208 THE EYEGEASS CEOP. 



and obtained this valuable variety. It has all the good 

 qualities of the preceding, and is somewhat darker in 

 colour, with more than ordinary permanence of duration. 



Pacey's produces an abundance of foliage both at the 

 roots and on the stalks, which, although rather broader 

 and not so fine in appearance as Whitworth's, is also, from 

 its perennial character, well adapted for pleasure grounds 

 and permanent pastures. The characteristics of this va- 

 riety, when allowed full room for its development, are its 

 forming much-branched and bushy plants, with shortish 

 and somewhat rigid stems, upright spikes, and short, 

 compact spikelets; Its seeds are short, plump, and gene- 

 rally heavier than those of other varieties. This variety 

 may be considered as the first successful attempt to select 

 improved varieties of the natural grasses for cultivation, 

 and had acquired a considerable reputation both in 

 Scotland and in England before the commencement of 

 the present century. 



Russell's. A variety named in compliment to the late 

 Duke of Bedford, who first noticed and pointed out the 

 original plant from which the stock has been raised to 

 Mr. Holdich, at that time editor of the Farmer's Journal. 

 It was found to be of a much stronger habit of growth 

 and to yield a heavier crop than either Pacey's or Whit- 

 worth's; besides which it combines early spring growth 

 with a late and vigorous growth in the autumn. How- 

 far the Russell ryegrass of the present day is identical 

 with that of whose good qualities we have evidence in the 

 Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, it is difficult to say. 

 Although we are inclined to admit it as a superior variety, 

 general experience hardly assigns to it the very high 

 qualities therein claimed for it. 



Spreading (L. stoloniferum) was introduced from Ger- 

 many by Messrs. Lawson & Son, in 1834 It is a re- 

 markable stoloniferous variety, of strong, early growth, 



