886 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



The commanding position which is here assigned to Yorkshire fog 

 is indisputable, and it may safely be said that, on the average, this 

 species forms about one-third of the effective herbage of the water 

 meadows. Rye grass comes next, though it yields little more than 

 one-third as much hay as does Yorkshire fog, whilst it is almost twice 

 as abundant as either of the next two species in order, floating sweet 

 grass and timothy. Between Poa, Cynosurus, and Agrostis there 

 does not seem much to choose, as, on the average, their yields are 

 approximately equal, whilst the combined average yields of these 

 three scarcely exceed that of rye grass alone. Neither the narrow- 

 leaved nor the broad-leaved Festucas make much of a show, and 

 Bromus, which is considerably in evidence when in bloom, takes a 

 very modest rank in the ha} 7 stack. 



In addition to the foregoing the following species of grass are also 

 found upon these water-meadows, but they collectively make up not 

 more than about 5 per cent, of the total hay : 



Aira csespitosa (tufted hair grass). 

 Alopecurus geniculatus (floating foxtail). 

 Avena elatior Cfalse oat grass). 

 A vena flavescens (yellow oat grass). 



Briza media (quaking grass). 

 Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass). 

 Phragmites communis (great reed). 

 Poa annua (annual meadow grass). 



It has been proved in the Rothamsted experiments that the 

 botanical composition of meadow herbage is highly susceptible to 

 seasonal influences. Sir John Lawes and Dr. Gilbert have come to 

 the conclusion (Phil. Trans. Pt. I. 1880, p. 405) that "a given 

 quantity of gross produce of the mixed herbage may be one thing in 

 one season, and quite another in another season, both as to the pro- 

 portion of the different species composing it, and their condition of 

 development and maturity." Though the crop which the water 

 meadows yield to the scythe does undoubtedly vary from year to year, 

 it is nevertheless necessary to remember that there is a much greater 



