30 ON THE CULTIVATED GRASSES 



are, for distinction only, termed Annual ; but even these last will, under favourable cir- 

 cumstances, exist two or three years, while under unfavourable circumstances the most 

 esteemed perennial varieties will scarcely exist more than one or two years. See illus- 

 tration facing page 34. 



1. Evergreen. This variety does not yield such a bulky crop as the ordinary kind, 



but it is still more perennial in its nature, and withstands the rigour of winter 

 well, retaining its verdure throughout the year. It is a very good variety for 

 sowing in ornamental grounds. Known, also, as Devon Evers. 



2. Fine-leaved. This variety (L. perenne tenue) is distinguished for the fineness of its 



foliage, qualities which recommend it for sowing down ornamental grounds. 



3. Pacey's. This variety produces an abundance of foliage, both at the roots and on . 



the stalks, and from its perennial character is well adapted for pleasure grounds 

 and permanent pasture. 



27. Milium effusum (Wood, or Spreading Millet Grass). Fr. Millet divergent; 

 Ger. Wald-Hirsengras. A fibrous-rooted perennial; flowers in June; grows naturally 

 in old woods and copses, and most frequently on rich vegetable soils composing the 

 shelving and sloping banks of rivers, where it usually attains a height of from four to six 

 feet. The abundance of seed which it produces, together with its naturally preferring to 

 grow in the cool and shade of trees, recommend it for game preserves. Every part of 

 the grass is relished by cattle, and the aftermath comes away freely, even after the first 

 crop has been allowed to ripen seed. 



28. Phalaris arundinacea (Reed-like Canary Grass). Fr. Alpiste roseau; Ger. 

 Rohrartiges Glanzgras. Root creeping, perennial ; height four to six feet ; flowers in 

 July. Grows naturally on alluvial and tenacious clayey soils, by the sides of rivers, lakes, 

 pools, &c. This grass contains a considerable proportion of nutritious matter ; but, from 

 its coarseness, cattle in general refuse it, although they eat it if cut into chaff prior to 

 flowering, and mixed with other food. It yields a large bulk of hay, which in some 

 parts is found very convenient for littering cattle. 



29. Phleum pratense (Timothy, or Catstail Grass}. Fr. Fleole des pres; Ger. 

 Thimot'ee-gras. Root perennial, somewhat creeping ; leaves flat and roughish ; height from 

 one and a half to two feet ; flowers in the end of June. In America this grass is cultivated, 

 where the soil is favourable, to exclusion of almost all other kinds ; and in Britain it is 

 also grown to a considerable extent, particularly in some districts of England. It thrives 

 best on moist soils or carse lands, and also on newly-reclaimed moorish soils. When 

 grown on dry light soils its roots become bulbous or tuberous. The Timothy Grass pos- 

 sesses the advantage of affording a much greater quantity of nutriment when its seeds are 

 ripe than it does if cut when in flower ; hence an increased stimulus is given to its culti- 

 vation, from its seeds being procured without its being lessened in value as a hay crop. 

 On tenacious, strong, and rather moist soils, it is entitled to precedence of almost any 

 other, and should at least form a considerable proportion of the mixture employed for 

 sowing them down, either for alternate husbandry or permanent pastures. Compared 

 with several others, it is, however, rather deficient as an early spring grass, but is equal 

 to any of the varieties of Common Rye grass. (See illustration facing page 36.) 



30. Poa alpina (Alpine Meadow Grass. Fr. Paturin alpin ; Ger. Alpen Rispengras. 

 Root perennial, fibrous, and of a tufted habit ; leaves short and rough on the edges and 

 inner surface ; height from four to twelve inches ; flowers in June. Grows naturally at 

 very high elevations, but thrives, also, in low-lying districts. This is a valuable grass for 



