SECTION IV. 



Of the Grasses which naturally grow in Moist Soils, or in Bogs, 

 Lands that are periodically overflozvn, and Irrigated Meadows. 



ALL the superior pasture grasses will thrive under irrigation, pro- 

 vided the water-meadow be properly constructed, that is, if the 

 water be placed perfectly under command, so as to be admitted on 

 the land, and carried off from it at pleasure. 



Bogs and lands that are periodically overflown, on which the 

 water stagnates from the want of drains, support few grasses of 

 any value to the Agriculturist. They are principally the following : 

 Marsh-bent (Agrostis palustris), awnless brown-bent (Agrostis 

 canina vel Trichodium caninum, var. muticd), awned creeping-bent 

 (Agrostis stolonifera aristata), smaller-leaved creeping-bent (Agros- 

 tis stolonifera angustifolia), creeping-rooted bent (Agrostis repens), 

 white bent (Agrostis alba), flote fescue (Glyceria fluitans), tall 

 fescue (Festuca elatior), turfy hair-grass (Aira caspitosa), knee- 

 jointed foxtail-grass (Alopecurus geniculatus), water hair-grass 

 (Aira aguatica), water meadow-grass (Poa aquatica), long-leaved 

 cotton-grass (Eriophorum polystachion), sheathed cotton-grass 

 (Eriophorum vaginatum). 



The above grasses, however, constitute but a small portion of 

 the produce of marshy ground. The following plants compose the 

 bulk of produce: Different species of rushes (Juncus), sedges 

 (Carex), rush-grasses (Sch&nus), club-rushes (Cyperus), cat's-tail 

 rushes (Typha), bur-weeds (Sparganium). Of all these plants, as 

 far as my observations have extended, two or three species of 

 Juncus only are eaten by cattle. Mr. Taunton indeed says, that 

 he has observed cattle crop some of the species of Carex. The 

 natural or proper grasses produced on these stagnant lands, are of 

 a very inferior value. The water meadow-grass seems the most 

 valuable, as will appear by the following details of experiments 

 made upon them. 



To the indigenous grasses natural to marshy and sour clayey 

 lands, mentioned in the following series of specimens, I have 

 added such foreign grasses as may be classed with them. 



