CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 339 



We think it an error to rank this plant among grasses. It is 

 said to be a native, but Dr. DARLINGTON speaks of it as a 

 foreigner, now extensively naturalized. It is an aromatic 

 bitter and astringent, and popular as a tonic, but is regarded 

 by our farmers as a weed. 



27. Blue Dog's Tail Grass. 



According to Mr. CURTIS, the blue dog's tail, Cynosurus 

 caeruleus, is the earliest of all the British grasses, flowering a 

 fortnight before the sweet scented vernal grass. It is not pro- 

 ductive, but endures the droughts of summer and autumn re- 

 markably well. It is found in Scotland on the highest lime- 

 stone rocks. We know not whether it is native in this 

 country. 



28. Cichory. 



Cichory, Cichorium intybus, sometimes called common 

 wild succory, is a perennial vegetable, and in the English 

 works is set down among the artificial grasses. It is indigenous 

 in Europe, and is becoming extensively naturalized in our 

 country. Its value for feeding cattle, was first discovered and 

 made known by that sincere and steadfast friend of agricul- 

 tural improvement the late ARTHUR YOUNG, Esq., and con- 

 sequently is of but recent date (1780). It is cultivated in 

 France as an herbage and pasture plant; and in Germany and 

 Flanders also, for its roots, from which a substitute for coffee 

 is prepared. It does very well on all the inferior class of soils, 

 and thrives to much profit on bogs, and low and wet meadows; 

 while at the same time it will flourish on the weak, thin and 

 sandy soils, producing on such, a greater quantity of sheep 

 food than any other plant at present known to cultivation. 

 Those who keep a large stock of swine will find it to ad- 

 vantage. It answers well for soiling cattle. The. culture of 

 this plant is the same as clover. (Q 38 It is not to be cultivated 

 for making into hay, which is said to be an objection. It is 

 cultivated in many gardens in the neighbourhood of Philadel- 

 phia for culinary purposes. The seed is in general sown broad- 

 cast, though on poor lands it is best drilled in rows about nine 

 inches, and on better soil twelve inches asunder, after the soil 

 has been fully pulverized. It is then to be rolled. When 

 sown broadcast, it only requires to be once slightly harrowed. 

 Ten pounds of seed are sufficient for an acre. It thrives well 

 on any soil, but is considered as an uncertain crop. 



