THE GRASSES— PERENNIAL RYEGRASS. 75 



are not cut before the seed advances towards perfection. 

 When this is neglected the field, after midsummer, 

 exhibits only a brown surface of withered straws. 



Dr. Pabnell endorses the statement that, for per- 

 manent pasture, the produce and nutritive powers of the 

 Eyegrass compared with those of the Cocksfoot grass are 

 inferior nearly in the proportion of $ to i8, and inferior 

 to Meadow Foxtail in the proportion of 5 to 12, and 

 inferior to Meadow Fescue in the proportion of 5 to 1 7. 



Mr. Faunce de Laune, in vol. xviii. of the JourTud of 

 the Royal Agricultural Society oflhigland, says that this 

 is a short-lived grass ; and that, owing to the shortness 

 of its roots, it exhausts the surface of the soil, so that, 

 when it dies out, the bare space is so impoverished 

 that though grasses may germinate upon it they will 

 faU. to live unless highly manured by accident or on 

 purpose. Besides, the feeding qualities as determined 

 by chemical analysis do not encourage its cultivation. 

 In his own experience it has proved at some seasons 

 injurious to stock. The grasses most pernicious to 

 newly formed pastures are, first and principally, Eyegrass 

 in all its varieties, and Yorkshire Fog. Both those 

 grasses are rapid in growth and make a great show; 

 they produce an abundance of seed and are very cheap, 

 hence their popularity with superficial observers. 



^Ir. Maetin J. SuTTOX says that, while other grasses 

 are dependent on season and weather, Eyegrass is able 

 to hold its own under all circumstances, enduring winter 

 frost and summer heat. Another great advantage is 

 that it is so little injured by being allowed to grow old 

 before it is cut. It deserves to be widely known that 

 Eyegrass straw cut into chaff is a very substantial food 

 for cattle. Even on land where it is certain to die out. 



