PREFACE. 
Tue following pages, it is hoped, may contain such 
information upon the useful tribe of plants to which they 
refer as may be of use in directing a larger share of atten- 
tion to the subject of meadows. 
The notes herein contained are mostly the result of 
direct observation and attention to individual species, both 
in their wild state and in cultivation, to which has been 
added Notes upon the Agricultural qualities or indications 
of the species commented upon. 
As regards descriptions of species, it must be confessed 
that, after all, these can seldom be rendered quite intel- 
ligible without specimens or drawings; but as this little 
volume is meant principally as an indicator of the value of 
a study of Grasses to the Agricultural Student and the 
observant Farmer, it is hoped that specimens will be col- 
lected by them, and such drawings made of them when in a 
fresh state, as may assist in this interesting study. 
