AGEICULTURAL GEASSES. 37 



All kinds of stock eat it greedily, and take it even in preference 

 to Italian Rye Grass. Compared with that grass, Bromus inermis 

 starts earlier in spring, yields quite double the crop at the first 

 cut, and the analysis made for me by Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker 

 shows the Bromus to be the richer in albuminoids and nitrogen. 



BROMUS SCHRiEDEEI 

 {Schrader's Brome Grass). 



This grass is not strictly perennial, and there is a prejudice 

 against it because of the harshness of its foliage ; still it is a 

 valuable forage plant. From the sweetness of its taste and the 

 readiness with which it is eaten by stock, there can be little doubt 

 that it is highly nutritious. It is one of the earliest grasses to 

 start in a temporary pasture, and I strongly urge a more ex- 

 tended trial of it in mixtures for two or three years' leys which 

 are mainly to be fed off. In warm moist seasons especially its 

 usefulness will be manifested. Several years ago I saw a field of 

 this grass which kept an extraordinary head of sheep which were 

 penned on it. The crop was ready at one end of the field as soon 

 as the sheep had finished at the other. 



The roots feed on the surface, and the plant will thrive on 

 the thinnest soil. So vigorous is the growth that weeds are 

 crowded out, and in my opinion Bromus Schrcederi has not been 

 cultivated in England to the extent it deserves. 



CYN'OSUEUS CEISTATUS 

 (Crested Dogstcdl). 



One of the chief sheep grasses of British agriculture. Com- 

 bined with Hard Fescue and Sheep's Fescue it may be said to 

 compose the best of our sheep pastures. It constitutes a valuable 

 bottom grass, and is supposed to exercise a beneficial influence on 

 sheep in the prevention of foot-rot. Certain it is that sheep show 



