82 PEEMANENT AND TEMPORAEY PASTUEES. 



ANTHOXANTHUM ODOEATUM 



{Sweet-scented Vernal). 



This very distinct species is grown chiefly for the pleasant 

 odour it imparts to the hay crop, which enhances the price of the 

 hay, and it is only when the grass is dry that the fragrance is fully 

 distinguishable. So marked is this quality that in the South of 

 Europe an extract is obtained from the plant which is used in the 

 manufacture of scent. But the grass possesses an agricultural 

 value quite apart from the purpose it serves as a condiment for 

 cattle, for it is one of the earhest varieties, coming into fuU flower 

 at the beginning of May. It is a true perennial, exceedingly hardy, 

 and continues growing until late in autumn, so that the aftermath 

 is actually much larger in bulk, as well as more nutritious, than 

 the first crop. This fact clearly indicates that Sweet Vernal is as 

 useful for grazing as for cutting. One characteristic of this grass 

 is its brilliant green colour ; hence it should be employed in 

 Mixtures for parks and ornamental grounds in larger proportion 

 than would be reasonable if the quantity of hay or grass were 

 of primary consideration. But its use in lawns is, in my opinion, 

 a mistake, although it has been recommended for that purpose. 

 The leaves are too broad and flat, and look unsightly in a sward 

 that is kept down close ; while for the park, especially round a 

 mountain home, it is an invaluable grass. 



Sweet Vernal grows abundantly in some parts of Devon ^ and 

 in the Eastern Counties, and the plants invariably thrive better 

 in pastures among other varieties than when two of them happen 



* A gentleman in South Devon has written me concerning Anthoxanthwm odoratum 

 as follows : — 



' This grass grows wild in this neighbourhood in the hedgerows, and cattle are fond 

 of it in the winter months. It has the merit of shooting very early in the spring. To- 

 wards the end of February we had a few days of mild and moist weather, and it com- 

 menced to sprout strongly, and I observed that all kinds of cattle preferred it to other 

 grasses.' 



