410 
\ 
tain that we have the best kinds, nor that those we have are brought to 
the greatest degree of perfection. Doubtless grasses might be improved 
by a proper course of culture, as well as fruits and blooded stock. New and 
peculiar varieties might be produced, suited to different purposes, com¬ 
bining the excellencies of two or more species, and thus adding largely 
to the value of our pastures and meadows. This improvement would 
also extend to the stock fed upon the improved grasses, yielding us a 
better article of beef, butter, &c. 
Loudon relates* that the introduction, into the island of Jamaica, of a 
grass from Guinea (Panicum polygonatum ), as food for birds, has been 
the cause of the increase of horned cattle in that island, until it has a 
better supply, both for the butcher and planter, than almost any other 
country. Few markets in Europe furnish beef of better quality, and 
at a cheaper rate than is now done by the people of Jamaica. 
The following table, showing the weight of a bushel, and the number 
of grains in an ounce, of different kinds of grass seed, is interesting and 
useful. It is taken from a small Treatise on Grasses, by P. Lawson & Sons, 
seedsmen, Edinburgh : 
Names. 
Weight per 
Bushel in tbs. 
No. of Seeds 
in one ounce. 
Agrostis alba. 
13 
500,000 
Agrostis vulgaris. 
12 
425,000 
Aira crespitosa. 
14 
132,000 
Alopecurus pratensis. 
5^ 
76,000 
Anthoxauthum odoratum. 
6 
71,000 
A vena elatiwr.. 
7 
21.000 
Calamagrostis arenaria. 
15 
10,000 
Dactylis glomerata. 
u% 
40 000 
Festuca elatior.. 
14 
20.500 
Festuca ovina. 
131 i 
64,000 
Festuca pratensis. 
13 
26,000 
Glyceria aquatica.. 
58,000 
Giyceria fluitans. 
14# 
33,000 
Holcus lanatus. 
7 * 
95,000 
Lolium perenne. 
18 
16,000 
Milium effusum. 
25 
95.000 
Pha laris arundinacea. 
48 
42,000 
Phleum pratense. 
46 
74,000 
Poa nemoialis.. ... 
, 15 
173 000 
Poa pratensis . 
13# 
243.000 
Poa trivialis. 
15# 
217,000 
* Encyclopedia of Agriculture, p. 195. 
