THE GRASSES— FIORIN. 41 



Considering the price of good pure Dogstail seed, aud 

 the adverse opinions of the grass expressed by some of the 

 authorities quoted above, it is a question for the farmer 

 — especially in districts where it abounds naturally — 

 whether it would not be as well to exclude it entirely 

 from the mixtures for laying down his land. 

 Certainly, as a general rule, considering how 

 copiously it resows itself, it is well to diminish 

 the quantity of this seed in specifications to 

 the lowest point. 



It is stated that Crested Dogstail is fre- 

 quently adulterated with the seed of the 

 Blue Melick grass (Molinia ccerulea) — a 

 grass of no agricultural value which grows „, „ , 



, , ° ° Blue Melick 



on heathy and moory land. The seeds of Grass. 

 Molinia may be distinguished by their larger size and 

 darker colour, and can be recognised by the naked eye 

 on a close scrutiny. 



Florin or Creeping Bent. 



{Agrostis alba var stolonifera.) 



As there are a number of varieties of Agrostis, all of 

 which are next to useless except this one ; and as the 

 seeds of the other varieties are usually sent out instead 

 of the true Fiorin, it is as well to give here a short 

 botanical description of the plant, viz. : — This is a 

 variety with the hranches of the panicle {fiower-head) 

 densely tufted ; sheaths roughish ; stems long, smooth, and 

 procumbent, putting out roots from the nodes or joints. 

 It differs from Agrostis vulgaris in having Iroad leaves ; 



