LIGHT SEEDS, 129 
nitrogen. In the Eastern Counties experts have found few 
old-established pastures free from this grass ; in fact, it more 
often forms the chief growth. 
In country lanes, road sides, cricket fields, or where there is 
much traffic, perennial ryegrass withstands all the compression 
which destroys other species. It is, therefore, of great value, 
being hardy, dependable, and indigenous to the soil in most 
parts of England, but at the same time it appreciates good 
living. 
There are sixty or more varieties of ryegrass, but only 
Italian, perennial, or sports therefrom are worthy of our 
attention. For instance, we have Lolium vulgare, which is an 
annual; but why should we bother our heads concerning it 
when the vastly superior perennial ryegrass is available? 
In conclusion, we would say that this grass was the first that 
was ever gathered and cultivated to the benefit of husbandry. 
The sample varies, perhaps, more than any other seeds of a 
similar kind ; there are about 200,000 seeds to the pound. 
Ivatian Ryecrass (LOLIUM ITALICUM). 
When treating pastures with sewage first came in vogue, 
some twenty-five years ago, a great run was made upon this 
grass, and a fortune was said to be within the reach of any 
farmer who choose to cultivate it; but the results achieved by 
those who rushed into an undertaking, the nature of which 
they knew but little, could easily be anticipated. To put 
Italian ryegrass into a mixture for a permanent pasture is a 
mistake, except on very poor land, as it is a quick grower, a 
gross feeder, a short stayer, and it dies down as soon as it 
has exhausted the nitrogen available to it. 
Its effect should be obvious, it springs up quicker than 
anything else, sucks the goodness from the land, smothers 
‘other plants, then dies, leaving a bare space, or a few worth- 
less stunted plants struggling for their existence. I 
