Book VI. 



II AY GRASSES. 



891 



latter flowering grasses experimented upon, the flowering straws of which resemble those of the ^lopeourus 

 pratensis, or Anthoxanthum odoratum, the greater proportional value is always, on the contrary found in 

 the grass of the flowering crop. Whatever the cause may be, it is evident that the loss sustained bv 

 taking the crops of these grasses at the time of flowering is considerable. The proportional value which 

 the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 9 The proportional 

 value which the whole of the lattermath crop bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 5 to 9 • and 

 to that at the time of flowering, proportionably as 13 to2+. Next to the fescue, this grass is in the 

 greatest reputation for laying down mowing grounds ; but it is unfortunately subject to the rust in som» 

 situations. 



5675. Of the meadow grass there are two species in esteem as hay plants, the smooth-stalked, and roughish 

 These plants compose the greater part of the celebrated Orchestra meadows near Salisbury, and also of 

 the meadows near Edinburgh. 



5676. The great or smooth stalked meadow grass, the spear grass of America (Poa pratensis, e), is dis. 

 tinguished by its height, smooth stem, and creeping roots. According to Sole it is the best of all the 

 grasses : its foliage begins to shoot and put on a fine verdure early in the spring, but not so soon as some 

 other grasses. Every animal that eats grass is fond of it; while it makes the best hay, and affords the 

 richest pasture. It abounds in the best meadows about Laycock and Chippenham, and has the valuable 

 property of abiding in the same land, while most other grasses are continually changing. According to 

 some it delights in rather a dry than a moist soil and situation, on which account it keeps its verd'ure 

 better than most others in dry seasons ; but it thrives most luxuriantly in rich meadows. 



5677. By the If'oburn experiments, the proportional value in which the grass of the lattermath exceeds 

 that of the flowering crop, is as 6 to 7. The grass of the seed-crop, and that of the lattermath, are of 

 equal value. This grass is, therefore, of least value at the time the seed is ripe; a loss of more than one 

 fourth of the value of the whole crop is sustained if it is not cut till that period ; the straws are then drv 

 and the root-leaves in a sickly decaying state : those of the lattermath, on the contrary, are luxuriant 

 and healthy. This species sends forth flower-stalks but once in a season, and those being the most valu. 

 able part of the plant for the purpose of hay, it will, from this circumstance, and the superior value of the 

 grass of the lattermath, compared to that of the seed-crop, appear well adapted for permanent pasture. 

 It was of this grass that the American prize bonnet, in imitation of Leghorn, was manufactured by Miss 

 Woodhouse. 



5o78. Thf roughish meadow grass {Poa trivialis L., f) delights in moist, rich, and sheltered situations, 

 when it grows two feet high, and is very productive. By the Woburn experiments it appears that the 

 proportional value in which the grass of the seed crop exceeds that at the time of flowering, is as 8 to 11. 

 The proportional value by which the grass of the lattermath exceeds that of the flowering crop, is as 8 to 

 12 ; and that of the seed crop, as 11 to 12. Here, then, is a satisfactory proof of the superior value of the 

 crop at the time the seed is ripe, and of the consequent loss sustained by taking it when in flower ; the 

 produce of each crop being nearly equal. The deficiency of hay in the flowering crop, in proportion to 

 that of the seed crop, is very striking. Its superior produce, the highly nutritive powers which the grass 

 seems to possess, and the season in which it arrives at perfection, are merits which distinguish it as one of 

 the most valuable of those grasses which affect moist rich soils and sheltered situations : but on dry 

 exposed situations, it is altogether inconsiderable ; it yearly diminishes, and ultimately dies off, not unfre- 

 quently in the space of four or five years. 



5679. The above are six of the best British grasses, for either dry or watered meadows. 

 The seeds of the meadow fescue, fox-tail, and smooth and rough meadow grasses may 

 be had from the seedsmen, and they are sown in various proportions with the clovers and 

 rye-grass. The seeds of the two sorts of meadow grass are apt to stick together, and 

 require to be well mixed with the others before being sown. The tall and spiked fescue 

 grasses, having a number of barren flowers, are not prolific in seeds, and they are therefore 

 seldom to be got at the seed-shops j though they may occasionally be had there 

 gathered from plants in a wild state. 



5680. As hay grasses, adapted for particular soils and situations, the cat's tail or 

 Timothy, floating fescue, and florin grass, have been recommended ; but it cannot be 

 said that the opinions of cultivators are unanimous in their favour. Timothy has 

 certainly been found to answer well on moist, peaty soils, and in several cases florin also. 



5681. The cat's tail or Timothy grass (Phleumpratense L.,fig. 791. a) is a native plant, 



and found both in dry and moist soils. It was first brought into notice by Timothy 



Hudson, about 1780, who introduced it from Carolina, where it was in great repute. 



On moist rich soils it is a prolific grass, but late ; on dry soils it is good for little, and 



for cultivation in any way is disapproved of by Withering, Swaine, Curtis, and others, 



as having no properties in which it is not greatly surpassed by the v/lopecurus pratensis. 



5682. The Woburn experiments, however, present this grass as one of the most prolific for hay Sixty- 

 four drachms of the straws afforded seven drachms of nutritive matter lhe nutritive powers of trie 



