334 
The Improvement of Grass Lands. 
tions. At all events, a perusal of Wheeler's ' Book on Grasses ' 
will repay a study by any one interested in the subject. 
It may here be advisable to notice a few of the grasses suit- 
able for renovating meadows ; but as our space is limited, this 
notice must necessarily be brief. 
Rye-grass {^Lolium perenne). — This is a grass well known, and 
valuable for mixtures, as it does well on most soils, but the 
evergreen is more to be recommended than either Pacey's or the 
perennial ; for it stands better the frost in winter and the drought 
in summer, but I scarcely know how to recommend it in pre- 
ference to the Italian rye-grass {Lolium Italicum) for meadows ; 
for artificial pastures the latter is undoubtedly preferable. For 
renovating, 2 lbs. may be used in the mixture. 
The Cock's-foot {Dactylis fjlomerata) is also a very valuable 
grass, as it soon arrives at maturity ; it is most suitable for the 
medium soils, and should not be sown by itself, but mixed with 
other grasses. It is also a good grass for sowing in orchards. 
The produce is very great, and the quality highly nutritious, 
1 lb. may be used in mixture for renovating ; increasing, or dimi- 
nishing the quantity, according as the soil runs deep and good or 
tldn and light. 
Timothy, or Meadow Cat's-tail (^Phlaium pratense) is another 
good grass for renovating mixtures. It flourishes best on the 
moist soils, but may be used on all. It is a nutritious grass, but 
a slow grower. About ^ lb. per acre will be sufficient to use 
in renovating mixtures. 
Meadow Fox-tail [Alopecurus pratensis) is another valuable 
grass for renovating mixtures. It takes a few years to come to 
perfection, but it is then an early and nutritious grass, and is to 
be found in most of our valuable pastures. It is a good kind 
for grazing purposes, and is also good for the aftermath, as it 
grows quantity as well as quality. It is best adapted for medium 
soils, but may be used in mixtures in most situations, at the rate 
of ^ lb. per acre. 
The Golden Oat Grass (^Avena Jiavescens) is a desirable grass 
for mixture, especially for light dry soils. It does not run 
quickly to seed, and produces a quantity of herbage, but if allowed 
to get old, is of little value ; it may be used at the rate of J lb. 
per acre. 
The Sweet Vernal [AntJwxanthum odoratum^, is another grass 
to be recommended for mixture for renovating, as it is very 
early. The herbage produced is, perhaps, scanty, but is valuable 
mixed with others, as it principally gives the scent to newly 
made hay. It is more especially to be recommended for sheep 
pastures, and does for most soils, but, perhaps, from J to J lb. 
will be sufficient for renovating purposes. 
