362 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



The superior value of the grass of the latter-math, compared to 

 that at the time the seed is ripe, is manifested by the different 

 appearance of the grass at these stages of growth. When the 

 seed is ripe the culms are withered and dry ; the latter-math con- 

 sists of fine green succulent foliage. 



The produce from a tenacious clay is 



Produce per Acre, 

 dr. qr. Ibs. 



Grass, 70 oz. The produce per acre 47643 12 



64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 3722 2 



A tenacious clay is, therefore, best fitted for the production of 

 this grass ; as, notwithstanding the plentiful supply of manure, 

 the produce from the loam which had the advantages of it scarcely 

 exceeds that from the clay. I know of no grass of this class 

 adapted for clays that holds out such fair promises to repay the 

 Farmer. " The garden, farm, and cottage system, for bettering 

 the moral condition of the labouring classes of society," which 

 has been planned, and is now carrying into execution, by that 

 eminent and benevolent individual, William Allen, Esq., would 

 derive benefit by adopting the culture of this and several other 

 highly productive grasses, in such moist spots of the soil as are 

 peculiarly fitted for the growth of these species, and less fitted for 

 the growth of proper pasture grasses. It is one of the earliest 

 grasses, with regard to the production of foliage early in the 

 spring. It is nutritive, and very productive. It is true, the pro- 

 duce may be denominated coarse when compared to the Festuca 

 pratensis, Alopecurus pratensis, and other of the superior grasses ; 

 but where is a grass to be found that produces a great weight of 

 crop that is not in some degree coarse? This objection, how- 

 ever, as before observed, may be overcome by reducing the hay to 

 chaff and mixing it with clover-hay. The nutritive matter con- 

 tains but little bitter extractive or saline matter, whereas the 

 clover contains an excess. It does not perfect much good seed, 

 and can only therefore be propagated by parting and planting the 

 roots. 



The next following is a grass which I believe to be a variety of 

 Festuca elatior, It ripens an abundance of seed, and appears in 

 most respects equal to that variety in agricultural merits. 



The present variety flowers in the second week of July ; the 

 seed is universally, according to all my observations, affected with 

 the disease termed clavus, and consequently unfertile. 



