On Natural Grasses. 95 



jection is removed by combining it with other grasses, in the manner 

 in which it is found in the best permanent pastures. Its chief advan- 

 tage, in permanent pasture, is its late growth, not, however, as re- 

 gards aftermath produce or foliage, but in the substantial part of bran- 

 ches or stolons, as well as of leaves, at a season of the year, when the 

 latter are only afforded by grasses generally. There has been much 

 prejudice existing against the different species of agrostis in general, 

 but let the proprietor of any rich productive pasture divest a part of 

 it entirely of this grass, and the value of the plant will be demonstra- 

 ted, in the loss of late and early keep. 1 here are several very infe- 

 rior varieties, some of which are noxious as weeds, and should be 

 carefully distinguished from this species, which is the only one to be 

 cultivated. It forms an essential ingredient in every pasture of the 

 best quality. 



The different clover plants, essential to the formation of a pasture of 

 the best quality, are the white, or Dutch clover, the perennial red 

 clover, or cow grass, to which ought to be added, the creeping vetch, 

 or vieia sepium. 



The white or Dutch clover, trifolium repens, is an essential consti- 

 tuent of every jtesture of value, from the dry or sandy, to the rich and 

 moist. The perennial red clover is less common, but it is a highly va- 

 luable plant in all loamy soils in particular. It is very difficult to get 

 genuine seed of this plant. There are two species of red clover that 

 pass by the name of cow-grass, viz. Trifolium pratense, var.perenne, 

 which is the cow-grass of the seed shops, and the Trifolium medium, 

 Hor. G. W. p. 218, which is the cow-grass and marl-grass of botani- 

 cal writers. We believe the seed of the latter has never been brought 

 to market, or used in practical husbandry. The plant has a strong 

 creeping root, and is perennial in the utmost sense of the word. 



The Vicia sepium, H. G. W. p. 209, is one of the most nutritive of 

 pasture plants. It constitutes a most valuable ingredient, in pastures 

 where the soil is of a medium quality as to moisture and dryness. The 

 seed is very difficult to collect. The plant comes early into flower, 

 and continues to flower through the summer. It ripens therefore ir- 

 regularly, and the pods are apt to open by the heat of the sun, and 

 scatter out the seed. 



The Yarrow, Achillea milleJbUum, contains saline and bitter extrac- 

 tive matters in a degree, which renders the herbage of it a wholesome 

 ingredient in pastures, and a little of it therefore, should be introduced, 

 when a new permanent pasture is made. A few ounces of the seed will 

 be sufficient for an acre. 



No. III. The mode of Culture to be pursued informing a permanent 

 Pasture of the best quality. 



In the preceding section, an account is given, of the natural habits, 

 properties, and comparative value, of the proper grasses and clovers, 

 which constitute the produce of the richest natural pastures and mea- 

 dows. To have entered into more minute details, of the comparative 

 differences that exist, between the different species of grasses, as regards 

 early growth of foliage or of culms, superior weight of produce, season 

 of the year when that produce is available, or fit for use, permanency, 



