74 THE GRASSES— PERENNIAL RYEGRASS. 



of soil and situation, that the importance of this grass 

 is chiefly manifested. As an uncultured pasture grass, 

 it holds perhaps a very subordinate rank, but admitting 

 this to be the case is not denying its utility in other 

 respects. It readily vegetates on almost every kind of 

 soil, and produces a plentiful supply of early herbage 

 before the young plants come into flower. In the spring 

 it is highly valuable — being greatly relished by cattle, by 

 which, however, the rigid flowering stems are left un- 

 touched ; and, unless the latter are removed by timely 

 mowing, the after-crop is nearly worthless. No grass so 

 rapidly impoverishes the soil — or, rather, takes from it 

 that which is necessary to its own support to an extent 

 equally prejudicial to its future growth. As a pasture 

 grass it is of much lower rank than several other very 

 common species ; but, considered in its proper place, or 

 merely as an artificial grass adapted only to peculiar 

 circumstances, its worth cannot be reasonably disputed. 

 Other species of grass may be more extensively appli- 

 cable, but this is one that — of small account in its 

 original state — culture has modified, has indeed forced 

 into unnatural productiveness. Ought we to be surprised 

 that a plant so conditioned should fail when the stimulus 

 that first wrought the change is exhausted or withheld ? 

 Sinclair comments upon the differences of opinion 

 respecting the merits and comparative value of Eye- 

 grass. He notes that it produces an abundance of seed, 

 readily vegetates on most kinds of soil, soon arrives at 

 perfection, produces in its first years of growth a good 

 supply of early herbage, which is much liked by cattle. 

 On the other hand, the after-crop is very inconsiderable, 

 and the plant impoverishes the soil in a high degree if 

 the culms, which are invariably left untouched by cattle. 



