No. 144.] 621 



coarse fibre for making sacks and a coarse kind of packing paper, 

 and the whole plant may be employed for thatching. The cul- 

 ture is similar to that of flax. 



Colza or Rape (Brassica campestris oleifera), two varieties from 

 France, the " Colza froid" and " Colza parapluie " The former is 

 highly recommended, the yield being much greater than the com- 

 mon varieties of rape. It may be distinguished by its luxuriant 

 growth and reddish seeds. The latter, principally cultivated in 

 Normandy, though less productive, has the advantage of throw- 

 ing out lateral branches, which, falling towards the ground, sup- 

 port the plant and prevent it from lodging in consequence of 

 heavy rains, that may happen near the time of maturity. Both 

 varieties may be sown from the middle of July till the end of 

 August, and treated in every respect like other winter rape. 



Spurry (Spergula arvensis), an annual from Germany and 

 France, where it is much cultivated as a Avinter pasture lor cat- 

 tle and sheep. Mutton, as also the milk and butter of cows, fed 

 with it, are stated by Tiiaer to be of very superior quality. It is 

 usually sown on stubble fields after the grain crops have been 

 removed. 



But the principal use to which this plant can be applied in 

 this country is as a green manure, on poor, dry, sandy, or worn- 

 out soils. It may be sown either in autumn, on the wheat stub- 

 ble, or after early potatoes, and ploughed under in spring, pre- 

 paratory to the annual crop, or it may be used to replace the 

 naked fallow, which is often hurtful to lands of so light a cha- 

 racter. In the latter case the first sowing may take place in 

 March, the second in May, and the third in July, each crop being 

 ploughed in to the depth of three or four inches, and the new seed 

 then sown and harrowed. When the third crop is ploughed in 

 the land is ready for a crop of winter grain. 



Sand or Seaside Lyme-grass, (Elymus arenarius), a perennial, 

 from Holland. This grass is not eaten by any of our domestic 

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

 Sir Humphrey Davy found, by anal} zing the soluble matter aflbrd- 

 ed by this plant, that it contained one-third of its weight in su- 



