Seed quality. 
Amount of 
seed to be 
sown. 
Mixtures. 
Explanation 
of plate. 
60 
surface is convex, the other, concave; the margins (keels) have only a few stiff hairs, 
instead of abundant long soft hair; the glumes are united for half their length. Melica 
ciliata L. (fig. 28) is a rare adulterant readily known by its very long, white, silky hairs. 
Fig. 26. Fig. 27. Fig. 28. 
Creeping soft grass, Holcus mollis, L. Yorkshire fog, Melica ciliata, L. 
a. and 6. spikelet in fruit, natural size. Holcus lanatus, L. False fruit. 
c. and d. spikelet 7, a. False fruit (spikelet), na- 
e. the same, with the glumes removed tural size. 
x<_ 7 (after Nobbe). b. the same < 7, 
c. the same with the glumes 
removed X 7 (after Nobbe) 
Seed and Amounts to be sown. The seed of commerce has frequently low germinating 
power, because it is often gathered before it is ripe. Seed with high germination is rare, 
so much so that a germination of 30 %o may be reckoned good; qualities with less germin- 
ating power are very common. The average germinating power of 79 samples analysed 
was 19 °/o, and the average purity 78.7 °/o. Good seed should have 90 %/o purity. 1 lb. of 
pure seed contains about 907,000 grains; a bushel weighs on an average 6 Ibs. 
An acre of ground requires 23 Ibs. of seed containing 27 %o pure and germinating = 
6.21 lbs. of pure and germinating seed. Foxtail is never sown by itself, but is always 
mixed with other grasses and with clovers, because it gives a full yield only in the second 
or third year. A mixture with Meadow fescue, Cocksfoot, Perennial rye-grass, False oat- 
grass and Alsike Clover, is appropriate for a ley extending over three or more years. Foxtail 
should also find a place in all mixtures for permanent pastures. 
X. Sweet-scented vernal grass. 
Anthoxanthum odoratum, L. 
Fig. A. Five culms, in flower. From the apex of some spikelets the stigmas alone are protruded, 
from others two stamens and two stigmas. 
» 3B. The simple tuft of grass. 
, 4. A spikelet in flower. The anthers are open and lie above the stigmas, so that self-fer- 
tilization can occur. 
,, 2. The same with the lower and upper glumes removed. 
