334 
mixed with it, such as chopped straw, or dry 
withered grass, in order that the functions of* the 
On dry shallow soils that are incapable of producing the larger 
sorts, this should form the principal crop, or rather the whole ; 
for it is seldom or ever, in its natural state, found intimately 
mixed with others ; but by itself. 
“ Festuca duriuscula, hard fescue grass. This is certainly one 
of the best of the dwarf sorts of grasses. It is grateful to all 
kinds of cattle ; hares are very fond of it ; they cropped it close 
to the roots, and neglected the Festuca ovina , and Festuca rubra , 
which were contiguous to it. It is present in most good mea^ 
dows and pastures. 
“ Festuca pratensis, meadow fescue. This grass is seldom ab- 
sent from rich meadows and pastures ; it is observed to be 
highly grateful to oxen, sheep, and horses, particularly the for- 
mer. It appears to grow most luxuriantly when combined with 
the hard fescue, and Poa trivialis. 
“ Avena eliator , tall oat-grass. This is a very productive grass, 
frequent in meadows and pastures, but is disliked by cattle, 
particularly by horses ; this perfectly agrees with the small por- 
tion of nutritive matter which it affords. It seems to thrive 
best on a strong tenacious clay. 
“ Avena Jlavescens, yellow oat-grass. This grass seems partial 
to dry soils and meadows, and appears to be eaten by sheep and 
oxen, equally with the meadow barley, crested dog’s-tail, and 
sweet-scented vernal grasses, which naturally grow in company 
with it. It nearly doubles the quantity of its produce by the 
application of calcareous manure. 
“ Holcus lanatus , meadow soft grass. This is a very common 
grass, and grows on all soils, from the richest to the poorest. It 
affords an abundance of seed, which is light, and easily dispersed 
by the wind. It appears to be generally disliked by all sorts of 
cattle. The produce is not so great as a view of it in fields 
would indicate ; but being left almost entirely untouched by 
cattle, it appears as the most productive part of the herbage. 
The hay which is made of it, from the number of downy hairs 
which cover the surface of the leaves, is soft and spongy, and 
disliked by cattle in general. 
