26 



observed W, that there is a great difference between culms and leaves of grasses that have 

 been dried after they were cut in a green and succulent state, or in possession of their nutrient 

 qualities, and those culms and leaves which have been dried (if I may so express it) by Nature 

 when growing : the former retain all their nutritive powers, but the latter very little, if any. 

 In point of early produce in the spring, this grass stands next to the Alopecurus pratensis, 

 (meadow foxtail), and is superior in this respect to the cock s-root. 



About the middle of April, the meadow-foxtail affords of nutritive matter, per acre 

 At the same season, the meadow-fescue, as above, affords of nutritive matter, per acre 

 The round-panicled cockVfoot, (Daciylis glomerata)^ ditto ditto 



lbs. 



- 483 



- 382 



- 358 



It is eaten by horses, oxen, and sheep, but particularly by the two first : its merits will be 

 more clearly seen by comparing it farther with the cock's-foot and meadow-foxtail. As it is 

 often three weeks later in flowering than the foxtail-grass, the latter-math produce must he left 

 out for the truth of comparison ; and as it is much slower in growth after being cropped than 

 the cock's-foot, it is likewise necessary to omit the latter-math in a comparison of their produce. 



Alopecurus pratensis, (meadow-foxtail), at the time of flowering, affords of nutritive 



lbs. 



matter, per acre 



487 



461 

 ^55 



1194 



1403 



At the time the seed is ripe, ditto ditto ditto ...--- 



The produce of latter-math, ditto ditto ditto 



The Festuca pratensis, (meadow-fescue), as above, affords, from the flowering and seeding crops 

 only -^---.--.-«- 



The weight of nutritive matter in which the produce of one acre of the meadow-fescue exceeds 

 that of the foxtail, is -------_ 



Or the meadow-fescue is of greater value than that of the foxtail, in the proportion nearly of 11 to 9. 

 Bactylis ghmerata, (round cock's-foot, affords of nutritive matter, per acre, from three crops, that 

 is, at the time of flowering, at the time of seeding, and from the latter-math crop, as before 

 The Festuca pratensis, as above ^ - -----__^_ 1403 



209 



2821 



The weight of nutritive njatter, in which the cock's-foot exceeds the meadow-fescue per acre, is - 1418 

 Or the cock's-foot grass is superior, in point of produce, to the meadow-fescue, in the proportion nearly of 

 ?tol. 



\ 



The meadow -fescue constitutes a very considerable portion of the herhao-e of all rich natural 

 pastures and irrigated meadows; it makes excellent hay, and though a large plant, the leaves or 

 herbage are succulent and tender, and apparently much liked by cattle, as they never form rank 

 tufts, which is the case with the larger grasses. It does not appear to arrive at perfection from 

 seed so soon as either the cock's-foot or foxtail grasses, and though essential for permanent pas- 

 ture, is not well adapted for the alternate husbandry. Flowers in June, and ripens the seed at 

 the end of July and the beginning of August, 



Cynosuriis cristatus. Crested Dog's-tail Grass, 



# 



Obs. 



Floral leaves deeply divided into awl-shaped segments. Husks generally containing 



three flowers. 



two 



valve ending i» 



