206 THE LIFE AND WORK OF GEORGE DON. 
reason to believe that any of them would answer as hay. Besides, 
there is no grass, not even the 77iticum repens, so difficult to 
eradicate. The only other to be compared with it, is the Holcus 
mollis—a grass which can only be useful, when cultivated on sandy 
downs, with a view to bind the sand by its running roots. 
Among the scirpi?, the schenz*, and the junci4, none so far as I 
know, have been thought of as fit for cultivation. Many of the scipi 
and schent are diminutive, and all of them exceedingly harsh. In 
regard to the junc1, I have never seen them applied to any agricul- 
tural purpose, except the making of ropes. For this purpose 
the Juncus effusus*, when peeled, was in some parts of Scotland, 
much used half a century ago. The Juncus articulatus® was 
also made into cushions, to be put under the yoke used by 
oxen; for which purpose, from its toughness, it seems well adapted. 
I have often observed this /uncus in the most unfavourable situa- 
tions in the Highlands, where cattle were often straitened for food ; 
but it generally remained untouched. The same observation may 
be made by any person who will take the trouble to view this plant, 
on the Pentland hills, near Edinburgh?. Not one of the rushes 
indeed, claims the attention of the farmer, unless it be for the above 
purpose, or for litter or thatch. Were it even possible to use the 
Juncus articulatus as a grass crop, the extreme difficulty of eradi- 
cating it, would be a sufficient objection. I remember, fifteen years 
ago, to have seen eight oxen and four horses yoked in a plough, on 
the high grounds in Forfarshire, to tear up a meadow covered with 
this strong rooted plant; but their efforts were inadequate to 
accomplish the business completely ; for when they had finished the 
operation, more than a third part remained green, and apparently 
not turned over. 
In regard to plants which are not properly grasses, few have 
been more loudly recommended by some persons than the Plantago 
lanceolata or rib grass; but in my opinion with no good reason; 
Mr. Dickenson, a gentleman well known for his attention and 
accuracy, and whose opinion should be decisive, expressly says, 
that he has seen twelve acres of rib grass cultivated, but that no 
3 Couch grass, or Creeping Wheat grass. 2 Bull-Rushes, or Club-Rushes. 
. -Rushes. * Rushes. 
5 Soft Rushes. ® Sprat or jointed Rush. 
7 In the hay from some wet meadow grounds, this species may sometimes be found 
composing a part of the herbage; but in proportion as it abounds, it renders the 
forage of little value; and if there be on any spot, a great. quantity of it, it is either 
not mown at all, or excluded out of the general mixture. 
