vi. PREFACE 



their nature and habits, the particular soils for which they are adapted, and the peculiar cir- 

 cumstances under which their culture is necessary or desirable. The engravings explanatory of 

 the different parts of a Grass, botanically distinguished, will, it is hoped, be found useful, 

 enabling tfie farmer to understand the scientific terms used in tlie Treatise, and which cannot 

 always be avoided in describing a plant. 



It way, perhaps, be as well to notice here, that, as the herbage oj Pastures is influenced 

 by the different kinds of soils, especially with relation to their states of dryness or wetness, tfie 

 Tables have, for practical purposes been constructed in three divisions, viz., Grasses for light 

 soils, for medium soils, and for heavy soils. The light embrace soils more or less of a sandy 

 or gravelly nature; the heavy soils include clay and heavy loams ; while the medium are to 

 be regarded as an intermediate class between these two extremes. A light wet soil, with respect 

 to the Grasses suited to it, may be considered as approximating to the heavy soils, and a dry 

 heavy soil as approaching towards the light soils. 



PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION 



(Published in jSjj) 



The present Edition has been very carefully revised, and some errors corrected and omissions 

 supplied. The Table of English Names at the end has been reconstructed, and now serves as 

 a general index to tJie work. A Table is likewise appended shewing the times of flowering 

 and of ripening seeds of all Cultivated Grasses, which it is considered may be found useful to 

 the observing Agriculturist. 



