THE GRASSES— WOOD MEADOW GRASS. 89 



Wood Meadow Grass. 



{Poa nemoraUs.) 

 Extra good seed weighs up to 23 lb. per busheL 



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

 75 per cent. 



Eoot fibrous and not stoloniferous. Plorets more 

 or less webbed at the base. Lower palea 5 -veined ; the 

 central and marginal veins silky ; the web sometimes 

 wanting. 



Dr. Paenell says it ranks amongst the superior per- 

 manent pasture grasses, producing a considerable deal 

 of fine succulent and nutritious herbage, which horses, 

 cows, and sheep are remarkably fond of. It will grow 

 freely in exposed situations, but in its natural state is 

 found only in shady places, or in woods on rich soil. 



Chakles Johnson says that this is a grass of vari- 

 able habit, and that for agricultural purposes its value 

 seems doubtful. In mountainous districts he never 

 saw it eaten down by sheep, and deer generally leave 

 it untouched in parks. Hares and rabbits devour the 

 herbage, and game birds are fond of the seeds ; hence 

 it may be worth introduction in preserves where it does 

 not grow spontaneously. 



Mr. James Huntee says that its pleasant green 

 colour and fine herbage adapt it for sowing in mixture 

 with other fine-leaved grasses for lawns and pleasure- 

 grounds ; and when these are much shaded by trees, no 

 other grass is so well suited to the purpose. 



The Seed is often adulterated with the seeds of 

 Hassock grass (Aira ccespitosa), a small shiny seed 

 frequently figured in these pages. 



