On Natural Grasses. 93 



And its property of overspreading the soil, to the exclusion of more 

 valuable grasses. The seed ripens in abundance, and being light, is 

 easily dispersed by the winds. It vegetates readily, and may be ob- 

 tained at a lower price than the seed of any other grass. It is late in 

 spring growth ; it flowers and ripens the seed in July. It is so much 

 disliked by cattle, that it may be observed in pastures, spreading out 

 its long broad leaves on the surface, uncropped, while the herbage of 

 the surrounding grasses are browsed to the roots. On all soils of a 

 good quality, the question is how to get rid of it. Close stocking, 

 and never suffering the culms to ripen seed, will keep it under, and in 

 time diminish its quantity ; but the only effectual remedy is, to plough 

 up the sward, take a course of cleaning crops, and then reconvert the 

 soil to improved pasture, by sowing the superior pasture grasses in 

 such proportions as are suited to the soil. On poor elevated soils 

 however, where the finer grasses will not thrive, a proportion of this 

 species may be very useful, but it should be cautiously used. 



There is another species, the Holcus mollis, Hort. G. W. p. 165, 

 which is very similar to the above in the external habits of growth, 

 but which is still more objectionable, owing to its having a power- 

 fully creeping root, and which, on light sandy soils, constitutes the 

 most noxious variety of couch grass. There is no grass, when once 

 in possession of the soil, with more difficulty extirpated than this one. 



Poa nervata, H. G. W. p. 192, Nerved meadow-grass. This spe- 

 cies is a native of North America. It is not so productive as some of 

 the essential grasses, though superior in that respect to others. It is 

 distinguished for being very nutritive. It affects rather a moist soil 

 that is perfectly drained. On sandy soils that are dry, or what is 

 called subject to burn, it does not succeed. It constitutes a valuable 

 ingredient in the composition of pastures on soils of the first- mentioned 

 description. It is very hardy, and the herbage rich and succulent. It 

 flowers about the first week in June, and ripens the seed in July. 



Phleumpratense, var. major, Larger meadow catstail, Timothy grass. 

 H. G. W. p. 195 The merits of the Timothy, or larger meadow 

 catstail grass, is so well known to farmers, that little regarding it may 

 be required to be stated here. It enters, as an essential constituent, 

 into every fattening pasture of the first class. It is nutritive and pro- 

 ductive, and although not an early flowering grass, yet the spring 

 growth of herbage which it affords, is not inconsiderable. The seed is 

 in general good, and it vegetates freely. It should be cut, if intended 

 for hay, while it is in flower, otherwise the produce becomes coarse. 

 The hay made of this grass is very nutritive, and considered excellent 

 food for horses. It is employed with advantage in the alternate hus- 

 bandry, combined with rye-grass and cocksfoot, where a two years' 

 ley is practised, or necessary in the course. There is a variety of this 

 species of a very inferior value ; it is called Phleum pratensc, var. 

 minor, and should be carefully guarded against. It is more common, 

 particularly on all clayey pastures, than the true species. It is smaller 

 in every respect, with a wiry straw, and hard unnutritive herbage. 

 The seeds are much alike, except that the seed of the inferior variety 

 is considerably smaller. 



Bromus erectus. Upright brouie grass. Hort. G. W. p. 205. This 



