THE SELECTION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS. 31 



and clearings of Central Germany, and only a very small quantity 

 is sent to this country. The result is tlie frequent substitution 

 of the annual species A. Piielii, of whicii about 40,000 lbs. is 

 every year exported from Hamburg imder the name tjf Sweet- 

 scented Vernal. This grass [A. Puelii) cannot be made partially 

 permanent even by the process of cutting, for it flowers all tlie 

 summer long, and if prevented from seeding at hay time, the 

 flower-heads are thrown up later, and, as cattle do not relisli 

 them, seed is produced and the plant dies. It is, therefore, -ex- 

 tremely important to secure the true perennial Antlioxanthuiii 

 odoratum, which is, and always must be, a costly seed. 



Although manure does not directly injure this grass, it 

 indirectly effects its ruin by enabling other varieties to elbow it 

 out of existence. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given 

 on page 134, facing an illustration. 



Avena flavescens (Yellow Oat Grass) produces forage of 

 good qualit}^ Avhicli is greedily taken by cattle. It prospers in 

 marl and calcareous soil, and in all light land rich in humus, 

 |)articularly in that which contains lime. 



Avena flavescens flowers at midsummer, and there is not 

 much for the scythe at hay time in the South of England, but 

 the aftermath is abundant. The leaves are pale green ; flowers 

 golden yellow, and they show conspicuously. 



The supply of seed is exceedingly small, and as the seed of 

 that pestilent weed, Aira flexuosa, is not altogether dissimilar, it 

 has often been sold for Avena by those who are not conversant 

 with the true variety. I suppose that scarcely one person in ten 

 has been able to procure the real article. This is no doubt the 

 secret of the diverse opinions Avhich have been expressed as to 

 the wortli of this grass. Besides, true Avena flavescens germi- 

 nates badly, however carefully the seed may be saved, and for 

 practical ends this grass, valuable as it is, must be left out of 

 account in arranging the prescription for a pasture. Wlien a full 



