284 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



from the perennial meadow fox-tail (Alopecurus pratensis) by 

 the total want of woolly hairs on the sipke, so conspicuous in 

 that of the A. pratensis. The husks of the calyx are united 

 at the bottom and half-way up, which is a strong character of 

 distinction. The culms are ascending at the base, afterwards 

 erect. Spike-like panicle, round, acute-pointed, from two to 

 four inches long, according to the nature of the soil ; of a 

 lead colour. Curt. Lond. ; E. Bot. 848 ; Host. 3, p. 9, t. 12; 

 Wither. Arr. 



German, Acker- Fuchsschwanz. 



Native of Britain. Root annual, fibrous. 



Experiments. At the time of flowering, the produce from a 

 sandy loam is 



Produce per Acre, 

 dr. qr. Ibs. 



Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 31 7 3154 14 Q 

 The produce of the space, ditto 74 1 3 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5002 9 8 



64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137 003 5 4 

 The produce of the space, ditto 513 



The above details shew this grass to be one of the most inferior 

 species. The herbage it produces is comparatively of no value 

 whatever. It appears to be left untouched by every description 

 of cattle. The seed is produced in considerable abundance, and is 

 eaten by the smaller birds as well as by pheasants and partridges. 

 The Rev. G. Swayne observes, that it is a very troublesome weed 

 in many places among wheat, and execrated by Farmers under the 

 name of black bent. I have always found it prevalent in poor soils, 

 particularly such as had been exhausted by avaricious cropping. 

 It is most difficult to extirpate it when once in possession of the 

 soil, for it sends forth flowering culms during the whole summer 

 and autumn, till frost arrests it ; so that it can bear to be repeatedly 

 cut down in one season, without suffering essentially by the pro- 

 cess. Indeed it will be found a vain and unprofitable labour to 

 attempt the removal of this grass by any other means than the 

 opposite of that which gave it possession of the soil ; which 

 is judicious cropping. 



To return land, in this state, to grass, in the hope of overcoming 

 this unprofitable plant, will be found of little avail : I have wit- 



