26 THE GRASSES—SWEET VERNAL. 



shire Fog, and, it may be presumed, samples of that 

 class are not yet quite extinct. Such impurities, how- 

 ever, can be easily recognised, as the seed of the York- 

 shire Fog is usually whiter in colour, and not so hairy 

 as that of the Foxtail. Furthermore, the kernel of 

 the latter is of a yellow hue, while the kernel of the 

 Yorkshire Fog is of a silvery white colour. 



We have it on the authority of Mr. Hunter that 

 the seeds of Alopecurus agrestis (Black grass) were also 

 much used to adulterate Meadow Foxtail ; and the same 

 authority adds that "this Black grass is one of the 

 most execrable of weeds, and not a seed of it should be 

 permitted to enter into the composition of any perma- 

 nent pasture, yet tons of this seed are annually used 

 to adulterate the true Alopecums pratensis." 



Sweet Vernal, 



(Anthoxanthum odoratum.) 

 The best seed weighs from lo to 12 lbs. per bushel. 



Standard of germination, of H.M.'s Office of Works, 

 60 per cent. 



W.Caeruthees,F.E.S., thinks that this is a Perennial 

 grass deserving of a place, though not an important 

 one, in permanent pastures. It is one of the earliest 

 grasses, showing flowering heads even at the end of 

 April. The foliage is at the best but scanty, and it is 

 never a favourite food with stock. 



Mr. M. J. Sutton says it is one of the earliest grasses, 

 coming into full flower at the beginning of May, and 

 therefore no surprise will be felt that it yields only a 

 small hay crop. It is a true Perennial, and continues 



