184 



BRITISH GRASSES. 



only the rudiment of an ovary and a very long awn; fila- 

 ments long ; anthers large, pendulous, purple. 



The great height of this grass, its large lanceolate 



panicles bending gracefully 

 to one side, and the great 

 beauty of its large spikelets, 

 make it an object of admi- 

 ration to all grass-]overs. 

 The outer glumes are pale 

 green shading to straw-co- 

 lour, they gape widely apart 

 and are very glossy; the 

 flowering glumes and palea 

 are thus thrown open to view, 

 and being large and richly 

 tinted with violet, the con- 

 trast with the outer glumes 

 is perfect ; add to this the grace of the long pendulous 

 purple anthers and the flag- like leaves arching beneath 

 the panicle, and those who are not familiar with the 

 False Oat can imagine its rare beauty. It grows freely 

 in meadows, especially near the hedges or in thickets 

 throughout Britain; flowering in June or July, later 

 than most summer grasses; its large, tapering, gaily 

 coloured panicle never failing to attract notice and ad- 

 miration. 



It is only of recent years that the value of the False 

 Oat as an agricultural grass has become generally known. 

 Mr. Sinclair notices it thus — " A valuable grass if cut 

 when it is in flower, producing numerous culms again 

 for the aftermath. Subject to rust, which does not 

 appear till after the flowering season." 



It produces a plentiful early supply of foliage, which 



