230 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURN ENSIS. 



The cock's-foot grass, under the circumstances described, is 

 therefore superior to the larger variety of the creeping-bent, in 

 the proportion, nearly, of 11 to 9. 



The meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is also superior to florin, 

 in nearly the like proportion as cock's foot. 



The meadow fox-tail-grass (Alopecurus pratensis) is inferior to 

 florin, in the proportion, nearly, of 6 to 7. 



Though the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by a grass in 

 one whole season is the chief property by which its comparative 

 value can be determined, yet the particular season or seasons in 

 which it is produced, the nature of the soil on which it can be cul- 

 tivated to most advantage, and the superior facilities its peculiar 

 habits of growth afford for its propagation, as also for reaping its 

 produce, are points which must necessarily be taken into the ac- 

 count by the agriculturist, according as they are influenced by 

 local circumstances ; such as the nature of the soil, and situation 

 of his farm. 



When cultivated separately for the purpose of green food or 

 hay,* florin requires to be kept perfectly clear of weeds, its 

 couchant habit of growth affording great encouragement for the 

 health of upright-growing plants under this circumstance, weeds. 

 The numerous fibrous roots that issue from the joints of the trailing 

 shoots or stolones exhaust the surface of the soil in a considerable 

 degree ; top dressings with manure are, therefore, absolutely ne- 

 cessary to keep up the superior productive powers of florin. 

 Without these points being sufficiently attended to in the cultiva- 

 tion of this grass, disappointment will be the result. 



The merits of this variety of the creeping-bent for the purposes 

 of permanent pasture, have already been mentioned, and that its 

 productive powers, when in combination with other grasses, are 

 much less than are shewn in the above details ; from which it will 

 appear to be a necessary constituent of a mixture of grasses, to 

 form, in all particulars, the most valuable permanent pasture, 

 though in a less proportion than most other species admitted to 

 form such a mixture. 



It perfects a sufficiency of seed, which readily vegetates ; and the 

 plants, when properly encouraged by top-dressings, I have found 



* The mode of converting florin into hay, during the winter months, is amply 

 detailed in Dr. Richardson's publications on florin. Full information will there 

 be likewise found on the productive powers, uses, modes of cultivation, 8te. &c. ; of 

 this grass, deduced from the Doctor's own experiments. 



