1847.] The Grasses. 41 



meadows or pasturage this grass may prove valuable in many sec- 

 tions of this country, but it is unsuited to a system of alternate 

 husbandry, as under the best management it does not attain full 

 perfection so as to afford its maximum yield of hay or pasturage 

 under four years from the seed. It abounds iu most English 

 meadows and pastures. It succeeds best in a moist clayey loam, 

 and in such situations is said by Loudon to afford more bulk of 

 hay and pasture than any other grass. It flowers twice in a sea- 

 son, and hence yields two crops during the year, the last crop af- 

 fording the greatest yield. Sheep are very fond of it, and mixed 

 with white clover an acre is said to afford abundant pasturage for 

 ten ewes with their lambs. We believe this grass has never re- 

 ceived a fair trial in this country, but it might prove a valuable 

 addition to our dairy and sheep growing districts. Seven other 

 species are enumerated as growing in Great Britain, all of which 

 are valued for hay and pasturage excepting one, the Alopecurus 

 agrestis. We think the fox tail grass would grow well in the 

 southern states, because it is a native of the warm climate of Italy, 

 in Europe. Should it receive trial at the south, particular atten- 

 tion should be given to have it on the most suitable soil, which 

 has already been named. 



There is another species of fox tail grass, (Alopecurus genicu- 

 latus,) which is a native of this country, being quite common in 

 many portions of both the northern and southern states. Elliott 

 says it is common in the rice fields of South Carolina and Georgia. 

 We have occasionally found it growing on the bottoms or low 

 lands of the Alabama river. It is peculiar to a low moist soil, 

 rarely if ever being found in dry situations. It is also a native of 

 England, and with the other species of the genus, excepting the 

 agrestis, is valued ibr both hay and pasturage. (Loudon.) It is 

 rerennial, and hence may prove worthy of cultivation in the south- 

 ern states. It grows from twelve to eighteen inches high, is bent 

 at the joints, and has a head resembling timothy, but smaller, by 

 which it can easily be recognized. There is an excellent figure 

 of it in the second volume oi Elliot fs Botany of South Carolina 

 and Georgia. In western New York it ripened the past summer 

 about the middle of June, yet our season was nearly two weeks 

 earlier than usual. In the northern states, horses, cattle and sheep, 

 do not eat this grass with as good relish as many others; hence it 

 is unworthy the attention of the northern farmer, nor can we con- 

 fidently recommend it to the southern planter. It may be that a 

 southern climate and soil render it more palateable. Both this 

 and the preceding species are said to afford the most nutriment 

 when nearly ripe. 



Dadylis Glomerata, [orchard grass,) Cocksfort Grass of the 

 English (fig. 3, p. 1). This grass is a native of Europe, and has 



