AGRICULTURAL GRASSES 75 



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. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 5s. Edition. 



POA SEROTINA 



[Late Meadow Grass). 



This variety flowers later than other Poas, and it is also 

 later in ripening seed than either Poa protends or Poa trivialis. 

 The plant is successful on almost all kinds of soil, especially 

 on rich moist land. For hay it is a valuable grass, producing 

 an abundance of foliage early in the season. The aftermath is 

 not very great, but in permanent pastures it has the merit of 

 growing freely between the period of ripening and after-yield 

 of most other grasses. 



Quite a year is required to develop strong plants of Late 

 Meadow Grass, and for this reason it cannot be recommended 

 for alternate husbandry. True seed is difficult to obtain. 



In the absence of the flowering panicle Poa serotina can 

 always be distinguished from Poa nemoralis by the short blunt 

 ligule. 



POA AQUATICA 



( Water-Meadow or Sweet Reed Gi-ass). 



Adapted for low-lying land subject to floods, nutritious, 

 and generally liked by cattle. In the Fen districts it forms 

 a large part of the herbage, and yields abundant crops of hay. 



