ITALIAN RYE-GRASS 549 



No systematic attempt appears to be made now to obtain pure 

 seed of any of these varieties, although formerly such attempts 

 were made with success. 



The names Pacey's rye-grass, Devonshire Eaver, fine-leaved 

 rye-grass, and others at present used in commerce, do not 

 represent different varieties of plants, but are merely names at- 

 tached to ' seeds ' of a certain size or weight. ' Seeds ' passing 

 through a small sieve usually give rise to young plants with fine 

 thin leaves. 



Often all ' seeds ' above a certain weight per bushel have the 

 term 'Pacey' added; such samples are generally superior to 

 those of lower weight, and a somewhat higher price is charged 

 for them. 



Perennial rye-grass grows somewhat in tufts, and gives a good 

 yield of fairly early produce. Its nutritive value is only moderate, 

 and the aftermath or second cut is not often large. 



Upon dry soils its duration is short, usually two or three years ; 

 but on land suited to its requirements it is for all practical 

 purposes a lasting grass, even when not allowed to produce seed 

 and become self-sown. 



For leys of short duration it is excellent, but should be used 

 sparingly in permanent mixtures. 



Its lavish use by the seedsman in expensive ' mixtures,' which 

 should have been cheaper, and the partial abuse of it by the 

 farmer himself in employing it in excessive amount for purposes 

 to which it is unsuited, have tended to the depreciation of 

 the grass in some quarters. Nevertheless, its rapid growth, 

 good yield, fair nutritive value, hardiness, power of forming 

 an excellent ' bottom ' on almost all classes of soil, and other 

 features, place it in the front rank of all grasses when judiciously 

 used. 



Italian Rye-Grass {Lolium italicum A. Br.) is not met with 

 in a wild state, and is no doubt a cultivated form of perennial 

 rye-grass. Its leaves are rolled in the bud, and the flower- 



