70 



V ■ 



affects the foregoing species, the bad effects of which were manifested in the great deficiency of 

 produce in the crop at the time the seed Avas ripe, being one-half less than at the time the grass 



s 



J 



in ilower. Though the disease begins in the straws, the leaves suffer most from its effect 

 being at the time the seed is ripe completely dried up. The culms therefore constitute the mln^ 

 cipal part of the crop at the time the seed is ripe, and they contain more nutritive matter in pro 

 portion, than the leaves. When the grass is cut before the time of flowering, the disease mak 

 but small progress, or does not make its appearance if the grass is kept closely cropped Jt 

 has the property of sending up flowering-straws till a late period of the season, and when 

 only thrice in the season, the latter- math is considerable. 



When the Poa nemoraUsi is raised from seed. 



cut 



n the Poa nemoralis is raised from seed, the first year the calyx contains only from 

 3 to 5 florets; afterwards, the number increases to 9 florets in each calyx: when raised from 

 seed in shady situations, it has frequently only 2 florets in each calyx, and sometimes onlv 1 

 the first year: the number does not increase afterwards to more than 3 florets in each calyx 



Ihe property of early growth In the spring, which this grass, Poa angustifolia ^ possesses 

 in an eminent degree, recommends it for the purpose of permanent pasture. It sends un 

 flowering culms successively for several weeks. In this it differs from the Poa pratensis, which 

 produces culms only once in the season. The root is as powerfully creeping as that species 

 and but for which, it might rank with the most valuable grasses. It contains more nutritive 

 matter than the Poa pratensis, or Poa trivialis. Its spring produce is nearly doiiLle that of 

 either of these grasses; and it is perfectly exempt, as before observed, from any disease that 

 detracts so much from the merits of the Poa nemoralis , which nearest approaches to this species, 

 in the superiority of early and abundant herbage in the spring. It flowers towards the end of 

 May, and the seed is ripe about the third week of June. 



Poa fertiUs. Fertile 



ifii 



-grass 



connected at the base by woolly hairs; husks generally 5-nerved, sheaths of the culms a 

 little rough, straw somewhat compressed; root slightly creeping. 

 Obs.—Thh grass seems to be allied to the Poa nemoralis. It differs in having the panicle 

 more loose and spreading, and less attenuated. The spikets are more oval and nemed, 

 otherwise the number of florets might occasion a doubt. The culm rises from a foot and 

 a half, totwo feet in height, and sometimes more; ascending at the base, afterwards 

 erect, somewhat compressed. In long continued moist weather the lower joints send up 

 flowering culms. The panjcle is erect, and spreading when in flower, but contracted and 

 drooping when the seed is ripe. Flo. Ger. 299, Poa serotina ; Host. v. 3, p. 10, t. 13, 

 Poafertilis, 



Native of Germany. Perennial. 



Experiments. ~kX the time of flowering, the produce from a sandy loam, is. 



Grass, 23 oz, The produce per acre 

 80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 

 The produce of the space, ditto 



dr. 



qr, 



oz. 



250470 



34 



156 U 



106449 



3 



lbs. 



15654 6 



