THE NATURAL GRASSES DESCRIBED 25 



abundance. Sheep are less liable to be affected by the foot-rot, when fed on pastures 

 containing a considerable proportion of this, than on such as are composed of the more 

 tender and soft-leaved sorts. In pasture lands where this grass does not naturally form a 

 portion of the mixture, it is expedient to introduce a little of it ; but, on the other hand, 

 there are many pastures in which it is far too predominant. From its forming a close turf, 

 and having rather fine foliage, it may be advantageously sown on lawns, croquet, bowling 

 and bleaching-greens, and other places which are intended to be kept under the scythe. 

 (See illustration facing page 22.) 



11. Dactylis glomerata (Common Rough Cocksfoot, or Orchard Grass). Fr. Dactyle 

 pelotonne ; Ger. Gemeines Knaidgras. Root fibrous, perennial; flowers in June and July. 

 The Rough Cocksfoot is a well-known grass, growing abundantly, from one to two feet in 

 height, on all waste places where not very barely cropped by cattle. It is a valuable grass 

 in cultivation, on account of the great quantity of produce which it yields, and the rapidity 

 with which its leaves grow after being eaten or cut. Its habit of growth is tufty, and 

 rather unsightly, with broad foliage, of a slightly glaucous-green colour, which renders it 

 unfit for ornamental parks and pleasure grounds. Sheep are remarkably fond of it, but 

 they should be put to graze upon it early in spring ; for if allowed to stand too long, it 

 gets hard and coarse. When subjected to perpetual pasturage the Cocksfoot does not 

 seem to last above five or six years, but gives place to the smaller and finer leaved sorts. 

 This may be accounted for by its spreading very little in the ground, and being in general 

 closely eaten down, particularly by sheep. It is well adapted for growing in shady moist 

 places, under trees, &c. An extended series of experiments and observations induce us 

 now to recommend the use of this grass in alternate husbandry, where the land is intended 

 to be kept in grass for two or more years before being again broken up. The Cocksfoot 

 is found to succeed best on land incumbent on a porous subsoil, so that the fibrous roots 

 may have power to penetrate to a considerable depth, under which circumstances the 

 plant thrives very luxuriantly, and is permanent. On a thin soil, with hard subsoil, its 

 success cannot be depended on. In America (from whence it is supposed to have been 

 introduced to Great Britain), it is getting into extensive cultivation, under the name of 

 Orchard Grass. (See illustration facing page 24.) 



12. Dactylis caespitosa (Tussac Grass of the Falkland*). Fr. Dactyle cespiteuse ; 

 Ger. Buschig Knaulgras. Fibrous-rooted, perennial ; the fibres very tortuous ; stems or 

 culms numerous, erect, branched, or divided only at the base, three or four feet long, 

 smooth, compressed, leafy, and pale yellow, abounding in saccharine matter, and when 

 young, edible even by man ; flowers in February and March. The densely matted roots 

 form isolated hillocks or tussocks, three to six feet in height, and three or four in diameter, 

 from which the leaves and stems spring. Several attempts have been made to introduce 

 the Tussac Grass into general cultivation on the sea-coasts of this country ; but, except in 

 the Orkneys and Lewes, with very indifferent success. Localities within influence of the 

 sea spray, the soil being of a peaty nature, are, without doubt, the best adapted for the 

 growth of the Tussac ; and in such places it would be of great service, as few other 

 nutritive grasses will exist there. 



13. Elynms arenarius (Sand, or Upright Sea Lyme Grass). Fr. Ely me des sables; 

 Ger. Strandhafer. Leaves hard and spiny pointed, of a light glaucous colour, and partly 

 rolled in at the edges ; perennial, with powerfully creeping roots ; height two to five feet ; 

 flowers in July. This grass, both in its green state and as hay, is rejected by all our 

 domesticated animals, owing, no doubt, to its excessive hardness and coarseness. The 



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