8 



are alone dealt with. These are found everywhere, 

 and the schoolboys of agricultural districts might readily 

 be taught to identify these common species. 



The second part has a wider scope, and includes 

 all the British grasses, except the rarest species, and 

 a few annuals. 



If farmers, clergymen, schoolmasters, and botanists 

 use this method of identification, a flood of light will 

 be thrown upon many questions at present involved 

 in obscurity, and the agricultural community will 

 assuredly be greatly benefited. 



To obtain complete mastery of the subject, the 

 farmer should commence with grasses which he 

 already knows, follow the description in the first 

 chapter, examine the corresponding figures, and then 

 proceed to classify, as in the second chapter. This 

 being done, it is advisable to study the plant in its 

 entirety, as in Stebler's " Best Forage Plants." Hav- 

 ing mastered five or six of the commonest grasses in 

 this way, little difficulty need be experienced in follow- 

 ing the subject to the extent necessary for making a 

 complete investigation of any pasture, so far as grasses 

 are concerned. 



Many agriculturists are already familiar with the 

 properties of the important pasture plants of their 

 districts, but cannot speak with authority on the 

 matter, being ofttimes at a loss for the botanical 

 names to be assigned. The knowledge of these ex- 

 perienced men is the very thing which scientific 

 agriculture is seeking after, and ought no longer to 

 remain inaccessible and unutilised. 



To simplify matters as much as possible, all im- 



