Book VI. WOBURN GRASSES. 899 



/Via pratensis, it will be found less ; nor does it seem to possess any superior excellence. The superior 

 nutritive power does not make up for the deficiency of produce by SO lbs. of nutritive matter per acre. 



5733. Festuca hordetfornus H. Cant. — This is rather an early grass, though later than any of the pre- 

 ceding species : its foliage is very fine, resembling the P. duriuscula, to which it seems nearly allied, differ- 

 ing only in the length of the awns, and the glaucous colour of the whole plant. The considerable produce 

 it affords, and the nutritive powers it appears to possess, joined to its early growth, are qualities which 

 strongly recommend it to further trial 



5734. Festuca glaiica Curtis. — The proportional value by which the grass at the time of flowering 

 exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 12. The proportional difference in the value of the 

 flowering and seed crops of this grass is directly the reverse of that of the preceding species, and affords 

 another strong proof of the value of the straws in grass which is intended for hay. The straws at the 

 time of flowering are of a very succulent nature ; but, from that period till the seed be perfected, they 

 gradually become dry and wiry. Nor do the root-leaves sensibly increase in number or in size, but a total 

 suspension of increase appears in every part of the plant, the roots and seed-vessels excepted. The straws 

 of the Poa trivialis are, on the contrary, at the time of flowering, weak and tender; but as they advance 

 towards the period of ripening the seed, they become firm and succulent ; after that period, however, they 

 rapidly drv up, and appear little better than a mere dead substance, 



5735. Festuca glabra Wither. B. — The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe 

 bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering is as 5 to 8. The proportional value which the grass of 

 the lattermath bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering, is as 2 to 8 ; and to that of the crop, at 

 the lime the seed is ripe, is as 2 to 5. The general appearance of this grass is very similar to that of the 

 Festuca duriuscula : it is, however, specifically different, and inferior in many respects, which will be 

 manifest on comparing their several produce with each other ; but if it be compared with some others, 

 now under general cultivation, the re.-ult is much in its favour, the soil which it affects being duly 

 attended to. 



5736. Festuca rubra Wither. B. — 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 8. This species is smaller in every respect than the preceding. 

 The leaves are seldom more than from three to four inches in length ; it affects a soil simitar to that 

 favourable to the growth of the Festuca ovlna, for which it would be a profitable substitute, as it will 

 clearly aopear on a comparison of their produce with each other. The proportional value which the grass 

 of the lattermath bears to that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 8, and is of equal value with the grass 

 at the time of flowering. 



5737. Festuca ovum E. B. — The dry weight of this species was not ascertained, because the smallness 

 of the produce renders it entirely unfit for hay. 



5738 Festuca c/imbrica Hud. — This species is nearly allied to the Festuca ovlna, from which it differs 

 little, except that it is larger in every respect The produce, and the nutritive matter which it affords, 

 will bp lound superior to those given by the F. ovina, if they are brought into comparison. 



5739. Brbmus diundms Curt. Loud. (B. madritensis E. of P. 1140.; — This species, like the Festuca 

 cdmbrica, is strictly annual ; the above is therefore the produce for one year ; which, if compared with 

 that of the least productive of the perennial grasses, wiU be found inferior, and it must consequently be 

 regarded as unworthv of culture. 



5740. Port angustifolia With. 2.— In the early growth of the leaves of this species of Poa, there is a 

 striking proof that earlv flowering in grasses is not always connected with the most abundant early pro- 

 duce of leaves. In this respect, all the species which have already come under examination are greatly 

 inferior to that now spoken of. The culms are most valuable for the manufacture of the finest straw 



P 5741. Arena elatior Cult (Hb/rns avenaceus E. of P. 14227.} —This grass sends forth flower-straws 

 during the whole season ; and the lattermath contains nearly an equal number with the flowering crop. 

 It is subject to the rust, but the disease does not make its appearance till after the period of flowering; it 

 affects the whole plant, and at the time the seed is ripe the leaves and straws are withered and dry. This 

 accounts for the superior value of the lattermath over the seed crop, and points out the propriety of taking 

 the crop when the grass is in flower. 



S742 Port elatior Curt. — The botanical characters of this grass are almost the same as those of the 

 /(vena elatior, differing in the want of the awns only. It has the essential character of the Hold (.florets, 

 male and hermaphrodite; calyx husks two-valved, with two florets) ; and since the /Ivena elatior is now 

 referred to that genus, this may with certainty be considered a variety of it 



.">T4; Festuca durivscula E. B. — The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as ti to 14 nearly. The proportional value which the grass of the 

 lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 5 to 14 ; and to that at the time the seed is ripe as 

 5 to 6 The above particulars will confirm the favourable opinion which was given of this grass when 

 speaking of the F. Aordeifurmis, and F.glabra. 5733. and 5735. ) Its produce in the spring is not very great, 

 but of the finest quality, and at the time of flowering is considerable. If it be compared with those affect- 

 ing similar soils, such as Pt>.\ pratensis, Festuca ovlna, &c. either considered as a grass for hay or pernia- 

 116*111 pasture, it will be found of greater value. «...,„ , 



5744 TAUium ejflistan. — Thxs species in its natural state seems confined to woods as its place of growth j 

 but the trial that is here mentioned confirms the opinion that it will grow and thrive m open exposed 

 situations. It is remarkable for the lightness of the produce in proportion to its bulk. It produces foliage 

 earlv in the spring in considerable abundance; but its nutritive powers appear comparatively little. 



5745. Via maritima E. B. — The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at 

 the time of flowering, is as 4 to 18. " . . 



5746. Avhia pratensis E. B. — The proportional value which the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, bears 

 to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 9. 



5747 Brbmus mulliflbrus E. B This species is annual, and no valuable properties have as yet been 



discovered in the seed. It is onlv noticed on account of its being frequently found in poor grass lands, 

 and sometimes in meadows. It appears, from the above particulars, to possess nutritive powers equal to 

 some of the best perennial kinds, if taken when in flower ; but if left till the seed be ripe ovhich, from its 

 early growth, is frequently the case), the crop is comparatively of no value, the leaves and straws being 



then completely drv. , , . , , . ... .• , a 



5748 Festuca \oliacea Curt. Lond. — The proportional value which the grass, at the time of flowering 

 bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 13 ; and the value of the lattermath stands in propor- 



tne reverse of the i.Mium pereiine. 



574« Pu« crislata Host, G. A. —The produce of this species, and the nutritive matter that it arforc s, 

 are equal to those of the Festuca ovlna, at the time the seed is ripe : they equally delight in dry soils. 1 he 

 greater bulk of grass, in proportion to the weight, with the comparative coarseness ot the foliage, renders 

 the Poa cristata inferior to the Festuca ovlna. 



5750. Festuca Mykrus E B. [Mt/galurus caudatus E. of P. 1118.) -This species is strictly annual ; it is 

 likewise subject to the rust ; and, the produce being but little, it ranks as a very inferior gra=s. 



5751. Festuca calamaria E. B. — The proportional value which the grass, at the time the seed is npe, 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 12 to IS. This gra*s, as has already been remarked, produces 



3 M 2 



