 



5175. Avena pratoisis, E. B. The proportional value which the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 9. 



517G. Bromus imUtifloruSfTS.. B. This species is annual, and no valuable properties have as yet been 

 discovered in the seed. It is only noticed on account of its being frequently found in poor grass lands, 

 and sometimes in meadows. It ap|)ears from the above particulars to possess nutritive powers equal to 

 some of the best perennial kinds, if taken when in flower; but if left till the seed be ripe (which, from its 

 early growth, is frequently the case), the crop is comparatively of no value, the leaves and straws being then 

 completely dry. 



5177. Festuca loliacca, Curt Lond. The proportional value which the grass at the l-ime of flowering 

 bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 13 ; and the value of the lattermath stands 

 in proportion to that of the crop at the time of flowering, as 5 to 12, and to that of the crop taken 

 at the time the seed is ripe, as 5 to 13. This species of festuca greatly resembles the rye-grass, in 

 habit and place of growth ; it has excellencies which make it greatly superior to that grass, for the pur- 

 poses of either hay or permanent pasture. This species seems to improve in produce in proportion to its age, 

 which is directly the reverse of the lolium perenne. 



5178. Poa cristata. Host. G. A. The produce of this species, and the nutritive matter that it affords, 

 are equal to those of the festuca ovina at the time the seed is ripe : they equally delight in dry soils. The 

 greater bulk of grass in proportion to the weight, with the comparative coarseness of the foliage, render the 

 poa cristata iuferior to the festuca ovina. 



5179. Festuca myurus, E. B. This species is strictly annual ; it is likewise subject to the rust ; and, the 

 produce being but little, it ranks as a very inferior grass. 



5180. Festuca calamaria, E. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 12 to 18. This grass, as has already been remarked, pro- 

 duces a fine early foliage in the spring. The produce is very great, and its nutritive powers are consider, 

 able. It appears, from the above particulars, to be best adapted for hay. A very singular disease attacks, 

 and sometimes nearly destroys the seed of this grass : the cause of this disease seems to be unknown ; it 

 is denominated clavus by some ; it appears by the seed swelling to three times its usual size in length and 

 thickness, and the want of thecarcle. Dr. Willdenow describes two distinct species of it : first the simple 

 clavus, which is mealy arni of a dark color, without any smell or taste ; secondly, the malignant clavus, 

 which is violet blue, or blackish, and internally too has a blueish color, a fetid smell, and a sharp pungent 

 taste. Bread, made from grain afi'ected with this last species, is of a blueish color ; and when eaten pro- 

 duces cramps and giddiness. 



5181. Sromus littoreus. Host. G. A. Tlie proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering 

 bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 14. This species greatly resembles the pre- 

 ceding in habit and manner of growth ; but is inferior to it in value, which is evident from the deficiency 

 of its produce, and of ifche nutritive matter afforded by it. The whole plant is likewise coarser, and of 

 greater bulk in proportion to its weight. The seed is aflPected with the same disease which destroys that 

 of the former species. 



5182. Festuca fluitans. Curt. Lond. The above produce was taken from grass that had occupied the 

 ground for four years, during which time it had increased every year ; it appears, therefore, contrary to 

 what some have supposed, to be capable of being cultivated in perennial pastures, 



5183. Poafertilis, Host. G. A. If the nutritive powers and produce of this species be compared with 

 any other of the same family, or such as resemble it in habit and the soil which it affects, a superiority 

 will be found, which ranks this as one of the most valuable grasses ; next to the poa angustifolia, it pro- 

 duces the greatest abundance of early foliage, of the best quality, which fully compensates for the com- 

 parative lateness of flowfiring. 



5184. Arundo colorata, Hort. Kew. Tlie strong nutritive powers which this grass possesses, recom- 

 mend it to the notice of occupiers of strong clayey lands which cannot be drained. Its produce is great, 

 and the foliage will not be denominated coarse, if compared with those which afford a produce equal 

 in quantity. 



5185. Hordeum pratensg, E. B. The specific characters of this species are much the same as those of 

 the poa fertilis, differing in the compressed figure of the straws and creeping root only. If the produce 

 was of magnitude, it would be one of the most valuable grasses j for it produces foliage early in the 

 spring, and possesses strong nutritive powers. 



5186. Avenajlavescens, Curt. Lond. The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is 

 ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 9 to 15. The proportional value which the grass 

 of the lattermath bears Ho that at the time of flowering, is as 5 to 15 ; and to that at the time the 

 seed is ripe, as 5 to 9. 



5187. Jiromus sterilis, E. B.^ Sixty-four dr. of the flowers afford of nutri five matter 2.2 dr. The nutri- 

 tive powers of the straws and leaves are, therefore, more than twice as great as those of the flowers. This 

 species, being strictly annual, is of comparatively little value. The above particulars show that it has 

 very considerable nutritive powers, more than its name would imply, if taken at the time of flowering j 

 but if left till the seed be ripe, it is, like all other annuals, comparatively of no value. 



I 5188. Holcus mollis. Sixty-four dr. of the roots afifbrd of nutritive" matter 5.2 dr The proportional 

 value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 14 to 

 18. The above details prove this grass to have merits, which, if compared with those of other 

 species, rank it with some of the best grasses. The small loss of weight which it sustains in drying might 

 be expected from the nature of the substance of the grass ; and the loss of weight at each period is equal. 

 The grass affords the greatest quantity of nutritive matter when in flower, which makes it rank as one of 

 those best adapted for hay. 



5189. Poafertilis, var.y3. Host. G. A. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering 

 bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 20. The proportional value which the grass 

 of the lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 6 to 12 ; and to that at the time the 

 seed is ripe, as 6 to 20. 



5190. Phleum nodosum. Wither. This grass is inferior in many respects to the phleum pratense. It 

 is sparingly found in meadows. From the number of bulbs which grow out of the straws a greater por- 

 tion of nutritive matter might have been expected. This seems to prove tiiat these bulbs do not form so 

 valuable a part of the plant as the joints, which are so conspicuous in the phleum pratense, the nutritive 

 powers of which exceed those of the P. nodosum, as 8 to 8. 



5191. Agrostis vulgaris. Wither. This is one of the most common of the bents, and likewise the earliest ; 

 in these respects it is superior to all others of the same family, but inferior to several of them in produce, 

 and the quantity of nutritive matter it affords. As the species of this family are generally rejected by the 

 cultivator on account of the lateness of their flowering j and this circumstance, as has already been ob- 

 served, does not always imply a proportional lateness of foliage, their comparative merits in this respect 

 may be better seen, by bringing them into one view, as to the value of their early foliage. 



The apparent Difference Their nulriiive The apparent Difference Their nutrifive 



of Time. Potrers. vf'Time. Potvers. 



Agrostis vulgaris - Middle of April - l.'-ij Agrostis nivea - Three weeks later - ii 



palustrig - One week later 5J.3 littoralis - Ditto ditto - 3 



stolonifera - Two ditto - - ."5.2 repens - - Ditto ditto - . .3 



canina - IMtto ditto - 1.3 mexicana - Ditto ditto . . - 2 



suictd - Ditto ditto - 1.2 t'ai,cicuiaris Ditto ditto X 



