230 On Laying down Land to Permanent Grass. 
I will explain my view of the reason of this deterioration, 
and point out the remedy ; and, in so doing, correct what I 
conceive to be some erroneous impressions that are generally 
entertained respecting grasses. 
The terms " coarser grasses " and " finer grasses," which are 
so frequently used, have led to serious mischief in the formation 
of new pastures. The coarser are popularly believed to be the 
inferior, and the finer grasses the better sort ; but in reality the 
four best grasses for pasture are all large grasses, and come, 
popularly speaking, under the head of coarse grasses. 
The number of grasses indigenous to England is very con- 
siderable ; but it is sufficient for all purposes of practical utility 
to indicate those that are the most valuable and those that are 
the most detrimental to all pastures, whether new or old. 
There are perennial, biennial, and annual grasses ; the two 
latter ought, in my opinion, under all circumstances, to be care- 
fully excluded when a permanent pasture is desired. The use 
of short-lived grasses and of biennial clovers, coupled with an 
insufficiency of proper seed, is the main cause of the deteriora- 
tion of new pastures after the first two or three years. 
The four coarse grasses, valuable beyond all others for per- 
manent pasture, are cocksfoot {^Dactylis (jlomerata)., meadow 
fescue {^Festuca pratensis) and its ally, tall fescue {^Festuca 
elatiorj, catstail or timothy (^Phlcum pi'atense), and meadow 
foxtail (Alopccurus pratensis). These five grasses should form 
the bulk of all pastures on good soil, either for sheep or cattle. 
The finer or minor grasses are crested dogstail (^Cynosurus cris- 
tatus), hard fescue [Festuca duriuscula), rough meadow grass 
{Poa trivialis), florin (Agrostis stoloriifera), sheep's fescue 
(Festuca ovina), and golden oat-grass i^Avena Jiavescens). A 
meadow composed of the above would be perfect as regards 
grasses, assuming that the proper proportions are used ; it would 
produce Ibod for stock during nearly every month of the year. 
The clovers, which should, however, be used in a much smaller 
proportion than the grasses, are permanent red clover, cow 
grass, alsike, and white or Dutch clover. Seeds of milfoil or 
yarrow [Achillea viillefuUuni) ought never to be omitted. The 
above are really all the plants required for a permanent pasture 
of the finest quality, on first-rate or medium soils throughout 
Britain. On inferior soils, or soils possessing special qualities, 
some of these grasses would not be suitable, and a ^selection 
must be made. Thus on dry lands, foxtail, rough meadow 
grass, and florin should be omitted, and a smaller quantity of 
meadow fescue used, while a greater proportion of cocksfoot, 
crested dogstail, and yarrow should be substituted. 
The grasses most pernicious to newly formed pastures are 
first and principally rye-grass in all its varieties, and York- 
