LOLIUM. 



213 



sively cultivated. It is called by farmers Ray-grass. 

 The perennial roots put up several stems, which grow 

 prostrate at the base, but 

 ascend from one of the lower 

 joints and then grow upright, 

 smooth, and tall, measuring 

 from six to twenty-four 

 inches when mature ; the 

 stem is often tinged with 

 brown at the joints; the 

 pointed leaves are four or 

 five inches long, the upper 

 ones much broader than 

 those which spring from the 

 root, these are quite smooth; 

 the spike varies in length 

 from four to seven or even 

 nine inches, and supports 

 from ten to eighteen spikelets ; the rachis is zigzag in 

 its growth, and the spikelets are lodged in the hollows ; 

 the seed is easily separated from the chaff. The Rye- 

 grass continues to flower for some time. Both the nor- 

 mal form and the varieties are extensively cultivated ; 

 their seed is easily collected and they produce a good 

 crop the first year. But there are drawbacks to their 

 excellence: the seed is very liable to be mixed with 

 that of Couch-grass, which gives unreasoning farmers 

 an idea that Lolium seed produces Couch; it is neces- 

 sary to be very careful in cleaning the seed, to avoid this 

 admixture. Messrs. Wheeler explain that this is easily 

 done, the seed of the Couch-grass being longer and 

 thinner than that of the Rye-grass, and readily detected 

 by careful examination. 



