Book VI. 



PASTURE GRASSES. 



893 



5691. A number of other species of tall grasses, well adapted for meadows and hay- 

 making, might be here enumerated ; but we have deemed it better to treat only of the 

 most popular sorts, of which seeds may be purchased ; all the others of any consequence 

 will be found in a tabular view (Sect. III.), accompanied by a summary statement of 

 their products in hay and aftermath, nutritive matter, and general character. 



5692. The preparation of the soil, and the solving of the usual meadow grasses, differ in 

 nothing from those of clover and rye-grass already given. The after-treatment of dry 

 meadows, including the making of natural hay, will be found in the succeeding Chapter 

 on the management of grass-lands ; that of watered meadows was naturally given when 

 treating of their formation. (443 1 . ) 



Sect. II. Grasses chiefly adapted for Pasturage. 



5693. In treating of pasturage grasses we shall make a selection of such as have been 

 tried to some extent, and of which the seeds ai-e in the course of commerce. On soils 

 in good condition, and naturally well constituted, no better grasses can be sown for 

 pasturage than those we have described as tall grasses for hay-meadows ; but for early 

 and late pasturage, and secondary soils, there are others much more suitable. 



5694. The pasture grasses for ear/y pasturage on all soils are the Anthoxanthum odorktum, ^61cus 

 odorktus, Avhna. pubescens, and Pba annua. 



5H95. The pasture grasses for late herbage on all soils are chiefly the different species of .^grostis and 

 Phlfeum. 



.'5696. The pasture grasses for poor or secondary soils are the Cynostirus cristatus, Festiica duri6scula and 

 ovlna, Pba. comprfessa, cristata, and angustifblia. 



5697. The grasses that afford most nutritive matter in early spring, are the fox-tail 

 grass and the vernal grass ; the former has been already mentioned as one of the best 

 hay-grasses. 

 5698. The sweet-scented vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odor^tum, fig. 792. a) is common in almost all 



pastures, and is that which gives the fragrance to natural or meadow-hay. It is chiefly valuable as an 

 early grass ; for, though it is eaten by stock, it does not appear to be much relished by them. From the 

 Woburn experiments, it appears that the smallness of the produce of this grass renders it improper for the 

 purpose of hay ; but its early growth, and the superior quantity of nutritive matter which the lattermath 

 affords, compared with the quantity afforded by the grass at the time of flowering, cause it to rank high 

 as a pasture-grass, on such soils as are well fitted for its growth ; such are peat-bogs, and lands that are 

 deep and moist. 



.5699. The downy oat grass (^v^na pubdscens, b), according to the Woburn experiments, possesses several 

 good qualities, which recommend it to particular notice ; it is hardy, early, and more productive than many 

 others which affect similar soils and situations. Its growth after being cropped is tolerably rapid^ 

 although it does not attain to a great length if left growing ; like the Poa pratensis it sends forth flower- 

 stalks but once in a season, and it appears well calculated for permanent pasture on rich light soils. 



5700. The annual meadow grass (Poa 4nnua, c) is the most common of all grasses, and the least absolute 

 in its habits. It is almost the only grass that will grow in towns and near works where the smoke of coal 

 abounds. Though an annual grass, it is found in most meadows and pastures perpetually flowering, 

 and affording an early sweet herbage, relished by all stock, and of as great importance to birds as wheat is 

 to man. It hardly requires to be sown, as it springs up every where of itself However, it may not be 

 amiss to sow a few pounds of it per acre wherever perpetual pasture (not hay) is the object. 



5701. The fine bent grass (^grostis vulgaris, d) is one of the most common grasses, and, according to the 

 Woburn experiments, one of the earliest. The A. palustris is nearly as early in producing its foliage, 

 though both flower late, and neither is very prolific either in bulk or nutritive matter. 



5702. The narrow-leaved meadow grass (Pba. angustif blia, e), though it flowers late, yet is remarkable 

 for the early growth of the leaves. According to the Woburn experiments the leaves attain to the length 

 of more than twelve inches before the middle of April, and are soft and succulent ; in May, however, 

 when the flower-stalks make their appearance, it is subject to the disease termed rust, which affects the 

 whole plant ; the consequence of which is manifest in the great deficiency of produce in the crop at the 

 time the seed is ripe, being then one half less than at the time of the flowering of the grass. Though this 

 disease begins in the straws, the leaves sutler most from its effects, being at the time the seed is ripe com- 

 pletely dried up : the straws, therefore, constitute the principal part of the crop for mowing, and they 

 contain more nutritive matter, in proportion, than the leaves. This grass is evidently most valuable for 

 permanent pasture, for which, in consequence of its superior, rapid, and early growth, and the disease 

 beginning at the straws, nature seems to have designed it. The grasses which approach nearest to this in 

 respect of early produce of leaves, are the Pba f^rtilis, D&ctylis glomerkta, Phlfeum prat^nse, illopeciirus 

 pratensis, A\hna elJitior, and ^romus littoreus, all grasses of a coarser kind. 



