FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



11 



turf on coast-meadows is pai-ticularlv dense and of remarkable 

 fineness. For sowing cnlj one-sixth of the weight of the 

 seeds as compared with those of the Rye-grass is needed. 



Agrostis rubra, Linne. (A. borealis, Hartmann). 



Northern EurojDe, Asia, and America. A perennial grass 

 called Red-top, and also Herd-grass in the United States of 

 North America. Mr. Meehan places it for pastoral value 

 among grasses cultivated there next after Phleum pratense 

 and Poa pratensis (the latter there called Blue-grass), and 

 before Dactylis giomerata (the Orchard-grass of the United 

 States). 



Agrostis scabra, Willdenow.^ 



The Hair-grass of North America. Recently recommended 

 as one of the best lawn-grasses, formino- a dense turf. It 

 will grow even on poor gravelly soil, and endure drought as 

 well as extreme cold. Its fine roots and suckers spread 

 rapidly, forming soon dense matted sods (according to Dr. 

 Channing). It starts into new gro^^-th immediately after 

 being cut; is for its sweetness picked by pasture animals 

 preferentially; has proved one of the best grasses for dairy 

 gTound; and suppresses weeds like Hordeum secalinum. One 

 bushel of seed to an acre is used for pasture-land, two bushels 

 for lawns. 



Agrostis vulgaris. Withering. 



Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia, North America. One of 

 the perennial gTasses which disseminate themselves with 

 celerity, even over the w*orst of sandy soils. Though not a 

 tall gi'ass, it may be destined to contribute perhaps vi.th Aii'a 

 canescens and others largely to the gTazing capabilities of the 

 Australian desert lands; yet it will thrive also even in moist 

 soil and alpine regions, and is essentially a grass for sheep- 

 country. 



Ailantus glandulosa, Linne. 



South-Eastern Asia. A hardy deciduous tree, sixty feet high, 

 of rather rapid gi'owth, and of very imposing aspect in any 

 landscape. Particularly valuable on account of its leaves, 

 which afford food to a silkworm (Bombyx Cynthia), peculiar 

 to this tree; wood extremely durable, pale yellow, of silky 

 lustre when planed, and therefore valuable for joiners' work. 

 In South Europe planted for avenues. Valuable also for 

 reclaiming coast-sands. 



Aira caespitosa, Linne. 



Widely dispersed over the globe. A fodder-grass, to be 

 utilised for moist meadows. 



