THE NATURAL GRASSES DESCRIBED 29 



only a variety of L. perennc. The former, however, possesses other distinctive characters, 

 which, although they may seem of little consequence in the estimation of the botanist, are, 

 nevertheless (some of them at least) of considerable importance to the agriculturist. 

 Compared with any varieties of Common Rye Grass, the L. italicum affords a stronger 

 braird, arrives sooner at maturity, has a greater abundance of foliage, which is broader, 

 and of a lighter or more lively green colour, grows considerably taller, is more upright, 

 or less inclined to spread on the ground; its spikes are longer; spikelets more thinly 

 set, and, upon the whole, producing a less bulk of seed, which is smaller ; has the awn 

 (above mentioned) adhering to it, and is generally about two-thirds the weight per 

 bushel of that of Common Perennial Rye Grass, when grown under similar circumstances. 

 Another of its distinguishing characters is, that it is preferred by cattle to any of the 

 common sorts, a fact which has been proved by numerous experiments in various parts of 

 the country, while it yields early, bulky, and quickly succeeding herbage, which renders it 

 an invaluable grass for alternate husbandry. Its comparatively limited duration fits it well 

 for sowing in mixture with the other grasses intended for permanent pasture, as it dies out 

 and gives place to the weak or slowly maturing perennial sorts, which are destined 

 ultimately to fill the ground. General experience since our first introduction of the Italian 

 Rye Grass to Britain, enables us to state, that, in respect to duration, it may be termed a 

 sub-perennial, beyond which title even the most permanent varieties of L. perenne have no 

 claim. In most instances, two seasons of Italian Rye Grass are all that can, with any 

 degree of certainty, be depended upon ; and in very wet, cold, spongy soils, it will often 

 exhibit a thin stock the second season. Instances have, however, occurred, in which as 

 many as five and six successive years' produce have been reaped from the same field, 

 yielding annually, on an average, about seven and a half tons of dry hay per acre ; but this 

 has arisen more from the ground having been resown in course of reaping the seed, than 

 from the actual duration of the original plants; the seeds being remarkably easily 

 separated from the hay, even although not perfectly ripe, which will always render the 

 harvesting of them an operation attended with considerable care and difficulty. Although 

 the natural tendency of the Italian Rye Grass is to produce many stalks or stems from the 

 same root, yet, from its upright habit of growth, it by no means forms a close turf; hence 

 the propriety of sowing it with a mixture of other grasses of a different habit, which, by 

 filling up the interstices, will add considerably to the weight of produce. Only one 

 opinion is now entertained as to the real merits of the Italian Rye Grass, and the best 

 proof of its excellence is the great and yearly increasing demand for its seeds. (See illus- 

 tration facing page 32.) 



26. Lolium perenne (Common Rye Grass). Fr. Raygras d' Atigleterre ; Ger. Eng- 

 lisches Raygras. A fibrous-rooted grass of biennial, triennial, or quadrennial duration ; 

 flowers in June and July. Grows naturally in meadows and rich pastures. Possesses several 

 good qualities to recommend it to the attention of cultivators, the principal of which are 

 its suitableness to a great variety of soils, the facility with which it is propagated, by reason 

 of its seeds being produced in abundance, and their uniformity in ripening ; and, although 

 last, not the least of its good qualities, the fibrous structure of its roots, which fits it in an 

 eminent degree for alternate husbandry. Like other plants which have received an exten- 

 sive cultivation, there are several varieties of the Common Rye Grass. Those of the most 

 perennial habits, which are distinguished by their yielding a great abundance of root leaves 

 and fewer stalks or culms, are denominated Perennial ; and those of shorter duration, 

 which generally produce a smaller quantity of root leaves and a greater number of culms, 



