i9i4" I 9 I 5-] The Position of Pastoral Plan ts since 1885. 159 



the olive fly (Dacus olece), which deposits its eggs in the young 

 fruit. It is estimated that in one season each female is re- 

 sponsible for about 160 millions of flies. In one year in 

 Italy this insect injured the olive trees to the extent of millions 

 of pounds. The olive is also attacked by a moth and by a 

 fungus, which entirely despoil the plant of its leaves and 

 fruit. The fungus disease is known in Italy as Brusca ; and 

 the study of the fungus, for which apparently very special 

 conditions of growth are necessary, may give results of 

 particular interest in vegetable pathology. 



IX.— THE POSITION OF PASTORAL PLANTS 

 SINGE 1885. 



By Mr WILLIAM WILSON. 



(Communicated, December 16, 1914-) 



During the last fifteen years of last century much attention 

 was given to the improvement of pastoral plants, and careful 

 observation, continued up to the present time, has given us 

 some sound knowledge on this subject, although there is still 

 room for experiment with regard to many points. 



The statement made about a century ago by Professor 

 Lindley still holds — that the best'~'fodder grasses of Europe 

 are species which do not grow to a- greater height than three 

 or four feet, as, taller than this, they are apt to become hard 

 and wiry. The leading fodder grasses are rye, fescue, 

 meadow, timothy, crested dog's-tail, and sweet-scented vernal 

 grass. In our time we have, in addition, made extensive use 

 of cock's-foot grass and, though not to the same extent, 

 meadow fox-tail. No outstanding success has attended 

 attempts to introduce luxuriant grasses from various parts of 

 the globe, though these continue to be excellent animal 

 support in their native lands. 



Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) has proved peculiarly adapted 



VOL. VII. L 



