THE SELECTION OP GEASSES AND OLOVEES. 65 



Poa nemoralis sempervirens {Ritdson's Bay, or Evergreen 

 Meadow Gras.'^) grows very early in spring, yields a greater 

 bulk of herbage than Poa pratensis, bears drought remarkably 

 well, and is the most valuable of the cultivated Poas. For 

 lawns and ornamental grounds it answers admirably, and it is 

 indispensable for sowing under the shade of trees. The seed is 

 too costly, and the supply too uncertain, to warrant a large use 

 of it in ordinary grass-land farming. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 162, facing an illustration of the plant. 



Poa aquatica {Water Meadow, or Sweet Reed Grass) is 

 adapted for low-lying land subject to floods. It is nutritious, and 

 is generally hked by cattle. In the fen districts it forms a large 

 part of the herbage, and yields abundant crops of hay. It is 

 suitable for sowing in water meadows, and may be included in 

 permanent mixtures for undrained clay. The flowering occurs 

 in July and August. 



Trifolmm repens perenne {Perennial White Clover). — This 

 plant was first cultivated in the Netherlands ; hence the familiar 

 name, Dutch Clover. It is said not to have been sown in England 

 until the beginning of the eighteenth century, although it is in- 

 digenous all over the country. The seed will lie dormant for a 

 long time and at a great depth, and be ready to spring into hfe 

 when brought to the surface. The habit of the plant is creeping, 

 and when once established it soon covers the ground. Some- 

 times its luxuriance is excessive, when it becomes a nuisance, 

 taking possession of land which might be more profitably occu- 

 pied, so that judgment should be exercised in sowing it. In 

 warm, rainy seasons it spreads rapidly, but makes httle or 

 no progress during cold, dry weather. Besides the mass of 

 fibrous surface roots there is a long tap-root which goes deep 

 into the subsoil, sustaining the plant during drought when only 



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