Splenic Apoplexy. 
245 
A comparison of the grasses in these meadows will be sufficient 
to show the difference, bad plants, poor grasses, and others, pre- 
vailing in twenty-eight, whilst in twenty-nine these are much less, 
and good grasses more plentiful. 
I would now direct attention to Mr. Hussey's field, which is said 
to be very tart. This is quite on the upland or lias elevation, and 
was described to me as being exceedingly rich ; so much so, indeed, 
that it had been mown for twenty years without any dressing. It 
was pronounced to have " looked beautiful in spring." At the 
time of my A'isit it had been depastured, and I saw the second 
growth of fresh grass, which certainly was not deficient in quan- 
tity ; however, as regards its quality, I can only pronounce that the 
species of grass show a soil with sufficient moisture, but cold and 
poor. 
The prevailing grasses are as follows, placed somewhat in their 
order of frequency : 
Arrhenathenm avenaceum (oat-like gTass). 
Poa trivialis (rough-stalked meadow). 
Hdlcus lanatus (woolly, soft, grass). 
Hordeum pratense (meadow wild barley). 
Cynosurus cristatus (crested dogstail). 
Bromus mollis (soft brome or lop). 
Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot). 
Festuca duriuscula (hard fescue). 
Lolium perenne nearly absent. 
Clovers only in very small quantity, and I think the prevailing 
species is Trifolium fragiferum (strawbeny-headed trefoil) a denizen 
of lumpy clays, often mistaken for the Dutch clover. Upon this 
point, however, I am not certain, as I could not find a specimen in 
flower. 
From these observations on the tart lands which came under my 
notice, I am induced to conclude that they are poor, cold, " hungrj' 
clays." They want draining as much to let the air into the soil as to get 
the icater through and out of it ; after which, liberal manuring will be 
found to act, though now I am told these lands are not manured, as 
they are said " not to be grateful for it." 
Since the above notes were penned, I have seen a paper by 
Professor Voelcker on the ' Tart Lands of Central Somerset,' from 
which I take the liberty of quoting a concluding note of Lord 
Portman : 
" I am of opinion," writes his lordship, " from what I have tried 
and observed on the ' tart ' lands of Pylle, where, I regret. Pro- 
fessor Voelcker has not made an inspection, that the plough is the 
true remedy, and all ' tart lands ' should be converted into arable 
lands. The clover-hay, the pasture on the clover-lea, and the roots, 
fed by sheep on such land have no scouring properties ; and, after a 
fair trial of some bad scouring lands, I have advised my tenant to 
break up and cultivate several scouring fields, which will, as I be- 
