26 



HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



has a very small seed ; it is one half the length only of 

 that of the perennial rye-grass, the furrow is broader on 

 the flattened side, and the convex side is rounder : its 

 diminutive size and greater plumpness readily distin- 

 guish it. The seed of the Lolium complanatum is 

 distinguished by its deep longitudinal furrow, and by 

 being much shorter, and less of an oblong figure than 

 the perennial rye-grass. The Lolium arvense produces 

 seed nearly as large and plump as that of the Winslow- 

 wheat; and that of the variety of this species called 

 Lolium arveme-majus, is even larger. It is less deeply 

 furrowed than that of the Lolium ptrenne, less convex, 

 and not tapering at the ends, but rounded. These 

 being all strictly annual, or but one year-lived grasses, 

 it is of the highest consequence to be able to prevent 

 their introduction on the farm, particularly when the 

 valuable grass seeds happen to be contaminated with 

 them. 



The varieties of the perennial rye-grass, Lolium 

 perenne, are numerous. When a plant is found to 

 differ from its parent stock, or species, it is called a 

 variety ; and should this distinction continue perma- 

 nent after the variety has been raised from seed on its 

 own natural soil, and also on soils of a different nature, 

 it is then termed a permanent variety ; but when the 

 plant retains not its distinction after being reproduced 

 from seed, it is called an accidental variety. This dis- 

 tinction is of importance as regards cultivated plants, 

 intended for permanent occupation of the soil, or even 

 for a limited period. 



The seeds of the varieties of perennial rye-grass 

 differ from each other but little, chiefly in size and 

 plumpness. Those varieties which produce most 

 foliage, and are later in emitting culms, have leaner 

 seed than those varieties which have less foliage and 

 numerous early culms. In proportion to the rounded 

 form and plump heavy quality of the seeds of the 

 varieties of Lolium perenne, so in like proportion I have 

 always found a scarcity and poverty of foliage, or 

 herbage, particularly after mid-summer, and an excess 

 of early culms and seed. Experience in the cultivation 



