92 THE GRASSES— WATER MEADOW GRASS. 



Poa trivialis by its deeper colour, and by its sending 

 out undergrouvd stolons; whUe those of the Poa 

 trivialis creep along and root on the soil. 



Dr. Vaset (of the U.S.A. Department of Agriculture) 

 says that it forms, in all the middle portions of the 

 United States, the principal constituent of pastures, 

 though its excellence is said to be rather depreciated 

 in the Eastern States. As illustrating the different 

 estimates formed about this grass. Dr. Vasey mentions 

 that it is very much in favour in southern Ohio, whilst 

 in the north and north-eastern portions of that State it 

 is considered a very unwelcome guest in the grass-lands. 

 He adds that this difference of estimate is probably 

 due to varieties, or to difference of soil and to treatment. 



Water Meadow Grass. 



{Poa aquatica, Linn. Glyceria aquatica, Smith and others.) 



Grows from 3 to 6 feet high. Eoot perennial, creep- 

 ing. Leaves long, broad, and flat. Florets not webbed. 

 Prom its large size and broad leaves cannot be mis- 

 taken for any of the other Poas. 



Curtis says that in flat countries which do not 

 admit of being sufSciently drained, it is almost the 

 only grass for hay and pasture. 



Dr. Pabnell says that, grown in suitable places, it 

 affords abundant crops of valuable winter fodder which 

 cows and horses are fond of. Its nutritive matter is 

 greatest at time of flowering. It flowers second week 

 of July and ripens its seed about middle of August. 



Lawson's Agrostographia describes it as growing 

 naturally by the side of muddy pools, fresh- water lakes, 

 and sluggish rivers; also on rich alluvial soils where 



