226 CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



summer's mowing:, and carefully note all the bald spots, where, by the lodging 

 of grain or from any other cause, the grass roots have either not taken or been 

 destroyed. On all such spots grass-seeds should be applied at as early a period 

 in the spring as possible. Failures of this sort generally are found where the 

 soil is strongest, and if grass-seed is not resown, there will be an abundant 

 supply of weeds to annoy the careless farmer. Farmer's Cabinet, vol. iii. 

 p. 153. 



New and excellent varieties of many of the grasses, espe- 

 cially those used or fit to be used in the convertible husbandry, 

 might, no doubt, be obtained by selection and cross-breeding, 

 and it is much to be wished that this were attempted by culti- 

 vators. 



1. Sweet Scented Vernal Grass. 



This is one of the earliest grasses of the spring, coming into 

 flower about the middle of April, and ripening its seeds by the 

 middle of June. It contributes mainly to give that delightful 

 fragrance to new mown hay, so familiar to us. It grows on 

 almost every soil. It is not of itself remarkable for its nutri- 

 tive qualities, nor is it grateful to cattle; although eaten by 

 them along with other herbage. Its value is chiefly derived 

 from its early growth, its hardiness, and its continuing very 

 late in autumn to show forth its flowering stems. We enter- 

 tain the opinion expressed by a writer in the American Farmer, 

 that it can scarcely form the subject, in any case, of useful cul- 

 tivation. Introduced from Europe and extensively naturalized, 

 being the only species of the genus which has found its way to 

 the United States.* 



2. Meadow Foxtail. 



This is a very generally diffused species, of early growth; 

 hardy, herbage nutritive, and apparently grateful to ruminating 

 animals; sheep and horses have a greater relish for it however 

 than oxen. It is perennial, and in England constitutes a con- 

 siderable part of their richest meadows, and is one of the six 

 kinds of the best British grasses for either dry or watered mea- 

 dows. When the soil is neither very moist nor very dry, but 

 in good heart, this grass is found to be very productive, con- 

 tinuing till late in autumn to throw forth its flowering stems. 

 LINN^US recommends it as a suitable grass for grounds which 

 have been drained; and Mr. CURTIS states, that it may be 

 mowed three times in a year. 



* Flora Cestrica, by Dr. W. DARLINGTON, page 64. 



