Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis. 69 



Devonshire, Norfolk, and East Lothian, — pursuing the first- 

 mentioned impi'ovement ; the latter, we believe, is already 

 taken in hand, to a certain extent, by a gentleman in Lincoln- 

 shire. (E. of Ag. § 5096.) In the meantime, the cultivator, 

 in sowing lands to grass, which are to remain in that state for 

 several years, will find his advantage in using a mixture of a 

 greater number of sorts than has hitherto been done. Among 

 the best species for this purpose are the Festuca loliacea 

 (spiked fescue grass), Poa fertilis (fertile meadow grass), 

 Poa trivialis (roughish meadow grass), Alopecurus pratensis 

 (meadow fox-tail grass), Lolium perenne (perennial rye-grass), 

 Cynosurus cristatus (crested dog's-tail grass), and Anthoxan- 

 thum vernum (sweet-scented vernal grass). 



For a single crop of hay, with or without red clover, he will 

 find nothing better than rye-grass, of which there are several 

 varieties in cultivation ; but the better of the perennial sorts are 

 Pacey's, Russel's, and Whitworth's; of the annual, or rather 

 biennial variety, there are no sub-varieties of any note. For 

 two or three years' pasture, as part of a succession of crops on 

 arable lands', rye -grass, cock's-foot grass, and common meadow 

 grass, with white clover, will be found a good mixture. For 

 lawns in pleasure-grounds, nothing can surpass the Festuca 

 ovina, where it will grow and form a close carpet ; but as it is 

 a solitary grass, that is, without creeping roots, it is very apt 

 to become thin on the surface, unless mixed with dog's-tail 

 grass, sweet-scented vernal grass, and some others. In some 

 situations, common rye-grass and common meadow grass will 

 succeed better than more dwarf and finer-leaved species ; and 

 in close confined situations in towns, no grass will live any 

 length of time excepting Poa annua. 



Since this work was published, Mr. Sinclair has engaged in 

 the nursery business, and, as our readers will recollect (see 

 Gard. Mag. vol. i. p. 115.)? has formed a grass garden in his 

 nursery at New Cross. It is no small advantage tor the public 

 that they may examine all the principal grasses in this garden, 

 consult the author as to the sorts best adapted for different 

 soils and situations, and, by procuring them from the highly 

 respectable firm with which he is connected, render him re- 

 sponsible for the result. 



The work is divided into five sections, treating, 1. of the 

 mode in which the experiments were conducted ; 2. of the 

 grasses and other plants which constitute the produce of the 

 richest natural pastures; 3. of the grasses and other plants 

 which are natural to dry, sandy, and elevated soils ; 4. of the 

 grasses which naturally grow in moist soils, or in bogs, lands 



F 3 



