202 



The proportional value which the crop, at the time of flowering, hears to that at the time the 

 seed is ripe, is as 9 to 4. 



This species of Oat-grass is much less common than the Avena pubescens or Avenajavescens 

 It is found more frequent on chalky, than on any other kind of soils : I have also found it in 

 moist meadows as well as on dry heaths. This property of thriving on soils of such opposite 

 natures, is not common to the different species of grass. When this grass was planted in an ini, 

 gated meadow, the produce did not appear to exceed that which it afforded on a dry elevated 

 soil, though it appeared more healthy, by the superior green colour of the foliage ; and it thus 

 appears to thrive under irrigation. The produce and nutritive powers, however, seem to be 

 inferior to many other species of the secondary grasses : on referring to former details, we find 

 that 



The yellow oat-grass (Avena Jlavescens J, affords of nutritive matter from the crop 

 at the time of flowering _ _ _ _ - 



lbs. 



From the crop at the time the seed is ripe 



The meadow oat-grass (Avena pratensis), as above 



430 11 



909 



388 



The produce, or value of the Yellow Oat, is therefore superior to that of the Meadow Oat, in the pro- 

 portion nearly of 7 to 3. 



r 



The downy oat-grass ( Avena pubescens ) , affords of nutritive matter from the grass at the 



time of flowering -' -- --■-.-.. -_ j y ^n-o 



From the crop at the time the seed is ripe - - - ^ , ^ . -212 



p 



The Downy Oat-grass is therefor^ superior to the Meadow Oat-grass in the quantity of 

 nuti'itive matter it affords from the crops of one season, in the proportion nearly of 3 to 2. From 

 these facts and observations, it cannot justly be recommended for cultivation in preference to 

 either of the two species with which it has now been compared. Its nutritive matter contains a 

 less proportion of bitter extractive and saline matters, than any other of the Oat grasses that 

 have here been submitted to experiment. 



It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August. 



Hordeimn pratense. Meadow Barley-grass, 



Specific character: Husks of the calyx bristle-shaped, all the florets awned, the lateral ones 

 unisexual. Mart t. 108; Flo. Dan. 630; Moris, s. 8 t. 2 f 6. 



OZ-*.- This species has affinity to the Hordeum murinum, wall barley-grass, in appearance; 

 but this is strictly perennial, while the Bordeum murinum is annual. The culms of the 

 Hordeum pratense are more slender, taller, and erect, sheaths roundish, spike slender in 

 comparison to that of the H. murinum; of a purple or greenish hue; that of the H. muri- 

 num is of a dirty yellow. Husks of the calyx bristle-shaped, rough, but not ciliate. Awns 

 much shorter. E. Bot, 409; Host. t. 33. 



Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial. 



Experimenfs.^At the time pf flowering, the produce from a sandy loam with manure, is, 



Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 



^^' <jr. oz. lbs. , 



130680 = 8167 8 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - " - 32 "i 



The produce of the space, ditto - . 76 3f > ' ' ^^^^^ 0=3267 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying ^ ^ , - 4900 8 



I 



i 



