HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



SECTION I. 



Of the Mode in which the Experiments were conducted; of the Nutri- 

 tive Matter of Grasses ; Botanical Terms used in describing the 

 Structure of the Plants ; of the Seeds of Grasses ; General Ar- 

 rangement of the different Genera and Species of Grasses ; of the 

 Soils employed in the Experiments, and of those best adapted for 

 the growth of the superior Pasture Grasses ; of the Means of 

 improving inferior Soils for the growth of the most valuable 

 Grasses. 



AN extensive collection of the seeds and plants of the natural 

 grasses having been formed in the garden at Woburn Abbey, 

 preparations were made for their culture in such a manner as to 

 obtain a clear and satisfactory knowledge, founded on facts, of the 

 various properties, habits, and comparative value of each distinct 

 species and variety. Spaces of ground, each containing four 

 square feet, were enclosed by boards in such a manner, that there 

 was no lateral communication between the earth enclosed by the 

 boards and that of the garden ; the soil was removed in these 

 enclosures, and new soils supplied, or mixtures of soils were made 

 in them, to furnish, as far as possible, to the different grasses, 

 those soils which seem most favourable to their growth ; a few 

 varieties being adopted, for the purpose of ascertaining the effects 

 of different soils on the same plant. The nature of these soils was 

 accurately ascertained by analysis : the process employed was 

 that recommended by Sir H. Davy^. Upwards of two hundred 

 species and varieties of grass were planted or sown at the proper 

 seasons ; the different species were cut at certain stages of 

 growth, and the weight of produce carefully ascertained ; the par- 



* An account of the results of a part of these experiments is already before the 

 public, through the kindness of Sir Humphry Davy. See " Agricultural Che- 

 mistry." 



