Book Vl. WOBURN GRASSES. 899 



P6a pratensis, it will be found less ; nor does it seem to possess any superior excellence. The superior 

 nutritive power does not make up for the deficiency of produce by 80 lbs. of nutritive m.atter per acre. 



5733. Festiica hordeiformis H. Cant. This is rather an early grass, though later than any of the pre- 

 ceding species : its foliage is very fine, resembling the F. duriuscula, to which it seems nearly allied, diflTer- 

 ing only in the length of the awns, and the glaucous colour of the whole plant. The considerable produce 

 it affords, and the nutritive powers it appears to possess, joined to its early growth, are qualities which 

 strongly recommend it to further trial. 



5734. Festuca ^/at/cflt Curtis. The proportional value by which the grass at the time of flowering 

 exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 12. The proportional difference in the value of the 

 flowering and seed crops of this grass is directly the reverse of that of the preceding species, and affords 

 another strong proof of the value of the straws in grass which is intended for hay. The straws at the 

 time of flowering are of a very succulent nature ; but, from that period till the seed be perfected, they 

 gradually become dry and wiry. Nor do the root-leaves sensibly increase in number or in size, but a total 

 suspension of increase appears in every part of the plant, the roots and seed-vessels excepted. The straws 

 of the P5a trivi5.1is are, on the contrary, at the time of flowering, weak and tender; but as they advance 

 towards the period of ripening the seed, they become firm and succulent ; after that period, however, they 

 rapidly dry up, and appear little better than a mere dead substance. 



.5735. es,tvica. glabra Wither. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is rij^ 

 bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering is as 5 to 8. The proportional value which the grass of 

 the lattermath bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering, is as 2 to 8 ; and to that of the crop, at 

 the time the seed is ripe, is as 2 to 5. The general appearance of this grass is very similar to that of the 

 Festiica duriiiscula : it is, however, specifically different, and inferior in many respects, which will be 

 manifest on comparing their several produce with each other ; but if it be compared with some others, 

 now under general cultivation, the result is much in its favour, the soil which it affects being duly 

 attended to. 



5736. Festdca rubra Wither. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears 

 to that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 8. This species is smaller in every respect than the preceding. 

 The leaves are seldom more than from three to four inches in length ; it affects a soil similar to that 

 favourable to the growth of the Festiica ovina, for which it would be a profitable substitute, as it will 

 clearly appear on a comparison of their produce with each other. The proportional value which the grass 

 of the lattermath bears to that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 8, and is of equal value with the grass 

 at the time of flowering. 



5737. Festiica ovina KB. The dry weight of this species was not ascertained, because the smallness 

 of the produce renders it entirely unfit for hay. 



5738. Festiica cambrica Hud. This species is nearly allied to the Festuca ovina, from which it differs 

 little, except that it is larger in every respect. The produce, and the nutritive matter which it affbrds, 

 will be found superior to those given by the F. ovina, if they are brought into comparison. 



5739. Brbmus diundrus Curt. Lond. (B. madritensis E. of P. 1140.) This species, like the Festuca 

 cambrica, is strictly annual ; the above is therefore the produce for one year ; which, if compared with 

 that of the least productive of the perennial grasses, will be found inferior, and it must consequently be 

 regarded as unworthy of culture. 



5740. Foa angustifolia With. 2. In the early growth of the leaves of this species of P6a, there is a 

 striking proof that early flowering in grasses is not always connected with the most abundant early pro- 

 duce of leaves. In this respect, all the species which have already come under examination are greatly 

 inferior to that now spoken of. The culms are most valuable for the manufacture of the finest straw 

 plait. 



5741. Avena elatior Cmt. {Helens avendceus K of P. 14227.) This grass sends forth flower-straws 

 during the whole season ; and the lattermath contains nearly an equal number with the flowering crop. 

 It is subject to the rust, but the disease does not make its appearance till after the period of flowering ; it 

 afffects the whole plant, and at the time the seed is ripe the leaves and straws are withered and dry. This 

 accounts for the superior value of the lattermath over the seed crop, and points out the propriety of taking 

 the crop when the grass is in flower. 



5742. P6 elatior Curt. The botanical characters of this grass are almost the same as those of the 

 Ay^m. elktior, differing in the want of the awns only. It has the essential character of the HCAc\ (florets, 

 male and hermaphrodite; calyx husks two-valved, with two florets) ; and since the As^m. elatior is now 

 referred to that genus, this may with certainty be considered a variety of it. 



5743. Festuca rfttr(SCM/a E. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 6 to 14 nearly. The proportional value which the grass of the 

 lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 5 to 14 ; and to that at the time the seed is ripe as 

 5 to 6. The above particulars will confirm the favourable opinion which was given of this gra.ss when 

 speaking of the F. Aordeiformis, and F. glabra. (5733, and 5735, ) Its produce in the spring is not very great, 

 but of the finest quality, and at the time of flowering is considerable. If it be compared with those aflTect- 

 ing similar soils, such as Pba pratensis, Festuca ovina, &c. either considered as a grass for hay or perma- 

 nent pasture, it will be found of greater value. 



5744. Milium ejffusum. This species in its natural state seems confined to woods as its place of growth ; 

 but the trial that is here mentioned confirms the opinion that it will grow and thrive in open exposed 

 situations. It is remarkable for the lightness of the produce in proportion to its bulk. It produces foliage 

 early in the spring in considerable abundance ; but its nutritive powers appear comparatively little. 



5745. Poa maritima E. B. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at 

 the time of flowering, is as 4 to 18. 



5746. Avena pratensis E. B. The proportional value which the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, bears 

 to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 9. 



5747. Brbinus multiflhrus E. B This species is annual, and no valuable properties have as yet been 



discovered in the seed. It is only noticed on account of its being frequently founJ in poor grass lands, 

 and sometimes in meadows. It appears, from the above particulars, to possess nutritive powers equal to 

 some of the best perennial kinds, if taken when in flower; but if left till the seed be ripe (which, from its 

 early growth, is frequently the case), the crop is comparatively of no value, the leaves and straws being 

 then completely dry. 



5748. Festiica loliacea Curt. Lond. The proportional value which the grass, at the time of flowering, 

 bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 13 ; and the value of the lattermath stands in propor- 

 tion to that of the crop, at the time of flowering, as 5 to 12 ; and to that of the crop taken at the time the 

 seed is ripe, as 5 to 13. This species of Festuca greatly resembles the rye-grass, in habit and place of 

 growth ; it has excellences which make it greatly superior to that grass, for the purposes of either hay or 

 permanent pasture. This species seems to improve in produce in proportion to its age, which is directly 

 the reverse of the iolium per^nne. 



5749. Poa cristiita Host, G. A. The produce of this species, and the nutritive matter that it affbrds, 

 are equal to those of the Festuca ovina, at the time the seed is ripe : they equally delight in dry soils. The 

 greater bulk of grass, in proportion to the weight, with the comparative coarseness of the foliage, renders 

 the J"ba crist^ta inferior to the Festuca ovina. 



5750. Festiica Myurus E. B. {Mygalurus cauddtus E. of P. 1118.) This species is strictly annual ; it is 

 likewise subject to the rust ; and, the produce being but little, it ranks as a very inferior grass. 



5751. Festiica calamuria E. B. The proportional value which the grass, at the time the seed is ripe, 

 bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 12 to 18. This grass, as has already been remarked, produces 



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