gras 



14 



^ 



The above details clearly shew, thai there is nearly three-fourths of produce greater fro„, , 

 clayey loam than from a sandy soil, and that the grass from the latter sod is of comparatively 

 less" value, in the proportion of 3 to 2. The culms produced on the sandy soil are deficient in 

 number, and in every respect smaller than those from the clayey loam ; which satisfactorily 

 accounts for the difference in the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by equal quantities of the 



It is not the strength and rankness of the grass that indicates the fitness of the soil for 

 ks growth, but the number and cpality of the culms. The proportional value in wliicluhe 

 grass of the latter-math exceeds that of the flowering crop, is as 4 to 3 ; a difference wliicli 

 appears extraordinary, when the quantity of flowering culms in the flowering crop ig ^^^_ 

 sidered. In the Anthoxanthum odoratum, the proportional difference between these cio 



, L 



ft 



is still greater, nearly as 9 to 4. In the Poa triviaUs they are equal ; but in all t1ie lat 

 flowering grasses that have culms resembling those of the meadow foxtail and sweet- 

 vernal, the greater proportional value is always, on the contrary, found in the grass of the flow- 

 ering crop. Whatever the cause may be, it is evident that the loss sustained by taking these 

 grasses at the time of flowering, is considerable. In ordinary cases this seldom happens in 



ps 

 er 



scented 



practice, because these grasses perfect their seed about the season when hay-harvest geuerally 

 commences, unless where the pasture has been stocked till a late period of the spring, wliicli 

 cannot in this respect be pioductive of any ultimate advantage, but rather loss. This grass, 

 under the best management, does not attain to its fullest productive powers till four years from 

 seed : hence it is inferior to the cock's-foot grass for the purposes of alternate cropping, and 

 to many other grasses besides. The herbage, however, contains more nutritive matter thautliat 

 of the cock's-foot, though the weight of grass produced in one season is considerably less. It 

 thrives well under irrigation, keeping possession of the crowns of the ridges : it is strictly per- 

 manent. Sheep are very fond of it ; when combined with white clover only, the second season, 

 on a sandy loam, it is sufficient for the support of five couple of ewes and lambs, per acre. As 

 it only thrives in perfection on lands.of an intermediate quality as to moisture and dryness, and 

 also being somewhat longer in attaining to its full productive state than some other grasses, its 

 merits have heen misunderstood in many instances ; and in others, as in the alternate husbandry, 

 it has heen hy some persons set aside altogether. It constitutes the principal grass in all rich 

 natural pastures. , Though not so well adapted, therefore, for the alternate husbandry, it is one 

 of the best grasses for permanent pasture, and should never form a less proportion than one- 

 eighth of any mixture of different grasses prepared for that purpose : its merits demand this, 

 whether with respect to early growth, produce, nutritive qualities, or permanency. It has 

 been observed by the Rev. Mr. S wayne*, that nearly two-thirds of the seed Is constantly de- 

 stroyed by insects : according to my experiments, this evil may be almost entirely obviated, by 

 suffermg the first culms of the season to carry the seed. It flowers in April, May, and June, 

 accordmg as it may have been depastured earlier or later. Seed ripe in June and July, accord- 

 ing to the season of flowering. 



* See GraminaPnscua, by the Rev. G. Swayne, a work which contains much valuable information on the subject of gra^e.. 



