336 CULTIVATION OF GRASSES 



some agriculturists, however, who dispute this opinion, 

 and think that a variety of grasses makes the best fodder 

 for cattle. Several naturalists are now engaged in en- 

 deavoring to raise very pure unmixed grasses, with a view 

 to produce seed for sale : a measure which will greatly 

 tend to the improvement of meadows. 



Caroline. Do not meadows occasionally require to be 

 sown afresh ? for as the crops are either pastured or mown 

 before the seeds are ripe, it cannot re-sow itself; and the 

 grasses, though perennials, do not, I suppose, last a great 

 number of years. 



Mrs. B. Grasses are renovated, not so much by seed 

 us by means of their roots and subterraneous branches, 

 which spread out in various directions, interweaving and 

 forming a sort of network of roots and branches ; and from 

 this reticulated mass spring abundance of new shoots, 

 which thicken and renovate the meadow. If grass be 

 kept short, it consumes less nourishment, and a greater 

 quantity remains to push out fresh shoots. 



Emily. This accounts for the fine thick turf of which 

 our lawns are composed, and which, being so continually 

 mown or fed off by sheep, precludes the possibility of 

 their ever re-sowing themselves. 



Mrs. B. This, however true in England, where the 

 climate is temperate and moist, will not hold good in 

 countries where the grass is burnt up in summer, when 

 mowing cannot take place ; and it is for this reason that 

 it is impossible on the Continent to produce those beau- 

 tiful lawns, so ornamental to our country seats. 



These lawns, when first prepared, are not usually sown, 

 but the grass is laid down in sods. By this means the 

 roots are obtained ready matted, together with a thick fine 

 turf, which it would require many years' growth, and con- 

 stant mowing, to produce from seed. 



Meadows are mown in England but once, or, at most, 

 twice in the season ; whilst, in many parts of the Conti- 

 nent, three or four crops are obtained, according as the 

 soil is dry or moist, elevated or low. 



1816. Emily asks, if it would not be best to sow only one species of 

 grass'? 1817. How are grasses renovated 1 ! 1818. Why cannot 

 beautiful lawns, like those in England, be produced on the continent of 

 Europe 1 1819. How are these lawns prepared"? 1820. How 

 many times are meadows mown 1 1821. What grasses are best adapt- 

 ed to meadows'? 



