2m 



CAgrostis stolonifera^ var. lattfolia) 



c^quaticaj. Jf^j^ 



amply 



soil be not too wet for the former, or too peaty for the latter, the produce will be found 

 to reward the labour of preparing and planting the soil. Mr, Pennant says, that about A 

 in the Isle of Skye, the Farmers turn their cattle during the daytime to this grass, which * ' 

 first, and at night drive them into dry ground again. 



M 



In 



down has been manufactured into various articles of dress, paper, and wicks for candle 

 some parts of Sweden, the peasants stuff their pillows with it, whence it is called poor 

 pillow; but it becomes brittle when dry. 



Neither the productive or nutritive powers of this grass appear, from the above details f 

 ficiently great to recommend it for cultivation. Though it comes into flower in June it is 1 t 

 in the spring before the foliage attains to any length. 



.\ 



Eriophorum vaginafum. Hare's-tail, or Sheathed Cotton-grass. 



■ J 



Specific chaincfer: Culms obscurely three-cornered, sheathed; spike oval-oblong. 



Obs, — Culms erect, smooth, with three or four joints, roundish below,' three-cornered above 



' from six to twelve inches in height. Root-leaves sharp-pointed, streaked on two sides 



convex on one side, flat on two sides. Stem-leaves less sharp, upper one with a remarka- 



ble inflated sheath. It produces only one spike, which is upright. E. Bot, 873; Host. i. 



t. 39. E. ca^spitosum; Linn.; Curt.; Schrader. 



ISative of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous. 



Exp eriments,-r^ At the time of flowering, the produce from a ho^ soil is 



dr. 



Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 

 80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 

 The produce of the space, ditto ? 



qr. 



oz. 



1Q8900 



lbs. 



6806 4 



46 



92 



62620 



3913 9 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in dryin 

 64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter - 

 The produce of the space, ditto 





2892 11 



% 

 



3403 2 



212 11 



r 



The produce and nutritive properties of this grass appear, from the above details, to be very 

 inferior to the preceding species of Cotton-grass. The chief property that would give value to 

 it, if its productive powers Ayere greater, is its early growth, being one of the earliest of the 



-British grasses,; flowering in April. 



The foliage is 



the flowering culms ; but its produce of latter-math is very inconsiderable. It i 



equally early, growing in proportion with 



frequent 



IS more 



on moors of a drier nature, than moist bogs, though it is to be met with on most of them. Sheep 

 are said to be very fond of this grass, but as far as I have had opportunity to observe, they only 

 crop the foliage in the spring, till the finer natural grasses afford them a bite. It offers, there- 

 fore, no particular merit to warrant a recommendation for the purposes of the Agriculturist. 

 It flowers abput the third week of April, and the ^eed is ripe about the third week of May 



I 



1 



