72 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEARY PASTUEES. 



Valuable as this grass is for such situations, I do not consider 

 that for any other land it is worth while to incur the cost of seed, 

 which, if true, is always expensive. Wherever Poa pratensis 

 wiU answer, it should be used instead. 



This species is recognisable by the slender leaf which gradu- 

 ally tapers from the base to the tip of the blade, and has a well- 

 marked keel. The young leaves are compressed, and folded on the 

 mid-rib ; whilst the lower sheaths are loose, and tinged violet- 

 purple ; ligule truncate. 



At-Kidmore nitrate of soda and muriate of potash had a 

 marked effect on the development of this grass, while, on the 

 contrary, ammonia salts diminish its growth. The Eothamstead 

 experiments have clearly estabhshed the fact that in this respect 

 it differs altogether from Poa pratensis. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 170, facing an illustration. 



POA NEMOEALIS SEMPEEVIEENS 

 [Hudson's Bay or Evergreen Meadow Grass). 



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 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 very short sheath — not more than one quarter of the 

 length of the flat blade — together with the laciniated, obtuse 

 ligule, and the compressed character of the younger leaves, are 

 points by which this variety may be recognised when not in flower. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 172, facing an illustration of the plant. 



