8o THE GRASSES— BLUE MELICK GRASS. 



At Woburn, Pacey's Perennial, grown on a brown 

 rich loam, gave of grass per acre — 



T. cwts. qrs. lbs. 

 At time of flowering . '. . -39315 

 Yielding hay i lo i i 



A variety, called Eussell's Perennial, gave of grass 

 per acre — 



T. cwts. qra. lbs. 



Under same conditions . . . 6 19 3 2 



Blue Melick Grass. 



{Melica ccsrulea, or Molinia cxrula.) 



As mention has been made of the seed of this grass 

 being found as an impurity or adulterant in the seeds 

 of other species, it becomes necessary to briefly allude 

 to its leading characteristics. 



It is a perennial grass, frequent on moors 

 and wei heaths; has a conspicuous purple 

 flower, somewhat resembling a sprig of laven- 

 der. The roots are extraordinarily long and 

 numerous. 



Johnson says that it is eaten by sheep, but 

 that cattle generally refuse it, or crop it only 

 when compelled by hunger, or early in the 

 spring before the flower stems shoot up. Its 

 slender rigid stems have considerable elasticity, and in 

 places where this grass is abundant they are employed 

 to make brooms, mats, baskets, and even ropes. 



Sinclair remarks upon the presence of this grass as 

 indicating those deep peat soils which are adapted for 

 the production of ash, alder, and willow. 



