2 20 TRANSACTIONS—PERSHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
crop. It has been cultivated in this country for over 200 years, and 
is at the present time far more extensively grown than any other 
grass we have. 
There has always been a great deal of argument against the use 
of this grass for permanent pasture, as it is said that the ryegrass 
with its rapid growth crowds out or starves the slower-growing true 
perennials; and that later, not being of a lasting nature, it dies out and 
leaves the space it occupied to be filled with weeds. However, I 
do not think, and might say I am certain, that the case is not so bad 
as this, unless where an excessive amount of ryegrass has been sown. 
If the ryegrass be thoroughly clean and sown in proper proportion, 
it will be found a very valuable plant in all permanent pastures. 
For the first and second years it will provide the bulk of the crop, and 
at the same time act as a nurse to the more tender grasses. It is in 
this capacity that we always use it in sowing down lawns, but the 
proportion must be very small. One very valuable property of this 
grass is that in seeding it loses less of its nutritive properties than 
perhaps any other grass we have. 
The foregoing are a few of the grasses we find in almost every 
lawn; but let us look for a few minutes at some of our stronger¬ 
growing agricultural grasses. 
While talking of ryegrass I must not forget to mention the 
Italian variety, Loliu 7 n Italicum. This grass is found in every 
hay field, although one, unless looking closely, is apt to pass it 
as the perennial variety. It is easily distinguished by its stronger 
growth and the awns or fine hairs with which the lower pales are 
furnished. 
For cutting green it is one of the best grasses which can be sown, 
its produce being early, heavy, and of good quality. When sown 
along with perennial ryegrass it is valuable in temporary leys of one 
to three years’ duration, producing a much heavier crop than could 
be got by sowing perennial ryegrass alone. 
The best seed is brought from France, but, as it is always 
very dirty with weeds, it has to be carefully recleaned. It thrives 
best on good soil where there is abundance of moisture. 
Walking through a pasture, or by the side of any stream, one of 
the first grasses to attract our attention by its sturdy growth and bold 
flower heads is the cocksfoot, Dactylis gloiJierata, one of the best of 
our pasture grasses. Whether the soil be wet or dry, heavy or light, 
cocksfoot will hold its own. The experienced farmer knows that to 
get the good of it, he must have it kept closely cropped, otherwise its 
stems become coarse and uneatable. Its aftermath is very rapid and 
abundant. 
The place for cocksfoot in Scotch farming is without doubt in 
