•NRLF

?m

HORTTJS GRAMINEUS

WOBURNENSIS:

OR, AN

ACCOUNT OF THE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS

ON THE

$rotmce antr ^utn'tffae <®mlitit&

OF DIFFERENT

GRASSES AND OTHER PLANTS.

USED AS

THE FOOD OF THE MORE VALUABLE DOMESTIC ANIMALS :

INSTITUTED BY

JOHN, DUKE OF BEDFORD.

ILLUSTRATED WITH

NUMEROUS FIGURES OF THE PLANTS AND SEEDS UPON WHICH THESE EXPERIMENTS

HAVE BEEN MADE, AND PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR NATURAL

HABITS AND THE SOILS BEST ADAPTED TO THEIR GROWTH ;

POINTING OUT THE KINDS MOST PROFITABLE FOR

PERMANENT PASTURE, IRRIGATED MEADOWS, DRY OR UPLAND
PASTURE, AND THE ALTERNATE HUSBANDRY ;

ACCOMPANIED WITH THE

DISCRIMINATING CHARACTERS OF THE SPECIES AND VARIETIES.

BY GEORGE SINCLAIR, F.L.S. F.H.S.

\\

GARDENER TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OP BEDFORD ;

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, AND
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HON. THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE OF STUTTGART.

" The soil offers inexhaustible resources, which, when properly appreciated and employed, must increase
our wealth, our population, and our physical strength. — Discoveries made in the cultivation of the earth are
not merely for the time and country in which they are developed, but they may be considered as extending
to future ages, and as ultimately tending to benefit the whole human race — as affording subsistence for
generations yet to come — as multiplying life, and not only multiplying life, but likewise providing for
its enjoyment." — DAVY.

THIRD EDITION.

LONDON:
JAMES RIDGWAY, 169, PICCADILLY.

1826.

TO

THOMAS WILLIAM COKE, ESQ., M.P.

SIR,

THE original edition in folio of the present Work having
been inscribed to the illustrious Nobleman who insti-
tuted these experiments, no encouragement could be
more cheering to me, than the permission you have so
kindly given, to dedicate to you the present, enlarged
as it is with the faithful results of the numerous experi-
ments made since that publication.

In laying before you the fruit of many years' patient
and laborious investigation, I am conscious that I offer
to you a work still imperfect; and I am only supported
by the hope, that amidst the homeliness of style, natu-
rally incident to one whose pursuits have compelled him
to be more sedulous about his matter than his expres-
sion, and amidst the inaccuracies both of diction and
typography, which, notwithstanding the author's best
efforts, will be found in these sheets, your candour will
discern and appreciate the sincere care and painful
industry wherewith the author has pursued the discovery
of truth, making it his sole aim to amass and record
facts, and cautiously to prevent his perceptions of the
actual appearances of nature from being distorted by
the desire of supporting any pre-established theory.

To no individual could I more appropriately inscribe
these researches than to yourself, whose enlightened
and extensive views, vigorous and persevering industry,
generous patronage, and liberal policy, have converted
an immense tract of barren waste into a highly produc-

b

667756

VI DEDICATION.

tive and ornamented country, enriched with abundant
harvests, colonized with substantial and elegant resi-
dences, and above all, peopled with an intelligent, scien-
tific, and grateful tenantry.

You, who have continually promoted, and in so many
cases yourself put to the test of experience, useful disco-
veries and improvements in Agriculture, will, as I have
persuaded myself, discern the importance of those in-
quiries, which enable us to distinguish the numerous
species of plants promiscuously blended in our pastures,
to ascertain in what degree, and for what reason, each of
them is valuable, to learn what are the qualities of land
to which the several sorts are congenial, and to form the
combinations of them which are best adapted for
creating and speedily maturing a superior and per-
manent herbage on the different soils, as the uses of the
farmer may require. I promise myself that you will
acknowledge the advantage of those studies, which tend
to facilitate the supply of our markets with selected
seeds suitable for these purposes. I am solicitous to
excite you to examine, and promote the examination by
others, of the question, whether a greater proportion,
even of the lightest farms, than is now so devoted, may
not in ordinary times be profitably employed in a state of
permanent grass, when the selection of plants proper for
each soil shall be more perfectly known and more easily
attainable ; and whether the greater facility of obtaining
such selection may not enable the farmer, in the case of
a recurrence of such heavy national reverses as the
Agricultural interest has of late sustained, to suspend the
operations of tillage for such a season as the exigency of
his distresses may require, with a less diminution of
produce to himself, and a less deterioration of the estate
of the landlord, than has been felt during the late
calamitous period.

I am conscious, that in the investigation of this im-

DEDICATION. VJl

portant branch of useful knowledge, which, unless my
fondness for a favourite study deceives me, is, to the
inhabitants, not of Britain only, but of $11 the countries
within the temperate zones, one of the most important
that has ever engaged their attention, I have as yet pro-
ceeded but a little way ; but I flatter myself that I have
developed enough to awaken the attention of other
observers of nature and lovers of agriculture, and to
point their observation to many of the topics which
court their inquiry. I shall esteem myself happy, if this
work may arouse a spirit of discussion and experiment,
in a field which so few have yet trodden, content to be
left the hindmost in the march of science, by all those,
whose superior zeal and intelligence shall outstrip me in
the contest of utility. And if I shall succeed in impress-
ing your mind with the importance of the subject, I feel
confident that both the admonition and the example of a
gentleman who deservedly ranks so high in the public
estimation as yourself, for the knowledge and love of
agriculture, and zeal for the interests of your country,
will impel numerous and able persons to employ their
intelligence and acuteness on this interesting, and as
yet almost untried pursuit.

The success with which you have adopted, in your
own practice, the process of transplanting turf, is not
unconnected with, nor will it be superseded by, the
statements contained in the following sheets. On the
contrary, as it happens in most other sciences, so here
also, discoveries and improvements aid each other. A
sufficient combination of superior selected seeds adapted
to the soil, and excluding all the inferior and injurious
species to which such soil may be obnoxious, pro-
mises to furnish the most valuable nursery from which
meadows and pastures on similar soils can be multiplied
by transplanting turf. On the other hand, when a model
of superior grass land shall have been created on a small

Vlll DEDICATION.

scale from seeds, the process of transplanting may be
employed to diffuse it with speedy maturity and undi-
minished excellence, as occasion may require, over more
extensive portions of land. You, sir, who are bigoted
to no system, and prize no practice but for its utility,
will never discourage any rational trial, to indulge the
fears of less enlightened persons that it may supersede
a favourite practice.

That your friends, your tenantry, the aspirants to
agricultural improvements, and your fellow-subjects at
large, may long continue to benefit, as they long have
done, by your public-spirited and successful exertions
in their cause, and that you may long live happy in
their esteem, and in the well-earned applause of a grate-
ful country, is the sincere wish of,

SIR,
Your most devoted, and obliged

Humble Servant,
WOBURN ABBEY,

Oct. 7th, 1824. GEORGE SINCLAIR,

CONTENTS.

Page

ADVERTISEMENT xi

PREFACE xv

SECTION I. Of the mode in which the experiments were con-
ducted ; of the nutritive matter of grasses ; of the
seeds of grasses ; figures of the seeds ; of the
periods in which different grasses ripen their seed ;
directions for saving, and collecting the seeds of
the most valuable permanent pasture grasses, on
the farm, for the farmer's own supply ; of the
structure of grasses, and a glossary of the bota-
nical terms used in describing the different species
and varieties; a general arrangement and cata-
logue of the proper grasses ; of the soils employed
in the experiments, and of those best adapted for
the growth of the superior pasture grasses ; of the
means of improving inferior soils for the growth of
the most valuable grasses - 1 — 126

II. Of the grasses, and other plants which constitute
the produce of the richest natural pastures ; of
the comparative weight of nutritive matter con-
tained in the leaves of the different species of per-
manent pasture grasses ; of the proportions in
which the seeds of the different species should be
combined ; of the proper quantity of seed to be
used per acre ; table of the number of distinct
plants which are found to occupy a given space of
ground in pastures differing from each other in re-
gard to the nature of the soil, or to productiveness,
or to the number of distinct species of grasses
which compose the pasture ; table of the number
of seeds contained in one bushel measure, and the
comparative weights of the seeds of different spe-
cies of grasses ; of sowing the seeds ; and of the
treatment of seedling grasses - - 127 — 255

X CONTENTS.

Page

SECTION III. Of the grasses, and other plants, which are
natural to dry, sandy, and elevated soils ; of
some other plants not belonging to the natural
family of grasses, but which are found in dry or
upland pastures ; of the improvement of downs
and of light sandy soils; a combination of seve-
ral different grasses and other plants recom-
mended for improving the pasture on soils of
the nature now mentioned - - 256 — 339

IV. Of the grasses which naturally grow in moist
soils, or in bogs, lands that are periodically over-
flown, and irrigated meadows ; of the difference
of quality in water-meadow hay, and in hay made
from rich old pasture land ; of the effects of an
excess of manure to grasses, as regards the nutri-
tive powers of the herbage produced under such
circumstances - - 340—386

V. Of the different grasses, and other plants,
adapted for the alternate husbandry ; impo-
verishing effects of plants to soils ; of the causes
which render some plants unfit to succeed other
plants in alternate cropping - - 387 — 414

APPENDIX I. Of the general impoverishing effects of plants
to soils ; of the mode of converting tillage land
to permanent pasture, by the process called trans-
planting turf; summary of the grasses adapted
for the alternate husbandry - - 415 — 422

II. Of the grasses which afford the best culms for
the manufacture of straw bonnets, in imitation
of the celebrated Leghorn manufacture - 422—428

INDEX ~ 429—438

ADVERTISEMENT.

To those Gentlemen who have so kindly favoured me with in-
formation on the subjects connected with this Work, I beg leave
to return my sincere thanks. In particular, my best acknowledg-
ments are due

To Sir HUMPHRY DAVY, for his very kind and liberal assist-
ance in furnishing the simple chemical process, from which I
derived confidence to attempt to realize the idea, first suggested
by His Grace the Duke of Bedford, of ascertaining the nutri-
tive powers of the different grasses, by the aids of chemistry ;
and from the admirable simplicity of his details of the process
for analyzing soils, and vegetable substances, given in his impor-
tant work on Agricultural Chemistry, I have been enabled to
execute this difficult part of the inquiry.

To THOMAS GREG, Esq. of Coles, for many valuable commu-
nications on the most important practical parts of the Work ; and
his kindness on every occasion of inquiry on the subject of it.

To JAMES SOWERBY, Esq. F.L.S. for his assistance in pro-
moting the knowledge of the different agricultural earths, by
undertaking to supply those gentlemen who are interested in the
inquiry, with cabinet specimens of the whole of the different
soils employed in this series of experiments.

I am likewise much indebted to A. WILSON, Esq. of Hurd-
wick House, Tavistock, for a variety of useful practical informa-
tion, which he could so well supply.

To Mr. THOMAS GIBBS, Seedsman to the Board of Agricul-
ture, I am indebted for information respecting those plants more
recently introduced to the Agriculturist, and which I could not
otherwise have obtained ; for a collection of the different soils
in the vicinity of London, with their local names ; and for his
willingness, on all occasions, to communicate useful information
on the subject of the grasses.

Since the folio edition of this Work was printed, and during the
progress of this enlarged one, I have been laid under the greatest

Xll ADVERTISEMENT.

obligations to W. P. TAUNTON, Esq. of Bristol, and of Cheamr
Surry, for important information and invaluable assistance con-
nected with every part of the Work.

To GEORGE WHITWORTH, Esq. of Acre House, Lincolnshire,
I am indebted for valuable information on the subject of the dif-
ferent varieties of Lolium peretme, which he has cultivated with
much care and success.

To FREDERICK SCHMIDT, Esq. the able translator of this
Work into the German language, to whose extensive erudition,
and liberality in communicating information on every branch of
useful knowledge, I am greatly indebted.

Where information has been derived from books, the authori-
ties, in every instance, it is believed, are given.

For reference to descriptions of the different grasses and other
plants, upon which experiments have here been made, in those
works which contain descriptions only, or descriptions and figures
of them likewise, or which contain information on the culture of
the grasses, the following abbreviations have been employed : —

Allion. Pedem. Car. Allionii Flora Pedemontana, tomi 3, Au-
gusta Taurinorum, 1785, fol.

13. Prodr. Rob. Brown, Prodromus Florae Novse Hollandise et
Insult Van Diemen. London, 1810, 8vo.

Bank. Pinax. Gasp. Bauhini Pinax Theatri Botanici. BasiliaB,
1671, 4to.

Blakie. An Essay on the Conversion of Arable Land into Pas-
ture. By Francis Blakie. London, 1817.

Cavanill. Hisp. Ant. Jos. Cavanilles Icones et Descriptions
Plantarum, qiue aut sponte in Hispania crescunt, aut in Hortis
hospitantur, vol. 6. Matriti, 1791—1801, fol.

Curtis, or Flo. Lond. Flora Londinensis, by William Curtis, 2 vols.
London, 1798, fol.

De Cand. Fl. Fr. Flore Fran^oise. Paris, 1805—1815, 8vo. By
Augustus Pyramus de Candolle.

Engl. Bot. English Botany, by Sir J. E. Smith, P.L.S. ; the
Figures by James Sowerby, Esq. F.L.S.

Flo. Ger. Flora Germanica, Autore Henrico Adolpho Schrader,
torn. 1, cum Tabulis vi. ^Eneis. Getting®, 1806.

ADVERTISEMENT. Xlll

Flo. Britan. Flora Britannica, Autore Jac. Edv. Smith, vol. 1 — 3.
London, 1804—6, 4to.

Flo. Dan. Icones Plantarum, &c. Hafniae, 1761, seqq. fol.

Flo. Rust. Flora Rustica : exhibiting accurate Figures of such
Plants as are either useful or injurious in Husbandry; drawn
and engraved by F. P. Nodder, Botanic Painter to Her Ma-
jesty; with scientific characters, popular descriptions, and
useful observations, by Thomas Martyn, B.D. and F.R.S. &c.
London, 4 vols. 1794 ; leaves and coloured plates, 144.

Hort. Kezv. Hortus Kewensis ; or, a Catalogue of the Plants
cultivated in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, by the late
William Aiton. The second edition, enlarged by W. T. Aiton,
Gardener to His Majesty, vol. 1. London, 1810.

Hort. Gram. Fol. Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, folio Edition,
illustrated with dried specimens. London, 1816.

Host. Nic. Thomas Host, Icones et Descriptions Graminum
Austriacorum, vol. 1 — 3. Vindobonse, 1801 — 1805, fol.

Linn. Syst. Car. a Linne Systema Vegetabilium, Gottingre et
Gothse, 1774, 8vo.

Linn. Spec. Car. Linnsei Species Plantarum, tomi 2, Holmia3,
1762, 1763, 8vo.

Linn. Suppl. Supplementum Plantarum, &c. a Car. a Linne (filio),
Brunsvigse, 1781, 8vo.

Moris. Hist. Rob. Morison, Historia Plantarum Universalis Oxo-
niensis, 2 vols. fol. 1699.

Park. Theat. T. Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, London, 1640, fol.

R. F. B., R. F. W., and R. F. C. Narrative of a Journey to the
Shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and
1822, by John Franklin, Capt. R.N. No. 7. Appendix, by
John Richardson, M.D. B. denotes the barren grounds from
Point Lake to the Arctic Sea. W. denotes the wooded coun-
tries from latitude 54° to 64° North. C. denotes the sandy
plains in the neighbourhood of Carlton, strongly resembling
the Plains of the Missouri, upon which the American bota-
nists have lately made extensive collections.

Rail Hist. Jo. Raii Historia Plantarum, tomi 3. Londini,
1686—1704, fol.

XIV ADVERTISEMENT.

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg., or R. S. L.S. V. Roeraer J. J. M.D., and
Schultes J. A. M.D. Caroli a Linne Systema Vegetabilium.
Stuttgart, 1817.

Sm. EngL Fl. The English Flora. By Sir James Edward Smith,
M.D., P.L.S., F.R.S., &c. &c. &c. London, 1824, 8vo *

Sm. Fl. (jrr&c. Flora Grseca Sibthorpiana. By Sir James Ed-
ward Smith, M,D,, P.L.S., F.R.S., &c. &c. &c. London,
1800—1804, 8vo.

Trans. Linn. Soc. Transactions of the Linnsean Society of Lon-
don. London, 1791, seqq. 4to.

Valil. Symb. Mart. Vahl Symbolse Botanicae, Partes III. Hav-
nise, 1790—1794, fol.

Wade. Sketches of Lectures on Meadow and Pasture Grasses,
delivered in the Dublin Society's Botanical Garden, Glas-
neven. By Walter Wade, Esq. M.L.S. f

Willd. Spec. Car. a Linne Species Plantarum, Editio quarta,
curante C. L. Willdenow. Berolini, 1797, seqq. 8vo.

Wither. Arr. A Systematic Arrangement of British Plants, &c.,
by William Withering, M.D. F.R.S. &c. 4 vols. Fourth edit.
London, 1801.

Ann. Annual.
Per. Perennial.
Bien. Biennial.

* The first and second volumes of this invaluable Botanical Work were not pub-
lished until after a great part of the following pages was in the press ; otherwise
I should have enriched them farther than I have been able to do, on that account,
from so valuable a store of knowledge.

t It is to be regretted that these valuable Lectures have not been published with
full details, a sketch of them only having been published.

PREFACE.

DISTINGUISHED Agriculturists and Farmers agree in opinion,
that the knowledge of the comparative merits and value of all the
different species and varieties of Grasses, and, consequently, of
the best mode of cultivating them, is very much behind that of
the other branches of Practical Agriculture.

Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) was, till lately, the only species
employed for making artificial pastures : it was indebted most
probably for this distinction, to its property of ripening an
abundance of good seed, and its ready growth in most kinds
of soil.

The first mention that I find made of ray-grass in early books
on husbandry, is in " The Mystery of Husbandry, Discovered and
Laid Open, by I. Worlidge, 1681." " Ray-grass," says he, " by
which they improve any cold, sour, clay, weeping lands, for
which it is best, but good also for drier upland grounds, espe-
cially stony, light, or sandy lands, which is unfit for sainfoin,
hath the precedence of all other grasses" — these are, " sainfoin,
lucerne, clover, tares, spurrey, and trefoil," which include all the
plants he mentions as grasses. The account of ray-grass thus
concludes : — " Four acres of this grass hath yielded twenty
quarters of seed and fourteen load of fodder, besides the spring
and autumn feeding, whereon six or eight cattle usually grazed."

There is no account of any other species of perennial grass
being cultivated, till about forty years since, when meadow cat's-
tail (Phhum pratense) was partially recommended for cultivation ;
and lately the culture of* cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) has been
considerably extended, so as to supersede the use of rye-grass in

XVI PREFACE.

some districts, through the successful practice and recommend-
ation of Mr. Coke, of Norfolk.

Thus, out of 215 distinct species of grass, which are capable
of being cultivated in this climate, (many of which differ in value
from each other, as much as wheat does from pilcorn), two only
have been cultivated separately to any extent. The cause of so
much delay in the advancement of improvement in this important
branch of the Farmer's art, may appear extraordinary ; but there
have been serious difficulties in the way.

" Grass," says Professor Martyn, " vulgarly forms one single
idea ; and a husbandman, when he is looking over his enclosure,
does not dream that there are upwards of three hundred species
of grass, of which thirty or forty may be at present under his
eye. They have scarcely had a name, besides the general one,
till within these twenty years ; and the few particular names that
have been given them are far from having obtained general use :
so that we may fairly assert, that the knowledge of this most
common and useful tribe of plants is yet in its infancy." *
Botanists have ascertained that there are 133 distinct species and
varieties of grass, natives of Great Britain : every one of these
species differs, in a less or greater degree, from all others, in the
qualities which alone render them of value to the Farmer : com-
paratively speaking, some grasses are of no value to him, whilst
others constitute the foundation of his riches, as they are the
staff of life to the most valuable domestic animals. Now, though
the numerous species and varieties of grasses differ so widely
from each other in value, yet the similarity which pervades their
whole structure is too great to afford any certain marks of dis-
tinction, without having recourse to particular rules, made from
a consideration of those parts of their structure which are not
subject to vary from culture or change of situation. The bota-
nical or discriminating characters, of which these rules consist,
are often minute, and sometimes perplexing, even to professed
Botanists : to those, therefore, who have made Botany no part of
* Martyn's Letters on the Elements of Botany. Letter XIII.

PREFACE. XV11

their study, the number and difference of value of all the species
and varieties of grass will appear comparatively small, and the
necessity and importance of a particular selection proportionally
little. The natural consequence resulting from this is the want
of seed, which the Farmer might select from the most valuable
kinds, and employ the means of cultivating these, exclusive of
the less valuable or useless.

Grasses have been recommended by persons who had formed
their judgment of their merits on imperfect trials, — which has
caused disappointment, and discouraged many from farther en-
deavours at improvement. Conclusions that are drawn from the
results of single or minute experiments, without accurately ascer-
taining the nature or qualities of the soils upon which they are
made, will be found often fallacious, and, even in the latter
instance, can only stand for single facts, which may lead to other
trials, but cannot furnish sufficient grounds for a general recom-
mendation. Nor should a grass Be too hastily rejected ; the
results of one trial only will be found insufficient to form a true
estimate of its real value : it may be a very profitable plant for
permanent pasture, though not for the alternate husbandry, and
it may be more valuable for hay than for permanent pasture : for
instance, the meadow fox-tail (Alopecurus pratensis) is an early,
productive, and nutritive grass, but requires a longer period to
arrive at perfection from seed than two years : it is therefore,
comparatively, unfit for the alternate husbandry, though highly
valuable for permanent pasture. The meadow cat's-tail (Phleum
pratense) is remarkable for its weighty produce of culms, which
are more nutritive than those of any other grass, but the after-
math is very inconsiderable ; it is, in consequence, a most
valuable grass for hay, but requires to be combined with other
species of grass, whose produce consists principally of latter-
math, to render its culture so profitable, as it doubtless is, for
hay. Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) arrives soon at perfection ;
it is early, and abundantly productive of nutritive foliage through-
out the season : its culms, or stalks, however, are but little

XV111 PREFACE.

nutritive : it is therefore most profitable for the alternate hus-
bandry, or permanent pasture, where culms are less necessary.
Under these different relations, therefore, a grass should be con-
sidered, before it be absolutely rejected, or indiscriminately re-
commended. But allowing that the different grasses were easily
distinguished from each other with certainty, and that Farmers
were in possession of the respective seeds, yet the length of time
it would require to prove the relative value of any considerable
number of them, by the usual mode of making experiments for
this purpose, with the heavy expense attending on failures, would
discourage almost any individual from an undertaking which,
however beneficial the results might ultimately prove to the com-
munity at large, would be attended with a great and certain
expense for an uncertain return.

The works of Linnaeus, Smith, Stillingfleet, Hudson, Curtis,
Martyn, and many others, have been productive of much good,
in calling the attention of Agriculturists to a more particular ex-
amination of the comparative merits of the different grasses, and
in affording the means of distinguishing the different species and
varieties with more certainty.

The valuable labours of the Agricultural Societies of Great
Britain, of the Board of Agriculture of Stuttgart, and the pa-
triotic exertions of eminent individuals in the same cause, have
raised a spirit of inquiry, which cannot fail to produce the most
beneficial effects in this important branch of practical Agricul-
ture. A hope of promoting these views was the motive that
induced the Duke of Bedford to institute the following series
of experiments. But before entering into the details, the author
may be permitted to say a few words respecting the additions
which have been made to the work since the first edition in folio
was printed.

In the original copy of this work, the catalogue of proper
grasses contained upwards of three hundred and twenty species
of grasses ; but in this edition the number of distinct species of
the proper grasses enumerated, amounts to about one thousand

PREFACE. XIX

five hundred. Particulars of the results of the author's researches
and inquiries, in some of the richest and most fattening pastures
in Devonshire, Lincolnshire, and in the Vale of Aylesbury, will
also be found in their proper places. Those results were most
satisfactory, being fully demonstrative of the truth of the conclu-
sions which had been drawn from the results of former and of
recent experiments made on those grasses, and other plants,
which the author found to constitute the entire herbage of these
celebrated pastures. The proportions in which the different
grasses and plants were found combined in these pastures, were
carefully ascertained by personal examinations of the pastures,
and by the aid of portions of the turf being transplanted to the
experimental grass-garden. The important subject of saving the
seeds of the essential permanent pasture grasses on every farm,
for the supply of its own wants, will be found pointed out, and
directions given for putting it into immediate practice. The soils
of the pastures most celebrated for fattening have been chemi-
cally examined, and the results stated. The comparative value
of several new species of grasses, not mentioned in the former
edition, is stated in this. The table of contents will shew the
arrangement of the details of the work ; and the index will point
out any particular object of inquiry connected with the culti-
vation of the grasses, and with the comparative value of the
different species. The new mode of returning tillage land to
pasture, named transplanting turf, is mentioned in the Appendix,
and its merits discussed. The results of the author's inquiries
respecting the best kinds of grasses for the supply of straw in the
manufacture of straw bonnets, in imitation of the celebrated
Leghorn manufacture, will also be found in the Appendix.

The figures of the seeds and of the plants of grasses, given in
this work, except those of Holcus odoratus repens and Poa annua,
are by Mr. Louis Parez, and drawn on stone. The figure of
Holcus odoratus repens is engraved on copper, and that of the
Poa annua on wood.

The author earnestly solicits such of his readers as may not

XX PREFACE.

yet have made Botany a part of their study, to examine well the
dissections of the flowers of the grasses which are given in this
work, and which accompany each figure, and to compare these
with the flowers of the living plants ; and then, by the aid of the
botanical description of the plant accompanying each figure, a
sound, and not a superficial knowledge, will be obtained ; and by
a little perseverance, every species of grass may soon be deter-
mined by the botanical description only.

It is high encouragement to the author, that the important
subject of which this work treats is patronized by the illustrious
and beneficent Monarch, the King of Wurtemberg ; and His
Majesty's gracious permission, to so humble an individual as the
author, to dedicate the German translation of this work to His
Majesty, must ever continue to excite and encourage him to per-
severe in the laborious path of experimental research after useful
knowledge.

The task of translating this work into the German language
has happily fallen into the very best hands ; for to superior
acquirements in the languages, Mr. Schmidt adds the essential
attainment of an intimate scientific and practical knowledge of
the subject of the work.

ERRATA.

Page 2, line 14 from the bottom, after the words " His Grace," add " the Duke
of Bedford."

Page 338, line 5 from the top, for " page 95," read " page 249."
Page 374, line 5 from the top, for " ayhatica," read " syfoaticvs."

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

SECTION I.

Of the Mode in which the Experiments were conducted; of the Nutri-
tive Matter of Grasses ; Botanical Terms used in describing the
Structure of the Plants ; of the Seeds of Grasses ; General Ar-
rangement of the different Genera and Species of Grasses ; of the
Soils employed in the Experiments, and of those best adapted for
the growth of the superior Pasture Grasses ; of the Means of
improving inferior Soils for the growth of the most valuable
Grasses.

AN extensive collection of the seeds and plants of the natural
grasses having been formed in the garden at Woburn Abbey,
preparations were made for their culture in such a manner as to
obtain a clear and satisfactory knowledge, founded on facts, of the
various properties, habits, and comparative value of each distinct
species and variety. Spaces of ground, each containing four
square feet, were enclosed by boards in such a manner, that there
was no lateral communication between the earth enclosed by the
boards and that of the garden ; the soil was removed in these
enclosures, and new soils supplied, or mixtures of soils were made
in them, to furnish, as far as possible, to the different grasses,
those soils which seem most favourable to their growth ; a few
varieties being adopted, for the purpose of ascertaining the effects
of different soils on the same plant. The nature of these soils was
accurately ascertained by analysis : the process employed was
that recommended by Sir H. Davy^. Upwards of two hundred
species and varieties of grass were planted or sown at the proper
seasons ; the different species were cut at certain stages of
growth, and the weight of produce carefully ascertained ; the par-

* An account of the results of a part of these experiments is already before the
public, through the kindness of Sir Humphry Davy. See " Agricultural Che-
mistry."

2 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

ticular seasons at which the different species attained to the
greatest degree of perfection, were attentively observed, as like-
wise the time of flowering, and the period of perfecting the seed.
Their comparative value, therefore, in regard to produce, and the
particular seasons at which it was in perfection, with the kinds of
soil most favourable to their growth, and the peculiar habits of
the different species, were by these means, satisfactorily ascer-
tained ; but the comparative degree of their nutritive powers, (a
point of the first importance), was still to be determined,

Those who have made experiments, to prove the comparative
degree of nourishment contained in different species of food, by
means of feeding, and weighing, have found the results of such
experiments quite inconclusive ; and the impossibility of ever
determining by this process, the absolute degree of nourishment
supplied to cattle by any kind of food, almost certain ; for,

First ; The quality of the same species of food will often vary,
from one to twenty per cent, in the course of the experiment.

Secondly ; Different breeds or varieties of animals, acquire va-
rious proportions of flesh, from equal quantities of the same
species of food consumed by them. Or,

Lastly ; Scarcely two individuals of the same breed can be
found, that will gain equal weights of flesh from equal quantities
of the same kind of food. With a view to this point only, it would
therefore have been a vain labour, to have submitted so great a
number of different plants to the experiment of feeding and
weighing, and which would require at least to be made on four
hundred head of cattle of the same breed.

The Duke of Bedford judged that the inquiry would be effectually
assisted by the aids of chemistry ; and a simple chemical process,
recommended for this purpose by Sir Humphry Davy, ascertained
the important point in question in the most satisfactory manner.

As this mode of determining the nutritive powers of grasses, by
chemical process, is a new path of investigation opened, and
such as, on a subject of this consequence, should always be pro-
ceeded in with caution at first, it may not be unnecessary to say a
few words respecting the accuracy of its results.

The grass, in a green or dry state, is submitted to the action of
hot water, till all its soluble parts are taken up. The liquor is then
separated from the woody fibre of the grass by means of blotting
paper; it is then evaporated to dryness. The product or solid
matter, is the nutritive matter qf the grass. Sir Humphry Davy

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 3

has shewn, that the nutritive matter of grasses, or soluble pro-
ducts, consist, for the most part, of five distinct vegetable sub-
stances, viz. mucilaginous, saccharine, albuminous, bitter ex-
tractive, and saline matters ; and that " it is probable that the
excellence of the different articles, as food, will be found in a
great measure proportional to the quantities of soluble, or nutri-
tive matters they afford ; but still these quantities cannot be
regarded as absolutely denoting their value : albuminous or glu-
tinous matters have the characters of animal substances ; sugar
is more nourishing, and extractive less nourishing, than any other
principles composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen ; certain
combinations of these substances, likewise, may be more nourish-
ing than others *."

A certain quantity of food will keep an animal for a great length
of time, without increasing or diminishing its weight in any sensi-
ble degree ; but if the quantity of food be sufficiently augmented,
under favourable circumstances, the animal becomes fat, and its
weight consequently increased. We have no means, however, to
ascertain the exact proportions of food required for these two
purposes distinctly ; for it depends not on the quantity and qua-
lity of the food alone ; the age of the animal, and its exposure to
heat or cold, are also concerned in the process. It is likewise
evident, that of two animals of the same breed or variety, the one
will frequently acquire a much greater weight of flesh in any
given length of time than the other, though both shall have been
fed on the same kind of food, and in all other respects treated
equally. The nutritive powers of the food cannot therefore be
determined absolutely, even by these means, though the com-
parative merits and value of the different breeds or varieties of
animals are thereby fully ascertained ; for it is manifest, that it is
not the deficiency of nutritive matter in the food, but want of
power in the animal to profit by it.

* " Agricultural Chemistry." — Since the first publication of these pages, the
author has had abundant opportunities of proving that the quantities of soluble
nutritive matter afforded collectively by all those grasses which constitute the pro-
duce of the richest ancient pastures, denotes absolutely the degree of nourishment
they afford, as well as comparatively with other and different combinations of
grasses ; these will be noticed in the course of the work. With grain, and with
farinaceous roots, as the potatoe, &c., the case is different; for the soluble nutri-
tive matters of these constitute but a small portion of the nutritive matter they
afford, whereas the nutritive matters of the grasses are wholly soluble.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The results of the numerous valuable experiments made by
order of the late illustrious Duke of Bedford, to prove the rela-
tive value of the different breeds of sheep and oxen, place the
truth of the above remarks in a clear light. I may be permitted,
therefore, to quote from Mr. Young's " Annals of Agriculture,"
the results of one of these experiments, which was made on
six oxen.

" An Experiment on Six Oxen, from November 16, 1797, to Decem-
ber 10, 1798, made by order of the late Duke of Bedford.

Food
given.

Food
taken
back, or
Offal.

Food con-
sumed.

Live

Weight,
16th Nov.
1797.

Live

Weight,
9th Dec.
1798.

Live

Weight
gained.

Ibs.

Ibs.

Ibs.

cwt. qrs. Ibs.

cwt. qrs. Ibs.

cwt. qrs. Ibs.

No. 1. ) oil-cake
Hereford > turnips
Ox. j hay

3060
530

360
43

2700V
487 j

17 0 1

18 3 0

1 2 27

No. 2. "I oil-cake
Hereford > turnips
Ox. j hay

450
3040
467

26£
328
34£

423J)

2,712V
4321)

18 1 0

21 0 25

2 3 25

No. 3. ) oil-cake

450

113

438J)

Devon > turnips
Ox. j hay

3090
376

422
81

2668 }•
295 j

14 1 7

17 2 7

310

No. 4. ) oil-cake
Devon > turnips
Ox. j hay

450
3000
475

ri

364
32i

442|)
2636 V
4421)

14 2 14

19 1 0

4 2 14

No. 5. ) oil-cake

450

m

4321)

Sussex > turnips
Ox. j hay

3030
443

375
51

2655 J-
392 j

16 2 0

19 3 0

3 1 0

No. 6. ) oil-cake
Leicester V turnips
Ox. j hay

450
3010
447

15*
358
46*

4341)
2652 V
400i J

15 2 14

18 2 0

2 3 14

The oxen were weighed on the day that they were put up for
experiment ; the food that was given to them daily, was likewise
weighed, and the refuse or offal was taken back, and its weight
ascertained : hardly any thing could be more satisfactory than this
mode of conducting the experiment.

The Devon ox, (No. 4), on a less weight of food, gains 185 Ibs.
of flesh more than the Hereford ox, (No. 2) : but suppose that the
difference of tjie breed should have had much influence in this
instance, the difference between the two Devon oxen, (No. 3, and
4), is very striking ; for though the weight of food consumed by
each is nearly equal, the latter gains 154 Ibs. of flesh more than

I10RTUS GUAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the former. Viewing the results of this experiment, therefore,
merely as a test for proving the comparative degree of nourish-
ment contained in these several species of food, and not as a proof
of the relative value of the respective breeds of animals, (for
which this experiment was made, and fulfilled the intention), we
could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion ; because it still remains
to be proved, whether another individual of the same breed as
the ox, (No. 4), might not have gained a greater proportion of
flesh from the same weight of food as was consumed by the
latter.

If the weight of nutritive matter, which the chemical process
shews these different species of food to contain, be now compared
with the weight of flesh which the different oxen gained from it,
the comparison will manifest the superior utility of this new mode
of investigating the nutritive qualities of the food of these
animals.

Food consumed.

Weight of Nutritive
Matter by the Chemical
Process.

Weight of
Flesh gained
by the Oxen.

Difference between the Weight of
Nutritive Matter and that of
the Flesh gained.

No.l. )
Hereford L
0X. j

Ibs.
— oil -cake
2700 turnips
487 hay

Ibs. oz. dr. cwt. qrs. Ibs.

132 0 Oj-2 0 20
112 0 OJ

cwt. qrs. Ibs.
1 2 27

cwt. qrs. Ibs.
( in which the nu-
0 1 21, -! tritive matter ex-
(ceeds the flesh.

No. 2. )
Hereford V
Ox. j

423^ oil-cake
2712 turnips
432| hay

116 8 0)
134 3 OV3 0 14
99 7 OJ

2 3 25

( in which the nu-
0 0 17, S tritive matter ex-
(ceeds the flesh.

No. 3. )

Devon >•
Ox. j

438£ oil-cake
2668 turnips
295 hay

120 7 3)
132 0 5V2 3 12
67 9 10J

310

(in which the
0 1 1 6, -j flesh exceeds the
(nutritive matter.

No. 4. )
Devon >
Ox. j

442f oil-cake
2636 turnips
442^ hay

121 8 0)
130 7 7V3 0 18
101 15 OJ

4 2 14

( in which the
1 1 24, -j flesh exceeds the
( nutritive matter.

No. 5. )

Sussex >
Ox. j

432 oil-cake
2655 turnips
920 hay

118 12 0)
129 8 OV3 1 9
125 0 Oj

2 3 18

( in which the nu-
0 1 19, •< tritive matter ex-
(ceeds the flesh.

No. 6. \

Leicester V
Ox. j

434* oil-cake
2652 turnips
400i hay

119 7 0)
129 0 OV3 1 12
127 9 OJ

2 3 14

( in which the nu-
0 1 26, -J tritive matter ex-
( ceeds the flesh.

The only point assumed in the foregoing comparisons, is the
quality of the hay, or the kinds of grasses that composed it ; of
which, in the account of the experiment quoted, no mention is
made. Likewise, some linseed cakes are much more nutritive
than others; I have found them to vary from 67 to 132 grains,

' 6 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

in every 480 grains of cake. Those cakes which had the brightest
texture when newly broken, afforded the most nutritive matter.
The common field turnips also differ in the quantity of nutritive
matter they afford, which is in proportion to the size of the roots,
or according as their texture is solid or spongy : the largest roots
contain proportionally the least quantity of nutritive matter, and
the middle-sized the greatest. These are minute circumstances in
experiments on a small scale, but when conducted on a large scale,
they become objects of magnitude. A nearer coincidence between
the results of the two modes of experiment for the respective oxen,
could not therefore be expected ; but the total weight of flesh
gained in this experiment, nearly agrees with the weight of nutri-
tive matter contained in the food consumed by the oxen. The
weight of the different kinds of food consumed, amounts to
20,656 Ibs., which being of a middle quality, as assumed in the
foregoing calculations, affords, by the chemical process, (see the
Table), 2020 Ibs. of nutritive matter.

The total weight of flesh gained, is 2058 Ibs.
It is therefore evident, that if the weight of nutritive matter
contained in the various kinds of food employed in this experi-
ment, had been previously ascertained as above, it would have
shewn the weight of flesh which that food was capable of forming
under such circumstances, with the difference only of 38 Ibs. in
2058 Ibs. But, as was before observed, the different powers of
cattle to profit by food, is subject to the control of many local
circumstances ; their comparative value, therefore, in this respect,
can only be satisfactorily ascertained by the process of feeding
and weighing ; and for this cause likewise it will appear, that the
comparative value, or nutritive powers of the food, can only be
accurately ascertained by chemical investigation. The grami-
neous dung of cattle being merely the grass divested of all its
nutritive matter, by submitting this dung to a similar process as
that which determines the nutritive powers of the grass, the results
prove what those parts of grass are that are retained in the body
of the animal for the purposes of life. The following results of
experiments made on the dung of sheep and deer, will be sufficient
to exemplify this.

1920 grains of the mixed leaves of cock's-foot grass, ray-grass,
and white clover, afforded of soluble matter fifty-three grains,
which consisted of mucilage, sugar, gluten, bitter extractive,
and saline matters.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 7

920 grains of the dung of sheep which fed on these grasses,
afforded of soluble matter thirteen grains and a half, con-
sisting of bitter extractive, and saline matters.
1920 grains of the dung of deer, which also fed on these grasses,
afforded eleven grains and three quarters, of the same nature
as that of the sheep.

The soluble matters of the dung, or bitter extract, was exa-
mined chemically by Sir H. Davy ; he found its qualities to be so
analogous to the bitter extractive of the grasses, that they might
be mistaken for each other. The extractive matter obtained by
boiling the fresh dung of cows, gave similar results.

From these facts Sir H. Davy observes, " it appears probable
that the bitter extract, though soluble in a large quantity of water,
is very little nutritive ; but probably it serves the purpose of pre-
venting, to a certain extent, the fermentation of the other vege
table matters in the stomach, or in modifying or assisting the
functions of digestion, and may thus be of considerable use in
forming a constituent part of the food of cattle. A small quantity
of bitter extract and saline matter, is probably all that is needed ;
and beyond this quantity the soluble matters must be more nutri-
tive, in proportion as they contain more albumen, sugar, and
mucilage ; and less nutritive, in proportion as they contain other
substances."

To these, I may be permitted to add the results of another trial,
which I made on the dung of sheep that had fed on turnips, as it
may afford some information on the nature of turnips as food for
sheep.

1920 grains of the yellow Scotch turnip, on which sheep were
feeding, afforded of nutritive matter 85 grains, which con-
sisted of,

Mucilage, 9 grains.

Saccharine matter, or sugar, - 73

Bitter extractive and saline matters, 3

1920 grains of the dung of the sheep which had fed on the yellow
turnips, afforded of soluble matter, by means of a large
quantity of water, 17 grains, which consisted of,

Animal mucus and mucilage, - 3 grains.

Bitter extractive and saline matters, 14
The most remarkable circumstance here, is the superior quan-
tity of bitter extractive in the dung, to that which is shewn to
exist in the turnips ; but the sheep had hay, on which they occa-

8 HORTUS GRAMINJEUS WOBURNENSIS.

sionally fed in the field, and on examining the insoluble portion of
the dung, (after separation from the soluble parts), nearly one-
fourth part in weight consisted of the woody fibre of hay, which
evidently had afforded the extra quantity of bitter extractive to
the dung.

The sheep ate of the hay from choice, and not necessity, and
it is more than probable that the bitter extractive it contained,
was, under such circumstances, the most valuable part of its
nutritive matter, in supplying the deficiency of it in the turnips.

It is worthy of observation here, that the leaves or herbage of
the common pasture grasses, contain nearly the like proportion of
bitter extractive as that in the dung ; the sheep, therefore, in this
instance, had taken that proportion of hay which, combined with
the turnips, formed a natural food, or that which had nutritive
qualities analogous to natural pasture.

The dry fibre of the hay or straw given with turnips, may also
assist mechanically in correcting the watery nature of this food
in the cold season of the year in which it is given to sheep, when,
an excess of moisture may be more hurtful than in a warmer
season.

In some plants there is a comparative excess of saline matter,
and when such plants are given unmixed with any other to
cattle, they are most subject to disease, or continue for a length
of time before they improve, however abundant the supply. The
following facts, which came within my own immediate observa-
tion, may serve as an instance to point out the importance of
a mixture of such grasses as possess some difference in the quali-
ties of their nutritive matter; and at the same time they will
shew, that the bitter extractive is efficacious in correcting the
over-succulency, or laxative nature of green food, without the aid
of dry vegetable fibre.

Two fields were sown down for pasture ; one with white clover
and trefoil only, and the other with a variety of the natural
grasses, for experiment, with a portion of white clover. The
two fields were depastured with sheep. In the enclosure of
white clover a considerable quantity of cock's-foot grass grew on
the edge of the fence ; it was of a very harsh quality, from its
unfavourable situation, and consisted almost entirely of culms.
In a few days the sheep went to this grass, and ate it down en-
tirely, though there was a profusion of the white clover. In the
course of time many of the sheep became affected with the

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 9

disease termed red-water, of which several died. But in the
adjoining field, which contained the natural grasses, cock's-foot
grass, rough-stalked meadow grass, rye-grass, foxtail-grass, and
white clover, the sheep were not affected with that, nor any other
disease, and they left untouched the stems of the cock's-foot,
which were here of a more tender succulent nature, than those on
the edges of the other field, which were so greedily devoured by
the clover sheep.

It may remain only to observe, that if the hard stalks of the
cock's-foot in the clover field had been in sufficient quantity,
they would, most probably, have prevented the disease from
attacking the sheep ; but this could not have been by virtue of
the dry Jib re only of the culms, because in the adjoining field,
where every thing was contrary to disease, the sheep rejected the
culms altogether. The dry, or mechanical action of the culms,
was here wanting ; yet the animals continued healthy, and fat-
tened, because the bitter extractive was in greater proportion in
the leaves or herbage than in the culms which they rejected ; and
also proved beneficial, though combined with succulent food,
which could have nothing of the action of the dry hay or straw
before mentioned.

The succulency, or the quantity of superfluous moisture con-
tained in the food of cattle, and the relative proportions which the
saline matter and bitter extract bear to the gluten, sugar, and
mucilage of the nutritive matters of different plants, influencing
thus their nutritive powers when used in a green state, — these pro-
perties, therefore, will be particularly considered in estimating the
comparative value and merits of the different grasses, and other
plants, that will hereafter be recommended to the notice of the
Agriculturist.

A knowledge of the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by
different crops, and the number and proportion of the nutritive
vegetable principles formed by them, will be found likewise to
throw a light on the cause of the exhausting or impoverishing
effects of different plants to the soil ; a point of much importance,
as connected with the theory and practice of alternate cropping
with green crops and grain. The facts which have offered them-
selves in support of this, will be stated hereafter, when the merits
of the grasses, and ameliorating plants adapted to the alternate
husbandry, come under discussion.

It was before remarked, that the little attention that has been

10 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

paid by Agriculturists in general, to distinguish with certainty the
different species of grass from each other, has contributed to
retard improvement in the cultivation of this numerous family of
plants. It will, I hope, appear perfectly evident, that, without the
means of distinguishing with certainty one species of grass from
every other, the cultivator must have recourse to other men's
assistance or experience, before he can make any certain or just
experiments of his own, or any consequent improvement. The
farmer who cannot distinguish the seeds of the most valuable spe-
cies of grasses from those that are worthless, or pernicious as weeds,
must be subject to the serious losses and disappointments occa-
sioned by every accident in the course of his practice, which may
place in his hands the seeds of inferior or pernicious plants,
instead of those grasses adapted to his soil and possessing the
most productive and nourishing properties ; and should he be
unable to distinguish the plants produced from those grass seeds
which he may sow under such circumstances, he must wait until
the non-advancement of condition in his stock inform him of his
loss.

When it is found that every distinct species of grass differs
from all others, more or less, in the properties or merits which
alone constitute their value to the Agriculturist, a bare enumera-
tion of all the different species and varieties may be sufficient to
shew of what utility the knowledge of distinguishing the grasses
is to the Farmer : and a view of those rules of which this know-
ledge consists, will manifest how easily it may be acquired, with-
out entering into the study of the whole science of Botany, by any
person who will devote a few leisure hours to attain it.

If there be any who may doubt of the utility of botanical
knowledge to the ends of Agriculture, as above stated, it must
proceed from the want of experience, as a very little of this in the
cultivation of these plants, with a view to improvement, will pro-
duce a conviction to the contrary — that it is the only clear, and
direct road to this end, and likewise the most pleasant.

It cannot fail, therefore, to be of use, before entering into the
details of the experiments, to give an explanation of the terms
made use of in describing the structure of grasses, with a general
view of all the different species and varieties.

One species of grass is distinguished from every other by its
properties, and by the number, situation, proportion, and colour of
the different parts of its structure. Of these parts, the most

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 11

oovious are, the root, (radix); the straw, stem or culm, (culmus);
the Ieav3s, (folia); the flower or husks, (Flos vel Gluma) ; and
the seed (semen). The figure of these parts varies in different spe-
cies : it is therefore absolutely necessary, that every variety have a
name, by which it may be distinguished from every other. It is
remarked somewhere, that the results of our reasonings must
needs be very confused, or even absurd, without precise ideas
being fixed to our words.

I.
The Varieties of the Root are* :

1. Fibrous, (fibrosa), when the root is composed of a number of
threads or fibres, as in most grasses. See Agrostis fascicu-
laris.

2. Creeping, (repens), when the root runs horizontally in the

earth, and pushes up culms from the joints, as in Triticum
repens, Holcus mollis, fyc.

3. Bulbous, (bulbosd), when the root consists of a solid substance
of a spherical form, as in Hordeum bulbosum\.

II.

The Varieties of the Straw, Stem, or Culm, are :

1 . Quite simple, (simplicissimus), without any branches, as in Me-
lica car idea.

2. Simple, {simplex}, that sometimes has more than one branch,
as in Poa nemoralis. Lolium perenne ramosum, fyc.

3. Somewhat branched, (subramosus) , that has often several
branches, as in Agrostis Mexicana.

4. Erect, (erectus), when the straw stands nearly perpendicular,
as in Alopecurus pratensis.

5. Straight, (strictus), when the stem is quite straight, as in Tri-
chodiitm rupestre.

* To those who wish to enter fully into the study of Botany, I may be permit-
ted to recommend " An Introduction to Systematic and Physiological Botany by
Sir James Edward Smith, P. L. S." as adapted to afford every facility. The intro-
ductions to Botany by Dr. Willdenow, Withering, and Thornton, may also be
consulted with advantage.

f A bulb is compared to a bud under ground, producing shoots from its middle
or sides ; the bulbs of the crocus, or hyacinth is, not properly the root, but a part
of the stem; the fibres are the proper roots. The carrot, turnip, potatoe, &c.
are tuberous roots, for these have eyes formed on the surface, which particularly
distinguish them from bulbs properly so called. — WILLDENOW.

12 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

6. Ascending, (ascendens) , when the lower part of the straw lies
on the ground, and the upper part of it grows upright, as in
Poa compressa.

7. Decumbent, . (decumbens}, when the lower part of the straw
rises in an oblique direction to the horizon, and the upper
part bends down towards it. See Festuca decumbens.

8. Procumbent, (procumbens), is when the straw lies flat on the
ground, without striking roots at the joints. See Poa
procumbens.

9. Creeping, (repens), when the straw creeps on the ground, and
sends out roots from the joints, as in Agrostis stolonifera.

10. Naked, (nudus), having very few leaves with short sheaths,
as in Melica ceerulea and Festuca ovina.

11. Bristle-shaped, (setaceus), with short sheaths and slender
stem, as in Festuca tenuifolia.

12. Round, (teres), that is, cylindrical. See Festuca glabra.

13. Half round, (semiteres), that is, flat on one side and round on
the other. See Poafertilis.

14. Compressed, (compressus)f when the stem is flat on both sides.
See Poa compressa.

15. Two-edged, (anceps), when a compressed straw is sharp on
both edges. See Poa aquatica.

16. Four-cornered, (tetragonus) , three or four round or obtuse
edges, but the sides flat. See Festuca ovina.

17. Knee-jointed, (geniculatus), when the stem is bent at a joint,
like the knee. See Elymus geniculatus.

18. Bulbiferous, (bulbifer), having bulbs, or buds, fixed at the
joints. See Phleum nodosum.

The flower straw, (pedunculus) , is the part which immediately
supports the flower ; it may be either a part of the principal straw
as in wheat or barley, or composed of a number of partial straws
seated on the principal culm, (see Bromus sterilis); or these partial
straws again branched, as in Poa nervosa, and Trichodium rupestre;
in the two last cases, they constitute what is called a compound

panicle.

III.

Varieties in the form of the Leaves.

The leaves of grasses are all quite simple, or undivided, and, on
that account, afford but few obvious characters of distinction ;
they vary, however, in respect of the form of their point or apex,
circumference, situation, and surface-covering.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 13

The apex, or point, is either acute, (acutum), as in Poa trivialis ;
or obtuse, as in Poa pratensis. The circumference has four
varieties :

1. Sword-shaped, (ensiforme), an oblong leaf, growing gradually
narrower towards the apex, which is pointed. See Festuca
cambrica.

2. Strap-shaped, (lineare), when both sides of a leaf run parallel
to each other. See Sesleria c&rulea.

3. Awl-shaped, (subulatum), a linear leaf, when it is sharp-
pointed, as in Poa glauca.

4. Fringed, (ciliatum), when the edges are set round with long
hairs, as in Festuca sylvatica.

The surface of the leaves varies as follows :

1. Channelled, (canaliculatum), when the middle rib of the leaf
is furrowed, as in Festuca durimcula, (R. leaves.)

2. Nerved, (nervosum), when the vessels or ribs are strongly
marked, and run from the base to the apex, lengthwise, as in
Bromus littoreus. , £

3. Bristle-shaped, (setaceum), when the leaves are nearly cylin-
drical, resembling swine's bristles, as in Festuca ovina.

4. Flat, (planum), when the surface of the leaf is even, without
any furrows, dots, or raised veins, as in Poafluitans.

In respect of situation, the leaf varies :

1. Slanting, (obliquum), when the leaves are in a direction
between sloping and horizontal, as in Phleum nodosum.

2. Horizontal, (horizontal), when the leaves grow nearly hori-
zontal, as in Dactylis patens.

3. Bundled, (fasciculare), when the leaves grow in tufts or
bundles, as in Agrostisfascicularis.

Sheath, (vagina), is the lower part of the leaf, that encloses the
straw in the manner of a sheath.

Sheath-scale, or stipule, (stipula), of grasses, are small mem-
branous substances attached to the inner sides of the leaves;
they have their origin at the top of the vagina, or the point where
the leaf first diverges from the straw. Its varieties are :

1. Intire, ( Integra), when it has no segments.

2. Bifid, (bifida), when it is divided at the apex into two parts.

3. Torn, (lacera), when it appears as if torn on the margin.

4. Fringed, (ciliata), when the margin is set with short projecting

hairs.

14 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

5. Truncated, (truncata), when the upper part terminates in a

transverse line.

6. Pointed, (acuta), that has a short acute point.

7. Acuminated, (acuminata), that has a long projecting point.

8. Very short, (decurrens), that is hardly visible, and runs down
the side of the vagina.

The stipules often afford a good character of distinction. I have
raised a great many species of different grasses from seed, under
different circumstances, as to soil and situation, with a view to
obtain varieties from them. I found many of the plants thus
raised, to vary from the parent, in the number of the florets, in
the presence or want of hairs on the surface, and sometimes,
though rarely, in the awns ; but in no instance did the form of the
stipula or sheath-scale vary : being thus constant, it may be
depended on.

IV.
Varieties of the Flower.

The curious structure of the flowers of grasses, and a consider-
ation of their important office, that of forming the seed, is sufficient
to attract notice or regard, independent of the great use of which
a knowledge of their structure is, in distinguishing with certainty
the several species and varieties.

Inflorescence, or the manner in which the flowers of grasses are
supported and disposed on the culms, affords the most obvious cha-
racters of distinction : it is of two kinds, the spike and the panicle.

The spike, (spica), is a number of flowers without footstalks,
that closely surround one principal, simple, straight culm. ('See
Pedunculus.)

1 . Glomerata, (glomerata), when the spike consists of a spherical

collection of flowers, as in Sesleria c&ruha.

2. Verticillated (verticillata), when the flowers, leaving naked

interstices on the spike, appear on that account to be placed
in whirls, as in Panicum verticillatum.

3. One-rowed, (secunda), when the flowers are arranged on one

side, as in Nardus stricta.

4. Cylindrical, (cylindrica), when the spike is equally covered

with flowers. Panicum viride.

5. Linear, (linearis), that is, slender, and of equal thickness, as

in Cynosurus eruc&formis.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS, 15

6. Ventricose, (ventricosa), thicker in the middle than at both
extremities, as in Alopecurus agrestis.

7. Leafy, (foliosa), having leaves between the flowers, as in

Cynosurus cristatus.

8. Compound, (composita), when several spikes stand on one

stalk, as in Cynosurus erucaformis.

9. Finger-like, (digitalis), when several spikes stand on one straw,

spread out in the manner of the fingers of the hand, as in
Panicum sanguinale, or Cynodon dactylon.

The spike-stalk, (rachis), is a long, rough, slender receptacle, on
which the flowers composing a spike are placed. Take a spike,
says Professor Martyn, (or rather, as it is commonly called, an
ear,) of wheat, pull off all the seed and chaff, and what remains is
the spike-stalk, or rachis.

The spiket, or ear, (spicula), consists of several florets enclosed
by one calyx. It is distinguished by the number of flowers it
contains, as one-flowered in Agrostis, two-flowered in Aira, three-
flowered in Poa glauca, many-flowered, as in Bromus multiftorus.
It is likewise described according to the figure it assumes, as
cylindrical, oval, linear, &c. and, with respect to its surface, as
smooth, rough, hairy, &c.

The panicle, (panicula), consists of flowers supported by foot-
stalks loosely dispersed or scattered ; the flowers of oats serve as
an example, or as in Poa pratensis. The varieties of the panicle
are :

1. Simple, (simplex), that has only undivided side-branches, as in

Poa decumbens.

2. Branched, (ramosa), when the first branches are again divided,

as in Bromus multiflorus.

3. Much-branched, (ramosissima), when the branches are much

branched, as in Trichodium caninum, vel Agrostis canina.
Var. mutica.

4. Spreading, (patentissima) , when the branches stand wide from

each other, and spread out in all directions, as in Agrostis
repens.

5. Crowded, (coarctata), when the branches stand very near

together, as in Agrostis palustris.

6. One-rowed, (secunda), when the branches stand on one side,

as in Festuca glabra.

7. Nodding, (nutans), when the branches bend down towards the

horizon — Bromus tectorum.

16 HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS.

V.

The Flower consists of

Five distinct parts, the calyx, or outer husks, (gluma) ; the
corolla, or inner husks, (corolla) ; the stamina, or male parts,
(stamina) ; the pistil, or female parts ; and the germen or rudiment
of the future seed.

The calyx, or outer husks, contain the flower, and afterwards
the seed. Its more obvious characters of distinction consist in
the number of valves, or scales, of which it is composed.

1. One-valved, (univalvis) , that consists of only one valve, as in

Lolium, (rye-grass).

2. Two-valved, (bivalvis), that consists of two valves, as in most

grasses.

3. Many valved, (multivalvis*), when the outer husks consist of

more than two valves, as in Hordeum, (barley), and Elymus,
(lyme-grass).

4. Keeled, (carinatus)t bent like the keel of a ship or boat, as in

Phalaris canariensis.

5. Fringed, (ciliatus), having soft hair set round the edges, as in

Phleum pratense.

6. Lopped, (truncatus), when the apex appears as if cut horizon-

tally, as in Phleum pratense.

7. Prickly, (cuspidatus), ending in dagger-like points, as in

Phleum pratense.

The corolla, or inner husks, contain the essential parts of the
flower, (stamina, style, and germen) ; when the seed is perfected,
they generally enclose and adhere to it. This, and the calyx,
constitute the chafT of oats, wheat, &c. It has the following
varieties :

1. One-valved, (univalvis), which consists of one valve only, as in

Trichodium rupestre.

2. Two-valved, (bivalvis), as in most grasses.

3. Awned, (aristata), when furnished with an awn.

* The involucre, or leaves like spines, which surrounds one or several flowers, is
sometimes found in grasses, but is more particularly the property of another order
of plants (the umbelliflorus) ; and, being in the grasses much resembling the glumes
of the calyx, I have included it here, under the distinction multi valve calyx ;
merely to avoid too numerous divisions ; which, to those who confine their study of
Botany only to the Grasses, (for whose use only these pages are designed,) will be,
I trust, useful.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 17

4. Awnless, (mutica), wanting the awn.

5. Ribbed, (nervosa), when the valve has nerves, or veins, which

run from the base to its apex, as in Poa nervosa.

6. Fringed, (ciliata), as in Phleum pratense.

The valves are also distinguished according to their figure ; as
oval, oblong, concave, egg-shaped.

The stamina are the male parts of fructification. Each consists
of three parts — the filament, the anther, and the pollen, or flower-
dust. The filament is a long thread-like substance, which sup-
ports the anthers. The anther is a cellular body, of a linear figure,
generally cloven at both ends ; it contains the pollen, which is
essential to the production of the seed. It varies in respect of
colour, as,

White, in Phleum echinatum.

Yellow, in most grasses.

Saffron, in Bromus erectus.

Purple, in Melica cccrulea.

The pistil, (pistillum), is the female part of the flower, and like-
wise consists of three parts — the germen, the style, and the
stigma.

The germen is situated at the bottom of the flower ; it appears
a pellucid globular body, but, in general, it requires the aid of a
microscope to see it distinctly. It is the rudiment of the future
seed.

The style consists of two feather-like bodies, seated on the top
of the germen : they are generally bent back, or reflexed.

The stigma terminates the style, and gives to it that feather-like
appearance.

The nectary, (nectarium) , is likewise a part of the flower of some
grasses ; it is supposed to serve the purpose of a reservoir for the
honey-juice : in structure it generally resembles the corolla husks ;
but it is very minute, tender, and finely transparent. The terms
employed to describe the corolla, likewise apply to this. It is not
found in the genus Nardus, Eriophorum, Alopecurus, or Sesleria.

VI.

Varieties of the Seed.

The discriminating characters of the seeds of grasses are con-
fessedly minute ; but as the form of the seed is never known to
vary, except by disease, the marks of distinction it offers are of
the most unerring kind. In most grasses the seed is covered,

c

18 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

or enclosed, by the husk, which was formerly the blossom, (corolla} ;
in other species the seed is naked, or so loosely attached to the
husk, as to separate from it in the process of cleaning.

If the seeds of every species of grass were naked, their diminu-
tive size would hardly afford any obvious marks of distinction ;
but the coat, or seed-vessel, (pericarpium), gives variety to the
form of those seeds, which are otherwise very much alike.

The discriminating characters of the seed being thus minute,
and resting almost always on the various shades of dissimilarity
assumed by three or four principal figures, as round, oval, oblong,
and acuminate or pointed, it is therefore easy to conceive, that
such distinctions are often readily perceived by the eye on com-
parison, but with difficulty conveyed by mere description ; indeed
it may be said, that a few hours' practice in comparing the
different kinds of seed with each other, is worth a volume of
description, for practical purposes. With this view, and also to
shew where the principal characters of distinction take their rise,
the following specimens, illustrative of the different genera that are
of most importance to the Agriculturist, are selected.
Fig. 1. Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet-scented vernal grass.

The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom,
which adhere to it; the naked seed is nearly cylin-
drical, but tapering to a point at each end. The
diseased seed was produced by over-luxuriant plants,
during very wet weather.

Refer. I. Fertile seed of the natural size, covered with the husks
of the blossom, as it appears on being cleaned and
made ready for sowing.

1. The same magnified, shewing the bent awn, which is

of a deep brown colour.

2. Naked seed magnified. In this state the seed seldom

appears ; as the husks, in general, adhere firmly to
the body of it, without being displaced by the pro-
cess of cleaning.

3. Diseased seed. This affection of the seed of the

grasses, which renders it quite abortive and useless,
is most prevalent in wet, damp seasons.
Fig. 2. Nardus strict a, upright mat-grass.

The seed is covered ,with the husks of the blossom,
which closely adhere to it, nor open ; it is convex on
one side, and marked with a longitudinal furrow on the

e

* , t

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 19

other. The naked seed is linear-oblong, tapering to a
point at each end, the upper end the narrowest. Not
subject to disease.
liefer. 1. Seed of the natural size.

1. The same magnified, exhibiting the concave side of

the seed.

2. Magnified, exhibiting the convex side of the seed.
Fig. 3. Eriophorum vaginatum, sheathed cotton-grass.

The long white hairs attached to the seed of the dif-
ferent species of cotton-grass, particularly distinguish
it; the body of the seed is three-cornered.
Refer. 1 . Seed of the natural size.

1. The same magnified.

2. View of the interior side of the seed, with its long
woolly hairs.

Fig. 4. Phalaris canariemis, canary-grass.

The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom
like a crust, nor open : from a round it becomes tapering
to a point at each end ; surface smooth and glossy.
Refer. 1. Husks and seed.

2. Seed the natural size.
2. The same magnified.
Fig. 5. Phleum pratense, meadow cat 's-tail-grass.

The seed is loosely covered with the husks, which
separate from it in cleaning ; the naked seed, as shewn
at 2, 2, fig. 5, is roundish, and very small. The two
valves which form the husks or seed-vessel are furnished
with white straight hairs on the back ; they also ter-
minate with two dagger-like points, which afford a
good character of distinction between this and the seed
of fox-tail-grass (A lopecurus).
Refer. 1 . Seed enclosed by the husk.

1. The same magnified, shews, more clearly than the

natural size, the fringes of hairs, which gradually
terminate towards the middle of the dagger-like
points ; while in the spurious cat's-tail, the fringes
terminate abruptly before they reach the origin of
these points. See fig. 27. — No. 1.

2. The naked seed, roundish, of the. natural size.
2. The same magnified.

20 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Fig. 6. Setaria glauca, (Panicum glaucum. WILLD. Hort. Gram.
Aust.) glaucous panic-grass.

The seed is covered with the corolla ; which becomes
indurated and leathery, wrinkled transversely on the
surface : the calyx or outer husks adhere to the seed.
The British farmer will have but little occasion to dis-
tinguish the seeds of the different species of panic-
grasses ; as they are for the most part of annual dura-
tion only, insignificant as weeds, and, excepting a few
species, too tender for cultivation. The seed is the
only part of the plant of value.

Fig. 7. Alopecurus pratensis, meadow fox-tail grass.

The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom,
which are soft and woolly ; the larger valve is furnished
with an awn. Insects eat this seed while it is in
embryo ; it is also subject to blight, and likewise to the
clavus, as shewn in the representation 2. By permitting
the first shoots of the season to carry the seed, the bad
effects of these diseases are lessened : inasmuch as the
month of June, and the early part of July, are in general
drier than towards autumn, when the second shoots of
this grass ripen seeds. The seed of a species called
Alopecurus Taunt onensis is not to be distinguished from
this, but the plant possesses the valuable property of
multiplying speedily by offsets and suckers from the
root. By this valuable property for permanent pasture,
it answers the objection to the common meadow fox-
tail, and removes the only drawback to the more general
cultivation of that valuable species of grass, viz. the
frequent sterility of the seed.
Refer. 1. Seed of its natural size.

1. The same magnified.

2. Diseased seed, affected with the clavus.

3. Naked seed. The corolla adheres so firmly to the

seed, that the naked seed is seldom seen ; the figure
now referred to represents a healthy naked seed, by
which such seeds as are doubtful, as regards their
fertility, may be compared, and the point deter-
mined.
Fig. 8. Millium ejfusum, millet-grass.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 21

The husks of the blossom cover the seed, the body of
which is roundish and very smooth.

Refer. 1. A branchlet of the natural size with the ripe seed.
2. Seed of the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

This is a favourite food of birds ; it is seldom found out of
woods or shaded places, and it is not therefore of much consider-
ation to the farmer, either as a useful or pernicious plant.
Fig. 9. Agrostis stolonifera latifolia, stoloniferous bent-grass, or
Fiorin.

The body of the seed is covered with the husks of the
blossom, which do not open ; it is cylindrical, but tapers
to a point at each end.

As it is of great importance to the farmer to be able to distin-
guish this species of bent-grass from the other species, which are
unprofitable and pernicious weeds, I will here mention such species
as are most likely from their prevalence, and their resemblance
to this seed, to be mistaken for it. Agrostis vulgar is — this seed
differs from the fiorin in being one half the size, more rounded at
the bottom, and of a paler brown colour. Agrostis alba, or clayey
couch-grass, has the seed very slender and smooth, one half the
size only of the fiorin, and more slender than the Agrostis vulgaris.
The seed of the Agrostis canina is furnished with a jointed awn of
a brown colour, which readily distinguishes it from those now
mentioned. There is an awnless variety of the Agrostis canina,
which is distinguished by being shorter and more plump than the
fiorin, or of the clay couch-bent. The seed of the Agrostis fasci-
cularis is not one third of the size of that of the fiorin, more
rounded at the bottom, and of a light straw colour. The Agrostis
palustris has seed about one fifth shorter than that of the fiorin,
of a lighter brown colour, and more plump and rounded. The
variety of fiorin called aristata has an awn which distinguishes it
at once from the seed of the more valuable variety.

Refer. 1. Branchlet of the true fiorin Agrostis stolonifera lati-
folia, with its ripe seed.
2. A seed of the natural size.
2. The same magnified.
Fig. 10. Holcus lanatus, woolly soft-grass.

The outer and inner husks, in general, adhere to the
seed, and cover it : they are egg-shaped, and furnished
*

22 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

with a short bent awn ; the body of the seed is egg-
shaped, and very smooth. The seed of the Phleum, or
cat's-tail grass, (No. 5.) is always naked, and being of
a round form, is sufficiently distinguished from the
above ; the forked termination of the husks of the
Phleum, likewise, affords an easy distinction between
their seed-vessels. The seed of the Alopeourm, or fox-
tail, (No. 7.) is distinguished from these, by its
covering, or husks being permanent, and terminating
in a straight awn. The agriculturist will find it his
interest to distinguish between these seeds.
Refer. 1. Naked seed, the natural size.

1. The same magnified. In the naked state the seed of

the Holcus lanatus, or Yorkshire white-grass, seldom
appears, as the soft woolly husks almost invariably
adhere to the body of the seed.

2. A seed as it appears in practice, natural size.
2. The same magnified.

Fig* 11. Aira cespitosa, turfy hair-grass, bulls '-faces, hassock-
grass.

The seed is covered with the inner husks, which
adhere to it: it is egg-shaped. A tuft of woolly hairs
(refer. 2. fig. 11.) which proceeds from the base
of the seed-vessel, with a slender awn projecting a
little further, clearly distinguishes this seed from
those of the Hold or soft-grasses (fig. 10. and 29.).
This being the seed of a most unprofitable and per-
nicious weed, it is of the highest importance, as
regards the keeping of land clean from weeds, to
prevent the introduction of a single seed of this
grass. Although there are upwards of eleven spe-
cies of hair-grass, yet, excepting this species, there
are none of the genus of particular moment to the
agriculturist.

Fig. 12. Melica c&rulea, purple melic-grass.

The seed is covered by the inner husk until it be
perfected ; afterwards it encloses it loosely. The body
of the seed is oval-oblong, and a little incurved.

Fig. 13. Poa compressa, flat-stalked meadow-grass.

The seed is covered with the inner husks, without

7.7

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 23

opening ; it is oblong, flattened, and tapers to a point
at each end.

Refer. I. A branchlet with a ripe seed.
2. A seed of the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

The Poa trivialis, Poa pratensis, Poa angustifolia,
Poa carulea, Poa cenisia and Poa fertilis have their
seeds distinguished by a woolly web-like substance ;
in the Poa trivialis it is so powerful as to prevent the
seeds from separating in sowing, and recourse is had
to rubbing the seed with sand, saw-dust, malt-dust,
&c., by which the seeds are separated, and prepared
for being regularly distributed over the soil.
Fig. 14. Briza media, common quaking-grass.

The inner husks enclose the seed unchanged till
ripe ; it is roundish, and very small ; the hollow, or
concave form of the husks, with their shining mem-
branous appearance, peculiarly distinguish the seeds
of this genus.

Refer. 1. A spiket of ripe seed.
2. A seed the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

The other species of quaking-grass are very in-
ferior in value to this one, and the seeds should be
carefully avoided when mixed with the superior
pasture grasses.
Fig. 15. Dactylis glomerata, round-headed cock's-foot-grass.

The husks of the corolla envelope the seed, and
adhere to it without opening : it is oblong, slender, and
very acute, rounded on one side and marked with a
longitudinal furrow on the other.
Refer. 1. A spiket of ripe seed.

1. The same magnified.

2. A seed of the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

The other species of cock's-foot-grass being either
very rare, or natives of foreign countries, there is
little danger of the agriculturist being mistaken in the
seed of this most valuable species.
Fig. 16. Cynosurus cristatus, crested dog's-tail-grass.

24 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

The seed is covered with the inner husks, which da
not open ; it is oblong, and pointed at each end. The
colour of this seed is reddish yellow ; and, in some
instances, passes under the name of golden grass.
Refer. 1. A portion of the spike with its ripe seed.

1. A spiket magnified.

2. A seed the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

Fig. 17. Festuca pratensis, meadow fescue-grass.

The husks of the corolla envelope the seed, and
adhere to it without opening : it is oblong, slender,
and very acute, rounded on one side and marked with
a longitudinal furrow on the other.

'Refer. 1. A spiket, shewing 'the terminating seed; which is
frequently abortive.

1. The same magnified.

2. A perfect seed the natural size, shewing its rounded

side.

2. The same magnified.

3. The same, shewing the furrowed side of the seed.
3. The same magnified.

Fig. 18. Bromus mollis, soft brome-grass.

The inner husks, or corolla, shut close upon, and
adhere to the seed ; which is oblong, convex on one side,
and furrowed on the other. It is of much importance
to the farmer to distinguish this seed, which is so fre-
quently to be found, to the loss and injury of the farm ;
it is the produce of an annual grass, known in common
practice under the name of oat-grass.
Refer. 1..A seed the natural size, convex side.

1. The same, shewing the furrowed side.

2. The same magnified, shewing the convex side of the

seed.
2. The same magnified, shewing the concave side of the

seed.
Fig. 19. Stipa pinnata, long-awned feather-grass.

The seed is covered by the inner husks; it is oblong.
The long feather-like awn of the seed distinguishes it
from that of any other species ; the feathery arista is
frequently a foot long.

I li i

\

HOETUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 25

Fig. 20. A vena pubescens, downy oat-grass.

The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom :
it is slender, oblong, and tapers to a point at each
end, marked with a furrow lengthwise. The seed of
the different species of fescue, brome, and oat-grasses,
are very much alike at the first glance ; nevertheless,
they offer sufficient marks of distinction, provided a
little minuteness in the examination be employed by
the agriculturist. Thus the seed of the fescue ter-
minates in an acute point : that of the brome-grass is
blunt or obtuse : if a species of the former be awned,
the awn is a continuation of the husk ; but the awn of
a brome-grass is inserted below the apex of the husk,
and surrounded at the base with its membranous
edges. These are beautiful natural characters of dis-
tinction, and never vary.

Refer. 1. A seed the natural size, with its bent awn.
1. The same magnified.

Fig. 21. Arundo epigejos, wood reed-grass.

The inner husks adhere to the seed, without open-
ing ; the naked seed is oblong, and pointed at both
ends ; it is furnished at the base with downy hairs.
The hairs give this seed, at first, the appearance of
that of the cotton-grass, Eriopkorum (No. 3.) ; but, on
removing the hairs, the body of the seed of the cotton-
grasses is three-cornered, while that of the reed-grasses
is oblong and pointed.
Refer. 1. A spiket of ripe seed the natural size.

1. The same magnified.

2. A seed the natural size.
2. The same magnified.

Fig. 22. Lolium perenne, perennial rye-grass.

The inner husks enclose 4:he seed, which is oblong,
compressed ; convex on one side, and fiV, with a fur-
row lengthwise, on the other. There are four species
of annual rye-grass, which are carefully to be distin-
guished from the varieties of the perennial species.
Lolium temulentum, bearded annual rye-grass, has the
7 seed furnished with a long awn (see fig. 35.), which
readily distinguishes it from the varieties of the peren-
nial rye-grass. Lolium tenue, slender annual rye-grass,

26

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

has a very small seed ; it is one half the length only of
that of the perennial rye-grass, the furrow is broader on
the flattened side, and the convex side is rounder : its
diminutive size and greater plumpness readily distin-
guish it. The seed of the Lolium complanatum is
distinguished by its deep longitudinal furrow, and by
being much shorter, and less of an oblong figure than
the perennial rye-grass. The Lolium arvense produces
seed nearly as large and plump as that of the Winslow-
wheat; and that of the variety of this species called
Lolium arveme-majus, is even larger. It is less deeply
furrowed than that of the Lolium ptrenne, less convex,
and not tapering at the ends, but rounded. These
being all strictly annual, or but one year-lived grasses,
it is of the highest consequence to be able to prevent
their introduction on the farm, particularly when the
valuable grass seeds happen to be contaminated with
them.

The varieties of the perennial rye-grass, Lolium
perenne, are numerous. When a plant is found to
differ from its parent stock, or species, it is called a
variety ; and should this distinction continue perma-
nent after the variety has been raised from seed on its
own natural soil, and also on soils of a different nature,
it is then termed a permanent variety ; but when the
plant retains not its distinction after being reproduced
from seed, it is called an accidental variety. This dis-
tinction is of importance as regards cultivated plants,
intended for permanent occupation of the soil, or even
for a limited period.

The seeds of the varieties of perennial rye-grass
differ from each other but little, chiefly in size and
plumpness. Those varieties which produce most
foliage, and are later in emitting culms, have leaner
seed than those varieties which have less foliage and
numerous early culms. In proportion to the rounded
form and plump heavy quality of the seeds of the
varieties of Lolium perenne, so in like proportion I have
always found a scarcity and poverty of foliage, or
herbage, particularly after mid-summer, and an excess
of early culms and seed. Experience in the cultivation

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 27

of twenty-two apparently distinct varieties of perennial
rye-grass, has afforded me proofs of the above facts ;
and also that out of that number from five to nine
only can be considered, to a certain extent, permanent
varieties.

Refer. 1. Calyx and a diseased seed, rather uncommon, of
the Lolium perenne, the natural size.

1. The same magnified.

2. A seed the natural size, convex side.

2. The same magnified.

3. A seed the natural size, concave side.
3. The same magnified.

Fig. 23. Elymus geniculatus, jointed lyme-grass.

The husks of the blossom adhere to the seed, which
is convex on one side, and strap-shaped.
Refer. 1. A seed the natural size, convex side.

2. The same, shewing the furrowed side.
Fig. 24. Hordeum murinum, wall-barley, way-bennet-grass.

The husks cover the seed without opening; it is
oblong, bellying, angular, tapering to a point, termi-
nating in an awn.

The seed of the Hordeum pratense meadow barley
grass, is readily distinguished from that of the Hor-
deum murinum by its being much rounder, or bellying,
while that of the meadow-barley is slender and taper-
ing : the longitudinal groove or furrow of the seed of
the H. murinum is only half the depth of that of the
H . pratense.

The seed of the Hordeum maritimum (another
worthless annual), is only half the size of the former,
is plump like the seed of the way-bennet, but is less
bellying, and more tapering to the awn 5 and it is also
of a darker brown colour.
Refer. 1. Seeds of the Hordeum murinum, with the involucre

and calyx, of the natural size.
2. A seed the natural size.

Fig. 25. Triticum repens, creeping-rooted wheat or couch-grass.

The husks of the blossom enclose the seed until it is

perfected ; and afterwards open and emit it : the seed

is oval-oblong, and obtuse at both ends ; on this side

convex, on the other furrowed.

The utility of a thorough acquaintance with the foregoing prin-

28 HQRTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSJS.

cipal characters of distinction, or, what may be termed the generic
characters of the seeds of grasses, will best appear, perhaps, by
practically applying them to distinguish those seeds from each
other that are found to have the nearest resemblance, but producing
plants of different species : and likewise the seeds of such grasses
as are of more importance for the agriculturist to distinguish from
all others, part of which are the following.
Fig. 26. Phalaris arundinacea, reed-like canary-grass.

This seed is somewhat cylindrical ; the microscope
also shews it to be furnished with hairs at the base,
and it is covered by the husks of the corolla; so far,
therefore, it resembles the Arundines (No. 21.) : how-
ever, the hairs of the Arundo encircle the base of the
seed : but in this seed they are divided into two dis-
tinct tufts, situated on opposite sides of the base of
the seed. But what seems to determine the alliance at
first sight between this grass and the Phalaris, is its
shining horny crust (No. 4.) : that of the Arundo is
membranous, or scale-like ; it is sharp-pointed at each
end, but that only tapers to a blunt point. The nu-
tritive matter afforded by this grass has qualities more
analogous to that of the different species of Phalaris,
than to that of the Arundines ; I have, therefore, fol-
lowed Schrader, in ranking it with the Phalarides.*
Refer. 1. A seed of Phalaris arundinacea, the natural size.

2. The same magnified.

3. Husks, the natural size.

4. The same magnified.

Fig. 27. Phleum pratense, var. minor, lesser variety of meadow
cat's-tail grass.

This seed, of a very inferior variety of meadow cat's-
tail, is distinguished from that of the true variety, or
Timothy-grass, in being one-third smaller, of a rounder
form ; and the dagger-points, or fork of the seed vessel,
shorter, and bent rather outwards : while those of the
true variety are nearly straight, or inclined inwards.

* " Corolla duplici et semine corolla interior! corticate nostrum gramen a Pha-
laridis genere baud commode disjungitur, pili corollam Arundinum cingentes, pro-
prie desunt; nee semen, ut in illo genere, librum et corolla membranacea tectum,
sed corolla cartilagenea corticatum. Neque etiam ulla nos necessitas cogit, ut
illud pro distincto genere habeamus."

SCHRADER. flora Germanica, vol i. p. 182.

« ¥

*' >

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 29

The fringes here terminate abruptly, before they reach
the base of the dagger-like points ; while in the true
and valuable variety they gradually diminish towards
these points : all which will appear manifest on refer-
ring to fig. 5.
Fig. 28. Alopecurus agrestis, slender fox-tail-grass.

Here we have a seed which is covered with the husks
of the corolla, the larger valve of which is furnished
with an awn. On referring to Fig. 8. we find this to
be the discriminating character of the seed of the Fox-
tail grass, (Alopecurus,) and that it differs from the
seed of that species, (Alopecurus pratensis, or peren-
nial meadow fox-tail,) in being smoother and naked,
or wanting the downy hairs which clothe the surface
of the former : this may be perceived by the naked
eye, or even sufficiently by the touch. On passing
some seeds between the fingers, that of the meadow,
or perennial fox-tail will be found quite soft ; but
that of the slender, or annual species, hard and un-
pleasant,
Refer. 1. A seed of the Alopecurus agrestis, natural size.

1. The same magnified.

2. A naked seed magnified.

Fig. 29. Holcus mollis, creeping-rooted, or soft couch-grass.

The grass which produces this seed is one of the
most troublesome weeds or couches that infest light
dry soils. The near resemblance which it bears to the
woolly soft grass, (Holcus lanatus,) causes it often to
be confounded with that grass. The seeds are readily
distinguished at the first view ; those of the lanatus
(see Fig. 10.) are covered with woolly hairs, and
loosely envelope the seed with the husks. But the
seed of the mollis is perfectly smooth and shining.
Refer. 1. A seed, the natural size, as it appears in practice.

1. The same magnified.

2. A naked seed frequently met with.

3. A diseased seed, with the clavus magnified.
Fig. 30. Air&Jlexuosa, zigzag hair-grass.

The seed of this grass is introduced here, not be-
cause it possesses any very valuable properties or the
reverse, but that, as it is very common on sandy soils,

30 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

it may be carefully distinguished from the seed of
hassock-grass (Fig. 1L), which is so unprofitable,
and difficult to eradicate when once in possession of
the soil, that some have applied to it the epithet ex-
ecrable. This seed differs from that of the hassock-
grass (Fig. 11.), in being one half larger in the awn ;
which is long, of a dark colour, and recurved or bent
back a little before it reaches the top of the seed ; the
form of the seed is likewise more of an oblong figure,
which a reference to Fig. 1 1 . will shew.
Refer. 1. A seed, the natural size, with its bent awn.

1. The same magnified.

Fig. 31. Poa pratensis, smooth-stalked or creeping-rooted mea-
dow couch-grass.

Seed acuminate, or pointed, furrowed on the flat
side ; furnished with a thick woolly web which entan-
gles the seeds.
Refer. 1. A spiket of ripe seed, the natural size.

2. A seed the natural size, with its woolly web attached.
2. The same magnified.

Fig. 32. Poa trivialis, rough-stalked meadow-grass. Common
meadow-grass.

The Poa pratensis has a strong creeping root, and,
like every other creeping-rooted plant, is a great im-
poverisher of the soil, and with difficulty rooted out
of land : the Poa trivialis has many good qualities ;
it is therefore of importance to distinguish their seeds,
which are so much alike. The chief mark of distinction
to the naked eye, is the woolly web which connects
or entangles the seeds ; in the Poa pratensis it is
greater than in the Poa trivialis; the seeds of the
former can hardly be separated from each other, but
those of the Poa trivialis are very little entangled by
the web. But with the aid of a glass, they may be at
once determined with certainty : the seed of the Poa
pratensis being more acuminate, and appearing on the
face concave ; while that of the Poa trivialis is shorter,
rounder, and nearly quite flat on the face. See
Fig. 13.
Refer. 1. Spikets of ripe seed.

2. A seed, the natural size.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 31

2. The same magnified.
Fig. 33. Festuca datior, var. sterilis, tall fescue-grass.

The seed of this grass is always either diseased or
abortive ; as shewn in the above specimens. The form
of the seed vessel, or abortive seed, is scarcely to be
distinguished from that of the Festuca pratemis, (Fig.
17.) but may be distinguished with certainty by pass-
ing it between the fingers : it feels like a mere husk ;
and the diseased seed may be perceived by the eye.
On comparing the above specimens with those of the
Festuca pratensis, (Fig. 17.) the seed-vessel appears
more elongated and compressed ; which evidently
arises from the absence of the body of the seed. The
seed of Festuca pratensis appears to be always free from
disease.
Refer. 1. An abortive seed, the natural size, furrowed side.

2. The same, convex side.

3. Seed affected with the clavus.

Fig. 34. Bromus arvensis, field, or corn brome-grass.

This seed is distinguished from that of Bromus
mollis, by being longer, more slender, and being sharp-
pointed. This is one of the best annual brome-grasses,
as will be shewn hereafter ; and it is therefore of im-
portance that its seed should be known from that of
the Bromus mollis, a very troublesome weed.
Fig. 35. Lolium temulentum, annual bearded rye-grass.

The seed of annual bearded rye-grass is distin-
guished at first from that of the perennial rye-grass
(No. 17.) by its long awn; the body of the seed is
likewise more swoln, shorter, convex on the back,
and the furrow on the face of the seed broader. This
seed, when mixed with other grain, and made into
bread, is said to be deleterious.

Professor Martyn supposes this grass to be the darnel of the
Romans.

" Interque nitentia culta

Infelix lolium et steriles dominantur avenac."

VIRG. Georg. i. 153.

Mr. Holdich observes, that he has never found this grass among
corn crops ; and Mr. Taunton has favoured me with specimens of
the Bromus secalinus, as a very common and troublesome weed in

32 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

tillage lands that have come under his observation : Drank is the
provincial name of the scaly brome-grass. To these high autho-
rities I may add the results of my own observations, which agree
perfectly with the above, as regards the annual bearded rye-grass ;
and that I have found the Bromus mollis and Alopecurus agrestis,
with the Bromus secalinus, as the most prevalent weeds (of the an-
nual grass kind,) in corn fields; these, therefore, may be con-
sidered the darnel of the British farmer.

A perfect knowledge of the various periods of the year in which
the different species of grass ripen their seed, is of the utmost im-
portance in obtaining those seeds suited to the soil, and which the
farmer may require for his own use. By saving his grass seeds on
his own farm, the farmer will obtain his seed pure, of the best
quality, and at a trifling expense. For this important purpose a
small space of ground only will be required ; which, besides the
valuable grass seeds, for the supply of the farm, will be found to
afford good hay, and also late and early pasture.

Average periods at which different species of Grasses ripen their
seed: drawn up from the details of Ten Years' practical Obser-
vation and experiment.

I. — APRIL.

Poa annua, annual meadow-grass, from the 10th to Winter frosts.

II. — JUNE.

th th
Anthoxanthum odoratnm, sweet-scented vernal grass, from 10 to 20

Bromus mollis, soft annual brome-grass, - 12 20

Aira caryophyllea, silver-hair hair-grass, - 15 20

Anthoxanthum amarum, bitter vernal-grass - - 15 20

Eriophorum vaginatum, sheathed cotton-grass, - 18 20

angustifolium, narrow-leaved cotton-grass, 20 30

Melica uniflora, one-flowered melic-grass, - 18 24

Milium vernale, spring millet-grass, - - 18 25

Poa alpina, alpine meadow-grass, - 18 24

angustifolia, narrow-leaved meadow-grass, 18 24

Sesleria carulea, blue meadow-grass, - - 18 24
Alopecurus pratensis, meadow fox-tail-grass, - - 30 —
•Holcus odoratus repens, sweet-scented soft-grass, (abor-
tive generally), - - 20 —
Festuca ovina hordeiformis, barley-like fescue, - 20 to July 20

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS, 33

III.— JULY.

Avena parviftora, small-flowered oat-grass, from 4 to 10

Bromus longiflorus, long-flowered, 4 13

Festuca glauca, glaucous-fescue, 4 24

pannonica, Hungarian, - 4 17

Triticum nardus, hard wheat-grass, 4 —

Poa pratensis, smooth meadow-grass, - - 10 —

Holcus lanatus, woolly soft-grass, - 12 24

mollis, creeping soft-grass - 14 26

Bromus arvensis, field or meadow Brome-grass, (when

sown in Autumn), - 7 —

Alopecurus geniculatus, jointed fox-tail, 7 —

Poa bulbosus, bulbous meadow-grass, - 11

A vena pubescens, yellow oat-grass, - 15 25

Poa car idea, blue meadow-grass, - 16 —

Bromus tectorum, nodding panicled-bent-grass, - 16 —

Cynosurus cristatus, crested dog's-tail, - 16 30

Cornucopia cucullatum, horn of plenty, - 16 —

Dactylis glomerata, round-headed cock's-foot-grass, - 19 30

• glaucescens, glaucous cock's-foot-grass, - 20 —

— variegata, striped cock's-foot-grass, - 20 —

Americana var. American variety. - 22 —

Festuca dumetorum, wood-fescue, - 19 —

Lolium perenne perennial rye-grass, - - 15 —

perenne Russellianum, Russell-grass, - - 20

Poa distans, reflexed meadow-grass, - - 16 —

• rigida, rigid meadow-grass, - 16 —

trivialis, rough-stalked meadow-grass, - - 16 —

Festuca glabra, var. smooth -leaved fescue-grass, - 12 —

rubra, creeping fescue-grass, - - 12 25

Briza media, common quaking-grass, - - 12 20

Trifolium melilotus officinalis, melilot-clover, - - 14 —

Bromus erectus, upright brome-grass, - - 20 —

Vicia sepium, bush-vetch,, - 24

Festuca ovina, sheep's fescue-grass, - - 28
Aira pr&cox, early hair-grass, (sown in the Spring) 27

• aquatica, water hair-grass, - 26 —

cristata, crested hair-grass, - 29

Bromus giganteus, - 24 —

Avenafragilis, slender oat-grass, - 24 to -^

*
34 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Avena Orientalis, Eastern oat-grass, (sown in the

Autumn) [Juty] fr°m 25 to — •

prateme, meadow oat-grass, 24 27 30

Bromus distachyos, two-rowed brome-grass, (sown in the

Spring) * - 30 —

Bromus diandrus, wall brome-grass, - - 21 30

ligusticus, tongue-formed, - 30 —

maximus, large panicled, - 21 30

unioloides, flat-spikeled, - 21 30

Milium effusum, wood millet-grass, - 21 30

Festuca bromoides, brome-like fescue-grass, - 21 30

duriuscula, hardish fescue-grass, - 30 —

Bromus cristatus, crested-brome-grass, - 30 —

Festuca gracilis, slender fescue-grass, - - 30 —

ovina tenuis, slender sheep's fescue-grass, - 30 —

pratensis, meadow fescue-grass, - 30 —

tenuifolia, slender-leaved, - 30 —

vivipara, viviparous, - - (plants) 30 —

Phalaris arenaria, sand canary-grass, - 30 —

Melica ciliata, ciliated melic-grass, - 27 31

Poa nervata, nerved meadow-grass, - - 30 —

Festuca loliacea, rye-grass-like fescue, (abortive always) 21 —

Phleum pratense, minus, lesser variety of meadow cat's-

tail-grass, - 25 —

Cynosurus erucaformis, linear-spiked, - - 21 —

Phleum pratense, meadow cat's-tail-grass, - 25 —

Poa nemoralis, wood meadow-grass, - - 30 —

Phleum nodosum, bulbous-jointed cat's-tail-grass, - 30 —

Poafertilis, fertile meadow-grass, - 30 —

Lotus major, larger bird's-foot trefoil, - - 30 —

Lotus minor, smaller bird's-foot trefoil, - 30 —

Festuca myurus, capon's tail fescue-grass, - 29 —

Poa c<zsia, sea-green meadow-grass, - - - 27 —
Hordeum murinum, way-bennet wall-barley, (sown in the

Spring) - - 30

Vicia Thouinii, Thouin's vetch, - 30 —

Festuca Cambrica, Welsh fescue-grass, - - 20 30

Vicia stricta, upright vetch, - - 20 30

IV.— AUGUST.

Air a cristata, crested hair-grass,

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 35

Elymus giganteus, giant lyme-grass, - [Aug.] from 2 to —
Poa decumbens, decumbent rneadow-grass,

Triticum spelta, spelt wheat-grass, 3 —

Triticum tenue, slender wheat-grass, - 3 —

caninum, bearded wheat-grass, - 4 —

caninum, var. awnless wheat-grass, - 4 —

Agrostis vulgaris, common bent-grass, - 4 —

Nardus stricta, upright mat-grass, - - 5 —

Ervum ervilla, small spurious tare, - - 4 —

Avena planiculmis^ broad-leaved oat-grass, 6 —

Ervum hirsutum, hairy tare, - 6 —

» tetraspermum, four-seeded tare, - - 6 —

Poa glauca, glaucous meadow-grass, - 6 —

procumbens, procumbent, - 6 —

Trifolium macrorhizum, long-rooted clover, 6 —

Agrostis sylvaticus, wood bent-grass, - 6 —

Festuca elatior fertilis, tall fertile fescue-grass, 6 —

.Bromits multiflorus, many-flowering brome-grass, 5 —

Elymus Philadelphicus, Philadelphian lyme-grass, 6 20

Vicia sordida, sordid vetch, - ' - 6 —

tenuifolia, slender-leaved, - - 6 —

Holcus avenaceus muticus, beardless, tall oat-grass, 7 —

.Bromus rubens, red brome-grass, - 9

Melica Bauhini, Bauhin's melic-grass, - 9 23

Festuca alopecuroides, fox-tail-like fescue-grass, (Aut.) 10 • —

Elymus hystrix, hedge-hog lyme-grass, - 10 —

Bromus sterilis, barren brome-grass, - - 10 —

Elymus geniculatus, jointed lyme-grass, - 10 —

Avena Jiavescens, golden oat, - - 20 —

Arundo calamagrostis, fine panicled, - - 21 30

Hordeum pratense, meadow barley-grass, - 21

Bromus angustifolia, narrow-leaved brome, - - 24 —

Lolium tenue, slender rye-grass, - - - 24 —

Bromus lameolatus, spear-panicled, - 24 —

Phleum phalaroides, phalaris-like, - 24 —

Poa nemoralis, var. - - - 24 —

Saint Foin, ~- - - - - 24 —

Bromus pinnatus, winged brome-grass, 28 to Sept. 5

Hordeum bulbosum, bulbous barley-grass, - 27 —

Elymus striatus, striated brome-grass, - - 28 •— -

Avena distichophylla, fan-leaved oat-grass, - 29

36 HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBUR.VENSIS.

Agrostis canina, brown bent-grass, [Aug.] fr°m 29 to —

Cinna, reed-like bent, - 29 —

— lobata, lobed bent, - 29

retrofracta, reflex panicled, - 29 —

vulgaris variegata, striped leaved, - 29 —

Festuca gigantea, giant fescue-grass, - - 29 —

Milium paradoxum, black-seeded millet-grass, - - 29 —

Phleum Michelii, slender spiked, - 29 —

Phalaris canariensis, canary-seed-grass, - - 29 —

paradoxa, black-bristled, - - 29 — -

Triticum variegatum, variegated wheat-grass, - - 29 —

Agrostis vulgaris fascicularis, bundled-leaved bent, - 29 —
Bromus cristatus, crested brome-grass, 30 to Sept. 8
Air a cespitosa, bull's-faces, hassock-grass, (according
as it grows under the shade of trees, or in open
warm soils,) 20 30 to Sept. 10

Triticum repens, creeping wheat or couch-grass, [Aug.] 30 —

Vicia sylvatica, wood vetch, - - 30 —

V. SEPTEMBER.

Phleum Bochmeri, purpled-stalked cat's-tail-grass, from 4 to 12

Vicia cracca, tufted vetch, 4 —

Mgilops triuncialis, long-spiked hard grass. - - 5 17

Avena alopecuroides, fox-tail-like oat-grass, 5 12

Agrostis canina, var. mutica, awnless brown bent-grass, 5 —

— milacea, millet bent-grass, - - 5 —

Trichodium nivenm, snowy bent-grass, 5 —

Agrostis panicea, bearded bent-grass, - 5 —

Dactylis Hispanica, Spanish cock's-foot-grass, 5 —

Elymus Canadensis, Canadian lyme-grass, 5 —

Triticum junceum, rush-leaved wheat-grass, - - 5 —

Sesleria cylmdrica, cylindrical moor-grass, - 5 —

— elongatum, long-spiked, 5 —

Triticum cpmpositum, compound spiked wheat-grass, - 5 —

Trifolium medium, middle clover, - 5 —

Agrostis alba, couch-bent-grass, - 6 15

Arundo arenaria, sea-reed-grass, 8 —

Agrostis stolonifera, Richardsonia, florin-grass, 8 —

• stolonifera angustifolia, narrow-leaved or

spurious florin, - - 8 20

Panicum cylindricum, cylindrical bent, - 8 16

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBU11NENSIS. 37

Phleum Hostii, Host's cat's-tail-grass, [Sept.] from 8 to —

Stipa pinnata, long-awned feather-grass, - 15 20

Airajuncea, rush-leaved hair-grass, - 15 —

Avena nuda, naked oat-grass, - 15 18

Agrostis tenuifolia, slender-leaved bent-grass, - - 15 —

Trichodium strict urn, upright bent-grass, - 15 —

Dactylis patens, spreading cock's-foot-grass, - - 15 —

Panicum sanguinale, blood-coloured panic-grass, - 15 —

Melica c&rulea, blue melic-grass, - 15 —

sEgilops squarrosa, rough-spiked goat's-face-grass, - 15 —
Agrostis spici venti, silky or light panicled bent-grass,

(sown in Spring,) - - 17 —

Bromus confertus, crowded panicled-grass, - 17 —

Festuca alopecuroides, fox-tail-like fescue-grass, (Spring) 17 —

Bromus hirsutus, hairy brome-grass, - - 18 —

Avena neglecta, neglected oat-grass, - -22 —

Medic ago lupulina, non-such, trefoil, - - 22 —
Sanguisorba Canadensis, greater burnet-grass, from 28 to Oct. 5

Agrostis stolonifera aristataf awned florin-grass, - 28 —

• varia, various panicled bent-grass, - 28 —

Bromus purgans, - - 28 —

Poa compressa, compressed-stalked meadow-grass, - 28 —

Lagurus ovatus, oval-spiked hare's-tail-grass, - - 28 —

Elymus Europaus, European lyme-grass, - 29 —

Agrostis repens, creeping-rooted bent-grass, - - 30 —

Triticum elongatum, long-spiked wheat-grass, - - 30 —

Agrostis Mexicana, Mexican bent-grass, - 30 —

Lathyrus pratensis, yellow vetchling, - - 30 —

VI. OCTOBER.

Arundo phragmites, common reed-grass, from 10 to 15

Agrostis alba, var. striped-leaved couch-bent-grass, - 10

Dactylis cynosuroides, American cock's-foot-grass, - 10 —

Elymus junceus, rush-leaved lyme-grass, - 10 —

Elymus villosus, hairy-leaved lyme-grass, - 10 —

Elymus Virginicus, Virginian lyme-grass, - 10 —

Melica c<zrulea, var. branching panicled melic-grass, - 10 —

Triticum rigidum, stiff wheat-grass, - - 12 —

In the above Table there are about twenty-four different species
of grasses essential to the farmer, in forming an unfailing pasture
of the highest fattening quality ; but proofs of this will be offered

38 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WGBURNENSIS.

hereafter. In this place the reader's attention is particularly-
requested to an effectual and economical mode of obtaining the
seeds of those grasses, without which the most valuable pasture
cannot be formed.

To cultivate all these grasses separately, for the sake of ob-
taining separate seed of each, will be found too expensive, and,
in regard to practical utility, unnecessary. The difficulties which
have stood in the way of obtaining the seeds of those grasses,
essential as a whole to make the richest quality of pasture, at a
reasonable practicable expense and in sufficient quantity for farm
practice, have deterred intelligent farmers disposed to make im-
provements, from attempting any such on the ordinary practice of
returning tillage lands to grass — or that of forming new permanent
pastures, and from using the only effectual means of improving
inferior pastures already formed. Fortunately these difficulties
are easily surmounted, and the farmer may obtain all these seeds,
at a trifling expense, from his own farm. The following pages-
may in a few hours enable him to teach those persons who are in-
capable of more laborious duties, or those whom the Poor Laws
compel him to support — without any return of labour, or benefit to
the increase of the produce of his farm, or to the returns of profit
which his skill and capital justly demand — to collect a sufficiency
of the seeds of those essential grasses with which to establish a

O

pure stock of plants, that will for ever supply him with those seeds
according to his wants.

The unconquerable propensity of almost every species of the
valuable grasses to combine and grow in company with others,
renders every attempt to cultivate them singly, for any length of
time, impracticable : without at the same time incurring consider-
able expense in weeding, separate reaping, harvesting, and win-
nowing.

The above Table shews that the ripening of the seeds of the es-
sential grasses takes place at three different periods of the season; orr
if they are classed according to the time about which each species
ripens its seed, they will form three divisions or groups : the first
group, consisting of the earliest species, perfect their seed about
the end of June, viz. Anthoxanthum odoratum, Poa angustifolia, and
Alopecurus pratensis ; the second, consisting of Festuca ovina, var,
hordeiformis, Poa pratensis, Festuca pannonica, Dactylis glamerata,
cynosurus cristatus, three varieties of the Lolium perenne, Poa tri-
vialis, Festuca glabr a, Vicia sepium, Festuca duriuscula, Poa nervata,

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 39

Festuca pratensis, Phleum pratense, and Poafertilis, about the end
of July ; and the third about the first or second week of Septem-
ber, consisting of Poa nemoralis angustifolia, Avena Jlavescens,
Hordeum pratense, Agrostis stolonifera latifolia, and Trifolium pra-1
tense. The seed of the Achillea milifolium (yarrow), Trifolium
repens (white clover), may be had of the agricultural seedsmen :
as also that of Festuca ovina hordeiformis, Poa nervata, and Poa
fertilis, in quantity at least sufficient to begin a stock.

To form a stock for the perpetual supply of the seeds of the
most valuable grasses at the least possible expense, it is therefore
necessary to take advantage of this gregarious or social propen-
sity of grasses, (if I may be allowed the use of either expression,)
and by combining those valuable species only which ripen their seed
at the same period, effect the exclusion of the seeds and .plants of
inferior species of grasses, and thereby insure the supply of pure
seed, and render extraordinary expense in weeding unnecessary.

The extent of this stock-ground for seed must, of course, be
regulated by the quantity of seed that may occasionally be wanted
for the farm. It must be in three divisions, at least, corresponding
to the above three different combinations of the valuable grasses ;
and if sown with the proportions of the different seeds hereafter
stated, will require of the farmer, from time to time, that care and
attention only which is bestowed on the best managed pasture land :
of which this stock-seed ground will be found to constitute not the
least valuable part, independent of the important object for which
it is made. There are a number of other valuable grasses pecu-
liarly adapted for certain soils and situations, but these will be
mentioned in the course of the details of experiments.*

* A very excellent and ingenious mode of saving the seeds of Down grasses, or of
those grasses which are peculiarly adapted for elevated dry soils, has been suggested
by Mr. Blaikie, in the Farmer's Journal for March 17th, 1823. It is there recom-
mended to fence off by hurdles, or other temporary fencing, a sufficient space of these
pastures for seed, choosing such portions as have the best kinds of grasses ; and to
mow these enclosures for seed, in succession, at three, four, or more, different
periods of the season. By these means the seeds of the early, midsummer, and
late vegetating grasses, will be obtained, and which could not, it is evident, be
obtained by one mowing in one season. This is a highly valuable mode of obtain-
ing the seeds of those grasses adapted for downs ; which to cultivate separately
for the seed, would be found a fruitless undertaking. Fence the selected turf
effectually, and early in the season, and prepare the enclosure for being mowed by
picking the stones or rubbish from the surface, which should be well rolled. As
-the season advances, and the early grasses begin to arrive at maturity, employ a

40 HORTUS GRAMINEUS

It now only remains to shew how effectually the mode of
arranging grasses into genera, species, and varieties, assists the
memory in retaining the discriminating characters, or specific
marks by which every species and variety of grass is distinguished
from all others ; this is of particular value to the farmer, whose
occupations allow not, perhaps, the time and attention requisite to
obtain general botanical knowledge; and whose purpose here is
only the attainment of a perfect knowledge of the comparative
merits and value of this tribe of plants, exclusively agricultural,
and which constitutes the foundation of the riches of a farm. The
bare enumeration of the different species and varieties which com-
prise this agricultural family of plants, will be sufficient to shew
the importance, and usefulness, which some degree of botanical
knowledge is of to the practical farmer : or how much light and
order are preferable to darkness and confusion, certainty to uncer-
tainty, or in a word, science to empiricism. The time and attention
requisite to obtain this degree of botanical information, by any
practical farmer, are, indeed, but small ; and no person once in pos-
session of this knowledge has ever yet been found to regret the
acquirement of it, or to say, that it is not of great utility and be-
nefit in practice.

Every species of grass, properly so called, is distinguished from
all other plants by the following peculiar structure — The stem, or
straw, is hollow, and jointed ; the leaves are long, slender, and en-
tire, sheathing or investing the straw for some length, and in
number equal to the joints of the straw ; the flower consists of one,
or two membranaceous husks, which bear but one seed, and the
seed has only one lobe, or seed-leaf. Every plant, therefore, that
possesses all these peculiarities of structure, is a proper species of
grass ; hence the proper grasses are called a natural order of
plants.*

vigilant bird keeper. As soon as the early grasses have perfected their seed, mow
a portion of the enclosure, which should be done in dry favourable weather. If the
swaths of grass are heavy, they should be turned with great caution, so as not to
shake out the ripe seeds. As soon as a mowing is dry, the seed should be imme-
diately thrashed out : this operation should be performed, on a close-woven cloth,
in the field, on a dry day. As soon as a certain portion of the later grasses ripen
their seed, another mowing should be effected, and so on, until all the grasses in
the enclosure have perfected their seed. See the letter of " an Old Correspondent,"
in the Farmer's Journal for March 17th, 1823.

* See Smith's Grammar of Botany, page 68 ; Smith's Engl. Fl. vol. 1. p. 71.
and Br. Pr. p. 168.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 41

But, besides this agreement of external structure, grasses are
distinguished from other natural orders of plants by this property,
that every part of the plant becomes food for the larger and more
valuable domestic animals. Other natural orders of plants afford
only the fruit, or seed, or perhaps the root ; others, again, are poi-
sonous : it follows, that the properties of plants, when distinctly
known, may be included with advantage in their natural characters
of distinction.

All the species which compose this family, may also be distin-
guished from each other by the difference in the qualities of the
nutritive matter which each affords. Those species which have
the greatest affinity to each other in external form, likewise con-
tain nutritive matters, that differ less from each other in their sen-
sible qualities or composition, than those of the species which are
more dissimilar in their external figure. However circumscribed
the knowledge of this connexion may be, which seems to exist
between the external forms and nutritive products of grasses, still,
if certain external characters should be found to indicate peculiar
nutritive qualities, the botanical description of any species of grass
would not only convey a knowledge of its external form, but like-
wise an idea of its value, as an article of food. That this would be
productive of much practical utility, can hardly be doubted ; and
the following particulars, stated from the results of attentive
observation, and numerous comparisons made in the course of the
experiments, and which gave occasion for the above remarks, may
at least shew, that the subject is worthy of further investigation.

1st, Grasses which have culms with swoln joints, leaves thick
and succulent, and flowers with downy husks, contain greater pro-
portions of sugar and mucilage.

2d, When this structure is of a light glaucous colour, the
sugar is generally in excess.

3d, Grasses which have culms with small joints, flowers
pointed, collected into a spike, or spike-like panicle ; leaves thin,
flat, rough, and of a light green colour ; contain a greater propor-
tion of extractive matter.

4th, Grasses which have culms furnished with numerous joints,
leaves smooth and succulent, flowers in a spike or close panicle,
florets blunt and large, contain most gluten and mucilage.

5th, When this structure is of a glaucous colour, and the florets
woolly, sugar is in the next proportion to mucilage, (No. 2.)

6th, Grasses which have their flowers in a panicle, florets

42 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

pointed or awned, joints of the culm smooth, sheaths of the leaves
hairy, leaves smooth and succulent, contain most mucilage and
extractive.

7th, Grasses with flowers in a panicle, florets thinly scattered,
pointed, or furnished with long awns, culms lofty, with few joints,
leaves flat and rough, contain a greater proportion of saline matter
and bitter extractive.

8th, Grasses with strong creeping roots, culms few, leaves flat
and rough, flower in a spike, contain a greater proportion t)f bitter
extract, with mucilage.

The above general description of the figure and properties of
grasses, considers every part of the plant, and is therefore termed
the natural character of grasses.

The simplicity of form which runs through the whole structure
of this order of plants, can admit of but few very obvious varia-
tions to distinguish the different species from each other ; which
indeed appears in the foregoing enumeration of terms that repre-
sent them.

The parts of fructification, the flower, and the seed, are the least
liable to vary from any change of soil or cultivation ; and Botanists
have chosen them on that account, to fix their generic distinctions :
or, when the flowers and seeds of any number of grasses agree in
one or two particular points, and differ therein from all the rest,
such are termed a genus or family. The difference in the manner
of inflorescence, and the form of clothing of the culm, leaves, and
roots, afford the specific characters, or separate the genus into spe-
cies : when the difference between two grasses amounts to little
else than one or two of these last-mentioned points, or when such
distinctions are either lost or found by raising the plant from seed,
it is then considered a variety.* These characters of genera,
species, and varieties, being founded on a few parts only, and
those frequently not very obvious, have been termed artificial
characters of distinction. The memory, by these means, is re-
lieved from a multiplicity of minute distinctions, which would not
be the case were all the parts of the plant included in the essential
specific description or character.

* When a variety retains those marks of distinction after being raised from seed,
it is called a permanent variety ; when it loses those distinctions, it is then styled
an accidental variety. See Smith's Grammar of Botany, and Smith's Introduction
to Systematical and Physiological Botany.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 43

Though most of the genera are considered as merely artificial,
yet there are several which have their nutritive matters of a de-
scription peculiar to themselves. Sir Humphrey Davy informs
us, that the nutritive matters fr,om the different species of fescue,
in general, afford more bitter extractive matter than those from the
different species of poa, and that the seed crop of the Phleum
pr a tense afforded more sugar than any of the poa or festuca species.
M. St. Hilaire, in his Exposition of the Natural Families of
Plants,* arranges grasses according to the number of the styles,
the stamina, and the number of florets, contained in each calyx.
Accordingly he divides grasses into ten sections.
Sect. I. Contains such grasses as have 2 styles, and 1, or 2

stamina.
II. Grasses which have 2 styles, 3 stamina, and the calyx

1- flowered.

III. Grasses furnished with 2 styles, 3 stamina, calyx con-

taining two flowers, one of which consists of stamina
only.

IV. Grasses which have 2 styles, 3 stamina, calyx 2 or

3 -flowered, the flowers of different sexes.
V. Consists of grasses which have 2 styles, 3 stamina, calyx 1

or 2-flowered, all the flowers bisexual.

VI. Grasses furnished with 2 styles, 3 stamina, calyx many-
flowered, flowers glomerated.

VII. Grasses with 2 styles, 3 stamina, calyx many-flowered,
flowers in a spike, or situated on the axils of the stalk ;
terminating floret male, or barren.
VIII. Contains the grasses which have 2 styles, 3 stamina, and

calyx many-flowered.

IX. Grasses with 2 styles, and 6 or more stamina.
X. Grasses which have their style unique, summit simple,

and 3 stamina.

From the great simplicity of the above natural system, its merits
are obvious ; yet, like all others that have been framed, it is in
some degree imperfect, as there are several species which possess
characters that entitle them to a place in more than one section.
For practical purposes, therefore, an arrangement which partakes

* Exposition des Families Naturelles, et de la Germination des Plantes, par
Jaume St. Hilaire. Paris, 1805. — Consult also Smith's English Flora, vol. i.
p. 39 et st'gq., for the most scientific and useful arrangement of British Grasses.

44 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

of what is called the natural character, as well as the artificial, has
been found most useful ; as may perhaps appear by the following
general catalogue of grasses so arranged.

SECT. I. — Grasses with 3 Stamina, I Style, Calyx multivalve,
or an involucre.

LYGEUM. Hooded mat-weed. Generic character : flowers pro-
duced in pairs ; spathe convoluted, of one leaf; seed-vessel a
nut two-celled, two-seeded, villose. Richard, Mem. Soc.
d'Hist. Nat. de Paris, t. 3.

spartum* perennial. Rush-leaved Spanish mat-weed. Linn.
Syst. Veg. ii. 250. Nat. of Spain and the eastern coast of
Africa, on clayey soils. Flowers in England in June, and
in its native country in March.

CORNUCOPLE. Horn of plenty grass. Hooded cornucopia.
Generic character : involucre of one leaf, cup-shaped, many-
flowered, crenated ; calyx 2-valved, equal ; corolla 1-valved ;
seed-vessel, none, the corolla encloses the seed, which is flat
on one side, and convex on the other.']-

cucullatum, annual; spike awnless, cup-shaped, crenate, Linn.
Syst. Veg. ii. 252. Nat. of Smyrna and the Isle of Patmos.
alopecuroides. See Alopecurus utriculatus.

POMMEREUELLA.J Generic character: spikets sitting, 2-
rowed ; calyx 2-valved ; 3 — 6 flowered, flowers short ; corolla
2-valved, the inferior one with four teeth, segments bristled,
awn dorsal, flexuose from between the smaller segments ;
spikes simple, culms branching, seed smooth. Roxburgh,
Corom. t. 131.

cornucopia per. Nat. East Indies.
monoica, Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 252. Nat. East Indies.
CENCHRUS. Serpent-grass. Generic character : involucrum
enclosing from 3 to 5 spikets, often double, exterior furnished
with stiff bristles, interior, one leaf, multifid ; lacines lanceo-

* In Spain it is made into ropes, baskets, &c.

f This has more frequently two styles than one ; and, perhaps, should have been
classed under Triandria Digynia, but the disposition of the flowers seems to sepa-
rate it from the rest of the Grasses in that Order.

J So named by the younger Linnaeus, in honour of the very illustrious Lady du
Gaze de Pommereull, who laboured at the investigation of Grasses withradefatiga-
ble industry. M. M. Die.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURXEXSIS. 45

late, nearly equal ; calyx 2-valved, 2-flowered ; inferior florets
masculine, superior bisexual ; glumes of the corolla 2, lanceo-
late, acute, awnless ; germen marginate, spike compound.
Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 253.

CENCHRUS tribuloides, ann. caltrop serpent-grass, nat. of Vir-
ginia and the sea coasts of Florida. Michaux Fl. Bor.
Amer. i. 61.

echinatus, ann. hedgehog serpent-grass, nat. Arabia. Elymus
caput Medusae, var. Frosk. p. 25.

pungens, ann. sharp-pointed serpent-grass, nat. of the hot half-
inundated plains of Peru, near Guyaquil. Linn. Syst. Veg.
ii. 254. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. 115.

rufescens, ann. brown serpent-grass, nat. of Mascar, growing in
sands. Poiret. Enc. Meth. v. 51.

ramosissimus, ann. branching serpent-grass, nat. of Egypt.
Poiret. Enc. Meth. v. 51.

parviflorus, ann. small flowered serpent-grass, nat. of Porto-
Rico. Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 254.

setigerus, ann. bristly serpent-grass, nat. Arabia. Frosk.

geniculatus, ann. knee-jointed serpent-grass, nat. of the Cape of
Good Hope. Panicum geniculatum, Flo. Cap. Panicum
hordeiforme. Flo. Jap. Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 255.

muricatus, ann. caltrop-like serpent-grass, nat. of the East
Indies. Panicum squarrosurri, Retz. Obs. iv. 15. v. t. 1.

purpurescens, ann. purple serpent-grass, nat. of Japan. Thunb.
Flo. Jap. p. 46. Panicum hordeiforme var.

hordeiformis, ann. barley-like serpent-grass, nat. of the Cape of
Good Hope. Panicum hordeiforme, Wild. H. berol.

ovatns, ann. oval-spiked serpent-grass, nat. of the Cape of Good
Hope. Sonnerat, Lam. Illustr. t. 838. f. 2.

foment osus, ann. woolly serpent-grass, nat. of the Cape of Good
Hope. Linn. Syst. ii. 256.

frutescens, ann. shrubby serpent-grass, nat. of Achaia and Mes-
sina, on the sea coast.

Australis, ann. Botany Bay serpent-grass, nat. of New Holland.
R. Brown, Prod. i. 196.

calyculatus, ann. glomerate serpent-grass, nat. of the Friendly
Isles.

infiexus, ann. inflex branched serpent-grass, nat. of Guiana.
Poiret. Enc. Meth. t. vi. 50.

myssuroides, ann. mouse-tail serpent-grass, nat. of the shores of

46 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the Pacific Ocean, in sunburnt sands. Humb. et. Bonpl.
Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. 115. t. 35.
CENCHRUS pilosus, ami. hairy-leaved serpent-grass, nat. of the

province of New Barcelona, near to the Villa Pas.
Brownii, ann. Brown's serpent-grass, nat. of New Holland,
between the eastern and western tropics. Cenchrus in-
flexus, Brown. Prod. i. 195.
marginalis, ann. crisped-leaved serpent-grass, nat. of Guiana.

Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 258.

PENNISETUM. Generic character : involucrum many times
double; exterior spines unequal, one double the length of
another, interior pinnate — bearded; spikets numerous, from
2 to 5 ; calyx 2-valved, valves unequal ; florets, the inferior
unisexual, superior bisexual, sitting ; anthers, apex naked,
stigma feathered ; spike compound, spikets sitting. Linn.
Syst. Veg. ii. 10.

setosum, bien. bristly pennisetum, nat. of India and Rio Janeiro.
Panicum polystachyon. Linn. Phalaris setacea, Frosk.
Sanicum alopecurus, Lam. Illus.

purpurescem, per. purple pennisetum, nat. of arid soils in the
kingdom of Mexico. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et
Spec. i. 113.
conchroides, ami. ciliated pennisetum, nat. of the Cape of Good

Hope. Panicum vulpinum, Willd. Enum.
orient ale, per. eastern pennisetum, nat. of Galatia. Richard.

Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 260 ; allied to panicum orientale.
violaceum, per. violet pennisetum, nat. of Senegal. Panicum

violaceum, Lam. Illustr. No. 873.
helvolum, per. nat. of the East Indies. Brown Prod. i. 195.

Setaria helvola, R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg.

uniflorum, per. one-flowered pennisetum, nat. of the more tem-
perate plains of New Andalusia, near Cumanagoa. Humb.
et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. 114. t. 34.
Italicum, ann. Italian, Brown Prod. Panicum Italicum, Host.

Setaria Italica, R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg.

compressum, ami. flat-stalked pennisetum, nat. of New Holland.
Brown. Prod. i. 195.

SECT. II. Grasses with 2 Stamina, 1 Style, and the Calyx \-Jlowered.

NARDUS. Mat-grass. Generic character : corolla 2-valved ;
calyx wanting ; seed linear, oblong.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 47

NARDUS stricta, per. upright mat-grass, indig. Flowers in June

and July. E. Bot. 290. Hort. Gram. fo. 171.
Jiliformis, arm. slender mat-grass, nat. Portugal. Flowers in

June.

aristata, aim. See Rottboellia monandria.
Thom&a, ami. imbricated, nat. of Malabar. Smith Linn. Soc.

Trans, i. 116.

ORYZOPSIS. Spurious rice. Generic character ; calyx, 2-valved,
1-flowered ; husks membranaceous, coriaceous, hard, a little
longer than the corolla ; corolla 2-valved, inferior husk with
a villose apex, awn-jointed, superior valve entire ; nectary,
2 appendages the length of the gerinen ; style simple ; panicle
rather simple, loose. Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 10.
asperrfolia, rough-leaved spurious rice, nat. of the mountainous
tracts, near Quebec. Richd. Mich. Fl. Bor. Arner. i. 51.
t. 9. R. F. C.

ERIOPHORUM.* Cotton-grass. Generic character: calyx
1 valve, 1-flowered ; flowers in an imbricated spike, exterior
flower generally barren. Corolla, wanting, if the calyx valve
be not considered such. Seed three-cornered, furnished with
downy hairs.
alpinum, per. alpine cotton-grass, indig. Flowers in April and

May. E. Bot. 311. Sm. E. Fl. 69.
vaginatum, per. sheathed cotton-grass, indig. Flowers in April

and June. E. Bot. 873. Hort. Gram. Fo. 251.
capitatum, per. headed cotton-grass, indig. Flowers in June and

July. E. Bot. 2387. Sm. E. Fl. 66.

gracile, per. three-cornered or slender cotton-grass ; indig.
Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 69. Flowers in May. Flo. Ger. i. 152.
E. triquetrum.

angustifolium, per. narrow-leaved cotton-grass, indig. April and
May. Sm. Engl. Fl. 69. E. Bot. 564. E. Polystachidn.
Curt. Hort. Gram. Fo. 249.

* The genus Eriophorum belongs to the natural family of Cyperaceae : it is here
placed in company with the proper grasses, because I have observed our English
species eaten by cows, oxen, and sheep, in common with those species of proper
grasses with which they happened to be combined, while the species of other genera
of cyperaceae growing on the spot were rejected ; — not a Botanical reason certainly,
but an Agricultural one, which the learned and indulgent Botanist will here, I
hope, excuse.

48 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ERIQPHORUM polystachion, per. broad-leaved, indig. May.

E. Bot. 563. E. Polystachion. Sm. Engl. Fl. 67.
pubescens, downy-stalked cotton-grass, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl-

p. 68. April
Virginicum, per. Virginian, nat. Canada, Georgia, R. S. Linn.

Syst. Veg. ii. p 159.
strictum, per. upright. Brown, MSS. R. F. M. S.

SECT. III. — Grasses with 2 Stamina, 2 Styles, Calyx containing

1 Flower.

ANTHOXANTHUM. Vernal-grass. Generic character : calyx,

husk of 2 valves, containing 1 flower ; corolla, husk 2 valves,

awned ; seed-vessel, the husks of the corolla adhere to the

seed ; seed nearly cylindrical, tapering at each end.

odoratum, per. sweet-scented vernal-grass, indig. Flowers in

April and May. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 37. E. Bot. 647.
amarum, per. bitter, nat. Morocco. Flowers in May. Hort.

Gram. Fo. 6.

crinitum. See Agrostis crinita.

alpinum, per. alpine sweet-scented vernal-grass, nat. (?) Cult.
Hort. Wob. April and May.

SECT. IV. — Grasses with 3 stamina, 2 Styles, 1 Flower in each
Calyx; Flowers bisexual, corolla of I valve only, except Aristida,
with a second valve of the corolla very inconspicuous.

TRICHODIUM. Single-husked bent. Generic character : calyx

2-valved; corolla 1 valve, smaller than the calyx, awned or

awnless, furnished with a tuft of hairs on one side of its base;

seed covered by the husk.

caninum, per. brown, indig. July. Agrostis canina. Flo.

Britan. i. p. 78.
Kitaibilii, per. slender, sub-alpine places, Pannoni. Schult.

Flo. Austr. ed. 2, i. p. 165.

niveum,per. snowy, indig. June. Agrostis nivea, Don. — Var.
T. caninum. Flo. Ger. Hort. Gram. Fo. 153. Agrostis
nivea.

muticum, per. awnless indig. July. Flo. Ger. Var. T. cani-
num, f. "Jloribus muticis" Hort. Gram. Fo. 227.
alpinum, per. alpine ; nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. 200.

HORTUS GRAMIXEUS WOBURXENSIS. 49

*•

TRICHODIUM rupestre, per. rock, indig. June. Agrostis

stricta, Don. T. rupestre, Flo. Ger. Hort. Gram. Fo.

151.
neglectum, per. neglected, nat. dry grassy places. Hungary,

Schult. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 280.
Jlavescens, per. yellow, nat. middle Alps of Europe. Agrostis

Jlavescens. Host. Avena Aurata. All. Ped. ii. p. 255.
glaucinum, per. glaucous, nat. Anjou. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 281.

Agrostis glaucina, Decand.

rubrum, per. red, nat. Lapland. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg.
hybridum, per. spurious, nat. Switz. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 282.
decumbens, bien. decumbent, nat. America, Mich. per. Linn.

Syst. Veg i. 282. Agrostis anomalia, Willd. Cornucopia

perennans, Walt.
laxiflorum, bien. loose-flowered, nat. Amer. Cornucopia hye-

malis,W&lt. Agrostis scabra, Willd. Agrostis laxa, Schreb.

R. R W.

elegans, ami. nat. France. Decand. Suppl. A. elegans.
algidum, ann. nat. Greenland. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 283.
salmanticum, ann. nat. Spain. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

283.

ALOPECURUS. Fox-tail grass. Generic character: calyx,
2-valvedj 1 -flowered, valves mostly united at the base ; corolla,
1 valve, with an awn proceeding from the base ; styles com-
bined. Sm. Engl. Flo. 39.
Tauntoninensis, per. Taunton's fox-tail grass, nat. ? April, May,

June, July, August. Hort. Gram. Wob.
a rundinaceus, per. reed-like fox-tail, indig. May and all

summer. Poiret, Enc. Meth. viii. 776.
pratensis, per. meadow fox-tail, indig. May. Eng. Bot. 759.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 12. Sm. Eng. Fl. 79.
geniculatus, per. jointed, indig. June. E. Bot. 1250. Hort.

Gram. Fo. 245. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 82.
var. bulbosus, per. bulbous-jointed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 82. June.

Wither. Arr.
bulbosus, per. upright bulbous-rooted, indig. June. E. Bot.

1249. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 81.
nigricans, per. blackish, nat. Wolgam. Alopecurus Sibiricus,

Jacquin. Hort. Vind.
fulvus, per. tawny-coloured, indig. E. Bot. 1467. Sm. Engl.

II. i. p. 83.

E

50 HORTUS GRA1VIINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ALOPECURUS Capensis, per. Cape, nat. hills round Cape Town.

Thunb. Fl. Cap. 397.
alpinus, per. Alpine, indig. April and May. E. Bot. 1126.

Sm. Engl. Fl. 80.
antarcticus, per. antarctic, nat. Straits of Magellan. R. S. Linn.

Syst. Veg. i. 274. A. Magellanicus, Lam. i. p. 168. n. 162.
agrestis, ann. slender, indig. June and July. Sm. Engl. Fl. 80.

E. Bot. 848. Hort. Gram. Fo. 165. A.myosuroides, Curtis.
ramosus, ann. branching, nat. Amer. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 273.
utriculatus, ann. inflated, nat. Germ. Flowers in May and June.

Flo. Ger. i. 174.
cornucopioides, ann. horn-of-plenty-like fox-tail. Linn. Syst.

Veg. it. 274. — See cornucopia alopecnroides.
subaristatus, ann. small-awned, nat. Canada. R. S. Linn. Syst.

Veg. i. p. 273. Richardson in Frank. Narat.
echinatus,per. hedgehog fox-tail grass, nat. Cape of Good Hope ;

rare. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 274.
ventricosus, ann. ventricose-sheathed, nat. France. Pers. Syn. i.

p. 80.
latifolius, ann. broad-leaved, nat. Tobago. Cavan, Descript.

R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 275.
villosus, (?) ann. hairy, nat. Switzerland. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

275. Poiret, En. Meth. viii. p. 777.
lanatuSy per* woolly, nat. summits of Mount Olympus. Smith,

Fl. Gr. i. 43.
ovatus, per. oval, nat. Islands of the South Sea. Forst. Fl.

Austr. 8.

ARISTIDA. Awned grass. Gh&taria, Arthraterum, et Aristida
(R. S. L. S. V.). Generic character : calyx 2-valved; corolla
outer valve generally hirsute at the base, terminated with
awns (three), spreading ; inner valve lanceolate, very minute
or wanting ; seed filiform, naked.
Adscensionis, nat. Island of Ascension. Linn. Spec. — wherein

it is stated to constitute a third part of the whole Flora of

that Island, there being besides this plant only two others,

viz. Euphorbia origanoides, and Sherardiafruticosa. Cha-

taria Adscensionis. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. 390.
Americana, nat. Jamaica. Linn. Spec. 122.
plumosa, per. feathered, nat. Jamaica. Ibid. 1666. R. L. S.

Veg. i. 398.

HORTUS GRAMINKUS WOBURXENSIS. 51

ARISTIDA arundinacea, per. reed-like, nat. E. Indies. R, S.Linn.

Syst. Veg. 400.
gigantea, per. lofty, nat. Island of TenerifFe. Linn. Syst. 124.

Chataria gigantea, R. S. L. S. Veg. i. 392,
hystrix, per. hedge-hog, nat. Malabar. Linn. Suppl. 113.

CJtat. hystrix, R. S, L. S. i. 390.

purpurescens, per. purple, nat. Carolina. Poiret. Chat, purpu-
rescens, ibid.
gossypina, per. cottony, nat. Carolina. A. lanata, Poiret. Chat.

gossypina, R. S. L. S. V. i. 390.
oligantha, per. distant solitary-flowered, nat. America. Chat.

oligantha, ibid, 391.

stricta, per. upright, nat. Carolina. Chat, strict a, ibid.
setacea, per. bristly, nat. Malabar. Chat, setacea, ibid.
vestita, per. nat. C. G. H. Thunb. Chat, vestita, ibid. 392.
pollens, per. nat. America. Chat, pallens, ibid.
Luzonensis, per. Lutzon, nat. Isle Lutzon. Chat. Luzonensis t

ibid.
stipaformis, per. stipa-like, nat. C. G. H. Avena stipaformis,

Linn. Chat, stipaformis, ibid

divaricata, per. nat. Mexico. Chat, divaricata, ibid.
capillacea, per. hair-like, nat. America.
Lamarckii, per. Lamarck's, nat. Senegal. Chat. Lamarckii,

ibid.

tarulescens , per. blue, nat. Barbary. Chat, c&rulescens, ibid.
festucoides, per. fescue-like, nat. Senegal. Chat, festucoides,

ibid.

depressa, per. depressed, nat. Malabar. Chat, depressa, ibid.
Antillarum, per. nat. Antilles. C. G. H. Chat. Antillarum,

ibid. p. 395.

Capensis, per. Cape, nat. C. G. H. Chat. Capensis, ibid.
interrupta, per. interrupted, nat. Mexico, Chat, interrupta,

ibid.

elatior, per. tall, nat. S. Amer. Chat, elatior, ibid.
racemosa, per. branching, nat. Island of St. Helena. Chat.

racemosa, ibid.

humilis, per. dwarf, nat. S. Amer. Chat, humilis, ibid.
setifolia, per. bristly-leaved, nat. S. Amer. Chat, setifolia,

ibid.

bromoides, per. broom-like, nat. S. Amer. Chat, bromoides, ibid.
coarctata, per. crowded, nat. S. Amer. Chat, coarctata, ibid.

52 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ARISTJDA spadicea, ami. nat. S. Amer. Ch&t. spadicea. R. S.

Linn. Syst. Veg. p. 397.

recurvata, per. nat. Island St. Thomas. Chat, recurvata, ibid.
calycina, per. nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 173.
ramosa, per. nat. N. Holl. Brown.
dichotomus, bien. nat. Carolina, Pursh, Mich. Curtopogon dicho-

tomus, R. S. L. Syst. Veg. i. p. 398.
pungens, per. pungent-leaved, nat. Sfax Desert. Arthraterum

pungens, R. S. L. Syst. Veg. i. p. 398.
stipoides, per. nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 174. Arth.

stipoides, R. S. Linn. Syst. 398.
hygromatricum, per. nat. New Holland. Brown.
ciliata, per. ciliated, nat. Barbary, R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 399.
murina, per. wall awned-grass, allied to Hordeum murinum, ibid.
rigida, per. rigid, nat. Philippine Isles, ibid.
laxa, per. loose, nat. Philippine Isles and Montevideo, ibid.
longe spicata, long-spiked, nat. Carolina, ibid. p. 400.
vagans, per. divaricated panicled, nat. N. Holl., Brown, Prod.
ternipes, per. alternate branched, nat. Panama, Cav. Icon.
elegans,per. elegant, nat. S. Amer. Rudge.
rigescens, per. stiff-leaved, nat. E. Indies. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 400.

uniplumis, per. one-feathered, nat. C. G. H., ibid.
congest a, per. nat. Cape of Good Hope, ibid.
KNAPPIA. Knapp's Grass. Generic character : calyx 1 -flowered,
2-valved, truncated ; corolla like hairs, united at the base,
parallel, enclosing the fructification.
agrostidea, ann. bent-like Knapp's grass, indig. May. E. Bot.

1127. Sm. Eng. Fl. i. pp. 83, 84.

SECT. V. Grasses with 3 Stamfria, 2 Styles ; Calyx \-flowered,
bisexual; Corolla 2 Valves.

PASPALUS. Finest-flour grass. Generic character : calyx 2-
valved, 1 -flowered ; corolla 2-valved, valves roundish, carti-
laginous, convex on the outside, and rather inflex at the
base; stigmas pencil-form , seed, husks permanently closed
on the seed, which is compressed, and convex on one side.
R. S. L. S. Veg.

membranaceus, per. membranaceous, nat. Carolina ? R. S. L.
•Syst. Veg. i. p. 290.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 53

PASPALUS stellatus,per. starry, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 85.
carinatus, per. keeled, nat. S. Amer. ibid.
distichophyllus,per. fan-leaved, nat. S. Amer. ibid.
Humboldtianus, per. Humboldt's finest-flour grass, nat. S. Amer.

ibid. p. 86, t. 23.
blepharophorus, per. ciliated, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. et Spec.
fasciculatus, per. bundled, nat. S. Amer. var. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 89.
hirtus, per. hairy, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener.

et Spec. i. p. 89.

Bonplandianus, per. Bonpland's, nat. S. America, ibid.
Candidas, per. pure white, nat. S. America. Humb. et Bonpl.
pallidus, per. pale, nat. S. Amer. ibid.
dissect us, ami. dissected spiked, nat. America. Panicum dissec-

tum, Linn. Sp. ii. ed. i. p. 81.
repens,per. creeping culmed, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. i.

p. 88.
stolonifer,per. stoloniferous, nat. S. Amer. ibid. Willd. Spec. i.

p. 81. Pasp. racemosus, Jacq. Coll. Suppl. p. 32, fig. 302.

Pasp. purpureus, Fl. Peruv. Milium latifolium, Cavan.
lavis, per. smooth-leaved, nat. N. America. Pursh. i. p. 71.

Mich. i. p. 44.
scrobiculatus, per. dimpled-husked, nat. E. Indies. Hort. Kew.

i. p. 138.
polystachyus, per. numerous-spiked, nat. N. Holl. Brown,

Prodr. i. p. 188.
Swartzianus, per. Swartze's, nat. E. Indies. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 298.

Parviftorus, ann. small-flowered, nat. Porto Rico, ibid.
pusilluS) per. branching-rooted, nat. Island St. Thomas, Porto

Rico, ibid. Pasp. orbicularis, Poiret.
conjugatus, per. double-spiked, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et

Bonpl.
notatus, per. notable, nat. St. Thomas, Carolina. R. S. L. S.

Veg. i. p. 298.

vaginatus, per. ? sheathed, nat. S. Amer. ibid.
furcatus, per. many-jointed, nat. Carolina, ibid. p. 300.
platycaulis,per. one-jointed, nat. S. Amer. ibid. p. 300. Milium

compression, Swartz. •

54 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

PASPALUS capillaris, per. hair-like, nat. America. R. S. L. S.

Veg. i.p. 301.

mollis, per. soft, nat. America, ibid.
pulchellus, per. fair, nat. South America, ibid. p. 302.
leptostachyus, ann. hard-branched, nat. S. Amer. ibid.
scoparius, ann. broom-like, nat. S. Amer. ibid.

* Foot-stalks in twos, or in numerous divisions.
villosuSy ann. villose, nat. Japan, ibid. p. 303.
annulatus, per. annular or ringed, ibid. Milium ramosum?

Retz. Obs. Agrostis ramosa, Poiret.
debilis, per. weak-culmed, nat. Calle, ibid. Pan. debile, Desfont.

Pan. filiforme, Poir. Digitaria filiformis, Willd. En. H.

Berol, i. p. 91.
jfiliformis, ann. thread-like, Pan. filiforme, Linn. Milium pani-

ceum, Swartze. Digitaria pilosa, Mich. Syntherisma

villosa, Walt. Agrostis lenta ? Hort. Kew.
serotinus, per. early, nat. Carolina. Digitaria serotina, Mich.

Digitaria pilosa, Willd. En.
Thouarsianus, per. naked, axilled, nat. Madagascar. R. S. L.

S. V. i. p. 306.
longiflorus, per. long-flowered, nat. Madagascar, ibid. Pan.

longiflorum, Gmel.
setaceus, per. bristly, nat. Carolina, R. S. L. S. V. i.

p. 306.

infirmus, per. slender-culmed, nat. Carolina, ibid*
pilosus, per. pilose, nat. America, ibid.
hirsutus, per. hairy, nat. China : allied to P. setacea, ibid.

incertus, per. single-nerved, nat. ? ibid.

dubium,per. doubtful, nat. Baltimore, ibid.
cespitosus, per. turfy, nat. E. Indies, ibid.
glaber, per. smooth-leaved, nat. Porto Rico, ibid.
Forsterianus,per. Forster's, nat. New Caledonia, ibid.
undulatus, per. waved, nat. S. Amer. ibid. Pan. paniculatum,

Walt.
Boscianus, per. fine-nerved, nat. Carolina. R. S. L. Syst. V. i.

p. 310.

macrospermus , per. long-seeded, nat. Carolina, ibid.
floridanus,per. Florida, nat. Florida and Georgia, ibid.
convexus, per. convex, nat. S. America, ibid. p. 311.
macrophyllus, per. thin-leaved, nat. S. America, ibid.
knticularis, per. vetch-like, nat. S. America, ibid. p. 312.

HOIITUS GRAMlNfiUS WOBURNENSIS. 55

PASPALUS lentifer, per. nat. Carolina. R. S. L. S. i. 312.
paniculatus, per. panicled, nat. Jamaica, ibid.

patulus, per. tender-spiked, nat. ? ibid. p. 313.

strictus,per. straight, nat. St. Domingo, ibid.

tenellus, per. small, nat. Germ. ibid.

densus,per. dense-spiked, nat. Porto Rico, ibid. p. 314.

virgatus, per. rod-like, nat. Caribbee. (Fr. Herbe a oiseaux)

Willd. 331.

laxus,per. loose, nat. S. Amer. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 315.
nuta?is,per. nodding, nat. S. America, ibid.
Coromandelianus, per. Coromandel, nat. E. Indies; ibid.
dilatatus, per. dilated-spiked, nat. S. America, ibid.
gracilis,per. graceful, nat. S. America, ibid. p. 316.
compactus, per. compact-spiked, nat. S. America, ibid.
Sumatrensis, per. nat. E. Indies, ibid.
puberulus, vel pubescens, Brown. Prodr. i. p. 188. Nat. N.

Holland.

littoralis, per. sea-side, Brown, 1. c. Nat. N. Holland.
fimbriatus, per. fringed. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et

Spec. i. p. 93, t. 28.

Cochinchinensis, nat. Cochinchina. Phleum cochinchina.
pubescens, per. Lagasca, Nov. Gen. et Spec. Diagn. p. 2, n. 21.
SYNTHERISMA. Syntherisma. Generic character: calyx 1-
flowered, 3-valved, pressed close to the corolla, unequal, third
valve smallest ; corolla, exterior valve convex, interior flattish,
embracing the other; seed covered by the husks of the
corolla as with a crust.

ciliare, ann. hairy syntherisma, nat. Ger. July. Panicum
ciliare, Willd. i. 346. Digitaria ciliaris, R. S. Linn.
Syst. Veg. ii. p. 472.

vulgare, ann. common, indig. August. Digitaria sanguinalis,
Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 96. Panicum sangumale, E. Bot. 849,
Hort. Gram. Fo. 175. P. sanguinale.

glabrum, ann. smooth, nat. Germ. August. Flo. Ger. i. 163.
Pan. sanguinale, Leers. Digitaria glabra, R. S. Linn. Sys.
Veg. i. p. 471.

Malabaricum, ann. Malabar, nat. India, in sandy plains. Digi-
taria Malabarica, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 474.
pracox, ann. early, nat. Florida. Cynodon prcccox, R. S. Sys.
Veg. i. p. 413.

56 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

SYNTHERISMA villosum, ami. villous, nat. Jamaica. Paspalus

filiformis, R. S. Syst. Veg. i. p. 304.
serotinum, ann. late, nat. Carolina, in moist places. Paspalus

serotinus, R. S. Syst. Veg. i. p. 305.

CYNODON. Doob-grass. Generic character : calyx of 2 lan-
ceolate, acute, spreading, equal valves, shorter than the
corolla of 2 compressed very unequal valves ; floret soli-
tary ; seedy coated with the hardened corolla. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 39.

Dactylon, per. creeping Doob-grass, nat. Britain and the
East Indies. Sm. Engl. Fl. 95. Panicum dactylon, E.
Bot.
maritimus,per. sea Doob-grass, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. Gen. et Spec. i. p. 137.
radiatus, per. rayed Doob-grass, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn.

Syst. Veg. i. p. 411.

linearis, per. See Cynodon dactylon. " Nil esse quam famosissi-
mam Indorum Durvam." R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 412.
Agrostis linearis, Retz, Obs.
stellatus, per. starry, nat. Island St. Helena. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 4112.
virgatus, per. alternate-spiked, nat. India. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 412. Poa Chinensis. Poa sessilis.
pilosus, per. hairy, nat. India. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 112.
pracox. See Syntherisma pr&cox.
tenellus, per. small Doob-grass, nat. N. Roll. B. Prodr. i.

p. 178.
poly st achy s, per. branched Doob-grass. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 113.

CRYPSIS. Crypsis. Generic character : calyx 2-valved, 1-

flowered, compressed, unequal ; corolla 2-valved, interior

longer than the calyx, exterior valve shorter than the calyx ;

seed covered by the corolla, somewhat columnar.

alopecuroides, ann. foxtail-like crypsis, nat. Germ. August.

Fl. Germ. i. 167. Host. i. 23. Fl. alopecuroides.
phalaroides, ann. triandrus, nat. Caucasus.
geniculata, ann. jointed, nat. Mount Olympus. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 376.

aculeata, ann. diandrus, nat. shores of the Mediterranean. An-
tkoxanthum aculeatum, Linn. Suppl.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 57

CRYPSIS schoenoides, ann. rush-like, nat. Germ. July. Flo.

Ger. i. 168. Heleochloa schoenoides, Host. t. 30.
phleoides, per. dense-spiked, nat. South Amer. Humb. et Bonp.

Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 140.
stricta, per. upright, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gen. et Spec. i. p. 140.
macroura, per. long-panicled, nat. S. Arner. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p, 141.

aculeata, ann. prickly crypsis, nat. Germ. Host. t. 31.
PHALARIS. Canary-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved
and double, 1-flowered, valves nearly equal, larger than the
corolla ; corolla 2 valves, enclosed in the calyx ; seed ovate-
oblong, covered by the corolla like a crust.
canariensis, arm. canary-grass, indig. August. E. Bot. 1310.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 303.
aquatica, ann. water canary-grass, nat. Germ. May and June.

Host. t. 39.
arundinacea, per. sea-mat weed, indig. E. Bot. 402. June and

July. Var. colorata. Hort. Gram. Fo. 253. Arnndo

colorata. Hort. Kew. i. p. 147.
intermedia, per. middle, nat. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 403.
Capensis, per. Cape, nat. Africa, in the European gardens at the

Cape. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 404.
aristata, per. awned, nat. Spain.
paradoxa, ann. black bristled-spiked, nat. Germ. May, June.

Host. t. 40.
carulescens, ann. blue, nat. N. Africa. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 404.
arenaria, ann. sea canary-grass, indig. June, July. Eng. Bot.

222. Flo. Ger. Phleum arenarium, i. p. 189.
tuberosa, per. tuberous, nat. Portugal. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

i. p. 404.
semineutra, per. half-neutral, nat. Hungaria. Aim semineutra?

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 406.
bulbosa, per. bulbous-rooted, nat. Barbary. August. Linn.

Spec. 79.
pectinata, ann. comb-shaped, nat. Spain. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

407. R. S.
nodosa, per. knobbed-rooted, nat. South of Europe. Willd. 327.

58 ilORTUS GllAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

PHALARIS hispida, per. rough, nat. Japan. Willd. Spec, i,

p. 330. Thunb. Japon.
dentata, per. tooth-keeled, nat. Cape of Good Hope. Linn.

Suppl. Willd. Spec. i. p. 327.
fjuadrivalvis, per. many-valved, nat. Spain. R. S. Linn. Sys. i.

p. 407.
paniculata, per. panicled canary-grass, indig. July. E. Bot.

1077. Sm. E. Fl. i. p. 76. Phleum asperum.
phleoides, per. indig., cat's-tail canary-grass. July. Hort.

Gram. Fo. 207. See Phleum Boehmeri.
cristata, per. crested, nat. Arabia, Frosk. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 407.
setacea, per. stiff-haired, nat. Arabia. Frosk. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 408. See Pennisetum.
Caroliniana, per. cylindrical, nat. Amer.
utriculata, ann. Linn. See Alopecurus utriculatus.
PHLEUM. Cat's-tail grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,
sitting, strap-shaped, lopped, ending in two dagger-points,
enclosing the blossom; corolla, 2-valved, awnless, simple;
seed loosely covered with the husks of the corolla.
pratense, per. meadow cat's-tail grass, indig. June, July. Eng.

Bot. 1076. Hort. Gram. Fo. 83. See our figure,
var. minus, per. lesser meadow cat's-tail, indig. July, August.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 85. See our figure.
nodosum, per. jointed, or bulbous-stalked, indig. August. Flo.

Dan. 380. Hort. Gram. Fo. 87. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 73.

Var. Phi. pratense.
alpinum, per. alpine cat's-tail grass, indig. June. E. Bot. 519.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 76.
Bertolonii, per. Decandolle.

felinum, ann. oval cat's-tail grass, nat. Greece. Sm. Fl. Gr. i. 42.
commutatum, per. nat. Germ.
echinatum (?) ann. hedgehog, nat. Germ. Host.
paniculatum, per. See Phalaris paniculata, and Phleum asperum.

Sm. Engl. Flo. i. p. 76.
asperum, per. Flo. Ger. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 76. See Phalaris

paniculata.
arenarium, ann. See Phalaris arenaria. Sm. E. Fl. i. p. 78.

Phleum arenarium.
Schoenoides, arm. SceCrypsis Schoenoides.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 59

PHLEUM supinum, ami. See Crypsis Schoenoides.

Boehmeri, per. canary-like cat's-tail grass, indig. June, July.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 77. E. Bot. 459. Phalaris phleoides.
Michelii, per. smooth, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 78.

E. Bot. 2265. Host. Phalaris alpina.
Hostii, per. chilochloa Boehmeri. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p.

409.
Gerardi, per. Gerard's cat's-tail-grass, nat. Germ. June. Flo.

Ger.i. 190.
tenue, aim. slender, nat. Ger. May. Host. t. 35. Phalaris

tennis,
crinitnm, ann. bearded, indig. July. Smith, Flo. Brit. i. p. 71.

See Poh/pogon monspeliensis.

MILIUM. Millet-grass. Generic character: calyx 2 valved,

1 -flowered, valves nearly equal, ventricose ; corolla 2-valved,

enclosed in the calyx, larger valve awned ; seed covered

with the corolla.

nigricans, per. blackish millet, nat. Guinea. Agrostis nigricans,

Poiret.
paradoxum, per. black -seeded millet, nat. Germ. July. Flo.

Ger. i. p. 196.

vernale, ann. spring, nat. Taurica, and subalpine situations.
effusum,per. common wood-millet, indig. E. Bot. 1106. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 87. Flowers in May and June. Hort.

Gram. Fo. 309.
lendigerum, ann. yellow millet, indig. May and June. E. Bot.

1107. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 87.

rigidifolium, ann. rigid-leaved, nat. St. Domingo. Desfont.
Capense, per. Cape millet, nat. Cape of Good Hope. Linn. Syst.

109.
capillare, per. hair-like, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 320.
punctatum, per. dotted millet, nat. Jamaica. Willd. Spec.

Plant, i. p. 359.
amphicarpon, per. simple panicled, nat. New Jersey. Pursh,

Fl. Amer.

confer turn, per. clustered, nat. Germ. June. Ibid. i. 360.
Gallecicum, per. many-stalked. R. S. Sys. Veg. i. p. 320.
globosum, per. globular, nat. Japan. June. Ibid. i. 360.
velutinum, ami. nat. Cape of Good Hope.

60 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

MILIUM microspermum, ann. small-seeded, nat. New Spain.
lanatum, per. downy, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et. Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et. Spec. i. p. 94, t. 29.
tomentosum, per. woolly, nat. East Indies. Willd.
POLYPOGON. Beard-grass. Generic character : calyx of 2
valves, awned at the summit, concealing the corolla of 2
valves, outermost with a terminal awn; seed loose. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 85.

monspeliensis, annual beard-grass, indig. July, August. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 85. Alopecurus monspeliensis, With. 121.

Huds. Alop. aristatus. Hort. K. Agrostis panicea. Phleum

crinitum, Fl. Br. 71.

littoralis, perennial beard-grass, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 86. See Agrostis lift or alts.

AGROSTIS. Bent-grass. Generic character : calyx 1 -flowered,

2-valved, spear-shaped, acute, generally rough on the keel,

longer than the blossom; corolla 2-valved, summits of the

styles hairy; seed loosely covered by the corolla husks.

spica-venti, ann. silky bent-grass, indig. June and August.

E. Bot. 951. Sm. Engl. Fl i. p. 89.

palustris, per. marsh bent-grass, indig. July, August. Sm.
Engl. Fl. 93. A. alba. Wither. Arr. ii. p. 126. Hort.
Gram. Fo. 236.

maritima, per. sea bent, nat.(?)
canina, per. brown bent, indig. July. Wither. Arr. ii. p. 126.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 147. Var. A. vulgaris. Smith, 1. c.
Coromandelinana, per. Coromandel bent, nat. Arabia. R. S.

Linn. Sys. i. p. 356.
plumosa, ann. feathery bent, nat. Calabria. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 357.
composita, ann. compound -panicled bent, nat. Amer. R. S.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 357.
canina, per. Smith, Flo. Brit. i. p. 78. See Trichodium cani-

num, and Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 90.
nutans,per. nodding bent, nat. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 357.
vinealis, per. slender trailing bent, indig. July, September.

Wither. Arr. ii. p. 127. Flo. Ger. Var. Alba, i. 209.
procera, per. tall bent, nat. Malabar. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 356.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 61

AGROSTIS arachnoidea,per. spider-branched bent. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg.
Magellanica, per. hairy-calyced bent, nat. Straits of Magellan.

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 358.
pallida, per. pale bent, indig. May and June. Wither. Arr. i.

p. 127. Flo. Germ. i. p. 198. Var. Tri. caninum.
articulata,per. jointed bent, nat. Portugal. Poiret, Enc. Meth.

Suppl. i. p. 247.
panicoides, per. short-calyced bent, nat.(?) R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 358.
alpina, per. alpine bent, Wither. Arr. ; indig. See Trichodium

alpinum.

versicolor, per. various-coloured bent.
littoralis, per. sea-side bent. Wither. Arr. i. p. 128 ; indig. See

Polypogon littoralis. June. A. lutosa. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg.
capillaris, ann. capillary bent, nat. Germ. Smith. Icon. ined.

fasc. iii. t. 54. (Non A. capillaris Withering, nee Hort.

Gram. Wob. FQ.)
interrupta, per. interrupted spiked bent, nat. Germ. July.

Flo. Ger. i. 204.

neglect a, per. neglected bent. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 345.
pauciflora, per. small-flowered, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i.

p. 205.
miliacea, per. millet bent, nat. Spain. July, August. Willd.

Spec. Plant, i. 365.
parvula, per. smaller bent, nat. Hungary. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 348.
setacea, per. bristly bent, indig. July. E. Bot. 1188. Sm.

E. Fl. i. p. 91.
tenuifolia, per. slender-leaved bent, nat. Germ. R. S, Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 348.
repens, per. creeping-rooted, indig. August. Wither. Arr. ii.

p. 130. A. nigra, Hort. Gram. Fo. 231.
involuta, per. involute-leaved bent, nat.(?) Poiret, Enc. Meth.

Suppl.

alba, per. white bent, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. 93. August, Sep-
tember. E. Bot. 1189. Hort. Gram. Fo. 229.
patula, per. spreading bent, nat. Switzerland. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 348.

62 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

AGROSTIS stolonifera, per. stoloniferous bent, indig. July,

September. E. Bot. 1532. Sm. Engl. Fl. Ag. alba.
var. aristata, per. awned stoloniferous bent, indig. Hort. Gram.

Fo. 233. See our figure,
var. angustifolia, per. smaller-leaved stoloniferous bent. See

our figure. Hort. Gram. Fo. 234. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 93.

A. alba.
var. latifolia vel Richardsonia, florin. Hort. Gram. Fo. 112.

See our figure. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 93, A. alba,
fascicularis, per. tufted-leaved bent, indig. June, July. Curtis,

Hort. Gram. Fo. 155. Sm. Eng. Fl. p. 90, var. A. canina.
spuria, per. spurious bent, nat. Hungary. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

i. p. 346.

tenella, per. weak bent, nat. Germ.
vulgaris, per. common bent, indig. Jime, July. E. Bot. 1671.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 143. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 91.
lobata, per. lobed-panicled bent, indig. July. Curtis, Hort.

Gram. Fo. 149.
oliganthe, per. slender-branched bent, nat. Amer. Pursh, Fl.

Amer. Agrostis paucrftora.
Mexicana, per. Mexican bent-grass, nat. Mexico. Sept. Hort.

Kew. i. p. 150. Hort. Gram. Fo. 311.
var. ramosissima, branching Mexican bent. Hort. Gram. Fo.

279. AgrostisfoliosaV R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.
cinna, per. rooting bent, nat. Amer. Cinna arundinacea, Linn.
sciurea, per. acuminate bent, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i.

p. 171.

ram, per. scarce bent, nat. Port Jackson. Brown, Prodr. 1. c.
cylindrica, per. cylindrical bent, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i.

p. 171.

monticola, per. triandrous bent, nat. Van Diemen's Land, ibid.
Forsteri, per. slenderest panicled bent. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 360.
Labillardieri, per. Labillardie's bent, nat. N. Zeal. Brown,

Prodr. i. p. 171.
&mulatper. toothed bent, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr i. p. 172.

Avenajiliformis, Labill.
rudis,per. rough bent. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. Brown, 1. c.

Agrostis scabra.
plebeja, per. double-awned bent. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 172.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 63

AGROSTIS decipiens, per. loose-panicled bent. Brown, 1. c.
ramulosa, ann. four-angled bent, nat. S. Amer. Linn. Sys. Veg.

Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec.
humifusus, per. moist-growing bent, nat. S. Amer. Linn. Sys.

Veg.
atrovirens, ann. dark-green bent, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg.
trichodes, ann. knee-jointed bent, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg.

elegans,per. elegant bent, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys.
fasciculata, per. bundled, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. Qu. A.fascicularis^
ramosa, per. double-stalked bent, nat. Germ. Calamagrostis

ramosa, Host.
sobolifera, per. contracted-panicled bent, nat. Amer. R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 364. Willd. Berol.
hirsuta, per. hairy bent, nat. Teneriffe.
debilis, per. weak bent. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 364. (Paris

gardens.)
retrofracta, ann. reflexed-branched bent. Hort Gram. Wob.

(Nee. Willd.)
Tolucemis,per. Toluca bent, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. i.

p. 366.
virescens, per. greenish bent, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 366.
pubescens, per. downy bent, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et, Bonpl.

Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 136.
lanata,per. woolly bent, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et. Spec. i. p. 136.
diandra, per. diandrous bent, nat. East Indies. Retz, Obs. v.

p. 19.

pulchella, per. fair bent, nat. N. Holl. R. S. Linn. Sys. i. p. 367.
Indica, ann. Indian bent, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prod. i. p. 170.
purpurescens, ann. purplish bent, nat. Jamaica. R. S. Linn.

Sys. i. p. 368.
elongata, ann. elongated bent, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i.

p. 170.
tenacissima, per. tough bent, nat. Caribbees. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 369.
clandestina, per. narrow-panicled bent, nat. Amer. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg.

64 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

AGROSTIS purpurea, per. purple bent, nat. Germ. R. S. Linn.

Sys. i. p. 371.

procumbens, per. procumbent bent, nat. Hungary. Host.
crinita, per. long-awned bent, nat. N. Zeal. R. S. Linn. Sys. i.

p. 371.

pyramidata,per. pyramidal bent, nat. S. Amer. Poiret.
tenuiflora, per. slender-flowered bent, nat. Amer. Willd.
monandra, arm. monandrous bent. nat. Amer.
Michauxii, arm. Michaux's bent, nat. Amer. Roem.
ciliata, arm. ciliated bent, nat. Japan. Thunb.
juressi, aim. flat-leaved bent, nat. Spain. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

i. p. 352. Nearly allied to A. vulgaris.
gracilis, ann. meagre-panicled bent, nat. Germ. ibid.
ambigua, ann. Agrostis stolonifera, Host.
frondosa,per. nat. Italy. Allied to A. alba, R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 350.
dubia, per. dubious bent, nat. Germ. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 349.
gigantea, per. giant bent, nat. Germ. R. S. Linn. Sys, Veg. i.

p. 349. A. vinealis, Willd.
Valentina, per. Valentia bent. Linn. Sys. Veg.
Kitaibelii,per. nat. Germ. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 345.
spicata,per. spiked bent, nat. Arabia. R. S. Linn. Sys. i. p. 356.
pungens, per. pointed-leaved bent. nat. Spain. Fl. Grsec. i.

p. 46, n. 156.
tremula, ann. tremulous bent. nat. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 355. Agros.juncea, Lam.
parviflora, ann. small-flowered, nat. 1ST. Holl. Brown, Prodr.

i. p. 170.
Virginica, per. Virginian bent, nat. Amer. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 354.
dislichophylla, per. fan-leaved bent, nat. Botany bay. R. S.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 354.
Capensis, per. Cape bent, nat. of hilly clayey soils about Cape

Town. Thunb.
aspera, per. rough bent, nat. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 353.

lateriflora, per. lateral-flowered bent, nat. Amer. Mich.
racemosa, per. branching bent, nat. Amer. Mich.
dispar,per. many-flowered bent, nat. Amer. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 353.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 65

ARUNDO. Reed-grass. Generic character: calyx 1-flowered,

seldom many -flowered, 2-valved; flowers erect; corolla

2-valved, acuminate, surrounded at the base with downy

hairs ; seed loosely enclosed by the corolla husks.

epigejos, per. wood reed-grass, indig. July. E. Bot. 402. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 169.

littorea, per. sea-side, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. 212.
purpurascens,per. purplish. Brown. MSS. R. F. B.*
pseudophragmites, per. false reed, nat. Germ. July. Flo.

Germ. i. 213.
intermedia, per. middle reed, nat. Germ. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

i. p. 501.

laxa, per. loose-panicled reed, nat. Germ., ibid.
annulata, per. ringed-pedicelled reed, nat. Germ., ibid.
glauca,per. glaucous reed, nat. Germ., ibid.
strigosa, per. thin reed, nat. Germ., ibid.
Lapponica, per. Lapland reed, nat. Lapland, ibid.
confinis, per. adjoining reed, nat. Amer., ibid.
montana,per. mountain reed, nat. Germ., ibid.
agrostoides, per. bent-like reed, nat. Amer., ibid.
Canadensis, per. Canadian reed, nat. Canada, ibid. R. F. W.
Quitensis, per. weak-panicled reed, nat. Mexico, ibid.
tenuifolia, per. small-leaved reed, nat. in cultivated places, near

the city of Mexico. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et

Spec. i. p. 134.
bfiaria, per. double-leaved reed, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 511.

Australis, per. Southern reed. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 511.
Egmontiana, per. leafy reed : allied to A. australis, ibid.
pygm&a, per. dwarf reed, ibid.
nitida, per. shining reed, ibid. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener.

et Spec. i. p. 121.
calamagrostis, per. bent-like reed, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 170.

July. E. Bot. 403. Agrostislanceolata, R.S.L. Sys. i. p. 363.
stricta, per. upright reed, indig. June to August. Sm. Engl.

Fl. p.. 171. E. Bot. 2160. R. F. W.
arundinacea. See Phalaris arundinacea.
var. colorata. See Phalaris arundinacea.

"CALAMAGROSTIS pitrpurasccns ; panicula spicata, glumis scabris, perianthii
valvula inferiore scabra, apice 4 -dentate : dorso aristata, rudimento plumosa villis
bascos duplo longiore." Brown. MSS.

F

GG HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSlS,

ARUNDO varia, per. various-panicled reed, nat. Germ. June to

August. Flo. Ger. i. 216.
acutiflora, per. acute-flowered, nat. Germ. June. Flo. Ger. i.

p. 217.
sylvatica,per. Calmuc reed, nat. Germ. June, July. Flo. Ger. i.

p. 218. A. Hostii, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.
speciosa, per. elegant reed, nat. Germ. July, August. Flo. Ger. i.

p. 219. Ag. calamagrostis, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. 362.
tenella, per. small reed, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. p. 220.

A. kumilis, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 510.
arenaria, per. sand reed, indig. July and August. E. Bot. 520.

Sm. Engl. Fl.i. p. 171.
Baltica,per. Baltic sea-reed, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. p. 223.

The following Species of Arundo contain more than 1 Flower in each Calyx, and
are an exception to this arrangement.

phragmites, per. common, indig. August. Engl. Bot. 401.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 168.
donax, per. cultivated, nat. South of Europe. Moris. Hist.

sect. viii. t. 8.
conspicua, per. showy, nat. New Zealand. G. Forster. Ter.

Australis, n. 48.
SACCHARUM. Sugar-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,

1 -flowered, furnished or clothed with long silky hairs;

corolla 2 valves ; seed invested by the husks of the corolla.
irritans, per. R. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 203.
cylindi'icum, per. cylindric sugar-grass, nat. Germ. Summer.

Flo. Ger. i. p. 226. Moris, sect. viii. t. 4, f. 4.
fulvum, per. nat. New Holl. Brown.

Mexicanum, arm. nat. Mexico. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 288.
Ravenna, per. Italian, nat. Italy. July and Aug. Willd. Spec.
Teneriffa, per. TenerifFe, nat. Sicily. Willd. Spec. i. p. 320.
ojficinarum, per. sugar-cane, nat. Indies, ibid. 321.
var. violaceum, per. violet, nat. Indies. Canna de Eatavia.
contract urn t per. nat. Domingo. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener.

Spec.

&gyptiacum, per. nat. Egypt. Wilid. Spec. p. 82.
arundinaceum, per. nat. Tranquebar, ibid. 323.
polystachyum, per. nat. St. Christopher's, ibid. 322.

dubium,per. nat. ? Humb. et Bonpl.

LAGURUS. Hare's-tail-grass. Generic character : calyx 2 valves,
1-flowered, each valve ending in a villose awn ; corolla 2 valves,

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 67

the exterior valve having three awns ; the middle awn, from

the back of the valve, bent and twisted ; seed covered, awned.

LAGURUS ovatus, ann. oval-spiked hare's-tail-grass, indig. July.

E. Bot. 1334. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 167.

STIPA. Feather-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved, 1-

flowered ; corolla 2 valves, the exterior valve furnished with a

long awn, which is jointed at the base ; seed oblong, covered.

humilis, per. dwarf, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 332.
tortilis, ann. twisted, nat. Barbary and Greece, ibid. S.pale-

acea, Smith, Fl. Gr.
gigantea, per. tall, nat. S. Amer.

ILagasc&, per. bristly-leaved, nat. ?

Capensis, per. Cape, nat. Cape of Good Hope.

Virginica, per. Virginian, nat. Amer.

avenacea, per. oat-like, nat. Amer.

parviflora, per. small-flowered, nat. Macassar.

Jlavescens, per. yellow, nat. Van Diemen.

permata, per. soft feather-grass, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl.

p. 161. E. Bot. 1356. Hort. Gram. Fo. 163.
barbata,per. bearded, nat. Mascar. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 330.

capillata, per. capillary, nat. Germ. June. Flo. Ger. i. p. 231.
mollis,per. nat. Port Jackson.
spicata, per. spiked, nat. C. Good Hope.

juncea,per. rush-leaved, nat. France. July. Hort. Kew. i.p. 170.
bicolor, per. two-coloured, nat. Brazil.

aristella, per. short-awned, nat. France. July. Willd. ii. p. 441.
ibarremis, per. nat. South America. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p. 125.

tenacissima, per. tough, nat. Spain. August. Willd. ii. p. 442.
fimbriata, per. nat. South America. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p. 126.
eminens,per. nat. South America, ibid.
mucronata, per. nat. South America, ibid.
virescens, per. nat. South America, ibid.
eriostackya, per. nat. South America, ibid.
Sibirica, per. nat. Siberia. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. Avena'Si-

birica, Linn. Sp.

Canademis, per. (allied to Stipa Sibirica), nat. Amer.
membranacea, per. membraneous, nat. Portugal.

68 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

STIPA hymenoides, per. nat. America. S. membramcea, Pursh.
elegantissima, per. most elegant, nat. Van Diemen. Brown.
pubescens, per. downy, nat. Port Jackson. Brown.
micrantha, smooth-seeded, nat. N. Holl. Brown.
setacea,per. bristly, nat. N. Holl., ibid.
compressa, per. flat-stalked, nat. N. Holl., ibid.
Ucranica, per. tufty-leaved. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 340.
strict a, per. upright, nat. Carolina, ibid.
panicoides, per. panic-like, nat. S. Amer., ibid. 341.
LAPP AGO. Lappago. Generic character: calyx 3-valved ;
corolla 2-valved, valves inverse or resupine ; seed covered
loosely by the corolla. Tragus, R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i. p. 378.
racemosa, branching lappago, nat. South of Europe. August.
Hort. Kew. i. p. 182. Tragus racemosus, R. S. Linn. Sys.
Veg. i. p. 378.

ROTTBOELLIA. Hard-grass. Generic character : spike-stalk,
or rachis, jointed, roundish, excavated — in which the florets
are wholly or partly immersed ; calyx 1 or 2-valved, lateral,
containing 1 or 2 flowers ; Jlowers alternate, on a zig-zag
foot-stalk : seed covered by the blossom.
incurvata, ami. sea hard-grass, indig. Flowers in June. E.

Bot. 760. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 175.

filiformis,per. slender, nat. S. Europe. July. Willd. 315.
monandra, arm. single hard-grass, nat. Germ. May and June.

Flo. Ger. i. 411. Nardus aristata, Willd.
digitata, per. fingered, nat. Greece. Fl. Gr. i. p. 71. n. 249.

Smith.
cylindrica, per. four-rowed, nat. S. of Europe. August. Willd.

Spec. 464.

lav is, per. smooth-calyced, nat. Tranquebar.
Tliom&a. See Nardus Thom&a.
compressa, compressed-spiked, nat. Sierra Leone.
stolonifera, per. creeping, nat. — ? R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 784.

hirsuta,per. hairy, nat. Egypt, ibid.
villosa, per. villous, nat. India, ibid.
pilosa, per. bristle-culmed, nat. E. Indies, ibid. 785.
Calorhachis, per. one-rowed, nat. Isl. Tanna, ibid.
complanata, per. five-flowered, nat. Indies, ibid.
dimidiata, per. half-compressed, nat. Africa, ibid. 786.
exaltata, per. flowery-spiked, nat. N. Holl., ibid.

HO11TUS GRAMINEUS WOBUKNENSIS. 69

ROTTBOELLIA fasciculata, per. bundled, nat. Africa. R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 787.
muricata, ann. prickly, nat. India, ibid.

LEERSIA. Leer's-grass. Generic character : calyx wanting ;
corolla 2-valved, inferior compressed, keeled, superior nar-
rower lanceolate; stamina, 1, 3, 6; seed oval, compressed,
furrowed.
oryzoides, per. rice-like, nat. Germ. Flowers in August and

September. Host. t. 35.
Virginica, per. Virginian, nat. Amer. Asprella Virginica, R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 266.
monandra, per. single, nat. Jamaica, ibid. 267.
hexandra, per. six-stamened, nat. watery places in Jamaica, ibid.
Australis, per. Southern, nat. New Holland, ibid.
Mexicana, per. Mexican, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
lenticular is, per. ciliate-husked, nat. Amer., ibid.
ovata, per. oval, nat. Amer., ibid.
imbricata, per. imbricated, nat. Carolina, ibid. 268.
digit ata, per. fingered, nat. Amer., ibid.

(Melica ciliata et uni flora excipiuntur) .

SECT. VI. Grasses with 3 Stamina, 2 Styles ; 1 Flower in every
Calyx — Flowers of different sexes.

ANDROPOGON. Andropogon. Generic character : calyx
2-valved, 1-flowered, outer valve embracing the inner, carti-
laginous ; corolla 2-valved, awned, male flowers on foot-stalks
single, or in pairs to each female flower ; seed oblong, covered
with the blossom.

divaricatus, per. divaricate, nat. Amer. Willd. Spec. v. p. 1480.
nutans,per. nodding, nat. Virginia. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 813.
avenaceus, per. oat-like, nat. in the vast meadows of the Illinois,

ibid.
strictus, per. upright, nat. vineyards of Syrmia and the South

of France, ibid.

jlexilis, per. pliant, nat. North America, ibid. 817.
macrouris, per. nat. Carolina and Florida, ibid. Cinna glomerata>

Walt. Carol, p. 59.

dissitiflorus, per. distant-flowered, nat. Amer., ibid.
ternarius, per. remote-branched, nat. Amer., ibid. 818.

70 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUUNENSIS.

ANDROPOGON hirtus, per. hairy, nat. South of Europe, Cape
of Good Hope, and E. Indies. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 48.

furcatus, per. forked, nat. N. America. Pursh.

tennis, per. slender, nat. N. Holland. Brown.

triticem,per. wheat-like, nat. N. Holland, ibid.

sericeus, per. silky, nat. N. Holland, ibid.

qffinis,per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

intermedius,per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

procerus, per. tall, nat. N. Holland, ibid.

exalt atus, per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

lanatus, per. woolly, nat. N. Holland, ibid.

bomby cimis, per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

refractus,per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

fragilis, per. bristle, nat. N. Holland, ibid.

citreus, per. nat. N. Holland, ibid.

distachyum, per. two-rowed andropogon, nat. Germ. Flowers
in June and July. Flo. Ger. i. p. 232.

ischamum, per. woolly-spiked, nat. Germ. Flowers in August.
Host. t. 3.

gryllus, per. purple-spiked, nat. Germ. July to August.
Host. t. 1.

arundinaceum, per. reed-like, nat. Germ. June and July.
Host. i. t. 1. Holcus halepensis (which see).

scli&nanthus, per. sweet lemon-grass, nat. East Indies. Linn.

Spec. 1481. Not yet flowered in this country.
HORDEUM. Barley-grass. Generic character : calyx lateral,
6-valved, (the valves, collectively, constitute what is called
a six-leaved involucre) ; corolla 2-valved, exterior valve fur-
nished with a long awn ; flowers in threes, the middle flower
fertile or bisexual, and the lateral ones barren, or furnished
with stamens only ; seed covered closely with the corolla,
which remains permanent.

nigrum, per. black, var. common barley. Willd.

strictnm, per. upright, (allied to //. bulbosum), nat. dry places in
Italy. Desfont.

Capense, arm. Cape, nat. Cape of Good Hope. Thunb. Fl.
Cap. i. p. 144.

ascendens, arm. ascending, nat. Mexico.

Chilense, arm. Chili, nat. Chili. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 796.

HORTUS GHAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 71

HORDEUM vulgare, arm. spring barley, supposed to be a native

of Sicily. August. Flo. Rust. 20.

hexastichon, arm. bear, or big. Flo. Rust. 107. August.
distichon, arm. common or winter barley. August.
murinum, arm. wall-barley, or way-bennet, indig. Sm. Engl.

Fl. 179. E. Bot. 1971. Hort. Gram. Fo. 141.
maritimum, arm. sea barley-grass, indig. May. E. Bot. 1205.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 180.
jubatum, arm. long-bearded, nat. North America., August.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 180. R. F. W.

zeocriton, ami. sprat, or battledore-barley. August. Host. t. 37.
bulbosum, per. bulbous-rooted barley. Flo. Grseca, t. 98 ; nat.

Italy. June and July.
pratense, per. meadow barley, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl.

p. 180. E. Bot. 409. Hort. Gram. 203.

SECT. VII. Grasses with 3 Stamina, 2 Styles; 2 Flowers in each
Calyx — Flowers bisexual.

AIRA. Hair-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved, 2-flowered,

without any rudiment of a third floret; corolla 2-valved,

outer valve awned, the awn rising from the back a little

above the base — seldom awnless; seed loosely covered.

aquatica, per. water hair-grass, indig. June, July. Sm. Engl.

Fl.i.p. 101. E. Bot. 1557. Hort. Gram. Fo. 24. R. F. W.
cristata, per. crested hair-grass, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 101.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 191. June. E. Bot. 648.— Var. Koelena

cristata giabra, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 620. Koeleria

lobata, ibid.

arundinacea, per. reed-like hair-grass, nat. Levant. Linn. 95.
caspitosa, per. turfy hair-grass, hassock-grass, indig. Sm. Engl.

Fl. p. 102. July. Hort. Gram. Fo. 243. E. Bot. 1453.

Deschampsia, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 685.
ambigua,per. doubtful. Mich. Fl. Bor. Amer. i. p. 61.
jlexuosa, per. zig-zag mountain hair-grass, indig. June. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 104. E. Bot. 1519. Hort. Gram. Fo. 157.
pulchella, ann. fair, nat. Spain. Willd. Enum. i. p. 101.
caryophyllea, ann. silver, indig. May. E. Bot. 812. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 106.

elegans, ann. elegant, nat. Germ. Host. Aira capillaris.
pracox, ann. early, indig. April. E. Bot. 1296. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 105. Avenapracox, R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i. p. 667.
tenera, ann. tender. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 682.

72 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

AIRA setacea, per. bristly, nat. Europe.

canescens, per. grey, indig. June. E. Bot. 1190. Sm. Engl. FL

p. 105. Corynephorus, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. pp. 667,

688,

capillacea, per. slender, nat. Amer. Pursh.
subspicata, per. spiked hair-grass, nat. Germ. June. R. F. W.

Host. t. 45. Trisetum airoides. R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 666.
articulata, ann. jointed, nat. Spain. Air a hybrida, Gaud. Agr. i.

p. 184, ibid. i. p. 689.
Antartica, per. South-Sea hair-grass, nat. New Zealand.

G. Forster, Flo. Aus. 41.
alba, per. white hair-grass, nat. Greenland. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 688.

involucrata,per. involucred, nat. Spain. Cavanill. Hisp. t. 44, f. 1.
media, per. middle hair-grass, nat. France.
atropurpurea, per. dark purple, early in September. Wah. Fl.

Lapp. p. 37.
triflora, per. three-flowered, nat. Spain. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 680.

lendigra, ann. compound-panicled, nat. Spain, ibid.
Chinensis, ann. Chinese, nat. China, ibid.

duriuscula, ann. hardish, nat. ? Poiret, Enc. Meth.

oryzetozum, ann. nat. rice-grounds, Verona.

pollens, ami. pale, nat. Pennsylvania. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 683.

macrantha, ann. short-leaved. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 683.
humilis, per. dwarf, nat. Mount Caucasus, ibid.
pallescens, per. palish. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 685.
nitida, per. shining, ibid.
discolor, per. discoloured. Deschampsia, ibid.
alpina, per. alpine. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 103. Aira lavigata, Engl.

Bot. 102. Smith, Linn. Soc. Trans.
juncea, per. rush-like, nat. Cape G. Hope.
refracta, per. refracted -leaved, nat. Germ.
involucrata, per. involucrated, nat. Spain. Airopsis involucrata,

R. S. L. S. V. i.p. 578.
globosa, per. globose-husked, nat. France, ibid. Airopsis globosa,

Millium tenellum, Cav. icon. iii. n. 299. tab. 274, f. 1.
obtustata, per. obtuse-husked, nat. Carolina. Mich. Fl. Amer.

Sept. i. p. 76. Airopsis obtusata, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 578.
brevifolia,per. short-leaved, nat. Amer. Pursh. Airopsis brevi-
folio, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg, i. p. 578.

HORTUS GRAMJNEUS WOBURNENS1S. 73

AIRA minuta, ann. minute, nat. Spain. Schreb. Gram. t. 21>

f. 2. Air a pumila. Agardh.
agrostidea, per. bent-like, nat. France. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 579. Airopsis agrostidea.

MELICA. Melic-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,

2-flowered, with the rudiment of 1 or 2 florets, that are abortive

and placed between the others ; corolla 2-valved, awnless ;

seed ovate, grooved.

ciliata, per. ciliated, nat. Ger. May and June. Host. t. 12.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 100.
nutans, per. nodding, indig. May. E. Bot. 1059. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 112.

major, per. larger, nat. Greece. Smith, Fl. Gr.
saxatilis, per. rock, nat. Greece, ibid.
uniflora, per. one-flowered, indig. May and June. E. Bot.

1058. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 112.
carulea, per. purple, indig. July and August. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 113. E. Bot. 750. Hort. Gram. Fo. 169.
Bauhini, per. nat. Europe, Barbary. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 525. Hort. Gram.

pyramidalis, per. pyramidal, nat. Italy, ibid.
laxiflora, per. loose-flowered, ibid. 526.
speciosa, per. handsome, nat. Virginia, ibid.
papilionacea,per. butterfly, nat. Brazil, ibid. 527.
aurantiaca, per. golden, nat. Montevideo, ibid.
violacea, per. violet, nat. Montevideo, ibid.
rigida,per. rigid, nat. Montevideo, ibid.

decumbens, per. decumbent, nat. Cape of Good Hope, ibid. 529.
racemosa, per. simple culmed, nat. Cape of Good Hope, ibid.
hirsuta, per. hairy, nat. Germ., ibid.
diffusa, per. branching-panicled, nat. Virginia, ibid.
scabra, per. rough, nat. S. Amer., frigid regions. Humb. et

Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 132.
pallida, per. pale, nat. S. America, ibid.
capillaris, per. hair-like, nat. S. Amer.
festucoides, per. fescue-like, nat. C. G. H. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 530.

minuta,per. small, nat. Italy. June. Willd. Syst. 383, 119.
altissima, per. tall, nat. Siberia. Aug. Host. t. 9.
(Cynosurus echinatm, Sesleria, et Avena.)

74 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

SECALE. Rye. Calyx 2-valved, 2-flowered, solitary; corolla

2-valved, 2-flowered, exterior valve acuminate, keel ciliated,

ending in a long awn ; interior valve flat, lanceolate ; seed

naked, half cylindrical, pointed at one end.

cereale, ann. rye, Moris. Hist. v. 3, 58, t. 2, f. 1. Supposed a

native of Crete or Siberia.
villosum, ann. hairy, nat. South of Europe and Levant. Host. ii.

t. 48. Triticum villosum, R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 768.
orientate, ann. oriental, nat. of the Archipelago. Willd. p. 171.
Creticum, ann. Cretan, nat. of Candia, or Crete. Willd. i. p. 472.

SECT. VIII. Grasses ivith 3 Stamina, 2 Styles, 2 Flowers in
each Calyx — Flowers of different sexes.

HIEROCHLOE. Holy-grass.* Generic character '.florets 3, cen-
tral one perfect, with 2 stamens, lateral ones barren with 3 ;
corolla permanently membranous ; seed loose ; styles distinct.
Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 40.

fragrans, per. fragrant holy-grass, nat. N. Amer. R. F. W.
Holcus odoratus, Mich. Hierochloa fragrans, R. S. Linn.
Sys. Veg. ii. p. 512. Holcus fragrans, Willd. et Pursh.
See Holcus fragrans.

borealis, per. Northern holy-grass, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 110.

Holcus odoratus, Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 47. See Holcus

odoratus, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 513. Hierochloa

borealis.

alpinus, per. alpine holy-grass, nat. Greenland. R. F. B. R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. ii. 515. Hierochloa alpina.
redolens, per. redolent or balmy holy-grass, nat. New Zealand.
Brown. Vahl. Sy. ii. 102. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. ii. p. 514.
Hierochloa redolens.

Australis, per. Southern holy-grass. Fl. Germ. i. p. 253. Avena
odorata, Decand. Fl. Fr. n. 1565. var. a. See R. S. Linn.
Sys. Veg. ii. p. 514.

HOLCUS. Soft-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,
2-flowered, seldom 3, awnless, corolla 2-valved, exterior
valve awned, interior valve awnless, least, unisexual or barren

* Hierochloe borealis is said to be used at high festivals, for strewing the churches
in Prussia ; as Accrus calamus has, time out of mind, been employed in the cathe-
dral and streets of Norwich, on the Mayor's Day. — Sm. EiigL Fl. vol. i. p. ill .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 75

flowers, on foot-stalks — they also want the inner husks ; seed
ovate, awned.
HOLCUS avenaceus, per. tall oat-like soft-grass, indig. June till

October. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 108. Hort. Gram. Fol. 49.

E. Bot. 813. Curtis, Flor. Lond. Av. elatior. Arrhena-

therum avenaceum, R. S. L. S. Veg.
var. bulbosus, per. bulbous-rooted, indig. June till October.

Moris. Hist. sect. viii. t. 7, f. 38.
var. muticus, per. awnless, tall oat-like soft-grass. Curt. Cat.

Poa elatior. Hort. Gram. Fol. 53.
mollis, per. downy, or creeping-rooted, indig. July. Sm. Engl.

FL i. p. 108. E. Bot. 1170. Hort. Gram. Fol. 42.
lanatus, per. woolly, indig. June. E. Bot. 1169. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 106. Hort. Gram. Fol. 40.
striatus, per. striated, nat. Virginia. Linn. Spec. 1486.
spicatus, ann. spiked, nat. East Indies. Linn. Spec. 1483.
Sorghum, ann. cultivated, or Indian millet. Linn. Spec. 1484.
fragrans, per. fragrant. Willd. Spec. Hierochloa fragram,

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. R. F. W.
odoratus, per. indig. Hort. Gram. Fol. 47. April, May. Flor.

Dan. Hole, borealis, Flo. Ger. i. 252. Sm. Engl. Fl.

Hierochloe borealis (which see).
alpinus, per. alpine, nat. Greenland. R. F. B. . R. S. L. Sys.

Veg. ii. p. 515. See Hierochloe alpina.
Australis, per. nat. Germ. Hole, odoratus, Host See Hierochloe

Australis.
redolens, per. smelling, nat. New Zealand. Vahl. Sy. ii. 102.

See Hierochloe redolens.

argenteus,per. silvery, nat. Spain. R. S, Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 656.
striatus, per. striated, nat. Virginia, ibid.
Dochfia, per. spreading, nat. Arabia, ibid.
racemosus, per. cylindrical. Cult, in H. Monspel., 1804, ibid.
nigerrimus, ann. black, TefT. Bruce. Sorghum nigrum, R. S.

Linn. Sys. i. p. 837.

bicolor, ann. two-coloured, nat. Persia. Willd. iv. p. 837.
cernuus, ann. drooping, nat. Germ. Host.
saccharatum, ann. nat. East Indies. Host.
Cajfrorum, ann. Caffres' bread. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 833.
decoloratis, ann. nat. S. Amer., ibid.
hinutus, ann. hairy-seeded, nat. C. G. H. Sorghum avciiaceion,

ibid.

76 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

HOLCUS serratus, ami. saw-leaved, nat. C. G. H. R. S. Linn.
Sys.Veg. i. p. 839.

asperus, ann. rough-leaved, nat. C. G. H., ibid.

halepemis, per. loose-panicled, nat. Germ. Italy, France. Host.

nitidus, per. shining, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. p. 840.

setifolim, per. bristly-leaved, nat. C. G. H., ibid.

parviftorus, per. small-flowered, nat. C. G. H., ibid.

fulvus, per. tawny-coloured, nat. New Holl., ibid.

plumosum, per. feather-like, nat. 'N. Holl., ibid. p. 841.

elongatum, per. elongated, nat. N. Holl., ibid.
PANICUM. Panic-grass. Generic character ; calyx 2-valved,
imperfectly 2-flowered — one fertile, or bisexual, and the other
barren, or neuter ; corolla 1-2-valved, awnless, or awned at
the apex, coriaceous, dotted, or furrowed when enclosing the
ripe seed, neuter floret of 1 or 2 valves ; seed covered like a
crust.

colonum, ann. husbandman's, nat. N. Spain, cultivated in India.
Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 108.

pseudo-colonum, ann. spurious, E. Indies. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 424.

obtusum, per. obtuse, nat. S. America, ibid. p. 425.

Jiuitans, per. flote, nat. India, ibid.

mucronatum,per. mucronate, E. Indies, ibid.

brizoides, bien. briza-like, nat. India, ibid.

cruciforme,per. cross-spiked, nat. Isle Samos. Smith, Fl. Gr. i.
p. 40. no. 137.

granulare,per. nat. Isle of France. R. S. Linn. Sys.Veg. i. p. 426.

Jlavidum, per. flame-coloured, nat. Ceylon, ibid.

dimidiatum, per. half one-rowed, nat. India, ibid.

pilosum, per. tufted-haired, nat. mountainous pastures in India,
ibid. 427.

molle, per. soft, nat. Surinam, ibid.
fasciculatnm, per. bundled, nat. S. Amer., ibid.

barbatum, per. bearded, nat. Isle France, ibid. p. 428.

pyramidale, per. pyramidal, nat. Bnegal, ibid.

plicatum, per. nat. E. Indies, ibid.

Carthaginense, per. nat. S. Amer., ibid. p. 429.

conglomeration, per. nat. E. Indies, ibid.

decumbens,per. decumbent, nat. Jamaica, ibid.

cespitosum, per. turfy, nat. Jamaica, ibid.

hispidulum, per. hispid, nat. E. Indies, ibid. p. 430.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 77

PANICUM dichotomum, per. nat. Carolina. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 430.

micranthum, per. nat. S. America, ibid.
. proliferum, per. proliferous, nat. Virginia, cultivated in the Paris

gardens.

deustum, per. nat. Cape of Good Hope. R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 421.
coloratum, per. coloured-stamened, nat. Antilles, ibid.
repens, per. creeping, nat. Africa and Italy, ibid.
obliquum, per. oblique, nat. E. Indies, ibid.
verticillatum, ann. whorle-flowered, indig. July. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 98. E. Bot. 874. Smith, Fl. Brit. i. p. 64.
sericeum, ann. silky, nat. E. Indies. Hort. Kew. Setaria sericea,

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.
purpurascens, ann. purplish, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.

Setaria purpurascens.
viride, ann. green, indig. July and August. E. Bot. 875.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 173. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 99. Sm. Fl.

Brit. i. p. 65. Setaria viridis, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.
Germanicum, ann. German, nat. S. Europe. Host. ii. t. 15.

Setaria Italica, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 493.
glaucum, ann. glaucous, nat. Germ. Host. t. 16. June, July.

Setaria glauca. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 498.
gracilis, ann. graceful, nat. S. Amer. Setaria gracilis, Humb.

et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 109.

hirtellum, ann. small, hairy. July and August. Flo. Ger. i. p. 242.
maritimum, ann. sea, cult. Paris gardens. Poiret.
miliaceum, arm. millet, nat. Germ., India. Host. t. 20.
cms galli, ann. cock's-foot, panic, indig. July and August. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 99. Flo. Ger. i. p. 243.
crus corvi, ann. crow's-foot panic, nat. East Indies. August;

hardy. Willd. i. p. 337.
arborescens, per. tree panic-grass. March and April ; tender.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 144.

latifolium, per. broad-leaved, nat. North America. August, Sep-
tember. Hort. Kew. i. p. 144.
sanguinale, arm. See Syntherisma vulgare.
glabrum, arm. See Syntherisma glabrum.
dactylon, per. See Cynodon dactylon.
vulpinum, per. See Pennisetum conchroides.
orientale, per. See Pennisetum orientale.
violaceurn, per. See Pennisetum violaceum.

78 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

PANICUM geniculatum, per. See Pommereulla geniculatus.
hordeiformis, Thun. Flo. Jap. per. See Pommereulla geniculatus.
hordeiformis, Willd. per. See Pommereulla hordeiformis.
squarrosum. See Pommereulla muricatus.
diffbrme, per. nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 433.
Numidianum, per. nat. Calle, in moist sands, ibid.
isch&moides, per. nat. wet margins of stagnant water in Malabar,

ibid.

remotum,per. distant-branched, nat. Tranquebar, ibid.
Sumatreme, per. nat. Sumatra, p. 434.
attenuatum, per. nat., ibid.
miliare,per. nat. E. Indies, ibid.
iwtatum, per. nat. Sumatra.
muricatum, per. nat. E. Indies, ibid. p. 435.
capillare, arm. capillary, nat. Virginia. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 435.
commelin&folium, arm. commelina-leaved, nat. Porto-Rico.

Rudge, Gujan. p. 21, t. 28.
tenellum, arm. small, nat. Sierra Leone. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 436.
flexuosum, arm. zig-zag, nat. India, ibid.

grossarium, arm. nutritious, nat. ? ibid.

maximum, per. large, or Guinea-grass, (nee Panicum altissimum,

Hort. Paris). Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 104.
bulbosum, per. bulbous, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p. 99.
hirsutum, per. hairy, allied to the Guinea-grass, nat. Jamaica.

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

nemorosum, per. wood, nat. wood mountains, Jamaica, ibid. 439.
rigens, per. knee-jointed, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p. 104.

fuscum, per. brown, nat. Jamaica. Willd. Spec. i. p. 350.
zizanioides, per. nat. S. America. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener.

et. Spec. i. p. 100.
jlavescens, per. yellow, nat. Jamaica. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 441.

diffusum, per. diffuse, nat. E. Indies, ibid.
oryzoides, per. rice-like, nat. Jamaica, ibid.
clandestirtum, per. obscure-flowered, nat. Amer. Pursh.
curvatum, per. curved-calyced, nat. E. Indies. Willd. Spec. i.

p. 352.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 79

PANICUM uliginosum, per. March, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn.

Spec. i. p. 442.

virgatum, per. twiggy, nat. America, ibid. p. 443.
avenaceum, per. oat-like, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
trigonum, per. three-seeded, nat. India, ibid.
pallens,per. pale-green flowered, nat. Jamaica, ibid.
anceps,per. simple-panicled, nat. moist woods Amer., ibid. p. 444.
scoparium, per. broom, nat. Amer. allied to P. latifolium, ibid.
Rudgei, per. Rudge's, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
polygonoides, per. buck-wheat-like, nat. Cayenne, ibid. p. 445.
parvifolium, per. small-leaved, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
granuliferum, per. granulous, nat. New Guinea, ibid. p. 446.
pitbescens, per. pubescent, nat. Lower Carolina, ibid.
Xalapense, per. pilose-leaved, nat. temperate regions of Mexico,

ibid.

nitidum, ami. shining, nat. Carolina. Pursh.
barbulatum, ami. bearded-jointed, nat. Carolina, ibid.
discolor, ami. discoloured, nat. Pennsylvania, ibid. p. 447.
ramulosum, aim. branching, nat. Carolina. Mich. i. p. 50.
striatum, ami. striated, nat. N. Amer., ibid. p. 67.
melicarium, ami. weak-culmed, nat. Amer., ibid. p. 69.
patentissimum, ami. spreading, nat. Carolina. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 448.

lanatum, arm. woolly, nat. Jamaica, ibid.
arundinacewn, arm. reed-like, nat. Jamaica, ibid.
radicals, arm. rooting, nat. China, ibid. p. 449.
brevifolium, arm. short-leaved, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
ventricosum, arm. ventricose-husked, nat. India, ibid. p. 50.
mllosum, arm. villous, nat. India, ibid.

Hqffmannseggii, ami. nat. ? ibid.

divaricatum, per. divaricate-culmed, nat. Jamaica, ibid. p. 451.

neglectum, per. neglected, nat. Africa ? ibid.

ruscifolium, per. ruscus-leaved, nat. hot arid soils of Mexico,

ibid.

elongatum,per. elongated, nat. Virginia, ibid. p. 452.
inter ruptum, per. interrupted, nat. Ind., C. G. H., ibid.
phalarioides, per. canary-grass-like, nat. Java, ibid.
ramosum, per. branching, nat. India, ibid. p. 453.
acuminatum, per. acuminate, nat. sandy soils Jamaica, ibid.
laxum, per. loose, nat. dry woods Jamaica, ibid.
ghttinosum, per. glutinous, nat. S. America, ibid. p. 454.

80 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

PANICUM patens, per. spreading, nat. India — Portugal. R. S.
Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 454.

multinode, per. many-jointed, nat. Isle of France, ibid.

aristatum, per. awned, nat. China, ibid. p. 455.

sabulorum, per. awl-shaped, nat. Montevideo, ibid.

nervosum, per. nerved-leaved, nat. Cayenne, ibid.

laxiflorum, ann. loose-flowered, nat. Virginia, ibid. *

agrostoides, ami. agrostis-like, nat. ? ibid. p. 356.

myurus, ann. mouse-tail, nat. Guinea, ibid.

hirtum, ann. hairy-husked, nat. Cayenne, ibid.

amplexicaule, ann. stem-clasping, nat. Guinea, ibid.

Bobartii, ann. Bobarts', nat. America, ibid. p. 457.

altissimum, ann. tall (P. altissimum, Hort. Paris), nat. unknown,
ibid.

rectum, ann. upright, nat. Pennsylvania, ibid.

abludens, ann. unlike, nat. E. Indies, ibid.

canescens, ann. grey, nat. E. Indies, ibid. p. 457.

Isachne, ann. tiled-branched, nat. E. Indies, ibid. p. 458.
pilosissimum, ann. pilose-leaved, nat. Essequebo, ibid.

Mertensii, ann. Mertens', nat. Essequebo, ibid.
scaberrimum, ann. very rough, or tuberous-rooted, nat. New
Spain, ibid.

Hey nil, ann. Heyn's, nat. E. Indies, ibid.

* Species with solitary spikes and naked flowers.
rarum, ann. scarce, nat. New Holland. Brown, Prodr. 1. c.

p. 189.

phleoides, ann. cat's-tail-like, nat. New Holland. Brown, 1. c.
mysosuroides, ann. creeping-culmed, nat. N. Holl. Brown, 1. c.
arcuatum, ann. arched, nat. N. Holl., ibid.

** Spikes alternately undivided, half-awnless.
strictum, arm. straight, nat. N. Holl., ibid. p. 190.
gracile, ann. slender, nat. N. Holl. Brown, I.e.
argenteum, ann. silvery, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr.
holosericiceum, silky-flowered, ibid.
polyphyllum, ann. leafy-culmed, ibid.

*** Sub-panicled, spikelets divided, alternately awnless.
marginatum, ann. margined-leaved, ibid.
airoides, ann. hair-grass-like, ibid.
pubigerum, ann. pubescent-culmed, ibid.
foliosum, ann. leafy, ibid.
paucijtorum, ann. few-flowered, ibid.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 81

PANICUM pygm&um, ann. dwarf. Brown Prodr.
minutum, ann. minute, ibid.
bicolor, ann. two-coloured, ibid.
uncinulatum, ann. hook-husked, ibid.
effusum, ann. scattered-panicled, ibid.
decomposition, ann. decomposed-panicled, ibid.

**** Spikes alternate or crowded, flowers alternate.
semialatum, ann. half-winged, ibid.

##### Spikes bundled, subdigitate, flowers awnless.
parviflorum, ann. small-flowered, ibid.
striatum, ann. striated, ibid, i,
radiatum, ann. rayed, ibid.
divaricatissimum, ann. ibid.
Brownii, ann. Brown's nat. N. Holl. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 162. P. villosum, Brown, 1. c. p. 192.
*#####: Sp^ed, spikes digitate, bundled, solitary, exterior valve

of the husk very small, or none.
papposum, ann. woolly-flowered, ibid.
tenuiflorum, ann. fine-flowered, ibid.
propinquum, ann. allied, ibid.
gibbosum, ann. gouty, ibid.
#*###*#: Exterior flowers masculine, inner feminine, smaller,

spike-stalk apex naked, awn-like, aquatic, culms creeping.
paradoxum, ann. paradoxical, ibid.
spinescens, ann. spiny, ibid.

New Species discovered by Humboldt and Bonpland.

1. Spikes solitary, spikets solitary, two-rowed.
rottboelloides, per. hard-grass-like, nat. S. Amer.

2. Spikes solitary, spikets in twos, flowering on one side.
monostachyum, per. single, nat. S. Amer.

3. Spikes verticillate, 'bundled, or panicled, much digitated,

or fingered.
ascendens, per. ascending, nat. S.^Amer.

4. Panicled, spikets conglomerate.
decolor ans, per. various-coloured, nat. S. Amer.

5. Spikets of the panicle spreading, or scattered.
diver gens, per. diverging, nat. S. Amer.
olyroides, per. amel-corn-like, nat. S. Amer.
aturense, per. blackish, nat. S. Amer.

glaucescens, per. glaucous, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.
Gener. et Spec. i. p. 104.

82 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

SECT. IX. Grasses with 3 Stamina, 2 Styles., several Flowers in
each Calyx (except Spartina), Floivers all bisexual., the ter-
minating Floret frequently unisexual or barren.

LOLIUM. Rye-grass, or darnel. Generic character : calyx of
one valve, lateral, fixed, pressing a spiket of flowers close to
the rachis, or spike-stalk; corolla 2-valved, spear-shaped, ex-
terior valve near the apex sometimes awned ; seed covered
with the corolla husks, convex on one side, and furrowed on
the other.

perenne vulgare, per. rye-grass, perennial rye-grass, indig. June
till August. Hort. Gram. Fo. 105. E. Bot. 315. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 173.
perenne tenue, per. slender rye-grass ; the spike is erect, very

slender, calyx containing 2 or 3 florets.
perenne Whitworthensis^, per. Whitworth's rye-grass ; spike

slender, leaves numerous, narrower, light-green.
perenne stolonifera, per. stoloniferous ; culm short, spike short,

crowded, culms rooting at the base.

perenne compositum, per. double-spiked, rye-grass ; spike gene-
rally bent, spikelets broad, crowded.
perenne monstrosum, per. double-flowering rye-grass ; spikelets

round or globular.
perenne Stickniensis'f, per. Stickney's rye-grass ; spike long,

spikelets numerous, leaves broad, long, pale green.
perenne ramosum, per. branched rye-grass ; spike with branches

towards the top ; calyx 8 or 9-flowered.
paniculatum, per. panicled.

perenne RussellianumJ, per. Russell's rye-grass ; spike long,

spikelets pointed, leaves numerous, broad, long, dark green.

perenne viviparum, per. viviparous rye-grass ; truly viviparous,

never producing seeds, but plants.

multiflorum, per. many (20-25) flowered rye-grass, nat. France ;
in pastures, and on the margins of corn fields. R. S. Linn.
Syst. Veg. i. p. 748.

* First introduced and cultivated by G. Whitworth, Esq. of Acre House, Lin-
colnshire.

f The seed of this variety I received under the name of Stickney's Rye-grass.

j First cultivated by Benjamin Holdich, Esq., from seed obtained of a plant in a
rich fen pasture, pointed out to Mr. Holdich by the Duke of Bedford.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 83

LOLIUM temulentum, ami. bearded annual rye-grass, indig. July.

Sm. E. Fl. i. p. 174. E. Bot. 1124. Hort. Gram. Fo. 299.
arvense, aim. field annual rye-grass, indig. June and July. E.

Bot. 1125. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 174.
majus, ann. larger field rye-grass. Hort. Gram, Fo. 301.
complanatum, ann. dwarf annual rye-grass, nat. Switzerland

July or August, as early or late sown.
speciosum, per. specious rye-grass, nat. Iberia ; spikelets as large

as those of Festucafluitans. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 750.
maximum, ann. largest rye-grass, nat. Jamaica. R. S. Linn. Syst.

Veg. i. p. 758.

^GILOPS. GoatVface-grass. Generic character : calyx oppo-
site, 2-valved, 3-4-flowered, ventricose, hard, truncated,

furnished with various awns ; germen bearded on the apex ;

corolla 2-valved, exterior valve ovate, terminated by a double

or triple awn ; seed oblong, convex on one side, and grooved

on the other.
ovata, ann. oval-spiked goatVface-grass, nat. Germ. May.

Host. ii. t. 5.
triaristata, ann. three-awned, nat. Germ. Host. ii. t. 5. Mgilops

triuncialis.
triuncialis, ami. long-spiked, nat. Germ. June. R. S. Linn. Syst.

Veg. i. p. 772.

caudata, ann. slender-spiked, nat. Hungary. Linn. Spec. 1489.
squarrosa, ann. rough-spiked, nat. Levant, Georgia. July. Linn.

Spec, 1489. See Tritieum JEgilops.
cylindrica^ ann. cylindrical, nat. Hungary, Italy ; by road-sides,

vineyards, and dry places. Host. Gram. ii. t. 7.
comosa, ann. dense-spiked, nat. Isles of Greece. Smith. Fl. Gr.

i. p. 72, no. 251.
ctiiaris, ann. ciliated, nat. E. Indies. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 772.
hirsuta, per. hairy-spiked, nat. Egypt. Tritieum JEgilopoides,

Frosk. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 784.
villosa, per. villous, nat. India.

SESLERIA. Moor-grass. Generic character : involucre, many-
leaved, leaflets sometimes deciduous ; calyx 2-valved, 2 or
3-flowered, awned ; corolla 2-valved, awned, awns various ;
stigma, long-feathered ; spike compound : seed covered by the
blossom.

84 HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS,

SESLERIA elongata, per. long-spiked moor-grass, nat. Germ*

June. Host. t. 97.
cylindrica, per. cylindrical-spiked, nat. Switzerland. R. S. Linn,

Syst. Veg. i. p. 603.

tenuifolia,per. small-leaved, nat. Germ. June. Flo. Ger. i. p. 272.
c&rulea,per. blue, indig. April and May. Sm.Engl. Fl.i.p. 114.

E. Bot. 1613. Hort. Gram. Fo. 189. Willd. et alii autor.

Cynosurus c&ruleus.

albicans, per. whitish, nat. rocks. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 604.
phleoides, per. cat's-tail-like, nat. Eastern Alps, ibid .

nitida, per. shining, nat. , ibid.

sphtzrocephala, per. globular, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. ii. t. 99.
tenella, per. slender, nat. Germ. June. Host. t. 100. Cynosurus

ovatus, Hoppe in Sturm, Germ. fasc. vi.
alba, per. white, nat. Belgrade. Smith Fl. Gr. i. p. 52.
echinata, ann. rough, nat. Germ. June. Moris. Hist. s. 8, t. 5,

% i.

disticha, per. two-rowed, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. ii. t. 76. Poa

disticha, Jac. Misc. Poa sesleria, Allon. Has the habit of

Sesleria and the flower of Poa. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 605.

POA. Meadow-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved, many-
flowered : corolla 2-valved ; valves oval, though rather acute ;
awnless ; seed covered by the corolla, furrowed ; panicle more
or less branching or scattered.
aquatica, per. water meadow-grass, indig. July. E. Bot. 1315.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 247. Glyceria aquatica, Sm. Engl. Fl.
arundinacea, per. reed-like, nat. by the river Malk, near its

source, Caucasus.
maritima, per. sea meadow-grass. E. Bot. 1140. Indig. July.

Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 118. Glyc. maritima.
distans, ann. reflexed, indig. Summer. Sm. Engl. Fl. Glyc.

distans, E. Bot. 986. Hort. Gram. Fol. 213. Curtis, Poa

retrqflexa.

Jluitans, per. flote meadow-grass, indig. Hort. Gram. Fo. 239.
rigida, ann. hard meadow-grass. May, indig. E. Bot. 1371.

Glyceria rigida, Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 119.
procumbens, ann. procumbent meadow-grass. July, August ;

indig. E. Bot. 532. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 119. Glyceria

procumbens.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 85

POA dura, ann. harsh meadow-grass, nat. Germ. June. Host.

t. 73.

pilosa, ann. hairy, nat. Germ. June. Host. t. 68.
eragrostis, ann. spreading, nat. Italy. July. Host. t. 69. P.

atrovirens? R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 561.
spicata, ann. spiked, nat. Portugal. Willd. Spec. i. p. 401. R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 544.
biflora, ann. two-flowered, nat. E. Indies. Retz, Obs. Willd.

Spec. i. p. 386, Aira Kanigii.
miliacea, per. millet meadow-grass, nat. . R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 544.

Molineri,per. Moliner's, nat. Piedmont, ibid.
concinna, per. violet-husked, nat. France, ibid.
collina, per. hill meadow-grass, nat. Germ. Host. ii. t. 66.
alpina brevifolia, per. short-leaved, nat. Greenland. R. S Linn.

Syst. Veg. i. p. 541.

dissitiflora, per. distant-flowered, nat. Greenland, ibid. 540.
gelida, per. frozen, nat. Greenland, ibid.
Cenisia, per. Mount Cenis, nat. Mount Cenis, ibid. Host. iii.

t. 16. Hort. Gram. Fo. 161.
minor, per. smaller, nat. Switzerland. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 539.

Halleridis, per. Haller's, nat. Switzerland, ibid.
distichophylla, per. fan-leaved, nat. Alps, ibid. Host. iv. t. 26.

Poaflexuosa, but not Smith in Engl. Bot.
gracilis, per. slender, nat. ? Poa glauca of Poiret, not of

E. Bot.

cespitosa,per. turfy, nat. New Zealand. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 536.
rhenana,per. nat. France, ibid. 535.
Kitaibeli,per. KitaibePs meadow-grass, nat. Syrmia, ibid.
Gaudini, per. Gaudin's, nat. Alps of Switzerland, ibid. p. 548,

allied to our Poa glauca.

depauperata, per. thin-flowered, nat. Hungary, ibid.
pauciflora, per. few-flowered, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.

Nov. Gener.^et Spec. i. p. 131.

sterilis, per. barren, nat. Tauriae. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 549.
mulalensis, per. nat. S. Amer. ibid.
tristriata, per. thrice-striated, ibid. 550.
sukata, per. furrowed, nat. Virginia, ibid. (" corollis exquisite

striatis.")
imbecilla, per. weak, nat. New Zealand, ibid.

86 HOHTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

POA anceps, per. fork-culmed, nat. New Zealand. Linn. Syst.

Veg. i. p. 550.

flava, per. yellow, nat. Virginia, ibid., p. 551.
virgata, per. twiggy, nat. St. Domingo, ibid.
Mexicana, ann. Mexican, nat. Mexico, ibid.
hirsutar ann. hairy, nat. Virginia, ibid., p. 552.
capillarity ann. capillary, nat. St. Domingo, Virginia, Canada,

ibid.

Indica, ami. Indian, nat. India, ibid.
plumosa, ann. feather-like, nat. Tranquebar, ibid.
Poiretii, ann. Poiret's, nat. cult. Paris gardens, ibid., p. 553.
squarrosa, ann. squarrose, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.
glomerata, ann. glomerate, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.
ejfusa, per. scattered-panicled, nat. Hungary. Prof. Kitaibel,
ibid. 554.

commutata,per. furrowed, nat. ? ibid. Poa sulcata, Lagasca.

Gen. et Spec. Nov. Diagnos.

contracta, per. contracted-panicled, nat. India, ibid.
filiformis, per. slender-leaved, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.
Amboinensis, per. crowded-panicled, nat. India, ibid. p. 556.
cilianensis, ann. Piedmontese, nat. Piedmont, ibid.
Caroliniana, ann. Carolina meadow-grass, nat. N. Carolina, ibid.
latifolia, per. broad-leaved, nat. Java? ibid.

Chinensis, per. Chinese, nat. ? ibid., p. 557.

hirta, per. roughish, nat. Japan, ibid.

Domingensis, per. St. Domingo, nat. S. Domingo, ibid., p. 558.
Ze&, per. intermediate meadow-grass, nat. Santa Fe, ibid.
festuc(£formis,per. fescue-like, nat. Dalmatia, ibid., 561. Flowers
in July. Hort. Gram. Wob.

convoluta, per. convoluted, nat. ? ibid., p. 561.

spinosa, per. spiny, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid. Festuca spinosa,

Linn. Suppl.
sarmenlosa, per. crowded-branched, culmed, nat. C. G. Hope,

ibid. p. 562.

striata,per. striated, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.
racemosa, per. branching, nat. C. G. Hope. ibid.
pectinacea, arm. comb-valved, nat. N. America. Mich. Fl. Bor.

Amer. i. p. 563.

pallida, ann. pale, nat. — — ? R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i. p. 563.
scariosa, per. scariose, nat. Circa Gades, ibid.
Vahlii, per. VahPs, nat. America, ibid.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 87

POA subsecunda,per. nat. China. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 563.
bifaria, per. nine-inch spiked meadow-grass, nat. E. Indies,

ibid.

Coromandeliana, per. Coromandel, nat. coast of Coromandel.
bromoides, per. broom-like, nat. Lima ? Described from plants in

the Paris gardens.

viscosa, per. viscous, nat. India. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 564.
Peruviana, ami. Peruvian, nat. Peru, ibid.
carinata, ann. keeled, nat. Porto Rico, ibid., p. 565.
stricta, ann. upright, nat. E. Indies (non Poainterrupta, Brown),

ibid.

elegans, ann. elegant, nat. Porto Rico, ibid.
jtEgyptica, ann. Egyptian, nat. Egypt, ibid., p. 566.
tenuiflora, ann. slender-flowered, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.
squamata, ann. remote-panicled, nat. Brazils, ibid.
Virginica, ann. nat. Virginia, ibid.

aspera, ann. rough-peduncled, nat. Porto Rico, ibid., p. 567.
Madagascariensis, ann. Madagascar, nat. Isle of Madagascar,

ibid.

tremula, ann. tremulous, nat. Senegal, ibid.
tmioloides, ann. uniola-like, nat. India, ibid.
glutinosa, ann. glutinous, nat. Jamaica, ibid., p. 568.
punctata, ann. dotted, nat. Malabar, ibid.
barbala, ann. bearded, nat. Japan, ibid.
nutans, ann. nodding, nat. India, ibid.
cernua, ann. drooping, nat. E. Indies, ibid. 569.
pallens, per. palish-coloured, nat. Buenos Ayres, ibid. — allied to

Poa pratensis.
lanuginosa, per. woolly, nat. Montevideo. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 569.
sicula, ann. Cynosurus sicula, Jacq. Briza cynosuroides, Scop.

Triticum unioloides, Hort. Kew. Nat. Barbary, sea sands of

the coasts, ibid.
paradoxa, ann. Uniola distichophylla, Labill. Poa distichophylla,

Brown. Nat. Van Diemen, ibid.
rariflora, ann. scarce-flowering, nat. Rio, ibid., p. 570.
subumbellata, per. sub-umbelled, nat. S. America, ibid.
remota,per. remote, nat. S. America, ibid.
dactyloides, per. cockVfoot-like, nat. S. America, ibid.
parvula, per. little, allied to Aira caryophylla, ibid. 571.
Borbonica, per. Bourbon, nat. Isle Bourbon, ibid.

88 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Species from Brown's Prodr. Nov. Holland, i. pp. 179 to 182.

* Perianth, five-nerved.
## - 1 three-nerved.

Spikes, one-sided.
POA A ustralis* per. Southern, nat. Van Diemen.
lavis,per. smooth-sheathed, nat. Van Diemen.
plebeja, per. nat. about Port Jackson.
affinis, per. allied, nat. ibidem.
saxicola, per. nat. ibidem.
diandra,** per. diandrous, nat. ibidem.
venusta, per. beautiful, nat. ibidem.
leptostachya, per. nat. ibidem.
tenostachya, per. nat. ibidem.
pellucida, per. pellucid, nat. ibidem.
speciosa, per. specious, nat. ibidem.
pubescent, per. pubescent, nat. ibidem.
decipiens, per. unlike, nat. ibidem.
imbecillis, per. weak-stemmed, nat. ibidem.
abortiva, per. abortive-flowered, nat. ibidem.
digitata*** per. digitate, nat. ibidem.
supina, per. weak-stemmed meadow-grass, nat. Germ. June.

Willd. 386. Var. P. alpina.
laxa, per. wavy meadow-grass, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. 122, E.

Bot. 1123. Willd. i. 386, Poafiexuosa. Poa elegans, De-

cand. Fl. Fr. n. 1615. Host. iii. t. 15, Poa laxa.
alpina, per. alpine meadow-grass, indig. May. E. Bot. 1003.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 187. R. F. W.
bulbosa, per. bulbous meadow-grass, indig. April. E. Bot.

1071. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 123.
sudetica, per. broad-leaved, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. p.

295. Poa trinervata, Decand. Fl. Fr. n. 1605.
trivialis, per. rough-stalked meadow-grass, indig. June till Sep-

tember. E. Bot. 1072. Hort. Gram. Fol. 20. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 124.
c&rulea, per. short blue, indig. May and June. E. Bot. 1004.

P. subc&rulea, Fl. B. App. P. humilis. Hort. Gram.

Fo. 18. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 126. Var. (3. Poa pratensis.
pratensis, per. smooth-stalked meadow-grass, indig. May and

June. E. Bot. 1073. Hort. Gram. Fo. 16. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 125.
angustifolia, per. narrow-leaved, indig. May and June. Hort.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 89

Gram. Fo. 69. Wither. Arrang. Var. Poa pratensis, Hort.
Gram. Fo. 70. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 126. Var. y. Poa pra-
tensis.

PQAfertilis,per. fertile meadow-grass, nat. Germ. June arid July.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 71. Host. iii. t. 14. Flo. Ger., Poa
serotina. R. F. W., Poa crocata.

serotina, per. Flo. Ger. i. p. 299. See Poafertilis.

nemoralis, per. wood meadow-grass, indig. June and August.
E. Bot. 1265. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 129.

nemoralis angustifolia, var. narrow-leaved wood meadow-grass.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 67. Poa nemoralis angustifolia, Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 139, var. — (Calyx from two to five-flowered).

compressa, per. flat-stalked, indig. June till August. E. Bot.
365. Hort. Gram. Fo. 193. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 121.

compressa erecta, per. var. upright flat-stalked meadow-grass.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 195.

annua, ann. annual meadow-grass, Suffolk-grass, indig. Fe-
bruary till January. Sm. Erigl. Bot. i. p. 127. Hort.
Gram. Fo. 305. E. Bot. 1141. Poa variegata, P. de
Beauv. v

decumbens, per. decumbent, indig. July. E. Bot. 792. Willd.
&c. Festuca decumbens. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 131, Triodia
decumbens.

disticha, per. two-rowed, nat. Germ. Host. t. 76. July,
August.

c&sia, per. sea-green meadow-grass, indig. July, E. Bot. 1719.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 79. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 128, Poa glauca,
var. j3. Poa nemoralis c&sia, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 546.

glauca, per. glaucous meadow-grass, indig. June, July. Sm.
. Engl. Fl. i. p. 128. Hort. Gram, Fo. 81. E. Bot. 1720.
P. nemoralis glauca, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 546.

cristata, per. See Aira cristata.

nervata, per. nerved meadow-grass, nat. North America. July.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 77. Willd. 389. P. lineata, Pers. Syn.

trinervata, per. Willd. See Festuca calamaria.

Abyssimca, ami. upright meadow-grass, nat. Abyssinia. August.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 156.

ERAGROSTIS. Spurious bent-grass. Generic character ; calyx
from 4 to 10-flowered, valves shorter than the corolla, imbri-
cate ; corolla superior valve reflex, margin turned back, entire,

90 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ciliated, permanent ; germen emarginate ; seed free, two-
pointed ; panicle compound, but little scattered. R. S. Linn.
Sys. Veg.

ERAGROSTIS poacoides, per. See Poa eragrostis.
polymorpha, per. various. Poa polymorpha. Willd., nat.

India.

pilosa, ann. pilose. See Poapilosa.
verticillata, ami. verticillate.

tenella, ann. slender, nat. India. Poa tenella, Willd.
ferruginea, ann. iron-coloured, nat. Japan.
cynosuroides, ann. dog's-tail-like, nat.. Egypt.
cyperoides, ann. cyperus-like, nat. C. G. Hope.
mucronata, ann. mucronate, nat. E. Indies.
interrupta, ,ann. interrupted-spiked, nat. N. Holland. Poa in-
terrupta, Brown. Prodr. i. 180.

BRIZA. Quaking-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,
many-flowered ; flowers collected into heart-shaped spikets ;
corolla 2-valved, exterior valve the shape and size of the calyx
husks, inferior valve smaller, flat, roundish \ seed com-
pressed.

elatior,per. tall, nat. Greece. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 57, n. 179.
media, per. common quaking-grass, indig. May and June. E.

Bot. 340. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 133. Hort. Gram. Fo. 97.
geniculata, per. knee-jointed, nat. C. G. Hope. Thunb. Fl.

Cap. i. p. 148.
minor, ann. small quaking-grass, nat. Brit. June. E. Bot.

1316. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 132.
maxima, ann. great quaking-grass, nat. Italy. August. Willd.

Host. ii. t. 30.

humilis, ann. dwarf, nat. Iberia. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 522.
virens, ami. green, nat. Spain. August. Linn. Spec. 103.
spicata, arm. spiked.
Monspessulana, Montpellier, nat. France. July. Allion. Pe-

dem. n. 2220.
rubra, ann. red, nat. India. JB. maxima, var. Decand. Fl. Fr. iii.

n. 1625. - Hort. Gram. Wob.

SPARTINA. Cord-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,
(3-valved R. S. L. Sys.), 1 -flowered, unequal, keeled, very
acute ; corolla 2-valved, husks awnless ; bifid emarginate, and
toothed shorter than the calyx; nectary rather truncated,
fringed ; styles long, combined, separate above, stigma woolly ;

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 91

seed loose, covered by the corolla ; spikets pointing oneway,
inserted in double rows; spike compound; Linn. Syst. Veg. ii.
10.

SPARTINA cynosuroides, per. dog's-tail-like cord-grass, nat.
North Amer. Dactylis cynosuroides, Hort. Kew. i. 160.
Hort. Gram. Wob. Flo. Bor. Amer. i. 64. Limnetis cyno-
suroides, Pers. Sprengel.

stricta, per. upright cord-grass, nat. of England, Smith, Eng.
Fl. Linn. Willd. Trachynotia cynosuroides, Mich. Dac-
tylis cynosuroides, Loeffling, It. Hisp. 115. 66. Dactylis
stricta, Huds. Angl. 43. Limnetis pungens, Pers. Syik i.
72.

alterniflora, per. alternate-flowered cord-grass, nat. of moist
pastures, Bayonne. Trachynotia alterniflora, Decand.
Flor. Franc. Suppl. 279. n. 2094.

polystachya, per. many-spiked cord-grass, nat. of New England.

Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 262. Trachynotia polystachya, Mich.

Fl. Bor. Amer. 64. Limnetis polystachya, Pers. Syn. i.

72.

pumila, per. dwarf cord-grass, nat. Circa Noveboracum. Linn.

Syst. Veget. ii. 262.

juncea, per. rush-like cord-grass, nat. of North America. Dac-
tylis patens, Hort. Kew. i. 160. Hort. Gram. Wob. Fo. pp.
270, 271. Trachynotia juncea, Mich. Fl. Bor. Am. i. 64.
Limnetis juncea, Pers. Syn. i. 72. — See Dactylis patens,
fasciculata, per. bundle-spiked cord-grass, nat. of America, in

warm situations. Linn. Syst. Veg. ii. 263.
geniculata, per. knee-jointed cord-grass, nat. of Java. Dactylis
geniculata, Willd. Spec. i. 409. Spartina geniculata, Linn.
Syst. Veg. ii. 263.

DACTYLIS. Cock's-foot-grass. Generic character: corolla
awned at the summit, lanceolate, keeled, compressed, inner
valve folded, 2-ribbed ; seed loose, oblong ; calyx compressed,
taper-pointed, unequal. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 40. Seed naked,
depressed on one side, and convex on the other.
glomerata, per. round-headed cock's-foot, indig. June and till
August. Sm. Eng. Fl. i. p. 134. E. Bot. 335. Hort.
Gram. Fo. 8.

maritima, per. sea, nat. Germ. July. Flo. Ger. i. p. 313.
cynosuroides, per. American cock's-foot, nat. N. America. Hort.
Kew. i. 160. October. Sec Spartina.

92 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

DACTYLIS stricta, per. upright, indig. August. E. Bot. 380.
Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 135, Spartina stricta, which see.

patens, per. spreading cock's-foot, nat. N. Amer. July and Au-
gust. Hort. Kew. i. p 160. Spartina juncea,, R. S. L. Sys.
Veg. Hort. Gram. Fo. 271, Dactylis patens. See Spar-
tina juncea.

hispida, ann. hispid, nat. S. of Europe. Koelaria hispida, R.
S. Linn. Sys. Veg. 624. Cynosurus phleoides, Desfont.

brachystachya, ann. Koelaria avenacea, P. de Beauv. Festuca
phleoides, Bromus phleoides, F. cristata, Panicum Astra-
canicum, &c. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 625.

macilenta, ann. barren, nat. France, ibid. Koelaria macilenta.

glaucescens, per. glaucous, nat. Venice, ibid. 626. July.

Hispanica, per. Spanish, nat. S. of Europe, ibid. July.

glauca,per. deep glaucous, nat. ,ibid. 627.

littoralis, per. sea-side. See Festuca littoralis.

repens, per. creeping, nat. Africa. Desfont. Fl. Atlant. i. p. 79.
t. 15 — . Poa tunetana. Spreng.

lavis, per. smooth, nat. C. G. Hope. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 629.

ciliaris, per. ciliated, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.

villosa, per. villous, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.

serrata, per. serrated, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.

hispida , per. hispid, nat. C. Hope, ibid.

memphitica, per. bristly-leaved, nat. Egypt, 630.

lagopodoides, per. nat. Malabar, ibid.

brevifolia, per. short-leaved, nat. Malabar, ibid.

pungens, ann. pointed, nat. Barbary. Sesleria echinata, Lam.
Illustr. n. 1097, t. 47, fig. 2.

spicata, ann. spiked, nat. Barbary, in rice grounds. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 631.

ELYMUS. Lyme-grass. Generic character : calyx lateral, 2-
valved, in twos or threes, many-flowered ; corolla 2-valved,
spear-shaped, exterior acuminate or awned, interior valve
smaller, flat, awnless ; seed covered, convex on one side, and
strap-shaped.

arenarius, per. sea lyme-grass, indig. July. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 177. E. Bot. 1672. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 72, n. 253.

Europaus, per. barley-like lyme-grass, indig. June and July.
Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 178. E. Bot. 1317. Triticum syl-
vaticum, Salisb. Prodr. p. 27. Hordeum cylindricum, Murr.
Gcetting. p. 43. Hordeum sylvaticum. Vill. Delph. ii.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 93

p. 175. Hordeum Europium, All. Ped. ii. p. 60. Hordeum

montanum, Schrank. Hall. Hist. n. 1537.
ELYMUS geniculatus, per. jointed lyme-grass, indig. July and

August. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 177. E. Bot 1586. Hort.

Gram . Fo. 269.
giganteus, per. tall lyme-grass, nat. N. America. August.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 176.
Sibericus, per. Siberian, nat. Siberia. July. Hort. Kew. i.

p. 176. Hort. Gram. Fo. 265.
Philadelphicus, per. Philadelphian lyme-grass, nat. N. America.

July. Hort. Kew. i. p. 176. Hort. Gram. Fo. 261.
Canadensis, per. Canadian lyme-grass, nat. N. America. July

and August. Hort. Kew. i. p. 177. R. F. W.
Virginicus, per. Virginian lyme-grass, nat. Virginia. June and

July. Hort. Kew. i. p. 177.
striatus, per. striated lyme-grass, nat. N. America. June and

July. Hort. Kew. i. p. 177. Hort. Gram. Fo. 263.
caput-medus<£, ann. Portuguese lyme-grass, nat. Portugal. July.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 177.
hystrix, per. rough lyme-grass, nat. Levant. July and August.

Hort. Kew. i. p. 177. Hort. Gram. Fo. 267.
tener, per. tender lyme-grass, nat. Siberia. July and August,

Linn. Spec. 125.
sabulosus, per. gravelly, nat. Caucasus. R. S. Linn. Sys. i.

p. 774.

racemosus, per. nat. ? Poiret, Enc. Meth. Suppl.

glaucifolius, per. grey-leaved, nat. America. Pursh. Fl. Amer.

Sept. i. p. 89.

villosus, per. villous, nat. Virginia, ibid.
crinitus, ann. long-awned, nat. Hungary. Smyrnia, R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 778.
intermedius, ann. intermediate, nat. Iberia, ibid.

pauciftorus, ann. few -flowered, nat. ? ibid.

junceus, per. rush-leaved, nat. Siberia, ibid. p. 779.
hordeiformis, per. barley-like, nat. ? Cultiv. Paris gardens,

ibid.

pilifer, per. nat. Aleppo. RusselPs voyage, v. ii. p. 149, ibid.
Carolinianus ? per. Walt. Fl. Carol, ibid.

subulatus? per. nat. Egypt, ibid. Gmelin, Sys. Veg. i. p. 198.
mollis,per. soft-spiked lyme-grass. Brown MSS. R. F. W.

94 HORTUS GRAMINKUS WOBURNENSIS.

FESTUCA. Fescue-grass. Generic character: calyx 2-valved,
many-flowered, containing the florets in a slender spike;
valves acuminate, the interior the least; corolla 2-valved ex-
terior valve larger than the calyx, acuminate or awned ; seed
acute at both ends, slender and oblong,

ovina, per. sheep's fescue, indig. May and June. E. Bot. 585.

Hort. Gram. Fol. 129. R. F. W. B. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 139.

a. violacea, per. violet, indig. May, June. Schenodorus viola-

ceus, Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 704.
(3. ovina hordeiformis, per. long-awned sheep's fescue. Hort.

Gram. Fol. 36.
tenuifolia, per. slender-leaved, indig. May and June. Leers. Her-

born, t. 8, f. 4. Sm. Engl. Fl. var. F. ovina.
vivipara, per. viviparous fescue, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 140. E. Bot. 1355. Hort. Gram. Fo. 133.
nigrescens, per. blackish, nat. Switz. alpine pastures. Scheno-
dorus nigrescens, Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 705.
rubra, per. creeping-rooted, indig. June and July. E. Bot. 2056.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 133.

Cambrica, var. per. Welsh Fescue, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.p. 142.
var. Festuca rubra ; this . variety is permanent. Wither.
Arr. June. Hort. Gram. Fo. 33.
glabra, var. per. smooth fescue, indig. Wither. Arr. and Light.

June. Hort. Gram. Fo. 63. Fest. glabra.
dumetorum, var. per. pubescent indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 141.
var. F. duriuscula ; this is a permanent variety. Wither.
Arr. June and July. Hort. Gram. Fo. 135.
duriuscula, per. hard fescue, indig. June and July. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. 141. Festuca heterophylla, Willd. i. 368. E. Bot. 470.
Hort. Gram. Fo. 30.

a. duriuscula oliganthos, per. soft-leaved. F. heterophylla, Spreng.
/3. duriuscula polyanthus, per. mealy-rooted, Gaud. 1. c.
7. duriuscula laevigata, per. smooth. Host. Gram. ii. p. 62. t. 87.
d. duriuscula grandiflora, per. numerous-flowered.
bromoides, ann. brome-like fescue, indig. June and July. E.

Bot. 1411.
myurus, ann. capon's-tail, or wall-fescue, indig. July. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 143. E. Bot. 1412. Hort. Gram. Fo. 139.
uniglumis, ann. single-husked, indig. June and July. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 143. E. Bot. 1430.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 95

FESTUCA calamaria, per. reed-like fescue, indig. June and July.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 145. E. Bot. 1005, Flo. Ger. Festuca

sylvatica. Schenodorus calamarius, R. S. L. S. V. Festuca

decidua, var. F. calamaria, E. Bot.
arundinacea, per. nat. Sweden ? cult, by Mr. Taunton, Cheam,

and also in Hort. Wob. Sehenodorus arundinacea, R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 700.
pratensis, per. meadow-fescue, indig. July. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 147. E. Bot. 1592. Schenodorus pratensis, ibid. p. 698.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 24.
elatior sterilis, per. barren-seeded tall fescue. Hort. Gram.

Fol. 255.
elatior fertilis, per. tall fescue, indig. July. E. Bot. 1593.

Schenodorus elatior, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 699. Hort.

Gram. Fo. 257.
c&rulescens , per. bluish, nat. Barbary. ibid., allied to Festuca

elatior, but awnless and smooth.
loliacea, per. darnel-like fescue, indig. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 146.

June and July. E. Bot. 1821. Hort. Gram. Fol. 61. Sche-
nodorus loliaceus, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. p. 703.
compressa, per. compressed, nat. France, ibid., p. 701. Scheno-
dorus compressus, ibid.
calycina, ami. bearded-leaved, nat. Spain. August. Hort. Kew. i.

p. 166.
unioloides, ann. uniola-like fescue ; nat. N. America. June and

July. Hort. Kew. i. p. 166.
gigantea, per. gigantic fescue-grass, indig. July and August.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 145. E. Bot. 1820. Festuca triflora,

Curt. Lond. Bromus giganteus. Sm. Tr. of Linn. Soc. viii.

276. j3. Bromus triflorus.
spadicea, per. Gerard's fescue, nat. Germ. June till August.

Host. iii. t. 20. Poa Gerardii, Allion. Ped. Smith in Linn.

Soc. Trans, i. p. 113. Schenodorus spadicea, R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 700.

sylvatica, per. See Festuca calamaria et Bromus sylvaticus.
Jlavescens, per. yellow fescue, nat. Hungary. May.
littoralis, per. sea-side, nat. Greece. Smith, Fl. Gr. i.p. 61. n. 213.
pinnata, per. See Bromus pinnatus.
gracilis, per. See Bromus sylvaticus.
distachyos, ann. See Bromus distachyos.
monostachyos, ami. one-rowed, nat. Barbary, R. S. L. S. V. i. .713.

96 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

FESTUCA cynosuroides, ann. dog's-tail-like fescue, nat. Barbary,

R. S. L. S. V. i. 1713.
Fenas, ann. Fena, nat. Murcia, said to be excellent food for

horses and mules, ibid., p. 714.
capillata, ann. fine-leaved, nat. S. France, ibid.
intermedia, per. intermediate fescue, nat.
a. stricta,per. upright variety. Host. Gram.
f3. hirsuta, per. hairy-awned variety. Host. Gram.
Halleri, per. Haller's, nat. Alps, Switzerland. R. S. Linn. Syst.

Veg. i. p. 716.

longifolia, per. long-leaved, nat. Italy, ibid.
curvula,per. curved-leaved, nat. Switzerland, ibid. p. 718.
alpina,per. alpine, nat. Switzerland, ibid.
arenaria, per. sea-side, indig., sands, Skegness, Lincolnshire.
plebeja,per. short-jointed, nat. Van Diemen. Brown.
amethystina, per. blue, indig. var. F. tenuifolia.
picta,per. painted, nat. Hungary, ibid. p. 719.
reptatrix, per. creeping, nat. Arabia.
varia,per. various, nat. Alps of Europe, ibid.
Eskia,per. complicated-leaved, nat. Pyrennees, ibid., p. 720.
glauca, per. glaucous, nat. dry sandy-soils, Hort. Gram. Fo, 137.

France and Switzerland, ibid.

pallem,per. pale, nat. Hungary, Austria, ibid. 721.
Pungens, per. pointed, nat. Alps, ibid.
Valesiaca, per. crowded-panicled, nat. Switz., ibid.
Pannonica,per. Hungarian, nat. Hungary, ibid.
Xanthina, per. light yellow, nat. Switz. .F. Flavescens, Gaud.

June.

alpestris,per. wild, nat. Tyrol, sub Alps, ibid.
punctoria, per. dotted, nat. Greece. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 722.
heterophylla,per. various-leaved, nat. s. Alps, Europe. R. S. L.

S. V. p. 724. See Festuca duriuscula.
vaginata, per. sheathed, nat. Hungary, ibid.
nutans,per. nodding, nat. America. Pursh.
alopecuros, ann. fox-tail-like, nat. Barbary. Schousb. Marocc.

July, Sept. Hort. Gram. Fo. 209. i. p. 281. Willd. en. i.

p. 117.
ciliata, ann. ciliated, nat. Portugal. R. S. Linn. Syst. Veg. i.

p. 728.

blepharophora, per. broad-leaved, nat. E. Indies, ibid.
delicatula, ann. delicate, nat. Austria, ibid. 279.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WQBURNENSIS. 97

FESTUCA stipoides, ann. stipa-like, nat. Majorca. R. &. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 729.

Balearica, per. nat. Balearic Islands, ibid. 730.
laxa,per. loose-panicled, nat, Switz., ibid.
rubens, per. See Bromus rubens.
scabra,per. rough, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid. p. 732.
Mexicana, ann. Mexican, nat. Mexico, ibid.
pauciflora, ann. thin-flowered, nat. Japan, ibid.
miser a, ann. miserable fescue, nat. Japan, ibid.
Indica, ann. Indian, nat. India, rice-grounds.
cespitosa, ann. turfy, nat. New Year Island.
andicola, ann. frigid, nat. S. Amer., ibid. 733.
Tolucensis, per. Toluca, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
procera, per. tall, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
quadridentata, per. four-toothed, nat. S. Amer., ibid. 734.
dasyantha,per. nat. at the confines of perpetual snow on Mount

Cotopaxi. * Dubia, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 734.
phalaroides, per. phalaris-like, nat. France, ibid.
grandiflora, per. great-flowered, nat. Carolina, ibid. p. 735.
jlabellata, per. waving, nat. Straits of Magellan, ibid.
arenaria, per. sand, nat. Straits of Magell., ibid.
capillifolia, per. fine-leaved, nat. fissures of rocks near Moxente,

ibid.

montana, per. mountain, nat. Mount Pisano, ibid.
fallax, per. uncertain, nat. about Paris, ibid.
compacta, per. compact, nat. Aleppo, ibid.
glomerata, per. glomerate, nat. Aleppo, ibid.

bracteata, per. bracteated, nat. ? Cult, in gardens.

serotina, per. Schrad. Fl. Ger. See Bromus strictus. Nat. Mont-

pelier.
patula,per. spreading, nat. Barbary. Desfont., Poiret, et R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. t. 710.

obtusa, per. obtuse, nat. America, Spreng. et ibid.
latifolia, per. broad-leaved. Decand. Hort. Monsp. 1813, p. iii.

et ibid.
quadridens,per. four-toothed, nat. America. Poiret, Enc: Meth.

Suppl. ii. p. 640.
pulchella, per. fair, nat. Germ. Schrad. Fl. Germ. i. p. 336. Sche-

nodorus Scheuchzeri, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 703.
nutans, per. nodding, panicled, nat. Germ. Host. iv. t. 61.

Schenod. nutans, ibid.

H

98 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

FESTUCA aurata, per. pale yellow, nat. Switz. R. S. Linn,

Sys. Veg. i. p. 705.
nigrescens, per. blackish, nat. Switzerland. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 705. Festuca rubra, Sut. Fl. Helv. i. p. 55.
po&formis, per. meadow-grass-like, nat. France and Switzerland,

ibid.
Americana, per. American, nat. near the river S. Lawrence, ibid.

p. 706.

pumila, per. dwarf, nat. Europe, ibid.
nitida,per. shining, nat. Alps, ibid.
littoralis, per. sand, nat. Van Diemen. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 178,

hab. Triodce.

spicata, Pursh, per. ? spiked, nat. Amer. watery places.
tenella, Pursh, ann. eight or nine-flowered, nat. Amer. sandy

soils.
Bonariensis, aim. Buenos Ayres, nat. S. Amer. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 709.

triflora, ann. three-flowered, ibid.

BROMUS. Brome-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved,
many-flowered, valves ovate-oblong : corolla 2-valved, valves
spear-shaped ; exterior valve concave, obtuse, bifid, putting
out a straight awn below the top or apex; seed oblong,
covered.
mollis, ann. soft annual brome-grass, indig. Sm. Eng. Fl. i.

p. 153. May and June. E. Bot. 1078. Hort. Gram. Fo.59.
multiftorus, ann. many-flowered brome-grass, indig. June and

July. E. Bot. 1884. Hort. Gram. Fo. 57. Bromus, var.

mollis, exclude Bromus multiflorus, E. Bot. 1884. — Bromus

velutinus, Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 152.
secalinus, ann. smooth rye brome-grass, indig. June and July.

E. Bot. 1171. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 151.
arvensis, ann. field brome-grass, indig. July. E. Bot. 920.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 55. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 154, Bromus

racemosus.
lanceolatus, ann. spear brome-grass, nat. coast of the Caspian

Sea. Hort Kew. i. p. 167.

squarrosus, ann. corn brome-grass, indig. July. E. Bot. 1885.
purgans, ann. purging brome-grass, nat. Canada. July. Hort. i.

p. 167. R.F.W.
inermis, per. smooth awnless brome-grass, nat. Germ. July.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 99., Host. i. t. 9. Schenodorus inermis.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 99

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 701. Festucd speciosa, Schreb.

Festuca poeeoides, Thuill. et Pers. Festuca Leysseri,

Moerick.
BROMUS asper, ann. hairy wood brome-grass, indig. July

and August. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 158. Engl. Bot. p. 1172.

Curt. Lond. Bro. hirsutus.
littoreus, ann. sea-side brome-grass. Hort. Gram. Fo. 259.

Host. Gram. vii. t. 8.
sterilis, ann. barren brome-grass, indig. June and July. Sm.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 159. E. Bot. 1030. Hort. Gram. Fo. 177.
erectus,per. upright brome-grass, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 157. E. Bot. 471. Hort. Gram. Fo. 95.
strictus, per. straight, nat. Europe. Sckenodorusserotinus, R. S.

Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 702.
tectorum, ann. nodding brome-grass, nat. Germ. June. Host. i.

t. 15. Hort. Gram. Fo. 181.
rubens, ann. Spanish brome-grass, nat. Spain. June. Host. i.

t. 18.
racemosus, ann. branching brome-grass, indig. June. E. Bot.

1984. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. 156. Bromus versicolor, Pollich. i. 109.
diandrus, ann. upright annual brome-grass, indig. July. Sm.

Engl. Flo. i. p. 160. E. Bot. 1006. Host. Gram. i. t. 17,

B. madritensis. Hort. Gram. Fo. 179, B. diandrus.
sylvaticus, per. wood brome-grass, indig. August. E. Bot.

729. Hort. Gram. Fo. 273. Willd. and Mart. Festuca

sylvatica. Brachypodium sylvaticum, R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. p. 740.
cristatus, per. crested brome, indig. July. Agropyrum cris-

tatum, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 758. Hort. Gram. Fo. 205.

See Triticum cristatum.
pinnatus, per. spiked brome-grass, indig. July. E. Bot. 730.

Flo. Ger. Festuca pinnatum. Brachypodium pinnatum, R.

S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 736. Hort. Gram. Fo. 275, Bro-
mus pinnatus. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 150, Fes. pinnata.
rupestris, per. rock, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. iv. 10, t. 5.

Brack, rupestre, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.
cespitosus, per. turfy, nat. Germ. Host. iv. p. ll,t. 18. Brack.

cespitosum, ibid.
ramosus, per. branching. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 64, n. 224.

Brack, ramosum, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. 737,

100 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

BROMUS distachyos, ann. two-rowed brome-grass, nat. Germ.

Host. i. t. 20. Flo. Ger. Festuca distachyos.
Phanicoides, per. Phoenician, nat. France. Brack. Ph&nicoides,

ibid.
giganteus, per. tall or gigantic brome-grass. See Festuca gigantea.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 277.
elongatus, ann. elongated, nat. Switzerland, rare. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 634. Decand. Fl. Fr. Supplem. p. 275.

n. 1629. «. Bromus pratensis, Murrith, Bot. Val. p. 56.
commutatus, ann. altered, nat. Europe. July, August, ibid.

Bromus multiftorus, Willd. i. p. 428.
velutinus, ann. See Bromus multiftorus.
Gaudini, ann. Gaudin's, nat. Switzerland, ibid.

simplex, ann. simple panicled, nat. ? ibid. p. 636.

confertus, ann. heaped panicled, nat. Iberia. August, ibid.

Biebersteinii, per. Biberstein's, nat. Caucasus, ibid. p. 638.

Canadensis, per. Canadian, nat. Canada, ibid.

pectinatus, per. comb, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.

arenarius, per. sand, nat. N. Holl. Brown, Prodr. i. p. 178.

Australis, per. Southern, nat. N. Holl., ibid.

lanceolatus, ann. spear-leaved, nat. Canaries. Willd. Spec. i.

p. 429.
lanuginosus, ann. woolly, nat. France. B. divaricatus, Decand.

Fl. Fr. Suppl. p. 276, n. 1632.
wolgensis, ann. large spiketed, nat. S. of France. Hort. Wob.

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. p. 640.
laxus, per. loose panicled, nat. ? Willd. En. H. Berol.

Suppl. p. 6.
Japonicus, ann. Japan, nat. Japan. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 641.
macrostachyus, ann. nat. Africa, ibid.

alopecuroides, ann. foxtail, nat. ? ibid.

pubescens, per. pubescent, nat. Pennsylvania, ibid. p. 642.

cat harticus, per. cathartic, nat. Lima, ibid.

pendulinus, ann. pendulous, nat. N. Spain. B. compressus,

Elench. H. Reg. Matrit. 1805.
glaucus, per. glaucous, nat. Pyrenees. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 644.

montanus, per. mountain, ibid. p. 645.
longiflorus, ann. long-flowered. August. Cult. Hort. Wob.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 101

BROMUS verticillatus, ami. whirled-panicled, nat. Arragon. R.

S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 645.
pollens, ami. pale-coloured, nat. Manilla, ibid.
ciliatus, per. ciliated, nat. Canada, ibid.
segetum, ann. marshy, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p. 123.
pitensis, ann. tufty-culmed, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
matritensis. See J3. diandrus.
ligusticus, ann. tongue-panicled, nat. Italy. July. Cult. Hort.

Wob., ibid.

Micheli, ann. Michel's, nat. Florence, ibid.
multispicatus, ann. many-spiked, nat. Spain, ibid.
rigidus, ann. rigid. See B. rubens.
pilosus, per. pilose, nat. S. of. Europe. B. maximus, Roth. i.

p. 114, ibid.

jubatus,per. bearded, nat. Virginia, ibid. p. 652.
maximus, ann. great-spiked, nat. France, ibid. Cult. Hort.

Wob.

geniculatus, ann. jointed, nat. Portugal, ibid. 652.
rigens, ann. nat. Portugal, ibid.

hordeiformis, ann. barley-like, nat. Portugal, ibid. p. 653.
scoparius, bien. broom, nat. Spain, ibid.
* Doubtful Species,
avenaceus, bien. oat-like. Lam., ibid. Has the habit of Avena

pratensis.

po&formis, ann. poa-like, nat. Amer., ibid.
festucoides, ann. fescue-like, nat. Portugal, ibid.
tomentosus, ann. tomentose. Rhode.
hirtus, ann. hairy, ibid. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 654.
dactyloides, ann. cock's-foot-like, ibid.

polystachyus, ann. many-rowed, ibid. Frosk. Nat. Egypt.
jubatus, ann. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 651.
Phoenix, ann. ibid.
massiliensis, ann. Frosk., ibid.
scaberrimus, ann. roughish-flowered, nat. Italy. Fl. Neap. p. 10.

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 655.
lividus, ann. bright lead-coloured, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et

Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 122.
lanatus, ami. woolly, nat. S. Amer., ibid. Schenodorus lanatus,

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 708.
procerus, ann. tall, ibid. Sch. procerus, R. S. L. S. V. p. 708.

102 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

BROMUS unioloides, ann. uniola-like, nat. Amer., ibid. Schen.

unioloides, R. S. L. S. V. 709.
caldasii, ann. hot-water brome, ibid. Schen. caldasii, R. S. L.

S. V. 709.

AVENA. Oat-grass. Generic character : calyx 2-valved, many-
flowered, florets loosely collected ; corolla 2-valved, valves
spear-shaped, exterior valve awned ; awn from the back of
the valve twisted and jointed ; seed covered firmly by the
corolla husk.
provincialis, ann. Provence oat-grass, nat. France. Danthonia

provincialis, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 689. Var. Av. spicata,

Willd. Av. calycina, Vill.
strigosa, ann. meagre oat-grass, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl.

163. E. Bot. 1266. Danthonia strigosa, R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 691. Avena nervosa, Lam. Avena alta, Cavan. Av.

Hispanica. Av. Freyta. Av. agraria, &c.
brevis, ann. short, nat. Germ. June. Host. iii. t. 42.
alba, per. white, nat. France. Decand. Fl. Fr. Suppl. p. 259.
sterilis, ann. barren oat, nat. Germ. May and June. Host. ii.

t. 57.

hirsuta, ann. hairy, nat. ? cultivated in Europe.

Orientalis, ann. Turkey oat, nat. Germ. July. Host. iii. t. 44.
elephantina, ann. nat. C. G. Hope. Thunb. Prodr. i. p. 437.
nuda, ann. naked or pilcorn, indig. July. Wither. Arr. ii. 164.

Cultivated in Cornwall. Ray.
fatua, ann. bearded oat, or haver, indig. August. E. Bot. 2221.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 162.
tennis, ann. slender oat, nat. Germ. June. Host. ii. t. 55.

Trisetum tenui, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 657.
sativa nigra, arm. cultivated black oat. July and August.
sativa alba, ann. cultivated white oat. July. Flo. Rust. t. 79.

Bauh. Pinx. 23.

sativa Georgiana, Georgian oat.
Pennsylvanica, ann. Pennsylvanian oat, nat. North America.

Linn. Spec. 117. Trisetum Pennsylvamcum, R. S. L. S. Veg.
Siberica, ann. Siberian oat, nat. Siberia. Linn. Spec. 117. Stipa

Sibirica, R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i. p. 338.
Loefflingiana, ann. Spanish oat, nat. Spain. July. Linn. Spec.

118. Trisetum Loefflingiana, ibid. p. 661.
fragilis, ann. brittle, nat. Germ, and Spain. June. Host. ii.

t. 54. Gaudinia fragilis. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 694.

HQRTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 103

AVENA sempervirens,per. evergreen oat ; nat. Germ. June. Host.

iii. t. 41.
fallax,per. fallacious, nat. Pyrenees. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 672. Avena sempervirens, Decand. Syn. p. 126.
Jlavescens, per. yellow oat, golden oat, indig. June and July.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 39. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. 166. E. Bot. 952.

Trisetum Jlavescens, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 664.
pratensis, per. meadow oat, indig. June and July. E. Bot. 1204.

Hort. Gram. Fo. 201. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 164.
pubescens, per. downy oat, indig. June and July. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 164. E. Bot. 1640. Hort. Gram. Fo. 167. Trisetum

pubescens, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 662.
alpestris, per. rock oat, nat. Germ. August. Host. v. iii. t. 39.

Trisetum alpestre, ibid. p. 665.

brevifolia,per. short-leaved, nat. Germ. Host. iii. t. 40. Trise-
tum brevifoliiim, ibid. p. 665.
distichophylla, per. fan-leaved, nat. Germ. May and June. Host.

ii. t. 53. Trisetum distichophyllum, ibid. p. 666.
planiculmis, per. broad-stalked, indig. July and August. E.

Bot. 2141. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 165, Avena alpina. Trisetum

alpinum, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. p. 166.
alpina, per. great alpine oat-grass, Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 165. See

Avena planiculmis.
versicolor, per. various-coloured oat, nat. Germ. August. Host.

ii. t. 52. A. Scheuchzeri.
spicata, per. spiked, nat. Carolina. Avena glumosa ? Pursh, et

Mich. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 690, Danthonia spicata.
lupulina, per. lupine, nat. C. G. Hope. Thunb. F. Cap. i. p. 23.

Danthonia lupulina, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 690.
purpurea, per. purple, nat. Martinico. Danthonia purpurea, ibid.
calucina, per. shining-husked, nat. C. G. Hope. Danthonia

calycina, ibid.
setacea, per. bristly, nat. New Holl. Brown. Danthonia setacea,

ibid.
pauciflora, per, few-flowered, nat. New Holl. Brown, Danthonia

pauciflora, Van Diemen, ibid.
paradoxa, per. doubtful, nat. Port Jackson. Brown, Danthonia

paradox a.

longifolia, per. long-leaved, nat, Port Jackson. Brown, Dan-
thonia longifolia.
pallida,per. pale, nat. Port Jackson. Brown, Danthonia pallida.

104 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

AVENA pilosa, per. pilose, nat. Port Jackson. Brown, Danthonia

pilosa.
glauca,per. glaucous, nat. Mount d'Esquierry. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 672.

striata, per. striated, nat. America. Mich. ibid.
pallem, per. pale, nat. Portugal. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 672.
amethystina, ann. blue, nat. France (alps of Provence), ibid.
subulata, ann. alpine, nat. France, ibid. Av. setacea, Decandolle,

Fl. Fr.
palustris, ann. marsh, nat. Carolina. Mich, et Pursh. R. S. L.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 673.
hispida, ann. hispid, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid. Av. Capensis, Burm.

Prodr. p. 3. Anthistiria hispida, Thunb. Fl. Cap. i. p. 403.
bromoides, ann. brome-like, nat. Spain, Italy, and the south of

France, ibid.

caryophylla,per. pink-leaved, nat. Greece. Smith, Fl. Gr. i. p. 403.
latifolia, per. broad-leaved, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. iv. t. 32.

Av. planiculmis, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 675.
pumila, ann. dwarf, nat. Mascar, ibid.
mollis, ann. soft-downy, nat. Canada. Mich. Fl. Bor. Amer. i.

p. 72.
quadriseta, ann. four-awned. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 676.

Nat. Van Diemen. Brown. Prodr. Ag. quadriseta.
nervosa, ann. nerved, nat. Van Diemen. Brown. Prodr. i. p. 178.
antarctica, ann. antarctic, nat. C. G. Hope. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 676.
Cavanillesii, ami. Cavanille's, nat. Spain and Portugal, ibid.

p. 677. Stipa arenaria, Brotero. Stipa gigantea, Link, in

Schrad. Journ. 1799. iv. p. 313.
hirtula, ann. small hairy, nat. ? Av. strigosa(t R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 677.

filifolia, per. slender-leaved, nat. Spain, ibid.
scabriuscula, ann. roughish, nat. Germ., ibid. •
coquimbensis, ann. pilose-flowered, nat. S. Amer. R. S. Linn.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 677.
neglecta, ann. neglected, nat. Italy and Spain. Trisetum ne-

glectum, ibid. p. 660. Hort. Wob.
triseta, ann. villous, nat. C. G. Hope. Wilid. Spec. i. p. 445.

Trisetum villosum, ibid. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. p. 657.
Forskali, ann. Forsk's, nat. Egypt. Pers. Syn. i. p. 100. T. For-

skali, ibid. 658.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 105

AVENA trisetaria, ann. small-linear, nat. Egypt. Frosk. Flo.

Egypt. Arab. p. 27, n. 99. Trisetaria.
lutea, ann. yellowish, nat. Martinico. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 659. Trisetum luteum.
parviftora, ann. small-flowered, nat. Italy, Africa, ibid. Trisetum

parviftorum.
micrantha, ann. minute-flowered, nat. Europe, ibid. Tri. micran-

thum, Av. parviflorum, Desfont. In gardens, Festuca uni-

glumis, et Bromus ligusticus.
alopecuroides, ann. foxtail-like, nat. ? Trisetum alopecuros,

R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 660.

panicea, ann. bearded-sheathed, nat. Oporto, Link. ibid.
Pourreti, ann. hispid-awned, nat. Spain, ibid. Trisetum Pour-

reti.
rigida, per. rigid, nat. Caucasus. Avena sesquitertia, M. a Bie-

berst. Trisetum rigidum, ibid.
carpathica, per. creeping-rooted, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. iv.

t. 31.
fusca, per. dark brown, nat. Germ. R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 664.

Trisetum fuscum .

aristidioides,per. nat. C. G. Hope. Willd. Spec. i. p. 444. Tri-
setum aristidioides, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 667.
arenaria, per. sand, nat. Damascus, in sandy places. Trisetum

arenarium, ibid. p. 667.
macra, per. meagre, nat. Iberia. Marsch. a Bieberst. Fl. Taur.

Cauc. i. pp. 77, 420. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 667. Tri-
setum macrum. In the south it varies with six flowers ;

the culm is scarcely the height of a finger's length ; the

awn is divaricate ; the florets are about the size of those

of the Avena flavescens, ibid.

CYNOSURUS. Dog's-tail grass. Generic character : calyx
2-valved, 2 to 5-flowered ; corolla 2-valved, valves linear,
spear-shaped, exterior awnless, or with an awn terminating
the apex ; seed covered by the corolla, the spikelets in most
species with leaflets on one side (involucre), or husks on a
leaf-stalk (stipata).
cristatus, per. crested dog's-tail grass, indig. June and July.

Sm. Eng. Fl. i. p. 137. E. Bot. t. 316. Hort. Gram. Fo. 26.
multibracteatus, per. many-bracteated, nat. Barbary. R. S. L.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 518.
paniculatus, per. panicled, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid.

106 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

CYNOSURUS uniole, per. uniola-like, nat. C. G. Hope. R. S. L.
Sys. Veg. i. p. 518. Triticum Capense, Sprag.

floccifolius, per. alternate bearded-leaved, nat. Arabia. Willd.
Spec. i. p. 416.

ternatus, per. three-spiculed, nat. Arabia. Gmel. Sys. Veg. i.
p. 185?

uniflorus, per. one-flowered, nat. Carolina. Walt. Flo. Carol, p. 82.

lagopoides, per. leafy-culmed, nat. ? Gmel. Sys. Veg. i,

p. 185.

virgatus, arm. twigg, nat. S. Amer. Leptochloa virgata, R. S.
Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 618.

Domingensis, per. nat. St. Domingo, ibid. Leptochloa Domin-
gensis, ibid.

tenerrimus, ann. tender, nat. China. Leptochloa tenerrima, ibid,
p. 581. Cynosurus capillaris, Cynosurus capillaceus, Lep-
tochloa capillacea, &c.

monostachyus, ann. one-rowed, nat. E. Indies. Vahl. Symb. ii.
p. 20. Leptochloa^ Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 581. Chloris
monostachyus, Poiret.

Jiliformis, ann. slender, nat. India. Vahl. Leptochloa cynosu-
roides, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 579. Chloris jiliformis,
Poiret. Eleusine Jiliformis, Pers. Syn. i. p. 87.

c&ruleus, per. See Sesleria carulea.

falcatus, per. hooked-spiked, nat. C. G. Hope. Campuloa, R. S.
Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 517.

gracilis, ann. slender one-rowed, nat. Virginia. Campuloa mono-
stachya, ibid. 516.

hirsutus, ann. hairy, nat. C. G. Hope, ibid. Campuloa hirsuta,
Cynosurus falcata, Thunb. Dactyloctenium falcatum,
Willd. Enum. H. Berol. ii. p. 1030.

trisetus, ann. three-awned, nat. Mexico. Cynos. gracilis, Cavan. i.

t. 5. f. 3. JEgopogon trisetus, R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i. p. 805.
paspaloides, paspalum-like, nat. C. G. Hope, Jamaica, America.
Eustachys petraa. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 613. Agrostis
complanata, Hort. Kew. i. p. 96. Andropogon Capensis,
Houtt. Linn. Schultesia petr&a.

submuticus, ann. scarce-awned, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl.
Eustachys submutica.

Indicus, ann. Indian, nat. India. Linn. Sp. PL i. p. 106. In gar-
dens. Cynosurus pectinatus, et Panicum compressum, Pas-
plum dissect um of authors.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 107

CYNOSURUS mucronatus, ann. mucronate, nat. N. America.

Eleusine mucronata, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 582.
racemosus, ami. branching, nat. India* Eleusine racemosa, ibid.

p. 583.
echinatus, ann. rough-spiked, indig. June. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 137. E. Bot. t. 1333. Hort. Gram. Fo. 217. Chrysurus

echinatus, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 806.
Lima, ann. imbricated, nat. Spain. July. Linn. Spec. 105.

Dineba Lima, R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 712.
coracanus, ann. thick-spiked, nat. East Indies. August. Linn.

Spec. 106. Eleusine coracana, ibid. p. 581.
aureus, ann. golden dog's-tail grass, nat. Germ. Host. v. iii.

t. 4. Chrysurus cynosuroides, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 806.
erucaformis, per. linear-spiked, nat. Germ, and Hudson's Bay,

and Russia. Host. v. iii. t. 6. Beckmania eruciformis,

Hort. Gram. Fo. 89. C. eruciformis, R. F. W.
jEgypticus, ann. creeping, nat. Africa and Asia. August. Hort.

Kew, i. p. 163. Leptochloa mucronataf Linn. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 618.

durus, ann. See Paa dura.

CHLORIS. Green finch-grass. Generic character : florets
pointing one way, 3 to 6-flowered, terminating floret incom-
plete or abortive ; calyx, valves membranaceous, permanent ;
corolla, valves emarginate, inferior one quadrifid between
the lobes, bristled on the back midway ; spikelets filiform, 4 or
more. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg.

* Species one-flowered.

panicea, per. panic-like, nat. E. Indies. Willd. Spec. i. p. 923.
foliosa, per. leafy, nat. Porto Rico and Island of St. Thomas,

ibid. 924.
ciliata, ann. ciliated, nat. Jamaica, ibid. p. 925. Andropogon

pubescens, Hort. Kew.
radiata, ann. rayed, nat. S. Amer., in cultivated ground. Humb.

et Bonpl. Nov. Gener. et Spec. i. p. 134. Cynosurus scopa-

rius, Chloris scoparia, Agrostis radiata, Andropogon fascicu-

latus auctorum.
incompleta, ann. incomplete, nat. E. Indies. R. S. L. S. Veg. i.

p. 607.
pallida, ann. pale, nat. S. of France, ibid. Andropogon provin-

cialis, Retz, Obs.
barbata, ann. bearded, nat. E. Indies. R. L. S. Veg. i. p. 608.

108 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

CHLORIS polydactyla, ann. bundled-spiked, nat. S. Amer., ibid,

Andropogon barbatum, Linn.
elegans, ann. elegant, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov.

Gener. et Spec. i. p.^609.
compressa, ann. compressed, nat. S. of France. R. S. Linn. Sys.

Veg. i. p. 609.

pubescens, ann. pubescent, nat. Peru, ibid. p. 610.
ventricosa, ann. ventricose, nat. Port Jackson. Brown, Prodr. i.

p. 186.
truncata, ann. truncated, nat. Port Jackson, ibid. 1. c. R. S. L.

Sys. Veg. i. p. 610.

divaricata, arm. divaricated, nat. N. Holl. ibid.
pumilio, arm. dwarfish, nat. N. Holl., ibid. R. S. L. S. V. i. 610.

** Species many-flowered,
penicillata, ann. pencilled, nat. E. Indies, ibid. Cynosurus peni-

cillatus, Vahl.

prostrata, ami. prostrate, nat. Malabar, ibid. Dactylotenis pro-
strata, Rhabdochloam mucronatum, Chloris poly st achy a
auctorum.
tetrapogon, ann. nat. Cassam. Tetrapogon villosus, Desfont.

R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 611.
elongata, ann. elongated, nat. Timor, ibid.

filiformis, ann. slender, nat. ? ibid.

distichophylla, per. two-rowed, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
return, per. retuse-husked, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
dolichostachya, per. loose-bundled, nat. Philippine Isles, ibid.
crinita, ann. long-awned, nat. Philippine Isles, ibid.
- rufescens, ann. reddish, nat. Philippine Isles, ibid.

gracilis, per. slender, nat. S. Amer. Humb. et Bonpl. Nov. Gener.

et Spec. i. p. 136.

digitaria, ann. fingered, nat. S. Amer., ibid.
dubia,per. doubtful, nat. S. Amer., ibid. p. 137.
EUSTACHYS. Eustachys. Generic character ; calyx 2-valved,
2-flowered, inferior valve ovate, emarginate, awn bristly;
awn dorsal oblique, superior husk acute : corolla, unisexual
floret sessile, 2-valved, awnless, inferior husk mucronate,
superior acute, nearly bifid ; bisexual floret sub-pedicelled,
terminating, husks obtuse, awnless, sessile ; florets spiked,
fingered. R. S. L. S. Veg.
petraa. See Cynosurus paspaloides.
aubmutica. See Cynosurus submuticus.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 109

DIPLACHNE. Diplachne. Generic character : calyx 7-9-
flowered, apex of the superior valve mucronate ; corolla, in-
ferior valve bilacinate, bristly between the lobes or lacines,
superior subtruncated, emarginate ; panicle simple, branch-
ing, branches alternate, slender, or filiform. R. S. Linn. Sys.
Veg.
fascicularis, ann. bundled, nat. America, Illinois, ibid. Festuca

fascicularis, Lam.
fusca, ann. brown, nat. Egypt, ibid. Festuca fusca, Linn. Sp.

PI. i. p. 109.

ENNEAPOGON. Nine-bristled grass. Generic character : spikekts
scattered, 2-3-flowered : calyx, valves longer than the flowers,
inferior less ; corolla, exterior valve with 9 bristles, nearly
equal, margins bearded, superior valve awnless, entire, rather
obtuse ; style two-parted ; spike simple.
gracilis, ann. slender, nat. N. Holland. B. Prodr. i. p. 185.

Pappophorum gracile.
purpurascens, ann. purple, nat. N. Holland, ibid. Pap.purpu-

rascens.

pallidus, ann. pale, nat. N. Holland, ibid. Pap. pallidum.
nigricans, ann. blackish, nat. N. Holland, ibid. Pap. nigricans.
pMeoides, ann. cat's-tail, nat. S. America ? R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 616.

TRIR APHIS. Generic character : calyx 2 or many-flowered,
superior floret neuter ; corolla, inferior valve with 3 straight
awns rising from the apex, superior awnless ; panicle com-
pound ; spikelets 2-rowed. Brown.
pungens, ann. pungent, nat. N. Holland. Brown, Prodr. i. 185.

R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 617.
mollis, ann. soft, nat. N. Holland, ibid. R. S. L. Sys. Veg. i.

p. 617.

KOELERIA. Koeleria. Generic character: calyx 2-valved,
2-5-flowered, florets shorter ; corolla 2-valved, inferior, en-
tire, bristled, superior, bifid ; panicle spike-like, branches
heaped.

cristata, per. crested, indig. Aira cristata, Linn. Spec. p. 94.
Poa cristata, Willd. Spec. See Aira cristata, R. S. Linn.
Sys. Veg. i. p. 620.

/3. cristata pyramidalis, pyramidal. Poa pyramidalis, ibid.
7. cristata gracilis, slender, Poa nitida, Lam., ibid.
3. cristata grandifloraf larger-flowered, ibid.

110 HORTUS GRAMJNEUS WOBURNENSIS.

KOELERIA, e. cristata violacea, violet-coloured. R. S. Linn.
Sys. Veg. i. p. 620. In dry elevated soils, and on walls,
over Europe.

lobata,per. Dactylis lobata, Marsch. a Bieberst, • Fl. Taur. Cauc.

i. p. 67, n. 170. Aira cristata, Smith ? Aira glauca, Flo.

Germ. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 620. See Aira cristata.

glauca, per. glaucous, Aira glauca. Flon Germ. nat. sandy soils

near Wittenberg.
Pennsylvania, per. Pennsylvanian, nat. America. R. S. L. Sys.

Veg.i. p. 621.

albescens, per. whitish-coloured, nat. France, ibid. p. 622.
Valesiaca, per. smooth-culmed, nat. Switzerland, ibid. Aira

Valesiaca, All. auct.
setacea,per. bristly, nat. Spain, ibid. Koeleria tuberosa, Festuca

splendens, et Poa pectinata auctorum.
hirsuta, ann. hairy, nat. France. R. S. L. S. Veg. i. p. 622.

Aira hirsuta, Hall. Festuca hirsuta, Decand.
villosa, ann. villous, nat. Sweden. Koe. pubescens, Phalaris pu-
bescens, Phalaris Barrelieri, Aira pubescens, Alopecurus
littoreus, Holcus arenarius, et Aira ciliaris auctorum.
phleoides, per. cat's-tail, nat. N. of Europe. R. S. L. Sys. Veg.
i. p. 622. Festuca cristata, Linn. Spec. Festuca phleoides,
Poa phleoides, Bromus trivialis, Bromus alopecuroides, &c.
auctorum.

hispida, ann. hispid, nat. coast of the Mediterranean. Festuca
hispida, Cynosur us phleoides auctorum.

brachystachya, arm. nat. ? Koeleria avenacea, Festuca

phleoides, Bromus phleoides, Festuca cristata, Panicum
Astracanicum, Avena panicea, &c. auctorum.
macilenta, ann. nat. France. R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. i. p. 625.
AGROPYRUM. Agropyrum, or spurious wheat. Generic cha-
racter : 3-9-flowered, valves acute, shorter, entire ; corolla, in-
ferior valve entire, sometimes a little toothed, apex bristled,
the bristles often very short, or wanting, superior valve emar-
ginate or two-dented ; spike compound, rachis jointed, in-
dented ; spikelets sessile, or on very short foot-stalks. R. S. L.
S. V.

junceum. See Triticum junceum.
acutum, per. acute-husked spurious wheat, nat. France. R. S.

L. S. V. i. p. 751. Triticum acutum, Decand.
attenuatiim, per. attenuated, nat. S. Amer., ibid.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. Ill

AGROPYRUM rigidum, per. rigid, nat. Bohemia, ibid., p. 752.

Triticum rigidum, Fl. Ger.
a. scabria, per. rough-husked.
(3. lavibus,per. smooth-husked.
7. pilosus, per. pilose-leaved.

3. subenervibus, per. plain husked. Tr. intermedium, var. Gaud.
glaucum, per. glaucous, nat. Germ. Host. Gram. Trit. glaucum.

obtusiflorum, per. nat. ? Decand. Fl. Fr.

pungens, per. See Triticum repens, var.

densiftorum, per. dense-flowered, nat. Siberia. R. S. L. S. V. i.

p. 753.

giganteum,per. gigantic. See Trit. elongatum.
repens, per. See Triticum repens.
a. subulatum, per. awl-husked.
/?. dumetorum, per. Wood.
7. Vaillantianum, per. short awned.
d. Leersianum, per. two or three spiculed.
s. capillare, per. hair-awned.

vi. imbricatum, per. imbricated. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 755.
Sibiricum, per. Siberian. Trit. Sibiricum, ibid.
caninum. See Triticum caninum.
vaginans, per. sheathing, nat. S. Amer. R. S. L. S. V. Triticum

vaginans, Pers.
distichum, per. two-rowed, nat. C. G. Hope. R. S. L. S. V. i.

p. 756.
prostratum, per. prostrate, nat. arid deserts, Africa. Triticum

prostratum, Secale prostratum, Trit. pumilum, Secale pumi-

lum, Agro. pumilum auctorum, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 757.
Orientate, ann. Eastern, nat. Eastern Archipelago, ibid.
imbricatum, per. imbricated, nat. Caucasus, ibid.
cristatum, per. crested. See Bromus cristatus. Triticum cris-

tatum, Host. Gram.
scabrum, per. rough, nat. Van Diemen's Land. Triticum sea-

brum, Brown, Prodr. i. p. 178.
pectinatum, per. comb-like, nat. Van Diemen, ibid. Triticum

pectinatum.
variegatum, per. variegated, nat. ? Cult. Hort. Wob. Trit.

variegatum.

* Doubtful species,
filiforme, per. slender. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 760. Triticum fill-

forme, Poir.

112 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

AGROPYRUM bicorne, ann. two-horned husked, nat. Egypt.
Triticum bicorne, Frosk.

biflorum, ann. two-flowered, nat. ? high rocky situations on

Mount Matajuree. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 760.

subulatum, ann. awl-husked, nat. Aleppo, ibid. p. 761.

Peruvianum, per. Trit. Peruvianum, Lam., ibid. p. 761. -
TRITICUM. Wheat-grass. Generic character : calyx, a common
receptacle elongated into a spike, husks 2 valves, many-
flowered j corolla 2-valved, spear-shaped, exterior valve ven-
tricose, obtuse, with a point or an awn ; the interior valve
flat ; seed ovate, oblong, at both ends obtuse, convex on one
side and furrowed on the other.

caninum, per. bearded perennial wheat-grass, indig. July. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 184. E. Bot. t. 1372. Hort. Gram. Fo. 93.
Willd. Elymus caninus. Agropyrum caninum, R. S. L. S.
V. i. p. 756.

repens, per. creeping-rooted, or couch-grass, indig. July and
August. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 182. Hort. Gram. Fo. 307.
E. Bot. 909. Agropyrum repens, R. S. L. S. V.

glaucescens, per. glaucous pilose-leaved, indig. Fl. Brit. -i.
p. 150.

elongatum, per. long-spiked, nat. Germ. July. Host. ii. t. 18.
Agropyrum giganteum, R. S. L. S. V.

junceum, per. rush-leaved, indig. July. E. Bot. 814. Agro-
pyrum junceum, R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 750.

cristatum, per. crested wheat-grass. July. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 484. Bromus cristatum, Hort. Gram. Fo. 205.

loliaceum, ann. darnel-like wheat-grass, indig. June and July.
Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 184. E. Bot. t. 221.

tenellum, ann. dwarf wheat-grass, nat. Spain. July. Host. ii. t. 26.

astivum, ann. spring wheat, nat. unknown. Willd. 476.

hybernum, ann. Lammas wheat, nat.- unknown. Moris. Hist.
s. 8, t. 11, f. 1.

1. var. muticum, ann. red Lammas wheat, nat. unknown. Park.

Theat. 1120, f. 1.

2. var. spica et grants rubentibus, red, or Kentish wheat. Raii.

Hist. 1237, Synon. 386.

3. var. spica et granis albis, white wheat. Raii. Hist. 1237,

Synon. 386.

4. var. aristis munitum, red-eared bearded wheat. Moris. Hist.

s. 8, t. 1.

HORTUS GRAMINKUS M^OBURNENSIS. 113

TRITICUM 5. var. album, white-eared bearded wheat. Moris.

Hist. iii. 175.
In R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. the following arrangement of the varieties

of Triticum astivum occurs, i. p. 762.
1 . Varieties with smooth ears and awnless spikelets or ears.
a. Trit. vulgare autumnale, with white spikes and yellow corn.

b. , with yellowish-red ears and yellow

corn, grain larger than in var. a.

c. a. Trit. vulgare autumnale, with white ears and white grain,
seed almost round.

c. b. Trit. vulgare autumnale, with longer and more transparent

grain.

d. a. Trit. vulg. vernum, spike yellowish-red, smaller than var. b.

d. b. , with grain much larger, culms more

slender.

e. a. Trit. vulg. vernum, spike short, four-angled, reddish-brown.

e. b. , spike whitish. See Trit. compactum.

2. Varieties with smooth spikes, and awned.

f. a. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike reddish-brown, awn deciduous

when ripe, seed large, culms feeble, husks glaucous, plum-
coloured.

f. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike white, shorter, culms less, and

feeble.

g. a. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike white, fleshy, somewhat four-

angled, awns partly deciduous.

g. b. Trit. vulg. vernum, awns long, straight, spike short.

h. a. , autumnale, spike white, ruffous, compact, awns

divaricate, permanent.

h. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spikes, awns reddish-brown, divari-
cate.

h. y. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spikes shorter.

i. a. — — , spikes ruffous, compact, awns

crowded, ruffous.

i. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale,, spikes short, thick (similar to Triti-
cum compositwri).

k. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike white, fleshy, awns black, seed
white, largp, and turgid.

1. a. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike white, rather slender, awns
black, culms slender, weak.

1. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike whitish, awns black, culm
slender, hollow, husks shining.

114 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

3. Spikes villose awnless.

TRITICUM m. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike awnless, villose, grey,
culms hollow, seed golden colour, bearded at one end.

4. Spikes bearded villose.

n. a. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike ash-blue coloured, villose, awns
black, spike slender, culms feeble, seed convex, awns often
deciduous when ripe.

n. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale , awns greyish-brown, spike small,
bluish.

n. y. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spikes and awns whitish-ash co-
loured.

o. a. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spike short, fleshy, turgid, awned,
brownish, culm feeble. Triticum turgidum, which see.

o. b. Trit. vulg. autumnale, spikes and awns whitish.

p. Trit. vulg. spike fleshy, large, somewhat ash-coloured,
long awned, seed horny-hard, culm feeble.

fastuosum, ann. long pyramidal spiked. Cult. S. Spain, R. S.
L. S. V. i. p. 764.

Gaertnerianum, ann. Gaertner's. Cult. Spain, ibid.

platyst achy urn, ann. compressed spiked. Cult. ibid.

cochleare, ann. spoon-shaped. Cult. ibid.

Cevallos, ann. Cevallo's. Cult. ibid.

durum, ann. hard-grained. Cult. Barbary, ibid., p. 765. Triti-
cum villosum, Host. Gram. v. t. 6 ?

siculum, ann. small dagger-form. Cult. Sicily, Asia, ibid., p. 765.

hordeiformis, ann. barley-like. Cult. Austria. Host. Gram. iv.
t. 5.

compactum,, ann. close-headed. Cult. Styria. Host. Gram. iv. t. 7.

atratum, ann. ibid., t. 8. Cult. Austria.

* Species with leafy husks.

Polonicum, ann. (which see).

2. Species with the hardened calyx holding the ripe seed.
* Spikes opposite, compressed.

monococcum, ann. (which see).

cienfuegos, ann. Cult. Austria. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 767.

Bauhinif ann. Bauhini's, ibid.

** Species with compressed even spikes.

spelta, ann. (which see).

Uncultivated or wild species.

Hispanicum, ami. Spanish. Festuca maritima, Linn. Spec.
Plant, ii.p. 110.

HORTLIS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 115

TRITICUM squarrosum, arm. angular, nat. Egypt. R. S. L. S.

Veg, i. p. 768.

villosum, ann. See Secale villosum.
campestre, ann. Secale campestre, Schult. Sub Secali sylvestri,

Host. Gram. iv. t. 2.
Creticum, ann. Crete, nat. Crete and Corsica. Willd. Spec. i.

p. 472.

spinulosum, per. spine-leaved. R. S. L. S. V. i. p. 769.
Mgilopsj ann. nat. Georgia. Levant. See JEgilops squarrosa,

ibid.

compositum, ann. many-spiked wheat. Moris. Hist. s. 8, t. 1, f. 7.
turgidum, ann. Barbary wheat, ibid. s. 8, t. 1, f. 14.
Linn&anum, ann. simple-spiked. Trit. turgidum, var. ?
var. 1. quadratum, ann. cone-wheat, ibid. f. 13.
Polonicum, ann. Polish wheat, ibid. s. 8, t. 1, f. 8. Host.

Gram. in. t. 31.
Spelta, ann. Spelt wheat, ibid. s. 8, t. 6, f. 1. Host. Gram. iii.

t. 30.

var. zea amylacea, ibid. s» 8, t. 6, f. 3. Host. Gram. iii. t. 29.
monococcum, ann. one-grained wheat. Moris. Hist. s. 8, t. 6,

f. 2. Zea Briza. Host. iii. t. 32.

The Festuca mi/urus, having hut one stamen, stands an exception to this

arrangement.

This Catalogue contains about one thousand five hundred
distinct species and varieties of the proper grasses, of which, up-
wards of one hundred and fifty are indigenous to Great Britain ;
but, as the discoveries of Botanists still continue to add to the
number of new species and varieties, the term complete cannot be
applied to this enumeration. The highly valuable and important
Works of Sir James Edward Smith, of Brown, Humboldt, and
Bonpland, Decandolle, Poiret, and other eminent Botanists,
have of late presented to the attention of the Agriculturist many
new species of grasses.

As every different soil produces grasses peculiar to itself, and
as no other kinds can be established or cultivated upon it without
first changing its nature to resemble that which produced the
kinds of grasses we wish to introduce, — it becomes a point of the
first importance, in making experiments on different species of this
numerous family of plants, and in stating the results, to determine

116 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

with sufficient accuracy the nature of the soil or different soils
employed, and to describe them accordingly. It may here be
unnecessary to state, that the basis of every improvement in the
cultivation of grasses is, to sow the seeds of those species only
which are adapted to the soil; or, to change the nature of unsuit-
able soils to that which is fitted for the growth of grasses most
desirable to be cultivated ; and unless this important point is in
the first place attended to fully, disappointment, rather than suc-
cess, may be expected to follow the labours of the Farmer.

In many instances, where experiments have been made on the
produce of plants, this very essential point has been too much
disregarded. It is to this only we can look for a satisfactory
reason to reconcile the discordance of results obtained from expe-
riments made on the same plant by different persons equally emi-
nent for agricultural knowledge. From the same source, in a
great measure, will be found to proceed the difference of opinion
respecting the impoverishing effects of different plants to the soil.
It is well known that on certain soils some plants have greater
impoverishing effects than on others ; and though the preparation
of the land, and quantity of manure applied, &c., should be the
same in two cases, yet a specific difference in the nature of the
soils will give different results as to their produce and impover-
ishing effects.

The terms adopted to denote different soils have been used
without due precision, or rather, the terms have had no definite
idea affixed to them. The term loam, for instance, is defined by
one to be a fat earth or marl, and by others a mixture of clay,
sand, and calcareous earth, without stating the proportions.
In general, on referring to books on Agriculture and Gardening,
we are directed to a hazel loam, a brown loam, clayey loam, or to
a hungry sandy soil, bog soil, peat earth, garden mould, 8cc. ; but
from tha want of proper definitions of these terms, it is perplexing,
or nearly impracticable, to determine which kind of soil is meant.
I have examined above fifty kinds of soil and composts, collected,
with their local names, in different parts of the country, and, in
several instances, soils of the same name were found to differ
greatly in their natural qualities.

The method of determining the nature of soils by chemical
analysis has been of late years so much simplified by Sir Humphry
Davy, that it is now in the power of every practical person to
ascertain with comparative facility the qualities of any kind of

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUliNKNSIS. 117

soil, and consequently to describe the same without any risk of
being misunderstood, which before this was absolutely unavoid-
able.

All soils consist of sand of various degrees of fineness, and
impalpable earthy matter ; when, therefore, the exact proportions
in which these are combined in a soil are known, with their ge-
neral properties, it shews directly to which class of soil it belongs ;
whether to the loamy, clayey, calcareous, sandy, peaty, &c.

Sir Humphry Davy, in his " Elements of Agricultural Chemistry,"
states the proportions of sand and impalpable earthy matter, to
which the terms usually adopted should be limited. " The term
sandy should never be applied to any soil that does not at least
contain seven-eighths of sand ; sandy soils that effervesce with
acids, should be distinguished by the name of calcareous sandy
soil, to distinguish them from those that are siliceous. The term
clayey should not be applied to any land that contains less than
one-sixth of impalpable earthy matter, not considerably effer-
vescing with acids ; the word loam should be limited to soils
containing at least one-third of impalpable earthy matter. A soil
to be considered as peaty ought to contain at least one-half of
vegetable matter." These may be considered as the generic cha-
racters of soils, and determined by a very simple process — that of
washing the impalpable earthy matter of the soil from the sandy
portion, and by drying and ascertaining their respective weights,
when the application of an acid shews whether it belongs to the
calcareous or siliceous kinds of soil.

The results of all my observations in these experiments on
grasses, and likewise in the cultivation of a large collection of
plants on various kinds of soil, tend to confirm the opinion, that
the fitness or unfitness of particular soils for particular plants,
depends, in a general sense, on the due proportions of sand and
impalpable earthy matter of which they consist. If writers,
therefore, on the comparative produce of plants, whether of the
farm or the garden, would only thus far describe the nature of the
soils employed in their experiments, the benefit of it would be felt
and duly appreciated by every practical person ; but more so, by
those who wish to repeat such experiments. But misconception
with respect to the nature of soils employed in experiments must
be effectually prevented by ascertaining the number and propor-
tion of the constituent parts, because the smallest difference in
the natural qualities of soils is thereby detected. It would surely

118 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

assist in raising the art of Agriculture to the certainty of science,
if, in all experiments on the comparative produce of plants, the
intimate nature of the soil, as well as the properties of the subsoil,
were accurately determined.

The following details are intended to shew the nature of those
soils which have been employed in this series of experiments on
grasses.

I. Poor Siliceous Sandy Soil.

400 grains, deprived of its moisture, consisted of

Fine sand, chiefly siliceous - 337 grains.

Carbonate of lime, or chalk 2
Decomposing vegetable matter destructible

by fire. 4
Silica, or the pure matter of the earth of flints 32

Alumina, or the pure matter of clay - 10

Oxide of iron 5

Soluble matter, principally saline 2

Loss - - 8

400

II. Siliceous Sandy Soil, or Hungry Sand.

400 grains, deprived of moisture, gave of

Fine siliceous sand - 355 grains.

Carbonate of lime, or chalk 4
Decomposing vegetable matter destructible

by fire - - 6
Silica, or the pure matter of the earth of flints 1 1

Alumina, or pure clay 6

Oxide of iron 3

Soluble vegetable and saline matters 3

Loss - - 12

400

Obs. This soil, which was comparatively barren without the
frequent application of large portions of manure, and which had
only a transient effect, was permanently fertilized by the applica-
tion of tenacious clay, (No. IX.)

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 119

HI. Heath Soil, or Black Siliceous Moor Soil.

400 grains, deprived of moisture, gave of

Fine sand, principally siliceous - - 315 grains.

Decomposing vegetable matter - 65

Silica - 9

Alumina, or the pure matter of clay 2

Oxide of iron 2
Soluble matter, principally vegetable extract

and common salt 6

Loss - 1

400

IV. Rich Siliceous Soil, or Rich Sandy Soil.

400 grains, deprived of moisture, afforded of
Fine sand, chiefly siliceous and partly

calcareous - 298 grains.

Coarse gravel - 9

Carbonate of lime, or chalk 3

Carbonate of magnesia 1
Decomposing vegetable matter destructible

by fire - 30
Silica - 31
Alumina, or the matter of pure clay 8
Oxide of iron 4
Soluble matter, consisting of vegetable ex-
tract and phosphate of lime 4
Loss - - 12

400

Obs. This soil, when on a clayey subsoil, produced large crops
for two successive seasons, but afterwards required a regular
supply of manure. When the subsoil was porous, or consisted of
gravel, the produce was very inferior. It is properly a hungry
soil, and requires an addition of clay and calcareous earth to
render it permanently fertile.

120 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

V. Sandy Loam, or Brompton Common Loam.

400 grains, deprived of moisture, consisted of
Fine sand, partly siliceous and partly calca-
reous - 280 grains.
Carbonate of lime - - 4
Carbonate of magnesia - 1
Decomposing vegetable matter - 19
Silica - . - 53
Alumina, or matter of pure clay - 15
Oxide of iron - 4
Soluble matter, principally vegetable extract
and sulphate of potash - 4
Loss - - 20

400

Obs. This soil affords an illustration of the term loam, in its
general acceptation among husbandmen and gardeners in the
neighbourhood of London.

VI. Rich Black Clayey Loam.

400 grains of the entire soil consisted of

Water of absorption - 65 grains.

Fine sand - 165

Carbonate of lime 20

Vegetable matter - 39

Silica - 61

Alumina - 20

Oxide of iron 5

Soluble matter, saline and vegetable 4

Loss - 21

400
VII. Clayey Loam.

400 grains, freed from moisture, gave of

Fine sand, partly calcareous and partly sili-
ceous - .- 190 grains.
Carbonate of lime 8

Carry forward 198

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 121

Brought forward 198

Vegetable matter - 18
Silica - 110
Alumina - - 58
Oxide of iron 7
Soluble vegetable and saline matters, prin-
cipally sulphate of magnesia 5
• Loss - 4

400

VIII. Tenacious Clay.

400 grains, deprived of moisture, consisted of

Fine sand - - 159 grains.

Vegetable matter - 10

Carbonate of lime - 25

Carbonate of magnesia 2

Silica - 111

Alumina - 55

Oxide of iron 8

Soluble saline matter, chiefly sulphate of

lime, and a little sulphate of magnesia - 11

Loss - 19

400

IX. Rich Alluvial Soil, par tit/ formed by the Deposition of flow-
ing Water.
400 grains, deprived of moisture, gave of

Fine sand - 115 grains.

Aluminous stones - 70

Carbonate of lime - 23

Decomposing vegetable and animal matter 34

Silica - 100

Alumina - 28

Oxide of iron - 13

Sulphate of lime or gypsum 2
Soluble vegetable and saline matters

Loss 8

400

06s. Of all the soils employed in the experiments, this one was
the most productive : it was upon a porous subsoil : all the supe-

122

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

rior grasses flourished here in an extraordinary degree : it there-
fore offers data whereby to judge of the comparative value of soils
for grasses.

X. Vegetable Mould.
400 grains, freed from moisture, gave of

Fine sand - 231 grains.

Undecompounded vegetable fibre - 13

Decomposing vegetable fibre - 57

Silica - 50

Alumina - 18

Soluble matter, principally vegetable extract 4

Oxide of iron 2

Loss - 25

400

XI. Active Peat, or Fertile Peat Moss.
400 grains, freed from moisture, gave of

Fine siliceous sand - 156 grains.

Undecompounded vegetable fibre - 2

Decomposing vegetable matter - 110

Muriate of lime - 4

Silica - 102

Alumina - - 16

Oxide of iron 4

Soluble vegetable and saline matter 4

Loss - - 2

400

XII. Inert Peatt or Barren Peat Moss.
400 grains, freed from moisture, consisted of

Fine pure siliceous sand - - 29 grains.

Inert vegetable matter - - 289

Alumina - - 14

Oxide of iron - 30

Soluble vegetable matter, containing also

sulphate of potash - 11

and, sulphate of lime, or gypsum - 12

Loss - - 15

400

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 123

In one instance, beds of these soils (No. II. and No. VIII. ex-
cepted) were arranged in the order in which they have just now
been mentioned. Seeds of all the grasses peculiar to each soil
were sown on distinct spaces of each bed. The seeds of the dif-
ferent grasses vegetated on all the soils, except on the inert peat
(No. XII.), which remained completely barren. In the ensuing
season, it was remarkable to see the different degrees of luxu-
riance exhibited by the same species of grass on different soils.
The superior grasses, or those which constitute the produce of
rich ancient pasture lands, formed nearly a perfect convex ridge of
grass ; beginning at the poor siliceous sandy soil (No. I.), where
they were the most diminutive, they gradually increased in luxu-
riance, till they reached the bed of rich alluvial soil (No. IX.),
and afterwards decreased in the quantity of produce, till they ter-
minated at the inert peat (No. XII.). It is of importance to
observe, however, that after the second year, this order of luxu-
riance did not continue in the same proportion. The rich sili-
ceous sandy soil, on the fourth and fifth year, was greatly inferior
in produce to what it was on the second and third, and the pro-
duce of the poor siliceous sandy soil decreased annually in quan-
tity after the second year. The produce of the sandy loam, and
clayey loam, continued much the same ; but the rich alluvial soil,
and rich clayey loam, increased in the quantity of produce till the
fifth year, and have since continued, with but a trifling diminution
in the weight of their annual crops, though no manure in any
instance has been applied.

By referring to the details which shew the composition of the
rich siliceous sandy soil, which soonest became deficient of produce,
it appears, that the finely divided matter contains more of decom-
posing vegetable matter, in proportion to the earthy ingredients,
than that of the rich alluvial soil, and of the clayey loams. The
proportion of sand to the finely divided matter is likewise much
greater in that soil than in the others, whose productive powers
seemed rather to increase for five successive years.

A space of the poor siliceous soil was richly manured, and the
produce of grass for two years exceeded that of the rich siliceous
soil which had no manure : but on the fifth year was so much re-
duced, as hardly to equal its original produce. These facts con-
firm the opinion, that certain soils may produce large crops of grain
or other annual crops, but are nevertheless unfit for the production
of the superior perennial grasses.

124 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

It may be said, that as the want of a due proportion of finely
divided earthy ingredient is all that is needed to render these soils
equal to the best, the clay, chalk, &c. may be applied in sufficient
quantity to effect so desirable an end. In the instance of the rich
siliceous soil, and all others of a similar nature, this may be effected
under ordinary circumstances with little trouble, and at a moderate
expense. But we shall find, on referring to the details which shew
the composition of the poor siliceous sandy soil (No. I.), for
instance, that the expense of applying so large a quantity of
ingredients as that soil requires, would exceed the value of the
improvement under ordinary circumstances. A chemical examin-
ation of these soils affords the clearest evidence to determine
what degree of improvement they are susceptible of receiving, to
be of the most advantage, whether for the production of the supe-
rior perennial grasses, or for annual crops only.

The composition of the tenacious clay (No. VIII.), shews that
it contains all the ingredients necessary for the improvement of
the poor siliceous soil (No. I.), except that of decomposing vege-
table and animal matter, which is to be supplied by manure.

A cubic inch of that clay, when newly dug, weighs 700.8 grains ;
when freed from moisture, 584 grains. Suppose one cubic inch of
clay to be applied to 29 cubic inches of the soil, it would reduce
the proportion of sand, and increase the proportion of finely divided
earthy matter, of its former composition, in the following degree :

1 cubic inch of poor siliceous sandy soil, as before stated,

consists of

Fine sand - - 434.875 grains.

Decomposing vegetable matter 7.35

Carbonate of lime, or chalk 4.9

Silica, or the earth of flints 13.475

Alumina, or the matter of clay - 7.35

Oxide of iron 3.675
Soluble vegetable and saline matters 36.75
Carbonate of magnesia

1 cubic inch of the tenacious clay, added to 29 of the soil, alters

the proportions in one cubic inch, to,
Fine sand - - 428.1171 grains.

Decomposing vegetable matter - 7.5916
Carbonate of lime, or chalk 5.956

Silica .... 18.4278

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNEiYSIS. 125

Alumina - - 9.7816

Oxide of iron - - 39.418

Soluble saline matter 4.0876

Carbonate of magnesia 0.0973

The quantity of clay necessary to effect the above alteration in
an acre of the siliceous soil to the depth of six inches, and the
probable expense attending it, appear to be as follows :

One acre of land, six inches deep, contains 37635840 cubic
inches. A cart-load, or one ton of clay, contains 21479.43 cubic
inches, which, applied in the proportion of one part to 19, as above,
shews that 60 cart-load, or 745.8J cubic feet of clay, are requisite
to effect that change in its nature.

In ordinary cases, the expense of digging, filling, and spreading
the clay, is three-pence three-farthings per cart-load ; consequently
the expense per acre would be eighteen shillings and nine-pence,
exclusive of cartage. Now if the soil thus improved be compared
with any of the preceding soils that are mentioned as fitted for the
growth of the superior perennial grasses, it will appear to be still
very far from their natural composition, and proportionally less
adapted to the growth of these grasses. Even to bring it near to
the nature of the sandy loam (No. VI.), it would require 800 load
per acre : — therefore, though this soil is unfit for the growth of the
superior grasses, it is capable of great improvement for the pro-
duction of grain or bulbous crops, by the application of clay and
calcareous matter ; it will thereby require less manure, and bettej
sustain the effects of a continuance of dry weather.

The rich siliceous soil may have its nature changed, to resemble
that of the sandy loam, by the application of two parts of clay to
twenty-nine of soil, or 120 load to the acre.

The above facts and observations may likewise shew, in some
measure, one out of many of the very useful practical purposes to
which the results of a chemical examination of soils may be made
subservient.

The subsoil is of as much importance in determining the fitness
or unfitness of a soil for the growth of the superior grasses, as the
nature of the surface soil ; and, indeed, when it is considered that
the latter may have its nature completely changed, under favour-
able circumstances, with little trouble and at a moderate expense,
while the nature of the subsoil can only be partially corrected
under any circumstances, it may therefore be said to be of the
first importance in this inquiry.

126 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

In the following details of experiments, the nature of the subsoil
is therefore mentioned, and more particularly in instances where
one soil has been cultivated on different subsoils.

The most productive old pasture lands consist of soils of an
intermediate quality as to moisture and dryness, varying in the
degree of fertility according to the manner of management, or the
frequency of hay crops, and the exclusion of top-dressing with
manure ; but the grasses which constitute their produce are the
same. Dry elevated soils, however long they may have been
under pasture and superior management, produce a different class
of grasses of inferior merits. The produce of peat bogs, and low
wet soils likewise, for the most part, consists of grasses which
differ from those above mentioned, in regard to value as well as
botanical distinctions. The respective merits and comparative
value, therefore, of the different grasses natural to these particular
situations, will probably be more readily and conveniently seen, if
eveiy species be considered under its own particular soil, and
compared with those that are naturally combined with it.

SECTION II.

Of the Grasses and other Plants which constitute the Produce of
the richest Natural Pastures*

IT has long been a prevailing opinion, that rich pasture land,
when once broken up for a course of crops, cannot for a great
length of time be again brought to so good a sward; and this
opinion is founded on the best grounds — on experience. The
causes why those grasses, which constitute this valuable sward,
cannot be renewed in as great perfection after a few years' re-
moval from their natural soil, must either be, that these plants
require many years to attain to that degree of productiveness, or,
that the soil has been too much deteriorated by the crop, or
course of grain crops, taken previous to renewing the grasses :
or, Jastly, that the seeds of grasses different from those which
composed the valuable sward, have been employed in their stead.
Whether to one, or all of these points, the want of success is to be
imputed, it is of importance to inquire.

Grasses, like all other vegetables, possess a peculiar life, in
which various periods may be distinctly marked. Some species
of grass are annual, or arrive at perfection in one year, and then
die away : as different species of brome-grass, foxtail-grass, rye-
grass, oat-grass, &c. Other species, in two or three years attain
to that degree of perfection which they never exceed : as perennial
rye-grass (Lolium perenne), rough meadow-grass, (Poatrivialis),
meadow cat's-tail-grass, (Phleum pratense), tall oat-like soft-grass
(Holcus avenaceus), round cock's-foot-grass (Dactylis glomerata),
&c. ; and there are but few grasses that require more than three
years to bring them to that state of productiveness which they never
exceed, if properly treated during that time : meadow fescue
(Festuca pratensis), meadow-foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) , meadow
barley (Hordeurn pratense), smooth meadow-grass (Poa pratensis) ,
and meadow oat-grass (Avena pratensis), are of this number.
These facts, obtained from the results of experiments and atten-
tive observation, made on these grasses when cultivated singly,
and also when combined with others, as in their natural places of

12$ HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURKENSIS.

growth, offer sufficient proofs to decide that it is not to the great
length of time they require to arrive at perfection that the want of
success, in attempts to renew rich pastures, is to be imputed.

On converting this land into tillage, the first crops are generally
too luxuriant. Were we to conclude, from this circumstance,
that the superior pasture grasses require a much richer soil to
produce them in perfection than what is required for the produc-
tion of grain crops ; and, consequently, that a course of white
crops, by lessening considerably this degree of fertility, would
proportionally render the land less fitted for the reproduction of
its former valuable grasses, it would not be just ; because it is
evident that this over-richness of the land for the first crops of
grain, does not arise solely from that degree of richness in the soil
which produced the superior grasses in such abundance, but rather
from the accession of so large a quantity of vegetable matter,
which is at once supplied to the land by ploughing in the turf.

Having met with no specific information in any agricultural
works within my reach, respecting the change produced on the
nature of rich pasture land by a course of grain crops, I made
several experiments to supply the apparent defect. The results
of one of these experiments I may be permitted to detail.

A space of two square yards of rich ancient pasture land was
dug to the depth of the surface soil, which was eight inches, and
removed to a place more convenient for making the experiment,
but placed on a subsoil of the same nature as that on which it
was before incumbent. Three inches from the bottom of the mass
were first placed on the subsoil, and the turf was then reversed on
this, to the depth of five inches : this mode was adopted, to place
the ground under circumstances as similar as possible to that of
ploughing it five inches deep, in the usual manner of breaking up
pasture land.

The nature of the soil was now ascertained, by taking up a
portion of it to the full depth, only rejecting the green living
vegetable parts of the turf.

400 grains, freed from moisture and the plants of grass, con-
sisted of —

Calcareous and siliceous sand, of different

degrees of fineness - 102 grains.

Decomposing vegetable matter, and par-
ticles of roots - - 55
Carbonate of lime, or chalk - - 160

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 129

Silica, or earth of flint - 50 grains.

Alumina, or pure matter of clay - 25

Oxide of iron 4

Soluble vegetable matter, and sulphate of
lime, or gypsum - 4

The soil was then cropped for five seasons alternately, with —
1st, oats; 2d, potatoes ; 3d, wheat ; 4th, carrots; and 5th, wheat;
to the end that it might suffer as much as could possibly happen,
under ordinary circumstances, by an impoverishing or injudicious
rotation of annual crops. Every trace of the turf was by this time
entirely lost in the general mass of the soil, which was now exa-
mined, to ascertain what change it had undergone by these crops.
It appeared to consist of —

Calcareous and siliceous sand, nearly as

before - 100 grains.

Decomposing vegetable matter, destructible

by fire - 48

Carbonate of lime, or chalk, nearly as before 159
Silica, or earth of flint - 57

Alumina, or pure matter of clay - 26

Oxide of iron 5

Soluble vegetable and saline matter 3

The above details shew that very little, if any, change had taken
place in the constitution of the soil, in respect of its earthy ingre-
dients ; but a very considerable diminution of its decomposing
vegetable and animal matters ; particularly when it is considered
how great an addition had been made to the original proportion
it contained of this constituent, by the turf which was incorpo-
rated with the soil.

The finely divided animal and vegetable matters of soils are so
intimately blended with the other constituents, that manure,
though applied in sufficient quantity to supply its loss, requires
considerable time to bring its parts into that minute state of divi-
sion in which it was found in the rich pasture land on the first
examination before mentioned. It is evident the finely divided
vegetable matter of the pasture land had been supplied to it (as it
is indeed to all other pasture lands) by manure successively ap-
plied to the surface, either by the cattle which grazed upon it, or
by top-dressing, and divided and carried into the soil by the effects
of rain. That this essential ingredient of the fertility of soils is

130 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

exhausted, even by the growth of the pasture grasses, when the
annual supply of manure is suspended, is shewn by daily experi-
ence ; as in the instance of mowing a pasture for several seasons
successively without any top-dressing, or depasturing with cattle :
the produce of grass is found to decrease annually, ancl if the prac-
tice is continued long, it will require many years, under the
best management, to restore the pasture to the same productive
state it was in previous to the suspension of its annual supply of
surface manure. This likewise shews that pasture land arrives at
a certain degree of productiveness, which it never exceeds but at
the expense of the quality of its produce ; as the surface becomes
unequal, the grass rank, of a coarse nature, and less grateful to
cattle. In this case (which does sometimes happen) the grass
may be brought back to its grateful and nutritive state, by stocking
the pasture sufficiently with different cattle in succession through-
out the season ; the insufficiency of which seems to be the prin-
cipal cause of the evil. But when such plants as knapweed
(Centaur ea nigra), different species of senecio, hieracium, sonchus,
carduus, &c., that are of no value as food for cattle, have esta-
blished themselves in these pastures, from the neglect of foul
hedges and road-sides, which abundantly supply the seeds of
these plants, or part of them, according to the nature of the soils,
the remedy of hard-stocking and even weeding will be found in-
adequate to extirpate these unprofitable plants. But to return to
the details of the experiment.

The results of the last chemical examination of the soil had
shewn that it had lost a very considerable portion of its decom-
posing vegetable and animal matters. To supply this deficiency
in some measure, manure was now for the first time applied, and,
wilh the wheat stubble, dug in to the depth of six inches ;* the
surface was then made fine with a rake, and sown with a mixture of
the following grass-seeds, at the rate of five bushels to the acre.

Festucapratensis (meadow-fescue), Alopecurus pratensis (meadow-
foxtail), Dactylis glomerata (round cock's-foot), Holcus avenaceus
(tall oat-like soft-grass), Vicia sepium (creeping vetch), Lolium
perenne (rye-grass), Phleum pratense (meadow cat's-tail), Cynosurus
cristatus (crested dog's-tail), Avena Jiavescens (yellow oat), Avena

* The dung was buried to this depth, in order to supply the leading roots of the
perennial grasses in the ensuing seasons ; a circumstance not wanted in the same
degree for annual grain crops, whose roots do not penetrate so deep into the soil,
and which greedily exhaust manure, however gross.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOB U KN ENSIS. 131

pratensis (meadow oat), Festuca duriuscula (hard fescue), Poa tri-
vialis (smooth-stalked meadow-grass), Poafertilis (fertile meadow-
grass), Poa nervata (nerved meadow-grass), Trifolium medium
(cow clover), Trifolium repens (Dutch, or white clover), Agrostis
stolonifera (stoloniferous bent, or fiorin), and Agrostis palustris
(marsh bent).

The seeds of the six first-mentioned grasses being much larger
than the others, were first mixed and sown, and covered with the
rake ; the rest of the seeds were mixed and sown, without any
other means of covering but that afforded by the roller, which was
liberally employed till the surface was perfectly level and consoli-
dated. This was effected on the 23d of August, 1813.

The seeds of all these grasses vegetated before the first week of
October, except the seed of the Vicia sepium, wrhich did not vege-
tate till the autumn of the succeeding year. Before the frost set
in, these seedling grasses had a top-dressing with compost of
rotten dung, lime, and vegetable mould, laid on in a fine and dry
state, after which the ground was again well rolled : in the month
of February this operation was again repeated, when the ground
was sufficiently dry to admit of it. The plants sprang earlier than
those of the old pasture (a circumstance common to young plants
in general). In April, the weeds which had accompanied the top-
dressing were carefully cleared away, and the rolling was repeated,
to keep the surface compact. The plants grew vigorously till a
continuance of unfavourable weather in the end of June checked
their growth. In the first week of July the produce was cut and
weighed ; it amounted to one-eighth more than the produce of
the ground in its original state, but which had been fed off with
sheep in the spring ; the after-math of the seedling grasses, how-
ever, weighed one-fifth less than that of the natural pasture.
A very slight top-dressing was applied in the month of November,
and the whole was then well rolled ; this operation was continued
at favourable opportunities till April last (1815). The grass was
cut and weighed in the first weeks of June and August, and again
in the middle of September; the total weight of these three crops
exceeded that of the old turf exactly in the proportion of nine to
eight.

It is therefore evident, that the results of the two modes of ex-
periment here adopted perfectly agree in confirming the opinion,
that a five years' course of the more impoverishing annual crops
may be taken from land of the nature before described, without
unfitting it for the reproduction of the superior natural grasses.

132 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The first experiment, or that which ascertained the nature of
the soil before and after undergoing the impoverishing course of
crops, proves, that the loss of decomposing animal and vegetable
matter is the principal injury it sustained, which it is evident may
be supplied by manure, though not in one season. The actual
experiment of sowing the grasses on the soil thus cropped, and
comparing the produce with that which it yielded in its natural
state, proves clearly, that after undergoing a course of crops, it
may be returned to grass, and afford a produce more abundant
than before.*

The different grasses, and other plants, which compose the pro-
duce of the richest natural pastures, are in number twenty-six.
From the spring till the end of autumn, there is not a month but
what constitutes the particular season of luxuriance of one or
more of these grasses ; hence proceeds the constant supply of rich
succulent herbage throughout the whole of the season, — a circum-
stance which but seldom or never happens in artificial pastures,
where the herbage consists of two or three plants only. If the
best natural pastures be examined with care during various periods
of the season, the produce will be found to consist of the following
plants :

Alopecurus pratensis (meadow-fox tail),

Dactylis glomerata (round cock's-foot) ,

Festuca pratensis (meadow-fescue),

Phleum prateme (meadow cat's-tail),

Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet-scented vernal-grass),

Holcus avenaceus (tall oat-like soft-grass),

Vicia septum (creeping vetch),

Lolium perenne (rye-grass),

Bromns arvensis (field brome-grass), frequent,

Poa annua (annual meadow, or Suffolk-grass),

Avena pratensis (meadow oat-grass),

— which afford the principal grass in the spring, and also a great
part of the summer produce.

* The produce of the different annual crops, grain, and bulbs, were all heavy,
except that of the last crop of wheat, which was very inferior, as might be expected.
The exact weight of each crop was not ascertained, as the experiment was not
made with any view to obtain a knowledge of the comparative advantages or dis-
advantages of permanent pasture and tillage land; but merely for the purpose
above mentioned. How much less a judicious rotation of crops might have affected
the soil, cannot a* this moment be decided ; but it will be allowed that a more severe
Course of crops could hardly have been adopted.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 133

Avenajlavescens (yellow oat-grass), *

Hordeum pratense (meadow-barley),
Cynosurus cristatus (crested dog's-tail),
Festuca duriuscula (hard fescue),
Poa trivialis (rough-stalked meadow-grass),
Poa pratensis (smooth-stalked meadow-grass),
Holcus lanatus (woolly soft-grass), sparingly,
Trifolium pratense perenne (perennial red clover),
Trifolium repens (white, or Dutch clover),
Lathyrus pratensis (yellow vetch, or meadow lathyrus),
Festuca glabra vel duriuscula (smooth fescue),
—which yield produce principally in summer and autumn.

Achillea millefolium (yarrow),
Agrostis stolonifera (creeping bent, or florin),
Agrostis palustris (marsh bent-grass),
Triticum repens (creeping wheat-grass, or couch),
— which vegetate with most vigour in autumn.

Besides these, there are other plants that I have invariably found
in the richest natural pastures, as Ranunculus acris (butter-cups) ;
Plantago lanceolata (rib-grass, or ribwort plantain), and Rumex
acetosa (sorrel-dock). But of these, the rib-grass and butter-cups
were by far the most common, the sorrel-dock being confined to
particular spots. I have been in the practice, for many years, of
examining these pastures at various periods of the season, but
I never could discover the smallest indication of the cattle
(horses, cows, and sheep,) having touched the Rumex acetosa, or
Ranunculus acris, except from the apparent necessity caused by
overstocking, or where these plants were too numerous in the
pasture to admit of being wholly avoided by the mouths of the
animals.*

* A very high authority observes, that in pastures closely stocked in the be-
ginning of summer with either horses or sheep, the stems of the butter-cups are not
suffered to rise ; which indicate that these animals eat this plant in its infant state ;
under the same circumstances sheep will keep down the sorrel-dock and sheep's-
sorrel (Rumex acetosella). It is also a just and valuable observation, that these
two last-mentioned plants indicate a soil surcharged with acids, requiring lime or
other calcareous manure to correct the evil and improve the pasture. The yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) in general indicates a siliceous soil, and the narrow-leaved
plantain a light or sandy soil. — W. P. Taunton, Esq.

134 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ANTHOXANTHUM odoratum. Sweet-scented Vernal-grass.

Specific character : Panicle-spiked, ovate-oblong ; flowers longer
than their awns, on short partial stalks. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 37.
Fig. 1. Calyx, natural size. 2. Floret. 3. Germen and Style.
4. Inner Valves or Nectary.

Obs. — Blossom double, the outer one entirely different from
that of any other of the grasses, its outside covered nearly to
the top with stiff brown hairs lying flat. Stem with two or
three short hairs and shining joints. Native of Britain. E.
Bot. 647 ; Curt. Lond. ; Wither. Arr.

Experiments. — The produce of herbage, from a space of four
square feet of a brown sandy loam, with manure, on the 1st of

April, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 5 oz. 2 dr. The produce per acre 3488 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137
The produce of the space, ditto - 2 Of \ y

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 11 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 7827 3 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 21 J 0 ") 91 nq 814.
The produce of the space, ditto 49 1T77 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5723 10 2
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 107
The produce of the space, ditto 2 3TV 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 43 0TV 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4287 15 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 31 7
The produce of the space, ditto 7 1 J 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by -\

taking the crop while the grass is in flower, > 188 12 5

exceeding one-half of its value, is
The proportional value which the grass, at the time the seed is

ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 13 to 4.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 dr. 1 qr. }
The produce of the space, ditto 3 Oj 3

AjithoxarLthum 0 dor a turn .

'

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 135

The proportional value which the grass of the latter-math bears to
that of the seed crop, is nearly as 13 to 9 ; and the proportional
value or nourishment contained in the autumn grass, exceeds that
of the first grass of the spring, as 9 to 7.

Sir H. Davy has shewn, that the nutritive matter of the grass at
the time the seed is ripe, consists of — mucilage, or starch, 43,
saccharine matter 4, and bitter extract and salt 3 = 50. The
leaves, or first growth of the spring, afforded me of mucilage 40,
saccharine matter 1, bitter extractive 9 = 50. The bitter extractive
is here much greater in the leaves than in the culms and leaves
combined, which is the case with all the grasses I have made trial
of, though in different proportions. This grass constitutes a part
of the herbage of pastures on almost every kind of soil, though it
only attains to perfection in those that are deep and moist. The
chief property that gives merit to this grass is its early growth,
though, in this respect, it is inferior to several other species which
are later in flowering. It thrives best when combined with many
different species, and is therefore a true permanent pasture grass.
It does not appear to be particularly liked by cattle, though eaten
in pastures in common with others. Mr. Grant, of Leighton, laid
down a field of considerable extent, one-half of which was sown
with this grass and white clover, the other half with meadow-fox-
tail and red clover. The sheep would not touch the sweet-scented
vernal and white clover, but kept constantly on the fox tail-grass,
though the dwarfish nature of the sweet-scented vernal had occa-
sioned an unusual degree of luxuriance of the white clover, with
which it was combined. This would indicate that it is not, when
single, or when combined with but two or three different species,
very grateful to cattle. The chemical examination of its nutritive
matter shews that it does not abound in saccharine matter, but
chiefly in mucilage ; and the insoluble extract is in a greater pro-
portion than in many other grasses. Its merits, however, in respect
to early growth, continuing to vegetate and throw up flowering
stalks till the end of autumn, and its hardy and permanent nature,
sufficiently uphold its claim to a place in the composition of all
permanent pastures. The superior nutritive qualities of its latter-
math are a great recommendation for the purpose of grazing, the
stalks being of but little utility, as they are generally left un-
touched by the cattle, provided there is a sufficiency of herbage.

It is said to give to new-mown hay that delightful smell which
is peculiar to it ; if it is not the sole cause of that pleasant smell,

136 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

it is certainly more powerful when combined with the grasses
which compose hay. About the middle of April it comes into
flower, and the seed is ripe generally about the first or second week
of June.

DACTYLIS glomerata. Round-panicled Cock's-foot Grass.

Specific character: Panicle distantly branched ; flowers in dense
globular" tufts, unilateral ; corolla somewhat awned, five-
ribbed, taper-pointed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 134.

Native of Britain. E. Bot. 335 ; Host. t. 94 ; Mart. F. R. 1. 14 ;
F. D. 743 ; Moris, s. 8, t. 6, f. 38 ; Hort.Gram. Fo. 8.— Fig. 1.
Spikelet magn. 2. Floret magn. 3. Nectary or inner valves.

Experiments. — The produce of herbage, from a space of four
square feet of a rich sandy loam, on the 15th of April, is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre 10209 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 1

The produce of the space, ditto 8 If

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 41 oz. The produce per acre - 27905 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 34 0 ~)

J v 1 1 Q£Q 1 A A

The produce of the space, ditto - 278f 0 $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 16045 11 12

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter

The produce of the space, ditto 25

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 39 oz. The produce per acre - 26544 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 312 0 ? 13272 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13272 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 327
The produce of the space, ditto - 34 OJ 3
The weight of nutritive matter, in which the seed )

Q£JO 1 C\ £\.

crop exceeds that of the flowering crop, is, j
The proportional value which the grass, at the time the seed is

ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 7 to 5. The

produce of latter-math, is —

Grass, 17 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre - 1191015 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter, 1 dr.l

2 qr. The produce per acre

D a ctylis (Mo me rata

BL

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 137

The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering
bears to that of the latter-math, is as 5 to 3 ; and the grass at the
time the seed is ripe is to the latter-math as 7 to 3.

64 dr. of the culms divested of leaves, at the time of flowering,
afford of nutritive matter, 1 dr. 2 qr. The leaves of cock's-foot,
therefore, and its straws simply, are of equal proportional value ;
however, between the periods of flowering and perfecting the seed,
the straws contain a much greater proportion of nutritive matter :
64 dr. of the culms at that stage of growth afforded 3 dr. 1 qr. of
nutritive matter. When cultivated on a peat soil, the produce
was one-sixth greater, but the grass was of an inferior quality ;
64 dr. of which afforded only 69 grains of nutritive matter, which
proves the grass produced on a peat soil to be inferior to that
from a sandy loam, in the proportion of 7 to 9. The first leaves
or herbage of the spring, is more nutritive than that produced
at the end of autumn • 64 dr. at the beginning of April afforded 69
grains of nutritive matter, while the same quantity, in the month
of November, afforded only 39 grains. It is deserving of par-
ticular notice, that the herbage of this grass, when suffered to
grow rank or old, from want of sufficient stocking, contains nearly
one-half less nourishment than that which is of a recent growth ;
64 dr. of the leaves which had remained uncropped for four
months, afforded only 20 grains of nutritive matter ; while the
same quantity of the leaves, two, or at most, three weeks old,
afforded 36 grains of nutrient matter. In the former grass many
of the leaves were withered and dry, and the rest rank and of a
dark green colour, while in the latter they were all green and suc-
culent. All these facts point out this grass to be more valuable
for pasture than for hay : yet, even for the latter purpose, it will be
found more valuable than rye-grass (Lolium perenne), and many
other grasses ; proofs of which will be offered hereafter, when these
grasses come under consideration. If the weight of nutritive
grass, which is gained by the superior produce of the after-math
which follows the crop when taken at the time of flowering,
be added to the flowering crop itself, the loss which is sustained
by leaving a crop of this grass till the seed is ripe will be appa-
rent, though the proportional value of the seed crop, weight for
weight, is greater than the flowering crop. The produce does not
increase if left standing after the time of flowering, but rather de-
creases, in the weight of root-leaves ; and by reason of the rapid
growth of the latter-math which succeeds an early cropping, the

138 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

loss incurred by letting this hay-crop of cock's-foot grass stand
for seed, will be found considerable. This circumstance points
out the necessity of keeping this grass closely cropped, either with
cattle or the sithe, to reap the full benefit of its superior merits
as a pasture grass ; which will be more particularly pointed out
hereafter, when speaking of the plants adapted for the alternate
husbandry. Oxen, horses, and sheep, eat this grass readily.
I have observed oxen eat the culms and flowering heads, till the
time the seed was perfected. For the knowledge of the supe-
riority of this grass over rye-grass, proved by an extensive culti-
vation of it, the agricultural world is indebted to Mr. Coke,
of Norfolk. The seed was first collected, in any considerable bulk,
by Rogers Parker, Esq. and by Messrs. Gibbs, seedsmen.

The roots of cock's-foot are fibrous, and penetrate to a consider-
able depth in the ground, particularly where the subsoil is porous
and not stagnant ; under such circumstances the plant flourishes,
is productive in an extraordinary degree, and remains perma-
nent. But where the surface soil is thin, incumbent on tenacious
clay, or where the subsoil is retentive of superfluous moisture,
cock's-foot succeeds imperfectly; for although at first an ample
supply of plants may be obtained by the ordinary process of sowing
the seed, yet these are found not to keep possession of such soils.
The slender hold the fibrous roots of this grass have in such soils,
renders the plant liable to be drawn out of the soil by the mouths
of the cattle ; and the massy production of the foliage of the full-
grown plant affording such an ample bite, makes this particular
danger greater with respect to cock's-foot, than to other species of
the superior grasses having a different habit of growth : from the
same cause, the slender hold the plants have of such soils, the
plants suffer by the treading of the feet of the cattle. By these
means the plants of cock's-foot, when growing singly by themselves,
or when uncombined with other superior grasses, are thinned, and
the field soon exhibits a deficient, unequal sward : to these unfa-
vourable circumstances should a course of hot, dry weather occur,
the evil is increased, and the cock's-foot gradually disappears alto-
gether. Under the circumstances of soil now described, it will be
found a great corrector of these evils, if not a complete remedy, to
combine the seeds of some of the earlier and later grasses (which
will be mentioned hereafter) with the cock's-foot at the time of
sowing. The same, however, may be said of every one of the
superior pasture grasses whose habits are not solitary, but which

Alopecurus Pratenais

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 139

keep longer possession of the soil, and are more productive in
proportion as they are skilfully combined with each other.

In the pastures most celebrated for fattening and for keeping the
largest quantity of stock, in Devonshire, Lincolnshire, and in the
vale of Aylesbury, I found cock's-foot in every instance to consti-
tute a portion of the herbage. In the most skilfully managed of
these pastures, the foliage of cock's-foot was only to be distin-
guished by an experienced eye, from that of the Alopecurus pra-
tensis, Poa pratensis, Poatrivialis, Lolium perenne, Cynosurus cris-
tatus, and other species of the finer-leaved superior pasture grasses
with which it was combined. The peculiar form of the leaf, its
glaucous colour and upright habit of growth, identified the cock's-
foot ; but the tufty or hassocky and coarse appearance which cha-
racterises this grass when cultivated singly, or when unskilfully
depastured, had in the instances now spoken of completely disap-
peared : although, by the most careful computation, it constituted
at the least one plant of every twenty of the composition of these
celebrated pastures.

Flowers from June till August, perfects its seed in July ; or, if
the herbage is eaten down till a late period of the spring, the seed
does not ripen till August or the beginning of September.

ALOPEC UR US pratensis. Meadow Foxtail-grass.

Specific character: Stem erect, smooth; spike somewhat panicled;
calyx-glumes acute, hairy, combined at the base, shorter than
the awn of the corolla. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 79. — Fig. 1. Ca-
lyx and Floret, magnified. 2. Anthers. 3. Style and Germ,
magnified. Fig. to the right hand, Germ, and Style, of the
natural size.

Native of Britain and most parts of Europe, from Italy, through
France, Germany, Holland, to Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
and Russia. Flo. Rust. E. Bot. 848 ; Wither. Arr. ; Curt.
Lond. ; Hort. Kew. ; Flo. Ger. It is surprising, observes
Dr. Withering, that the specific character, in the later
editions of the works of Linnaeus, should describe this grass
as awnless : the awn is twice the length of the blossom, and
knee-bent.*

* I have, however, found spikes of the Alopecurus pratensis without awns. — The
first culms of the Alopecurus arundinacem which were produced in the Woburn
Abbey Experimental Grass-Garden, had spikes destitute of awns, and I concluded

140 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Experiments.— The produce of herbage from a space of four
square feet of a clayey loam, on the 12th of April, is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre - 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 31")
The produce of the space, ditto 11 1 j 3

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre - - 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 7
The produce of the space, ditto - 144 0 5 612510 0
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 14293 2 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12}
The produce of the space, ditto 11 1 3

The produce from a siliceous sandy soil is —

Grass, 12 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre - - 8507 13 0
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 }

The produce of the space, ditto 60 0 I 2552 5 8

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5955 7 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 10}
The produce of the space, ditto 3 0| 3 132 14 15

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a

clayey loam is, — •

Grass, 19 oz. The produce per acre 12931 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 ~> _£,Q

The produce of the space, ditto 136 3* 3

The weight lost by the produce of an acre in drying 7112 8 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21) *rA i^ <r>
The produce of the space ditto - - 10 2 J 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving the crop
till the seed be ripe, is 23 Ibs. 14 oz. 14 dr. The proportional
value which the grass, at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that
at the time of flowering, is as 3 to 2. From a sandy loam, 64 dr.
afforded 3 dr. of nutritive matter, which gives the superiority to
the produce from a light loam over that from a clayey soil, as
4 to 3.

an obvious specific distinction was thereby afforded ; but the succeeding culms had
the spikes furnished with long awns, — offering another proof of the uncertainty of
specific characters, founded on the existence or non-existence of the dorsal awn in
grasses. — See Smith's English Flora, vol. i. p. 90.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 141

The latter-math produce from a clayey loam ii

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20?
The produce of the space, ditto 6 0 >

The proportional value of the grass of the latter-math to that at
the time of flowering, is as 4 to 3 ; and the crop, at the time the
seed is ripe, is to that of the latter-math as 9 to 8.

The above details clearly shew that there is nearly three-fourths
of produce greater from a clayey loam than from a siliceous sandy
soil, and that the grass from the latter soil is of comparatively less
value, in the proportion of 3 to 2. The culms produced on the
sandy soil are deficient in number, and in every respect smaller
than those from the clayey loam ; which satisfactorily accounts for
the difference in the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by equal
quantities of the grass. It is not the strength and rankness of
the grass that indicates the fitness of the soil for its growth, but
the number and quality of the culms. The proportional value in
which the grass of the latter-math exceeds that of the flowering
crop is as 4 to 3 ; a difference which appears extraordinary, when
the quantity of flowering culms in the flowering crop is considered.
In the Anthoxanthum odoratum the proportional difference is still
greater, the latter-math being to the flowering crop in nutriment
nearly as 9 to 4. In the Poa trivialis they are equal ; but in all
the later flowering grasses that have culms resembling those of
the meadow-fox tail and sweet-scented vernal, the greater propor-
tional value is always, on the contrary, found in the grass of the
flowering crop. Whatever the cause may be, it is evident that
the loss sustained by taking these grasses at the time of flowering
is considerable. In ordinary cases this seldom happens in practice,
because these grasses perfect their seed about the season when
hay-harvest generally commences, unless where the pasture has
been stocked till a late period in the spring, which cannot in this
respect be productive of any ultimate advantage, but rather loss.
This grass, under the best management, does not attain to its
fullest productive powers from seed till four years : hence it is
inferior to the cock's-foot grass for the purposes of alternate
cropping, and to many other grasses besides. The herbage, how-
ever, contains more nutritive matter than that of the cock's-foot,
though the weight of grass produced in one season is considerably

142 HOHTUS GRAMINEUS VV'OBUHN ENSIS.

less. It thrives well under irrigation, keeping possession of the
crowns of the ridges : it is strictly permanent. Sheep are very
fond of it : when combined with white clover only, the second
season, on a sandy loam, it is sufficient for the support of five
couple of ewes and lambs per acre. As it only thrives in perfec-
tion on lands of an intermediate quality as to moisture and dry-
ness, and also being somewhat longer in attaining to its full pro-
ductive state than some other grasses, its merits have been mis-
understood in many instances ; and in others, as in the alternate
husbandry, it has been by some persons set aside altogether. In
many rich natural pastures it constitutes the principal grass.
Though not so well adapted, therefore, for the alternate hus-
bandry, it is one of the best grasses for permanent pasture, and
should never form a less proportion than one-eighth of any mix-
ture of different grasses prepared for that purpose : its merits de-
mand this, whether with respect to early growth, produce, nutri-
tive qualities, or permanency. It has been observed by the Rev.
Mr. Swayne,* that nearly two-thirds of the seed is constantly
destroyed by insects : according to my experiments this evil may
be almost entirely obviated by suffering the first culms of the
season to carry the seed. It flowers in April, May, and June,
according as it may have been depastured earlier or later. Seed
ripe in June and July, according to the season of flowering.

The meadow-fox tail constitutes part of the produce of all the
richest pastures I have examined in Lincolnshire, Devonshire, and
in the vale of Aylesbiiry. In Mr. Westcar's celebrated pastures at
Creslew I found it more prevalent than in those of Devonshire
and Lincolnshire.

POA pratensis. Smooth-stalked Meadow-grass.

Specific character : Panicle spreading ; spikelets four-flowered ;
florets lanceolate, five-ribbed, connected by a web; stipula
short and obtuse ; stem and leaves smooth ; root creeping,
perennial. Sm. Engl. Fl. vi. 125.

Fig. 1. Germ. 2. Calyx. 3. Floret magnified.

Obs. — This grass is distinguished from the Poa trivialis, smooth-
stalked meadow-grass, by its strong creeping roots, sheaths
of the straw being smooth ; whereas, in the P. trivialis the

* See Gramma Pascua, by the Rev. George Swayne; a work which contains
much valuable information on the subject of grasses.

Poa Prate n si s .

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOB U HNENS1S. 143

sheaths are rough to the touch : the sheath-scale is blunt,
in the Poa trivialis it is pointed : the leaves are blunt, those
of the P. trivialis are acuminate. E. Bot. 1073. Hort. Kew. i.
p. 155. Curt. Lend.
Native of Britain.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam rich with the vegetable matter of active peat, is — •

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre, is 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22 2 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 67 2 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7337 15 13

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 13)

The produce of the space, ditto 6 2 1 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 12 dr. 8 oz. The produce per acre 8507 13 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 "i

The produce of the space, ditto 80 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5104 11 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12")
The produce of the space, ditto 4 2T\ 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by ^

leaving the crop till the seed be ripe, being v 79 12 9

nearly two-sevenths of its value, is
The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre 4083 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 13 111100

The proportional value in which the grass of the latter-math
exceeds that of the grass at the time the seed is ripe, is as 7 to 6.
The value of the latter-math and seed crop are equal. This grass
is therefore of least value at the time the seed is ripe — a loss of
more than one-fourth part of the whole crop is sustained, if not
cut till that period ; the culms are then dry, and the root leaves
in a sickly decaying state ; those of the latter-math, on the con-
trary, are green and succulent. This species sends forth flowering
straws but once in the season, and these being the most valuable
part of the plant for the purposes of hay, and considering the su-
perior value of the latter-math over that of the seed crop, it will
appear from these properties to be well adapted for permanent
pasture. There are, however, many other grasses highly superior

144 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

to this one : it comes early in the spring, but the produce is in-
considerable, compared to many other grasses ; its strong creeping
roots exhaust the soil very much : after Midsummer the herbage
is slow in growth after being cropped. It is the property of all
creeping roots to scourge the soil, and when plants with fibrous
roots can be substituted in the place of those, with an equal pro-
spect of advantage in regard to early growth, produce, and nutri-
tive qualities, it will be found to repay the labour with interest.
As the chief property that gives value to this grass is early growth,
it will be of use to compare the merits of two other grasses which
possess this property of early growth in common with it.

Ibs. per Acre.

Anthoxanthum odoratum. Sweet-scented vernal-
grass, at the time of flowering, affords of nu-
tritive matter 122^
At the time the seed is ripe, affords of nutri- /

tive matter 31 1 > 672

The produce of latter-math affords of nutritive

matter 239

Poa pratensis. Smooth-stalked meadow-grass, as above,

affords of nutritive matter - 590

The weight of nutritive matter, by which the produce
of the sweet-scented vernal exceeds that of the
smooth-stalked meadow-grass, is therefore 82

Poa trivialis. Rough-stalked meadow-grass, at
the time of flowering, affords of nutritive
matter 233

At the time the seed is ripe, affords of nutritive

matter 336 > 792

The produce of latter-math affords of nutritive

matter 223

Poa pratensis. As before 590

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the produce of

the Poa trivialis exceeds that of the Poa pratensis, is 202

Besides this superiority of produce, the Anthoxanthum odoratum
and Poa trivialis have fibrous roots, which impoverish the soil in
a far less degree. The Poa pratensis cannot therefore justify its
claim to a place in the composition of the best natural pastures,
and on this account should be carefully avoided, as an unprofit-
able plant for that purpose. It flowers in the beginning of June,

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 145

and ripens the seed in the beginning of July. In the best perma-
nent pastures the smooth -stalked meadow-grass is, according to
all my observations, present ; but in a much smaller proportion
than almost any other species of the proper grasses.

POA subcarulea. Short blue Meadow-grass.

Specific character : Panicle diffuse ; spikelets oval, generally
3-flowered ; husks acute, connected by a villus : , sheath-scale
very short, rounded, or very much obtuse.

Obs. This grass is so nearly allied to the Poa pratensis, that the
discriminating characters are hardly sufficient to make them
distinct species, This grass has generally three florets in
each calyx ; the Poa pratensis has four, and sometimes five ;
the panicle is more compact, the culms are shorter, and some-
what glaucous ; the leaves are much shorter and broader than
those of the Poa pratensis. The sheath-scale in the Poa sub-
carulea is rounded ; that of the P. pratensis is only blunt, or
much less obtuse. It may be distinguished at some distance
from the Poa pratensis, by its delicate sky-blue or glaucous
colour. The root, like that of the Poa pratensis , is powerfully
creeping.

Native of Britain. E. Bot. 1004. Poa subcarulea, Hort. Kew. i.
155. Poa humilis,}loYi. Gram.Wob. Fol. p. 18. Poacarulea,
Sm. Engi. Fl. i. 126. Poa pratensis, var. subcarulea.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam enriched with bog earth is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 1 1 oz. The produce per acre - 7486 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 52 3^5 2246 ° °

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5240 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 i

The produce of the space, ditto 5 2 J 233 15 7

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre - 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 20 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 32 0 j

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4083 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20 } 1 70 9 ft
The produce of the space, ditto - 4 0 3

146 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 6 oz. the produce per acre 4084 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 127 9 14

This grass is common in meadows where the soil is peaty ; it
generally inhabits the drier parts. It is eaten by horses, oxen,
and sheep, indifferently with other grasses ; hares, however, prefer
the Poa pratensis to this : for five successive years they cropped a
patch of the Poa pratensis, and left untouched a similar space of
this grass that grew close by it. The proportion of saccharine
matter was greater, in the nutritive matter of the Poa pratensis,
compared to that of the other constituents, mucilage, and bitter
extractive, than in the nutritive matter of this species of Poa which
contained more bitter extractive. This seems to confirm, with
respect to the liking of the hare, what Sir Humphry Davy has
proved with respect to the grasses most liked by cattle, " that
they have either a saline or subacid taste/'

The produce of the seed crop, and that of the latter-math, con-
sists of leaves ; in the flowering crop there are many decaying
root leaves, and in the seed crop the leaves are more succulent,
but the culms are perfectly dry : this accounts for the equal quan-
tities of nutritive matter afforded by equal weights of the grass at
both these stages of growth.

On a rich warm springy gravel, shaded with shrubs, Mr. Taunton
found this grass rising to the height of three feet in the culm, and
having an exceeding handsome appearance, from fine luxuriant
foliage ; but on a stiff clay he never found it exceed ten inches in
height.

What was before said of the demerits of the Poa pratensis like-
wise applies to this grass ; and, from the above facts, it is evi-
dently one of the inferior pasture grasses, and cannot be recom-
mended for cultivation with any prospect of advantage, unless in
particularly dry soils, where superior grasses do not thrive. Flowers
in the beginning of June, and ripens the seed in the beginning of
July.

POA trivialls. Rough-stalked Meadow-grass.

Specific character: Panicle rather spreading; spikelets 3-flowered ;
florets lanceolate, five-ribbed, connected by a web ; stipula

To a I riv ia li s

/H/iW flit f ' //ti//rn.am/f?

HORTUS GRAMINF.US WOBURNENS TS. 147

oblong ; stem and leaves roughish ; root fibrous. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 124.

Refer. Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. Spikelet of three flowers, shewing the
anthers and corolla valves. 3. Nectary. 4. Germen and
feathered stigmas.

Obs. The great roughness of the culms and leaves manifested
when drawn between the fingers, the sharp-pointed sheath-
scale, and the fibrous root, so conspicuous in this species,
sufficiently distinguish it from the Poa pratensis.

Native of Britain; root perennial. E. Bot. 1072. Curt. Lond.
Host. ii. t. 62. Wither. Arr. Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 21.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
brown loam with manure is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 11 oz. The produce per acre 7486 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 7

• > oo/ifi i c\

The produce of the space, ditto - 54 0T3tf 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5240 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20}

The produce of the space, ditto 5 2 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 11 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre - 7827 3 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 >

The produce of the space, ditto 82 3£ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4304 15 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 23^
The produce of the space, ditto 7 3g J

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by taking
the crop at the time of flowering, exceeding one-
fourth of its value, is 102 5 12
The proportion which the value of the grass of the seed crop bears
to the value of the grass of the flowering crop is as 11 to 8.

The produce of the latter-math is —

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 dr. The

produce per acre is - 223 5 4

The proportional value in which the grass of the latter-math
exceeds that of the flowering crop, is as 3 to 2, and that of the
seed crop as 12 to 11.

148 HQRTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNEXSIS.

Here then is a satisfactory proof of the superior value of the
crop at the time the seed is ripe, and of the consequent loss sus-
tained by taking it when in flower ; because, in this instance, the
weight of each crop is nearly the same, and the latter-math which
would be produced in the time that is taken up in perfecting the
seed, is infinitely less than that of many other species of grass,
where the loss of latter-math, under such circumstances, would
far outweigh any superiority of the nutritive qualities of the crop
at the time the seed is ripe, if such superiority was great, which
is seldom found.

The weight of hay produced from grass of the flowering crop is
much less than that which is produced by an equal weight of the
grass of the seed crop. In Mr. Young's Annals of Agriculture
we are informed, that so long ago as the year 1785, Mr. Boys, of
Betshanger, in Kent, a farmer of the highest reputation, raised,
at much expense, and several years' attention, from twenty to
thirty bushels of the seed of this grass, which he then offered for
sale at three shillings per pound. He says that it makes a very
fine thick turf, and will produce a great quantity of very excellent
grass from moist rich soils. He used the straw after the seed was
thrashed, instead of hay, for his riding-horses, and they preferred
it to his best meadow hay. To have the land covered thick, more
than seven pounds of seed should be sown to the acre. Dr. Smith
observes that it does not bear the frost so well, nor does it shoot
so early in the spring, as the Poa pratensis ; but when the weather
becomes warm enough to make grasses in general shoot, this
grows faster, and produces a greater crop of bottom leaves than
most others. The experiments above detailed were made before
I met with the observations of Mr. Young and Dr. Smith, just
quoted, and all my observations tend to confirm those opinions
concerning this grass, except as regards its fitness to form a pasture
of itself, stated by Mr. Boys.

The superior produce of this Poa over many other species, its
highly nutritive qualities, the seasons in which it arrives at per-
fection, arid the marked partiality which oxen, horses, and sheep
have for it, are merits which distinguish it as one of the most
valuable of those grasses which affect moist rich soils and shel-
tered situations : but on dry exposed situations it is altogether
inconsiderable ; it yearly diminishes, and ultimately dies off,
not un frequently in the space of four or five years. Its pro-

fc'estu r a P r a I en s i s

MORTUS GRAM1XEUS WOBURNENSIS. 149

^

duce* is always much greater when combined with other grasses
than when cultivated by itself : with a proper admixture it will
nearly double its produce, though on the same soil, so much it
delights in shelter. Those spots in pastures that are most closely
eaten down, consist for the most part of this grass : I have exa-
mined many pastures with this view, and always found it the case
wherever this grass was more predominant. From all which it
appears, that the Poa trivialis, though highly valuable as a per-
manent pasture grass on rich and sheltered soils, is but little
adapted for the alternate husbandry, and unprofitable for any pur-
pose on dry exposed situations. It flowers towards the end of
June, and ripens the seed in the middle of July.

FESTUCA pratensis. Meadow Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle nearly upright, branched, spreading,
turned to one side ; spikelets linear, compressed ; florets nu-
merous, cylindrical, obscurely ribbed ; nectary four-cleft ;
root fibrous. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 147.

Refer. — Fig. 1. Spikelet magnified, shewing florets and the
calyx. 2. Four-cleft nectary. 3. Obovate germen, with its
short styles and thick feathery stigmas.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous, perennial.

Obs. — Dr. Withering makes this a variety of the Fesluca elatior;
but it is more justly made a distinct species in Sir J. E. Smith's
English Botany, and in his English Flora. It differs from
the Festuca elatior in having only half the height, the leaves
only half the breadth, the panicle shorter, and containing
only half the number of flowers. The panicle is but once
branched, droops but slightly, and leans to one side when in
flower, and the flowers grow all one way. In the elatior the

* According to the account which is given of this grass by Mr. Swayne, in
Dr. Witkering's Arrangement of British Plants, it is the famous Orcheston grass.
I am surprised to find it remarked of this grass, so long back as 1681, that " at
Maddington, in Wiltshire, about nine miles from Salisbury, grows a grass, in a
small plot of meadow ground, which grass in some years grows to a prodigious
length, sometimes twenty -four feet long, but not in height, as is usually reported ;
the length being caused by the washing of a sheep-down, that the rain in a hasty
shower brings with it much of the sheep dung over the meadow ; so that in such
springs as are not subject to such showers this grass thriveth not so well." Worlidge.
— The report of a grass growing twenty-four feet in height must have excited no
ordinary attention.

150 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBU RNENSIS.

panicle branches both ways, it droops much at first, and the
flowers grow much more loosely ; the spikelets are more round,
ovate, and pointed : whereas in the pratensis they are some-
what linear, flat, and obtuse. Curt. Lond. E. Bot. 1592.
Wither. Arr.

Experiments. — On the 16th of April, the produce from a fertile
peat soil, with coal ashes as manure, is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 1 }
The produce of the space, ditto - 9 0 5

At the time of flowering the produce is —

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre 13612 8 0

The produce of the space, ditto, when dry 152 0 \
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 38 0 J
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7146 9 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 42

The produce of the space, ditto 22 2

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre 19057 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 i

* C 7ftOQ (\ C\

The produce of the space, ditto - 179 0* J -

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 1 1434 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 }

The produce of the space, ditto 10 2 j

The weight of nutritive matter which is afforded by

the produce of latter-math per acre, is 380 0 0

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed is ripe, exceeding one-
half of its value, is 510 7 8

The grass at the time of flowering is of greater value, than at
the time the seed is ripe, proportionally, as 3 to 1.

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving the crop
of this grass till the seed be ripe, is therefore very great. That it
should lose more of its weight at this stage of growth than at the
time of flowering, perfectly agrees with the deficiency of nutritive
matter in the seed crop, in proportion to the nutritive matter
afforded by the flowering crop ; the straws being succulent in the
grass of the latter crop, while those of the former are dry, and

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOB URNENSIS. 151

constitute a much smaller proportion of the weight of the
crop than in the flowering crop. It may be observed here, that
there is a great difference between culms and leaves of grasses that
have been dried after they were cut in a green and succulent state,
or in possession of their nutrient qualities, and those culms and
leaves which have been dried (if I may so express it) by Nature
when growing : the former retain all their nutritive powers, but the
latter very little, if any. In point of early produce in the spring,
this grass stands next to the Alopecurus pratemis, (meadow fox-
tail), and is superior in this respect to the cock's-foot.

Ibs.
About the middle of April, the meadow fox-tail affords of

nutritive matter, per acre 483

At the same season, the meadow fescue, as above, affords

of nutritive matter, per acre - 382

The round-panicled cock's-foot, (Dactylis glomerata), ditto

ditto 358

It is eaten by horses, oxen, and sheep, but particularly by the
two first : its merits will be more clearly seen by comparing it far-
ther with the cock's-foot and meadow fox-tail. As it is often three
weeks later in flowering than the fox-tail grass, the latter-math
produce must be left out for the truth of comparison as regards its
comparative value for hay ; and as it is much slower in growth
after being cropped than the cock's-foot, it is likewise necessary
to omit the latter-math in a comparison of their produce.

ibs.

Alopecurus pratensis, (meadow fox-tail), at the ~"|
time of flowering, affords of nutritive mat-
ter, per acre - - 487 j>. 1194
At the time the seed is ripe, ditto ditto - 461 j
The produce of latter-math, ditto ditto - 255 j
The Festuca pratensis, (meadow fescue), as above,

affords, from the flowering and seeding crops only 1403
The weight of nutritive matter in which the produce
of one acre of the meadow fescue exceeds that of
fox-tail, is 209

Or the meadow fescue is of greater value than that of the fox-tail,

in the proportion nearly of 11 to 9.
Dactylis glomerata, (round cock's-foot,) affords of nutri-
tive matter, per acre, from three crops, that is, at the
time of flowering, at the time of seeding, and from
the latter-math crop, as before 2821

152 HORTUS GKAM1NEUS WOBURNENS1S.

Ibs.

The Festuca pratensis, as above - 1403

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the cock's-
foot exceeds the meadow fescue when taken as hay
crops, per acre is 1418

Or the cock's-foot grass is superior, in point of produce, to the
meadow fescue, in the proportion nearly of 2 to 1 . But for
grazing, the latter-math produce of the meadow fescue must
be brought forward ; in this case it approaches nearer to cock's-
foot in value, and increases its superiority, in point of produce,
over the meadow foxtail.

The meadow fescue constitutes a very considerable portion of the
herbage of all rich natural pastures and irrigated meadows ; it
makes excellent hay, and though a large plant, the leaves or
herbage are succulent and tender, and apparently much liked by
cattle, as they never form rank tufts, which is the case with the
larger grasses. It does not appear to arrive at its full productive
powers from seed so soon as either the cock's-foot or fox-tail
grass, and though essential for permanent pasture, is not by itself
very well adapted for the alternate husbandry, but should be com-
bined with cock's-foot, rye-grass, and rough-stalked meadow-grass.
Mr. Taunton's experience of this grass on a stiff clayey soil proved,
that a copious crop of seed-stalks may be obtained the second
year from sowing. Flowers in June, and ripens the seed at the
end of July and the beginning of August. In the deep alluvial
soils in Lincolnshire, this grass is not so prevalent as in the clay
districts. In the vale of Aylesbury it constitutes a considerable
portion of the most valuable and fattening pastures of that rich
grazing district.

CYNOSURUS cristatus. Crested Dog's-tail Grass.

Specific character : Spike simple, linear ; neuter spikelets with-
out awns. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 137. — Fig. 1. Spikelets, shewing
the floral leaves and neuter florets. 2. Ditto, mag. 3. Floret,
4. Germen, valves, or nectary.

Obs. — Floral leaves deeply divided into awl-shaped segments.
Husks generally containing three flowers. Smaller valve of
the blossom ending in two points : larger valve ending in a
short awn. Florets all facing one way. This grass is often
viviparous ; in wet seasons, I have found it generally so, in
Woburn Park under the trees. I have found the Alopecurns

v M o s ii r n s < ' r i N I a I ii

KOIITUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 153

prateims under the like circumstances viviparous. Root
perennial.
Native of Britain. E. Bot. 316; Host. t. 96; Mart. t. 106;

F. Dan. 238.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
brown loam, with manure, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre, is 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0

The produce of the space, ditto 43 Oj f

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4287 15 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 417

The produce of the space, ditto 9 2J 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre, 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto - 115 OJ }
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7350 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 ">
The produce of the space, ditto 11 1 5

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 per a. 132 14 0
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost, by taking
the crop at the time of flowering, exceeding one-
sixth of its value, is 71 12 9

The proportion in which the grass at the time of flowering
exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, with respect to nutritive
powers, is as 17 to 10, and is superior to the latter-math in the like
proportion.

The quantity of grass at the time the seed is ripe, is just twice
that at the time of flowering ; but the grass at the former period
contains nearly twice the quantity of nutritive matter, as appears
above ; and when the latter-math, which would be produced during
the time the seed was ripening, is added to this, it shews the su-
perior advantage of taking the crop when the grass is in flower.
The culms of this grass are of a wiry nature, and, at the time the
seed is ripe, contain no nutritive matter. The leaves are rather
slow in growth, are short, but form a dense turf ; hence, the weight
of grass at the time the seed is ripe, is greater than at the time of
flowering, but contains proportionally less nutritive matter. It is

154 HORTUS GttAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

therefore inferior for the purpose of hay, but admirably adapted for
permanent pasture. The roots penetrate to a considerable depth
in the ground, from which circumstance it continues green after
most other grasses are hurt by a continuance of dry weather.
Mr. Curtis observes, that it affects a dry soil, and that it will not
thrive in meadows that are wet ; but I have always found it more
abundant in moist, or rather tenacious elevated soils, than in those
of a drier and more sandy nature. In irrigated meadows it thrives
in perfection, attaining to a greater size than in any other situation.
In some parts of Woburn Park, this grass constitutes the principal
part of the herbage, on which the deer and South Down sheep
chiefly browse, while another part of the Park, which consists
chiefly of the Agrostis vulgarisfascicularis, Agrostis vulgaris tenui-
folia, Festuca ovina, Festuca duriuscula, and Festuca Cambrica,
is seldom touched by them ; but the Welsh breed of sheep almost
constantly browse on these, and almost entirely neglect the Cyno-
surus cristatus, Lolium perenne, and Poa trivialis. There has been
a difference of opinion with respect to the merits of this grass : it
certainly does not afford so early a bite to cattle in the spring as
many other grasses, and the culms are uniformly left untouched :
but this is more owing to the season in which they are produced,
than to any particular defect ; as there is then a profusion of root
leaves and herbage in general, which is always preferred by cattle
to the culms : when the grass is in flower, the culms are succulent,
and contain much nutritive matter ; it is all, however, exhausted in
perfecting the seed. If this grass is employed only for the alter-
nate husbandry, and its merits from thence estimated, it will be
considered an inferior grass, as it is by no means adapted for that
purpose, either with respect to speedily arriving at perfection, early
growth, or quantity of produce ; but it forms a close dense turf of
grateful nutritive herbage, and being little affected by the extremes
of weather, where other grasses, superior in the fore-mentioned
points would be produced in tufts, and injured by the extremes of
weather. From these facts it is evident, a sward of the best qua-
lity, particularly under circumstances where sheep are a principal
object, cannot be formed without an admixture or proportion of
the crested dog's-tail grass. In all the most celebrated pastures
I have examined, it constituted a very considerable portion of the
produce. 4 It flowers towards the end of June, and ripens the seed
towards the end of July. The culms are valuable for the manu-
facture of straw bonnets.

I) uriiiKciiia

HOKTUS GRAMINEUS WOB URN'ENSI.S. 155

FESTUCA duriuscula. Hard Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle unilateral, spreading ; florets longer
than their awns ; stem round, upper leaves flat, root fibrous.
Sm. Engl. Bot. i. p. 141. — Fig. 1. Calyx, with unequal valves.
2. Floret, or corolla and anthers. 3. Germen, or rudiment of
the future seed, and the feathered cylindrical stigmas.
Obs. — Sir James Edward Smith, in his English Botany, ob-
serves, "that in this genus it is hard to say what may, or what
may not be a species;" and, with his usual force and clearness,
he reduces the Festuca glauca, Festuca glabra, Festuca Cambrica,
Festuca duriuscula, and Festuca rubra, of Hudson, Lightfoot,
Withering, Winch, and Stillingfleet, &c. into one species.
All these grasses vary much from change of soil and situation ;
the flowers are particularly apt to vary in number, as well as
in the length of their awns : there is one character, however,
which I have never found to change under any variety of
culture, which is the creeping root ; and this is also an agri-
cultural character of distinction which is never to be lost sight
of, as it always produces a specific effect upon the soil, very
distinct indeed from that of the fibrous-rooted kinds. The
botanical characters given by the learned, being, therefore,
insufficient to distinguish these grasses, (which I have no
doubt will be equally so, with many of the present specific
distinctions of plants, when discoveries have been sufficiently
extended over every country,) I will here consider them of
two distinct species — the creeping rooted, and the fibrous-
rooted : noting their varieties from other parts of the plant.
This will be sufficient for the purposes of the Agriculturist';*
or, at least, to practical men the discriminating characters
will be much less embarrassing, and obviate, in a great mea-
sure, in these plants the danger of mistake. See Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 141 ; E. Bot. 470-2056; With. Still. Curtis. Lond.

Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time t>f flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam with manure, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 27 oz. The produce per acre is - 18376 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 36 0 }

The produce of the space, ditto - 194 1J 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10106 4 8

156 HORTUS GRAMIXEUS WOBURN ENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 2 i
The produce of the space, ditto - 23 2* 5
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre 19057 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 201 2| 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10481 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12)
The produce of the space, ditto 10 2 i

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed is ripe, exceeding one-half of
its value, is 558 5 3

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of flowering,

exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 7 to 3.
The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - 10209 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter, 1 dr. 1 qr. per

acre 199 6 4

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of
flowering, exceeds that of the latter-math, is as 14 to 5 ; and
to that at the time the seed is ripe, as 6 to 5.

The above details confirm the favourable opinion which most
writers have expressed respecting this grass. It is most preva-
lent on light rich soils ; but it is likewise always found in the
richest natural pastures, where the soil is more retentive of mois-
ture, and is never absent from irrigated meadows that have been
properly formed. It appears to be one of the best of the fine, or
dwarf-growing grasses ; which are best adapted for the food of
sheep, as the Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Poa pratensis, Agrostis
vulgaris, &c. Hares are fond of this grass, they cropped it close
to the roots, and entirely neglected the Festuca rubra and Festuca
ovina , which grew contiguous to it. It attains to the greatest per-
fection when combined with the Festuca pratensis and Poa trivialis.
It springs rather early, and the produce is remarkably fine and
succulent. It withstands the effects of severe dry weather in
rich natural pastures better than many other grasses. This pro-
perty, joined to its merits above-mentioned, entitle it to a place in
the composition of the best pastures, though in a smaller propor-
tion, on account of its inferior productive powers, which are not

F'estuoa Cam brie a

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 157

compensated by any superiority in the nutritive qualities of the
grass over those grasses that are more productive, as is the case
with the Poa trivialis, and some other species.

The superiority of these natural pastures over those pastures
which are formed of one or two grasses only, in respect of a con-
stant or never-failing supply of herbage throughout the season, is
in one point, among many others, owing to the variety of habits
which exist in a numerous assemblage of different grasses. Some
species thrive best in an excess of moist weather ; others in a con-
tinuance of dry weather ; but the majority of the grasses which
compose the produce of the pastures in question, thrive best in a
middle state between moisture and dryness. Observation will
furnish abundant proofs of the truth of this, by comparing the
different states of productiveness in natural pastures, during a
season of changeable weather, with those of artificial pastures
under the like influence of soil and climate. It flowers about the
middle of June, and ripens the seed in the third week of July.
When cultivated on a poor siliceous soil, or on a thin heath
soil, the culms become very fine and slender, and promise to
be valuable for the manufacture of straw hats.

FESTUCA Cambrica. Welsh Fescue.

Specific character: Panicle compact, oblong, upright, branched,
spikelets awl-shaped, awned, leaves flat. — Fig. 1. Spikelet
magnified. 2. Floret magnified, shewing the spreading-
feathered stigmas.

Obs. — This CONSTANT variety of Festuca rubra (See Sm. EngL
Fl. i. p. 142), is distinguished at first sight from the Festuca
ovina, and varieties of Festuca rubra, and Festuca duriuscula,
by the pale green colour of the panicle and culm. The root
leaves grow more upright and flat; when cultivated, the
spikelets consist of 10 or 12 florets. Stipulae membraneous,
blunt. (Wither.}

Root creeping. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh when dry 34 0}

The produce of the space, ditto 68 0 J

158 HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3913 9 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21^
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2 J 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre - 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh when dry 24 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 96 0 1

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9528 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21^
The produce of the space, ditto 11 1 j

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by taking
the crop before the seed is perfected, being one-half
of its value, is, 239 4 2

The value of the grass at each of these stages of growth is equal.
The superior weight of nutritive matter afforded by the crop at the
time the seed is ripe, arises from the increase of grass which takes
place during the time the seed is perfecting ; and in this case, as
in all others where it is shewn that the nutritive matter of the seed
crop exceeds that contained in the flowering crop, the loss of
latter-math which would have been produced in the time the seed
was perfecting must always be considered : this caution is perhaps
unnecessary to the judicious, candid, and truly practical Farmer.
When the practice becomes general of saving the necessary quan-
tity of seed for the farm, (which I doubt not will happen, though
at a remote period,) these comparisons between the value of the
flowering and seed crops will possess their proper interest. The
seed crops of the natural grasses are in general, at least as far as
my observations have reached, left too long growing ; the green, or
the withered state of the culms, is an uncertain criterion to judge
of the ripeness of the seed of the perennial grasses, though gene-
rally good for the different annual sorts. In the greater part
of the perennial grasses, the culms are far from being either
withered or dry when the seed is ripe, which is determined, in
almost all cases, by passing the spike or panicle between the
fingers ; if a portion of the seed separate by this means, it will be
found in the best state for collecting ; it should, however, be suf-
fered to remain in the ears after being cut until the grass be per-
fectly dry. When the grass is suffered to remain uncut till
the culms are withered and dry, and the seed separates on a slight

\'
111

Fcstuca Rorctiformis

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 159

touch, the grass is rendered of little value, and the seed not im-
proved in quality : the best part of the seed is either lost by
devouring birds or insects, or shaken out in the process of cutting
and collecting. I have made a number of experiments on the
seeds of grasses and other plants, by sowing at different degrees of
what is termed ripeness, and the results went always to prove the
truth of the above remarks ; also that diseased or imperfectly
formed seed always vegetated best when sown directly after being
separated from the plant. An ounce of this seed vegetated by this
treatment in three different trials ; the same seed, kept dry for two
months only, did not vegetate by the like means employed in
sowing, or any other that I attempted. I have repeated experi-
ments of this nature with much interest and care, but the principle
still remained unaltered.

The produce of latter-math is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 1 per a. 119 0 0

From the above results it appears, that this grass is much inferior
to the Festuca duriuscula in the quantity of its produce, as well as
in nutrient qualities ; which will be evident on a comparison of
these properties, as mentioned in the foregoing details. It springs
rather earlier than the hard fescue, and also rises better after
being cropped, but not, apparently, in a sufficient degree to com-
pensate for its deficiencies in other respects. It is far from being
so common as the F. duriuscula, and inhabits the drier spots
of pastures. Flowers some days earlier than the F. duriuscula,
and ripens the seed about the same period as that grass.

FESTUCA ovina hordeiformis. Long-awned Sheep's Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle compact, branches subdivided, up-
right. Spikelets crowded, 6-10-flowered. Root-leaves thread-
shaped, stem-leaves very long. — Fig. 1. Spikelet magnified.
2. Corolla, anthers, and loose-feathered stigmas, mag.

Obs. — In the first account of the results of these experiments,
this grass is received under the name of Festuca hordeiformis ;
though there are names received among Botanists not less
incongruous than this one, yet I am happy to agree with the
opinion of Mr. Sowerby in considering it a variety of the

160 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS

Festuca ovina. I am uncertain as to its native place of
growth, having never discovered it in any soil or situation in
a wild state. The culms are strongly marked with ribs.
Root fibrous, perennial. Native of Britain ?
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy soil with manure is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0

The produce of the space, ditto 96 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217

The produce of the space, ditto 11 13

At the time the seed is ripe the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 89 2f 5 381

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5717 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 13)
The produce of the space, ditto 6 Of 5

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre - 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 3 per a. 148 14 0
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-half of
its value, is 217 12 0

The proportional value in which the grass at the time of flower-
ing exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 9 to 7 : and it
exceeds the value of the latter-math grass in the like proportion.
The grass of the seed crop and that of the latter-math are equal in
the quantity of nutritive matter they contain, a circumstance easily
accounted for, as the culms at the time the seed is ripe are drier
than in most other grasses at the same stage of growth ; and the
produce then consists almost entirely of leaves, similar to the latter-
math produce. This species flowers earlier than any other of the
fescue species. Its nutritive qualities are nearly the same as those of
the Festuca duriuscula. It is superior to that species and to most
others in the produce of early herbage in the spring ; the herbage
is very fine, tender, and succulent. It is highly superior to the
Festuca ovina, of which it is considered a variety. It does appear

Av ena. Tlave s CCIL s

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 161

to possess merit in a sufficient degree to entitle it to a place in
the composition of the best pastures, particularly as a substitute
for the Festuca duriuscula, which might be effected with advantage
on soils of a drier or sandy nature. It flowers in the last week of
May, and ripens the seed in June. The culms are well adapted
for the manufacture of the finest straw-plait, being very distant in
the joints, and of an equal thickness throughout. By the com-
pression of the straws, in the process of plaiting, the furrows of
the culms disappear entirely.

AVENAJlavescens. Golden Oat, Yellow Oat-grass.

Specific character: Panicle much branched, spreading, erect;
calyx 3-flowered, short, all the florets awned.

Fig. 1. Calyx with its unequal valves. 3. The same magnified.
2. Floret, with the awn arising from above the middle of the
outer valve. 4. The same magnified. 5. Germen obovate,
stigmas densely feathery. 6. Styles, short distinct.

Root fibrous, perennial. Native of Britain.

Obs. — Leaves linear, acute, flat ; margin rough, of a yellow
green colour. Panicle much branched, yellow green at first,
afterwards changing to a golden yellow, by which it may be
distinguished at a distance from other grasses ; wide spread
when in flower, but compact when in seed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 166. Curt. Lond. E. Bot.t.952. Wither. Arr. Host. t. 38.
Flo. Germ. i. p. 377. Hort. Kew.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 07 285g 1Q Q

The produce of the space, ditto 67 0| 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 337

The produce of the space, ditto 11 13

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre - - 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7 ^QQQ g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 115 0| 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7350 12 0

M

162 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 * QQ -Q ^
The produce of the space, ditto - 10 01 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, is 47 13 1 1
The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of flowering,
exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 5 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre - 4083 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 dr. 1 qr.

per acre 79 12 2

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of flower-
ing, exceeds that of the latter-math, is as 3 to 1 ; and the grass,
at the time the seed is ripe, is to that of the latter-math as
9 to 5.

This is one of those grasses which never thrives when cultivated

o

simply by itself; it requires to be combined with other grasses to
secure its continuance in the soil, and to obtain its produce in
perfection. It thrives best when combined with the Hordeum
pratense (meadow barley), Cynosurus cristatm (crested dog's-tail),
and Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet-scented vernal-grass). It
affects most a calcareous soil, and that which is dry. It grows
naturally, however, in almost every kind of soil, from the lime-
stone rock to the irrigated meadow : it is always present in the
richest natural pastures. From the above details, its produce is
not very great, nor its nutritive qualities considerable. The nu-
tritive matter it affords from its leaves (the properties of which
are of more importance to be known than those of the culms, for
a permanent pasture grass), contains proportionally more bitter
extractive than what is contained in the nutritive matters of the
grasses with which it is more generally combined in natural pas-
tures, and which have just now been mentioned. This latter cir-
cumstance is the chief claim it has to a place in the composition
of the produce of rich pasture land ; but more particularly, if the
land be elevated and without good shelter, this grass becomes
more valuable, as it thrives better under such circumstances than
most other grasses, and sheep eat it as readily as they do most
others. The seed is very small and light ; but it vegetates freely
if sown in the autumn, or not too early in the spring. I have
sown the seeds of this grass in almost every month of the year,

Helens L.aTiatus .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 163

and, after making due allowance for the state of the weather, the
third week in May, and the first week of August to September,
were evidently the best.

It flowers in the first and often in the second week of July, and
ripens the seed in the beginning of August.

HOLCUS lanatus. Woolly Soft-grass.

Specific character : Root fibrous ; calyx woolly ; lower floret per-
fect, awnless, upper with an arched awn ; leaves downy on
both sides. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 107.

Fig. 1. Calyx magnified, shewing the dotted, hoary valves, the
innermost broadest. 2. The two florets, shorter than the
calyx. 3. Germen and slender-feathered stigmas.

Obs. — Practical farmers often mistake this grass for the
creeping-rooted soft-grass ; I have therefore given a figure of
the latter in the next following page, for the convenience of
comparison, otherwise it belongs to another division of the
subject, that is, grasses natural to sandy soils. The male, or
unisexual floret, contains one pistil; the germen, or rudi-
ment of the future seed, is similar to that of the fertile or
bisexual floret, but much smaller ; it is always abortive . Seed
with a shining hardened coat, which was formerly the corolla.

Native of Britain. Perennial. E. Bot. 1169. Host. t. 2. Curt.
Lond. fasc. 38. Wither. Arr. Fol. Germ. i. p. 251.

Experiments. — About the middle of April the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre - 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21 167 7 15

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre - 19057 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 40}
The produce of the space, ditto 28 0 3

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 26 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 145 2f5 619311 0
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12863 13 0

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre - 19057 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 16 0 ">

The produce of the space, ditto - 89 2fj 3811 8 °

164 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 15246 0 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 dr. 3 qr. 7
The produce of the space, ditto 19 1 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-
third part of its value, is - 372 3 8

The proportional value in which the first grass of the spring is
inferior to that at the time of flowering, is as 16 to 9 ; and the
grass of the flowering crop exceeds that of the seed crop in the
proportion of 16 to 11.

Produce per Acre.

The produce of latter-math is — Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 1 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 dr. 2 qr.

per acre 159 8 5

The grass of the latter-math is therefore of inferior value to that
of the spring, to that at the time of flowering, and to that at the
time the seed is ripe.

This is a very common grass, and grows on all soils, from the
richest to the poorest. It attains to the greatest degree of luxu-
riance on light moist soils ; particularly on those of a peaty nature.
Cattle prefer almost any other grass to this ; it is seen in pastures
with full-grown perfect leaves, while the grasses that surround it
are cropped to the roots.

The numerous downy hairs which cover the surface of the whole
plant render the hay that is made of it soft and spongy, and in this
state it is disliked by cattle, particularly by horses. Sir Humphry
Davy has shewn that its nutritive matter consists entirely of muci-
lage and sugar ; and that the nutritive matters of the grasses
most liked by cattle have either a sub-acid or saline taste ; and
observes, that the taste of the nutritive matter of the PIolcus
lanatus is similar to that of gum Arabic ; and this grass might
probably be made more palatable to cattle by being sprinkled over
with salt. This may be done at so little expense and trouble at
the time the hay is carried, that it cannot be too earnestly recom-
mended to the notice of those gentlemen who may have much of
this grass in their meadows or pastures. The late Duke of Bed-
ford made trial of this grass on a large scale : the results proved

lolcus Mollis

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 165

that it was a very inferior grass for pasture or for hay. Its merits
consist in being productive and easy of cultivation. But it is dis-
liked by cattle, is not an early grass, and when once in possession
of the soil can hardly be again rooted out. There being so many
grasses superior to this in every respect, it cannot support a good
claim to a place in the composition of the best permanent pastures,
and for cultivation singly, or by itself, it is wholly inadmissible.
The quantity of nutritive matter it affords, and being found a
constituent of the produce of some of the richest grazing lands in
Devonshire, are circumstances, however, which recommend it to
a place, in a small degree, in permanent pastures where the soil is
not light and siliceous ; where the soil is light and siliceous it will
increase to a degree injurious to the superior grasses of the pasture.
The seeds of the Holcus lanatus should therefore not be introduced
under the circumstances of soil above mentioned without much
caution. It produces a profusion of seed, which, being light, is
easily dispersed by the winds ; and though a late-flowering grass,
the seed ripens sooner than that of most others, and before hay-
harvest begins is generally perfected. The question is, therefore,
how to get free of it : hard stocking, and never suffering it to run
to seed, will at least prevent it from spreading farther. But
ploughing up the pasture, and taking not less than a five years'
course of crops, and then returning the land to other grasses, will
be found the best remedy. Flowers and ripens the seed in July.

HOLCUS mollis. Creeping Soft-grass, Couch-grass.

Specific character: Root creeping; calyx partly naked; lower
floret perfect, awnless, upper with a sharply-bent prominent
awn ; leaves slightly downy. Sm. Engi. Fl. i. p. 108.

Fig. above, the two Florets ; the lower one perfect, awnless, the
upper shewing the recurved awn : which is a certain mark of
distinction between this and the Holcus lanatus. Fig. below.
Calyx magnified. Right hand Fig., Germen and feathered
stigma.

Obs. — The creeping root of this species of soft grass at once
determines it to be distinct from the Holcus lanatus. The
leaves are also narrower, and more soft than those of the
Holcus lanatus, and grow more distinct from each other ; on
the contrary, those of the H. lanatus are in dense tufts.
The awn in the lanatus is hid in the calyx ; but in the mollis

166 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

it protrudes out of the calyx ; it is also twisted and knee-
bent, like that of an Avena. The panicle of the lanatus is
generally of a reddish purple colour, tinged with green, or,
when growing under the shade of trees, of a whitish green
colour. The panicle of the H. mollis is always of a pale
whitish green colour.

Perennial. Native of Britain. E. Bot. 1170. Host. t. 3. Curt.
Lond. fasc. 54. Wither. Arr. Hort. Kew.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 50 oz. The produce per acre - 34031 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 320 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 20418 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 427 OQQO -,<> 0
The produce of the space, ditto • - 56 1 3
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 31 oz. The produce per acre 21099 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 198 If 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12659 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 27
The produce of the space, ditto 27 Of 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-
half of its value, is - 123815 3

The proportional value in which the grass of the flowering crop
exceeds that of the seed crop, is as 9 to 7.

64 dr. of the roots afford of nutritive matter 5 dr. 2 qr. The
nutritive powers of the roots are therefore superior to those of the
grass of the flowering crop as 11 to 9, and also superior to the
grass of the seeding crop as 11 to 7.

The above details prove this grass to have merits which, when
compared with those of other species, rank it as one of the supe-
rior grasses ; but then it produces little herbage in the spring,
and the latter-math is next to nothing. It is also a very late
grass, and whatever merit it may possess with regard to a crop, at
the time of flowering, it can only be taken into the account in re-
lation to the soil which naturally produces it, which is a light

jti joaat v

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 167

barren sandy soil. If we therefore compare its produce on such
soils with that of other grasses, it will prove superior ; but there it
must remain, for on all other soils it will be found inferior to most
other grasses. The roots, when once in possession of the soil,
can hardly be again expelled without great labour and expense.
It is the true couch-grass of light sandy soils. I have found roots
five feet in length, the growth of a few months only. The roots
contain a very considerable quantity of nutritive matter, which has
the flavour of new-made meal. Pigs are very fond of the roots,
and dig them up with eagerness. How far it might be advan-
tageous to cultivate this grass on naked sands, for the sake of
the roots, I shall not presume to determine ; but the strong nutri-
tive powers they possess, and the little expense that would attend
their culture, warrant the recommendation of trial to those who
may have such barren sands in their possession. The herbage is
apparently more disliked by cattle than that of the Holcus lanatus ;
it is extremely soft, dry, and tasteless. The best mode of banish-
ing this impoverishing and most troublesome weed from light
arable lands that are infested with it, is to collect the roots with
the fork after the plough ; and when thus in some measure lessened,
to apply yearly sufficient dressings of clay, perhaps fifty load per
acre, till the texture of the soil is changed to a sandy loam : this
grass will then be easily overcome, and the fertility of the soil
permanently increased. See remarks on soils at p. 152.

HOLCUS odoratus (repens). Sweet-scented Soft-grass, or North-
ern Holy-grass.

Specific character : Panicle somewhat unilateral ; fruit-stalks
smooth ; perfect floret awnless ; barren ones slightly awned.
Hierochloe Borealis, Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 110. Holcus repens,
Host. vol. iii. p. 3, t. 3. Holcus odoratus, Flo. Dan. t. 963.
Holcus Borealis, Flo. Germ. p. 252.

Fig. 1. Floret magnified.

Obs. — Botanists have made two species here, which I include
in one, as I can perceive no difference in their structure,
habits, or agricultural merits, sufficient to separate them.
The nectary is the only part wherein these plants vary from
each other in a sensible degree, but what may be accounted
for from the circumstances of soil and situation. If they are
to remain distinct species, they are artificial in no ordinary
degree. Since the above remarks were first published, that

168 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUItNENSIS.

important work, the English Flora, has been given to the
public : from which it appears that this grass has been found
a native of valleys among the Highlands of Scotland, and I
willingly submit to the opinion of the illustrious author, in
considering this species distinct from the Holcus Australis.

Root creeping. Perennial. Native of valleys among the High-
lands of Scotland ; and in Germany grows in moist meadows.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 20 2 ) 0441 11 14

The produce of the space, ditto 57 1^ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7087 0 2
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 41) ^09 -i o 4
The produce of the space, ditto 14 3 J 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 40 oz. The produce per acre 27225 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 7 9528 12 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 224 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 17696 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 51)

& 99QQ A 1 O

The produce of the space, ditto 52 2 )

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 25 oz. The produce per acre - 17015100

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 1 11 29 15 1

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by
taking the crop at the time of flowering, exceed-
ing one-half its value, is • - 1600 8 9

The proportional value in which the grass of the seed crop ex-
ceeds that at the time of flowering, is as 21 to 17. The grass of
the latter-math, and the grass at the time of flowering, are of
equal proportional value.

Though this is one of the earliest flowering grasses, it is tender,
and the spring produce of herbage is very inconsiderable, the
flowering straws rising up in a manner destitute of leaves. This
deficiency of produce is much to be regretted, as the nutritive
qualities of the grass are greater than in most of the early spring
grasses : it sends forth but a few flower straws, which are of a
slender structure, compared to the size of the leaves. This ac-

1 i-' 11 vr A \* i* n ft r (",\\ S

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 169

counts, in a great measure, for the equal quantities of nutritive
matter afforded by the grass at the time of flowering, and that of
the latter-math. The grasses which flower about the same time
as this species are — blue moor-grass (Sesleria caerulea), Alpine
meadow-grass (Poa Alpina), and the sweet-scented vernal-grass
(Anthoxanthum odoratum). In no instance that I have observed
was this grass eaten by the hares and rabbits which preyed upon
many of the other grasses. Sir. H. Davy has shewn, that 82 parts
of the nutritive matter of this grass consist of 72 parts mucilage
or starch, four parts saccharine matter, and six parts of bitter ex-
tractive matter, and a peculiar substance which has an acrid taste,
more soluble in alcohol than in water. The powerful creeping
roots of this grass, its tender nature, and the great deficiency of
foliage in the spring, are demerits which discourage the idea of
recommending it farther to the notice of the agriculturist.

It comes into flower about the end of April, and perfects hardly
any seed ; seldom more than two seeds in a panicle are ever found
perfect ; but few grasses propagate more quickly by the roots.

HOLCUS avenaceus. Tall Oat-like Soft-grass.

Specific character : Calyx smooth ; barren floret lowest, with a
sharply-bent prominent awn ; fertile one slightly elevated,
scarcely awned ; leaves rather harsh ; root knobbed, or bul-
bous. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 108.

Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. The two Florets, shewing the bent awn in
the outer valve of the lower and barren floret ; the fertile
floret slightly elevated. 3. Barren Floret, with its bent awn.

4. Germen, with the stigmas feathered on the upper side.

5. Germen valves, or Nectary.

Obs. — In the works of Linnaeus, Curtis, and Host, this grass
is found under the name of Avena elatior ; under this name
it was also received in the first account of the results of these
experiments. The jointed and twisted awn, from the back
of the blossom, which caused it to rank with the aven&, is
frequently wanting altogether, which is evident in the next
following variety. It was thought to agree better with the
hold in structure; it has in consequence been referred to
that genus by Scopoli, in the Flora Carniolica ; and by Sir
James Edward Smith, in the Flo. Brit, and English Botany ;
indeed, it appears to belong to neither of these justly, but

170 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

serves to form the connecting link between the averuz, hold,

and airee. Eng. Bot. 813. Host. t. 49, Avena elatior. Curt.

Lond., Avena elatior.
Native of Britain. Perennial.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 25 oz. The produce per acre 17015 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0}

The produce of the space, ditto - 150 0 >

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 11635 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227

The produce of the space, ditto - 15 2 j 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 24 oz. The produce per acre 16335 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 134 ** f 5717
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10617 13 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 107
The produce of the space, ditto 603

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre - - 13612 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 1 265 13 14

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-
half of its value, is - 409 6 4

The proportional value in which the grass at the time of flower-
ing exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe is as 5 to 2, and is
superior to the grass of the latter-math in the proportion of 2 to 1 .

This grass sends forth flowering culms during the whole of the
season, and the latter-math produce, consequently, contains nearly
an equal quantity of culms with the flowering crop. It is subject
to the disease termed rust, but it does not make its appearance
till after the period of flowering ; it affects the whole plant, and at
the time the seed is ripe the culms and many of the root-leaves are
withered and dry from its baneful effects. This clearly explains
the cause of the latter-math being superior to the crop at the time
the seed is ripe ; and points out the propriety of taking the crop as
soon as the grass is in flower.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 171

When cultivated on a heath soil, the subsoil being a strong clay,
the nutritive powers of the grass were greater. 64 dr. of this grass
afforded 4 dr. of nutritive matter, which shews the grass, in this
instance, to be of greater value than that from a clayey loam, in
the proportion of 8 to 5. But the weight of grass produced on the
clayey loam, was superior to that on the heath soil, in the propor-
tion of 25 to 8. To account for this we have only to observe, that
the produce of the heath soil consisted chiefly of culms, while that
of the clayey loam consisted more of leaves. This grass is eaten
by all sorts of cattle. Its produce is very great, but the nutritive
qualities of the grass are inferior to many other grasses. It
pushes rapidly after being cropped ; and though later in flowering
than many other species, produces an early and plentiful supply of
herbage in the spring. These properties would entitle it to rank
high as a grass adapted for the alternate husbandry, but its nutri-
tive matter contains too large a proportion of bitter extractive and
saline matters to warrant its cultivation, without a considerable ad-
mixture of different grasses ; and the same objection extends to its
culture for permanent pasture. It is always present in the compo-
sition of the best natural pastures, and, as before mentioned, eaten
in common with other grasses. It does not, however, constitute
a large proportion of the herbage, but rather the least of any of the
more valuable grasses that have been mentioned.

Its produce on different soils from the time it was sown,
April 23, 1813, till the period it was cut, July 10, 1813, being less
than three months, was as follows :

Rich clayey loam, grass, 25 oz. 64 dr. of which

afforded of nutritive matter - 73 grains.

Clayey loam, grass, 23 oz. 64 dr. of which

afforded of nutritive matter 84

Rich black siliceous sandy soil, grass, 13 oz.

64 dr. of which afforded of nutritive matter 89
Poor siliceous sandy soil, grass, 10 oz. 64 dr.

of which afforded of nutritive matter - 80
Heath soil, grass, 8 oz. 64 dr. of which afforded

of nutritive matter 83

The difference in the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by the
produce of these different soils seemed solely to arise from the
proportion of culms contained in the different crops ; the produce
of the rich black siliceous soil, for instance, contained by far the

172 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

greatest proportion of flowering culms, and that of the rich clayey
loam the least.

From the above details it appears that this grass should have a
place in the composition of the best natural or permanent pastures,
though its proportion, as a constituent, should be much limited.
Flowers towards the end of June, and ripens the seed about the
second week of July. In dry or fluctuating soils the roots become
largely bulbous, and then constitute a troublesome weed.

HOLCUS avenaceus, var. muticus. Awnless tall Oat-like Soft-

Far. — Flowers without awns.

Obs. — This variety is smaller in every respect than the pre-

ceding ; leaves very short ; root slightly bulbous ; panicle

much contracted ; glumes pencilled at the apex with purple.

Flowers a week later than the awned variety ; in all other

respects it is the same.
Native of Scotland. Curt.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

rich clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 1

The produce of the space, ditto - 100 3i 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7963 5 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 32} ™ 0

The produce of the space, ditto 15 33

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 10 53 2 12

This variety is much later, in respect of producing herbage in the
spring, and in coming into flower, than the awned variety. It sel-
dom perfects any good seed. It appears to be much inferior in
point of produce, as the following comparison will manifest :

Ibs. per Acre .

Hokus avenaceus, var. aristatus, or awned variety,
affords of nutritive matter from the produce
of one acre, at the time of flowering - 664^
The produce of latter-math affords of nutritive > 929
matter - - - - 265)

r o nn i s Ar v tm sis

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 173

Ibs. per Acre.
The Holcus avenaceus, var. muticus, or awnless

variety, as above, affords of nutritive matter
from the produce of one acre, at the time of
flowering 669 1

The produce of latter-math, ditto 53 \

The weight of nutritive matter in which the
produce of one acre of the awned variety of
the tall oat-like soft-grass exceeds that of the
awnless variety, is - 207

The latter-math produce is very inconsiderable, and but little
nutritive. The nutritive matter contains a little more saccharine
matter, in proportion to the other ingredients, than what is con-
tained in the nutritive matter of the awned variety. Hares give a
decided preference to the awnless variety. If this grass had merits
which entitled it to a place among the superior grasses, it could
not be cultivated with advantage, on account of its deficiency of
seed, and impatience of being transplanted by parting the roots.
It can only be offered, therefore, as a botanical curiosity.

It flowers a week later than the awned variety.

BROMUS arvensis. Field Brome-grass.

Bromus racemosus. Smooth Brome-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl.

Specific character: Panicle almost upright, spreading, slightly
branched ; spikelets ovate-oblong, naked ; florets imbricated,
depressed, ribbed ; awns as long as the glumes ; leaves some-
what downy. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 154. — Fig. 1. Lower part
of a Spikelet magnified, shewing the calyx, and a floret with
the awn on the larger valve of the corolla. 2. Nectary.
3. Germen and short-feathered stigmas.

Obs. — Culms from two to three feet in height ; more or less de-
clining at the base, afterwards erect, roundish, striated, smooth.
Panicle generally six inches in length, many-flowered; main
branch, or stem of the panicle, striated, smooth below, above
flexuose. Spikelets greenish on the upper side, and of a pur-
plish brown on the other. This species resembles, in some
measure, the Bromus mulliflorus of Hort. Gram. Wob. ; but
the spikelets being much more linear, and the brown or purple
tinge on the under side of the spikelets, readily distinguish
them.

174 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Native of Britain. Root annual. E. Bot. 920 ; Host. 1. 14 j

Flo. Ger.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is — Produce per Acre.

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 35 oz. The produce per acre is 23821 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 280 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 11910 15 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 40^
The produce of the space, ditto 35 0 i

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12 147 0 0

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding ten times
its value, is 1341 13 14

This species of Brome-grass appears, from the results of all my
observations, to be confined to rich pastures and meadows, while
the next two following species, Bromus multiflorus and Bromus
mollis, are chiefly found to prevail on poor or exhausted grass
lands. They are all strictly annual. This species appears to be
the most valuable of the three. When this grass is mown at the
time of flowering, it affords a considerable weight of nutritive hay ;
but when left uncut till the time the seed is ripe, it is then com-
paratively of no value, which is manifest from the above details.
All these annual bromes are considered bad grasses by the
Farmer. This much, however, may be said in favour of the field
brome-grass, that it affords an* early bite in the spring, and is
eaten by sheep and lambs equally with other grasses. It exhausts
the soil but little ; the roots penetrate to little depth in the earth.
The seed falls from the husks as soon as ripe, and vegetates
quickly among the root-leaves of the perennial grasses, and before
autumn draws to a conclusion, attains to a considerable size.
This grass withstands the effects of frost better than many of the
superior pasture grasses : hence it is among the early grasses
which afford the principal herbage in the beginning of spring.
Being strictly an annual plant, its existence another year depends
on suffering it to perfect its seed, and, as before stated, the value
of its produce at this stage of growth is very little; so that

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 175

its merits are reduced to this one, the produce of early herbage in
the spring, which will appear insufficient to recommend it for the
purposes of cultivation.

It flowers in the second week of June, and till August it sends
up flowering culms. The seed is ripe in the first week of July,
and successively till the middle of September.

BROMUS multiflorus. Many-flowered Brome-grass.

Specific character : Panicle nodding at the top ; spikelets spear-
shaped, compressed, naked; flowers imbricated ; awn straight;
leaves woolly. Host. 1. 11. Hort. Gram. Fo. 57.

Obs. — By attending to the form of the spikelets, this species
may readily be distinguished from the Bromus arvensis, whose
spikelets are linear spear-shaped. The B. mollis may likewise
be distinguished from the Bromus arvensis by the same
character ; and from the Bromus multiflorus by its downy hairs,
which cover the spikelets ; the spikelets of the B. arvensis
and B. multiflorus being naked. This is nearer to the Bromus
multiflorus of the E. Bot. than to the Bromus secalinus ;
indeed, its alliance to Bromus mollis is so great, that it may
with propriety be considered a variety, permanently larger, of
that well-known species.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 33 oz. The produce per acre 22460 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 44 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 290 Of 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10107 4 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 0 i

The produce of the space, ditto 41 1 j

On comparing the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by the
produce of one acre of this grass at the time of flowering, with
that afforded under the like circumstances by the Bromus arvensis,
it manifests a superiority of 266 Ibs. per acre. This, and also the
superior nutritive qualities of the grass, appear to arise from the
greater proportion of culms in the produce of the many-flowered
brome-grass ; for though the culms of the Bromus arvensis grow
to a much larger size, they are much less numerous than in the

176 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

produce of the Bromus multiflorus. The leaves of the Bromns
multiflorus are small in comparison to those of the Bromus arvensis,
and the spring produce of foliage is proportionally less ; so much
so as 2 to 1. If there was any doubt of rejecting the field brome-
grass as unfit for cultivation, there can be none for the many-
flowered brome-grass, because it is inferior in almost every
respect. It is natural to soils of a less rich nature than those
which produce the superior pasture grasses, and the Bromus
arvensis. It flowers about the second week of July, and the seed
is generally ripe in three weeks afterwards.

BROMUS mollis. Soft Brome-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl. p. 153.

Specific character : Panicle erect ; spikelets oval and oblong, a
little compressed, covered with down ; flowers imbricated ;
outer husk of the blossom divided at top ; awn straight, about
the length of the husk; leaves soft and downy. — Fig. 1.
Calyx. 2. Floret. 3. Nectary. 4. Germen, or rudiment of the
future seed.

QbSt — The panicle branches are simple, seldom supporting
more than one spikelet. In the Bromus arvensis and Bromns
multiflorus the panicle branches are branched, and some of
them simple. The oval oblong figure of the spikelets, and the
downy hairs which cover them, are characters which readily
distinguish this species from the others.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre.

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre is 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 128 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 0 >

The produce of the space, ditto - 1203

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is—
Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 60 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 48 0 3

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 03^ SI 14 7
The produce of the space, ditto 033

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop at
the time of flowering exceeds that at the time the
seed is ripe, is 478 9 1

Eroimis Mo His

IIORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 177

On all poor exhausted soils that have been injudiciously laid
down to grass, this species is more common than on any other land.
It very much resembles the two last-mentioned species of Bromus
in appearance and habits, but flowers several weeks earlier, and the
seed is generally ripe before hay-harvest commences. This cir-
cumstance, which is an unfortunate one to the Farmer, is favour-
able to the soft brome-grass, as it secures its existence for another
season. From the above details it appears to be greatly inferior
to the field brome-grass, and many-flowered brome. It produces
but little foliage in the spring; and the flowering culms are
soon formed, and become nodding at top, or bent downwards with
the weight of the seed, which is large, and much relished by birds.
When once this grass introduces itself into a field, it is a very dif-
ficult task to overcome it; for, though an annual, or one-year-lived
plant, like the other two bromes, and though cut when in flower,
it will, nevertheless, continue to send up fresh culms from the root
till a late period of the season ; and these late or secondary culms
being of a very low stature, are seldom perceived, but on a close
inspection of the herbage. Thus it happens, that after sacrificing
the crop of hay, (which, however, is never great if this grass pre-
vails,) by mowing the field when this grass is in flower, and before
the other pasture-grasses have attained to any degree of maturity,
the soft brome-grass next season makes its appearance in abun-
dance, as before. One remedy is, therefore, to mow repeatedly,
as the flowering culms make their appearance, till the roots of the
annual grass are exhausted, and then to apply sufficient top-
dressings to compensate the soil for the want of the grazing
manure. But prevention is most to be recommended ; and that is
effected by judicious cropping, and never suffering the land to be-
come too poor or exhausted : when this is faithfully performed, the
soft brome will but seldom appear, or will soon be overcome by
its more powerful neighbours. This grass, however, sometimes
makes its appearance on a sudden in lands that were before
strangers to it, which is caused by its seed being mixed with that
of the grain or grass-seed used in sowing the land. It may there-
fore be worthy the notice of the Agriculturist to examine such
seeds before they are committed to the soil. The figures and
description of seeds given at page 24, will enable him to detect the
seed of the soft brome, and other inferior grasses.

It flowers about the middle of May, and ripens the seed about
the first or second week of June.

178 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

i

FESTUCA loliacea. Darnel-like Fescue.

Specific character : Spike two-ranked, drooping ; spikelets nearly
sessile, linear-oblong; florets cylindrical, awnless, pointed,
with five slight ribs at the top. Sm. Engl. Flor. i. p. 146. —
Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. Floret. 3. Germen and stigmas. 4. Nectary.

Obs. — This grass at first sight greatly resembles the Lolium
perenwe, (rye-grass) ; but, on a closer inspection, the calyx or
outer husk, so conspicuous in the spikelets of the rye-grass, is
in the spikelets of this grass almost wanting. The spikelets are
also arranged in a different manner : in the rye-grass they
stand facing the spike-stalk ; but in the darnel-like fescue,
they stand with their back towards it. E. Bot. 1821 ; Curt.
Lond.; Huds.; Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 61.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

rich brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 24 oz. The produce per acre 16335 0 0

64 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 35 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 168 03

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9188 7 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto 18 0 J

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 33 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 105 0 f i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6397 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 1 > r
The produce of the space, ditto 13 0 5

The latter-math produce is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 11 66 7 7

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed is ripe 212 9 0

The proportional value which the grass, at the time the seed is
ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 13 to 12 ; and the
grass of the latter-math stands in proportion to that at the time of
flowering, as 12 to 5, and to that at the time the seed is ripe, as 13
to 5.

FVstuca Lillian-;

• a

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBITRNENSIS. 179

. This species of fescue is very much like the rye-grass in appear-
ance ; it likewise affects the same kind of soil as rye-grass. Some
Botanists have supposed it to be a hybrid, the joint produce of the
Lolium perenne (rye-grass), and Festuca fluitans (flote fescue) ; but
the time when the rye-grass (Lolium perenne) comes into flower, is
nearer to that in which the meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is in
flower, than the flote fescue ; the soil and habits of the two former
grasses are likewise more similar.

From the above details, it appears that this species of fescue is
much superior to rye-grass in point of produce. The following
comparison of the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by the pro-
duce of one acre, will shew the degree of superiority.

Lolium perenne, common rye-grass, affords —

Produce per Acre.
Ibs. Ibs.

Of nutritive matter, from the produce

of one acre, at the time of flowering 305 11 15
Of nutritive matter, from the produce

of one acre, at the time the seed is

r>An t>

ripe - 643 6

Of nutritive matter, from the produce

of latter-math 53 2 12.

Festuca loliacea, darnel-like fescue, affords —

Of nutritive matter, from the produce of one acre,
of the flowering, seed, and latter-math crops, as
above 1385 4 7

The weight of nutritive matter, in which one acre of
the darnel-like fescue exceeds that of the Lolium
perenne, or common rye-grass, is - 382 15 5

Or in the proportion nearly of 4 to 3.

This grass likewise springs earlier than the rye-grass, and im-
proves by age, which is not the case with common rye-grass, as it
decreases in value, with respect to produce and early growth, after
the fourth year of its being sown, while the darnel-like fescue im-
proves in these properties after that period of growth. Unfortu-
nately, however, this grass does not perfect its seed, the flowers ge-
nerally proving abortive ; which renders its cultivation, or rather,
propagation, inconvenient and expensive. By parting the roots, and
transplanting them, it might readily be propagated ; but its merits
hardly warrant the practice. In rich meadows this grass is very

180 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSJS.

common, particularly where the land is periodically overflown.
In a piece of meadow ground on the banks of the river Trent,
near Nottingham, I found this grass to constitute the principal
herbage.

It flowers in the last week of June, and ripens the seed (if any)
in the third week of July.

FESTUCA glabra. var. Smooth Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle branched, upright, compact ; spike-
lets spear-shaped, 4-6-flowered, smooth, awned. Root
fibrous. — Fig. 1. Calyx magnified. 2. Floret magnified.

Obs. — This is nearly allied to the Festuca duriuscula and
Festuca r ultra ; it differs in having the awns longer, panicle
branches and spikelets smoother; spikelets shining, root
scarcely creeping, root-leaves much longer. This is, ac-
cording to Sir James Edward Smith, a variety of the Festuca
rnbra. To the Agriculturist the distinction, creeping root,
is sufficient to guide him in this instance, as the varieties of
the creeping-rooted species are all to be rejected as less
desirable for cultivation ; and among the fibrous-rooted
varieties of the Festuca duriuscula, there is not so great a
difference in their comparative value, as to render the adop-
tion of one for the other of so much importance as in many
other instances, where the distinctions are equally minute.
Hort. Gram. Fol. 63.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam with manure is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 21 02. The produce per acre 14293 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 134 1 J \ 5717

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 8576 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207
The produce of the space, ditto - 10 2 5

/ At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 89 2| f 381

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5717 4 0

b> si ura Glabra

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WO JiURNENSIS. 181

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 1 > _

The produce of the space, ditto 4 1J 5

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of flowering,
exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 8 to 5.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 02 47 13 11

The proportional value, in which the grass at the time of flower-
ing exceeds that of the latter-math, is as 4 to 1 ; and the grass, at
the time the seed is ripe, exceeds that of the latter-math in the
proportion of 5 to 2.

From the above details, which shew the produce and nutritive
qualities of this grass, it appears to be inferior to the Festuca du-
riuscula, which will be manifest on a comparison of the former
details respecting the Festuca duriuscula with the above. In re-
gard to early produce, however, this grass is superior. The herb-
age is uncommonly fine and succulent. But these merits appear
hardly sufficient to compensate for the deficiency of produce. If
its merits be compared with those of some of the early grasses,
the Anthoxanthum odoratum for instance, it will be found superior.

Ibs. per Acre.
Festuca glabra affords of nutritive matter —

From the crop at the time of flowering - 446 \
At the time the seed is ripe - 186 3

Anthoxanthum odoratum affords of nutritive matter —
At the time of flowering - - 122 ^

At the time the seed is ripe - 311 5

The weight of nutritive matter afforded by one acre
of the Festuca glabra, exceeding that of the Anthox-
anthum odoratum in the proportion nearly of 3 to 2, is 199

Though this grass cannot be recommended in preference to the
Festuca duriuscula, yet it is evident, from the above details, that
among the fine-leaved fescues, it is the best substitute for that
species where it is wanting. It is not so common as the Festuca
duriuscula, being more confined to the moist spots of the pastures,
though occasionally found also on the drier places, in company
with it. Flowers in the second week of June, and ripens the seed
in the second week of July.

182 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

POA nemoralis, var. angustifolia. Wood Meadow-grass. Germ.
Hain Rispengras.

Specific character: panicle capillary, flowering a little on one
side, diffuse ; spikelets lanceolate, mostly 3-flowered ; florets
hairy at the base, without a web. See Smith Engl. Fl. i.
p. 129. Var. angustifolia, leaves long, slender, husks from
three to five-flowered.

Obs. — The sheath-scale is very short, and truncated ; straw
rather compressed than otherwise, vagina smooth, root stolo-
niferous. Hardly any grass varies more than the Poa nemo-
ralis var. in the number of florets contained in the calyx.
When the Poa nemoralis var. angustifolia is raised from seed,
in open situations, the first year, the calyx contains only from
3 to 5 florets ; afterwards, the number increases to 9 florets
in each calyx : when raised from seed in shady situations, it
has frequently only 2 florets in each calyx, and sometimes
only 1, the first year : the number does not increase afterwards
to more than 3 florets in each calyx. In its natural place of
growth, Poa nemoj'alis, in woods under the shade of trees, con-
tains only three florets, and, when long cultivated in exposed
situations, the calyx is 4 and 5-flowered. The next following
grass, though a distinct species, resembles this in several of its
agricultural merits. E. Bot. 1265. Host. t. 71. Flo* Dan.
t. 749. Flo. Ger. 301. The Poa concinna, Poa debilis, and
Poa variegata of Schleicher, are all nearly allied to Poa ne-
moralis angustifolia. Root fibrous and stoloniferous^.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
brown loam is —

* The Poa concinna, Pua debilis, and Poa variegata of Schleicher are all nearly
allied to the Poa nemoralis angustifolia. The Poa variegata of Schleicher is de-
scribed as having a creeping root; Roemer and Schultes follow Schraderin describ-
ing it under the name of Poa si/pina; the former quote Host. Gram. Austr. iv. t. 27 :
but the plant under cultivation has arrows root; numerous shoots are formed at
the bottom of the culms during the season of growth, and at the joints of the culms
shoots or branches are emitted, particularly in moist seasons ; all this is precisely
the habit of the Poa nemoralis and its varieties. The plant may be said to have
an upright stoloniferous stem, and a fibrous stoloniferous root, to distinguish it from
the possession of the stoloniferous stem and the creeping root, properly so called.
The plants of Poa variegata here spoken of, and cultivated in the Woburn Abbey
Experimental Grass Garden, were communicated to the Duke of Bedford by my
friend Mr. Anderson, of the Botanic Garden, Chelsea.

To a .Nemoralis Andustifolia

HOHTUS GRAMIXEUS WOBURNENSIS. 183

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 13 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 9188 7 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 34 0 }

The produce of the space, ditto 91 3J $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5283 5 10

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 40^

The produce of the space, ditto 13 2 $

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7 IQ05 12 0

The produce of the space, ditto 44 3-g^ $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 2858 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 317 941 15 n
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2| 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-half of
its value, is 332 5 7

This grass springs early, but the produce is inconsiderable,
compared to that of many others equally nutrient. It is seldom,
or according to my experience, never found in a natural state,
except in woods and under the shade of trees. Nevertheless, the
seeds vegetate readily when sown on exposed situations ; and the
plants grow freely, and attain to a greater size and strength, than
those in the woods and in the shade. It is singular, that before
the period of coming into flower, the plants that are thus culti-
vated are invariably attacked by the disease termed rust, which
pervades every part of the plant. In moist and cloudy seasons
the disease is much less severe, being chiefly confined to the
leaves. I never could observe the least trace of this affection in
the plants of this species while in their natural place of growth.
The tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceits), which affects
the shade, and is subject to the above disease, is always free from
this affection when growing in the shade. It is likewise precisely
the case with the Agrostis stolonifera, var. sylvatica, or wood
stoloniferous bent-grass. There are grasses which are also pecu-
liarly confined to woods or shady situations, but which continue
free from this disease when transplanted to exposed situations, as
the wood millet-grass (Milium effusum), hairy wood brome-
grass, (Bromus hirsutus), and tall l>Tome-gr&ss(Bromus giganteus).
There exists no difference in the structure of those grasses subject

184 HOHTUS GRAMJNEUS WOBURNEXSIS.

to the disease, to distinguish them from those that are always
affected by it when transplanted to exposed situations, only that
the former grasses are smooth, or have their surface free from
hairs, while the latter are in general hairy, or have their surface
furnished with numerous hairs. The Bromus sylvaticus (wood
brome-grass), and Festuca pinnata (spiked wood fescue), are
subject to the rust likewise, when taken from their natural places
of growth : these grasses have hairs, but they are minute, and
thinly scattered on the leaves. The early growth of this grass in
the spring, and its remarkably fine, succulent, and nutritive herbage,
recommend it strongly for admission into the company of the su-
perior permanent pasture grasses.

The wood meadow-grass flowers in the third week of June,
and ripens the seed in the end of July.

POA angustifolia. Narrow-leaved meadow-grass.

Poa pratensis, var. : Panicle diffused; spikelets 4-flowered,
pubescent; culm erect, round. Linn. Spec. 99. — Fig. 1. Germ.
2. Florets, magnified.

Obs. — Sir James Edward Smith regards this as a variety of the
Poa pratensis, and its botanical characters are certainly not
sufficient to constitute it a species distinct from Poa pra-
tensis ; but as it differs much from that species in its agricul-
tural merits, being much superior, I have kept it distinct
from that species, that it may more readily impress the me-
mory. See Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 126.

Native of Britain. Root creeping. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 27 oz. The produce per acre 18376 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 i

The produce of the space, ditto - 183 2JJ

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10566 11 4
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 507 ^QQ Q n
The produce of the space, ditto 33 3 5

At the time the seed is ripe the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 07

The produce of the space, ditto - 89 2-|- J

I*o a An^us li folia

'•'"t/itet' f-tf C ;/fiftm<r.»dt/

HO11TUS GKAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 185

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5717 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 51}
The produce of the space, ditto 18 1 J 3

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 0 191 6 13

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeding one-third
part of its value, is - . . 649 0 4

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time the
seed is ripe, exceeds that at the time of flowering, is as 21 to 20.

In the early growth of the leaves of this species of Poa, there is
a striking proof that the property of coming early into flower is
not always connected with the early growth and produce of herb-
age in the spring. In this respect, most of the grasses that have
come under examination are inferior to this now spoken of.
Before the middle of April the leaves attain to more than twelve
inches in length, and are tender and succulent. In the month of
May, likewise, when the flowering culms make their appearance,
it is not subject to the disease that affects the foregoing species;
the bad effects of which were manifested in the great deficiency
of produce in the crop at the time the seed was ripe, being one-
half less than at the time the grass is in flower. Though the
disease begins in the straws of the nemoralis, the leaves suffer most
from its effects, being, at the time the seed is ripe, completely dried
up. The culms therefore constitute the principal part of the crop at
the time the seed is ripe, and they contain more nutritive matter in
proportion than the leaves. When the grass of the nemoralis is cut
before the time of flowering, the disease makes but small progress,
or does not make its appearance if the grass is kept closely cropped.
The Poa nemoralis has also the property of sending up flowering-
straws till a late period of the season, and when cut only thrice in
the season, the latter-math is considerable.

The property of early growth in the spring, which this grass,
Poa angustifolia , possesses in an eminent degree, recommends it
for the purpose of permanent pasture. It sends up flowering
culms successively for several weeks. In this it differs from the
Poa pratensis, which produces culms only once in the season.

186 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The root is as powerfully creeping as that species, but for which,
it might rank with the most valuable grasses. It contains
more nutritive matter than the Poa pratensis or Poa trivialis. Its
spring produce is nearly double that of either of these grasses;
and it is perfectly exempt, as before observed, from the disease
that detracts so much from the merits of the Poa nemoralis, var.
angustifolia, which nearest approaches to this species, in the supe-
riority of early and abundant herbage in the spring. It flowers
towards the end of May, and the seed is ripe about the third week
of June. The culms are most valuable for the Manufacturer of the
finest straw-plait, in imitation of the celebrated Leghorn.

The seed of a species of grass was received from America,
under the name of Spear-grass, by Joseph Sabine, esq., secretary
to the Horticultural Society, and communicated by that gentle-
man to the Duke of Bedford. This grass was stated to be the
same as that which Miss Woodhouse, in America, used in the
manufacture of her prize bonnet in imitation of Leghorn. This
seed was sown in the grass garden at Woburn Abbey, and the
plants raised from it proved to be those of Poa pratensis, or
smooth-stalked meadow-grass.

Plants of the American-grass, as it is sometimes called, were
also received from Mr. Anderson, of the Botanic Garden, Chelsea,
which proved to be identical with the Poa pratensis.

POA fertilis. Fertile Meadow-grass. Germ. Spates Rispen-
gras.

Specific character : Panicle loose, spreading ; spikelets oval, spear-
shaped, 5-flowered; florets connected at the base by woolly
hairs ; husks generally 5-nerved, sheaths of the culms a little
rough ; straw somewhat compressed ; roots slightly creeping.
Fig. 1. Spikelet, magnified. 2. Corolla and anthers. 3. Ger-
men. 4. Seed.

Obs. — This grass seems to be allied to the Poa nemoralis. It
differs in having the panicle more loose and spreading, and
less attenuated. The spikets are more oval and nerved,
otherwise the number of florets might occasion a doubt.
The culm rises from a foot and a half to two feet in height
and sometimes more ; ascending at the base, afterwards
erect, somewhat compressed. In long-continued moist
weather the lower joints send up flowering culms. The

To a Fer tills .

HORTUS GHAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 187

panicle is erect, and spreading when in flower, but con-
tracted and drooping when the seed is ripe. Flo. Ger. 299,
Poa serotina; Host. v. 3, p. 10, t. 13, Poafertilis.

Native of Germany. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 23 oz. The produce per acre 15654 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 156 1|- 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9000 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 17 1 j

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 22 oz. The produce per acre 14973 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 44 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 193 2J3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6738 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 0

The produce of the space, ditto 27 2

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop at

the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the time

of flowering, is - 436 0 7

The nutritive matter contained in the grass at the time the seed is

ripe, exceeds that in the grass at the time of flowering, in the

proportion of 5 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12 111 10 10

On the 6th of April the produce is —

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 33 319 0 11

The proportional value which the grass of the latter-math bears
to that at the time of flowering, is as 3 to 6 ; and to the grass at
the time the seed is ripe, as 3 to 10.

In regard to early growth, this grass stands next to the meadow
fox-tail, cock's-foot, and tall oat. The herbage is more nutritive
than that of either of these grasses. It will appear remarkable,
that the grass of the latter-math should contain more nutritive

188 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

matter than the grass at the time of flowering ; but this is owing
to the property it possesses, of sending forth a succession of
flowering culms till the frost arrests it ; and hence the trivial
names, fertilis and serotina, fertile and late-flowering meadow-
grass, quoted above. M. Host* mentions, that it is natural to
moist pastures and the banks of rivers ; and Schrader remarks
also, that in Germany it grows in meadows, vineyards, marshes,
walls, and elsewhere, not unfrequently. 1 have found it to grow
on almost every kind of soil ; but it attains to the greatest per-
fection in a rich moist one. Hares and rabbits are very fond of it.
It is one of those grasses that thrive best when combined with
others : it will not make a superior turf of itself, but it adds much
to the value of a sward from its nutritive qualities and powers of
early and late growth. As it perfects an abundance of seed, it
may be easily propagated.

By comparing its produce of nutritive matter, from one acre,
with those of the cock's-foot, meadow-foxtail, and sweet-scented
vernal grasses, it will be found superior to foxtail in the pro-
portion of 5 to 3, and only inferior to the cock's-foot in the
proportion of 7 to 5.

Sir Humphry Davy has shewn that its nutritive matter consists
of mucilage, 65 ; saccharine matter, or sugar, 6 ; extractive matter,
7 = 78.

From these facts and observations it will appear, that the
fertile meadow-grass deserves a place in the composition of
rich pastures, and ranks with the superior grasses of irrigated
meadows.

It flowers in the beginning of July, and the seed is ripe towards
the end of the month.

LA THYR US pratensis. Yellow Vetchling, Tare Everlasting.

Specific character : Tendrils with 2 leaves, quite simple ; leaflets

spear-shaped.

Tendrils sometimes 3-cleft. (Linn.)
Native of Britain. Root creeping. Perennial. E. Bot. 670 ;

Fl. Dan. 527 ; Wither. Arr. vol. ii. p. 619 ; Anderson's

Essays.

* Nic. Thomse Host Icones et Descriptiones Graminum Austriacorum.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 189

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 36 oz. The produce per acre 24502 8 0

80 dr. of herbage weigh, when dry 40 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 288 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12251 4 0

64 dr. of herbage afford of nutritive matter 2 1 7

The produce of the space, ditto 20 1 3

The merits of this vetchling, in point of produce and nutrient
qualities, appear, by the following comparison, to be much inferior
to those of the red or broad-leaved cultivated clover :

Ibs.

Trifolmmpratense, ") *r j (-Green food - 49005

- 12251
.Nutritive matter 1914

Trifolmmpratense, ~j f Green i

Broad-leaved cultivated \ Hay

Clover, 3 iNutriti

The red clover therefore exceeds in value that of the yellow
vetchling, in the proportion nearly of 7 to 3. The weight of hay
afforded by the yellow vetchling is equal to that afforded by the
red clover, which arises from the greater quantity of superfluous
moisture contained in the latter, and the greater proportion of
woody fibre in the produce of the former : hence one pound of
the hay of red clover contains 40 dr. of nutritive matter, while an
equal weight of the yellow vetchling hay contains only 17 dr.
2 grains.

This vetchling is not unfrequent in good pastures and in rich
meadows : it delights in moisture, and it attained to the greatest
perfection in a tenacious clayey soil. It is a late-springing plant,
and the shoots come up thinly, but attain to a great length. It
appears to be eaten by oxen, cows, and sheep, but with less relish
than they seem toLhave for the Vicia sepium, (creeping vetch,)
or the red and white clovers. The nutritive matter it affords,
contains a much greater proportion of insoluble and bitter ex-
tractive matters than the plants now mentioned. It affords little
or no sugar. One hundred parts of the nutritive matter sub-
mitted to the action of cold and boiling water, and alcohol,
separately, afforded me —

190 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Parts.

Mucilage - 37

Bitter extractive and saline matters - 31

Saccharine matter - 2

Insoluble matter - - - 30

100

Sir H. Davy has shewn, that red clover contains in every 100
parts of its nutritive matter —

Parts.

Mucilage, or starch - 79J

Saccharine matter, or sugar - 1\

Gluten, or albumen - 5

Extract, or insoluble matter - 8

100

Sir Humphry Davy has shewn likewise, that the plants most
liked by cattle have either a saline or subacid taste, as in the
instances of red and white clovers, and the superior grasses.
This plant, however, has a greater excess of the bitter extractive
and saline matters, in proportion to that contained in these plants,
when compared to the rest of the pasture grasses. It is nauseous
to the taste. From these facts and observations, it does not seem
to be a plant that possesses unequivocal merits for admission into
the composition of pasture. It attains to the greatest size on
tenacious clayey soils.

PO-4 nervata. Nerved meadow-grass.

Specific character: Panicle upright ; spikelets smooth, 5-flowered,
nerved. — Fig. 1. Spikelets magnified, shewing the nerved or
ribbed valves. 2. Calyx.

Obs. — Panicle often half a foot and more in length, with
slender branches, pressed close, and subdivided ; spikelets
small, of a green colour ; valves of the blossom smooth,
having five raised nerves on each valve ; leaves in two rows,
resembling a fan, somewhat rough ; culm a little com-
pressed.

Native of North America. Root perennial. Willdenow. Spec.
Plant. 389.

*

fo a. IT er^v at a, .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 191

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 32 oz. The produce per acre - 21780 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 1

The produce of the space, ditto - 192 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13612 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 437

v i f)\ o 7 7

The produce of the space, ditto 38 0 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 32 oz. The produce per acre - 21780 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 205 0* 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13068 0 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 37
The produce of the space, ditto 38 0 3

The produce of latter-math is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 2 7

> ^91 0

The produce of the space, ditto 38 0 3

The crops of this grass, at the time of flowering, and at the
time the seed is ripe, are equal in point of quantity and nutrient
quality, a circumstance which has not occurred in any other grass
mentioned in this series of experiments. The nutritive matter
contained in the latter-math is likewise greater than in most
other grasses. The root-leaves are produced on a shoot, and
stand in two rows after the manner of a fan. This shoot, which
is formed by the union of the base of the leaves, is very succulent,
and contains a greater proportion of nutritive matter than the
leaves, which accounts for the superiority of the latter-math in
nutritive matter. This grass is remarkably hardy. In February
17, 1814, after the severe winter preceding, this species of Poa
was perfectly green and succulent, while not one species of grass,
out of nearly 300 different species that grew around it, remained
in a healthy state, but were all inferior, and more or less injured
by the severity of the weather. In the following season, the
produce rather exceeded the above, though it had been mown
the preceding season, and no manure had been applied. It is
a native of North America, where the winters are longer or more

192 HQRTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

severe, and the summers warmer than in this climate ; and the
plants, natives of Siberia, exhibit a similar habit, for the severer
the winter, the greater is their produce ; and the milder the
winter, their produce is comparatively less. The long-rooted
clover is one of this class : after a severe winter the produce is
very great, but after a mild winter the produce is considerably
inferior.

The nerved meadow-grass affects most soils, but not such
as are tenacious. The seed does not vegetate so readily as might
be presumed from the plentiful manner in which it is produced ;
nor does the plant attain to maturity so soon as many other
grasses that have equal merits in other respects. The above
facts do not offer sufficient grounds to recommend the nerved
meadow-grass strongly, for the purposes of the Agriculturist;
nor go the full length to discourage further attempts to cultivate
it to more advantage, as it is a foreign plant, and its defects may
probably be lessened by frequently raising it from seed ripened
in this climate.

Farther experience in the cultivation of this grass enables me
to state, that it possesses very valuable properties, and that it
will be found a valuable ingredient in permanent pastures, where
the soil is not too dry, but of a medium quality as to moisture
and dryness.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe in the
last week of July.

POA glauca c&sia. Sea-green Meadow-grass.

Specific character: Spikelets ovate. Florets from two to five,
obscurely five-ribbed, bluntish ; silky at the keel and lateral
ribs; hairy at the base, without a web. Stipulas of the
lower leaves very short and blunt. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 128.

Obs. — Culms from six inches to a foot and a half, according
to the nature of the soil it grows in. The leaves are bluntish,
flat and smooth on the back next the base, but in other parts
rugged ; sheaths the length of the leaves, striated, somewhat
rugged. It seems to be very different from the Poa glauca
in the Flora Danica ; that approaches nearer to the Poa
nemoralis. (Sir James Edward Smith.) E. Bot. 1719.
Whole plant of a deep glaucous colour.

Native of Scotland. Root fibrous. Perennial.

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 193

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry . 34 0 7 2892 10 0

The produce of the space, ditto 68 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3913 10 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 1 7

The produce of the space, ditto * - 5 2| 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0

The produce of the space, ditto 56 0

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 2382 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307
The produce of the space, ditto 5 1 3

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the pro--\

duce of one acre,, at the time of flowering, ex-> 18 6 5
ceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is - 3

The weight of grass at the time the seed is ripe is less than that
at the time of flowering ; which at first sight appears contrary to
what might have been expected, as the grass had at least three
weeks of growth more than that of the flowering crop. But after
the time of flowering, the leaves do not appear to increase, but
rather diminish, many of them becoming completely dry before
the seed be perfected. The culms retain their succulency, and
become heavier till the seed be ripe; which points out the true
cause of the superior quantity of nutritive matter contained in the
grass of the seed crop.

Sir James Edward Smith informs us, that it is an alpine plant,
and only as yet found a native of Scotland, where it was found
by Mr. Mackay, on Ben Lawers. It appears, however, to be
easily cultivated on soils of an intermediate quality as to moisture
and dryness. Its seed is good, and produced in plenty.

The above details prove this grass to be capable of cultivation ;
but possessed of no excellence in a sufficient degree to render
it worthy of a place in the composition of good pasture on soils
of the best quality.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about

o

194 IIORTUS GRAMINEUS M'OBURNENSIS.

the second and last week of July, according to the state of the
weather.

POA glauca. Glaucous Meadow-grass.

Specific character- : Panicle spreading, spikelets ovate ; florets
from two to five, obscurely five-ribbed, bluntish, silky at
the keel and lateral ribs, hairy at the base, without a web ;
stipulas of the lower leaves very short and blunt. Sm. Engl.
Fl.i. p. 128.

Obs. — This species resembles the Poa nemoralis, and, in a less
degree, the P. trivialis, and likewise affects a similar soil f
while the preceding variety of it resembles more the Poa al-
pina, Poasubcarulea, and Poapratensis,&ud like these, affects
a somewhat drier soil. Culms from a foot and a half to two
feet in height. Whole plant of a light pale glaucous colour.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich black sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre is 8848 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 ^ 3530 4 A

The produce of the space, ditto 83 1 3

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 7 _ ,-. ~

The produce of the space, ditto 8 O2 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - - 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 ^ 4594 3 8

The produce of the space, ditto - 108 0 >

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5615 2 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237 43$ \Q 15
The produce of the space, ditto 10 l~^

This grass is said to be a native of the north of England, and
Scotland. It inhabits alpine situations, but is easily propagated,
as it perfects plenty of seed, which vegetates freely on almost
every kind of soil. It grows to a larger size than the sea-green
meadow-grass ; and if the above details of its produce and nutri-
tive powers be compared with those of that grass, it will be found
greatly superior. But it is still much inferior to a great number
of grasses, in the quantity of herbage, hay, and nutritive matter

PMeum Prateuse Majus

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 195

it affords; and in other respects it possesses no superior merit,
either with respect to early growth, reproductiveness, or late
growth. It cannot therefore as yet be recommended as a plant
for the purposes of the Agriculturist.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about
the end of July.

PHLEUM pratense. Meadow Cat's-tail Grass. Timothy-grass.

Specific character : Spike cylindrical, very long ; calyx fringed
and awned ; straws upright. — Fig. 1 . Calyx magnified, shewing
the fringes — The same, of the natural size. 2. Corolla and Sta-
mens. 3. Nectary, Germen, and Stigmas, with the long styles.

Obs. — Culms from a foot and a half to three feet high, accord-
ing to the nature of the soil in which it grows ; in moist deep
loams it attains the greatest height. Spike regularly cylin-
dric, and blunt at the top ; sometimes five or six inches long
in young plants, but in old plants it is much shorter. Com-
pare the husks of the florets with those of the following
variety (Phleum pratense, var. minus), and likewise with those
of the next following species (Phleum nodosum, bulbous-
jointed cat's-tail grass), and they will be found much shorter
and straight in the forks or dagger-like points which ter-
minate them. This is a sure distinction, the length of the
spike being a very uncertain character, for the reason just now
mentioned. Root fibrous, sometimes inclining to a bulb.
EngL Bot. 1076 ; Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 75 ; Hort. Gram. Wob.
Fol. 83. German, Wiesen-Lieschgras.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — About the middle of April, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 23 223 15 7

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 60 oz. The produce per acre 40837 8 0
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 408 0 5 *f?~** °

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 23481 9 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22}

The produce of the space, ditto - 37 2 $ 1595 3 7

196 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is—
Grass, 60 oz. The produce per acre 40837 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 38 0 }

The produce of the space, ditto - 456 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 21439 11 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 53^
The produce of the space, ditto 86 1 1 36

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre . 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 29712 6

64 dr. of the culms or straws afford of

nutritive matter 7 0

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by taking

the crop at the time of flowering, is 2073 II 0

The culms of this grass at the time the seed is ripe contain
more nutritive matter than those of any other species of grass that
have been submitted to experiment. In regard to the production
of early herbage in the spring, it is superior to the cock's-foot
grass ; the results of the experiments shewed the quantity of grass
to be equal in both plants ; but the nutritive matter afforded by the
grass of the meadow cat's-tail in the early part of the spring, was
superior to that of the cock's-foot, in the proportion of 9 to 8.
The value of the culms simply, exceeds that of the grass, at the
time of flowering, in the proportion of 14 to 5 ; a circumstance
which gives value to this grass above many others for the purpose
of hay ; as its valuable early foliage may be cropped to a late
period of the spring without injury to the culms, which cannot be
effected with those grasses which flower earlier in the season, with-
out incurring a loss of nearly half the value of the crop, as has been
proved by former examples.

Though there is more nutritive matter contained in the seed
crop than in the flowering crop, nevertheless the loss of latter-math
which would have been produced in the time the seed was ripening,
would more than outweigh the superior quantity of nutritive mat-
ter contained in the grass of the seed crop. To the practical
Farmer this last observation (which likewise applies to every
similar statement throughout these details) is, I am sure, unne-
cessary. If the season has been dry, this grass should be cut at
the time of flowering; but in moist cloudy seasons it should

111 tvu in. F r u i,e n s r , Mi nu.s

HQRTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 197

be suffered to stand at least eight days after the period of flowering ;
in two days after this period it will accumulate more nutritive mat-
ter than it did in ten days previous to that stage of growth, pro-
vided circumstances do not interrupt the progress of vegetation,
which the results of numerous experiments have proved.

This grass is very deficient in the produce of after-math, and is
slow in growth after being cropped : these defects take much
from the merits above mentioned. It appears, therefore, to be
unfit for cultivation by itself as an alternate husbandry grass ; but
of great value, as a constituent of any mixture of grasses for per-
manent pasture, or the alternate husbandry, where it should always
form a part.

In the Annual Register for 1765, we find that it was much
recommended about fifty years ago, under the name of Timothy-
grass ; and Mr. Wynch is said to have brought it from Virginia in
1763. It received this quaint appellation from Mr. Timothy
Hanson, who first brought its seeds from New York to Carolina.
It had then a great character in America, where it is called Herd-
grass. I was, in 1815, informed by a proprietor of land in Canada,
that it is still considered the best grass in that province.

It flowers in the third week of June, and ripens the seed in the
end of July.

PHLEtlM pratense, var. minus. Smaller variety of Meadow
Cat's-tail Grass.

Obs. — This differs from the preceding variety in the dagger-
like points which terminate the husks, these being longer in
this variety, and more recurved or bent outwards; the husks
are larger in every respect, and less ciliated. Culms almost
covered with the sheaths of the leaves ; joints of the culm
less swoln, not upright, but ascending ; and the root is more
like a bulb. These distinctions have continued steadfast after
the plant has been twice raised from seed. The annexed spe-
cimen was produced from the second sowing. The foregoing
specimen of the first variety is also of the second sowing ;
both varieties were raised on the same soil, and, indeed, on
the same bed of earth. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 75, Phleum pra-
tense. — Fig. 1 . Calyx magnified, shewing the fringes to ter-
minate abruptly before they reach the bottom of the awns ;
awns pointing outwards ; in the Phleum pratense they point
inwards. Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 85.

198 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre.

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 22 oz. The produce per acre 14973 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 176 03

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7486 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 dr. 6 gr. "J

The produce of the space, ditto 363 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 40 oz. The produce per acre 27225 0 0

dr. qr.

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 34 0 ?

The produce of the space, ditto - 272 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 15654 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 3 i

The produce of the space, ditto 27 2 J

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre - 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 223 5 4

A comparison will shew how inferior this smaller variety of
meadow cat's-tail grass is to the larger variety.

The larger meadow cat's-tail grass, as before, affords of nutri-
tive matter from the produce of one acre :

Ibs. Ibs.

At the time of flowering - 1595 i

At the time the seed is ripe 3668 5

The smaller variety of meadow cat's-tail grass affords,
from the produce of one acre at the time of flower-
ing and ripening the seed, as above - - 1684
The weight of nutritive matter, in which the produce
of the larger variety of meadow cat's-tail grass ex-
ceeds that of the smaller is - 3579

Or, the former grass is superior to this one, in the proportion
nearly of 25 to 8. This shews how important a point it is to dis-
tinguish one variety of grass from another, when they are so very
much alike in outward characters, as in the above instance. The
seeds are also very similar to each other, or rather the marks which
distinguish them from each other are minute. A careful examin-

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 199

ation of the figures and descriptions of these seeds (Nos. 5 and
No. 27,) given at pages 19 and 28 of this work, will assist in dis-
tinguishing the seed of the true cat's-tail grass, from that of the
inferior variety. This is much later in the produce of herbage in
the spring than the larger variety, and it is much less nutritive.
It is more common on tenacious soils than in such as are rich,
in company with the true meadow cat's-tail. It flowers and per-
fects its seed about a week later than the preceding variety.

PHLEUM nodosum. Bulbous-jointed Cat's-tail Grass.

Specific character : Spike cylindrical ; culm knee-bent, furnished
with bulbs at the lower joints, which send out branches. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 75, variety of Phleum pratense. Hort. Gram.
Wob. 87.

Obs. — There is still another variety of the Phleum pratense,
distinct from the preceding, and which may be mistaken for
the Phleum nodosum : that variety grows on poor clayey soils,
particularly by road-sides. It approaches to the present spe-
cies, in having the root somewhat bulbous ; the straw is like-
wise ascending, but not knee-bent, as in the Phleum nodosum :
these characters continue constant when the plant is culti-
vated on different soils, (i. e.) on light sandy soil, heath soil,
and tenacious clay. It is smaller in every respect than
the two varieties of which specimens have been given. The
P. nodosum differs from the P. pratense in having knee-bent
culms, bulbs growing out at the root of the stem-leaves, which
in time become plants. Culm leaves shorter and smooth, ex-
cept at the edges. Anthers white. The dagger-like points
of the husk are also longer, and more reflexed than in those
of the Phleum pratense.

Native of Britain. Root bulbous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 38 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 136 Of- $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6431 14 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22)

The produce of the space, ditto 11 1 >

200 .HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 112 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4764 6 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 33)
The produce of the space, ditto 13 0 J ' J

The above details shew that this species of meadow cat's-tail
is much inferior even to the lesser variety of the Phleum pratense.
It is a very scarce grass, at least as far as my researches have ex-
tended, having found it but in one meadow in a wild state. It
grows in a clayey soil near a spring in Woburn-park, from which
the annexed specimen was propagated. Hares and rabbits neg-
lected this grass for the common cotton-grass (Eriophorum
angustifolium) , which grew closely adjoining.

It flowers in the second week of July, and ripens the seed in the
end of the same month : but the seed is seldom good.

CYNOSURUS erucaformis. Linear-spiked Dog's-tail Grass.

Specific character : Spike compound ; spikelets scattered, the
fruit-bearing ones erect ; calices 1 and 2-flowered ; husks
obtuse, boat-shaped ; keel obtuse ; corollas acuminate.

Obs. — This grass is marked an annual in botanical works, but
it is strictly perennial. Before the time of flowering the
spikelets are beautifully tinged with crimson on the sides ; it
deserves a place in the flower-garden, on account of the sin-
gularity and beauty of the spike.

Native of Germany, Russia, and Hudson's Bay. Root fibrous.
Perennial. Hort. Kew. ; Host. t. 6. Beckmannia eruccz-
formis.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 34 0 7

> OftQO in Q

The produce of the space, ditto 68 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3903 9 8

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 201

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 103 gr. >
The produce of the space, ditto - 257| 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

dr. qr.

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 129 2| i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6738 3 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 317

The produce of the space, ditto 14 2J 5

The produce at the time the seed is ripe, as above stated, was
taken the season preceding that in which the flowering crop was
submitted to experiment; and as the season of 1812, in which the
seed crop was ascertained, happened to be more favourable to the
growth of this grass than that of 1813, when the flowering crop
was experimented upon, and the seed crop likewise, according to
the following details of results, it will be more just to compare the
produce of the crops of the same season.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce of the season in which
the flowering crop was ascertained is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 36 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 64 3JJ

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3375 5 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 103 gr. 7
The produce of the space, ditto - 23 1| 5

The weight of nutritive matter in which the crop, at
the time the seed is ripe, exceeds that at the time
of flowering, is - 293 8 5

Or superior to the crop, at the time of flowering, in
the proportion nearly of 2 to 1 .
The produce of latter-math is —

dr. qr.

Grass, 4 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 3062 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20 95 1 1 0

I have never been able to obtain any seed from this grass that
when sown would vegetate, though in general it appears good to the

202 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

eye. I have tried it on three different soils, but without success.
It thrives best on a rich deep loam, and, next to that, on a clayey
loam : when cultivated on a sandy siliceous soil, the produce is
very inferior; on this account it is introduced in this place.
It might be propagated to any extent by parting the roots ; but its
merits, as will appear from the above details, do not warrant any
recommendation to that effect, but rank it with the inferior
grasses.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is perfected
about the third week of July.

TRITICUM caninum. Bearded Wheat-grass.

Specific character: , Calyx- valves somewhat awned, with three or
five ribs ; florets four, awned ; leaves flat ; root fibrous. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 184.

Obs. — This differs essentially from the common couch-grass
(Triticum repens), in having the root fibrous; the awns are
also much longer than those of the awned variety of common
couch (Triticum repens, var. aristatum). E. Bot. 1372; Hort.
Gram. Wob. 93. German Hunds-Weizn.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 ^ g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 115 OJ3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7350 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 ">

The produce of the space, ditto 11 15

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 16' oz. The produce per acre - 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 46 0 7 §261 12 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 147 0* >

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4628 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20V O^Q r Q
The produce of the space, ditto 8 0 5

At the time of flowering, the produce in the same year that

the above seed crop was ascertained consisted of —
Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre - 10890 0 0

r oin us K r ecius .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 203

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 46 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto - 147 OJ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4628 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22")

The produce of the space, ditto 10 03

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving

the crop till the seed be ripe, is 85 1 4

The crop, at the time of flowering, is therefore of greater pro-
portional value than that at the time the seed is ripe, nearly
as 6 to 5.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 4 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 3062 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20}
The produce of the space, ditto 2 1 3

From the above facts it appears that this grass is of consider-
able value, more particularly as it affords herbage early in the
spring, in a degree superior to rye-grass, sweet-scented vernal,
and nearly equal to the meadow-foxtail. It produces a suffi-
ciency of seed, which vegetates quickly; and the plants soon arrive
at perfection in almost every kind of soil, except in such as are
tenacious or retentive of moisture. If to these valuable properties
it added late growth, or a proportional supply of latter-math,
it would rank high among the superior grasses ; but in this it is
deficient, as are most of the grasses which produce early foliage in
the spring: the cock's-foot, tall oat-like soft-grass, Taunton's
meadow-foxtail, and meadow soft-grass, are the only exceptions,
properly, to this point.

On soils of an inferior quality it might be cultivated to advan-
tage instead of rye-grass ; but for soils of the best quality it does
not as yet uphold a sufficient claim, the awns of the spike being
objectionable. It flowers about the first and second week of
July, and the seed is ripe generally about the end of July and
beginning of August.

BROMUS erectus. Upright Perennial Brome-grass.

Specific character : Panicle upright, slightly branched ; spikelets
linear-lanceolate ; florets about eight, loosely imbricated, lan-
ceolate compressed ; awns shorter than the glumes, straight ;
radical leaves very narrow, fringed with scattered hairs. Sm.

204 MORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Engl. Fl. i. p. 157. — Fig. 1. Awned valve of the corolla.
2. Inner valve awnless. 3. Floret. 4. Nectary magnified.

Obs. — The awns are a continuation of the keel of the blossom,
thus forming the connecting link between this genus and
Festuca (Woodward). Corolla with a large knot at the base,
hairy, outer valve ribbed and keeled ; awn shorter than the
blossom ; anthers of a beautiful saffron colour. (Withering.)
E. Bot. 471; Host.; Wither. 2d ed. p. 160; Hort. Gram.
Wob. Fol. 95. German Aufrechte Trespe.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 19 oz. The produce per acre - 12931 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 136 3£3 5819 5 8

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7112 8 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 23")

The produce of the space, ditto 13 OJJ 555 10 10

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 46 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 147 Of 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4628 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20^
The produce of the space, ditto 8 0 j 34 5

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the produce
of one acre, at the time of flowering, exceeds that
at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion
nearly of 5 to 3, is - 215 5 3

Mr. Curtis has remarked of this grass that it is peculiar to
chalky soils, and that its appearance in a wild state is much less
favourable than when cultivated in a garden. I have found it on
rather low-lying sandy soils, as in some parts of Woburn-park,
where it appeared as luxuriant as when cultivated in the grass-

IX O

garden. But the fact is, the culms rise to a considerable height,
and the root-leaves are but few in number, though growing to
some length ; the grass, by this means, appears to be much more
productive than it really is. It seems to be but little relished by
cattle, the leaves being rough with hairs. I have not had an

r\

\

i / a iVl r (1 i a

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 205

opportunity to examine it while growing on chalky soils in a
natural state, nor to submit it to experiment on a soil of that
nature; however useful, therefore, it may be found hereafter on
chalky soils, it is evident, from the above details, that it is but
little adapted for the best pasture land. It flowers rather early,
but the foliage is comparatively late in growth.

Pheasants appear very fond of the seed ; they frequently pick
off the spikelets before the seed is perfected. The seed is afforded
in very small quantity.

Flowers in the second and third weeks of June, and the seed is
ripe in the second and third weeks of July.

BRIZA media. Common Quaking-grass. Ladies' Tresses.

Specific character : Spikelets ovate, about 7 -flowered ; calyx
shorter than the florets ; stipula very short and blunt. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 133.— Fig. I. Spikelet magnified. 2. Corolla.
3. Seed, coated with the outer valve of the corolla. 4. Ger-
men, Nectary, Stamens, Styles, and Stigmas.

Obs. — Stems from half a foot to a foot and a half high, accord-
ing to the nature of the soil it grows on. In moist soils
it attains to the greatest size. Dr. Withering remarks, that
if a seed be carefully dissected with a fine lancet, the young
plant will be found with its leaves and roots perfectly formed.
Professor Martyn observes, that it is easily distinguished as
a species of Briza by the shaking disposition of its panicle ;
whence its name among ancient authors, " gramen tremulum"
The French call these quaking-grasses " amourettes."

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial. E. Bot. 340 ;
F. Rust. t. 39; Wither, ii. p. 148; Hort. Gram. Wob.
Fol. 97. Germen Gemeines Zittergras.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 26 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 72 3TV 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6431 14 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237

The produce of the space, ditto 9 2| i

206 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOJBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre - - 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 87 If i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6193 1 1 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 317
The produce of the space, ditto - 11 1 \ 3

The latter-math produce is —

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 255 312

From a poor sandy soil, destitute of manure, the produce, at

the time of flowering, is —

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre - 10890 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 80 gr. 453 12 0

From a moist clayey soil, without manure, the produce, at

the time of flowering, is —

Grass 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 69 gr. 293 8 5

From a rich black loam, at the time of flowering, the pro-
duce is —

Grass, 14 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre - 9869 1 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 90 gr. 462 912

From the above details, it appears that the weight of nutritive
matter which is lost by taking the crop at the time of flowering,
exceeds one-seventh part of its value ; and the nutritive matter
contained in the grass of the seed crop, exceeds that in the
flowering grass, in the proportion of 13 to 11, and that of the
latter-math as 13 to 8.

The results of the experiments on the three different soils now
mentioned shew this grass to be best fitted for poor soils, and
afford one instance, that manure is even hurtful to some grasses.
Its nutritive powers are considerable, when compared to other
grasses affecting a similar soil. It is eaten by horses, cows, and
sheep. These merits, therefore, demand attention, and though
it is unfit, comparatively, for rich permanent pasture, yet, for
poor sandy, and also for poor tenacious soils, where improvement
in other respects cannot be sufficiently effected to fit them for the

HOIITUS GllAMINEUS WOBUHNEXS1S. 207

production of the superior grasses, jthe common quaking-grass
will be found of value.

It flowers in the second and third weeks of June, and the seed
is ripe about the second week of July.

BROMUS inermis. Smooth awnless Brome-grass.

Specific character: Panicle upright; spikelets linear, cylindric,
naked, awnless, or with very short awns sometimes, imbri-
cated ; leaves smooth. Flo. Ger. ; Hort. Gram, Wob. Fol. 95.

Obs. — Root powerfully creeping, like common couch-grass.
Culms from a foot to two feet high, erect, scored, smooth.
Leaves broad, acuminate, smooth, dark green, mid-rib
whitish, and rough. Panicle from six inches to a foot and
more in length ; at first contracted and upright, afterwards
nodding. Flo. Ger. 359; Host. t. 9; Hort. Kew.

Native of Germany. Root creeping. Perennial. Germ. Gran-
nenlose Trespe.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

black siliceous sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 ")

The produce of the space, ditto - 144 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6125 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 108 gr. ">
The produce of the space, ditto - 486f 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —

dr. qr.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre - 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 35 0 j

The produce of the space, ditto - 126 0 J 5359

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6891 5 4

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 417

The produce of the space, ditto - 19 0£ 3 15

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre - 8848 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 11^
The produce of the space, ditto 4 0| 5

In Germany, where this grass is a native, it grows in moist
pastures, orchards, and by the banks of rivers. Its root is
powerfully creeping, like the common couch-grass, and possesses

208 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the property of impoverishing the soil in as eminent a degree as
that grass. Its produce, when first planted on a soil, is much
greater than afterwards, on account of its exhausting nature.
The produce of early foliage is inconsiderable, and less nutritive
than many others. To the eye it produces an abundance of seed,
but, in general, it is imperfectly formed, and, when sown, pro-
duces few plants in proportion to the quantity of seed employed.
The merits of this grass will appear, from the above details, to be
inferior to most of the grasses that have already come under
observation, and offer no grounds on which to recommend it to
the notice of the Agriculturist.

The smooth awnless brome-grass flowers in the second week of
July, and ripens the seed in the second and third weeks of August.

MELICA ciliata. Ciliated Melic-grass.

Specific character : The outer petal of the lower floret ciliate ;
panicle spike-like ; spikelets erect. Flo. Ger. 266.

Obs. — Culms from one to three feet high, according to the
quality of the soil. Leaves spear-shaped, mucronate, from
three to nine inches long, smooth underneath, slightly pubes-
cent above, somewhat rugged downwards, a white nerve runs
along the back. Sheath-scale white, cloven ; sheaths striated,
the lower a little pubescent and rugged, the upper ones
smooth and glossy; but as the seed approaches towards
perfection, it becomes feathered with long woolly hairs.
Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 101. German Gefranztes Perlgras.

Native of Germany. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

rich sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 } 9799 o ^

The produce of the space, ditto 64 0 j

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4083 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 80 gr. }
The produce of the space, ditto - 200 3
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —

dr. qr.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 ?

The produce of the space, ditto 72 03

V i c i a S e p i u m

friittftt />y C ///f ///H ir/i a, /

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUHNENSIS. 209

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3743 7 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 60 gr. 7
The produce of the space, ditto 150 3

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving
the crop till the seed be ripe exceeds one-fourth part
of its value, and is 70 14 6

The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering
bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 4 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 3 oz. The produce per acre 2041 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 dr. 31 14 7

The above facts shew this grass to be one of the inferior species
with respect to produce, nutritive qualities, and reproductive
powers. In Germany It grows wild on hilly grounds, downs, and
by the margin of woods ; it may be ranked with the glaucous and
sea-green meadow grasses ( Poaglauca et Poa c&sia). Among the
grasses not natives of Great Britain, that have been brought under
observation in the course of these details, two species only have
offered proofs of fitness for the purpose of permanent pasture, on
soils of the best quality ; nerved meadow-grass (Poa nervata), and
fertile meadow-grass (Poa fertilis); the superior merits of these
over many other grasses have already been considered.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about
the second week of July.

VICIA septum. Bush Vetch.

Specific character' : Legumes pedicelled, mostly four together,
erect, smooth ; leaflets ovate, obtuse, the outer ones smaller.
Hort. Gram. Wob. Fol. 103.

Obs. — Stems climbing by tendrils, from one to two feet high,
according to its place of growth, grooved. Leaves many
paired, terminated by a branching tendril. Leaflets ovate,
obtuse, sometimes emarginate, somewhat hairy, the outer
ones gradually smaller. Flowers commonly in fours, on very
short pedicles, all directed one way, dark blue, purple.
Legume or pod nearly erect, brown, dotted, smooth. Seeds
globular, even. Flo. Brit.; E. Bot. 1515; Flo. Dan. 699;
Wither. Arr. ed. 4, p. 623 ; Bath Soc. Pap. v. ii. p. 49.

p

210 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — The produce on the sixteenth of April from
a brown sandy loam, with manure, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30 }
The produce of the space, ditto - 603

At the time of flowering, the produce is —
Grass, 26 oz. The produce per acre 17696 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 20 0 7

• i 4424 4 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 104 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13272 0 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 2 >
The produce of the space, ditto 22 3 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass wreigh, when dry - 22 0 7
The produce of the space, ditto - 132 0 3 56
The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 14803 9 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 407
The produce of the space, ditto 30 0 3

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop at
the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the time of
flowering, is 308 6 9

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 1 345 10 1

In the Memoirs of the Bath Agricultural Society, the Rev.
G. Swayne informs us, that the bush vetch " shoots earlier in the
spring than any other plant eaten by cattle ; vegetates late in the
autumn, and continues green all winter. But it is difficult to col-
lect the seeds, as the pods burst and scatter them about, and,
moreover, hardly a third part of them will vegetate, being made the
nidus of an insect. A patch sown in drills in a garden was cut five
times in the course of the second year, and produced at the rate of
twenty-four tons on an acre, of green food ; and when dry would
weigh near four tons and a half." The nutritive matter of this
ivetch. consists almost entirely of mucilage and sugar ; the bitter
extractive principle which exists in the nutritive matter of the
Jeaves of all grasses is herein a less proportion. The produce in

L o Li am P er eime Tenu e

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 211

these experiments is less than that obtained by Mr. Swayne, but
the difference is to be accounted for from the different soils
employed. The plant attains to a considerable height when con-
nected with bushes, and evidently prefers shady situations. But
the produce, as shewn above, on a middling soil, in an exposed
situation, is very considerable ; and it maintains its place when
once in possession of the soil. Horses and oxen are very fond of
it ; I have observed them eat it closer to the ground than they did
the surrounding herbage of cock's-foot, tall oat-like soft-grass,
ray-grass, and cow clover. Its produce is very inferior when
cultivated on a clayey soil, for which it appears unfit. The seeds
vegetate readily when sown about the end of April or in the be-
ginning of May.

It comes into flower about the middle of May, and the seed
is ripe about the middle and end of June.

LOLIUM perenne. Rye-grass, Perennial Darnel, Ray-grass,
Perennial Rye-grass.

Specific character : Spike awnless ; calyx shorter than the spike-
let ; florets lanceolate. See Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 173.— Fig. 1.
Spikelet. 2. Floret. 3. Germen and Stigmas. 4. Nectary.

Obs. — The varieties of this species are very numerous : as the
slender rye-grass (var. tenue), see our figure ; the compound,
or broad-spiked rye-grass (var. compositum) ; Pacey's ray-
grass (var. ramosum} ; Russell's grass ( Russellianum) ; see
our figure ; Whitworth's grass ( Whitworthiemis) ; Stickney's
grass ( Stickneiensis) ; panicled rye-grass (paniculatum) ;
double-flowered rye-grass (monstrosum) ; viviparous rye-
grass (viviparum) : and varieties of these, according to the
age of the plant and the soil it grows in. The first variety
(tenue) is common to dry pasture land that has been impo-
verished and worn out by injudicious cropping : it is distin-
guished from the other varieties of rye-grass by its perfectly
upright spike, which is slender, and the spikelets small and
distant from each other, consisting of 3-5 flowers ; the root-
leaves are very narrow and few in number; the culms are
almost naked or destitute of leaves. The second variety
(compositum) grows in a richer soil, or in soils that have been
long under grass, and is there for the most part confined
to beaten parts, as the cart-ways and sides of paths. It is
distinguished by its short and broad spike, crowded with

212 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBU RNENSIS.

spikelets towards the top : spikelets consisting of from seven
to nine florets, of a green or purplish colour; the culm is
never upright but ascending, and almost covered with the
sheaths of the leaves, which are numerous. The third variety
(ramosum) is more common in rich meadow land than in any
other soil; the spike is nearly upright, spikelets shorter,
glumes more pointed, and the stem furnished with long
leaves; the root-leaves are numerous, and larger in every
respect than in any of the preceding. I believe this to be
the improved or Pacey's rye-grass : it is the most valuable of
the varieties of rye-grass above mentioned. The panicled
rye-grass exhibits a very singular though accidental deviation
from the proper character of the species — that of flowers
disposed in a spike. I found this variety not uncommon in
the lower parts of Mr. Westcar's celebrated pastures of cres-
lew. The double-flowering rye-grass, I found in a meadow
near St. Ives, and it was raised in the experimental grass-
garden at Woburn Abbey, from seeds communicated by
Mr. Neill of Mansfield. It has the spikelets globular, which
give to the spike the appearance of being composed of
double flowers. The viviparous variety grows luxuriantly
after midsummer ; it is strictly viviparous, never producing
flowers or seed, but young plants from the glumes or ears.
When supported, the culms from the ears emit plants which
" frequently attain to two and three inches in length. A spe-
cimen of the stoloniferous rye-grass was communicated by
Mr. Whitworth, from his extensive collection at Acre House.
Of late years much has been done in discovering new and
improved varieties of Lolium perenne. Mr. Whitworth has
devoted much attention to this subject; and the talents,
judgment, and success he has displayed in this important
inquiry, deserve very great praise. His collection of the
varieties of Lolium perenne, in 1823 amounted to the sur-
prising number of sixty ; but, as many of these had been
merely transplanted into his experimental ground, and not
submitted to the test of reproduction by seed, their per-
manency, or their characters as to being permanent or
only accidental varieties, had not been determined. The
labours of this gentleman have been rewarded by the dis-
covery of that valuable variety which bears his name ; and
further important results may be expected from his talents

11ORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 213

and perseverance. Another valuable variety has been intro-
duced very lately into practice, by Mr. Holdich, the late able
and ingenious Editor of the Fanner's Journal, which he
named " The Russell rye-grass," on account of the original
plant from which he raised the first stock of seed having
been pointed out to Mr. Holdich by the Duke of Bedford.
Mr. Stickney, a celebrated cultivator in Holderness, has like-
wise introduced into practice a variety of rye-grass said to
have great merit, and which passes under his name. There
are other varieties of rye-grass, said to be valuable in practice,
sold under the names of Dixon's rye-grass, Ruck's rye-grass,
&c.* Hort. Gram. Wob. 105. All the varieties have a strong
tendency to vary in their form when sown on different soils.
The annual species of rye-grass are common only to land un-
der cultivation : they will be found under the head of Plants
adapted for the Alternate Husbandry.
Root perennial, fibrous.

Experiments. — On the 16th of April the produce of the im-
proved Pacey's rye-grass from a rich brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre 4083 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21 143 9 0

At the time of flowering, the produce is —

Grass, 11 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 7827 3 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 78 0$ $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4438 2 2
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22^
The produce of the space, ditto 7 Of \

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 22 oz. The produce per acre - - 14973 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 105 2 J 3

"•* On this interesting subject, the comparative value of these new varieties of
rye-grass, I have much satisfaction in being able to quote the authority of that
eminent Agriculturist, Francis Blaikie, Esq. : he considers these new varieties
as decided improvements on the common rye-grass, and on the Pacey's rye-grass.
Since writing the above I am informed, by the Rev. C. Lord, that in some parts of
Berkshire an excellent variety of rye-grass is in use under the name of chuich-
bennet, or church bent-grass.

214 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10481 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 23} „ . ~ „ „
The produce of the space, ditto 15 0£ $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying is —
Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 10 53 2 12

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the produce
of one acre, at the time the seed is ripe, exceeds
that at the time of flowering, is 337 10 8

The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering
bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 11 to 10 ; and to the
grass of the latter-math, as 5 to 2.

There has often been occasion to observe, that though grass,
when left till the seed be ripe, may afford a greater quantity
of nutritive matter, nevertheless the value of the latter-math which
is lost by this means is often greater than the extra quantity of
nutritive matter thus obtained ; add to this the impoverishing
effects of the plants on the soil by the process of ripening
the seed, and the less palatable nature of the hay. The plants of
grass are likewise much weakened by the production of seed, for
in all the experiments I have made the produce of latter-math
proved always less, in many instances one-half less, in a given
time after the seed crop, than after the crop taken at the time of
flowering; I never could perceive, however, that the bad effects
extended in any degree to the next following season, the weight of
produce being then as frequently superior as equal or less.

Hye-grass appears to have been cultivated previous to the
year 1677 ;* besides which, red clover, sainfoin, spurrey, trefoil,
and nonsuch, were the only plants then cultivated as grasses, or
termed such. And it is only of late years that any other species
of the natural grasses has been tried as a substitute for it in forming
artificial pastures — as cat's-tail grass (Phleum pratense) ; cock's-
foot grass (Dactylis glomerata) ; and fox-tail grass (Alopecurus
pratensis). The cat's-tail grass appears to have been made trial of
before either- of the other two, not more "than fifty years ago,

* See the first edition of Woldridge's Husbandry : my copy is the third edition,
dated 1681.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 215

by Mr. Rocque, a farmer at Walham-green, near London. The
seed of the cock's-foot grass was introduced about the same time
from Virginia, by the Society of Arts, &c., but no trial was made
of it till several years afterwards : it was then called orchard-
grass ;* and it is but lately that the fox-tail grass has been tried
on an extensive scale — the merits of which seem to have been
first accurately pointed out by the late excellent Mr. Curtis in his
several works on grasses.

There has been much difference of opinion respecting the merits
and comparative value of rye-grass. It produces an abundance of
seed, which is easily collected and readily vegetates on most kinds
of soil under .circumstances of different management ; it soon
arrives at perfection, and produces in its first years of growth a
good supply of early herbage, which is much liked by cattle.
These merits have, no doubt, upheld it till the present day, in
practice, and will probably, for some time to come, continue it a
favourite grass with many Farmers. But the latter-math of
rye-grass is very inconsiderable, and the plant impoverishes
the soil in a high degree, if the culms, which are invariably left
untouched by cattle, are not cut before the seed advances towards
perfection. When this is neglected, the field after midsummer
exhibits only a brown surface of withered straws.

Let the produce and nutritive powers of rye-grass be compared
with those of the cock's-foot-grass, and it will be found inferior in
the proportion nearly of 5 to 18; and also inferior to the meadow
fox-tail in the proportion of 5 to 12 ; and inferior to the meadow
fescue in the proportion of 5 to 17. In these comparisons, from
which the above proportions arose, it was necessary to omit the
seed crops for the truth of comparison.

But as the seed of the fox-tail is often defective, and the plants
of the fescue (Festuca pratensis) do not arrive at perfection so soon
as those of rye-grass ; their superiority, as above, over rye-grass,
is somewhat lessened with respect to their value as alternate hus-
bandry grasses ; for permanent pasture, however, the above pro-
portional values will be found true, as rye-grass is but a short-lived
plant, seldom continuing more than six years in possession of the
soil, but is continued by its property of ripening an abundance of
seed, which is but little molested by birds, and suffered to fall and
vegetate among the root-leaves of the permanent pasture grasses,

* Annual Reg'ster, for 1765, p. 141 et sc^.

216 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

But cock's-foot grass perfects an abundance of seed, and the plants
arrive at a productive state as soon as those of rye-grass ; hence
its superiority over rye-grass, as above, is equally great for perma-
nent pasture and the alternate husbandry ; which is not so pre-
cisely the case with the fox-tail-grass and meadow fescue. One
peck of rye-grass, with 141bs. of clover, per acre, is generally
considered sufficient for sowing artificial pastures.

The above details relate to the Pacey's rye-grass ; and the fol-
lowing details will shew to a certain extent the superiority of the
new varieties.

1. The Russell's rye-grass. The produce on the 16th of April
from a brown rich loam is —

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 dr. 2 qr. 212

At the time of flowering the produce is —

Grass, per acre 15654

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter - 3 dr. 733

The value of this variety, it is perfectly evident, is therefore
greatly superior to the Pacey's rye-grass in produce and nutritive
properties ; and to these must be added its superior early growth
in the spring, and its continuing to vegetate later in the autumn
and winter. These properties go near to remove entirely the
objections which have been so justly urged against the common
rye-grass.

2. Stickney's rye-grass approaches near to this in its habits and
nutritive properties, but I have not had an opportunity to ascertain
the produce of it with that degree of precision and certainty which
would allow of my giving the results of the trials a place here.

dr. qr.

64 dr. of the Stickney's rye-grass, at the time of

flowering, afforded of nutritive matter - 3 OJ

3. The Whitworth's rye-grass is finer in the foliage than either
of the above varieties.

dr. qr.

At the time of flowering, the Whitworth's rye-grass

affords of nutritive matter, from 64 dr. of grass 3 0 J

This variety seems also to possess the valuable properties of

L oliriTii P f i* e i\ u c Ru.s s elii auum

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 217

early and late growth, in an eminent degree.*" — These varieties
of rye-grass are a valuable acquisition to the Farmer ; and more
particularly, should those characters, which now render them so
valuable, prove permanent after experiencing the various trying
effects of different changes of soil and situation under long culti-
vation. The habit of the Whitworth's rye-grass indicates an origin
from higher situated though rich land ; while the habits of the
Russell and Stickney rye-grasses indicate an origin from a less ele-
vated though equally rich land. It is more than probable that,
should attention be paid to have the seeds of those grasses always
supplied from their respective original soils, or from analogous soils,
th^t the valuable properties they now possess may be perpetuated.
Besides those varieties, there have been cultivated and submitted to
careful experiment in the grass-garden at Woburn Abbey, fifteen
apparently distinct varieties. The greater number of these have
not stood the test of reproduction from seed, but have merged into
one or other of the above-mentioned varieties. Mr. Neill, of Mans-
field, communicated six varieties of rye-grass, one of which proved
identical with Stickney 's grass, and another proved to be the same
with the Russell rye-grass. Mr. Neill had first collected the seeds
of these from rich pastures, and by afterwards cultivating them in
his garden obtained seed sufficient for farm practice.

Rye-grass, when not more than three years old, flowers in the
second week of June, and ripens the seed in about twenty-five
days after ; as the plants become older they flower much later,
sometimes so late as the beginning of August.

* For the following statements of the produce of the Whitworth rye-grass I am
indebted to Mr. G. Whitworth. " About 80 acres of rather thin poor ivokl-l&nd
incumbent on chalk, was sown with the Whitworth rye-grass and clover, the
former predominant. In 1819, the first season of grass, the land kept some ewes
and lambs until the 1st of May, when it was shut up for mowing. The produce
of hay was 54 good waggon-loads, but 30 acres were allowed to stand for seed, the
produce of seed from two to three quarters per acre. The pasture was laid in for
about four weeks, then stocked with 500 lambs, which it kept for seven weeks, and
afterwards kept 160 lambs, with the help of a little hay given occasionally through
the winter, and until the beginning of April, when 300 ewes and lambs were put in
and did well through the spring months.

To the serious objections to rye-grass as a precursor to wheat, Mr. Whitworth
says that his variety of rye-grass is so tenacious of life, that two or even three
ploughings are necessary to overcome the grass, otherwise the roots of the grass will
take up the nourishment of the soil, to the great injury of the wheat-crop.

218 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

TRIFOLIUM medium. Marl Clover, Cow-grass.

Specific character: Spikes loose, stems flexuose, branched;
corollas nearly equal ; stipules sublate, linear. E. Bot. t. 190 ;
Wither. Arr.

Obs. — The common broad-leaved red clover is distinguished
from the present plant by the spike, which is loose and rather
oblong, while that of the broad-leaved clover is globular and
compact. The root of the marl-grass is creeping, that of the
broad-leaved clover spindle-shaped and fibrous. The stem
of the perennial sort is more constantly zig-zag. The leaves
are also smoother and longer. There are three varieties of
the broad -leaved clover (Trifolium pratense), mentioned by
botanical writers, one of which is said to be perennial and the
true marl or cow-grass ; but all the seeds and plants I have
had for this (except that from Messrs. Gibbs and Co., which
proved to be the present plant) have turned out only two-year-
lived plants, or never exceeding three, though cultivated on
various soils. Since the above remarks were first printed, I
have found the true Trifolium pratense perenne in the rich
grazing lands in the vale of Aylesbury, and also in the rich
• grazing lands in Lincolnshire — a figure of which is presented
to the reader in the following pages. The plants of marl
clover upon which the following experiments were made,
were taken from a rich ancient pasture, which was so closely
cropped at the time, that the plant was only three inches
high, though in flower. This plant is also frequent on cold
tenacious clayey soils, where it is of smaller stature, more
woody, and darker coloured ; but when transplanted to a
richer soil its appearance is much altered. The distinctions
of the perennial and the biennial root are the most certain,
and of the most importance to the Agriculturist in choosing
between two plants of nearly equal value for the purpose of
permanent pasture. To avoid any chance of mistake, there-
fore, I here present a figure of the marl clover or cow-grass,
which I have brought from a rich ancient pasture that had
never been under the plough, according to the oldest recol-
lection.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a rich
black loam is —

Tri folium Medium.

/>v>//Sn< fa, < •*. MeffmntMfS .

HOIITUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 219

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre is 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 25 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 150 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 14037 14 4

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 17

The produce of the space, ditto 16 3J i

The produce of latter-math at two different cuttings is —
Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre 19057 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217
The produce of the space, ditto 15 3 3

The weight of nutritive matter contained in the latter-math
herbage is equal to that afforded by the flowering herbage. The
plant, as it passes this stage of growth, becomes woody, particu-
larly at the bottom of the stalks. It pushes forth flowering-stems
during all the summer and autumn, if never suffered to perfect its
seed. It withstands the effects of severe dry weather better than
most pasture plants ; continuing to flower, even when the surround-
ing herbage is burnt up on strong loamy soils. The white clover
(Trifolium repens), and the hop clover (Trifoliumprocumbens), are,
at least so far as my observations have extended, the only plants
beside that retain verdure and powers of growth under such cir-
cumstances. There were favourable opportunities, during the
long-continued season of dry weather in this year (1815), to ob-
serve the powers of different grasses and plants to resist the effects
of drought : there were no plants on ancient pasture land, on lighter
soils, or on clays, that appeared so little affected by it as those I
have mentioned. The common quaking-grass (Briza media), was
to all appearance completely dried up, while on a sandy soil, a rich
black loam, and a strong clayey soil, the fine bent-grass, (Agrostls
capillaris), and the different varieties of the stoloniferous bent-
grass or florin, were, with respect to foliage, in the same state as
the quaking-grass. This property, therefore, gives additional
value to the perennial red clover.

On a comparison of the produce and nutritive qualities of the
broad-leaved clover ( Trifolium pratense) with those of the above,
the broad-leaved clover is found to be greatly superior.

The broad-leaved cultivated clover (Trifolium pratense),

220 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUIINENSIS.

Ibs. per Acre
Ibs. in one Year.

At the time of flowering, affords of nutritive
matter from the produce of one acre of a
clayey loam 1861-j

From the produce of latter-math, taken at 2791

two different times - 9303

The cow-grass (Trifolium medium), as above,

Affords of nutritive matter, from the produce
at the time of flowering 717")

From the produce of latter-math, at two 1387

different cuttings - 670 3

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the produce
of one acre of the Trifolium pratense, (broad-
leaved cultivated clover), exceeds that of the cow-
grass is — - 1404

In regard to produce, therefore, the biennial-rooted clover is
superior to the perennial in the proportion nearly of 2 to 1. As a
plant for the alternate husbandry, the broad-leaved cultivated clover
will evidently be preferred ; but for permanent pasture the cow-
clover (Trifolium medium) must of necessity have the preference.
The quantity of nutritive matter contained in the herbage of the
broad-leaved clover is somewhat greater than in the herbage of the
cow-clover, proportionally, according to my experiments, as 10 to 9.
The constituent parts of the nutritive matters of the plants are
nearly alike, only the broad-leaved clover contains nearly three per
cent, more of the bitter extractive and saline matters than are con-
tained in an equal weight of the cow-clover. This species likewise
contains much less superfluous moisture than the former, and is in
consequence more quickly and safely converted into hay ; for it is
evident the difficulty of making good hay is in direct proportion
to the quantity of superfluous moisture any herbage may contain.
The comparative fitness of the different grasses for making into
hay, which have already come under observation, with those that
follow, may therefore be ascertained by the statements which are
given of the loss of weight which each species sustains in drying
at the different stages of growth.

The value of the cow-clover has been disputed ; but it seems
probable that any doubt as to its merits may have arisen from

Tr i folium

HORTUS GRAMIXEUS WOBU RNENSIS. 221

using it instead of the Trifolium pratense (biennial red clover) in
the alternate husbandry, for which it seems unfit, or at least greatly
inferior to that species. But for permanent pasture on soils too
light for the Trifolium pratense perenne, its value is undoubtedly
considerable.

It flowers about the beginning of July, and the general crop of
seed is ripe about the beginning of September.*

TRIFOLIUM pratense perenne. Perennial Red Clover.

Specific character.

Obs. — In the fertile grazing lands between Wainfleet and Skeg-
ness in Lincolnshire, this true perennial red clover is abun-
dant. An opportunity was afforded me to examine this species
very satisfactorily in its natural soil, when the plants were in
full blossom. The root is slightly creeping and extremely
fibrous ; in these points it differs essentially from the common
broad-leaved clover, the roots of which are almost spindle-
shaped, with comparatively few fibres. The common broad-
leaved clover is of a lighter green colour, has fewer hairs on
the stem and leaves, and grows more upright. The botanical
discriminating characters are less obvious, indeed not suf-
ficient to make this plant more than a permanent variety of
Trifolium pratense. The sheaths are terminated with narrower
and longer points, which are set with longer hairs. The flower-
stalks, as shewn in our figure, are in general longer and more
slender, with an evident disposition to grow bent and flexuose.
The heads of flowers are less crowded with florets, although,
apparently to the sight, equally as large as the common cul-
tivated clover. When young, the flower-head has the appear-
ance of extreme woolliness or pubescence.

* Hares and rabbits are very fond of this clover when cultivated on a rich soil.
Some plants of it were brought from a tenacious cold clayey soil, on the borders
of a wood and planted in the grass-garden on a rich loam, for the purpose of com-
paring it with the same species collected in a rich ancient pasture. I observed at
the time I took up the plants near the wood, that none of them seemed to have been
touched by these animals, which were the only animals that had access to the
herbage. But they preferred it throughout the whole season in the grass-garden to
almost every other grass or clover, and completely broke through a temporary fence
made specially for its protection, and disappointed my expectation in the results of
some particular experiments.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Last summer, when examining the rich grazing lands in Lincoln-
shire, I found this plant to be more prevalent than any other spe-
cies of clover. In the clayey districts, and in soils of a peaty
nature, this species of clover was more conspicuous than in the
alluvial soils. The natural appearance of this plant in these cele-
brated pastures is such as to recommend it strongly for cultivation.
It being strictly perennial and the root only slightly creeping, it
may be used for the alternate husbandry, for which the Trifolium
medium is inadmissible on account of its creeping roots con-
stituting what in arable lands is termed twitch. The seed of this
valuable clover should first be collected from plants in those valu-
able pastures near Skegness, where it abounds ; and from this a
stock of plants to increase the supply of seed for general farm
practice might soon be obtained.

The nutritive powers of this species are superior to those of the
Trifolium medium, in the proportion of 10 to 9. At the time
of flowering, 64 dr. of the herbage of the Trifolium pratense perenne
afforded 2 dr. 2 qr. of nutritive matter. It thrives better when
combined with other grasses than when cultivated by itself; but
this, indeed, is also the case with all the valuable grasses. The
Trifolium medium, the Cynosuruscristalus, Lolium perenne, Alope-
curus pratensis, Avenajiavescens, Hordeum pratense, Poa trivialis,
Holcus avenaceus, Poa pratensis, Trifolium repens, Holcus lanatus,
and Festuca pratensis, were the grasses among which I found this pe-
renial red clover to flourish, in the clayey and alluvial soils in Lin-
colnshire. The slightly creeping root remains permanent in the ex-
perimental garden, while the roots of the common broad-leaved clo-
ver have almost disappeared in the third season from sowing. For
permanent pasture, therefore, this variety is the only proper one to
cultivate, for disappointment will be found a certain follower of
the broad-leaved clover, when sown with the intention of constituting
a part of any permanent pasture. The figure and description will
enable the Farmer to decide whether the variety of red clover he
cultivates be the true perennial species. For clayey and peaty soils,
and for loams, this variety is doubtless superior to the Trifolium
medium or cow-grass, and to any other variety of red clover at pre-
sent known for the purposes of permanent pasture ; but for soils of
a drier nature and lighter texture, the Trifolium medium offers
greater advantages.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 223

TRIFOLIUM repens. White Clover, White Trefoil, Dutch
Clover.*

Native of Britain. Root perennial. Curt. Lond. 193; Flo.
Dan. 990 ; E. Bot. 1769.

This species of clover is so familiar to every Agriculturist, that a
specific description of it in a work of this nature may be unneces-
sary.

The value of white clover to the Farmer is well known. It
is common in most, or rather, it is present in every kind of pasture
land in Britain. From the circumstance of growing spontaneously
in almost every kind of soil, few plants vary so much in size : in
very dry and poor sandy soils it is often so small and grows so flat
among the lower leaves of the herbage, that it is not perceptible
unless a turf is cut, and carefully examined by dividing it ; hence,
on breaking up and manuring such soils, or simply manuring by
top-dressing, a spontaneous crop of white clover appears where
it was never observed before, and without any supply of seed : this
has led to strange conclusions respecting the propagation of
plants.

The central root of white clover penetrates to a considerable
depth in the soil, and the plant is thereby better prepared to resist
the bad effects of severe dry weather, particularly on sandy soils.
The branches that trail on the surface send down fibrous roots from
the joints, which penetrate but a little way into the ground : hence

* The White or Dutch Clover of the shops has been supposed an hybrid variety
of the true perennial white clover of ancient natural pastures, and that it continues
only a short time in the land when sown; and not continuing permanent, as is the
case with the white clover of natural pastures. I cannot find any facts in direct
proof of this supposition. There are, doubtless, more than one variety of white
clover (Trifolium Repens) ; I have selected three seemingly very distinct varieties
from ancient natural pastures, and these three varieties are now under experiment
in the Woburn Abbey Experimental Grass Garden ; — the results of these trials
will, it is hoped, shortly decide the points in doubt respecting this valuable agricul-
tural plant. Raising the plants from seed, on the same and on different soils, is the
only mode of determining the truth in instances of this kind. Besides these three,
there are, in the Experimental Grass Garden, the proliferous variety of white
"lover, which produces small heads of leaves out of the centre of the heads of
flowers, long ago observed by Mr. Curtis. I have found this variety at Acre House ;
and the variety with brown or purple leaves was communicated many years since
from Ireland, by J. Istead, Esq., and more recently by the ingenious Mrs. Turber-
ville of Hasfield.

224 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURXENSIS.

it is, that the white clover maintains itself in soils of opposite
natures ; for if the surface be too dry to afford nourishment to the
branches, the principal root preserves it ; and when the tenacity
and retentiveness of the soil in a wet winter is great enough
to rot the tap-root ; the fibres of the runners preserve the plant in
safety. From this habit of growth, top-dressings and a frequent
use of the roller encourage the growth of this plant in an extraor-
dinary degree. White clover, when cultivated by itself, is far from
forming so good a pasture as when combined with the natural
grasses, and I have witnessed the dangerous effects of pure clover
pasture on sheep, by inducing disease, — and at the same time the
superior value of it in pastures containing a due admixture of the
natural grasses ; among many instances of this sort, one is selected,
and mentioned in the introduction to these details of experiments.

On a comparison of the nutritive matter afforded from equal
weights of the white and red clovers, it appears that the white
clover is inferior.

dr. qr,
The biennial red clover (Trifolium pratense), affords of

nutritive matter 2 2

The perennial red clover ( Trifolium pratense perenne),

affords of ditto 2 2

The white, or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens), affords

of ditto 2 0

The brown five-leaved variety of white clover affords

of ditto 2 2

The white clover is therefore inferior to the biennial broad-
leaved red clover in the proportion of 5 to 4 ; and inferior to the
red perennial clover in the proportion of 10 to 9. The brown
variety of white clover is equal to the biennial red clover in
the quantity of nutritive matter it contains, but with respect to the
quantity of herbage, it is greatly inferior to the white variety
or Dutch clover.

Sir Humphry Davy has shewn, that the nutritive matter of the
clovers contains a greater proportion of bitter extractive and saline
matters than the proper grasses ; and that when pure clover hay is
to be mixed as fodder, it should be with summer hay rather than
after-math hay.*

* Agricultural Chemistry.

.\6rostis tStoloiuf'exa Latif oli

HORTUS GHAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 225

AGROSTIS stolonifera (var. 1. latifolia). Larger-leaved Creep-
ing Bent, Fiorin.

Specific character : Panicle loose at the time of flowering, con-
tracted afterwards ; florets large, numerous ; calyx-husks
acuminate, outer serrulated from the keel upwards, inner only
slightly towards the top.

Obs. — This variety of creeping bent-grass being confined to the
richest natural pastures, at least as far as my observations
have extended, I have introduced it in this place ; the speci-
mens and details of experiments made on the other varieties
which are now to be mentioned, will be found in another part
of this work.

Var. 2. Smaller-leaved creeping bent (see Agrostis stolonifera,
var. angustifolia) is distinguished from the above by its panicle,
which is densely crowded with florets, smaller, and of a whitish
colour, which distinguishes it at first sight from the large spreading
dingy purple panicle of the above ; the leaves of which also are
longer and broader, pointing more direct from the stem, and the
joints more distant, and distinguished from those of every other
variety of florin by the dull purple or brownish colour, which seems
to unite them with the stem : in the angustifolia the colour is white
or grey. This second variety I believe to be the Agrostis stolonifera
of the English Botany, 1532. — Var. 3. Awned creeping bent-
grass, (see Agrostis stolonifera, var. aristatd), is distinguished from
the first variety by its larger valve of the blossom having an awn
twice its length, while the same valve in the true florin (var. 1.),
has only the rudiment of an awn fixed below the apex, and which
can be distinctly seen only by the aid of a glass; the panicle is
also smaller; the colour of that part of the stem nearest to
the joint is reddish ; the joints much less swoln. — Var. 4. Wood
creeping bent-grass (see Agrostis stolonifera, var. nemoralis) is more
like the first variety than any of the others ; but the panicle is more
wide-spreading, the branches rougher, the florets more pointed,
smoother, the leaves narrower, and lying more flat on the ground ;
the creeping stems or runners are more slender, and lie quite flat
on the ground, joints smaller and nearly colourless. The marsh
creeping bent-grass may be justly considered var. 5. (see Agrostis
palustris) ; it approaches nearest to var. 2. (angustifolia), but
the panicle is spear-shaped, loose when in flower, and contracted
so much when in seed as to resemble a spike, and is of a whitish-

Q

226 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

grey colour; it is essentially distinguished from the others by the
larger valve of the blossom being furnished with a minute awn,
which rises a little above its middle, and reaches to the top of the
valve ; the awn is straight, and pressed close to the back of the
valve.

The above characters of distinction, and the figures which
are afterwards given to illustrate them, were taken from plants
raised from seed on the same soils that the plants were found na-
turally growing on, and on different soils ; the characters of the
wild plants were compared with those of the cultivated ones, and
what remained constant after these changes of circumstances are
the above. It is easy to conceive the change that takes place in
the general appearance of a plant when brought out of a wet ditch
and cultivated on a dry exposed soil, or from under the shade of
trees on a poor sand, and planted out on a rich loam with full ex-
posure to the sun and air. Characters, therefore, that change
with these changes of circumstances, tend more to perplex than
enlighten, and may therefore be better omitted.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from an
active peat soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 26 oz. The produce per acre 17696 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 1 7749 i 10

The produce of the space, ditto - 182 0 >
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9954 2 4
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 32) gg« ^ 3
The produce of the space, ditto - 22 3 J
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre 19057 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 I 0575 14 n

The produce of the space, ditto - 201 2f )
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10481 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 321 ]QAC> Q r
The produce of the space, ditto 24 2 *

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by
taking the crop at the time of flowering, exceeds
one-fourteenth part of its value, and is 74 7 2

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 50 gr. 70 14 6

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 227

The space, when left uncut till the month of December,
afforded of —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre - 20418 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 2 \ 14.Q* n i
The produce of the space, ditto - 33 3 )
The weight of nutritive matter in which the crop taken
in December exceeds that taken at the time of *
flowering, in the proportion of 16 to 11 is 467 14 14

The Rev. Dr. William Richardson has introduced this variety
of the Agrostis stolonifera to the agricultural world under the name
of Fiorin, and has shewn its merits and properties, deduced from
his own experiments, in a variety of publications on the subject,
to which the reader is referred. It is greatly superior, in point of
produce and nutritive powers, to the other varieties of the dgrostis
stolonifera which have been enumerated ; this will be manifest on
referring to the details of experiments made upon them, as given
under the head of grasses natural to moist soils.

On comparing the specimens of these different varieties, their
resemblance to each other is so great, that they may be easily
mistaken for each other, without a close inspection, and some
knowledge of botany to assist it. It was before observed, that this
variety (larger creeping bent or florin) appears to be confined to
rich ancient pasture land as its natural place of growth, and
the other varieties to various soils and situations ; and that when
taken from these different soils, and cultivated together under
the same circumstances, they retain the discriminating characters
before mentioned.

On damp clayey soils the second variety is the most common
grass. To moors and bog soils the third variety is chiefly, or (at
least according to my observations) altogether confined. To light
sandy soils, particularly when more or less shaded, the fourth va-
riety is peculiar ; and the fifth variety is seldom found but in the
bottom of ditches, or by the sides of rivulets. The first variety
being therefore scarce, and the others very common, there is little
room for surprise at the contradictory results of experiments that
have been made on one or other of these inferior varieties, by
Gentlemen equally eminent for agricultural knowledge, under the
conviction of their being one and the same grass as recommended
by Dr. Richardson, under the name of florin ; whereas, though

228 HORTUS GRAMTNEUS WOBURNENSIS.

they agree in the general habit of Dr. Richardson's variety, and
indeed in every respect except in the characters before described,
their inferiority in every agricultural merit is so great, as to justify
the opprobrious epithets that have been bestowed upon them by
those who, from the above causes, have differed from Dr. Richard-
son's statements of the merits of the first variety, or florin, and
prevented that justice being done to the discovery which it may
have deserved.

The above details will assist the Farmer in deciding on the com-
parative merits of this grass, as a constituent of a mixture of
grasses for permanent pasture; from which it will doubtless appear
worthy of attention, but its value not so great as has been supposed,
if its habits or mariner of growth be impartially taken into the
account, when compared with the produce and nutritive powers of
other grasses.

This grass, when cultivated by itself, cannot be profitably
depastured, on account, principally, of its peculiar manner of
growth, which has been compared to that of strawberries. It
sends out runners or stolones, which strike root at the joints ; the
feet of cattle mixing part of the soil with these, render the most
valuable part of the plant unfit for food. In its combined state in
ancient pastures this objection is lost, as the root-leaves and con-
solidated turf of the various grasses prevent completely such
an effect from the feet of the cattle, which will be evident on
a few moments' examination of a close-eaten turf of such pastures
as now described. In this state it is much less productive than
when cultivated singly, as the fibrous roots of the stolones derive
their only nourishment from the moisture secreted among the root-
leaves of the other grasses.

The chief advantage of this grass in permanent pasture is its late
growth. It remains in a degree inactive till other grasses have
attained to perfection, and when their productive powers become
exhausted, those of fiorin and its varieties begin ; and it will
be found, on inspection, that the latest mouthful of herbage, and
sometimes the earliest in those pastures, is principally afforded by
this grass.

There has been much prejudice existing against the different
species of Agrostis in general; but let the proprietor of a rich
ancient pasture divest a part of it of this grass entirely, and the
value of the plant will be demonstrated in the comparative loss of
late and early herbage. In these pastures, late in the autumn, I
have observed the stolones extend to a considerable length, and

HO11TUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 229

left untouched by cattle : in the spring, however, they were gene-
rally eaten, and the protection they had afforded to the under
grasses was evident in the superior early growth of the herbage
where the stolones had most extended; after this the creeping
bent was hardly to be recognized till the other grasses had again
exhausted themselves towards the end of the autumn. The plant,
in this state of combination, takes but little from the soil.

In comparing the produce and nutritive powers of different
grasses, to arrive at a knowledge of their relative value, it is abso-
lutely necessary, for the truth of comparison, that the produce of
one whole season be taken, and not one crop singly, except
in instances where the produce consists but of one crop only.
Accordingly, the produce of florin may be compared with that of
the cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomerata), meadow fescue (Festuca
pratensis), and the meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), when it
will appear inferior to the two former species, and superior to the
latter. On referring to former details it appears, that
The Agrostis stolonifera, var. latifolia, larger creeping-bent,

Ibs. per Acre in one Year.

From the produce of one season, taken in Decem-
ber, affords of nutritive matter 1435
The Dactylis glomerata, cock's-foot grass —
From the produce of early herbage in the

spring, affords of nutritive matter - 358
From the produce at the time of flowering,

affords of nutritive matter - 1 089 }> \ 728

From the produce of latter-math, affords of

nutritive matter - 281

The Festuca pratensis, meadow-fescue —
From the produce of early herbage in the

spring, affords x»f nutritive matter - 382 *\
From the produce at the time of flowering, /

affords of nutritive matter - 9£7 \ 1719

From the produce of latter-math, affords of k
nutritive matter 380 J

The Alopecurus pratensis, meadow-fox-tail —
From the produce of early herbage, affords

of nutritive matter 483

From the produce at the time of flowering,

affords of nutritive matter 478> 1216

From the produce of latter-math, affords of
nutritive matter - 255

230 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURN ENSIS.

The cock's-foot grass, under the circumstances described, is
therefore superior to the larger variety of the creeping-bent, in
the proportion, nearly, of 11 to 9.

The meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is also superior to florin,
in nearly the like proportion as cock's foot.

The meadow fox-tail-grass (Alopecurus pratensis) is inferior to
florin, in the proportion, nearly, of 6 to 7.

Though the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by a grass in
one whole season is the chief property by which its comparative
value can be determined, yet the particular season or seasons in
which it is produced, the nature of the soil on which it can be cul-
tivated to most advantage, and the superior facilities its peculiar
habits of growth afford for its propagation, as also for reaping its
produce, are points which must necessarily be taken into the ac-
count by the agriculturist, according as they are influenced by
local circumstances ; such as the nature of the soil, and situation
of his farm.

When cultivated separately for the purpose of green food or
hay,* florin requires to be kept perfectly clear of weeds, its
couchant habit of growth affording great encouragement for the
health of upright-growing plants — under this circumstance, weeds.
The numerous fibrous roots that issue from the joints of the trailing
shoots or stolones exhaust the surface of the soil in a considerable
degree ; top dressings with manure are, therefore, absolutely ne-
cessary to keep up the superior productive powers of florin.
Without these points being sufficiently attended to in the cultiva-
tion of this grass, disappointment will be the result.

The merits of this variety of the creeping-bent for the purposes
of permanent pasture, have already been mentioned, and that its
productive powers, when in combination with other grasses, are
much less than are shewn in the above details ; from which it will
appear to be a necessary constituent of a mixture of grasses, to
form, in all particulars, the most valuable permanent pasture,
though in a less proportion than most other species admitted to
form such a mixture.

It perfects a sufficiency of seed, which readily vegetates ; and the
plants, when properly encouraged by top-dressings, I have found

* The mode of converting florin into hay, during the winter months, is amply
detailed in Dr. Richardson's publications on florin. Full information will there
be likewise found on the productive powers, uses, modes of cultivation, 8te. &c.; of
this grass, deduced from the Doctor's own experiments.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 231

invariably to arrive soon at perfection. When the runners or sto-
lones are used instead of seed, the ground is much sooner clothed
with the grass : when meant as a crop by itself, the planting of the
shoots or stolones appears to be the best mode ; but when intended
as part of a mixture of other grasses, the seed will be found by ex-
perience to be the most proper.

It flowers about the second and third weeks of July, and the
seed is ripe about the second and third weeks of August.

The grasses and other plants that have now been submitted to
the better judgment of the reader, comprehend all the grasses and
plants which the Author could ever find in the body of the richest
natural pastures, examined every month of the year, and oftener ;
some other species, it is true, were sometimes found on particular
spots, but could not, from their local situation, be considered as
naturally belonging to such : they will be mentioned hereafter.

To those who may have perused and bestowed some considera-
tion on the foregoing details, it may be unnecessary to observe,
that the facts and observations there brought forward offer suffi-
cient proofs, that it is not from one or two, but from a variety of
different species of grasses, that the Agriculturist can hope to
form, in the shortest space of time, a sward equal if not superior
to that of the richest natural pastures.

Hastiness in generalizing from a few facts only, in things per-
taining to the properties and cultivation of plants, has often led to
error; it seldom benefits the cause it meant to advance: every
one is told this plant, or that mode of cultivation, will best suit
his purpose ; most make trial, and from the want of that caution
which generalization in the outset destroys, the majority fails :
this leads to a difference of opinion on one side ; and on the
other, to a contempt of that which, when taken in its limited
sense, would have produced every advantage the object was
capable of affording.

The hope of discovering a single grass or mode of cultivation
superior to every other for all the purposes of the Agriculturist,
under every circumstance, would surely be as rational, and the
discovery, when effected, as great, as those of the Philosopher's
Stone and the Universal Specific.

ALOPECURUS anmdmaceus. Reed-like Foxtail-grass.

Specific character: Root powerfully creeping; leaves spear-
shaped, spike oblong, thickly crowded ; husks pubescent on

232 HORTUS GJIAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the back, and largely ciliate on the edges. Poiret, Enc.
Meth. viii. p. 776.

Obs. — The florets are larger and more linear, or of a more equal
breadth throughout than those of Alopecurus pratensis ; awns
sometimes altogether wanting ; culm very tall in comparison
to that of the common foxtail ; but the reed-like leaves of the
A. arundinaceus distinguish it at first sight from the A. pra-
tensis. I received this species and the next following one,
from my friend Mr. Taunton. Poiret mentions that it is cul-
tivated in the Paris Gardens, but its native place of growth
is unknown.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, 64 dr. of the grass
from a rich siliceous sandy loam, on a clayey subsoil, afforded
3 dr. 11 gr. of nutritive matter.

The substance of the culms and leaves of this grass is coarser
than that of the Alopecurus pratensis ; and the root is so powerfully
creeping as to render its introduction into arable land a matter of
great caution. The produce and nutritive powers are very con-
siderable ; it is an early grass, producing culms at an early period
of the spring, and continuing to vegetate vigorously through the
summer and autumn. It cannot be recommended as a consti-
tuent of permanent pasture ; but as a grass to cultivate by itself, to
a certain extent, for green food, or for hay, it offers advantages in
the superior produce and nutritive powers above stated. It grows
stronger and attains to a greater height than the next species, but
owing to the roots spreading wide, being large, and requiring a
consequent greater supply of nourishment from the soil, the pro-
duce stands thinner, and proves less weighty, than the crops
afforded by the Alopecurus Tauntoniensis.

It flowers in April or early in May, and continues to produce
flowering culms until the autumn.

ALOPECURUS Tauntoniensis. Taunton's Meadow Foxtail-
grass.

Specific character : Spike much panicled ; florets oblong ; calyx
ciliate on the back, on the edges nearly naked; culm upright,
ribbed ; root slightly creeping.

Obs. — This holds a middle station between the Alopecurus pra-
tensis and Alopecurus arundinaceus. The lanceolate, strong,
reed-like leaves, and powerful creeping root, of the Alopecurus

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 233

arundinaceus, at first sight, when growing, distinguish it from
every other species of Alopecurus. The strongly-ribbed lower
leaves of the Alopecurus Tauntoniensis t with its slightly though
evidently creeping roots, in like manner, when growing, dis-
tinguish it from the Alopecurus pratensis and A. arundi-
naceus. The more minute though certain proper botanical
characters of distinction, are less obvious. The florets of the
Alopecurus pratensis are more dilated or are sub-ovate, those
of the A. arundinaceus and A. Tauntoniensis are sub-linear ;
but the florets of the latter are shorter. The edges of the
calyx of the A. Tauntoniensis are nearly naked and smooth,
while in the A. arundinaceus the edges of the calyx are
largely ciliate, and the side-ribs so prominent, as to give an
angular form to the valves. The A. Tauntoniensis is distin-
guished from A. pratensis and A. arundinaceus by deep purple
tints on the calyx and awns. The anthers of the A. pratensis
are broad and but little cloven, while those of the two former
species are narrow, long, and deeply cloven ; segments bent
outwards.

Experiments.-— At the time of flowering, the produce from a rich
siliceous sandy soil is greater than that of the preceding
species, and on a similar soil the produce of the Alopecurus
pratensis is inferior in weight and in nutriment to this grass.
The following comparison of the nutritive powers of some
other species of grass with the Alopecurus Tauntoniensis may

be satisfactory.

Grass. Nutr. Matter.

dr. dr. gr.

A lop. arundinaceus , at the time the seed is ripe,
furnished from Cheam, Surrey, (W. P. Taun-
ton's, Esq.) - 64 3 10

Alop. arundinaceus i produce of the Grass Garden,

Woburn, at the time the grass was in flower 64 3 26

Alop. Tauntoniensis, at the time of flowering,

from the produce of the Grass Garden - 64 34

Alop. pratensis, at the time the seed is ripe - 64 2 15

Triticum elongatum, ditto - 64 4 14

Ftstuca heterophylla, various-leaved fescue, pro-
duced on Cheam Farm - 64 30

The superior productiveness of this grass throughout the season,
furnishing very early and late herbage equal to the very best spe-

234 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

cies, are properties which recommend it very highly for permanent
pasture, in company with other kinds peculiarly adapted for the
purpose. The roots, although only slightly creeping, yet seem to
forbid any recommendation of the plant for the alternate hus-
bandry ; for permanent pasture, however, this habit is here of ad-
vantage, as securing the extension and continuance of the plant
without the serious objection of impoverishing the soil by the un-
profitable production underground of vegetable matter, which
occurs in the growth of the powerful creeping roots of Poa pra-
tensis, Triticum repens, Holcus mollis, &c. Should the seed of this
species prove obnoxious to the same diseases as the seed of the
Alopecurus pratensis, (which I suspect will prove to be the case,)
this slight creeping habit of the roots will add to the comparative
value of this new species, as allowing of its cultivation with more
certainty of success and smaller cost, than the general defects of
seed in the Alopecurus pratensis permits in its cultivation.

It comes into flower in April or early in May, and continues to
emit flowering culms until September and October.

From a careful perusal of the foregoing series of facts and ob-
servations, the following conclusion will appear just: that the
failures in attempts to renew the original valuable sward on rich
ancient pasture lands, rise not from the length of time that
the plants require to arrive at perfection from seed, nor from the
injury the land sustains from a course of grain crops ; but evidently
from the neglect of employing the seeds of those grasses which are
natural to the soil, and that constituted the produce of the valu-
able pasture. What those grasses are, and their comparative
merits and value, the figures, and the details of experiments, will
in a great measure have shewn.

It appears most unaccountable that, at this day, when the
different branches of practical agriculture seem to be so well un-
derstood, it should be asserted, and without contradiction too,
that it is of no importance what kinds of grasses are sown upon
lands for the purposes of permanent pasture, as Nature itself,
in the course of time, will produce those kinds of grasses best
adapted to the soil, and which only remain permanent. Now, as
the whole art of cultivating plants is nothing more than assisting
Nature in the process of the growth of vegetables, surely the
above doctrine can amount to nothing more than the confession .of

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 235

?.n utter deficiency in the knowledge of the art of assisting Nature
*n the process of clothing the soil with its natural perennial grasses ;
or, that instead of three or four years, in the course of which,
by the kind assistance of art, the valuable sward may be renewed,
it is better to leave it to the slow unassisted efforts of Nature, to
be renewed in eight, ten, or twenty years.

The superiority of ancient natural pastures over those formed
artificially with rye-grass and clover, was before alluded to. It
will be found principally to arise from the variety of different
habits and properties which exist in a numerous combination
of different species of grass. From the beginning of spring,
till winter, there is not a month that is not the peculiar season in
which one or more grasses attain to the greatest degree of perfec-
tion. Some grasses there are that withstand the injurious effects
of long-continued dry weather better than others, and vice versa.
Hence the comparatively never-failing supply of nutritive herbage
obtained from natural pastures, which it is vain to look for in those
artificially formed with one or two grasses only.

Turfs one foot in diameter, from rich ancient pasture land
in Endsleigh, Devonshire, belonging to the Duke of Bedford, con-
tained the following plants : —

1. Turf from Hurd wick ground: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cy-
nosurus cristatus, Lolium perenne Russellianum, Poa pratensis, Poa
trivialis, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Festuca pratensis,
Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense perenne,
Rumex acetosa, Plantago lanceolata, Hieracium pilosella, Prunella
vulgaris.

2. Turf one foot diameter, from Endsleigh grounds : Festuca
pratensis, Festuca duriuscula, Alopecurus pratensis, Dactylis glome-
rata, Bromus mollis, Poa trivialis, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca
rubra, Agrostis stolonifera latifolia, Lolium perenne Russellianum,
Lolium perenne compositum, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis vulgaris, Tri-
folium pratense perenne (red perennial clover), white clover, spear-
leaved ribwort (Plantago lanceolata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium),
Hieracium pilosella, Rumex acetosa, Stellaria graminea, Bellis pe-
rennis, Anthoxanthum odoratum. To those who are accustomed
to consider as necessary one or two species of grass only, as rye-
grass and clover, the fact of twenty-two different species of grasses
and other plants being produced on something less than the space
of a square foot of the best fattening pastures, would scarcely ap-
pear credible, unless it was thus demonstrated. The pasture of

236 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

which this turf is a specimen, on an average, per acre, fattens one
bullock, of from 100 to 120 stone, Smithfield weight, and winters
two sheep.

400 grains of the soil consisted of —

Water of absorption - 55 grains.
Fine sand, partly siliceous and partly alumi-
nous - 148
Decomposing vegetable matter - 38
Oxide of iron - 40
Carbonate of lime or chalk - 0
Soluble vegetable and saline matter - 6
Alumina, or pure matter of clay - - 34
Silex - 60

Loss - 19

400

The most remarkable circumstance in the nature of this soil is,
the excessive quantity of the oxide of iron, and the total want of
carbonate of lime or chalk. In a drier climate a soil of this nature
would be much less fertile. Lime combined with well-prepared
compost and applied as a top-dressing, must prove highly fertilizing
to a soil constituted as above. In the richest fattening pastures
in Lincolnshire, which I have had an opportunity of examining
minutely, and which were fully equal to fattening one large ox, and
four or five sheep, per acre ; the different species of plants were
equally numerous on a given space of the ground, as in those rich
pastures I examined in Devonshire ; but in the Lincolnshire pas-
tures, the natural or proper grasses were in a much greater propor-
tion, and, excepting yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and the clovers,
there was scarcely a plant to be found out of the family of the pro-
per grasses. The soil was a fine loam or alluvial soil ; it contained
no sensible quantity of carbonate of lime or chalk, and proved, on
a chemical examination of its nature, to be very similar in consti-
tution to the soil above-mentioned, except that it contained fifty
per cent less oxide of iron, and that the soluble matter of the soil
afforded more vegetable extract, in proportion to the saline con-
tents, than was indicated in the soluble portion of the Devonshire
soil. The results of an examination of the rich fattening pastures
in the vale of Aylesbury, particularly those of Mr. Westcar,
at Creslew, were in perfect accordance with the above, and proved

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 237

in the most clear and satisfactory manner the truth of the conclu-
sions which had, a priori, been drawn from the results of the ex-
periments made individually on the grasses which compose the
produce of these celebrated pastures, and equally as regarded the
produce and nutritive powers of the different species.

The chief properties which give value to a grass are, nutritive
powers, produce, early growth, reproductive powers, or the pro-
perty of growing rapidly after being cropped, and the facilities it
offers for its propagation by seed.

If one species of grass could be discovered that possessed all
these properties in a superior degree to every other, the knowledge
distinguishing the different species of grass with certainty, that of
the soils and sub-soil best adapted to their growth, and their
natural habits, comparative value, and merits of the different
plants, would then be more for curiosity than utility. But the
results of these experiments have proved that a combination of all
the merits rnd properties which give value to a grass, is not to
be found in a superior degree in any single grass. Indeed, if such
was the case, it would seem singular that Nature, for the same
purpose, finds it necessary to employ so many.

If a selection of grasses were made with a view to early flowering
only (presuming that this property constituted the chief value of
a grass), it will be found, that a combination of equal proportions
of sweet vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), sweet soft-grass
(Holcus odoratus), soft brome-grass (Bromus mollis), annual meadow-
grass (Poa annua), and meadow foxtail-grass (Alopecurm pra-
tensis), will produce a crop ripe to mow in the second week of May,
on a soil of the best quality, these grasses being then in flower ; but
the produce will be found very inferior — the nutritive matter from
the whole crop being only 3671bs.

A combination of the smooth-stalked meadow-grass (Poa pra-
tensis), rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), hard fescue
(Festuca duriuscula), common quaking-grass (Briza media), dar-
nel-like fescue-grass (Festuca loliacea), long-awned sheep's-fescue
(Festuca ovina hordeiformis), and the Welsh fescue (Festuca Cam--
brica), will afford a crop ready for mowing in the first week of June.
The value of a crop, consisting of equal parts of these grasses, is
superior to the preceding, in the proportion nearly of 4 to 3 ; the
nutritive matter afforded by the whole crop being 4861bs.

A combination of equal parts of the cock's-foot grass (Dactylis
glomerata), meadow-fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall oat-like soft-

238 HORTUS GRAMIENUS WOBURNENSIS.

grass (Holcus avenacetts), perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), up-
right brome (Bromus erectus), and field brome (Bromus arvensis),
will produce a crop fit to mow for hay in the third week of June.
The value of this crop is superior to that ripe in the first week of
June, in the proportion nearly of 13 to 7 ; the weight of nutritive
matter from the produce of one acre being 8441bs.

A combination of cat's-tail (Phleum pratense), yellow oat (Avena
Jlavescens), crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), woolly soft-grass
(Holcus lanatus), wood meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis), meadow
barley-grass (Hordeum pratense), yellow vetchling (Lathy r us pra-
tensis), many-flowered brome-grass (Bromus multiflorus), and the
lesser variety of the meadow cat's-tail (Phleum pratense, var. minus),
will afford a crop ready for reaping in the second or third week of
July. The weight of nutritive matter afforded by this crop,
exceeds that of the preceding in the proportion nearly of 7 to 6 ;
the quantity contained in the produce of one acre being about
lOOBlbs.

The first of these selections, though producing the earliest crop, is,
nevertheless, much less valuable than any of the others ; for, with
the addition of the after-grass that would be produced in the extra
length of time which the others require to come to maturity, the
produce would still be very inferior.

A grass which produces an abundance of early foliage, and that
does not put forth its flowering culms till the beginning of June,
can be fed off till a late period of the spring without injury to the
crop of hay ; which, with a grass that pushes up its flowering culms
early in the spring, cannot be practised without doing considerable
injury to the hay crop. This property, therefore, of producing
early foliage and flowering late, must be more particularly valu-
able under circumstances where a breeding flock of sheep is kept.
The grasses which are more distinguished in this respect, are the
cockVfoot (Dactylis glomerata), meadow cat's-tail (Phleum pra-
tense), nerved meadow-grass (Poa nervata), and the wood meadow-
grass (Poa nemoralis).

As the leaves of grasses are the most valuable part of the plant
for the purposes of grazing, a view of the quantity of nutritive mat-
ter, afforded by the different species in the spring, will assist
in deciding on their comparative value.

About the beginning and middle of April, 1920 grains of the
leaves of the following grasses and other plants afford of nutri-
tive matter —

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 239

Meadow foxtail-grass (Alopecurus pratensis) - 96 grains.
Tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus) - 120

Sweet-scented vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum) - 52
Round-panicled cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) 80
Perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) - - 70

Tall fescue (Festuca elatior) - 94

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) - 96

Crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) - 88

Woolly soft-grass (Holcus lanatus) - 80

Creeping soft-grass (Holcus mollis) - 90

Meadow cat's-tail (Phleum pratense) - - 80

Fertile meadow-grass (Poafertilis) - - 70

Nerved meadow-grass (Poa nervata) - - 76

Smooth awnless brome-grass (Bromus inermis) - 84
Wood meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis) - - 68

Smooth fescue (Festuca glabra) - 70

Long-awned sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina hordei-

formis) - 102

Parnel-like fescue (Festuca loliacea) - 110

Creeping bent or fiorin (Agrostis stolonifera Ri-

chardsorna) - - 42

Wood fiorin (Agrostis stolonifera, var. sylvatica) - 62
Yellow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) - - 40

Rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trivialis) - 80
Broad-leaved red clover (Trifolium pratense) - 80
White or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens) - 64

Common quaking-grass (Briza media) - 54

Greater bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus major) - 60

Long-rooted clover (Trifolium macrorhizum) - 76
Lucern (Medicago sativa) - 90

Bunias (Bunias orientalis) - 100

Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) - - 100

Cow parsnip (Heracleum angustifolium) - 90

Those of the indigenous grasses that afford the least nutritive
matter from their spring leaves are, the creeping bents, common
quaking-grass, and the sweet-scented vernal. The leaves that
contain the most nutritive matter are those of the foxtail, cock's-
foot, tall oat-like soft-grass, meadow fescue, tall fescue, crested
dog's-tail, woolly soft-grass, creeping soft-grass, meadow cat's-tail,
awnless brome-grass, darnel-like fescue, and rough-stalked meadow-
grass. The perennial rye-grass ranks with those that contain the

240 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

least. Of the grasses that are not indigenous, the long-awned or
barley-like sheep's-fescue, the fertile, and nerved meadow-grasses,
stand the highest.

The composition of the nutritive matter of the leaves of these
grasses differs chiefly in the proportions of starch or mucilage, and
the bitter extractive and saline matters of which they are consti-
tuted; for gluten and sugar form but a small part of their composi-
tion, compared to that which they form in the culms or hay crop.

By boiling equal weights of the nutritive matter of the leaves of
the following grasses in alcohol till the colouring matter was nearly
or quite discharged, and afterwards submitting the insoluble parts
to the action of cold and boiling water, and collecting and weigh-
ing the solid matters after evaporation, the results were as follow :

100 grains of nutritive matter consisted of —

Alopecurm pratensis (meadow-foxtail) 64 8 28
Festuca pratensis (meadow-fescue) 59 20 20
Poa trimalis (rough-stalked meadow-
grass) - 82 8 10
Lolium perentie (rye-grass) - 65 7 28
Poa mrvata (nerved meadow-grass) - 83 8 9
Phleum pratense (meadow cat's-tail) - 74 10 16
Dactylis glomerata (cock's-foot) - 59 1 1 30
Avena pratensis (meadow-oat) - 80 10 — 10
Hordeum pratense (meadow-barley) - 58 8 34
Ho/cus mollis (creeping soft-grass) - 76 6 24 —

[insoluble.
Agrostis stolonifera, var. latifolia

(broad-leaved, or florin) - 55 5 40
White clover, when in flower, accord-
ing to Sir H. Davy - 77 2 7 14
Red clover, ditto - - 79 8 5 8
Vicia, var. sativa (tares) - 68 25 7
Trifolium melilotus officinalis (melilot

clover) - - 53 42
Trifolium macrorhizum (long -rooted

clover) - - 64 14 22

The bitter extractive and saline matters are considered as

assisting or modifying the functions of digestion, rather than
as being truly nutritive parts of the compound. The experiments

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 241

detailed at pages 6 — 9, shewed that the mucilage, starch,
gluten, and sugar, were retained in the body of the animal for the
purposes of life, and that the bitter extractive and saline matters
were voided with the woody fibre ; which, combined, constituted
the excrements, or those parts of the vegetable not retained in the
body of the animal for the purposes of life.

Tares and white clover are very succulent plants, and their
fattening powers are well known ; but when cultivated singly, or
without admixture of any other plants, there are several instances
that have come under my own observation, where they have been,
in cold moist weather in the early part of the spring, productive
of the diseases termed red-water, and diarrhoea or looseness ; the
former in sheep fed on white clover, and the latter in cattle fed on
tares. In estimating, therefore, the comparative nutritive powers
of these different proportions of vegetable principles in different
grasses, or other plants, proved by experience, it appears likewise
necessary to ascertain their degree of succulency, or the different
proportions of water and woody fibre combined in them, as it will
prove the proportion which the saline matters bear to the truly
nutritive as well as to the woody or indigestible portion of the
vegetable. The statements of the loss of weight which the
different grasses sustain in drying, given in the foregoing de-
tails of experiments, will assist to determine the above point
in most instances. I may be permitted to illustrate this by an
example :

Tares are said to be more fattening than white clover, cock's-
foot grass, or meadow-fescue.

3000 grains of the green herbage of —

Woody or indiges- w , Nutritive

tible Substance. Matter.

Common vetch, or tares (Vicia var.

sativa) consist of - - 557 grs. 2250 grs. 193 grs.

White clover (Trifolium repens) - 470 - 2430 - 100
Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomeratd) 1135 - 1740 - 125
Meadow-fescue (Festuca pratemis) -1260 - 1590 - 150

Hence, 1135 grains of the woody fibre of tares are combined
with - - - - 27| grs. of saline matter ;

The same quantity of white clover is

combined with - - - 33|f ditto.

242 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The same quantity of cockVfoot

grass is combined with - - 37 J grains of saline matter ;

of meadow-fes-
cue is combined with - - 2774T ditto.

The tares and white clover contain, therefore, nearly one- third
more of water than the natural grasses, cock's-foot and meadow-
fescue. The white clover is remarkable for the superior quantity
of extractive and saline matters it affords, in proportion to the
woody or indigestible matter. The excess of water or superfluous
moisture, in tares, and the small proportion of extractive and
saline matters they contain, must render them a less valuable food
in the early part of spring, when the weather is cold and moist,
than in the latter part of that season, or in summer. If some of
the natural grasses were combined with the tares, it would correct
this over-succulency of their nature. The annual species of grass
appear to be the most proper for this purpose, merely because they
soonest afford a supply of herbage from the time of sowing. The
field brome-grass (Bromus arvensis), and common barley, have
their nutritive matters, and the proportions of water to that of
woody fibre in their substance, more opposite to those in the
composition of tares than most other grasses, and therefore pro-
mise to be the most useful.

The different species of the natural grasses differ less from each
other, in the composition of their nutritive matters, than they do
in general from the different species of clover or vetch. But in all
the numerous trials I have made on the nutritive matters of the
proper grasses, I could never find two species perfectly agree in
the proportions of mucilage, sugar, gluten, bitter extractive, and
saline matters, of which their nutritive matters consisted. To
detail the results of all these processes would probably be more
tedious for the Agriculturist to read, than they were to the con-
ductor of the experiments in the performance. What has just now
been stated may be sufficient to shew, in some measure, the degree
of importance that is to be attached to the properties in question,
when making a selection of the most valuable grasses for perma-
nent pasture, or indeed for any other purpose for which they are
useful. The following grasses are selected from those of which
figures have been given in the foregoing pages, as being superior
to all others in one or more of the valuable properties before men-
tioned : in nutritive qualities, early growth, produce, reproductive

HORTUS GHAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 243

powers, permanency in the soil, and the facilities they offer for
their propagation by seed.

The proportions in which the seeds of the different species
should be mixed for permanent pasture : —

Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomerata) - 2 bushels.

Meadow-fescue (Festuca pratensis) - 2

Meadow foxtail-grass (Alopecurus pratensis) - 2

Rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trivialis) - 2

Tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus) - - OJ

Meadow cat's-tail (Phleum pratense) - 15 Ibs.

Hard, or smooth fescue (Festuca durimcula, vel > o i u i

7 2 bushels.

glabra) - - - - - 3

Crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) - 1

Nerved meadow-grass (Poa nervata) - 0£

Wood meadow-grass (Poa mmoralis) - 1

Narrow-leaved meadow-grass (Poa angustifolia) - 0|
Broad-leaved creeping bent, or florin (Agrostis 7 QX

stolonifera, var. latifolid) - 5

Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) - 1

White or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens) - - 15 Ibs.

Bush vetch (Vicia septum) - 0| bushel.

Sweet-scented vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) 0|
Perennial red clover (Trifolium pratense perenne) - 12 Ibs.
Achillea millefolium, yarrow - 4

The proper quantity of grass seeds to sow, per acre, is a point of
the greatest importance, as regards the expense of the seed, and
the speedy formation of the most valuable sward. The circum-
stances of soil, tilth, and weather, at the time of sowing, all influ-
ence in a great degree the successful vegetation of the seed. Should
less seed be sown than is sufficient to furnish every part of the soil
with plants of grass, a proportionate loss of time, labour, and land,
will be suffered. Minute vacancies of plants in a recently-made
pasture, or in a field of seedling grasses, may, to general observa-
tion, appear insignificant, or escape observation altogether ; but if
these apparently minute deficiencies which occur over the surface
of an acre be calculated, a difference, perhaps, of from ten to fif-
teen per cent in the produce will be found to exist between a per-
fectly furnished surface of land, and one where the deficiencies of
plants are so minute as scarcely to be perceived. In the most

244

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

productive natural pastures no deficiencies of plants are to be
found, every part of the surface is closely interwoven with plants ;
and not as in pastures artificially formed of one or two species of
grass only, where the surface is merely shaded or covered by the
foliage of the comparative thinly-growing plants. A rough uneven
surface will require a much greater quantity of seed, than land
with a dry, finely-pulverized, smooth, consolidated surface. If
the surface is wet at the time of sowing, a greater quantity of seed
will be required than otherwise would be necessary. The seeds
of most of the essential permanent pasture grasses are so small
and light, as to be readily taken up in clumps by the harrow or
roller passing over a damp surface.

The following statements will perhaps place in a clear light
the quantity of plants of grasses which should stand on any
given space of ground ; or the closeness in which the plants of
grasses, when a number of different species are combined together,
require to grow, in order to form the most productive, unfailing,
permanent sward.

The number of distinct plants of grasses, and the number
of distinct species of grass, which are found combined in a space
of one foot square of the turf of the following natural and artificial
pastures : —

Total number
of distinct
rooted plants
in one square
foot.

Natural
Grasses.

Creeping
rooted clo-
ver, and
other
plants.

Distinct
species.

1. Richest natural pasture, from near Endsleigh, }
Devonshire (fattening one large ox or three f
sheep, per acre) ; turfs communicated by ?
direction of the Duke of Bedford - j

1000

940

60

20

2. Rich ancient pasture, near Croft-church, Lin- \

. colnshire (fattening and keeping through /

the summer one large ox and three or four ^

1090

1032

58

sheep per acre) ; turf communicated by i
G. Whitworth, Esq. - - )

3. Ancient pasture, Woburn Park

910

880

30

12

4. Ancient pasture, near Woburn ; soil damp, i
surface mossy - . j

634

510

124

8

5. Artificial pasture, formed of rye-grass and }

white clover, considered good of the kind, '

470

452

18

2

two years old - - j

d. Narrow-leaved meadow-grass (Poa angusti-^
folia), by itself, six years standing (Wo- \
burn Experimental Ground) - - y

192

—

1

7. Meadow foxtail-grass (Alopecurus pratensis), >
by itself, ditto, ditto - - - $

80

—

1

8. Rye-grass (Loitum perenne), by itself, ditto, }

ditto - - - ' - - 5

75

—

1

9. Water meadow, well managed

1798

1702

96

—

HORTUS- GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

245

From the above facts it will be evident, that the smaller the
number of different species of grasses that are combined together
in a pasture, the greater is the deficiency of plants on any given
space of the land. This is an important fact to be considered, in
coming to a just conclusion respecting the proper quantity of
grass seeds which should be sown on a given space of ground, so
as to furnish the surface of it at once with the just sufficiency of
plants. When an excess of grass seeds is sown, the seeds, in
general, all vegetate, but the plants make little, if any progress,
until, from the want of nourishment to the roots, and the confined
space for the growth of the foliage, a certain number decay, and
give the requisite room to the proper number of plants ; and that
will be according as there are a greater or less variety of different
species of grasses combined in the sward.

If we now ascertain the number of grass seeds contained in a
given measure or weight of such seed, and compare these with the
number of square feet or inches on the surface of an acre of
ground, the results will shew the degree of closeness in which the
plants of grasses will stand, from the use of any given measure or
weight of seed.

Average number
of seeds in one
bushel measure.

Average
weight per
bushel.

Number of
plants for
every

square foot
of ground,
omitting
fractions.

Number of
plants for
1 sq. inch,
omitting

fractions.

Trifolium repens, white clover

36761640

Ibs.

56.

844.

5.

Trifolium pratense perenne, red perennial )
clover - - 5

12022560

52.

276.

1.916

Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet-scented ver- >
nal-grass - - )

37156680

49.

853.

5.

Agrostis stolonifera latifolia, fiorin-grass

81805680

28.

1878.

13.

Poa nemoralis aiigustifolia, narrow-leaved )
wood meadow-grass - 5

22977900

15.

527.

3.

Cynosurus cristatus, crested dog's-tail

25373700

37

582.

4.

Poa angustifolia, narrow-leaved meadow- ^

39204000

28

900.

6.

grass - 5
Lolium perenne, rye-grass

6163740

21.

141.

3.

Phleum pratense, meadow-cat's-tail grass
Dactylis glomerata, cock's-foot grass

34956900
9517860

43
21.

802.
218.

5.
1.151

Alopecurus pratensis, meadow foxtail-grass

3724380

12

85.

0.590

Festuca pratensis, meadow-fescue

4203540

18

96

0.666

Poa irivialis, rough-stalked meadow-grass

49135630

31

1128

7.

Poa nervata, nerved meadow grass*

55253720

18

1268

8.

Festuca duriuscula, hardish fescue

6054840

15

139

0.965

Holcus avenaceus, tall oat-like soft-grass -

1393920

15

32

0.222

Vicia sepium, creeping-vetch

1373920

56

32

0.222

If the seeds of the above grasses and plants be mixed in the
different proportions before stated, one bushel of such mixture of

* Only one seed in four, at the most, according to my experience, can be depended on.

246 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

seeds, sown on an acre of land, will (omitting fractions) afford but
two seeds to every square inch — while the most productive an-
cient natural pasture examined, had seven plants to every square
inch. But the statements respecting the seeds are founded, it is
evident, on the supposition that every seed vegetates and produces
a plant, and that the seeds are all equally spread over the surface :
but, as before observed, there are more circumstances than one
which interfere to prevent the successful vegetation and equal dis-
tribution of all the fine seeds of grasses individually considered,
and which may be sown at any one time. The seed of cock's-foot
is often defective, the perennial red clover has frequently many
abortive seeds, and the meadow-foxtail seed is generally so bad as
to afford but one fertile seed out of three : to obtain a required
number of plants on a given space of ground, from a known
quantity of seed, a pretty large allowance must therefore be
made to the seed, in order to meet those circumstances adverse
to certain vegetation in every instance, and equal distribution of
the plants.

An examination of the most productive pastures shews, that
when from twelve to twenty different species of grasses are inti-
mately combined together, six or seven plants to the square inch
of surface are not too many. The turf from the irrigated meadow
afforded the greatest number of plants, being twelve plants to a
square inch ; the predominant species in this turf was the Poa tri-
vialis, the seedling plants of which are small, and, along with the
plants of Bromus arvensis,* derive their support, in irrigated mea-
dows, more from the water than the soil ; few of the roots of these
species had much hold of the ground, and a great number of the
plants were rooted merely among the crowns of the roots of
the other species of grass which composed this turf. The state-
ments brought forward relative to pastures artificially formed of
rye-grass and clovers, arid those facts connected with the number
of plants of grasses which are found to occupy a given space of
ground, when one species only of grass is cultivated by itself,

* The Bromus arvensis, an annual grass of little merit elsewhere, is here valu-
able ; the seeds ripen at the end of June, or in July, according to the season, and
other circumstances which peculiarly influence the economy of annuals in this par-
ticular. The seeds vegetate quickly after falling from the husks, and the plants
make rapid progress, and furnish the most luxuriant foliage for sheep and cattle
that is to be found in meadows, during late autumn, winter, and early spring
herbage.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 247

prove clearly that much less seed is required to form an artificial
pasture of one or two species of grass, than is required to form a
pasture for permanency, whose properties of produce and value
shall equal or approach to that of the best natural pastures. The
artificial pasture of rye-grass and clover, above mentioned, had
been made by sowing one bushel of seeds, viz. three pecks of rye-
grass and one peck of white clover and trefoil, three plants to the
square inch were produced by that quantity of seed ; and had more
seed of the same species of grass been used, it is more than pro-
bable, from the above facts, that the pasture would have suffered
rather than benefited by it ; but had there been used the seeds of
a variety of different species of grasses, double the quantity of
seed might have been used, and the value or productiveness of
the pasture increased in the same proportion.

The results of Mr. Taunton's valuable experiments on the
cultivation of separate grasses, and the interesting remarks of
Mr. Blakie on the same subject, are in perfect confirmation of the
above statements, respecting the quantity of seed to be used in
cases where only one or two species of grass are cultivated. Four
bushels and a half of the above mixture of grasses will give (omit-
ting fractions) the same number of seeds to the square inch, as
the like space of the sward of the irrigated meadow contained
plants : now, after deducting for the deficiency caused by the num-
ber of barren seeds in many of those essential grasses, this quantity
of four and a half bushels per acre of this mixture of different seeds,
will be found for general practice not too much . The practical trial,
mentioned at page 130, proved precisely the truth of the above cal-
culations. But should the proportions of the different kinds of
seed be altered from the above, the quantity of seed required for
a given space of ground will be less in proportion as the fertile
seeded grasses predominate in the mixture ; and the smaller the
number of different species that are combined together, the
smaller will be the quantity of seed per acre required, ten pecks
being the maximum, and two pecks the minimum. The above cal-
culations of the number and weight of the different seeds, will
afford a ready guide to determine the number of plants of grasses
which will be produced on a given space of ground, from a known
weight or measure of the seed, whether it be of one species of
grass only, or of a combination of many species.

The larger seeds should be mixed by themselves, and, in the
same manner, the smaller seeds should be mixed together, and

248 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

sown after the mixture of larger seeds, as they require much less
covering. The separation of the larger from the smaller grass
seeds, when mixed, can be readily effected by a proper sieve.

I have sown the seeds of the same grasses in every month of
the year, January excepted : and though much depends on the
weather and the state of the ground, the results were always
in favour of the month of September and the beginning of
August; and, next to that, the middle or latter end of May,
according as the weather was dry. The seeds vegetated, and
grew with most vigour under the following circumstances ; when
the ground had been deeply stirred, broken very fine, and made
perfectly smooth and compact on the surface with a heavy roller,
previous to sowing the seeds, the ground in a dry state, at the
time of sowing, the seeds sown on this fine, dry, compact sur-
face : the larger seeds not more than just covered, by drawing
a fine rake on the level surface, and afterwards sowing the small
seeds, and covering them no further than what was effected by a
repetition of the roller. The results further shewed, that, next to
a coarse, inconsolidated, or loose surface, the practice of deep
sowing was, in the second degree, more injurious to the vegeta-
tion of the seeds and the first progress of the plants, than any
other error that could be made in the manual part of the process
of sowing the natural grasses on a soil of good quality.

When land is to be sown for permanent pasture, no admixture
of any annual or grain crop, or broad-leaved clover, should be
admitted with the grass seeds. Experience proves that they
are highly injurious to the intention of speedily forming a solid
productive sward ; and that the profit that may accrue from a
grain crop thus obtained, will be much overbalanced by the loss
of grass in the two following seasons. Every plant of these
annual crops occupies a place, to the detriment of the expected
sward ; besides rendering the surface porous by the decay of their
roots in the end of autumn, much mischief, likewise, is done to
the sward by portions of the crops being beat down with heavy
rains. The above mixture should be sown in the autumn or
spring, at the rate of four bushels and a half to the acre ; much
less will form a good pasture, but when the seeds can be had from
the farm at a moderate expense, the maximum quantity should
be adopted. If sown in spring, it will be found highly useful, in
the following autumn, to give the surface a slight top-dressing
with rotten dung or compost, in which the seeds or roots of weeds

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 249

are not suspected, and to sow immediately after half a bushel,
more or less, of the mixture of seeds, according as the sward
appears to be deficient of plants ; after which, (the top-dressing
being previously well reduced by a slight bush-harrow,) the roller
should be liberally used ; and rolling, for the first two years,
should never be neglected at any favourable opportunity. If the
seeds are sown in autumn, the top-dressing, re-sowing, and rolling,
will be found equally requisite and beneficial in the following
month of May ; and even if repeated in the following autumn, they
will greatly forward the intention. This is imitating the process
of nature in forming pastures, — with this advantage, that for one
seed of a valuable species of grass supplied to the soil by the slow
and gradual process of nature, in one season, a thousand are sup-
plied in the same space of time ; and thus take possession of their
natural soil, without the danger and inconvenience of expelling
its usurpers.

There has been some difference of opinion respecting the
manner of reaping the produce of seedling grasses ; whether by
depasturing with sheep, or by mowing after the plants have per-
fected their seed. The manure supplied by sheep to the young
grasses is of great advantage ; but the animals are apt to bite too
close to the root, and sometimes tear up the young plants altoge-
ther. I have found, on repeated trials, that cropping seedling
grasses before they had produced flowers, had the effect of retard-
ing and weakening the after-growth of the plants for that season
very much. But after the period of flowering, cropping was
found to strengthen, and rather encourage the growth of plants.
In the same way I found, that old plants of grass, when cut very
close after the first shoots of the spring made their appearance,
afforded about one-third less weight of produce in the whole
season than those* plants of the same species which were left
uncut till the flowering culms began to appear. As the advan-
tages of the manure of the sheep may be supplied by top-dress-
ing, and the disadvantages resulting to the tender seedling plants
from early and close cropping cannot so speedily be removed, the
practice of suffering the grasses to produce flowers before they
are cut, with the application of top-dressings, and the use of the
roller, till the spring of the second year, appears to be far more
profitable than the former practice of depasturing the seedling
grasses at an earlier period than the spring of the second year.
But in this, no doubt, as well as in other particular modes of

250 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

management recommended for general practice in the culture of
plants, local circumstances may interfere so much as often to
render some modification of them necessary.

But though the pasture be formed in the best manner, with a
combination of the most valuable grasses, nevertheless, a judicious
mode of treatment afterwards is as essentially necessary to con-
tinue its value. By proper stocking, top-dressing,^ and weeding,
very indifferent pastures (where the soil was adapted to the growth
of grass) have been brought to a state equal to the most valuable ;

* For the following valuable observations on the mode of managing grass lands
in Devonshire, I am indebted to A. Wilson, Esq. of Hurdwick House, near
Tavistock. The Devonshire farmers are very expert at preparing composts for
their grass lands. Compost of lime and mould : • — The mould by the side of the
fence within the enclosure is broken up with a plough, to the width of from three
to six feet, varying according to the depth and quality of the soil. With a
mattock or broad hoe, the turf and mould broken by the plough are finely pul-
verized. After laying a few weeks, to become mellow, the soil is banked up to
the depth of a foot, giving it a level surface. The lime is taken from the kiln in
clot, and carted on the bank of mould on which it is spread. The lime is applied
in the proportion of one to six ; or one cart-load of lime (ten Winchester bushels)
to six cart-loads of the pulverized mould. The mould on the outside of the heap
is thrown over the lime to keep off the wet, until a favourable opportunity for
incorporating the whole mass offers, which is, as soon as the lime is reduced to a
state of powder, and is effected by breaking down and turning over the bed of
mould and lime. It is then banked up, with a sloping ridge to throw off the wet,
in which state it remains from one to three or more months. It is carted on the
land at the rate of from 50 to 80 bushels of lime per acre, or in the state of
compost, from 30 to 40 cart-loads per acre. This dressing is applied at different
times of the year ; but it has been found to answer best in May ; the grass at that
season springs quickly through the dressing, and gradually settles into the ground,
without being injured by exposure to frost, snow, or rain. When dung is added
to the compost, it is at the rate of eight or twelve cart-loads per acre; it is mixed
with the compost of lime and mould two months after the latter has been made
up, and in this state remains for a month; the compost is then turned over and
thoroughly mixed a second time : it ought to remain, after this last turning over,
one month more before it is carted on the land. A bush-harrow is applied, a
week or two after the dressing has been spread over the surface. The quality of
the soil of the grass lands now spoken of, is chiefly a deep brown loam, of a very
open texture ; it cannot bear drought, and requires to be often dressed. In the
course of ten or twelve years the dressing wears out, although the land has been
during that time constantly depastured. Where the soil is of a closer texture
than that now mentioned, the droppings of the stock are found sufficient to keep up
the fertility of the pasture. For the first five or six years after dressing grass lands
in this part of Devon, the herbage is remarkably luxuriant and succulent. The
best permanent grass lands here are found incumbent on freestone.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 251

and, on the contrary, the richest natural pastures, by neglect of
proper stocking, top-dressing, and weeding, or the too frequent
repetition of hay crops, have become so unprofitable, as to require
many years to bring them again to their original value. I have
witnessed in Lincolnshire soils of a similar nature in every respect,
indeed a fence only separating them, exhibit the effects of judi-
cious and of bad treatment as regards the frequent repetition of
hay crops on the same field. On one side of the fence, where
judicious stocking had been practised, the superior grasses wholly
occupied the field, nor could I observe an inferior plant in the
herbage of it, much less absolute weeds ; but on the other side of
the fence, where the field had been mown for a succession of
years, the superior grasses had given place to the cow-parsnip
(Heracleum sphondyliurn), cow's-allheal (Stachys palustris), knap-
weed (Centaurea nigra) ; and among these weeds were thinly
scattered the (Hokus avenaceus) tall oat-like soft grass, Dactylis
glomerata, and Agrostis vulgaris. The neglect of foul hedges and
road-sides, is the best possible encouragement for the propaga-
tion of those perennial weeds which infest permanent pasture
land. In Warwickshire, I have seen valuable pasture land so
deteriorated by the intermixture of these weeds, supplied liberally
from foul hedge-rows and road-sides, as to be little superior to
the worst land, kept under proper management; besides, the
weeds in these nurseries afford shelter, and, at particular periods,
nourishment to insects, which annoy and distress cattle in
summer.

The comparative value of permanent pasture and tillage land, is
a subject out of the reach of the humble narrator of facts.* All
that has been here brought forward goes no further than to prove,
that where such lands have already been converted to tillage,
they may, by the means now recommended, be brought to as

* Yet, after all, pasture land and tillage land are so mutually dependent on
each other, and the community on them both, that the question which of the two
is the most valuable, and to be encouraged in preference to the other, for private
or for public advantage, can never receive an absolute answer; for the various
local circumstances of soil and climate under which lands may be situated, also the
fluctuations in the demand for particular farm produce caused by every temporary
change in the political state of the country, make it impossible to obtain data on
which to ground a clear and satisfactory answer to the question, and which shall
be found to be correct under every circumstance. One thing is certain, (i. e.} that
pasture land is the first foundation of the riches of a farm.

252 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

valuable a state of pasture as before, if not to a superior state,
and that in the space of four years. The means for effecting this,
however, have not yet been sufficiently within the power of the
Agriculturist. It is required that a more general knowledge of
the different grasses, and of the importance, or rather absolute
necessity, of a combination of many different grasses, instead of
two or three different species, to form permanent pasture, in
a short space of time, equal to the best formed by nature,
shall be generally diffused among practical Farmers : and also
that the mode shall be adopted of raising and obtaining the
seeds of the valuable and essential permanent pasture grasses,
from the Farmer's own farm.* The manner of obtaining an
unfailing supply of the seeds of the essential permanent pasture
grasses, at a trifling expense, from the Farmer's own farm, was
before mentioned (pages 32 — 39), but I may be permitted to
revert again to a subject so important. By the help of the
figures, and the botanical discriminating characters of the dif-
ferent species of grasses given in this work, the Farmer may soon
furnish himself, from his best grass land, with the seeds of most
of the essential grasses, at least in sufficient quantity to form
a first plantation. Those species of grasses which are not on his
own farm, the seedsman, or a neighbour, may readily supply, in
quantity sufficient for the same purpose. These seeds being
obtained, a piece of good rich land should be selected, of a nature
intermediate as to moisture and dryness. It may be quite unne-
cessary to observe, that this soil must be perfectly clean, free from
all kinds of root-weeds and seed of annual weeds. The surface or
tilth cannot be made too fine, level, and consolidated, to receive
the seeds. The middle of May or the beginning of June are
favourable seasons for sowing the seed ; but should a naked
summer fallow be required, in order to bring the land to the
absolutely necessary state of tilth and cleanness now mentioned,
August, or from that time until the beginning of September, will
be found favourable seasons for sowing. The ground thus pre-

* The labour of Messrs. Gibbs, Seedsmen to the Board of Agriculture, in
collecting the seeds of all the different grasses of the best quality, has not been
exceeded. I have also seen remarkably fine seed at Messrs. Cormack and Son's,
New Cross Nursery. At the same time it is clear, that unless an extensive and
regular demand be had for these seeds, the same as for those of rye-grass and
clover, the seeds of those grasses must be kept on sale rather as articles of curio-
sity than of utility and absolute necessity, and consequently their price uncertain.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 253

pared should be divided into three parts, to correspond to the
three different combinations of the essential grasses ; which com-
binations were shewn, at page 38, to ripen their seeds respectively
at three different periods of the season. The seeds of the dif-
ferent species recommended above should be mixed in the pro-
portions stated, and each of the three combinations, or mixtures
of seed, sown on the division of ground set apart for it. The
seeds may either be sown broad-cast or in drills ; whichever mode
will deposit the seed in the most regular manner is the best, for
the clean state of the tilth will render weeding the first year
unnecessary, and the combination or mixture of different species
of the superior grasses will afterwards so fully occupy the land as
to prevent the intrusion of weeds or of less valuable plants. The
seeds of clover, yarrow, and of the bush vetch, can be had from
the seedsman. As soon as the plants of grasses have come up,
the surface of the land should be occasionally rolled, as the
plants thereby sooner establish themselves firmly in the ground,
and make more vigorous and rapid growth, than when the surface
is less firm and consolidated. In the end of autumn, or early in
the spring, a top-dressing of rotten dung, or finely-pulverized
compost, should be applied to the seedling grasses, in such a
manner as to prevent the necessity of bush-harrowing for the first
year ; a handy workman with a shovel can spread the compost
regularly and finely among the plants. The use of the roller
should not be neglected, on every favourable opportunity of dry
weather. As soon as the seeds are ripe, which may be known by
passing a spike or panicle between the fingers, advantage should
be taken of favourable weather to mow the grass, laying it in thin
swaths, and carefully turning it as often as necessary until the
crop is sufficiently dry to thresh out ; which operation must be
effected as soon as possible, either on the spot or in the barn, as
the circumstances of weather and convenience may appear to the
intelligent Farmer most to require.

By the ordinary practice of returning such soils to permanent
pasture, disappointment is sure to follow ; and to attempt to form
a valuable permanent sward on soils not adapted to the growth of
these grasses, were equally unwise ; though, if the subsoil be
favourable, the land may be so much improved, at a moderate
expense, by the means recommended at pages 124 and 125, as to
fit it for the growth of the best grasses.

254 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Mr. Greg, to whom the agricultural world is much indebted,
and particularly for his new and excellent system of managing
heavy soils, observes,* that " the soil of a great proportion of the
old pastures of the United Kingdom is favourable to the growth
of grass, and might be broken up and returned to its former
state ; but there appears to be no advantage in so doing, as good
grazing grounds are more productive than they could be under the
best temporary arable system. In regard to those pasture lands,
the soil of which is not naturally congenial to grass, it has been
found the height of imprudence to break them up ; for experience
shews, that all the art and industry of man, when unassisted
by nature, can do very little to return them to as good a
quality of pasture as before they were broken up. Loams are
the most congenial to grass ; and every description of tenacious
soil is unsuitable to the growth of those grasses which are best
adapted to grazing grounds. The grass grounds about London,
and in general those close to a farm-house in arable districts, are
artificial ; they are reversed from three to five inches below the sur-
face, but the subsoil is a tenacious clay. With a spade the quality
of the subsoil may be ascertained, and the possibility of recon-
verting the land into pasture may be determined. The only in-
ducement to break up old pastures, even on a soil congenial to
grass, would be to change the kind of grass. Nothing could
prevail on me to do it on a tenacious soil, unless I intended to
keep the land arable."

I have witnessed the results of several experiments on different
grasses, on a large scale, conducted by Mr. Wilson on the farms
of the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn. In one instance, a field
containing twenty^five acres of old pasture land, where it was
desirable to change the quality of the grass, was converted into
tillage for eight years : the crops of grain during that time were
most luxuriant. The following grass-seeds were then sown : Mea-
dow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), roughed-stalked meadow-grass
(Poa trivialis), meadow-fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall oat-like
soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus), cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata),
meadow cat's-tail (Phleum pratense), rye^grass (Lolium perenne),
cow-grass or red clover (TrifoUum medium), and white or Dutch

* In one of the many valuable communications for which I am indebted to his
kindness.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 255

clover (Trifolium repens). It is now the third year, and the sward
is much improved, and superior in the quantity of produce to that
of the original pasture.* This, and several other experiments on
rather a smaller scale, conducted with much care and impartiality
by Mr. Wilson, have given results the most satisfactory ; proving,
as far as they go, the truth of the conclusions that had been
drawn from the results of the experiments detailed in the foregoing

* Since the above was first printed, this pasture has fully supported the
character then given of it. Here the advantages of eight years' heavy annual
crops, and a pasture highly improved, are the results of this trial ; and which
would have been even more valuable, had not the want, at the time, of a greater
variety of the seeds of the different species of the superior grasses, prevented the
full complement of the essential grasses being sown.

SECTION III.

Of the different Grasses, and other Plants, which are natural to
Dry, Sandy, and Elevated Soils.

THE former class of grasses was distinguished by their superior
size, the greater succulency of every part of their structure, and
by their broad green leaves — all indicating the fertile nature and
sheltered situation of the soil that produces them ; and the fol-
lowing grasses are distinguished from these, by their dwarfish
size, and the wiry appearance of every part of their structure,
which sufficiently denote the poverty of their natural soil.

Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), viviparous-fescue (Festuca vivi-
para), purple-fescue (Festuca rubra), pubescent-fescue (Festuca
dumetorum), glaucous-fescue (Festuca glauca), wall-fescue (Festuca
myurus), wall-barley (Hordeum murinum), fine-bent (Agrostis vul-
garis), brown-bent (Agrostis canina), lobed-bent (Agrostis lobata),
rock-bent (Trichodium rupestre), snowy-bent (Trichodium niveum),
purple-bent (Trichodium caninum, var. muticum, which see under
the head of grasses natural to wet soils), tufted-leaved bent
(Agrostis fascicularis), waved hair-grass (Aira Jlexuosa), feather-
grass (Stipa pennata), slender foxtail (Alopecurus agrestis), hairy
oat-grass (Avena pubescens), blue melic-grass (Melica carulea),
upright mat-grass (Nardus stricta), blood-coloured panic-grass
(Panicum sanguinale), green panic-grass (Panicum viride), barren
brome-grass (Bromus sterilis), crested brome-grass (Bromus cris-
tatus), upright annual brome-grass (Bromus diandrus), nodding
brome-grass (Bromus tectorum), alpine meadow-grass (Poa al-
pina) alpine foxtail (Alopecurus alpinus) blue moor-grass (Sesleria
cozruled), crested hair-grass (Aira cristata), panicled cat's-tail grass
(Phleum paniculatum), reflexed meadow-grass (Poa retrofiexa),
flat-stalked meadow-grass (Poa compressa), upright flat-stalked
meadow-grass (Poa compressa, var. erecta), meadow-barley* (Hor-
deum pratense), bird's-foot clover (Lotus corniculatus), larger bird's-
foot clover* (Lotus major), trefoil, or nonsuch (Medicago lupulina) ;
to which may be added, Hedysarum onobrychis (sainfoin). The
following, belonging to this class of grasses, have already been
brought under observation: — Soft brome-grass (Bromus mollis),

* Frequent on dry banks where the subsoil is a wet clay.

Testuca Ovina

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 257

creeping soft-grass (Holcus mollis), and white or Dutch clover
(Trifolium repens).

Dry, elevated situations, sandy heaths, and chalk lands, where
the above grasses constitute the principal natural herbage, are
less capable of being rendered fit for the production of superior
grasses than peat-bogs, or waste lands that lie under circum-
stances favourable to irrigation. The latter only require proper
draining, paring and burning, and the application of hot manure,
as lime and sand, to fit them for the production of the best
grasses, the staple or constitution of such soils being so rich and
good. But dry sandy soils require more labour and expense to
bring them near, in some degree, to an equivalent state of pro-
ductiveness, which can only be effected by the application of
large quantities of clay, and by mixing it minutely with the soil.
(See remarks on this subject at pp. 124, 125.) But though poor
hungry sandy soils cannot, economically, be improved in such a
degree as to fit them for the production of the superior grasses,
like peat-soils, which in their natural or unimproved state are
even less valuable than the poor sandy soils ; nevertheless, there
is sufficient evidence from practice, to prove that such soils may
be converted to tillage for some years, and returned again to grass
in a highly improved state, yielding a produce of double the value
of that they originally afforded. I have witnessed improvements
to this degree, on such soils, in the farms of the Duke of
Bedford, at Woburn. In the fourth volume of Communica-
tions to the Board of Agriculture, there is a variety of evidence
to the same effect. If it should appear, however, from the results
of the experiments here made on the grasses natural to these
soils, of which an account will be found in the following pages,
that the kinds of grasses employed in the improvements now
alluded to, were not the best fitted for the soils in question, it
will follow that such improvements may be greatly extended, by
adopting those grasses best fitted for the soil, and that without
any additional trouble or expense.

FESTUCA ovina. Sheep's Fescue.

Specific character: Panicle unilateral, rather close; florets cy-
lindrical, pointed or awned, smooth at the base and at the
edges of the inner valve ; stem square ; leaves folded,
bristle-shaped; stipula short and obtuse. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 139.

258 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

. — The awns appear to be an uncertain character in this
grass, as it is frequently awnless, and there are varieties of it
having awns : in the Festuca ovina hordeiformis, before men-
tioned, the awns are of a considerable length ; but all the
varieties may be distinguished at first sight from the F. du-
riuscitla, glabra, rubrat See., to which it is nearest allied, by
the compact though simple appearance of the panicle, which
more distinctly faces one way. Besides the present variety,
(which is by far the most common,) there is another, which
is also awnless, but distinguished by its superior height,
reddish-coloured culms, brown panicle, and brown-coloured
anthers. The Festuca tenuifolia much resembles this, but
the panicle is less crowded, the leaves are as long, or longer
than the culms, and bent downwards, while those of the
present species are shorter, and grow upright. E, Bot. 585 ;
Host. t. 84, var. awned ; Wither. Arr. ii. p. 152.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous, perennial.

German, Schaaf-SchiuingeL

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 75 gr. 7 ^lo H 0
The produce of the space, ditto 150 5

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 dr. 1 qr. 66 7 0

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre - 5445 0 0

64 dr. of herbage afford of nutritive matter 45 gr. •)

1 0*7 o n
The produce of the space, ditto 90 3

When cultivated on a heath soil, the produce was somewhat
less than the above, but from, a rich sandy loam, the produce
afforded was greater than from the light sandy soil ; but, as the
superior pasture grasses thrive well on this last-mentioned soil,
and afford a produce superior to that of the sheep's-fescue on the
same soil, as 3 to 1, its comparative value may be considered
only with regard to its natural soil and the grasses it produces.
The smallness of the produce renders it entirely unfit for hay,
and the dry weight was in consequence not ascertained.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 259

Linnaeus affirms, that sheep have no relish for hills and heaths
that are destitute of this grass. Gmelin, in his Flora Siberica,
informs us likewise, that the Tartars choose to fix during the
summer where this grass is in greatest plenty, because it affords
a most wholesome food for all sorts of cattle, but chiefly sheep.
Dr. Anderson, in his Agricultural Essays, affirms that it is
capable of affording an immense quantity of hay. Mr. Curtis,
in his Practical Observations on British Grasses, has justly
combated this opinion of Dr. Anderson, and records that sheep's-
fescue is more fitted for the formation of grass-plats ; but for
this purpose it will not be found to succeed, unless the soil is
nearly as dry and light as that on which it is spontaneously
produced.

When its produce and nutritive powers are compared with
those of the purple fescue (Festuca rubra), on the same soil, its

inferiority is great.

Ibs.
Festuca ovina, as above, affords of nutritive matter from

three crops, per acre - 405 0

Festuca rubra, purple fescue, affords of nutritive matter —

dr. qr.

From the grass at flowering time, 2 0 per acre 340 5-\

At the time the seed is ripe - 12 239 4 V659 5

From that of the latter-math 1 2 79 123

The comparative degree of nourishment which the grass of the
Festuca rubra affords at the time of ripening the seed, and the
latter-math, exceeds that of the Festuca ovina at the same stages
of growth, in the proportion of nearly 14 to 11 ; and exceeds the
F. ovina, in regard to the total produce of the season, in the
proportion nearly of 11 to 7.

From the trial that has here been detailed, the sheep's fescue
does not prove to possess the nutritive powers generally ascribed
to it. It has the advantage of a fine foliage, which is succulent,
and may therefore, very probably, be better adapted to the masti-
cating organs of sheep than the larger grasses, whose nutritive
powers are shewn to be greater. Hence, on situations where it
naturally grows, and as pasture for sheep, it may possibly be
inferior to none on the same soil in the like state of nature. It
flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about the
last of July.

260 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

FESTUCA vivipara. Viviparous Fescue-grass.

Specific character: Panicle unilateral, rather close ; florets com-
pressed, keeled, awnless, somewhat downy, as well as the
edges of their inner valve and the calyx ; stem square ; leaves
folded, bristle-shaped, smooth. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 140.
E. Bot. 1355.

Obs. — I have cultivated this grass on a variety of soils, and
it has always continued viviparous on them all. I never
could obtain a floret with either stamen or pistil. The
gemma, or rudiment of the future plant (which here occupies
the place of the germen of a perfect flower)*, in its first
stage appears like a minute globule of water, visible only
with the microscope ; after the spike is developed it gradu-
ally assumes an oblong figure, becomes pointed, and at last
puts forth a single leaf, after the manner of the perfect seed
of grasses ; other leaves succeed to this, till the weight of
these, now a perfect plant of grass, except the root, forces it
to fall from the spike on the ground, where it soon strikes
root. This is a curious exception to the general law of
nature, in the propagation of plants by their seed. Here is
a plant, which has every part of a flower except the two
essential parts, stamens and pistils, for its propagation, and
for its admission into this class of the system of Linnaeus.
Yet from this imperfect flower it produces perfect plants.
A great number of other grasses are viviparous, as Alopecurus
pratensiSf Cynosurus cristatus, Poa alpina, Phleum pratense,
Anthoxanthum odoratum, &c. &c.; but in these the seed is
first perfected, and merely vegetates in the husk from acci-
dental circumstances, as growing in shaded places, and from
long continuance of moist warm weather.

German, Schaqf-Schwingel.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, or when the spike
is perfectly developed, the produce from a light sandy soil

is —

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 80 ST. 7

v oft*} Q n
The produce of the space, ditto 200 5

* See Smith's English Flora, vol. i- p. 140.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 261

The latter-math produce is very little, less, by one-half, than
that of the Festuca ovina: the viviparous heads form the chief
part of the above weight of produce, the foliage being very in-
considerable, and the culms small. The quantity of nutritive
matter it contains is greater than that afforded by an equal
weight of the grass of the Festuca ovina, which appears to be
entirely owing to the number and rudiments of young plants
contained in the spikes of the Festuca vivipara. The nutritive
matter contains less sugar, and more bitter extractive, than the
nutritive matters of the Festuca ovina, Festuca duriuscula, and
Festuca Cambrica.

This grass can only be propagated by parting the roots, or by
planting the young plants formed in the ear. This might easily
be effected by either means, were the grass of sufficient value to
be cultivated ; but from the trials that have been made of it here,
it appears to have no excellence that can recommend it to the
notice of the Agriculturist. It is natural to alpine situations.

FESTUCA rubra. Creeping Fescue, Purple Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle spreading ; florets with long awns

root creeping. Flo. Ger. 329.

Obs. — There are two varieties of this species; one with narrow
bristle-shaped root-leaves, and the other with broader leaves.
It has much affinity to the Festuca duriuscula, from which it
is distinguished by the leaves, which are broader and longer;
the branches of the panicle are also longer ; the sheaths of
the leaves are always more or less pubescent ; but the essen-
tial and unerring distinction is the creeping root, which, in
the broader-leaved variety, is nearly as strong as that of
common couch-grass ; in the smaller-leaved variety the root
is less powerfully creeping. The resemblance which exists
between the Festuca duriuscula, Festuca glabra, Festuca Cam-
brica, and Festuca rubra, is very great ; but the difference,
with regard to agricultural merits or value, is not great,
except what arises from the creeping root of the latter; the
distinction here, in this instance, is of most concern to the
Agriculturist. The name, purple (rubra), as applied to
denote such a property of the panicle of this grass, is cer-
tainly very erroneous, the other species, Festuca duriuscula,
having this colour in the panicle at the time the seed is

262 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUHNENSIS.

ripe, in common with, and in a much greater degree than this
one ; but the lower portion of culm, close at the root, and
the sheaths of the root-leaves of the F. rubra have a deep
reddish -brown colour, and the term rubra very properly
applies to these. The awned variety of the Festuca ovina
is most deserving of the name rubra, as denoting such a
property of the panicle.

German, Rother-Schwingel.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 4330 15 Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 102 0 3
The weight lost by the prod uce of one acre in drying 5860 1 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2| 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 36 0 7
The produce of the space, ditto - 115 0^ 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5989 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 OJQ r Q
The produce of the space, ditto 803

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop

at the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the

time of flowering, is - 101 0 0

The proportional value in which the grass, at the

time the seed is ripe, exceeds that at the time of

flowering, is as 4 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre - 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12 79 12 0

The above details may be sufficient to shew that the creeping
fescue has no superior merit over those species it resembles in
habits to compensate for the impoverishing effects of its creeping
roots to the soil. The first and second vears of its growth from

•/ o

seed the produce is greater than is shewn in the above statements
of its three-year old produce. After the second year the produce

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 263

declines till the seventh or eighth, when it becomes so thin and
diminutive as hardly to amount to one-sixth of the above : this
is the case with creeping roots in general ; but, though they im-
poverish thus the soil for their own maintenance, nevertheless
the fibrous-rooted species succeed well when planted on the
ground so impoverished by the creeping-roots of the Festuca
rubra : the nutritive matter of the creeping-roots consists almost
entirely of mucilage, while the greater proportion of the nutritive
matters of the fibrous species (F. duriuscula, F. Cambrica, and
F. glabra) consists of saccharine and bitter extractive matters.

I found this species, last summer, growing in the sands, within
high-water mark, on the coast near Skegness ; the roots penetrated
deeply into the loose sand, and the culms, in some instances,
were nearly two feet high. Plants brought from these sands were
planted in the grass-garden, where they grew not more luxuri-
antly, although planted in heath soil ; but the colour of the foliage
appeared more healthy, being of a deeper green colour.

Flowers in the third week of June, and ripens the seed in the
second week of July.

FESTUCA dumetorum. Pubescent Wood-fescue.

Specific character : Panicle branches pointing in many direc-
tions ; spikelets pubescent ; leaves thread-shaped. Wither.
Arr. ii. p. 154 ; Flo. Dan. 700.?

Obs. — Spikelets straddling, some pointing upwards, some
slanting, some nearly horizontal. (Wither.) — The whole
plant is of a light glaucous colour, the spikelets nearly white
with the numerous fine hairs that clothe them. Culms
slanting ; leaves long, slender, and pointing downwards. The
peculiar pubescence of the spikelets, and the distorted figure
of the panicle, which remains unaltered from seed, particularly
distinguishes this species from the hard, smooth, Welsh, and
creeping fescues.

German, Hartlicher-Schwingel.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, slightly creeping.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich black, sandy soil, incumbent on clay, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre - - 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 ) 5445 Q Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 128 0 i

264 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 10^
The produce of the space, ditto 4 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5445 0 0

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 7 ^353 \Q Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 67 Of 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6670 2 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12^
The produce of the space, ditto 513

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop at

the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the time

of flowering, is— 53 2 12

The grass, at the time the seed is ripe, contains more

nutritive matter than that at the time of flowering,

in the proportion of 3 to 2.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre - 4083 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 0 631212

The grass of the latter-math, and that at the time of flowering,
contain equal proportions of nutritive matter ; and the grass, at the
time the seed is ripe, is superior to these, in the proportion of 3
to 2.

This grass is a native of woods where the soil is dry and
sandy. I found it first in Aspley Wood, in 1810, whence the
annexed specimen. From the above details, a single crop of this
species is superior to that of the Festuca ovina ; but it is much later
in the production of foliage in the spring ; and the latter-math, or
reproductive power of this grass, is much inferior to that of the
Festuca ovina. It ripens a sufficiency of seed, which vegetates
freely. Its nutritive powers are inferior to those of the Festuca
ovina, in the proportion of 3 to 2. From all which it at present
appears to be one of the most inferior kinds of grass.

Flowers about the second week of June, and the seed is ripe
about the second and third week of July.

FESTUCA glauca. Glaucous Fescue-grass.

Specific character: Panicle rather spreading; spikelets spear-
shaped, awned; culms and leaves smooth. Whole plant
glaucous.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSJS. 265

Obs. — This plant differs from the Fesluca glauca of Host. (t. 88)
in the stem, which is round, smooth, and straight. The leaves
are longer and smooth; the spikelets less spear-shaped;
the panicle is contracted before and after flowering : spikelets
5-7 flowered ; awns short and rigid. Mr. Curtis, in his enu-
meration of British grasses, mentions this as indigenous ; and
on this authority it is here entered, as I never could find it in
its natural state. There is a variety of this species with
subulate leaves, which grow in dense tufts ; every part of the
plant is smaller than the first variety, and from a difference in
the shade of colour, may be called var. glaucescens.

German, Graugruner-Schwingel.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 89 2-f 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 57 17 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 0 7
The produce of the space, ditto 10 2 3

At the time the seed is ripe the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto 89 2f 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5717 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 ooo z A
The produce of the space, ditto - 513
The proportional value in which the grass, at the time

of flowering, is superior to that at the time the seed

is ripe, is as 2 to 1.

The produce of the latter-math is —

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 111 10 10

The proportional difference between the flowering and seed
crops of this grass is directly the reverse of that of the Poa trivi-
alis ; and it affords one out of many proofs that might be brought
forward, of the value of the culms in grasses intended for hay.
The culms at the time of flowering are of a very succulent nature ;

266 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBU&NENS1S.

but from that period till the seed be perfected they gradually be-
come dry and wiry; nor do the root-leaves sensibly increase in
number or in size, but a total supension of increase appears
in every fart of the plant, the roots and seeds excepted. The
straws or culms of the Poa trivialis are, on the contrary, at the
time of flowering, weak and tender ; but as they approach the pe-
riod of ripening the seed they become firm, though still succulent.
This economy in the growth of the Poa trivialis is nearly the same
as in all the early flowering grasses, as they contain more nutritive
matter after the time of flowering than before, or at that period of
growth : the latter flowering grasses, with few exceptions, afford
more nutritive matter just after flowering than when the seed
is perfected. Whatever the cause may be, it seems probable that
the weak influence which the sun at that early season of the year
has upon these grasses, compared to that at Midsummer, must have
a share in the cause of this difference of nutritive powers in grasses
at the same stage of growth.

The Festuca glauca is a native of alpine situations, but thrives
better when cultivated on lower ground than most other species
having the same origin. Its merits, however, though they do not
appear sufficiently great to entitle it to the first place among the
superior grasses for light soils, yet its hardy nature, and property
of forming a thick turf, as well as being nutritive, prevent it from
being rejected altogether as of no value.

Flowers in the second week of June, and the seed is ripe about
the first week of July.

Festuca myurus. Wall-fescue, Capon's-tail Grass.

Specific character: Panicle drooping, elongated, rather close;
florets tapering, shorter than their awns, rough at the top ,*
leaves awl-shaped ; stem leafy to the very summit. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 143; Flo. Ger.; E. Bot. 1412; Host. t. 93;
Hort. Gram. Fol. 139.

Obs. — Root annual. The flowers have only one stamen, which
distinguishes it from all other species of fescue. It has great
affinity to the Festuca bromoides. The inner valve of the
blossom is fringed towards the top ; the awns are longer than
those of the Festuca bromoides.

German, Mausesc hivanzar tiger- Schwingel.

Native of Britain.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 267

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. ' Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 7 9050 IA r\

The produce of the space, ditto 67 OJ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying is 6670 2 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 093 * 4
The produce of the space, ditto 513

This grass is found on walls and dry barren places. As soon as
the seeds are ripe they fall out of the husks, and vegetate quickly
after without any covering of earth ; the plants are of the finest
green colour, which they retain during the winter. This circum-
stance seems to have led some to suppose it a biennial or two-year-
lived plant. The seeds being numerous, the young plants form a
turf of the most beautiful dark green colour; in this respect sur-
passing every other grass. As soon as the weather is sufficiently
warm in the spring for the growth of grasses in general, this
property declines, and before the period of coming into flower, it is
invariably attacked with the rust disease : which renders its produce
of little value, were it even afforded in sufficient quantity to induce
its propagation.

The above details shew the whole produce of one year, which
is very inconsiderable. The chief effort of annual plants is to
perfect their seed ; when cut before the time of flowering, and at
any time before the seed be perfected, the roots push up fresh
shoots, which flower and perfect seed in a much less space of time
than the primary culms that are previously taken away. If the
first shoots are suffered to remain, the secondary or dwarf shoots
seldom appear : unless when a continuance of dry weather is suc-
ceeded by much rain during the time of inflorescence, which gives
a new impulse to the vegetative powers. Hence, in attempts to
eradicate these unprofitable annual grasses from pastures, by
mowing them before they perfect their seed (to which only they
owe their continuance of existence), it is absolutely necessary that
the mowing should be often repeated during the season, otherwise
the intention will be completely frustrated.

It flowers in the first week of July, and the seed is ripe about the
last of the same month. Birds appear to be very fond of the
seed.

268 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

HORDEUM murinum. Wall Barley-grass, Way-bennet. Mouse
Barley.

Specific character : Lateral florets barren ; calyx valves of the
intermediate one lanceolate, fringed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 179 ;
Curtis, 325 ; E. Bot. 1971 ; Host. t. 53 ; Wither. 171 ; Rye-
grass, &c. Hort. Gram. Fol. 141.

Obs. — Root fibrous, annual, supporting a number of culms;
culm from half a foot to a foot and a half high, procumbent
at the base, afterwards erect ; spike-stalk brittle, flexuose,
compressed, rough on the margin ; flowers placed in two rows,
imbricated, roundish, intermediate flower nearly sitting,
bisexual ; lateral florets unisexual, or neuter. Flo. Ger. 404.

German, Maner-Gerste.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 ^ 40127 c

The produce of the space, ditto - 100 3£ 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7963 5 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 0-^ }
The produce of the space, ditto - 13 2 3
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 28 0 i ^ Q

The produce of the space, ditto 67 0| 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20^
The produce of the space, ditto - 603

The produce of this annual, at the time the seed is ripe, contains
more nutritive matter than at the time of flowering : this is a con-
trary result to all others of the annual grasses ; but it is, I believe,
chfefly owing to a part of the seed having been left on the spikes,
while in all other instances, it was separated from the grass pre-
vious to its being submitted to experiment.

The above details prove this to be one of the most inferior
grasses with respect to nutritive powers. The long awns with
which it is armed must make it dangerous to the mouths of horses
when it enters into the composition of their hay. Fortunately, it

/\6rostis "Vulgar is.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 269

is uncommon in pastures, but chiefly confined to road-sides, and
other beaten or barren places. I never could observe this grass
eaten by cattle of any description, not even by the half-starved
animals which feed by road-sides, where this is often the most pre-
valent grass. The nutritive matter consists chiefly of mucilage and
extractive matter insoluble after evaporation : it afforded me no
sugar. However, Dr. Withering says it is eaten by sheep and
horses, and that it feeds the brown moth, Phalozna granella, and
the barley-fly, Musca frit. Professor Martyn observes, that
it is an old notion that this grass is barley degenerated, and that
Haller seriously combats this error ; but it is surely too manifestly
an error to merit contradiction.

It flowers about the first week of July, and the seed is ripe about
the end of the same month.

AGROSTIS vulgaris mutica. Common Bent, Fine Bent-grass.

Agrostis arenaria, Agrostis capillaris, Hudson. Agrostis vulgaris,
Withering, 132.

Specific character: Panicle spreading, with divaricated, capillary
branches ; calyx valves nearly equal ; stem erect ; stipula
abrupt, very short. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 91.

Refer. 1. Floret magnified. 2. Germen and Stigmas.

Obs. — This species has four varieties, according to Dr. Schra-
der. The first is distinguished by being awned (see our
Agrostis vulgaris canina, and Trichodium caninum). The
second by awnless and diseased flowers (see Agrostis pumila,
of Willd. Spec. Plant, i. p. 371). The third by its diseased
awned flowers; the awn in this is jointed and bent before
it reaches the apex of the blossom valve. The fourth by
having the flowers viviparous. Agrostis sylvatka.

German, G emeiner- Windhalm .

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - - 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 108 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5615 2 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 310 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 12 15 5

270 HORTUS GKAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

Produce per Acre.
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 y

The produce of the space, ditto - 112 0 $

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 1 2^ ? 951 315

The produce of the space, ditto - 5 If 3

The produce of latter-math i-s —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 631215

A given space of the above sandy soil, and another of a clayey
loam, were sown with the seeds of this grass on the 20th of May,
1813. The seeds vegetated, and the produce was cut in the month
of August following. The seeds of the creeping-rooted bent
(Agrostis alba), and of the larger creeping-bent or florin (Agrostis
stolonifera, var. latifolia), were likewise sown at the same time,
and treated under the same circumstances. The results were as
follow : —

oz. dr. qr.

The Agrostis vulgaris, on the siliceous sandy soil, from
the time of sowing till the produce was cut, being
eleven weeks and five days, afforded of grass 1120

From the clayey loam it afforded of grass, in the same

time 1 8 0

The Agrostis alba, on the siliceous sandy soil, from the
time of sowing till the produce was cut, being eleven
weeks arid five days, afforded of grass - 500

From a clayey loam, it afforded of grass in the same

time - -- . -580

The Agrostis stolouifera, var. latifolia, on the siliceous
sandy soil, from the time of sowing till the produce
was taken, being eleven weeks and five days, afforded
of grass - -540

From a clayey loam it afforded, in the same time, of

grass 1 12 0

. The fiorin, in this experiment, is less productive on a clayey soil
than the creeping-rooted bent, and even much less on the clayey
than on the sandy soil ; however, though its progress be at

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 271

first slower on the clayey loam, yet, in the second year, the pro-
duce from the clayey loam was exactly triple the weight of that
from the sandy soil. The florin afforded the greatest produce on
the second and third years ; after this, unless top-dressings are
applied, the produce declines. On peat soils, this effect of the
fibrous surface roots is much less. The common bent is one of
the earliest of the bent grasses; in this respect it is superior
to every other of this family, but inferior to several of them in the
quantity of produce it affords and the nutritive matter it contains.
It is the most common grass on natural sandy pastures ; and even
on more tenacious soils, that are elevated and exposed, it is fre-
quent.

It flowers from the third week of June till the second week of
July, and the seed is ripe the beginning of August.

AGROSTIS vulgaris canina. Awned Fine Bent. (Brown bent,
Wither. Arr.) Sm. Engl. Fl. Agrostis vulgaris, var. 0.

Agrostis vulgaris, var. 1. (Dr. Smith); Agrostis canina (Wither-
ing's Arr.).

Specific character: Calyx valves nearly equal, blossom valves
very unequal; awn jointed, twice the length of the corolla,
fixed just below its middle.

Obs. — The Agrostis canina of Dr. Smith having only one valve
to the corolla, has been by Schrader referred to the genus
trichodium. As this is a much less common plant than the
variety of Agrostis vulgaris before described, and as it differs
so much from that variety in the properties which constitute
the Farmer's distinguishing characters of grasses, the name
canina is here added. It is distinguished from the Agrostis
vulgaris mutica by its panicle, which is larger and less crowded
with florets : the culms are ascending, not so upright as those
of the mutica : indeed, by this last distinction it is known at
first sight from the other. The awns, which are knee-bent
also, leave no room for doubt. The vulgaris mutica is more
common to sandy soils ; the v. canina to clayey soils ; and is
therefore introduced here for the convenience of comparison.
There is another variety of this grass without awns, distin-
guished from the A. vulgaris by its ascending straws and
meagre wide-spreading panicle, but which is still less common.
Hort. Gram. Fol. 147. Agrostis canina. German, Gemeines
Straussgrass.

272 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous, perennial.
Experiments. — At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre - - 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 0503 fi 4

The produce of the space, ditto - 61 Of 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3522 3 12

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 7

The produce of the space, ditto 5 21 i

Of the awnless variety (A. v. canina, var. mutica),

at the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 21 oz. The produce per acre 14293 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 100 3£i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10005 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137 OQQ -10 o
The produce of the space, ditto - 9 0| 3

The weight of nutritive matter in which the produce of one acre
of the awnless variety of Agrostis vulgaris canina exceeds that of
the awned variety is 151.8.

Those results go to prove, that the comparative merits of the
Agrostis vulgaris exceed those of the Agrostis vulgaris canina nearly
as 2 to 1 . The crop of the awnless variety is greater than that of the
awned, but is much less nutritive, being as 10 to 7 : the spring and
autumn produce is likewise superior. Neither of these varieties
appears to be of much value to the Farmer. The rust attacks the
culms and leaves of both varieties, which gives the plants a dirty
brown appearance ; the Agrostis vulgaris is always free from this
disease. As this family of grasses has been held in little esteem
by Farmers, principally on account of their lateness of flowering,
it may be of use to bring them into one view, in the order of their
early produce of herbage in the spring.

The apparent Nutr.

difference of Time. Powers.

dr. qr.

Agrostis vulgaris mutica (common bent) middle of April 1 2J
A. palustris (marsh bent) - one week later 2 3

A. stolonifera, var. latifoha (florin) - ditto - - 3 2

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

273

The apparent
difference of time.

one week later

Nutr;
Powers,
dr. gr.

3 0

2

6

-

2

0

dr.

gr.

ditto

2

6

dr.

qr.

ditto

1

2

ditto

1

3

-

2

0

three

weeks later 3

0

ditto

3

0

-

2

0

-

2

0

ditto

2

0

Agrostis stolonifera, var. angustifolia ")

(smaller-leaved) - 3

A. stolonifera, var. aristata (awned var. 7

of creeping bent) - 3

A. stolonifera, var. sylvatica (wood ">

creeping bent) 3

A. alba (creeping-rooted bent) -

A. stricta (upright bent, Trichodium')

rupestre) - - 3

A. vulgaris canina (brown bent)
A. nivea (snowy bent, Trichodium 7

caninum, var. nivea} - 3

A. lobata (lobed bent-grass)
A. repens (black couch bent-grass)
A. Mexicana (Mexican bent-grass)
A. fascicularis (bundled-leaved bent) -
A. lateriflora (branching bent-grass)

The brown bent flowers in the second
and ripens the seed in the end of August.

AGROSTIS lobata. Lobed Bent, Sea-side Bent.

Specific character: Panicle spike-like, densely crowded with
florets ; calyx valves equal, acuminate, outer serrulated from
the keel upwards, inner valve only towards the top, very
unequal, egg-shaped.

Obs. — Stems from four inches to a foot in height, according to
the nature of the soil it grows in ; inner valve of the blossom
one half the size of the outer ; leaves flat, those of the culm
very rough; culms smooth, ascending; sheath-scale broad,
divided at top : the whole plant of a light green colour.
I can find no other account of this grass but the following : —
" Finding this maritime species (arenaria), noticed originally
by us on the Devonshire coast, not confined to sandy soils,
we have changed the name to that of lobata; the panicle being
more obviously divided into lobes than any of the other spe-
cies, it comes near to alba. Curtis, Obser." In the form of
the panicle it approaches the nearest to the lesser-leaved

T

and third weeks of July,

274 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUHN ENSI S.

variety of creeping bent, but the plant is not in the least

stoloniferous.*

Native of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7 /%

The produce of the space, ditto - 80 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3403 2 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30)
The produce of the space, ditto 723

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 7 9679 15 f

The produce of the space, ditto 63 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3445 10 10
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307 007 o 3
The produce of the space, ditto - 633

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, is - 31 14 8
The general appearance of this plant indicates the inferior com-
parative value manifested in the above details. It appears, accor-
ding to the information quoted above from Mr. Curtis, to be chiefly
confined to the sea-coasts. I have never met with it in a wild
state. It does not appear to be of much value to the Agriculturist.
Probably, however, in such places as are exposed to the spray of
the ocean, it may succeed better, and afford a greater produce ; its
nutritive powers are far from being very inconsiderable. It ripens
an abundance of seed which vegetates freely. In the figure and
disposition of the florets and panicle it seems to connect the A. ver-
ticillata, A. stolonifera, var. angustifolia, and A. alba, in a series.

It flowers in the first week of August, and the seed is ripe about
the end of the same month.

AGROSTIS stricta. Rock Bent, Upright Bent.
Trichodium rupestre. (Schrader.)
Specific character: Panicle branches subdivided, roughish ; calyx

* Since this sheet was sent to the press, Mr. Taunton informs me, the Agroslis
lobata grows wild on a stiff wet clayey loam, part of the London blue clay, in the
parish of Cuddington, near Epsom, Surrey.

HORTUS GIIAMINEUS WOBUKN ENSIS. 275

valves acuminate ; blossom one valve, awned ; awn fixed a
little above the base.

Obs. — This species of bent is distinguished from the Agrostis
vulgaris mutica, and Agrostis vulgaris caniria, to which in habit
it approaches, by the corolla or blossom being but of one valve ;
from the Agrostis nivea, vel Trichodwm niveum, by the erect
disposition of the stem, and the awn which is fixed but a little
above the base of the valve: the valve has likewise two short
awn-like points, which are a continuation of the nerves of the
valve. The panicle is also less divided, more spear-shaped,
and the calyx is acuminated. Whole plant of a fine deep
green colour, by which it is distinguished at first sight from
every other species of bent-grass. The culm of this species
of Agrostis is perfectly upright from the root, and not in the
least decumbent or ascending in any part.

German, Fehen-Strauss grass.

Native of Britain ? Root fibrous, perennial.

Experiments, — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7 4754 « n

The produce of the space, ditto - 112 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2^ ^

The produce of the space, ditto 5 1| 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 11 oz. The produce per acre 7486 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 29 0 ~) 9710 -ir IA

The produce of the space, ditto - 63 3J 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4772 14 2
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12 7 175 7 o
The produce of the space, ditto - 4 0^ 3

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre - 2722 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 63 12 15

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, is 75 8 6

As it will be found a vain attempt to cultivate or maintain
grasses on soils of a nature opposite to those which naturally

276 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

produce them, it is therefore necessary, in ascertaining the
comparative value of a grass, that its merits and properties be
compared with those of such others only as affect a similar soil.
If we compare the Agrostis vulgaris with this species, it will be
found superior in the proportion nearly of 5 to 3.

The Agrostis vulgaris (common bent), affords in one season,

per acre —

Ibs. Ibs.

Grass, at the time of flowering - 10209 j w h affordg f ,

Or, hay - 4594 V . ., . £ 501

«L I nutritive matters
Latter-math grass - 2722 )

The rock bent-grass, as above, affords in one season, a pro-
duce of —
Grass, at the time of flowering - 9528 j ^{^ ^^

Or, hay - 4764 > , .;. £314

J . rtrt_rt i nutritive matter 3

Latter-math grass - 2722 >

This species being therefore inferior to the common bent in
most points, its value to the Agriculturist can be but little. The
only property that renders it worthy of notice is, the small degree
in which it impoverishes the soil : when cultivated on a poor, sili-
ceous, sandy soil, the produce, though inferior to the above, con-
tinued for six years without diminishing in the yearly quantity,
and without any manure whatever being applied : a circumstance
which was not manifested in any other species of grass.

AGROSTIS nivea. Snowy Bent, Straw-coloured Bent-grass.

Trichodium caninum, var. stramineis arista calicem vix excedente.
(Schrader.)

Specific character: Panicle branches subdivided, diverging,
flexuose; calyx acute; corolla 1-valved, valve awned, awn
longer than the valve, protruding from the back, fixed a
little below the middle.

Obs. — This grass is evidently nearly allied to the Agrostis canina
of Sir J. E. Smith (Engl. Fl. i. p. 90.) ; the awn is shorter,
branches of the panicle almost smooth, culm more ascend-
ing. The whole plant, except the panicle when in flower
and seed, of a light straw colour. The branches are nume-
rous, and when in flower the panicle assumes that appear-
ance which it would have after a shower of snow, being then
almost white. The above characters have remained constant
after the third time raised from seed on different soils, (i. e.)

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 277

on a light siliceous soil in Aspley Wood, where the trees
had been thinned ; on a heath soil, and on a clayey loam.

German, var. Gemeines straussgras.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy soil, incumbent on clay, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre - 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto 61 OJ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3522 312

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227 ^39 4 c

The produce of the space, ditto 5 2*3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22 0 7 lo-m o 4

The produce of the space, ditto 30 3 J 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3454 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 07
The produce of the space, ditto 3 OJ 3

The produce of latter-math is— -

Grass, 3 oz. The produce per acre 2041 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12 47 13 0

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving

the crop till the seed be ripe, is - - 90 6 5

The seeds of this grass, when sown on a heath soil, and on a
dayey loam of equal space, afforded of grass, from the time they
were sown, May 10, till the time the produce was collected, on
the 20th of August following —

Heath soil, produce of grass - - 2 oz.

Clayey loam, produce of grass - - 1

On comparing the properties of this grass with those of the
common bent (Jgrostis vulgaris), it will be found inferior in the
proportion nearly of 5 to 3. It appears to be a very scarce grass :
I have only seen it twice in a wild state, and then but in very
small quantities. It grows on the east side of Aspley Wood, and
by the side of a field near Wavendon.

From these facts and observations, the snowy-bent will appear
to be unfit for the purposes of the Agriculturist. It is apparently
too scarce a plant to be at all formidable as a weed

278 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

It flowers about the second week of August, and ripens the
seed about the beginning of September.

AGROSTIS canina fascicularis. Bundle-leaved Bent, Tufted
Bent.

Variety with the leaves in dense bundles, and culms striking
root at the joints.

Obs. — The obscurities in the genus Agrostis have been cleared
away in the English Flora, where this grass is made a variety
of^Agrostis canina. It is mentioned in Mr. Curtis's enumera-
tion of British grasses, but without any specific description.
It seems nearly allied to the A. capillaris of Hudson. The
leaves are more obviously collected into bundles than in any
other species of bent. It seldom rises to more than five
inches in height : the leaves of a smaller variety are finer
than those of most other species of bent, and it has received
the name of tenuifolia. The shoots strike root at the joints
in moist situations ; in this it resembles the Agrostis stotoni-
fera. Hort. Gram. Fol. 155. Agrostis fascicularis.

German, var. Gemeiner-Windhalm.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 20 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto 16 0 5

The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 2041 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20)
The produce of the space, ditto 2 0 >

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre - 4083 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 ">

The produce of the space, ditto 33 2| J

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 2654 7 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 33}
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2J >

The produce of the latter-math is only 2 oz. ; a quantity so
trifling, as to preclude the necessity of any further notice.

In old pastures, on light soils, this bent may be readily distin-

Air a Flexuo s a, .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 279

guished in the autumn by its shoots, which are furnished with
leaves in tufts or bundles, that generally run along on the surface
of the rest of the herbage, and is occasioned, apparently, by the
cattle, which eat the other herbage, and leave the scattered shoots
of the tufted-leaved bent untouched. It is a very common grass
on poor, light, but moist soils, incumbent on clay, that have long
been under pasture. This and the woolly soft-grass, in some
parts of the country, are termed winter-fog.

From the above details it will appear to be the least valuable
of the bent-grasses that have been mentioned. The cultivation
of a grass of this value is out of the question ; the point of most
importance to be ascertained respecting it is, how to remove it
from the soil, and to substitute more valuable grasses in its place.
I have witnessed the beneficial effects of coal-ashes as a top-
dressing, when spread on the pasture in sufficient quantity ; they
appear to act in the manner of a surface-drain, by preventing
the water from stagnating or remaining too long on the surface
of the soil during wet weather in the end of autumn, during
winter, and in the early part of the spring, which the retentive
subsoil causes ; a circumstance most favourable to the growth of
this grass, but highly injurious to the superior grasses. The
ashes thus favouring the growth of the superior grasses, and the
pasture being in consequence closely cropped by the cattle, which
now find the pasture more palatable, the tufted bent disappears;
it will, however, be found by no means destroyed, but only checked
in its growth. A few turfs being taken from a sward thus treated,
where the bent had disappeared in the manner now described,
were placed under circumstances similar to their former state, and
left uncropped till autumn, at which time the tufted bent re-
appeared in all its former vigour and abundance.

Flowers in the first and second weeks of August, and ripens
the seed in the end of the same month.

AIR A jlexuosa. Zig-zag Hair-grass, Wavy Mountain Hair.
grass.

Specific* character: Panicle spreading, triple-forked, with wavy
branches ; florets about the length of the calyx, acute ; awn
from the middle of the outer valve, longer than the calyx,
twisted ; leaves bristle-shaped. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 104.

Refer. 1. Floret magnified. 2. Germen, Stigmas, and Nectary.

Obs. — The culms and leaves grow in dense tufts ; the panicle,

280 HOIITUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

before the time of flowering, is of a fine glossy purple colour;

the blossom is woolly at the base ; awn knee-bent, half as

long as the blossom; calyx generally 2-flowered, rarely 3;

the inferior floret sitting. Flo. Ger. 257; Wither. Arr. ;

E. Bot. 1453; Host. t. 42; Flo. Dan. 240.; Hort. Gram.

Fol. 157.

German, Geschlangette-Schmielen.
Native of Britain. Root fibrous, perennial.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

heath soil incumbent on clay is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 26 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 78 0 3

The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 6891 5 4

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20^

The produce of the space, ditto 723

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 30 0 ")

The produce of the space, ditto - 84 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5955 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20^
The produce of the space, ditto - 7 0 $

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre - 2722 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 13 74 7 0

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving

the crop till the seed be ripe, is - 21 4 5

The proportional value in which the grass, at the time of flower-
ing, exceeds that of the latter-math, is as 8 to 7.

Two spaces of a heath soil and a clayey loam were sown with
the seed»of this grass on the 20th of May, 1812; the seed vege-
tated well, and the. produce was collected in the month of August
following. It consisted of —

Grains.
From the heath soil, grass 4 oz., which afforded of nutritive

matter - - - - 60

From the clayey loam, grass 2 oz., which, in proportion,
afforded of nutritive matter - - - - 56

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 281

From which it appears, that the produce of this grass, on a
heath soil, is superior to that on a clayey loam, in the proportion
of 2 to 1. An instance was brought forward under the subject
of Agrostis canina, where the Agrostis stolonifera produced, the
first year of sowing, one-third less of grass on a clayey soil than
on a sandy soil ; but in succeeding years, the produce from the
clayey loam tripled that from the sandy soil. With the zig-zag
hair-grass the case is directly the reverse, for the produce of the
clayey soil diminishes yearly, till the grass at length disappears
altogether. I mention this merely to shew the danger of drawing
hasty conclusions from the experience of one or two seasons
only.

The Aira flexuosa is much more productive on its natural soil
than the Festuca ovina ; but it requires a deeper soil, though not a
richer. The Festuca ovina is more common among heath (Erica
vulgaris), the Aira flexuosa among furze (Ulex Europ&us), though
both grasses frequently grow intermixed on the same soil. To
those who attempt the improvement of such soils in a secondary
manner only, this species of hair-grass appears to be the best of
those grasses natural to the soils in question, and may form a
principal part of a mixture of seeds for that purpose of improve-
ment.

Flowers in the first week of July. Seed ripens in August.

POA cenisia. Soft Meadow-grass.

Specific character: Panicle diffuse, nodding; spikelets oblong
5-7-flowered ; florets connected at the base by a villus ;
sheath-scale short ; root fibrous. Flo. Ger. 422.

Obs. — This grass holds a place between the Poa laxa and Poa
alpina. It differs from the first, to which it is nearest allied,
in the culms being twice the height, and roundish towards
the top; sheath-scale short; panicle diffuse, but always
contracted before and after flowering; spikelets larger, ob-
long 5-7-flowered. From the Poa alpina it differs also as
above, but chiefly in the panicle, which is nodding, spikelets
oblong, and florets free.

German, Cenisisches-Rispengras.

Native of Germany. Root perennial. Flo. Ger. ; Host. 3,
p. 11, t. 16.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is — .

qr.

0
0
fin
1

r»i

Produce per Acre.
Ibs.

6806 4 0
| 1871 11 8
g 4934 8 8
j 239 4 8

282 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

dr.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre is
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22

The produce of the space, ditto 44

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2
The produce of the space, ditto 5

This is an alpine species of grass, and attains to a greater size
than most others of the same class ; but it is a native of the Alps
of the fertile duchy of Carinthia, in Germany. It is rather late in
the produce of foliage in the spring, and does not afford much after-
grass. Its nutritive powers, as indicated by the quantity of nutri-
tive matter it contains, is not superior to several other grasses that
afford a greater abundance of herbage throughout the season. It
produces flowers about the first and second weeks of July, and
seeds in the second week of August.

STIPA pennata. Long-awned Feather-grass.

Generic character : Calyx 2-valved, 1-flowered ; corolla outer
valve ending in an awn ; awn joined at the base.

Specific character: Awns woolly. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 161.

Obs. — Awns from six to twelve inches long or more, set with
very fine, soft, white, pellucid hairs. In Ray's Synopsis,
p. 393, this elegant grass is said to have been found by
Dr. Richardson and Thomas Lawson, on the limestone rocks
hanging over a little valley called Longsdale, about six miles
north of Kendal, in Westmoreland. Hudson gives no other
place of growth ; but in the second edition of Withering' s
Botanical Arrangement of British plants, Mr. Alderson is
said to have found it near Kendal. Mr. Gough, who lives
near Kendal, informs Dr. Withering, that he never could find
nor hear of its being found by any person except the two first-
mentioned gentlemen ; there is therefore reason to fear that it
may be exterminated. (Wither. Arr.)

German, Fedriges-Pfriemengras.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

heath soil is —

Produce per Acre.
Ibs.

Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre - 952812 0

Alop e c u r u s A <> r o s ( i s

HORTUS GEAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 283

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 29 0 7 34^ ^ 12

The produce of the space, ditto 81 OJ- >

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6074 9 4

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237

The produce of the space, ditto 9 2 \ $

This produce was taken from a heath soil that had been planted
with the grass ; for I never could obtain plants from the seed of
this grass when sown in the ordinary way on soils in open situa-
tions. In pots and favourable situations the seeds vegetated very
well ; it may probably be owing to some peculiarity of this kind in
the seed that it is now to be found in a wild state in this country.
Schrader, in his Flora Germanica, and Host, in his Gramina
Austriacorum, inform us, that the Stipa pennata grows wild in
many parts of Germany, on alpine or dry sandy places that are
much exposed to the warmth of the sun.

Though, so far as the above experiments prove, it cannot be
propagated by the seed on a large scale, yet by parting the roots
it may soon be propagated to any extent; but its agricultural
merits appear to be so inconsiderable as to rank it with the inferior
grasses. The beautiful feather-like awns which terminate the
larger valves of the blossom, and which adhere to the seed, serving
as a sail to waft it from rock to rock, have procured it a place in
the flower-gardens of the curious, and serve to distinguish it at
once from all other grasses. Johnson, the editor of Gerarde's
Herbal, says it was nourished for its beauty in sundry of our
English gardens; and that it was worn by sundry ladies and gentle-
women instead of a feather, which it admirably resembles, 8cc.

It flowers about the beginning of August, and the seed is ripe
about the middle of September.

ALOPECURUS agrestis. Slender Fox-tail-grass.

Alopecurus myosuroides. Curt. Lond.

Specific character : Culm erect, roughish ; spike racemose, nearly
simple, tapering ; calyx glumes almost naked, combined at
the base, dilated at the keel. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 180.—
Refer I. Calyx glumes magnified. 2. Corolla. 3. The same
magnified, shewing the awn. 4. Germen and Styles.

Obs. — This annual species of fox-tail-grass is distinguished

284 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

from the perennial meadow fox-tail (Alopecurus pratensis) by
the total want of woolly hairs on the sipke, so conspicuous in
that of the A. pratensis. The husks of the calyx are united
at the bottom and half-way up, which is a strong character of
distinction. The culms are ascending at the base, afterwards
erect. Spike-like panicle, round, acute-pointed, from two to
four inches long, according to the nature of the soil ; of a
lead colour. Curt. Lond. ; E. Bot. 848 ; Host. 3, p. 9, t. 12;
Wither. Arr.

German, Acker- Fuchsschwanz.

Native of Britain. Root annual, fibrous.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 31 0 7 3154 14 Q
The produce of the space, ditto 74 1§ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5002 9 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137 003 5 4
The produce of the space, ditto 513

The above details shew this grass to be one of the most inferior
species. The herbage it produces is comparatively of no value
whatever. It appears to be left untouched by every description
of cattle. The seed is produced in considerable abundance, and is
eaten by the smaller birds as well as by pheasants and partridges.
The Rev. G. Swayne observes, that it is a very troublesome weed
in many places among wheat, and execrated by Farmers under the
name of black bent. I have always found it prevalent in poor soils,
particularly such as had been exhausted by avaricious cropping.
It is most difficult to extirpate it when once in possession of the
soil, for it sends forth flowering culms during the whole summer
and autumn, till frost arrests it ; so that it can bear to be repeatedly
cut down in one season, without suffering essentially by the pro-
cess. Indeed it will be found a vain and unprofitable labour to
attempt the removal of this grass by any other means than the
opposite of that which gave it possession of the soil ; which
is judicious cropping.

To return land, in this state, to grass, in the hope of overcoming
this unprofitable plant, will be found of little avail : I have wit-

Av e n a. P 11 b e s c en s .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 285

nessed this practice ; and the slender fox-tail, instead of disap-
pearing in these instances, re-appeared with the scanty herbage,
and in greater health and abundance. The soil must first be got
into good heart by very moderate and judicious cropping, which
includes the proper application of manure, a skilful rotation of
crops, and the most pointed attention to the destruction of weeds ;
which last can only be effected, in this sense, by adopting the drill
or row culture for the crops. After this, the land may be returned
to grass for several years with every prospect of success.

It flowers in the first week of July, and successively till
October.

A VENA pubescens. Downy Oat-grass.

Specific character: Panicle spreading equally on every side;
calyx 3-flowered, shorter than the florets ; leaves flat, downy.
Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. Florets. 3. Floret.

Obs. — -Root fibrous, inclining to stoloniferous ; culms nume-
rous, erect, roundish, striated, smooth, from six inches to a
foot, and two feet high, according to the nature of the soil
and shelter ; leaves flat and rough on the margin, the other
parts soft, with downy hairs ; florets purplish and silvery
white ; corolla bearded at the base, larger valve with an awn
fixed at the middle, at first straight, afterwards jointed and
bent back, longer than the valve. E. Bot. 1640 ; Flo.
Ger. 382 ; Host. 2, t. 40 ; Flo. Dan. t. 1203 ; Wither. Arr.

German, Kurzhaariger-Haper.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 23 oz. The produce per acre 15654 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 30 0 i ^070 « A

The produce of the space, ditto - 138 0 3

The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 9783 15 12
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 o^ i * ^
The produce of the space, ditto 8 2| 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 16 0 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 32 0 5

286 HORTOS GRAMINEUS WOBUltNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5445 0 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 ^
The produce of the space, ditto 5 0 i

The crop at the time of flowering is therefore superior
to that at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion
nearly of 5 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20 212 11 2

The proportional value in which the grass of the latter-math is
inferior to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 3. The grass
of the latter-math, and that at the time the seed is ripe, are
of equal proportional value.

The downy hairs which cover the surface of the leaves of this
grass when growing on poor, dry, or chalky soils, almost disappear
when cultivated on richer soils. It has properties which recom-
mend it to the notice of the Agriculturist, being hardy, and a
small impoverisher of the soil ; the reproductive power is also con-
siderable, though the foliage does not attain to a great length if
left growing. Like the Poa pratensis, it seldom or never sends
forth any flowering culms after the first are cropped, which is a
property of some value for the purpose of permanent pasture on
dry soils, which are sooner impoverished by the growth of plants
than those that are moist. Among the secondary grasses, there-
fore, I hardly know one whose habits promise better for the pur-
pose now spoken of. The nutritive matter it affords contains a
greater proportion of the bitter extractive principle than the nutri-
tive matter of those grasses that affect a similar soil, which lessens
its merits in those respects, and must prevent its being employed
in any considerable quantity as a constituent of a mixture of
grasses for laying down such soils to grass. In one part of
Woburn Park, where the soil is light and siliceous, the downy oat
grows in considerable abundance.

It flowers in the second or third week of June, and the seed is
ripe about the beginning or in the middle of July.

MEL 1C A c&rulea. Purple Melic-grass.

Specific character : Petals beardless, acute ; panicle close, erect,

HOHTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 287

compound ; flowers upright, cylindrical. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 113.

Obs. — Root fibrous, tough, often twisted. Culm from six
inches to two feet high, according to the depth of soil it
gr9ws in ; bulbous at the base, with one joint. Leaves linear,
acuminated, channelled. Spikelets 3, seldom 4-flowered, of
a green and purple, or of a green, violet, and purple colour,
varying. A pedicle knobbed at the end rises from betwixt
the florets. Anthers of a beautiful purplish-blue colour,
pistil purple. E. Bot. 750 ; Flo. Ger. 269 ; Host. t. 8 ; Flo.
Dan. t. 239 ; Wither. Arr.

German, Blaues-Pertgras.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ihs.

Grass, 11 oz. The produce per acre 7486 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 7 2807 9 4

The produce of the space, ditto 66 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4679 4 12
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 ,-v ~ g
The produce of the space, ditto 4 Of 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 7 3403 2 0
The produce of the space, ditto 80 0 3

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 J^Q g ?
The produce of the space, ditto 333

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3403 2 0
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leaving

the crop till the seed be ripe, is 1584

For the purposes of pasture or hay, the above details shew this
grass to be comparatively of no value. It is said that goats, horses,
and sheep eat it : I have laid it before cows and sheep, but they
turned from it : I have observed hares to crop the foliage in the
spring. The Rev. G. Swayne, in Withering's Arrangements, in-
forms us, that in the turf-moors below Glastonsbury, Somerset-
shire, it grows in great abundance. The country people make of
the straws a neat kind of besoms, which they sell to the neigh-

288 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUIINENSIS.

bouring inhabitants, as a cheap and no despicable substitute for
hair brooms. In Anglesea it flourishes in the neighbourhood of
the copper works of Pary's mountain, while almost every other
vegetable, even lichens, are injured or destroyed.* In deep sands,
on the confines of peat-bogs, this grass is frequent ; also from sand
banks, under hedges enclosing heath soils, it is seldom absent. It
grows to the greatest height on deep peat soils that are not subject
to be overflown, but dry for the most part of the year. This grass
is useful to point out the fitness of such soils as that last mentioned
for the production of ash, alder, and willow trees, &c. ; and it will
be found, that on such parts of the peat as are destitute of this grass
they will not succeed so well, if at all.

It flowers about the beginning and middle of August, and the
seed is ripe towards the middle and latter end of September.

NARDUS stricta. Upright Matt-grass.

Specific character: Spike slender, straight; the florets pointing
in one direction ; leaves thrice the length of their sheaths.
E. Bot. 290. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 70.

Obs. — Culm with a single joint near its base, and one bristle-
like leaf. Root-leaves long, thread-shaped. Florets all
pointing one way ; before flowering, pressed close to the spike-
stalk, which has small excavations to receive the florets, after-
wards spreading out. The culm is twice the length, at the time
the seed is ripe, of what it is at the time of flowering. Root
fixed firmly in the ground on account of its tenacious fibres,
which take a flexuose direction. On precipices, therefore,
its dense tufts of leaves, though dangerous to the footing,
afford to the hand of the Botanist or Naturalist the best secu-
rity from the danger of falling. " Gramen invisum naturae
alpestris scrutatoribus, quod vias lubricas reddat ; sed quod
densis cespitibus crescat, firmiterque terras inhaereat, saepe
etiam gratissimum in prsecipitiis, quod profundissime ad
radicem manu prehensum impediat lapsum." — Schrank. in
Prim. Fl. Salisb. p. 37.

German, Steifes-Borstengras.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
heath loam is —

* Withering's Arrangements.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 289

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr, of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 7 9559 5 8

The produce of the space, ditto 60 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4253 14 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207
The produce of the space, ditto 503

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7 9450 4 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 57 2f )
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 ^15 5 IQ
The produce of the space, ditto - 5 Oj >

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3675 6 0
The latter-math produce of this grass is very small. It is com-
mon to heaths and by the margin of bogs, but is never found in
the bogs themselves, as it affects a dry soil. Its produce and nu-
tritive qualities, as shewn in the above details, rank it with the
most inferior grasses, especially as the foliage is extremely harsh
or wiry. I never could observe that any part of the plant was
eaten by cattle or hares, though this circumstance proves little or
nothing in general regarding the merits of a grass; nevertheless, in
such instances as the present, where there are few grasses besides
for animals to select, the rejection or neglect of a grass must pro-
ceed more from some radical defect in the plant for the purpose of
food than from caprice or satiety in the animal. The nutritive
matter offers no reason for this dislike manifested by animals for
the grass, as its composition is much the same as that of the Aira
Jlexuosa, which is eaten with relish by sheep ; the only difference is
in the proportion of sugar : the Aira Jlexuosa having more of this
constituent and less of mucilage than the Nardus stricta. But the
extreme hard and wiry nature of the foliage explains the cause.
That property is so strong in this grass that, in the ordinary way,
a scythe is passed amongst it without having the effect of dividing
a single leaf; and from this it may easily be conceived how ungrate-
ful it must prove to the mouths of cattle. Were it not for this
circumstance, and its continuing to send up flowering culms all the
summer, it would be the most ornamental grass for forming grass-
plats, as its colour is of the finest dark green, being superior in this
respect to all the perennial grasses. Linnaeus observes, that goats

290 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

and horses eat it, and that sheep are not fond of it. Crows stock
it up for the sake of the larvae of some species of tipulse which they
find at the root.

It flowers in the first and second weeks of July, and the seed is
ripe about the first week of August.

CYNODON dactylon. Creeping Dog's-tooth Grass.
Durva, Dub, or Doob-grass of the Hindoos.
Panicum dactylon. Engl. Bot. 850; Fl. Brit. 67. Creeping

panic-grass.

Digitaria stolonifera. Fl. Ger. i. 165. Creeping finger-grass.
C. dactylon. Br. Pr. 187.
Specific character : Spikes four or five, crowded together ; corolla

smooth. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 95.

Obs. — The roots are tough and creeping, almost woody, with
smooth fibres ; stems also creeping to a great extent, matted,
round, jointed, leafy, very smooth ; leaves tapering, sharp
pointed, ribbed, hairy, a little glaucous, with long striated
smooth sheaths, and a hairy stipula ; spikes four or five, linear ;
flowers purplish, shining, ranged in two close alternate rows ;
the corolla is longer than the calyx, very much compressed,
opposite. See Sm. Engl. Fl.

Refer. — Fig. 1. Corolla, natural size. 2. Floret, magnified.
3. Calyx, magnified. 4. Germen, and feathery Stigmas.
5. A seed, the natural size. 6. A seed, magnified.
A. B. Lambert, Esq. in the Transactions of the Linnean Society,
vol. vi. first pointed out the identity of the Panicum dactylon with
the doob-grass of the Hindoos. The seeds of this highly cele-
brated grass in India, were communicated to the Duke of Bed-
ford, from the East Indies, by the Marquess of Hastings. The
seeds were sown in the Experimental Grass Garden at Woburn
Abbey, where they vegetated readily, and produced plants which
flowered the second year from seed. These perfected seed in the
month of October, and the plants raised from this seed the
following spring differed in no respect from those the produce of
the Indian seed ; our figure is taken from a plant of the later
sowing. A portion of the seed was sown in the hothouse, and the
plants cultivated there in order to ascertain the effects of climate
on the habit of the grass. Exposed in the Grass Garden, and culti-
vated by the side of the English species, the habit of the Indian
plants differed from the former in the shortness of the leaves,

Cynodon Dactylou . .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 291

which grew nearly flat on the ground, and were of a reddish brown
colour, instead of the slight glaucous green tint of the native
English plant. The foreign plants flower freely every season,
but the native ones of this species of grass very seldom, for
during fifteen years the native plants have twice, only, produced
flowers. In the hothouse, the Indian plants proved of a habit
exactly the same as the native plants in the open ground, having
the leaves equally as long as those of the latter, of their glaucous
colour, and not producing any flowering culms. This last fact is a
very remarkable one as connected with the long continued effects
of different climates on the same species of plant. In the hot-
house more soluble or nutritive matter, and also more vegetable or
woody fibre, were afforded by this grass than was afforded by the
plants of it cultivated out of doors in the Grass Garden.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce of the
native plant from a sandy loam, with manure, is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 46 oz. The produce per acre - - 3130812 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 > 14088 15 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 331 OfJ

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 17219 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207

The produce of the space, ditto 23 0 3

The doob-grass, or plants raised from Indian seed
at the time of flowering, from a sandy loam in the
Grass Garden, afforded —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 38 0 ^ q 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 30 Iff J
The weight lost by one acre in drying - - 1429 5 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21 l ,, „

The produce of the space, ditto 215

The grass, cultivated in an artificial tropical climate in the hot-
house, contained a superior quantity of nutritive matter to that
cultivated in the open air in the Grass Garden, in the proportion
nearly of 39 to 31 ; and the woody fibre afforded by the grass of
the plants cultivated in the hothouse exceeded the woody fibre
contained in the grass of the plants cultivated in the open air in
the proportion of 4 to 3.

292 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

In the East Indies the doob-grass grows luxuriantly, and is
highly valued as food for horses, &c. ; in this climate, however, it
scarcely begins to vegetate till the month of June : and the above
details shew that its produce and nutritive powers here are not suf-
ficiently great to hold out any hope that its valuable properties in
the East Indies can be made available in the climate and soil
of Britain.

Sir William Jones, in his Works, vol. ii. p. 58 — 60, gives a
figure of the doob-grass. The essential specific characters of the
grass, as exhibited in the figure given by Sir William Jones, and
those which our figure present, are precisely the same ; the greater
size or luxuriance of growth indicated by the former figure, is
clearly the effects of climate, one plant being the produce of the
East Indies and the other the growth of England.

Sir William Jones observes, " That every law-book, and almost
every poem, in Sanscrit, contains frequent allusions to the holiness
of this plant ; and in the fourth Veda we have the following address
to it, at the close of a terrible incantation : — ' Thee, O Darbha !
the learned proclaim a Divinity not subject to age or death; thee
they call the armour of Indra, the preserver of regions, the de-
stroyer of enemies, a gem that gives increase to the fields ; at the
time when the ocean resounded, when the clouds murmured and
lightnings flashed, then was Darbha produced, pure as a drop of
fine gold.' — Again, ( May Durva, which rose from the water of
life, which has a hundred roots and a hundred stems, efface a hun-
dred of my sins, and prolong my existence on earth for a hundred
years.' "

The doob-grass flowers in September, and the seed is ripe about
the end of October, and sometimes in November. The plants,
natives of the English coasts, flower about a month earlier than
the above.

PANICUMviride. Green Panic-grass. Hort. Gram. Fol. 172.

Specific character: Panicle spiked, cylindrical, continuous, with
numerous prominent bristles, rough with erect teeth ; corolla
of the perfect floret slightly uneven. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 99.

Qbs.— There is another annual species of panic-grass (Panicum
verticillatum), which greatly resembles this one. Mr. Curtis
remarks that this species, to correspond with its trivial name,
should be always green, but that its foliage is always red, and
its spikes a reddish-brown, and that the verticillatum is the

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 293

contrary; but the spike will always distinguish them. The
teeth of the bristles in the verticillatum are reversed. Culms
from four to sixteen inches in height, oblique, leafy, having
three joints, striated at top, rugged ; leaves rather broad, the
upper surface rugged. The sheath-scale consists of a row of
hairs pointing downwards : in the verticillatum this is wanting,
or very minute. Sheaths somewhat compressed, even. Spike
ovate, cylindrical, unequal in thickness, green before flowering,
afterwards reddish-brown and purple on one side. Leers.
Martyn; E. Bot. 875; Flo. Dan. t. 852, Panicum crus galli ;
Host. t. 14; Curt. Lond. fasc. 44.

German, Gruner-Fennich.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a
rich siliceous soil, incumbent on clay, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 ")

The produce of the space, ditto 51 OJ 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3267 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 12^

The produce of the space, ditto 3 0 >

This species of panic-grass is therefore of little value to the
Agriculturist, and as it is far from being a common grass, it is
not much to be feared as a weed. The seed seems to be a fa-
vourite food of birds, particularly of the smaller species ; unless
care is taken before the seed is perfected and collected, little will
be saved from these depredators. The seeds vegetate better
when sown in June, or as soon as they are ripe in the autumn,
than in any other season. It is natural to sandy soils, but main-
tains itself likewise on damp clayey soils without any culture,
except that of preventing it from being overpowered by other
plants. The annual grasses that afford but small quantities of
nutritive matter, and an inferior weight of herbage, impoverish
the soil very little, as the Panicum viride, Panicum sanguinale,
Festuca myurus, Bromus mollis, &c. ; for this reason they are
raised naturally on the same spot for a series of years, without
much diminution in the yearly produce. There are three spots of
ground in the Grass-garden at Woburn, of which the three first
mentioned species have kept possession in this manner for five

294 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

years: no. manure had been applied, the ground was merely
pointed over in the spring, and kept free of weeds during the
season ; the seed which was naturally shed by the plants was
sufficient. But with respect to the annual grasses that afforded
a much greater proportion of nutritive matter, the case proved
very different, as the J3romus arvensis, Phalaris canariensis, Lolium
temulentum, and others, hardly afforded half the usual produce
the second year of cultivation, on the same spot, though manure
was applied.

It flowers in the second and third weeks of July, when sown
in the preceding autumn, and the seed is ripe about the middle of
August; but it continues to flower till the cold prevents it.

DIGITARIA sanguinatis. Slender-spiked Finger-grass, Cock's-

foot Finger-grass.

Panicum sanguinale. Slender-spiked Panic-grass. Hort. Gram,
Fol. 175; Engl. Bot. 849; Curt. Lond. fasc. 4, t. 7 ; Fl.
Rust. t. 78.

Syntherisma vulgare. (Flo. Germ.)

Specific character : Leaves and their sheaths somewhat hairy ;
flowers in pairs ; calyx rough at the edges of its largest valve
only. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 96.

Obs. — Dr. Withering observes, that the knots within the base
of the spikelets, and the dots on the sheaths of the leaves, do
not appear on the figure of the Flora Lond.; but the former
is mentioned, and the latter expressed in the figure of Leers ;
so that a doubt still remains, whether this plant may not be
the Panicum Jiliforme. In the Flora Germanica these two
species are referred to the genus syntherisma, under the fol-
lowing characters : " Leaves and sheaths somewhat hairy,
florets oblong, somewhat pubescent on the margin. P. san-
guinale, E. Bot." — " Leaves and sheaths smooth, florets
ovate. Syntherisma glabrum." — Panicum sanguinale of Leers,
above referred to ; and the Digitariajiliformis, in KoeL Gram.
These appear to be excellent specific distinctions. But all
doubt is cleared away by consulting the English Flora above
referred to.

German, Gemeine-Bluthirse.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering the produce from a
sandy soil is —

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 295

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry -300 ^ OKKOKQ

The produce of the space, ditto - 60 0 i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4253 14 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 0| ">

The produce of the space, ditto 2 2& 3

This and the foregoing species are strictly annual plants. From
the above details, the nutritive powers of the herbage they pro-
duce is very inconsiderable. The Panicum sanguinale produces
much seed, of which birds are very fond, and requires to be pro-
tected by nets, or otherwise, during the time of ripening. The
smaller birds pick out the ripe seed, even when only a small
quantity is formed among the blossoms. Schreber informs us,
the seeds are not only collected from this grass, which is culti-
vated in some parts of Germany for the purpose, but likewise
from the Festuca fluitans, flote-fescue. The common method of
collecting and preparing them is this: — At sun-rise they are
gathered or beaten into a hair-sieve from the dewy grass ; are
spread on a sheet, and dried for a fortnight in the sun ; they are
then gently beaten with a wooden pestle in a wooden trough or
mortar, with straw laid between the seeds and the pestle, till the
chaff comes off; they are then winnowed. After this they are
again put into the trough or mortar, in rows, with dried marigold
flowers, apple, and hazel-leaves, and pounded till they appear
bright ; they are then winnowed again, and, being made perfectly
clean by this last process, are fit for use. The marigold leaves
are added to give the seed a finer colour. A bushel of seed with
the chaff, yields only about two quarts of clean seed. When
boiled with milk or wine it forms an extremely palatable food,
and is in general made use of whole, in the manner of sago, to
which it is, in most instances, preferred.* Miss Jennings observes,
that all the stems that lie nearest the ground strike root, and by this
means, though an annual and short-lived plant, it increases and
spreads very wide in one season.f It should be sown as soon as
the seed is ripe in the autumn, that the young plants may have
sufficient strength before the winter begins; by this mode of

* As quoted by Professor Martyn. f Withering,

296 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

culture it will flower and ripen the seed much earlier than the
time specified below; in that instance the seeds were sown in
May.

It delights most in a rich, light, siliceous soil. It is said to
have received the name sanguinale, not from its colour, but from
a mischievous trick of boys in Germany, thrusting the spikelets
up the noses of their companions, thereby making them bleed.

It flowers about the first week of August, and the seed is ripe
in the middle of September.

BROMUS sterilis. Barren Brome-grass.

Specific character: Panicle drooping, mostly simple; spikelets
linear-lanceolate ; florets about seven, lanceolate, compressed,
seven-ribbed, furrowed ; awns longer than the glumes -r leaves
downy. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 159.

Obs. — Culms from one to two feet high, according to the
nature of the soil ; upright, roundish, and smooth, at the
bottom crooked, the joints swelled ; leaves flat, both they and
the culms covered with short soft hairs, sheath-scale short
obtuse ; panicle large, nodding, half a foot long ; spikelets
naked, rough, varying from a green to a purple colour, larger
valve with an awn twice its length, straight, of a purple
colour towards the top. E. Bot. 1030; Host. t. 16; Curt.
Lond. fasc. 4; Mart. F. Rust. 125; Flo. Ger.364; Wither.
Arr.

German, Urtfruchtbare Trespe.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from &
sandy soil is — •

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 44 oz. The produce per acre - 29947 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 45 0 7 1*04 r

The produce of the space, ditto - 396 0 J

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13102 0 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 07

The produce of the space, ditto 55 0 J ^

It has been asserted that the seeds of this grass seldom arrive
at maturity; but there is hardly a grass, either in a natural or

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 297

cultivated state, that ripens more seed than the barren brome-
grass. Mr. Curtis affirms, that it acquired the name sterilis, or
barren, from its inutility with respect to cattle; which appears
most probable. Ray calls it great wild oat-grass, or drank.

The produce, as stated above, will appear great when compared
to the appearance of the grass when growing ; it is owing, how-
ever, to the large size of the panicle and spikelets, which constitute
the greater proportion of the weight of produce. This circum-
stance induced me to submit the given weight of the flowering
panicles to experiment ; the result was, that 64 dr. of the flower-
ing panicles afforded 2 dr. 2 qr. of nutritive matter. The nutritive
powers of the culms and leaves, conjunctly, are therefore twice as
great as those of the flowering panicles. When the seed is per-
fected, the nutritive matter contained in the culms and leaves is
comparatively nothing. The long sharp awns with which the
spikelets are armed must prevent cattle from eating it. It grows
chiefly under hedges, and on banks by the road-sides, where it is
very common ; but it is seldom found beyond the reach of the
shade. I never could observe that any of it had been touched
by cattle. When mown before the time of flowering, it is less
disposed to send up secondary shoots from the roots than most
other of the annual grasses, and may therefore be overcome by
one or two mowings in the season ; but its local place of growth
prevents it from being troublesome, as a weed, in the field.

It flowers in the first and second weeks of July, and the seed
is ripe about the beginning and middle of August.

BROMUS diandrus. Upright Annual Brome-grass.

Specific character: Panicle erect, a little spreading, scarcely
subdivided ; florets lanceolate, with two close marginal ribs,
and only two stamens. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 160.

Obs. — Culms from half a foot to a foot in height, erect, but
somewhat procumbent at the base, round, scored or striated,
smooth; panicle always erect, at first compact, afterwards
spreading; spikelets straight; outer valve of the corolla
spear-acuminate, a little compressed, margin membraneous,
seven-nerved, apex divided. E. Bot. 1006; Curt. Lond.
fasc. 70 ; Host. t. 17 ; Flo. Ger. 366 ; B. Madritensis. .

Festuca avenacea sterilis pediculis brevioribus et spicis erectis.
Moris, s. 8, t. 7, f. 13.

German, Madritische Trespe.

298 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich brown loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 ^

The produce of the space, ditto - 204 0 J

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 1 1740 12 8

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30^

The produce of the space, ditto 22 2 J

This, like the preceding species of Bromus, is strictly annual.
It is much less common than the Bromus sterilis : Hudson informs
us that it grows on old walls in the neighbourhood of London and
Oxford. Birds seldom touch the seeds ; but this appears to be
more owing to the season in which it is presented to them, than to
any defect in the quality of the seed ; as there is then a profusion
of food of a more welcome nature. The above details shew the
produce of this grass in one year ; which, when compared to that
of the least valuable of the perennial grasses, proves inferior, and
ranks it with the grasses of little use to the Agriculturist. The
panicle, when in flower, constitutes the principal weight of the
produce : the nutritive matter it contains, bears a similar propor-
tion to that afforded by the culms and leaves conjunctly, as was
shewn to exist between those parts of the Bromus sterilis.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about
the middle and latter end of July.

BROMUS tectorum. Nodding Panicled Brome-grass.

Specific character : Panicle branches drooping ; spikelets linear,
pubescent; florets distant, awned, awn as long as the glume;
leaves pubescent.

Obs. — This species is readily distinguished at first sight from
several of the annual species of Bromus, by its drooping
pubescent panicle ; and the membraneous silver-like edges
of the husks, which are more obvious when the plant is in
a growing state than in a dried specimen. Schrader de-
scribes it in its natural place of growth, as attaining the
height of twelve inches ; culm erect, but always decumbent
at the base, round, striated, smooth, often pubescent towards
the top, joints two or three ; sheath-scale short, obtuse,

HORTUS GBAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 299

always lacerated; panicle branches numerous, intermixed
with simple branches, thread-shaped, always more or less
pubescent ; outer husk of the blossom seven-nerved, the inter-
mediate nerve terminating in an awn, which rises a little
below the apex. Flo. Ger. 363 ; Host. i. p. 13, t. 15.

German, Dach-Trespe.

Native of England, discovered by Mr. Taunton. It is found
in most parts of Europe. Root annual. Martyn.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
light sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 1 1 oz. The produce per acre 7486 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 42 0 >

The produce of the space, ditto - 92 Ifj

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3556 4 4

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307

The produce of the space, ditto - 8 1 5

This is another of the annual bromes which is comparatively
of no value. Dambourney, indeed, says, that at the time it
approaches to a state of maturity, it may be useful in dyeing,*
when it can be collected in sufficient quantity. Birds are fond of
the seed, and the plants require protection before the seed be
perfected, in order to secure a sufficient supply for the next year's
sowing.

It may be remarked from the facts that have been brought
forward respecting the annual bromes, that most of them, com-
paratively, afford more nutritive matter at the time they are in
flower, than some of the best perennial grasses at the same stage
of growth. The reason of this appears on considering, that the
whole of the nutritive matter which is accumulated in one year
by these annuals, is present in the plant at this period or shortly
after, for when the seed is ripe, the straws contain but a small
proportion of nutritive matter ; and the seed itself contains little
more than the plants afforded at the time of flowering, the differ-
ence being as 7 to 5 : which seems to prove that the culms and
leaves, a little after the time of flowering, contain nearly all the nu-
tritive matter which passes into or constitutes the substance of
the seed. It must be observed, that the produce of two square

* Recueil de Precedes et d'Experiences sur les Teintures Solides, &c., par
M. L, A. Dambourney, Negociant a Rouen. Par. 1786-8.

300 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

feet of soil was submitted to experiment at the time of flowering,
and the seed produced on the same space of ground was the
quantity made use of in the same experiments, and which gave
the above proportion. Most of the perennial grasses have very
small seed, and the culms in general are succulent at the time the
seed is perfected, which is not the case with the annual species.
If the seeds, however, of the perennial grasses are suffered to
remain a little while after they are ripe, the culms very soon
become dry. The different degrees of this property in grasses
may be ascertained, in some measure, by a comparison of the
quantities of nutritive matter which they severally afford at the
time the seed is ripe, as already stated in the foregoing details.

It flowers in the third week of June, and the seed is ripe about
the end of July.

AGROSTIS canina capillaris. Fine-panicied Brown Bent.

Variety with a hair-like panicle, spreading, flexuose, calyces
subulate, equal, smooth, coloured. Wither. 74? Huds.
Angl. 32? This is not the Agrostis capillaris of Linnaeus, —
an error long since pointed out by Sir J. E. Smith.

Obs. — Culm ascending, from six to twelve inches high, round,
very smooth, with three or four joints ; leaves very narrow,
sheathing the straw for some length ; sheath-scale membran-
aceous, acuminate ; panicle upright, branches hair-like, some-
what flexuose ; valves of the calyx nearly equal, ovate-lan-
ceolate, concave, bluntish. This variety is nearly akin to
the Agrostis canina fascicularis, it grows pretty common in
some parts of Woburn Park, where the soil is siliceous.

Native of Britain. Root perennial. Hort. Gram. Fol. 183.

German, var. Gemeines-straussgras.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre 4764 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto 30 3^ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3454 3 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20 7

The produce of the space, ditto - 323

The above details afford no proofs of the value of this for agri-

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 301

cultural purposes. It is found in a wild state, on heaths chiefly.
I never observed that even hares cropped its herbage. Its manner
of growth is similar to that of the Agrostis fascicularis, only that
the leaves are not produced in bundles or tufts, which is so distin-
guishing a feature of that grass. It is seldom combined with any
other species of grass, but grows in detached patches on moors
arid heaths.

It flowers about the beginning of August, and the seed is ripe
about the end of that month.

ALOPECURUS geniculatus bulbosus. Bulbous-rooted knee-
jointed Foxtail-grass.

Variety with flowers in a spike, culm knee-jointed, root bulbous.
Sm. Engl. Flo. i. p. 82. var. c.

Obs. — Root of this variety bulbous ; awns longer than the blos-
som ; sheaths wider than the thickness of the straw ; anthers
purple, and changing to a brown-yellow. Wither. Arr. ii.
p 120. Hort. Gram. Fol. 185. A. bulbosus geniculatus.

German, Gegliedeter-Fuchsschwanz, var.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 5 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 16 07 \QRQ ~ ~
The produce of the space, ditto 25 2f 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4356 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 107 ^_ ,
The produce of the space, ditto 203

The produce and nutritive powers of this grass are evidently so
inconsiderable as to justify a conclusion that it is comparatively of
no use to the Agriculturist. I have found it but seldom in a wild
state. It grows on a soil of a drier nature than the fibrous-rooted
variety, to be spoken of hereafter. When raised from seed on a
moist soil it still retains the bulbous root, which goes the length
to prove, that if it is not a distinct species it is at least a permanent
variety.

POA alpina. Alpine Meadow-grass.

Specific character: Panicle diffused, 4 — 11-flowered, cordate;

302 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

florets acute, free ; sheath-scale oblong, acute ; leaves short*
obtuse, pointed ; root fibrous.

Obs. — Root-leaves numerous, flat, widish, nerved, smooth,
especially underneath, bluntish at the end, with a little dag-
ger-point ; rugged at the edges, with short erect compressed
sheaths, and a short blunt stipula. Culms from three to
twelve inches high, ascending, a little compressed. Panicle
short, roundish. Spikelets ovate compressed, shining with
purple. Florets silky at the edges, but not, as in the Poa
pratemis, connected by complicated hairs, or by a web.
E. Bot. t. 1003 ; Host. ii. p. 49, t. 67, left hand figure ; Cur-
tis; Flo. Dan. t. 807; Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 121 ; Hort. Gram.
Fol. 187.

German, Alpen-Rispengras.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 25 0 7 j^ ^ Q
The produce of the space, ditto 40 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3743 7 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 -.^y q 14
The produce of the space, ditto 303

The produce of this grass appears, from these experiments, to
be equal to that of the Alopecurus alpinus, and its nutritive powers
greater; but not sufficiently great to render it an object for the
Farmer's particular consideration. It is chiefly confined to alpine
regions. It grows wild in Scotland and Wales, also in Lapland,
Switzerland, and Silesia.

Botanists inform us that mountainous countries are furnished
with a much greater variety of plants than flat countries; and that
in primitive mountains the number of different species of plants
exceeds that of the floetz mountains. If we compare the alpine
grasses with those that inhabit the valleys, the shades of dissimi-
larity will be found very slight in every point, except what arises
from size ; and the discriminating characters are therefore, in such
instances, often minute.

Let the Poa alpina be compared with the Poa aquatica and Poa
pratensis, and it will afford an example of this. The Jlopecurus

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 303

alpinus and the Alopecurus pratemis, are less dissimilar in structure
than the Alopecurus geniculatus and Alopecurus pratensis, though
the two last inhabit the plain. The Aira montana and the Aira
aquatica, may serve as another instance for comparison. The nu-
merous evidences of this kind which plants of every class have
offered, have led to the opinion that the primitive mountains were
the sources from which the plains, formed at a later period, were
furnished with plants.

The Alpine meadow-grass flowers about the third week of May,
and during the rest of the summer; and the seed ripens about the
latter end of June, and successively, according as the grass pro-
duces flowers. Hares and rabbits are remarkably fond of this
grass, and snails devour the flowering spikelets of the panicle ; it
requires therefore much care and attention to obtain either seed or
perfect specimens of the flowers.

SESLERIA. carulea. Blue Moor-grass.

Cynosurus caruleus. Linn. ; Mart. Flo. Rust. t. 20 ; Jacq. i.
t. 21.

Specific character : Spike egg-oblong, leafy ; bracteas alternate ;
spikelets 2 — 3-flowered ; outer husk of the corolla with 3, sel-
dom 5 awns ; awns shorter than the husk. E. Bot. 1613 ; Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 114.

Obs. — The roots take a slanting direction in the earth ; the
leaves grow in dense tufts. Culms from four to twelve inches
high, roundish or compressed, striated, smooth. Leaves
linear, somewhat obtuse, keeled, rough on the edges and
upper part of the keel, between sea-green and bluish. Spike
of a lead colour, or sometimes inclining to a purple. Spikelets
short, pedicelled, mostly in pairs, oblong oval, compressed,
2 — 3-flowered, shining.

German, Blaue-Seslerie.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy soil incumbent on clay is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 11 oz. The produce per acre 7486 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 337 ^qo i Q TO
The produce of the space, ditto 10 1| 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

304 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 3 3 i

The produce of the space, ditto 9 If >

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22"^

The produce of the space, ditto 3 Of 5

- The produce of this grass is greater than its appearance when
growing would indicate ; the leaves seldom attain to more than
four or five inches in length. Its growth is not rapid after being
cropped, nor does it seem to withstand the effects of frost, which,
if it happen to come severe, or early in the spring, prevents it from
flowering in that season ; otherwise the comparatively great quan-
tity of nutritive matter the foliage affords (for the culms are very
inconsiderable), might rank it with the grasses valuable for perma-
nent pasture.

If the weight of produce, and the nutritive matter it contains,
be compared with those of the alpine grasses that are included
in this series of experiments, the blue moor-grass will be found
greatly superior. It is said to grow wild in mountainous pastures
in the North of England, and sometimes in marshes, in crevices
of the limestone rocks at the foot of Ingleborough, lime rocks
near Kendal, Malham Cone, and on most of the lime rocks in
Craven, Yorkshire.*

Though, as already observed, it is the best of the alpine grasses,
yet the above details of its properties do not warrant any recom-
mendation of its cultivation to the Farmer.f

It flowers about the end of April and the beginning of May, and
the seed is ripe in the first and second weeks of June.

A IRA cristata. Crested Hair-grass.

Poa cristata. Crested Meadow-grass. Host. ii. p. 54, t. 75.
Specific character : Panicle spike-like ; husks acuminate ; flowers

longer than the calyx ; leaves ciliated ; glumes all pointed.

Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 101.

* Withering's Arrangements, ii. p. 140.

t " Cynosurus carulew is particularly liked by sheep, and may be used for the
fattening of mutton, but makes the wool coarse (observation by the Wetterauer
Gesellschaft)." — Frederick Schmidt, Esq. from the German translation of the first
account of the above results of experiments on this species of grass.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 305

Obs. — This grass was formerly ranked by Botanists under the
genus Poa, but has since been referred to that of Aim, to
which it is more closely allied by its two-flowered calyx and
acuminate glumes ; culms from a foot to a foot and a half
high, round, striated, a little pubescent towards the top, erect
from the lower joint upwards, under that, decumbent ; leaves
linear, acute, flat, roughish at the margin, and ciliated ; sheath-
scale very short, more or less ciliate ; panicle erect, cylindri-
cal, but tapering on each side ; spike-stalk pubescent, smooth
towards the top, and furnished with a few hairs ; calyx acumi-
nated, compressed, keeled, terminated by an awn-like point.

German, Kamm-Schmielen.

Native of Britain. Root perennial. E. Bot. t. 648. Hort.
Gram. Fol. 191.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 36 0 7 4900 8 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 115 0T%3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5989 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20} 040 r Q
The produce of the space, ditto 803

At the time the seed is ripe the produce is —
Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 } ^40Q o n
The produce of the space, ditto 80 0 )

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3403 2 0
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by leav-
ing the crop till the seed be ripe, is - 127 10 0

The produce of this species, and the nutritive matter it affords,
are equal to those of the Festuca ovina at the time the seed is ripe ;
they equally delight in dry soils, though the Aira cristata will thrive
well, and remain permanent in soils of a moist and clayey nature,
which is different with the Festuca ovina. The greater bulk of the
produce of the Aira cristata, in proportion to its weight, makes it
of inferior value to the Festuca ovina. In some parts of the country
it grows on dry pastures plentifully, where it appears to be but
sparingly eaten by cattle, particularly if the pasture be not over-
stocked. "Rye-grass (Lolium perenne), sheep's fescue (Festuca

x

306 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

ovina), yellow oat-grass (Avena flavescens), crested dog's-tail
(Cynosurm cristatus), meadow barley ( Hordeum pratense), flexuose
hair-grass (Airaflexuosa), are all preferred by cattle to the crested
hair-grass. The nutritive matter of this grass differs but little in
its composition from those of the above ; it approaches nearest to
that of the Aira flexuosa, differing only in having less bitter ex-
tractive matter and of more tasteless mucilage ; but the soft hairy
foliage of the grass appears at once the cause of this dislike in
cattle to eat it.

It flowers about the first week in July, and the seed is ripe
about the beginning of August.

POA compressa. Flat-stalked Meadow-grass.

Specific character : Panicle flowering on one side, rather dense ;
spikelets oval-oblong, 5-7 flowering; flowers connected at
the base by a complicated web of hairs ; culm compressed ;
root creeping. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 121.

Obs. — Culms from a foot to a foot and a half high, compressed,
decumbent at the base, oblique afterwards, and erect towards
the top ; striated, smooth, sometimes sending forth culms at
the joints ; leaves short, linear, acute, flat, somewhat glaucous ;
panicle erect, short, directed one way, glaucous, bluntish,
condensed ; florets from three to nine, according to the age
and strength of the plant, closely imbricated, oval, angular,
three-nerved, purple below the tip, which is silvery and sca-
riose at the base, connected by very fine complicated short
villous hairs. Dr. Withering says that they are rarely woolly
at the base, but I have found them universally so. E. Bot.
t. 365; Host. ii. p. 51, t. 70; Flo. Dan. t. 742; Flo. Ger.303;
Wither. Arr.

German, Zusammengedrucktes- Rispengras.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, creeping.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
gravelly soil with manure is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 5 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre - 3403 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 340) -, ., ~
The produce of the space, ditto 34 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 1956 12 12

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 50} ^ ,„ ...
The produce of the space, ditto 613

P o a Co mi) r e s s a. "E r e c t a .

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 307

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 6 oz. The produce per acre - 4083 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 | g041 14 Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 48 0 i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 2041 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 0 ? OIQ A 11
The produce of the space, ditto - 723

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by

taking the crop at the time of flowering, is 53 2 13

The nutritive matter which is here shewn to be lost if the crop
is taken when the grass is in flower, will not make up for the value
of the latter-math which would otherwise be lost by taking the
crop at the time the seed is ripe. If the produce of this grass was
of greater magnitude, it would rank as one of the most valuable
grasses, as it produces foliage early in the spring, of stronger nu-
tritive powers than most other grasses. It has been recommended
as a grass to cultivate on poor soils ; but the produce is so very
deficient, that there are other grasses that might better answer the
end, as the meadow-barley, yellow oat, hard fescue, and crested
dog's-tail-grass. The roots, in some situations, penetrate to a con-
siderable depth, as in stony dry soils. It grows in abundance on
the walls which embank the ponds in Woburn Park.

Dr. Smith, in the English Botany, observes, that this grass can
scarcely be put to any agricultural use : the trials that have been
made of it here confirm that opinion. It is true that the produce
is augmented by cultivating it on a richer soil, but not in that pro-
portion which is the result of a similar treatment in other grasses.
The culms and leaves attain a greater length on a rich soil,
but never form a close turf, being, under every circumstance,
thinly scattered over the surface. Though it cannot, therefore, be
recommended for cultivation, nevertheless it is worthy of further
trials, on account of its superior nutritive powers.

It flowers in the second week of July, and the seed is ripe about
the middle of August.

POA compressa, var. erecta. Upright Flat-stalked Meadow-grass.

Obs. — This differs from the former variety of Poa compressa in
having culms more upright, less compressed, and produced in
greater quantities. The colour of the leaves is somewhat

308 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUR^TENSIS.

glaucous ; they grow more upright than those of the other
variety. Root creeping like that of the former, but furnished
with numerous fibres, which supply culms and leaves in
abundance ; the pla nt soon forms a close covering to the
ground, while the other remains in a scattered state. —
Refer. Fig. 1. Floret magnified.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre.

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 23 oz. The produce per acre 15654 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 QQ^ I 12

The produce of the space, ditto - 156 If 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9001 4 4
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30) ^^ \% \%
The produce of the space, ditto - 17 1 3

The produce at the time the seed is ripe is —
Grass, 22 oz. The produce per acre 14973 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 44 0 7 §235 9 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 193 2 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6738 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 507 \\Q§ 13 3
The produce of the space, ditto - 27 2 3

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop at

the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the time

of flowering, is — - 426 0 7

The proportional value in which the grass, at the

time of flowering, is inferior to that at the time

the seed is ripe, is as 5 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre - - 4764 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 2 111 10 10

This variety of the flat-stalked meadow-grass affects a soil of a
moister and more rich nature than the first-mentioned variety.
It grows more close, forming a pretty good sward ; the roots are
less inclined to creeping. It sends up a great quantity of flowering
culms, which constitute the principal weight of the produce, and
remain green and succulent long after the seed is ripe ; on this
account the seed crop contains so much more nutritive matter than
the flowering crop, as above stated. It is a week or ten days later
in flowering than the former variety, and the produce of foliage in

-L o t u s C OTiii cul at-u s

•HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 309

the spring is likewise inferior. The produce of latter-math is
greater than might be expected of a grass with short slow-growing
foliage, but the plant has the property of sending up flowering
culms till a late period of the season, and the latter-math produce
consists chiefly of these. What was said respecting the merits
of the first variety may also be said of this one ; for though its
produce be greater, and form a better turf, yet it is inferior in
early growth, and in the produce of foliage.

It flowers in the end of July, and the seed is ripe about the
beginning of September.

LOTUS corniculatus. Bird's-foot trefoil, bird's-foot clover.

Generic character : Legume cylindrical, straight ; wings of the
corolla cohering by their upper edge ; calyx tubular; filaments
dilated upwards. — Refer. Fig. 1. Calyx and Anthers magni-
fied. 2. Flower natural size.

Specific character : Heads depressed, of few flowers ; stems de-
cumbent, solid ; legumes spreading, nearly cylindrical ; claw
of the keel obovate ; filaments all dilated. E. Bot. 2090.
Obs. — Some Botanists have considered the next following plant
(Lotus major) a variety of this " var. larger, stem more up-
right." Linn, and Withering. But the difference between
them is obvious at the first sight; and this difference remains
permanent when the plant is raised from seed and cultivated
on different soils. W'hat renders a specific distinction here
of most importance to the Farmer, is the difference which
exists between them in an agricultural point of view. The
stems are prostrate, smooth, apparently free from hairs ; leaves
slightly veined underneath, smooth. Curtis, 107 ; Flo.
Dan. 991 ; Wither. Arr.
Native of Britain, and all parts of Europe ; also of Japan. Root

perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 25 0 ) 31QQ 6 0

The produce of the space, ditto 75 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7019 0 0

310 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 g^g ^ g
The produce of the space, ditto 8 If 5

This plant has been recommended for cultivation by Dr. Ander-
son, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Woodward. Linnaeus says that cows,
goats, and horses eat it; and that sheep and swine are not fond of
it. With regard to sheep, as far as my observations have extended,
they eat it in common with the herbage with which it is usually
combined; the flowers, it is true, appeared always untouched, and,
in dry pastures, little of the plant is seen or presented to cattle,
except the flowers, on account of its diminutive growth in such
situations. This, however, is nearly the case with white or Dutch
clover ; sheep seldom touch the flowers while any foliage is to be
found.

Mr. Woodward informs us that it makes extremely good hay in
moist meadows, where it grows to a greater height than the trefoils,
and seems to be of a quality equal, if not superior to most of them.
Professor Martyn observes, that in common with several other
leguminous plants, it gives a substance to hay, and perhaps
renders it more palatable and wholesome to cattle. It has been
already observed, that the clovers contain more bitter extractive
and saline matters than the proper natural grasses, and the bird's-
foot trefoils contain more of these vegetable principles than the
clovers ; in pastures and meadows, therefore, where the clovers
happen to be in small quantities, a portion of the trefoil (Lotus cor-
niculatus) would doubtless be of advantage; but it appears to con-
tain too much of the bitter extractive and saline matters to be
cultivated by itself, or without a large intermixture of other plants.

It does not spring early in the season, but continues to vege-
tate late in the autumn. In irrigated meadows, where the pro-
duce is generally more succulent than in dry pastures, this plant
cannot with safety be recommended, at least in any considerable
quantity. It is more partial to dry soils than the next species,
Lotus major; it attains to a considerable height when growing
among shrubs, and seems to lose its prostrate or trailing habit of
growth entirely when in such situations.

It comes into flower about the second week of June, and the
seed is ripe about the end of July, and successively till the end
of autumn.

HOIITUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 311

LOTUS major. Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil.

Specific character: Heads depressed, many-flowered; stems
erect, hollow ; legumes spreading, cylindrical ; claw of the
keel linear, shorter, filaments not dilated.

Sir J. E. Smith, in E. Bot.

Obs. — Stems from one to two and a half feet high, according
as it is more or less drawn up by bushes, or exposed without
shade, more or less fringed with long loosely-spreading hairs ;
leaves also more or less fringed with similar hairs ; flower-
heads when young very hairy, flowers from 6 to 12 in each head,
of a duller orange than the preceding species ; pod slender,
and exactly cylindrical. E. Bot. 2091. — I have raised this
plant from seed on two different soils, a siliceous sandy soil
and a clayey loam, and the above characters remain perma-
nent in both instances : it is surprising that two plants so
distinct in habits should have so long been considered
varieties only.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, creeping.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre ,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 32 oz. The produce per acre - - 21780 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 07 014.0 o A

The produce of the space, ditto - 192 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 13637 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20) />0rv i A n
& S ooU 10 0

The produce of the space, ditto 16 0 )

The weight of green food, or hay, is triple that of the foregoing
species, and its nutritive powers are very little inferior, being only
as 9 to 8. These two species of bird's-foot trefoil may be com-
pared to each other with respect to habits, in the same manner as
the white clover and perennial red clover; and were the latter
unknown, there appear to be no plants of the leguminous order,
that, in point of habits, would so well supply their place as the
common and greater bird's-foot trefoil. They are, however,
greatly inferior to the clovers. The white clover is superior to
the common bird's-foot trefoil in the quantity of nutritive matter
it affords, in the proportion of 5 to 4. It is much less productive
of herbage, and is much more difficult of cultivation, the seed
being afforded in much smaller quantities. The produce of the

312 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS

greater bird's-foot trefoil is superior to that of the perennial red
clover, on tenacious or moist soils, and on drier, and on richer
soils of the first quality ; but the produce is inferior, in the pro-
portion of nutritive matter it contains, as 5 to 4. The nutritive
matter of this species contains more bitter extractive and saline
matters than that of the former, which was before shewn to be in
excess when compared with the clovers, and these with the proper
natural grasses. The nutritive matter is extremely bitter to the
taste. It does not appear to be eaten by any cattle when in a
green state ; but when made into hay with the common grasses,
I have offered it to sheep, oxen, deer, and the llama, or South
American sheep, and they all ate it without reluctance, and rather
with desire.

It does not seem to perfect so much seed as the former species ;
but this is abundantly remedied in its propagation by the creep-
ing or stoloniferous roots, which it spreads out in all directions,
and thus it soon covers a large space of ground. But the stems
rise not in considerable number; they are thinly scattered over
the surface. In moist clayey soils it would doubtless be a most
profitable substitute for red clover ; but the excess of bitter ex-
tractive and saline matters it contains, seems to forbid its adop-
tion without a considerable admixture of other plants.

It flowers about the third week of June, and the seed is ripe
about the end of the following month.

AVTZNA pratensis. Meadow Oat-grass.

Specific character : Panicle erect, with very short simple
branches ; florets about five, longer than the calyx ; partial
stalk all over hairy ; leaves involute, finely serrated, naked ;
sheaths smooth. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 154. — Refer. Fig. 1.
Calyx, with unequal valves. 2. Perfect Floret. 3. Germen
and Stigmas.

Obs. — Culms perfectly smooth, erect, straight, round, upper-
half naked, and scored ; panicle equal, erect ; florets 4-5,
somewhat compressed, terminating one imperfect ; husks of
the calyx acuminate, compressed, rough on the keel, three-
nerved, inner husk the smallest ; outer husk of the corolla
acuminate, five-nerved, with an awn from below the middle
longer than the husk, knee-bent, inner valve smaller. E. Bot.
1204 ; Host. t. 51 ; Flo. Ger. 385 ; Wither. Arr. ; Hort.
Gram. Fol. 201.

Avrua I' r a lens is

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 313

German, Wiesenhqfer.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre.

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22 0 7 lffl\ H 8

The produce of the space, ditto 44 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4934 8 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 039 4 g
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2J i

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 14 oz. The produce per acre 9528 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 24 0 7 2858 10 0

The produce of the space, ditto 67 0| 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6670 2 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 107 ^g -^ 3
The produce of the space, ditto 323

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by
leaving the crop till the seed be ripe, exceeds
one-third part of its value - - 90 6 5

The proportional value which the crop at the time of flowering
bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 9 to 4.

This species of oat-grass is much less common than the Avena
pubescens or Avena Jiavescens. It is found more frequent on chalky
than on any other kind of soils : I have also found it in moist
meadows as well as on dry heaths. This property of thriving on
soils of such opposite natures is not common to the different
species of grass. When this grass was planted in an irrigated
meadow, the produce did not appear to exceed that which it
afforded on a dry elevated soil, though it appeared more healthy,
by the superior green colour of the foliage ; and it thus appears to
thrive under irrigation. The produce and nutritive powers, how-
ever, seem to be inferior to many other species of the secondary
grasses : on referring to former details, we find that —

The yellow oat-grass (Avena Jiavescens) affords

of nutritive matter from the crop at the time ibs.

of flowering - 478 9 0 } g()9

From the crop at the time the seed is ripe - 430 11 5 i
The meadow oat-grass (Avena pralensis), as above - - 388

314 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The produce or value of the yellow oat is therefore superior
to that of the meadow oat, in the proportion nearly of
7 to 3.
The downy oat-grass (Avena pubescens) affords

of nutritive matter from the grass at the time Ibs.

of flowering - 366 0 0 > 5?8

From the crop at the time the seed is ripe - 212 0 03

The downy oat-grass is therefore superior to the meadow oat-
grass in the quantity of nutritive matter it affords from the crops
of one season, in the proportion nearly of 3 to 2. From these
facts and observations, it cannot justly be recommended for culti-
vation in preference to either of the two species with which it has
now been compared. Its nutritive matter contains a less propor-
tion of bitter extractive and saline matters than any other of the
oat-grasses that have here been submitted to experiment.

It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August.

HORDEUM pratense. Meadow Barley-grass.

Specific character: Lateral flowers imperfect, with shorter awns ;
all the calyx valves bristle-shaped and rough. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 180; Mart. t. 108; Flo. Dan. 630 ; Moris, s. 8, t. 2, f. 6;
E. Bot. 409. — Refer. Fig. 1. Neuter Florets. 2. Perfect
Floret. 3. Germen, feathered Stigmas, and Nectary.

Obs. — This species has affinity to the Hordeum murinum, wall
barley-grass, in appearance ; but this is strictly perennial,
while the Hordeum murinum is annual. The culms of the
Hordeum pratense are more slender, taller, and erect, sheaths
roundish, spike slender in comparison to that of the H.
murinum ; of a purple or greenish hue ; that of the H. muri-
num is of a dirty yellow ; husks of the calyx bristle-shaped,
rough, but not ciliate; awns much shorter. E. Bot. 409;
Host t. 33.

German, Wiesen-Greste.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam with manure is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs,

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 )

The produce of the space, ditto 76 3| >

Ro r de u m Prate :n s e

//?/?/<•</ fly <*. //c, i '///. -iWf/>-/.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 315

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4900 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 337 ^g g Q
The produce of the space, ditto 11 13

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre - 8848 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 7 3539 4 Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 83 0^ 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307 *** -.Q \
The produce of the space, ditto 933

The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by

leaving the crop till the seed be ripe, is 63 14 0

The grass, at the time of flowering, contains more nutritive
matter than at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion
of 15 to 12.

This grass, though said to be partial to dry chalky soils, I have
always found most prevalent on good rich meadow ground ; it
thrives under irrigation ; and there are but few pastures in which
it is not to be found ; dry sandy heaths, and moist sour soils, are
uncongenial to it. The Rev. G. Swayne observes, that in moist
meadows it produces a considerable quantity of hay, but is not
to be recommended as one of the best grasses for the Farmer.
The best grasses, in my opinion, continues Mr. Swayne, are the
Alopecurus pratensis, Poa trivialis, Dactylis glomerata, Cynosurus
cristatus, Festuca duriuscula, Festnca pratensis, Festuca hybrida,
Avenaflavescem, and above all, the Lolium perenne. If Gardeners
and Farmers are so careful, as we know they are, in raising the
seeds of their turnips and cabbages, surely some of their care is
due to the cultivated grasses.* I have observed this grass to con-
stitute the principal herbage of one or two pastures that were
considered excellent for sheep. I have been informed, likewise,
that in some pastures in Norfolk this grass forms the principal
herbage ; and the proprietors of the lands in question are famed
for their superior breed of sheep. Though this proves nothing
positive with respect to the merit of the grass, nevertheless, it
offers satisfactory reasons to conclude that the grass is not hurtful

* Withering^ Arr. ii. p. 172, Ed. 4.

316 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

in sheep pasture, which is not the case when it is made into hay ;
the long sharp awns with which the spikelets are armed rendering
it dangerous to the mouths of cattle, and forming a serious objec-
tion to its introduction (at least in large quantities) into irrigated
meadows, where the produce is, in part, every year converted into
hay. It is tolerably early in the spring produce of foliage, and its
nutritive powers are considerable. It is very hardy, and strictly
perennial.

Flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August.

TRITICUM cristatum. Crested Wheat-grass.

Bromus cristatus. Crested Brome-grass.

Specific character : Calyx elliptical, awned, keeled, obscurely
ribbed ; florets awned ; spikelets closely imbricated, two-
ranked, depressed, straight; stems simple. E. Bot. ; Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 184.

Obs. — Roots furnished with very long, woolly fibres, adapted
to grow in sands ; culms ascending twelve or eighteen inches
high, simple, rigid, slender, leafy, hairy at the top ; leaves
linear, shortish, with long close sheaths, upper surface in
one specimen hairy : but Gmelin says the character is vari-
able. The Secale prostratum is akin to this, but has an annual
root and a branched stem. E. Bot. — The Triticum cristatum
of Host agrees with the above, and the upper surface of the
leaves are hairy. Host. ii. t. 24, Triticum cristatum — Secale
prostratum^ Jacquin. Hort. Gram. Fol. 207.

Native of Scotland. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre 8848 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 \ 3539 4 0
The produce of the space, ditto 83 1 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22} o^r IQ i
The produce of the space, ditto - 8 0& 5

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 3453 j j Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 81 2f 5

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 317

Produce per Acre,

dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4708 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 255 \ \ 3
The produce of the space, ditto 633
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by

leaving the crop till the seed be ripe, is 89 14 14

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 4 oz. The produce per acre 2722 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20 85 1 4

The grass at the time of flowering contains more nutritive
matter than the grass at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion
of 10 to 9 ; and the grass of the latter-math is inferior to that at
the time of flowering as 8 to 10; and to the grass at the time the
seed is ripe, in the proportion of 8 to 9.

When cultivated on a heath soil, the produce was very nearly
the same as the above. The produce of early herbage in the
spring is superior to the Avena jftavescens, Festuca duriuscula,
Festuca ovina, Aira ccespitosa, and indeed to any of the alpine
grasses, or those which affect sandy dry soils. When mown at
the time of flowering, it afterwards sends up culms, and the latter-
math consists chiefly of these ; and in point of nutritive powers,
the latter-math is in consequence nearly equal to the grass of the
flowering crop. It ripens a sufficiency of seed, which vegetates
freely when sown on light soils. Its comparative merits, as a grass
for heath soils,, are very considerable, as will appear on a com-
parison of their habits, produce, and nutritive qualities, mentioned
in the foregoing details.

It flowers about the second week of July, and the seed is ripe
about the end of August.

PHLEUM Boelimeri. Purple-stalked Cat's-tail Grass.

Phalaris phleoides. Cat's-tail Canary-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.

p. 77; Fl. Ger. 186; E. Bot. 459; Fl. Br. 63 ; Host, v. 2,

26, t. 34 ; Fl. Dan. t. 531 ; Hort. Gram. Fol. 207.
Phleum glabrum. Bernh. Erford, p. 38. — Phleum phalaroides.

Koel. Gram. p. 52.
Specific character: Panicle like a spike, cylindrical; husks of

the calyx linear-lanceolate, slightly pointed, nearly smooth,

318 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

abrupt at the inner margin ; stem simple. Fl. Sm. Engl. i.
p. 77.

Obs.— Culms numerous, with a bulbous joint at the base, often
of a purplish colour ; leaves linear, acute, flat, on the back
and towards the point roughish, of a light green or glaucous
colour ; panicle attenuated, of a green, or varying from a
green to a purple colour; calyx twice the size of the corolla,
valves more or less rough, with hairs on the keel towards the
top ; corolla, outer valve oval, spear-shaped, obtuse, five-
nerved, naked, or with very short hairs distinguishable by
the microscope ; interior valve a little smaller, narrower,
acute. Phalaris phleoides, Host. ii. p. 26, t. 34 ; Flo. Dan.
t. 531. E. Bot. 459. Fl. Br. 63.
German, Boehmersches-Lieschgras.
Native of Britain. Root fibrous, perennial.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre is - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 22 07 igyiii g
The produce of the space, ditto - 44 0 >
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4934 8 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 OQQ 4 Q
The produce of the space, ditto 5 2| 5

The produce of foliage in the spring from this grass is com-
paratively nothing, as is the case with the latter-math produce.
The root-leaves are remarkably short in this species of canary-
grass, and the culms are numerous. At the time of flowering, the
produce may be said to consist entirely of culms. It grows
naturally in dry sandy places; said to have been first discovered
in Great Britain by Mr. Woodward and Mr. Crow, near Swaffham,
Norfolk, in 1780. It is also a native of Germany, where it grows
in pastures, orchards, hills, and dry sandy barren places. It is
evidently unfit for cultivation in the farm, as the above produce
constitutes what it yields in one season, and which, when com-
pared with that of most other grasses affecting a similar soil, proves
greatly inferior. It ripens plenty of seed for its propagation. It
thrives best on a sandy loam. The structure of the panicle is
useful, to shew the last form of a panicle next to a spike. In this

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 319

it appears a spike, until pressed by the fingers ; it then proves to
be a panicle.

It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in the beginning of
September.

FESTUCA alopecurus. Foxtail-like Fescue-grass.

Bromus alopecurus. Bonn's Catalogue.

Specific character : Spike erect, attenuated ; calyx-valves very
unequal, outer large, three-nerved, acuminate, inner very
minute, awl-shaped ; corolla, outer valve awned, largely
ciliate at the edges; inner, two-ribbed, slightly ciliate on
the ribs.

Obs. — I received the seeds of this grass from Mr. Donn,
and there is therefore no doubt of its being the Bromus
alopecurus of the Cambridge Catalogue. It proves to be a
Festuca. Culms smooth, upright; leaves linear, channelled,
or doubled together like those of the Avena pratensis, and
like them, slightly glaucous, smooth; sheath smooth, fur-
rowed, sheath-scale minute, lacerated ; spike mostly facing
one way, upright; calyx 10-flowered, terminating floret
barren ; larger valve of the blossom furnished with long,
straight, flat-lying hairs at the edges, which distinguish
it from every other species of fescue with which I am ac-
quainted. The long, linear, channelled, smooth, glaucous
leaves distinguish it at first sight from the different annual
species of fescue, or brome-grass. Hort. Gram. Fol. 209;
R. S. Linn. Sys. Veg. ii. p. 727.

Native of Barbary. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a light
siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7 2fi24 2
The produce of the space, ditto 76 3^5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5543 6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227 31900
The produce of the space, ditto - 723

If the above details of produce and nutritive powers of this
annual fescue be compared with those of the soft brome-grass,
many-flowered brome-grass, and others of the annual indigenous

320 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

grasses, it will be found inferior. The leaves attain to a consider-
able length, and contain more nutritive matter than those of any
other annual grasses that have been submitted to experiment
here ; the culms, however, contain much less nutritive matter
than those of most other annuals. It ripens the seed in sufficient
quantity, affects most a light rich soil, and is strictly annual. The
best time for sowing the seed is in the beginning of May.

It flowers about the end of July, and the seed is ripe in the
beginning of September.

Though it does not, from these experiments, appear capable of
being put to any agricultural use, yet the form and habits of the
plant being specifically different from all others of the same
family, offer matter for useful reflection to the lovers of variety in
the vegetable kingdom.

CYNOSURUS echinatus. Rough Dog's-tail Grass.

Specific character : Spike compound, ovate ; neuter spikelets
awned ; awns of the corolla full as long as the glume. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 137.

Obs. — Culms from half a foot to a foot and a half high, round,
smooth, upper part naked, when in seed, simple or branch-
ing; leaves broad, lanceolate, at first embracing the stem,
and then as if channelled, afterwards flat, towards the upper
end and edges rough, the rest smoothish ; panicle or bunch
pointing one way ; floral leaves only on the outside of the
flowers, alternately winged, the rays ending in awns; one
floret in each; husks of the calyx two, containing two florets,
membraneous, very fine at the point ; corolla, two valves,
with an awn on the outer point. Host. ii. p. 67, t. 95 ; E.
Bot. 1333; Moris. 1. c. sect. 8, t. 4, f. 13 ; Wither. Arr.
German, Weichstachliges-Raurmgras.
Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 7 -^3 g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 38 If 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3811 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 1 7 IQJ g 13
The produce of the space, ditto - 423

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 321

This grass is not common ; it is found in a wild state near
Sandwich, and in the Isle of Jersey, on a sandy soil. It is also a
native of Germany, growing in pastures, corn-fields, and on sands
by the sea-side. Like the preceding grass, this one is evidently
of more use in shewing the diversity of form that gives specific
characters to the individuals composing a genera, than to any
agricultural purpose to which it can be made subservient ; as the
above results of experiments made upon it put every idea of that
nature out of the question.

It is a common observation, that different plants affect peculiar
soils ; or it may, perhaps, be said, that every different soil pro-
duces plants peculiar to itself. When soils are first formed from
the decomposition of rocks, mosses are generally the first vege-
tables they produce ; afterwards grasses. Nature appears ever un-
remitting in her efforts to cover every description of soil with
grass. And the varieties of soils, whether caused by a difference
of internal composition, or of local situation, from the Alps to the
low-lying marsh, are very numerous ; and the number of species
and varieties of grass adapted to clothe them proportionally great.
There are some species of grass that attain but to one or two inches
in height, others many feet, according as the soil has richness suf-
ficient for their maintenance and production. These diminutive,
and, to the Agriculturist, seemingly useless plants, by the yearly
death and decay of their leaves and culms, or of the plant itself, if
an annual, and by attracting animals to the spot, prepare the soil
for the future production of superior grasses. Though a grass
therefore may be, comparatively, of no value for the immediate
uses of the Farmer, nevertheless, it is not, surely, unworthy of his
regard ; for independent of the pleasure which a consideration of
its peculiar structure, design, uses, and connexion with others of
known value must excite, a knowledge of the plant will also direct
whether to encourage or prevent its growth in such situations
where it is found. Few grasses will thrive or continue in any soil
but that which naturally produces them. The present grass was
found by Villars, on a rock, where it did not exceed three
inches in height ; and also in corn-fields, where it attains to a
considerable height. This is more general with the annual than
the perennial grasses. The Cynosurus echinatus is strictly an-
nual.

Flowers about the end of June, and the seed is ripe in
August.

322 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

POA distans. Reflexed Meadow-grass.

Glyceria distans. Reflexed sweet-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 118.

Poa retrqflexa. Curtis, Lond.

Poa salina. Pollich. pal. n. 92.

Aira aquatica. B. Huds. Angl. 34.

Specific character: Panicle equal, divaricated; branches finally
reflexed ; spikelets linear, five-flowered ; florets blunt, distant,
obsoletely 5-nerved.

Obs. — Culms from six to eighteen inches high, round, striated,
smooth, obliquely ascending, procumbent from the base to
the first joint, sending out branches. Leaves with long
sheaths, sharpish, even, glaucous, flat ; the root-leaves a little
rolled in. Panicle erect, with the branches in half whirls,
angular, rugged, somewhat flexuose, branches of various
lengths ; finally much bent. Spikelets linear, from 4 to
7-flowered, variegated with white or purple. Florets remote,
sub-cylindrical, very blunt, retuse, 5-nerved, scariose at the
tip, with the inner glumes emarginate. E. Bot. t. 986';
Host. ii. p. 46, t. 63 ; Curt. Lond. fasc. 61 ; Wither, t. 25.

Native of Britain. Root fibrous. Annual when cultivated in
exposed situations. Perennial in its natural place of
growth.

German, Entferntbluthiges-Rispengras.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 7 oz. The produce per acre - - 4764 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 22 0 7 1310 3 0

The produce of the space, ditto 30 3-* 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3454 3 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 ">

The produce of the space, ditto 3 2 J

Mr. Curtis observes of this grass, that though at first sight it
bears a near resemblance to the Poa annua, and no doubt is often
mistaken for it, yet it is considerably taller, its leaves narrower in
proportion, and much more glaucous ; its spikelets are also much
narrower, as well as longer, and of course contain many more
florets, which are, for the most part, prettily variegated with pale
green and purple ; but the chief character which distinguishes this

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 323

From Poa annua and all other species, is to be drawn from the
branches of the panicle ; these, as the plant goes out of bloom, are
reflected, or stretched out backwards, so as sometimes to touch
the culm ; this is effected by little tubercles at the base of the
branches on their upper side only, which increasing in size as the
plant advances in its flowering, forces them backwards.* Mr. Cur-
tis further informs us, that six years' culture made no alteration in
the appearance of this grass, and that there did not appear to be
sufficient merit in it to recommend it for agricultural purposes.

The results of the above experiments confirm the opinion ex-
pressed by Mr. Curtis, and rank the reflexed meadow-grass with
the most inferior of the British grasses. It is chiefly, though not
exclusively, confined to maritime situations. It was found by
Mr. Curtis, in 1786, among the grassy herbage, on the right hand
of the horse-road leading up the hill of Hampstead, in tolerable
plenty.

It flowers about the end of May when cultivated in warm situa-
tions, and continues to send up flowering culms till the middle of
September. The seed is generally ripe in about six weeks after
the time of flowering.

MEDIC AGO lupulina. Black Nonsuch, Trefoil Medick.

Trifolium pratense luteum. Fuchs. Hist. 819.

Trifolium luteum lupulinum. Ger. emac. 1186, 5.

Trifolium montanum lupulinum. Park. Theat. 1105, 6.

Melilotus minus. Brunf. 4.

Melilotus minima. Rivin. tetr. t. 8.

Specific character : Spikes oval ; seed-vessel kidney-shaped, with
one cell and one seed ; stems trailing.

Obs. — Stems trailing, unless supported by the plants with which
it grows ; about a foot long, somewhat angular, slightly hairy,
branched. Leaves obovate, or wedge-shaped, toothed towards
the top, the mid-rib lengthened out to a short broad point,
soft, pubescent, particularly on the under side. Flowers
small, yellow, from thirty to forty, and upwards, in a head
which is at first roundish, afterwards oval. Legume striated
and wrinkled, somewhat hisped with rigid hairs, turning black
when ripe. Seed ovate, smooth, yellowish. Curtis; Wood-
ward ; Wither. Arr. ; E. Bot. 971 ; F. Dan. 992. This plant

* Curt. Lornl. fasc. 6, 1. 1.

324 HORTUS CRAMINEUS WOBUKNENSIS.

has such general resemblance to the proper trefoils or clovers,
that it is often mistaken for some of the smaller species. The
form and colour of the seed-pods afford a ready mark of dis-
tinction.

Native of Britain. Root annual ; in some situations biennial.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 7^ rini 11 n
The produce of the space, ditto - 120 0 i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 8507 13 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30} f 38 1 6
The produce of the space, ditto - 15 0 $

We are informed in Mr. Young's Annals of Agriculture, that
this plant has been much sown of late years for sheep food in open
fields, where it is a considerable improvement, first, for the sweet
food, and then, to help the land by ploughing it in, getting a good
crop of wheat after it on indifferent soils. Mr. Zappa, of Milan,
says, that it likes deep ground, rich, and exposed to the sun ; mul-
tiplies very well from the seed, grows chiefly in the spring, flowering
at the beginning of May, and ripening the seed at the beginning
of June ; it grows but little towards the end of summer and autumn.
It is cut with Poa trivialis, fifteen inches high, but is naturally
procumbent. The seed of this plant falls so readily that great
loss ensues from moving it, and, in thrashing, the least stroke
clears it. It is a good way, therefore, to thrash it in the field on
a cloth, which is moved to the seed, and not the seed to the cloth.
This account, extracted from Mr. Young's Annals, perfectly agrees
with what I have observed of the habits of this plant, only that it
does not flower here till the middle or end of May. For light soils
only it appears to be adapted, and these must be deep, as the root
penetrates to a considerable depth, and is but little fibrous. It
does not appear fit for separate cultivation, nor even to be em-
ployed in a large proportion in a mixture of other seeds. The
root is annual, or at most a two-year-lived plant, and its use
is therefore confined to the alternate husbandry. To sow the seeds
of this plant with others on land intended to remain for permanent
pasture, would be subversive of the intention ; as every spot this

liORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS. 325

plant occupied would be naked the second year; and these spots
afford every encouragement to the growth of weeds, as well as the
decaying roots afford nourishment to the life of grubs.

HEDYSARUM onobrychis. Sainfoin, or Cock's-head.

Generic character: Keel transversely obtuse; legume jointed,
with one seed in each joint.

Specific character : Legumes one-seeded, prickly ; wings of the
corolla equal in length to the calyx ; stem elongated.

Obs. — Stems round, striated, at first procumbent, in flower
ascending : stipules in pairs, oval-lanceolate, terminated by a
long point with membranaceous edges, sometimes fringed with
a few hairs. Leaflets eight or ten pairs, rather distant, and an
odd one ; lower eliptical, upper lanceolate or linear-lanceolate,
all with projecting points at the end ; young ones with the
mid-rib beneath, and the margins fringed with hairs. Le-
gume hemispherical, compressed with wrinkled prominences:
Wood. MSS.; E. Bot. t. 96; F. Rust. t. 47; Huds. 322;
Jacquin. t. 352 ; Park. Theat. 1082, 1, Caput gallinaceum.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
poor siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

83 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 25 0 }

The produce of the space, ditto 50 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4679 4 12
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307
The produce of the space, ditto 723

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a

rich clayey loam is —

Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre - - 8848 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 7
The produce of the space, ditto 83 0 J 5 3539

The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 5308 14 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22^
The produce of the space, ditto 8 Oi J

The produce of sainfoin on a clayey loam with a sandy subsoil,
is greater than on a siliceous sandy soil incumbent on clay ; but

326 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the nutritive powers of the herbage produced on the sandy soil is
greater.

dr. qr.

The nutritive matter afforded by sainfoin from a given

space of a clayey loam, is - 8 0

The nutritive matter afforded by the broad-leaved clover

from an equal space of the same soil, is 45 0

The nutritive matter afforded by sainfoin from a sili-
ceous sandy soil, is 7 0$

The superior value of sainfoin for soils on a porous or dry sub-
soil is therefore manifest.

Sainfoin grows wild in all the chalky districts in England ; but
it was first introduced to English Farmers as a plant for cultivation
from Flanders and France, where it has been long cultivated.
Parkinson, in the year 1640, says, that it is " generally known to
be a singular food for cattle, causing them to give store of milk."
— Worlidge, in his Mystery of Husbandry, &c. (1681), treats of
sainfoin at large : " In Wiltshire, in several places," says he,
" there are precedents of sainfoin that has been there twenty years
growing on poor land, and has so far improved the same, that from
a noble per acre, twenty acres together have been certainly worth
thirty shillings per acre, and yet continues in good proof." —
These extracts shew the high opinion which was entertained of
this plant above one hundred years ago ; but this was, no doubt,
in a great measure owing to the small number of plants then known
for sowing in the farm.

The experiments that have here been made on this plant were con-
fined to a clayey loam and a light siliceous soil. Upon these it was
evidently inferior to the broad-leaved and perennial red clover;
but on chalky and gravelly soils there have been abundant proofs
of the superior value of sainfoin. After the ample details of the
uses and cultivation of sainfoin, given in Mr. Young's Annals, it
will be difficult to add any thing new. It is a perennial plant, and
produces but little herbage the first year, and on that account
should not be sown on land that is intended to remain only two
years under grass. In Mr. Young's Annals we are informed, that
sainfoin is allowed on all hands to be an admirable improvement
on limestone rocks and chalk downs, which, in order to be culti-
vated to the greatest advantage, should be in this course, with no
more arable than is necessary for the change. Thus, if sainfoin

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 327

last sixteen years, as it certainly will if properly managed, then
sixteen parts of the down should be sainfoin, and as many more
parts as there are years necessary for tillage, before the ground
should be sowed with it again : suppose this period to be five years,
the portions would then be 16. sainfoin ; 1. sainfoin pared and
burnt, and under turnips ; 1. barley or oats ; 1. clover; 1. wheat ;
1. turnips; 1. barley or oats, and with this crop sainfoin sown
again = 22. In another part we are informed that sainfoin is also
a great improvement in thin, loose, dry, sandy loams, upon marl or
chalk bottoms.

Thin soils that wear out, or tire of clover, are laid down to
great advantage with it, will last twenty years, and pay the
Farmer as well as his best corn crops. If a flock of sheep be an
object of primary importance, this plant will afford them plenty
of dry food for winter, in hard weather. An acre of indifferent
land will yield two tons of sainfoin dry, and therefore twenty
acres will serve 1000 sheep for a month, supposing a sheep eats
three pounds of hay in a day, which is a large allowance. Now the
expense of an acre of sainfoin, including fourteen shillings for
rent, tithe, and poor, is about one pound ; whereas, that of an acre
of turnips will be two pounds seven shillings. Eight acres and a
half of turnips, then, balance twenty acres of sainfoin. Now
1000 sheep will eat two acres and a half of turnips in a day, and,
therefore, seventy-five acres will be required for a month ; or at
the lowest calculation, twenty-four acres ; the expense of which is
661. 8s., to be set against 20/., the expense of sainfoin.*'

* Besides the grasses and other plants that have been mentioned in this series
there are a variety of different plants which form apart of the produce of dry sandy
rough pastures, the principal of which will now be briefly noticed.

The late ingenious Editor of the Farmer's Journal, Benjamin Holdich, Esq., be-
fore his decease, had nearly completed an interesting treatise on the weeds which
infest tillage lands; this he bequeathed to my care, and as it contains much new
and highly useful practical information compressed in a small space, I trust, in a
short time, to be enabled to submit the same to the Public.

1. Carduus acaulis. Dwarf Thistle. E. Bot. 161 ; Flo. Dan. 1114. — A dwarf
plant, but spreading to the breadth of a foot. The leaves grow close to the ground,
are very prickly, and prevent cattle from browsing near them. Though it appears
to be only a biennial plant, it is certaiuly one of the most pernicious weeds in these
soils; being suffered to grow in hedge-rows, and in the corners of fields, the ordinary
means of destroy ing it in the body of the pasture, by mowing, is rendered ineffectual.
Mowing, or stocking up thistles, is only a palliative remedy; but it may be ren-
dered more effectual with respect to the destruction of the annual and biennial

328 HOHTUS GRAMINKUS WOBURNENSIS.

It flowers about the middle and towards the end of June. The
seeds are large, and when sown in wet soils generally burst and

thistles, by suffering them to grow till near the period of their coming into flower
before they are cut; because, when mown at an earlier stage of their growth, they
continue to send out suckers during the rest of the season, and consequently require
an endless repetition of mowing, without fulfilling the intention. But the only re-
medy is to break up the pasture and improve it by a judicious course of crops, which
includes the application of clay, if the soil be sandy, and proper manuring. All
this, however, will be ineffectual, if the surrounding edges and waste places are
neglected.

1. Anthemis nobills. Common or Sweet Chamomile. E. Bot. 930; Wood.
Med. 103. — A perennial, flowering in July and August, well known for its use in
medicine. It is observed, that the single flowers are far superior to the double ones
which are cultivated in gardens, and sold in the shops. I never could observe that
any part of this plant was touched by cattle.

3. Antirrhinum linaria. Common Toad Flax, or Butter and Eggs. Curt.
Lond. Eng. Bot. 658; Flo. Dan. 982. — A perennial plant, more common by the
sides of fields than in the body of the pastures. Dr. Withering says, that an infu-
sion of the leaves is diuretic] and purgative; and an ointment prepared from them
gives relief in the piles. The expressed juice mixed with milk is a poison to flies,
as is likewise the smell of the flowers. Cows, horses, and swine refuse it ; sheep
and goats are not fond of it.

4. Erica vulgaris. Common Heath ; called Ling in England, and Heather in
Scotland, Curt. Lond. 297 ; E. Bot. 1013; Flo. Dan. 677. — When dry pastures
abound with this plant they take the name of heaths. It can only be extirpated by
paring and burning, and converting the pasture into tillage; this has been effected
with profit by several occupiers of such land in Scotland and England. It is the
most valuable material for the construction of bush-drains. Bees extract honey
largely from the flowers, which is of good quality, but of a reddish colour. In the
Highlands of Scotland the poorer inhabitants make walls for their cottages with
alternate layers of heath, and a kind of mortar made of black earth and straw ; the
woody parts of the heath being placed in the centre, and the tops externally and in-
ternally. They make their beds of it by placing the roots downwards, and the tops
uppermost; they are sufficiently soft to sleep upon. Scott says —

" the stranger's bed

Was there of mountain heather spread,
Where oft a hundred guests had lain,
And dreamed their forest sports again ;
Nor vainly did the heath-flowers shed
Its moorland fragrance round his head."

They also use it for thatch. In the island of Hay, ale is often made by brewing
one part of malt, and two parts of the young tops of heath; sometimes they add
hops. Boethius relates, that this liquor was much used by the Picts. Sheep and
goats will sometimes eat the tender shoots, but they are not fond of them. Cattle,
not accustomed to browse on heath, Linnaeus says, give bloody milk at first, but are

HORTUS GIlAMlNJiUS WOBURXENSIS. 329

rot without vegetating. There is some difference of opinion with
respect to the best season for sowing ; according to several trials

soon cured by drinking plentifully of water. The branches of heath afford shelter ;
and the seeds a principal part of the food of many birds, especially those of the grouse
kind ; and the seed-vessel is formed in such a manner that the seeds are preserved
the whole year, and even longer. In the north of Scotland ropes are made of it, as
strong, as durable, and nearly as pliant, as hemp. Consult Pen. Tour; Garnet's
Tour; Light. Scot.; Withering, &c.

5. Eunium bulbocastanum. Earth, nut, Pig-nut, Yer-nut. E. Bot. 988. — A
perennial plant, with a tuberous root. Swine are fond of the roots; cattle do not
appear to touch the leaves or branches. Being a diminutive plant it is not much
to be feared as a weed.

6. Campanula rotundifolia. Common Bell-flower, Witches' Thimble. E. Bot.
866. — There is hardly a plant that indicates more the extreme barrenness of a soil
than this. It is a perennial, flowering in July and August; the flowers are blue,
sometimes nearly white.

7. Cenlaurea calcitrapa. Star Thistle. E. Bot. t. 125. — This is a biennial
plant, and a very troublesome weed. It is frequent by road sides, as well as in dry
rough pastures. The flowers are at first deep red. It flowers in July and August.
It may be overcome by the same means as were recommended for the dwarf
thistle.

8. Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. Ox-eye Daisy, Moon Flower, Maudlin
Wort. E. Bot. 601. — This plant is a perennial, and flowers in June and July.
It propagates by the root, and extensively by the seed. There are no means of ex-
tirpating it from dry pastures but by converting the land into tillage for several years,
and keeping the hedge-rows, path-sides, &c., perfectly clean during the course of
crops.

9. Conzya squarrosa. Great Fleabane, Ploughman's Spikenard. Eng. Bot.
1195. — A biennial plant, very common on dry sandy pastures, but more particu-
larly on converted heaths, and there constitutes the most troublesome weed. The
plant is covered with white woolly hairs, which make it conspicuous; it grows
from two inches to two feet in height, according to the depth of the soil in which
it is produced : in hedges it attains to the greatest height. It will be found a vain
attempt to subdue this plant, if the hedges and path-sides are suffered to produce
and foster it. The seed is produced in abundance, and being light, is easily dis-
persed by the wind. It flowers in July and August. Its dwarf size, when in poor
soils, and the peculiar structure of the plant, render the scythe of little or no use
in destroying it. Its presence denotes a great degree of sterility in the soil that
encourages its growth. The application of clay or marl will be found the best
remedy, as this weed will soon disappear of itself.

10. Galium verum. Yellow Ladies' Bedstraw, Cheese Renniug, Petty Muguet,
Yellow Goose-grass. E. Bot. 660. — A perennial, flowering from June till
October, more common in the hedges and way-sides than in the body of pastures.
It is said the flowers will coagulate boiling milk. The French prescribe them in
epileptic and hysteric cases. Boiled in alum-water, they tinge wool yellow. The
roots dye a fine red, not inferior to madder, and are used for this purpose in the

330 HORTUS GRAMTNEUS WOBURNENSIS.

that I have made, the middle or end of April is the most certain ;
but when sown in the autumn, unless the soil be favourable, many

island of Jura. Sheep and goats eat it ; horses and swine refuse it ; cows are not
fond of it. Withering; Pennant, p. 214.

11. Cucubalus baccifer. Bladder Campion, Spattling Poppy, White Bottle.
E. Bot. 1577. — A perennial, more common in corn-fields than in pastures. It
grows from one to three feet in height, the flowers are white, and the calyx inflated,
veined like a net with green. Great care should be taken to prevent it from seed-
ing, and the roots should be taken up.

12. Euphrasia officinulis. Common Eyebright. E. Bot. t. 1416. — A small
annual plant with blue flowers. It resembles chickweed in its manner of growth,
and is nearly as difficult to extirpate as that weed ; like the ploughman's spike-
nard, it indicates sterility of land, similar to that caused by injudicious cropping,
and is only to be overcome by enriching the soil under a judicious course of crops
cultivated in rows, by which this, and all other weeds, are easily overcome. It
flowers from July till October.

13. Geranium. Of this there are several species, common to sandy pastures.
They are, diminutive weeds, and little evil results from their presence; they
generally disappear after the soil has been in tillage two or three years under good
management; and the soil enriched, by having its texture altered, from the addi-
tion of clay or marl.

14. Hypocharis radicata. Long-rooted Hawk-weed. E. Bot. 831. — A
perennial, with yellow flowers; grows from four inches to two feet in height,
according to the quality of the soil. The roots are long, and often the thickness
of the little finger. It was offered to sheep and cows, but they refused it. It
flowers from June till August.

15. Jasione montana. Hairy Sheep's Scabious, Scabious Sheep's-bit. E. Bot.
882. — An annual plant, with blue flowers and hairy leaves. It is to be found
chiefly in very dry soils. It contains a milky juice; is said to be eaten by sheep ;
but they refused it in one trial that I made. It flowers from June till August.

16. Veronica qfficinalis. Common or Male Speedwell or Fluellin. E. Bot.
765. — A perennial plant; flowers in May and August. The flowers are of pur-
plish colour. It is said that horses, goats, and sheep eat it. An infusion of the
leaves is recommended by Hoffman as a substitute for tea ; but it is more astrin-
gent and less grateful. {Withering.) — It is never found in such abundance as to
render it a formidable weed. It soon disappears under a judicious system of
tillage.

17. Thymus serpyllum. Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme. E. Bot. t. 1514. — A
perennial, common on all dry sandy soils, particularly on ant-hills. There is some
difference of opinion with respect to cattle eating this plant, its dwarf growth ren-
dering the point difficult to ascertain. I offered different quantities of this plant to
South Down and Welsh sheep, but they uniformly rejected it. Dr. Withering
says that it yields an essential oil, which is very heating, and that an infusion of the
leaves removes the head-ache occasioned by the debauch of the preceding evening.
The Phal&na papilionaria lives upon it. — Paring and burning the ant-hills during
summer would occasion the destruction of the ants ; when this operation is done

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 331

of the plants are lost during the winter : should circumstances
prove otherwise, the autumn sowing will be found the most
advantageous, as it affords nearly a full crop in the ensuing
season.*

It was before observed, that dry thin sandy pastures are the least
capable of improvement, from the defect in the constitution of the
soil, which arises from the want of clay and marl. The process of
paring and burning, which is so efficacious in converting bogs
and rough tenacious clays, is found to injure thin sands; yet,
without this process of burning the surface, the crops that follow
the ordinary mode of breaking up such soils by the plough only

during the winter, or cold months, it is seldom effectual, as the ants are then in
secure quarters below the base of their hills, and therefore receive but little, if any
injury, from the effects of the paring and burning. Hot, or caustic lime, should be
applied to the sites of the hills after they are burnt, and the ashes scattered on the
surface, which would complete the remedy.

18. Tormentilla erecta — officinalis. Curt. Lond. 337. Septfoil. — A peren-
nial, flowering in June and September. The flowers are of a fine yellow colour ;
the straws are at first trailing, afterwards ascending ; the leaves are of a fine green
colour. The roots are powerfully astringent ; they are used, Dr. Withering
informs us, in several counties to tan leather, and that Farmers find them effica-
cious in the dysenteries of cattle. They dye red. Goats, sheep, and swine eat the
plant; horses refuse it. — (Linn.}

19. Rumex acetosella. Slice's Sorrel, or Dock. E. Bot 1674; Flo. Dan.
1161. — A perennial plant, flowering in May and June. It is very diminutive in
dry sandy pastures; the leaves grow close upon the surface of the soil, and they
are generally of a deep red colour, caused by the drought. I have observed that it
was sometimes cropped by sheep and hares ; but in these instances there appeared
always a great scarcity of other herbage. Like every other species of dock, it is
with difficulty overcome on its natural soil; till by good management, under
tillage begun with paring and burning the surface, and by adding clay or marl, a
permanent change is effected in the nature of the soil.

20. Polygonum amculare. E. Bot. 1252. Knot-grass, Snake-weed, Red-
weed? — This is a biennial plant, flowering from April to October. It is one of
the most noxious weeds that infest dry sandy soils, and even on rich soils, under
judicious cropping, it is often met with ; so difficult it is to destroy it, when once
the roots get established in light soils. The seeds appear to be as grateful to birds
as those of buck-wheat (PolygoJium fagopyrutn). There appears to be nothing
which encourages the growth and propagation of this weed, so much as severe
cropping with successive white grain crops, and the neglect of the row or drill
mode of cultivation.

" The knot-grass fetters there the hands

That once could have burst iron bands."— SCOTT.

* Young's Annals, viii. p. 73; ii. p. 360.

332 1IORTUS GHAMINEUS WOttUKNEXSI S,

are devoured by insects at the roots, and seldom repay the
expense of labour.

The comparative disadvantages which attend the ordinary
mode of converting thin sandy pastures into tillage by ploughing
only, are found by experience to be far greater than those which
result to the soil by the process of burning. Sir Humphry Davy
says, that " the process of burning renders the soil less compact,
less tenacious, and retentive of moisture ;" burning, therefore,
increases the natural defects of sandy soils, and lessens the
quantity of soluble vegetable matter they contain. It seems
probable, however, that the process of burning may be conducted
in such a manner as to prevent any diminution of the original
quantity of soluble vegetable matters contained in the soil. For
when the parings or turfs are submitted to the fire, they should
only be burnt till the ashes are black, and will then contain
carbonaceous matter, which will be found to afford more soluble
vegetable matter than the soil originally contained. But when
the parings are burnt till the ashes are red or white, the carbona-
ceous matter is destroyed, and the ashes that remain will be found
to consist of oxides and saline matters of little value to such
soils. With respect to tenacious clayey soils, the case is directly
the reverse: these cannot be too much burnt, by the ordinary
process of burning, as the object here is not so much to destroy
insects and the seeds of noxious plants, as to correct the texture
of the soil, by rendering it more friable, and less tenacious or
retentive of moisture.

It is evident that the application of clay or marl, and vegetable
manure, even in small quantities, will compensate the soil for the
greater division of its parts and loss of decomposing vegetable
matter, let the process of burning be conducted in what manner
it may; but there are no remedies at present known, for the
prevention or even palliation of the ravages of the wire-worm,
grubs, and other voracious insects with which these soils generally
abound, except that of burning, which, when properly effected,
experience has proved to be effectual to their destruction.

In Scotland and in England I have witnessed the practice of
converting rough pastures, containing heath, furze, and coarse
grasses, by first burning the plants on the surface while growing,
and then ploughing the land for a course of crops. By this, it
invariably happened that the land soon became stocked with
its original unprofitable plants, as their seeds und roots were

HOIITUS GRAMINfcUS \VO13UHKKNSIS. 333

securely preserved in the turf while the plants themselves were
burning.

In the Essays published by the Board of Agriculture (Commu-
nications, vol. iv.), a variety of facts are brought forward, which
go to prove the great increase of value which these pastures are
capable of receiving by a proper mode of converting them into
tillage.

Mr. Stephen Kershaw states, in his experiments, the increase
of value in thin-skinned warren, when converted into tillage by
previously paring and burning, to be from thirteen pence per acre,
the original value, to six or eight shillings per acre.

Mr. Wright, of Pickworth, after describing several failures in
attempting to convert " a tract of poor light barren heath by the
ordinary mode of breaking up with the plough, states the complete
success which attended his endeavours on another tract of the
same soil by paring arid burning." This ground, Mr. Wright
says, " produced an excellent quality of turnips, value 21. 10s. per
acre. I afterwards," continues he, " sowed with barley on one
ploughing in March ; the crop was estimated at five quarters per
acre throughout the piece ; clearing to me as much in one year,
as it would have done in pasturage, in its original state, in a cen-
tury.— Mr. Wright recommends the following course of crops :
— First year, pare and burn, and sow with turnips ; second year,
barley; immediately after the barley crop plough once, and
harrow in winter tares, to be mown for soiling stock of all kinds
on the same ground, which may be begun about the third week of
May, and continue till the seed in the pod is nearly ripe, perhaps
in July ; what then remains unconsumed may be made into
excellent hay. After this, on one ploughing to sow turnips, with
or without manuring. After the turnips, barley with grass-seeds,
either to remain one, or many years.

Mr. Legard, of Gratton, observes, that paring and burning,
when regard is had to subsequent cropping, is advantageous,
because it generally ensures a crop of turnips, the foundation of
all good husbandry ; and in light soils, the advantage of eating
the turnip crop upon the land is very great, and should therefore
be invariably practised.

Other statements, equally satisfactory, might be brought for-
ward, but they all agree in principal — to break up dry rough
sandy pastures by paring and burning; white crops seldom, at
the most one white to two green crops. In the preparation of

334 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

the land for these crops, the scarifier should be frequently
employed instead of the plough, as the frequent turning up of
such soils becomes more injurious than beneficial.

From the foregoing series of facts and observations, respecting
the different grasses and other plants which compose the produce
of dry upland pastures, it may fairly be inferred, that these plants
are not susceptible of that degree of improvement by cultivation
which would fit them for the support of the larger domestic
animals. Sheep may be considered the only stock that can be
profitably maintained on such pastures. Still, however, their
natural state may be much improved by frequent top-dressings
with manure or compost, and, at the same time, by sowing the
seeds of the grasses which will be mentioned hereafter. The
roller should be often used ; the inferior grasses should not be
suffered to perfect or shed their seeds ; and the pasture should be
closely cropped. By persevering in this mode of treatment, a
superior pasture would soon be obtained.

But these improvements, effected on poor siliceous sandy
pastures, by the above treatment, will be found only temporary ;
and that, as soon as the means are suspended, the pasture will
return again to its former inferior state ; this kind of soil being of
a nature that soon exhausts the manure applied to it, whether on
the surface as a top-dressing, or when ploughed in the land. It
will be found absolutely necessary to change first the nature of
the soil, by the application of clay or marl ; and the superior
grasses will then keep possession of the soil, even under indifferent
management. There will be much less occasion for manure, and
the quantity applied will have double the effect. The land, by
this means, is improved permanently. It is much to be lamented,
that pastures of this nature are often broken up, undergo a course
of crops, and are again returned to grass, without any change
being made in the nature of the soil. If marl be often out of
reach, clay seldom is, as this earth is generally found under sand,
or in its neighbourhood. Before clay, marl, or any ingredient
that effects a permanent change in the nature of a soil, be applied,
the nature of the soil, and the ingredient, should first be ascer-
tained by chemical analysis. And the exact quantity of the
ingredient necessary to effect the desired change in the nature of
the soil, will by this be accurately determined. Without this,
the operation will be performed in the dark, and consequently
with less certain success. If the reader will look back to the

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 335

observations on soils, stated at page 123 et seq. he will find
some hints on this important point.

Mr. Taunton, in his valuable observations on down grasses,*
states, that the principal strata which afford downs, are, first, and
most extensively, the chalk, including the wolds in Yorkshire ;
secondly, in order of succession, the green and brown sand (though
these sometimes degenerate into such acerbity, that the heath
(Erica vulgaris, Erica tetralix et Erica cinerea), is abundant, and
they therefore form an exception to the general character of downs,
whose produce should principally consist of the natural grasses,
and which circumstance distinguishes downs from heaths properly
so called) ; next the oolites or calcareous free-stones, upon which
the wolds of Gloucestershire are found ; next the mountain lime-
stone ; and lastly, certain elevated portions of the killas, or
slate. All these downs unite in a few general characteristics.
The soil is generally thin, dry, light, and porous : from its eleva-
tion it is also usually cold, and backward of growth. In conse-
quence of being continually and perfectly ventilated, these pastures
are particularly healthy for sheep : by reason of their not being na-
turally rich, though for the most part easy to work, they are also
better adapted for the alternate husbandry, including turnips, than
they are for meadow, or pasture for heavy beasts : there are, how-
ever, some few parts where either a cap of strong soil left on the
summits, or a greater depth of alluvial soil washed together into
hollows, throws out a pasturage so strong that a cow can obtain a
tolerable bite, and such parts obtain the honourable pre-eminence
of being called cow-leazes. The upper soil of these tracts is usu-
ally, in a principal degree, calcareous, with a greater or less mixture
of siliceous sand, and some portion of argillaceous matter. In some
spots the argil, in some the silex, in some the calcareous matter,
predominates. The natural grasses which generally abound in
these downs are of small bulk, but they are wholesome and palat-
able, particularly to sheep. Where there is a tolerable proportion
of argil, we find the cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), yellow oat-
grass (Avena Jlavescens), crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus),
hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula), smooth-stalked meadow-grass
(Poa pratemis), and perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), most
prevalent, but not to the exclusion of others. Where the siliceous

* See a letter under the signature of" A Surrey Farmer/' in the Farmers' Jour-
nal for March 3, 1823.

336 HORTUS GRAM INK US WOBUIINENSLS.

>sand is most abundant, the meadow fescue (Festuca pralensis),
Welch fescue (Festuca Cambrica), sweet-scented vernal-grass
(Anthoxanthum odoratum), woolly oat-grass (Arena p?ibescens)t
purple fescue-grass (Festuca rubra), early hair-grass (Aim precox),
crested hair-grass (Aira cristata), common bent grass (Agrostis
vulgaris), upright bent-grass (Agrostis stricta), bundled-leaved
bent (Agrostis fascicularis), common quaking-grass (Briza media},
and flat-stalked meadow-grass (Poa compressa), are most prevalent.
Where the calcareous matter predominates, we find, in the greatest
abundance, sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), meadow-oat-grass
(Avena pratensis), upright brome-grass (Bromus erectns), pinnate
brome (Bromus pinnatus), knee-jointed meadow cat's-tail (Phleum
nodosum), and (Phleum pratense), varietas minor. Unless there be
in the soil some proportion of argil, neither the Avena flavescem,
Dactylis glomerata, nor Cynosurus cristatus, will grow. Mixed
with the preceding natural grasses, over these downs, are to be
found some species of scabiosa, orchis, carex, trifoHum, plantago,
lotus, ornithopus, poterium, anthyUis, hedysarum, medicago, campa-
nula, and hieracium. Mr. Taunton expresses little doubt that in
a sandy chalk down, with a tolerable depth of soil, and with
such a proportion of argil as not to starve the cock's-foot, the
union of cock's-foot, meadow-fescue, narrow-leaved brome-grass,
yellow oat-grass, upright brome-grass, barley-like fescue, common
quaking-grass, downy oat-grass, and meadow oat-grass, would
afford a permanent crop of a ton of hay per acre, per annum.

Of the different grasses natural to dry siliceous sandy soils that
have been submitted to experiment, and mentioned in the foregoing
series, the sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), flexuose hair-grass (Aim
Jlexuosa), long-awned sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina hordeiformis),
common bent-grass (Agrostis vulgaris), flat-stalked meadow-grass
(Poa compressa), and common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus cornicu-
latus), prove to be the best. For dry calcareous soils, on chalky
subsoils, the meadow oat-grass (Avena pratensis), upright flat-
stalked meadow-grass (Poa compressa), crested brome-grass (Bro-
mus cristatus), will be found the most valuable, if no alteration
be made in the nature of the soil.

It has already been observed, that the value of these grasses,
even when cultivated in the best manner, are only adapted for the
maintenance of sheep ; and to introduce the superior pasture
grasses on such soils, the previous application of clay or marl
is absolutely necessary. When this important point has been

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 337

effected, to obtain the most valuable sward the soil is capable of
producing, the seeds of the following grasses should be sown ;
and experience will prove, that under such circumstances, they
are the best for this purpose.

Barley-like sheep's-fescue (Festuea ovina hordeiformis) - 3 pecks.
Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomerata) - 3

Crested dog's-tail grass (Cynomrus cristatus) - - 1

Yellow oat-grass (Avenajiavescens) - - - 2

Rye-grass (Lolium pererme) - 1

Flat-stalked meadow-grass (Poa compressd) - - 1

Various-leaved fescue (Festuea heterophylla) - 1 \

Hard fescue (Festuea duriuscula)

Lesser bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) - - 1 Ib.

White clover (Trifolium repens)

From a variety of experiments that I have made on a small
scale, with a view to ascertain the quantity of seed that would
produce the best sward in the shortest space of time, I feel con-
vinced, that any quantity less than four or five bushels per acre of
the above mixture should not be used under the circumstances of
soil now described.

Barley proves always less injurious to the grasses, when sown
with them, than any other of the white grain crops*. The nutri-
tive matter of barley contains more sugar and proportionally less
gluten or albumen, than any other species of corn.

The defect of sandy soils in germinating seeds is clearly owing
to the sudden deprivation of moisture which they suffer when a
course of dry weather commences just before, after, or at the time
the seed begins to vegetate. For when sandy dry soils are duly
supplied with moisture, seeds sown on such, sooner vegetate than
on any other kind of soil, whether of a richer or more tenacious
nature.

The manner of growth of tares offers a remedy for the defect of
white grain, or upright growing crops. The stems of tares spread
out and shade the surface of the soil from the effects of the sun.
But, unless tares are sown very thin, they will be found to destroy
the seedling grasses, by excluding the air. In every instance,
however, where the seeds of annuals are sown with the perennial
grass-seeds, it should be remembered, that every plant of these
occupies a space, to the detriment of the expected sward ; and the

338 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

results of all my experiments perfectly agree in confirming the
opinion, that for permanent pasture, the grasses sown should be
free from any admixture of annual, or white grain crops.

The results of all the experiments on light sandy soils, tend to
confirm the opinion before expressed at page 95/ respecting the
superiority of depasturing or mowing seedling grasses the first
year. Oxen are liable to poach the surface ; and horses and sheep
weaken the seedling plants, by cropping too near the roots.
Sheep are evidently the least hurtful. By frequently rolling the
surface, and mowing the produce, the young plants establish
themselves better in the ground, and all of the plants raised are
preserved ; but by leaving the plants to perfect their seed the first
year, and excluding cattle, the young plants are deprived of the
benefit of the manure supplied by the sheep, which, at this stage
of the growth of seedling grasses, is more particularly valuable on
a soil of this nature, than on rich ancient pasture land ; as the
roller, when used judiciously, presses the droppings into the sur-
face of the ground, and brings the manure in contact with the
fibrous roots of the plants. It is evident, however, that all the
benefits accruing to the plants from depasturing the first year,
may be supplied by a top-dressing in the autumn or spring, and a
liberal use of the roller, when the ground is in a suitable state to
benefit by it. But suffering the seedling plants to perfect their
seed before the crop is collected, is doubtless not the best
practice : in all my experiments, the results were decidedly in
favour of this opinion. Atop-dressing should never be applied
without sowing some of the seeds along with it ; once sowing will
never be found efficient to form the most valuable sward in the
shortest space of time, on a light dry sandy soil.

Should the mode of depasturing, instead of mowing the first
year's crop, be still preferred in any case, I may be permitted
once more to remark, that nothing weakens or retards the growth
of grasses so much, as cropping them close at the time their first
tender shoots appear in the spring. From various trials it ap-
peared, that close cropping the produce of this soil early in the
spring, and late in autumn, was much less injurious to its old
sward than to seedling grasses. When a given space of the
same species of grass was cut close to the roots towards the end
of March, and another space left uncropped till the last week in
April, the produce of each space being afterwards taken at three
different cuttings, the produce of the space that was left un-

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 339

cropped till the latter end of April, exceeded that of the early
cropped space, in the proportion of 3 to 2; in one instance,
during a dry summer, the last cropped space afforded a produce
superior to that of the early cropped space, as 2 to 1. In all
these trials, the produce of the early space consisted of four crops,
and that of the later three. It appears, therefore, that no stock
should be admitted to seedling grasses, till after the time of their
coming into flower.

SECTION IV.

Of the Grasses which naturally grow in Moist Soils, or in Bogs,
Lands that are periodically overflozvn, and Irrigated Meadows.

ALL the superior pasture grasses will thrive under irrigation, pro-
vided the water-meadow be properly constructed, that is, if the
water be placed perfectly under command, so as to be admitted on
the land, and carried off from it at pleasure.

Bogs and lands that are periodically overflown, on which the
water stagnates from the want of drains, support few grasses of
any value to the Agriculturist. They are principally the following :
— Marsh-bent (Agrostis palustris), awnless brown-bent (Agrostis
canina vel Trichodium caninum, var. muticd), awned creeping-bent
(Agrostis stolonifera aristata), smaller-leaved creeping-bent (Agros-
tis stolonifera angustifolia), creeping-rooted bent (Agrostis repens),
white bent (Agrostis alba), flote fescue (Glyceria fluitans), tall
fescue (Festuca elatior), turfy hair-grass (Aira caspitosa), knee-
jointed foxtail-grass (Alopecurus geniculatus), water hair-grass
(Aira aguatica), water meadow-grass (Poa aquatica), long-leaved
cotton-grass (Eriophorum polystachion), sheathed cotton-grass
(Eriophorum vaginatum).

The above grasses, however, constitute but a small portion of
the produce of marshy ground. The following plants compose the
bulk of produce: — Different species of rushes (Juncus), sedges
(Carex), rush-grasses (Sch&nus), club-rushes (Cyperus), cat's-tail
rushes (Typha), bur-weeds (Sparganium). Of all these plants, as
far as my observations have extended, two or three species of
Juncus only are eaten by cattle. Mr. Taunton indeed says, that
he has observed cattle crop some of the species of Carex. The
natural or proper grasses produced on these stagnant lands, are of
a very inferior value. The water meadow-grass seems the most
valuable, as will appear by the following details of experiments
made upon them.

To the indigenous grasses natural to marshy and sour clayey
lands, mentioned in the following series of specimens, I have
added such foreign grasses as may be classed with them.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S. 341

AGROSTIS canina, var. mutica. Awnless Variety of Brown-
bent.

Trichodiuni caninum muticum. (Schrader.) Creeping-stalked

brown-bent. Hort. Gram. Fol. 227.
Specific character: Panicle branches subdivided, roughish ;

corolla of one husk awnless.

Obs. — In the Flora Germanica this grass is made a variety of
the Agrostis canina of Dr. Smith. " Trichodium caninum, var.
floribus omnibus mutkis" Flo. Ger. 198. It differs but little
from the Agrostis nivea, except in the want of the awns and
the length of the culms. The structure varies almost imper-
ceptibly in the Agrostis canina, Agrostis nivea, and in this
species. The like gradual shades of difference may be per-
ceived in the colour of the plants : the canina is of a brownish
green colour; this awnless variety is of a pale green; the
nii-ea of a greenish straw colour. The knots or bundles of
leaves attached to the decumbent shoots, shew it to be con-
nected with the Agrostis canina fascicularis.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 22 0 7 -^^ Q Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 35 Of 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3947 10 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137 -.^ *.* ~
The produce of the space, ditto 323

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre - 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 34 0 7 ofinQ K 4.
The produce of the space, ditto - 61 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3521 4 12
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227 030 4 «
The produce of the space, ditto - 5 2j 3

It will have been remarked, from the perusal of the foregoing
statements, that the stoloniferous grasses afford more nutritive
matter at the time, and after the seed is ripe, than at the time of
flowering. The decumbent stems, or runners, of this grass,
furnished with tufts of leaves at the joints, illustrate, in some

342 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

measure, the meaning of the term stoloniferous. Sir Humphry
Davy says, that the concrete sap stored up in the joints of these
grasses renders them a good food, even in winter. The weight of
nutritive matter contained in this grass, at the time the seed is
ripe, is superior to that afforded at the time it is in flower, in the
proportion of 7 to 10.

It is the most common grass on deep bogs, even where they are
subject to be under water for six months in the year. It is a
diminutive plant, very unlike the produce of such soils ; the leaves
seldom attain to more than two or three inches in length. Hares
crop the foliage in the spring. The smallness of the produce,
even when cultivated under the most favourable circumstances,
affords a sufficient proof of its unworthiness to be regarded by the
Farmer, in any other light than that of a weed which indicates a
soil capable of being improved, so as to produce the most valuable
grasses by artificial irrigation. It may be propagated to any ex-
tent by seeds, or by planting the stolones, or decumbent-rooting
shoots.

Flowers in the second and third weeks of July, and ripens the
seed about the middle of August.

AGROSTIS alba. White Bent.

Specific character : Panicle spreading, meagre, branches rough-
ish; culms decumbent; root creeping. — Fig. 1. Floret, mag.
2. Inner husks and germen. Hort. Gram. Fol. 229.
Obs. — Culms ascending at the base, afterwards bent down ;
panicle, when in flower, widely spreading ; branches rough,
slender ; leaves rough ; outer valve of the calyx serrulated
from the middle to the top ; inner valve with a few minute
serrulatures towards the top ; corolla awnless. It is distin-
guished at first sight from the Agrostis repens, Agrostis stolo-
nifera, and its varieties, and from the Agrostis palustris, by its
decumbent culms and thin meagre panicle. The Flora Ger-
manica includes under this name five varieties. The present
plant agrees with the Agrostis vulgaris in having one valve of
the corolla only serrulated, smooth, and without any rudiment
of an awn. This is a common variety of the Agrostis alba on
poor wet clayey soils ; that figured in the English Botany is
much larger in every respect. E. Bot. 1189.
The powerful creeping root of the Agrostis alba (not the A. alba
of Linnaeus, but of Withering), compared to the fibrous root and

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 343

rooting stoloniferous shoots of the Agrostis stolonifera, and its
varieties, palustris, aristata, latifolia, angustifolia, and nemoralis,
are characters which have remained permanent after the test of
reproduction from seed, on different soils, has been repeated on
these grasses for many years, with every possible care.

The creeping root and meagre produce of the Agrostis alba, and
the fibrous root and comparatively great produce of the A. stolo-
nifera, are agricultural characters of distinction of the highest im-
portance ; and although the writer of this perfectly agrees in the
opinion that the essential botanical characters of distinction
afforded by these grasses are insufficient to constitute them dis-
tinct species, yet the very opposite external habits and agricul-
tural merits of these grasses, and which have been fully proved to
be permanent, induce me, but with the greatest deference, to
retain those names of these grasses nearly the same as they are
given in the original of these pages. That our Agrostis stolonifera
is the A. alba of Linnaeus, is clearly proved by Sir James Edward
Smith in his English Flora. The error seems to have originated
in Withering, and from that authority propagated with ready
facility among practical men; for the term stolonifera being so
appropriate a name to that grass, while the term alba, on the other
hand, seemed equally unappropriate, as conveying the idea of a
property existing in the plant no-where apparent, but when applied
to the creeping-rooted agrostis, as described by Withering and
others, under the name of alba, might very properly allude to the
white creeping roots of that species.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey soil is —

Produce per Acre,

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 2471 3 0
The produce of the space, ditto 81 Of 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4696 5 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 005^ ^19
The produce of the space, ditto - 603

This grass is late, unproductive, and contains but little nutritive
matter. Its creeping roots greatly exhaust the soil ; in this variety
they are smaller than in the other varieties, but equally difficult
to extirpate when once in possession of tenacious clays. The next

344 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

following species (Agrostis repens), is more troublesome as a weed,
though less productive. Neither of these plants produces stolones
or runners, like the varieties of the Agrostis stolonifera ; sometimes,
indeed, a few slender runners are found, but they seldom strike
root at the joints. The creeping roots abundantly supply this
defect in the plant for its propagation, as they creep under the
surface, and send up at intervals numerous young shoots. This
property of the roots is the best character of distinction for the
purpose of the Agriculturist, as it may be found at any season or
stage of growth of the plant.

Flowers in the first week of August, and the seed is ripe about
the beginning of September.

AGROSTIS repens. Creeping-rooted Bent, White Bent.

Agrostis nigra. (Withering). Black Couch-grass.

Agrostis alba. (E. Bot. 1189?).

Specific character : Panicle scattered ; branches bare at the base ;
florets few ; calyx inner valve smooth ; root creeping. Hort,
Gram. Fol. 231.

Obs. — Culms upright, not numerous ; leaves slender, generally
shrivelled ; panicle large, widely spreading when in flower ;
florets thinly scattered ; branches of the panicle naked near
their union with the main stem. Root strongly creeping.
This comes very near to the Agrostis alba of the English
Botany. The difference between this and the preceding grass
is, perhaps, too little to constitute them distinct species ; the
culms of the former are decumbent ; in this grass they are
upright, and the root is more powerfully creeping. It is later
in coming into flower and in perfecting its seed.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 9 oz. The produce per acre 6125 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 7 0579 15 6
The produce of the space, ditto 63 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3445 10 10

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307 007 o Q
The produce of the space, ditto 633

Though a later growing grass, it is less productive than the

Agrostis StolonifexaATistata

^ n t*l fa C ^JfiJJnM.auB^.T.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 345

preceding. It is subject to the rust, and a peculiar disease which
dries up the extremities of the leaves, and gives it an unsightly-
appearance. Simple ploughing will be found ineffectual to root
out this weed in clayey soils. It will be found ultimately the
cheapest and most expeditious mode of extirpating it to follow
the plough and fork out the roots. Burning, under such circum-
stances of soil, would doubtless be highly beneficial, but the roots
of this couch-grass penetrate so deep that a considerable part of
them would escape ; and the least particle of the root soon pro-
duces a plant.

Flowers in the second week of August, and the seed is ripe
about the latter end of September.

AGROSTIS stolomfera aristata. Awned Creeping Bent.

far. 2. Corolla awned ; awn long, and knee-bent at the top of
the blossom, fixed below the middle of the back of the larger
valve; branches of the panicle very rough. — Fig. 1. Calyx.
2. Corolla.

Obs. — The first knowledge I had of this variety was from
the Duke of Bedford, who pointed it out on Priesley Moor.
I have since found it common on peaty moors. It can
scarcely be distinguished from the Agr. stolomfera latifolia
without examining it in the hand. The runners or stolones
extend to a great length ; they are of a brighter reddish
colour than those of the lat-ifolia, and every part of the plant
is rougher. From these few marks of distinction this variety
may have been overlooked, as I find no mention made of it in
the botanical works to which I have had access. It is allied
to the Agrostis canina or awned var. Agr. vulgaris of Dr. Smith,
but differs in the form of the panicle, which is more acumi-
nated ; calyx more acuminate ; awn one-third longer, and
bent the contrary way, i. e. towards the blossom ; branches
rougher ; culms producing stolones. Hort. Gram. Fol. 233.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

bog soil is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 13 oz. The produce per acre - 8848 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 38 0 7 4010 12 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 98 0£ 3

346 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4637 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 80 gr. ) r™ IQ ^
The produce of the space, ditto - 260 3

About the beginning of December, the produce

from the same soil is —
Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre 10209 6 0

dr. qr.

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 V 45Q4 3 g

The produce of the space, ditto - 108 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5615 2 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 231 430 in
The produce of the space, ditto 10 1^3

The weight of nutritive matter in which the crop taken in De-
cember exceeds that of the crop when the grass is in flower, in
the proportion nearly of 10 to 13, is 701bs.

This variety of creeping bent is therefore greatly inferior to the
larger-leaved variety (dgrostis stolonifera iatrfolia), or florin ; for
the weight of nutritive matter per acre afforded by the latifolia is
two-thirds greater than that of the awned variety. Cattle appear
to eat this grass in common with the rough-stalked meadow-grass
and meadow foxtail-grass.

It flowers about a week later than the florin, but the seed is
ripe about the same time.

AGROSTIS stolonifera angustifolia* Smaller-leaved Creeping
Bent.

Var. 3. — Panicle densely crowded with florets; florets small ;
inner valve of the calyx smooth, outer serrulated ; corolla
without any rudiment of an awn. Fig. 1. Floret magnified.
2. Corolla.

Obs. — This is the most common variety of the creeping bent
on damp tenacious clayey soils, and in moist woods. It may
readily be distinguished from the other varieties by its small,
oblong, crowded panicle of a whitish colour. The stolones are
closely pressed to the ground, and are almost covered by the
leaves, which are more numerous and shorter than in any of
the other varieties of this grass. The joints are small, of a
slight brown colour. Hort. Gram. Fol. 235.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

V

f //

;\ ^r ost i s ft t olomfe r 1 ATL£U stifoli a, j^/^t

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 347

Experiments. — At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from

a bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 24 oz. The produce per acre - 16335 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7 7350 \% Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 172 3| 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 8984 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 30) y~r «-. ,.
The produce of the space, ditto 18 03

At the beginning of December, the produce

from the same soil was —

Grass, 25 oz. The produce per acre - 17015 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7 0507 g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 200 0 5
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 8507 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 327 QOQ n Q
The produce of the space, ditto 21 3^ 3

The weight of nutritive matter afforded by the produce of one

acre of the larger-leaved variety of florin, exceeds that of the

present variety in the proportion of 4 to 3.

The value of the lesser variety does not increase, after the time

the seed is ripe, in the same proportion as in the larger variety.

Ibs.

The Agrostis stolonifera latifolia, mown in December, af-
forded of nutritive matter - - - - 1435

The Agrostis stolonifera angustifolia, mown at the same time,
afforded only - - 930

Which shews that the value of the variety latifolia exceeds, in
December, that of the angustifolia, in the proportion nearly of
11 to 7.

From the above details it is evident this common variety stands
next in value to the larger-leaved variety of creeping bent. It
appeared, from all the observations I could make on this grass
when growing in natural pastures, to be entirely neglected by
cattle while any of the superior pasture grasses presented a suffi-
ciency for a bite. I have examined pastures, in which this grass
abounds from the beginning of the season till the end, but never
could observe that any part of this variety of creeping bent was
touched by oxen, horses, or sheep ; and the lowest or moister
parts of the pasture, where this grass had exclusive .possession,

348 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

were neglected by the cattle ; the rest of the pasture was eaten
closely. Though the temporary acceptance or rejection of a par-
ticular sort of food by cattle will be found a fallacious criterion
of its merit or comparative value, nevertheless, in instances like
the present, where the plant possesses no superior quality other-
wise to recommend it, as nutritive properties, early growth, and
productive powers, the dislike of cattle to partake of it adds
greatly to the demerits of the plant.

Flowers in the second and third weeks of July, and ripens the
seed about the end of August.

AGROSTIS palustris. Marsh Bent.

Specific character: Panicle loose when in flower, spike-like
when the seed is perfected ; calyx-valves equal, the outer
only serrulated, larger valve of the corolla with a minute
straight awn fixed above its middle, and reaching to its
point, obsolete.

Obs. — It varies much in size, according to the soil on which it
grows. In marshes the panicle is very large, exceeding that
of the fiorin, and «e very other part of the plant in proportion.
In poor clayey soils its growth is much smaller, being there
inferior to the Agrostis stolonifera, var. angustifolia. The
panicle is spear-shaped, but tapers to a point ; after the time
of flowering it contracts very much, and resembles a spike.
The colour of the panicle is lighter than in any other variety
of stoloniferous, or creeping-stemmed bent-grass. This is
considered only a variety of the Agrostis stolonifera; its
characters, however, remain permanent after the plants are
raised from seed, and its properties and structure differ more
from the other varieties of the A. stolonifera before mentioned
than what these do from each other. I have for these rea-
sons retained the name palustris. Hort. Gram. Fol. 237.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,

dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - 10209 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7 ^^ ^ ^
The produce of the space, ditto - 108 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 5615 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237 430 in Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 10 14 5

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 349

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre - - 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 7 ^^ Q Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 128 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 8167 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237 ro^ 14 Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 13 3 5

The weight of nutritive matter, in which the crop
at the time the seed is ripe exceeds that at the
time of flowering, is 146 3 0

The proportional value of the grass of each crop is equal.

This grass is properly a subaquatic. It will grow on tenacious
clays, but it seems only to thrive in very moist soils, or in such as
are for the most part covered with water. In moist woods it is
more frequent than any other of the creeping-stemmed bent
grasses ; here the culms often attain to five feet in height, when
supported by bushes.

The above details shew the inferior nature of this grass, com-
pared to the larger, and even to the lesser-leaved varieties of
the Agrostis stolonifera. It cannot, therefore, as yet be con-
sidered in any other light than a weed that chokes up drains and
underwood.

Flowers about the second week of July, and the seed is ripe
about the middle and towards the end of August.

GLYCERIA. — Generic character: Corolla awnless, cylindrical
furrowed, ribbed abrupt, not keeled ; seed loose, cylindrical
oblong. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 40.

Glyctria fluitans. Floating Sweet-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl. i.
p. 116.

Poa fluitans. E. Bot. ; Flo. Ger. Flote Meadow-grass. Hort.
Gram. Fol. 239.

Festuca fluitans. Host. ; Curtis ; Flo. Dan. Flote Fescue.

German, Fluss-rispengras (mannagras).

Specific character : Panicle oblong, branched, divaricating ;
spikelets close pressed ; florets numerous, obtuse, seven-
ribbed, with short intermediate ribs at the base ; nectary ob-
tuse, tumid. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 116; Host. t. 77, F. fluitans;
E. Bot. 1520, Poa fluitans. ,

350 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Obs. — This grass has sometimes been mistaken for the Agrostis
stolonifera (florin). When in flower there is no difficulty in
distinguishing them, the number of florets in each calyx being
from five to eleven; in florin only one. The leaves are much
broader, flat, and perfectly smooth. By simply drawing the
finger down the leaves of the florin they will be found sensibly
rough to the feel, but those of the floating sweet-grass per-
fectly smooth ; by which means the two grasses may be dis-
tinguished at any stage of growth. The nectary is in the
form of a small heart-shaped gland, placed at the base of the
germ.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

strong tenacious clay is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre - 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 7 4Qoo 19 A
The produce of the space, ditto 96 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 9528 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 137 o-™ o ^
The produce of the space, ditto 833

The above produce was taken from grass that had occupied the
ground four years, during which time it had increased every year;
it therefore appears capable of being cultivated as a permanent
pasture grass, which is contrary to what has been supposed of the
flote fescue. Some writers on the subject of grasses inform us,
that kine and hogs are fond of this grass, and that cows, in the
spring, are frequently enticed into bogs, by endeavouring to get
at the young shoots, which appear earlier than most other grasses.
The result of my observations lead me to believe, that when cattle
eat this grass it is more through wantonness than any particular
relish they have for it. On a bog, where this grass was in much
abundance, black cattle only cropped the extremities of the leaves,
while the foliage of the Agrostis stolonifera aristata, Poa trivialis,
and Alopecurus pratensis, which grew in company with it, were
closely eaten down. Birds are fond of the seeds, and generally
strip the panicle ere the seeds are all perfected. Schreber informs
us, that it is cultivated in several parts of Germany for the sake
of the seeds, which are esteemed a delicacy in soups and gruels.
When ground into meal, they make bread very little inferior to

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 351

that from wheat. The bran is given to horses that have the worms,
but they must be kept from water some hours afterwards. Fish,
particularly trout, are said to be fond of the seeds. The seed will
not vegetate unless kept very moist ; indeed I never could obtain
any plants from the seed except when sown in mud : when raised
in this manner, and transplanted on a tenacious clay, the plants
throve very well, and on the fourth year afforded the produce
above stated.

Flowers from the first or second week of July, till the end of
summer.

AIR A aquatica. Water Hair-grass.

Specific character: Panicle expanding; florets without awns,
smooth, longer than the calyx; husks obtuse. E. Bot. 1557;
Host, v. 2, t. 14; Flo. Dan. t. 381, bad figure; Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 101.

Obs. — Culms seldom more than a foot high, with two or three
joints, never more. The leaves are shorter than those of the
preceding grass (Gtyceria fiuitans), and more rounded at the
point. When in flower they cannot be mistaken for each
other : the hair-grass has only two flowers in each calyx; the
flote sweet-grass from 5 to 11. Hort. Gram. Fol. 241.

German, Wasser-Schmielen.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from mud
covered permanently with running water, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre - - 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 24 0 7 00^7 A A
The produce of the space, ditto - 76 3T3ff 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7623 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 009 10 IA
The produce of the space, ditto 903

This plant is an aquatic, at least I never could preserve it out of
water. It is found naturally growing in the mud of standing
pools, or running waters. It is therefore unfit for cultivation.

Mr. Curtis says that it is the sweetest of the British grasses ;
but there are several species which contain more sugar, in propor-
tion to the other ingredients which compose their nutritive mat-
ter, as the Glyceriajiuitans, Elymus arenarius, Poa nemoralis angus-

352 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

tifolia, Poa aquatica. The seeds vegetate under the like circum-
stances as those of the Glyceriafluitam, already mentioned. Birds
seem less fond of the seeds of this grass than those of the flote
sweet-grass.

Flowers in the second and third weeks of July. Root perennial
and creeping.

AIR A caspitosa. Turfy Hair-grass, Hassock-grass.

Specific character: Panicle spreading; florets about the length
of the calyx, abrupt, hairy at the base; one of them on a hairy
stalk ; awn short, from the bottom of the outer valve ; leaves
flat. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 102.— Fig. 1. A single Floret, mag-
nified. 2. Calyx and included florets.

Obs. — Root fibrous; panicle large, of a fine purple silky ap-
pearance ; root-leaves forming dense tufts, extremely rough ;
the edges so sharp as to cut the finger when passed between
them ; culms from a foot and a half to three feet high ; two,
seldom or never three ; flowers in each calyx ; hairy at the
base, the lowermost one sitting. E. Bot. 1453 ; Host. 2,
t. 43; Flo. Dan. t. 157 ; Moris, s. 8, t. 7, fig. upper; Hort.
Gram. Fol. 242.
German, Rasen-Schielen.

Experiments. — At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a
strong tenacious clay is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre - 10209 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 26 0 7 3010 rv r*

The produce of the space, ditto - 135 0^ 5
The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 6891 5 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 07 OIQ ^ -.1
The produce of the space, ditto 723

The above details prove the innutritious nature of this grass ;
but even if it had greater nutritive powers, the extreme coarseness
of the foliage would render it unfit for cultivation. Cattle some-
times crop the ends of the young leaves, but in all the instances
that have come under my observation, it appeared to be from su-
preme necessity. The only point to be considered here, therefore,
is how to overcome or destroy it on soils where it has got posses-
sion. It delights in moist clayey soils where the water stagnates;

A i r a C a* s p i t o s a

HORTUS GRAM1NEUS WOBURNENSIS.

353

but is found in almost every kind of soil, from the dry sandy heath
to the bog. It forms dense tufts in pastures very disagreeable to
the sight, which are termed hassocks, bulls' faces, &c., by Farmers.
It is a most difficult plant to extirpate when in considerable quan-
tity. Some persons, to get rid of it, dig up the tufts, and fill up
the holes with lime compost : this, no doubt, would answer the
end, at least for a few years, if all the roots were destroyed ; but
this is never the case, — a circle of roots is left which in one or two
seasons produce larger hassocks than before; and besides, when
the hassocks are numerous, the expense attending this process is
considerable. Others depend on occasional mowings to keep the
hassocks under ; but this is productive of little good, particularly
if the mowing of the tufts be deferred till the autumn, which, I
believe, is the common practice. I have found no treatment weaken
or retard the growth of grass so much as cutting it closely before
and soon after the first tender shoots appear in the spring. On the
contrary, when left uncut till the flowers are formed, or the seed
becomes ripe, mowing then encourages the growth of the plant,
and a great increase and activity of the roots ensue. In this pal-
liative remedy, therefore, the principal efforts should be made to
keep the plant close to the roots in the early part of the spring,
and till midsummer.

But the only effectual and most profitable mode of extirpating
this grass is by first paring and burning the surface of the land,
and by making proper drains, to correct, as much as possible, the
tenacious nature of the soil : in this case surface drains are as ne-
cessary as those termed hollow. Sand should likewise be applied
during the course of crops taken previous to returning the land
again to permanent pasture, — if such should be desirable from its
local situation ; as that, for instance, of a park or policy.

Flowers about the third week of July, and the seed is ripe
towards the end of August.

JLOPECURUS geniculatus. Knee-jointed Foxtail-grass.
Specific character : Culms ascending, bent at the joints ; panicle
spike-like, cylindrical, obtuse ; husks of the calyx united at
the base, obtuse, somewhat woolly ; apex of the corolla mi-
nutely notched. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 82.

Obs. — There are two varieties of this species of foxtail-grass;
the present, which is by far the most common, is distinguished
from the other by its fibrous root and greater size ; the less

A A

354 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

common variety has a bulbous root. The Alopecurus bulbo-
sus may be distinguished from the bulbous-rooted variety of
the knee-jointed species by its upright culms, which want the
knee-jointed form so conspicuous in the culms of the former.
The anthers are at first of a purple colour, but afterwards
become ferruginous. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. ; E. Bot. 1250;
Wither, ii. p. 120; Flo. Rust. t. 97 ; Host. t. 32; Curt. Lond.
t. 57 ; Hort. Gram. Fol. 245.

German, Gegliedeter-Fuchsschwanz.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

rich moist alluvial soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 7 OQOO in 0
The produce of the space, ditto 68 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3913 10 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237 090 7 n
The produce of the space, ditto 6 3J 3

This produce may be considered the greatest that this grass is
capable of affording under ordinary circumstances; for the produce
from clayey, sandy, and peaty soils was, in each instance, inferior
to the %bove. In an open drain, in a rich water-meadow, where
this grass appeared to have attained the highest degree of luxu-
riance, some of the shoots measuring two feet and a half in length,
the weight of produce was but 14 oz. ; on drier ground in the same
meadow it weighed only 5 oz. It grows common in surface-
drains, and at the entrance of cattle-ponds, particularly where the
soil is clayey. It does not appear to be eaten with much relish
by either cows, horses, or sheep. Its nutritive powers are not
considerable, and its sub-aquatic natural place of growth excludes
any recommendation of it for cultivation.

Flowers in the first week of June, and during the summer.

GLYCERIA aquatica. Reedy Sweet-Grass.

Poa aquatica. Water Meadow-Grass. Hort. Gram. Fol. 246.

Specific character : Panicle erect, repeatedly branched, spread-
ing ; florets numerous, obtuse, with seven ribs ; nectary
cloven, acute. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 1J6. — Fig. 1. Spikelet of
flowers, magnified. 2. The Germen.

o a A.<ju«tti c a

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 355

Obs. — The creeping roots terminate in jointed culms; fibrous
roots numerous. Culms very high, from three to six feet.
Leaves straight, broad, smooth on every part except the
edges and keel; sheaths a little compressed, striated, smooth ;
scales short, obtuse. Panicle very large, upright ; branches
pressed towards the main stalk before and after flowering.
* German, Wasser-Rispengras.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
strong tenacious clay is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 186 oz. The produce per acre - - 126596 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 48 0 7 ycnra 19 A

The produce of the space, ditto - 1785 2^ 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 50638 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2 ^ 404^ 9 o
The produce of the space, ditto - 116 1 3
At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 180 oz. The produce per acre - 122512 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry " - 40 0 7 Q^d6 4 0
The produce of the space, ditto -1440 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 61256 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 70 gr. 7 44«« q n
The produce of the space, ditto - 3150 3
The weight of nutritive matter which is lost by

leaving the crop till the seed be ripe, is 478 9 0

At the time of flowering, therefore, the produce contains more
nutritive matter than at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion
of 19 to 17.

This grass is common on the banks of rivers, and frequent on
the margin of standing pools. On the banks and little islands of
the Thames, where it is generally mown twice in the year for hay,
it affords abundant crops of valuable winter fodder. Mr. Curtis
informs us, that in flat countries, which do not admit of being
sufficiently drained, it is almost the only grass for hay and pas-
turage. In the fens of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, &c. immense
tracts that used to be overflowed and produce useless aquatic
plants, and still retain much moisture, though drained by mills,
are covered with this grass : which not only affords rich pasturage

356 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

is summer, but forms the chief part of their winter fodder. Its
powerful creeping roots make i't a dangerous and troublesome
plant in ditches, where, with other aquatic plants, it soon chokes
them up. In the Isle of Ely they cleanse the ditches of these
weeds by an instrument called a bear ; which is an iron roller,
with a number of pieces of iron, like small spades, fixed in it.
This is drawn up and down the river by horses walking along the
bank, and tears up the plants by the roots, which float, and are
carried down the stream. In the Bath Agricultural Papers, the
water meadow-grass, we are informed, " in its native soil, the fens
of the Isle of Ely, grows to the height of six feet. It is usually
cut when about four feet high ; when dry they bind it in sheaves;
it generally undergoes a heat in the rick, which improves it. It
is excellent fodder for milch-cows ; horses are not fond of it.
The inhabitants there call it fodder, by way of eminence, other
kinds of coarse hay being, called stover, i. e. coarse stuff. It is
also called white lead, drying of a white colour."

The nutritive matter of this grass contains a greater proportion
of sugar than exists in any of the superior pasture grasses. I
offered a bundle of the grass to a horse that was grazing on a field
of white clover ; the animal ate it with seeming relish, taking a
bite of the clover, and then another of the Poa aquatica, alter-
nately, till the whole of it was consumed. It does not grow freely
from seed, .except when sown in mud. The best manner of pro-
pagating it, according to my experience, is by planting the roots,
which, from their creeping nature, soon increase the number of
plants. The best season for sowing the seeds is in the autumn,
as soon as they are ripe. The roots may be planted in the
autumn, or spring, with equal success. The Rev. Bartholomew
Dacre, of Moseley, has made several experiments on this grass ;
and the results prove, that it may be cultivated on more elevated
situations than has been supposed, and that propagating it by
planting the roots is the best mode.

Flowers about the second and third weeks of July, and the seed
is ripe about the second week of August.

ER IOPH OR UM angust ifolium. Long-leaved Cotton-grass.
Specific character : Culms almost three-cornered ; leaves chan-
nelled, three-sided ; fruit-stalks smooth. E. Bot. 564 ; Flo.
Germ.
Obs. — There are three species of cotton-grass, which greatly

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 357

resemble each other: the E. triquetrum, E. angustifolium,
and E. polystachion. The E. angustifolium, (the species now
under consideration,) differs from the triquetrum in having
a thicker and more succulent culm ; the leaves longer and
broader, with only one nerve of a reddish colour ; and the
fruit-stalks are smooth. It is distinguished from the poly-
stachion by its creeping roots ; leaves twice the length ; in-
volucre and sheaths smooth, spikelets smaller; fruit-stalks
shorter ; and the woolly hairs every where longer. Hort.
Gram. Fol. 249.

German, Schmalbattriges- Wollgras.
Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the. produce from a
bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 12 oz. The produce per acre 8167 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 7 ^^ ^ Q
The produce of the space, ditto 96 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4083 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227 319 o 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 723

On bogs and moors where this grass abounds, cattle crop the
leaves in the spring ; but as soon as the finer kinds of grasses
afford them a bite, they neglect it. There are many grasses of
superior value, that succeed equally well on this kind of soil.
When such lands are capable of being drained (which is generally
the case), it should be effected, and the soil will then carry the
superior grasses, as the meadow-fescue, cock's-foot grass, meadow
cat's-tail grass, meadow foxtail-grass, rough-stalked meadow-
grass, &c. Where draining cannot be economically practised,
the surface should be pared and burnt, and afterwards planted
with florin (Agrostis stolonifera, var. latifolia) ; or with the water
meadow-grass, (Poa aquatica). If the soil be not too wet for the
former, or too peaty for the latter, the produce will be found
amply to reward the labour of preparing and planting the soil.
Mr. Pennant says, that about April, in the Isle of Skye, the
farmers turn their cattle during the daytime to this grass, which
springs first, and at night drive them into dry ground again.

In Germany, Professor Martyn informs us, and in the more

358 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

northern parts of Europe, the down has been manufactured into
various articles of dress, paper, and wicks for candles. In some
parts of Sweden, the peasants stuff their pillows with it, whence
it is called " poor man's pillow ;" but it becomes brittle when dry.
Neither the productive or nutritive powers of this grass appear,
from the above details, sufficiently great to recommend it for cul-
tivation. Though it comes into flower m June, it is late in the
spring before the foliage attains to any length.

ERIOPHORUM vaginatum. Hare's-tail, or Sheathed Cotton-
grass.

Specific character : Culms obscurely three-cornered, sheathed ;
spike oval-oblong.

Obs. — Culnis erect, smooth, with three or four joints, roundish
below, three-cornered above, from six to twelve inches in
height. Root-leaves sharp-pointed, streaked on two sides,
convex on one side, flat on two sides. Stem-leaves less
sharp, upper one with a remarkable inflated sheath. It pro-
duces only one spike, which is upright. E. Bot. 873 ; Host. i.
t. 39. E. caspitosum ; Linn.; Curt.; Schrader ; Hort. Gram.
Fol. 251.

German, Rosen- Wollgras.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

bog soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre - 6806 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 46 0 7 ^^ ^ ~
The produce of the space, ditto 92 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 2892 1 1 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 ^jo 11 0
The produce of the space, ditto 503

The produce and nutritive properties of this grass appear, from
the above details, to be very inferior to the preceding species of
cotton-grass. The chief property that would give value to it, if
its productive powers were greater, is its early growth, being one
of the earliest of the British grasses, flowering in April. The
foliage is equally early, growing in proportion with the flowering
culms ; but its produce of latter-math is very inconsiderable. It
is more frequent on moors of a drier nature, than moist bogs,

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

359

though it is to be met with on most of them. Sheep are said to
be very fond of this grass, but as far as I have had opportunity
to observe, they only crop the foliage in the spring, till the finer
natural grasses afford them a bite. It offers, therefore, no parti-
cular merit to warrant a recommendation for the purposes of the
Agriculturist.

It flowers about the third week of April, and the seed is ripe
about the third week of May.

PHALARIS arundinacem.
Fl. i. p. 74.

Reed Canary-grass. Sm. Engl.

Arundo colorata. Hort Kew. i. p. 174. Striped Reed Canary-
grass. Hort. Gram. Fol. 253.

Phalaris arundinacea. E. Bot. t. 402 ; Host. 2, t. 33. Reed
Canary-grass.

Calamagrostis variegata. Wither. Arr. ii. p. 124. Ladies'-
traces, Painted Lady-grass, Gardeners'-garters.

Specific character : Panicle upright, with spreading branches ;
flowers crowded, unilateral; outer corolla of two bearded
valves. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 74.

Obs. — Root creeping, jointed ; culms from two to six feet in
height ; leaves harsh, flat, taper-pointed, striated ; stipula
short, bluntish, decurrent ; valves of the calyx with two ribs
on each side, not much larger than the corolla, hairy at the
edges, and furnished with a small, slender, hairy appendage
on each side ; the outer valve not rolled in ; nectaries two,
lanceolate-acuminate, with one tooth on the outer edge ;
seed oval, flatted, and shining. Hort. Gram. Fol. 253.

German, Rohrblattriges Glanzgras.

Native of Britain. Perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
black sandy loam incumbent on clay is —

Produce per Acre.

dr. qr.

0

Ibs.
27225 0

12251 4

Grass, 40 oz. The produce per acre

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 36

The produce of the space, ditto - 288

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 14973 12

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 0 ") ,«Q, g

The produce of the space, ditto - 40 0 3

360 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

From a strong tenacious clay, the produce is —
Grass, 50 oz. The produce per acre 34031 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 7 irrni^ o Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 400 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 17015 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 407 0126 15 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 50 0 5

From these details of experiments, it appears that the striped
reed canary-grass is much more productive on a tenacious clayey
soil than on a rich sandy loam. The superior nutritive powers
which this grass possesses, recommends it to the notice of occu-
piers of tenacious clayey soils. The foliage cannot be considered
coarse, when compared to other grasses which afford a produce
equal in quantity. Dry straw is a much coarser food than the
hay made from this grass. The Festuca elatior grows as luxu-
riantly, and affects a similar soil, though of a nature less reten-
tive. It being greatly superior to the Arundo colorata in early
growth, nutritive qualities, and in the produce of latter-math,
should be preferred before it, to cultivate on tenacious clays that
are less fitted for the production of superior grasses. The objec-
tion, as to the coarse nature of the produce of these grasses,
might be obviated by reducing the hay to chaff. Their nutritive
powers are equal to those of the superior grasses, and their pro-
duce in quantity superior. The striped reed canary-grass has
not yet been found in a wild state. It is cultivated in gardens,
for the beauty of its striped leaves. The common wild variety,
which grows by the sides of rivers and standing pools, wants this
distinguishing feature. It grows to a greater height than the
striped-leaved variety, and does not appear to be eaten by cattle ;
but birds are fond of the seeds. There are striped-leaved varieties
of the Agrostis alba, and Dactylis glomerata, in the Woburn col-
lection of grasses, which, for the strength and beauty of the tints
in the leaves, are equal, if not superior, to those of the striped-
leaved reed-grass.

It comes into flower about the first and second weeks of July,
and the seed ripens about the middle of August.

f e stuc a, £ latior T er ii I is

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 361

FESTUCA elalior, var. sterilis. Barren-seeded Tall Fescue.

Specific character : Panicle directed on one side, upright ; spike-
lets mostly awned, the outer one cylindric. Hort. Gram.
Fol. 255.

Obs. — It greatly resembles the Festuca pratensis. It is larger
in every respect ; flowers eight or ten days later. The panicle
of the pratensis is upright at first, afterwards drooping; while
the panicle of the elatior is drooping at first, and afterwards
upright : spikelets of a green and purple colour, cylindric,
generally awned ; leaves rougher and less pointed than those
of the Festuca pratensis.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, fibrous. E. Bot. 1593 ;
Curt. Lond. 6, t. 7 ; Flo. Ger. Bromus littoreus.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

black rich loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 75 oz. The produce per acre 51046 14 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 7 i oogg g o

The produce of the space, ditto - 420 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 33180 7 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 50^ sqftft n 9
The produce of the space, ditto 93 3 $

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 75 oz. The produce per acre - - 51046 4 0
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 7 ]7««fi g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 420 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3317913 8
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 307 0309 13 9
The produce of the space, ditto - 56 1 3

The proportional value in which the grass of the

flowering crop exceeds that at the time the seed

is ripe, is as 5 to 3.

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 23 oz. The produce per acre - - 15654 -6 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 4 0 - 978 6 6

The grass, at the time of flowering, affords more nutritive matter
than that of the latter-math, in the proportion of 5 to 4 ; but the
grass of the latter-math contains more nutritive matter than that
at the time the seed is ripe, in the proportion of 4 to 3.

362 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The superior value of the grass of the latter-math, compared to
that at the time the seed is ripe, is manifested by the different
appearance of the grass at these stages of growth. When the
seed is ripe the culms are withered and dry ; the latter-math con-
sists of fine green succulent foliage.

The produce from a tenacious clay is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 70 oz. The produce per acre 47643 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5 0 3722 2 0

A tenacious clay is, therefore, best fitted for the production of
this grass ; as, notwithstanding the plentiful supply of manure,
the produce from the loam which had the advantages of it scarcely
exceeds that from the clay. I know of no grass of this class
adapted for clays that holds out such fair promises to repay the
Farmer. " The garden, farm, and cottage system, for bettering
the moral condition of the labouring classes of society," which
has been planned, and is now carrying into execution, by that
eminent and benevolent individual, William Allen, Esq., would
derive benefit by adopting the culture of this and several other
highly productive grasses, in such moist spots of the soil as are
peculiarly fitted for the growth of these species, and less fitted for
the growth of proper pasture grasses. It is one of the earliest
grasses, with regard to the production of foliage early in the
spring. It is nutritive, and very productive. It is true, the pro-
duce may be denominated coarse when compared to the Festuca
pratensis, Alopecurus pratensis, and other of the superior grasses ;
but where is a grass to be found that produces a great weight of
crop that is not in some degree coarse? This objection, how-
ever, as before observed, may be overcome by reducing the hay to
chaff and mixing it with clover-hay. The nutritive matter con-
tains but little bitter extractive or saline matter, whereas the
clover contains an excess. It does not perfect much good seed,
and can only therefore be propagated by parting and planting the
roots.

The next following is a grass which I believe to be a variety of
Festuca elatior, It ripens an abundance of seed, and appears in
most respects equal to that variety in agricultural merits.

The present variety flowers in the second week of July ; the
seed is universally, according to all my observations, affected with
the disease termed clavus, and consequently unfertile.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 363

FESTUCA elatior, var. fertilis. Fertile-seeded Tall Fescue.

Obs. — Differs from the common variety of tall fescue, in having
the panicle somewhat drooping ; spikelets six-flowered, more
ovate and flat ; the larger husk of the calyx often awned, and
the awn is fixed on the apex more in the manner of that of a
bromus than a fescue. Leaves smoother, and of a less dark
green colour. I found this grass last summer on a moist part
of a field belonging to Mr. Westcar, at Creslew, Bucks,
growing in company with the barren-seeded variety. Hort.
Gram. Fl. 257.— Fig. 1. Spikelet, magnified. 2. Corolla.
3. Germen, Styles, and Nectary.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
black sandy loam, incumbent on clay, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 80 oz. The produce per acre - 54450 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 ) 23821 14 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 560 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 30628 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 507 ^53 14 Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 100 0 3

This grass, which is nearly allied to the common Festuca elatior,
perfects an abundance of seed, though not entirely free from dis-
eased portions, and is therefore not liable to the objection which
takes so much from the value of that variety. It is equally early
in the produce of foliage, and flowers earlier than the barren tall
fescue by eight or ten days ; the produce is equally nutritive. For
damp soils that cannot conveniently be made sufficiently dry by
drains, this would be a most valuable plant, either to be cut for
soiling or made into hay, and reduced to chaff as it might be
wanted. I have never seen this plant in a wild state ; it was first
discovered here in the Grass Garden, seemingly introduced by
accident. W. P. Taunton, Esq., of London, was kind enough to
send me some seeds of a grass which he found growing on a bas-
tard fuller's-earth soil in considerable plenty, in the parish of Kil-
mersdon, Somerset. I believe this to be the same grass.

Mr. Taunton, who has paid much attention to the subject, con-
ceives that the disease termed clavus, which renders the seed of the
other variety of tall fescue abortive, may be caused by over-rich-
ness of the soil. My observations tend to confirm that opinion in

364 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

a considerable degree, — that at least if it is not the sole cause,
over-richness, and great humidity of the soil and atmosphere,
greatly encourage the disease, as it often occurs, partially, to
many other grasses under such circumstances only.

It comes into flower about the beginning of July, and the seed
is ripe about the first week in August.

BROMUS littoreus. Sea-side Brome-grass.

Specific character : Panicle branches wide-spreading ; spikelets
oval -spear shaped, sometimes awned, from 4 to 5-flowered.
Sm. Engl. Fl. 148. Festuca elatior.

Obs. — It may be only a variety of the Festuca elatior, but the
whole habit of the plant is manifestly different. The panicle
is perfectly upright before and after flowering, which distin-
guishes it from the varieties of Festuca elatior; the number of
florets in each calyx is less, the spikelets are oval-spear
shaped, those of the Festuca elatior cylindric. The leaves are
broader, more deeply striated, and rougher, of a finer dark
green colour, particularly in the spring. I never could find a
wild specimen of this grass. Hort. Gram. Fol. 259.

Native of Germany. Perennial; growing on the banks of the
Danube and other rivers. Host. Gram. p. 7, t, 8.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 61 oz. The produce per acre 41518 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 41 0 7 01078 o 10
The produce of the space, ditto - 500 0& 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 20240 1 6
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 127 gr-o i A
The produce of the space, ditto - 22 3J i

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 56 oz. The produce per acre - 38115 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 } ^QZA Q 9
The produce of the space, ditto 49 0 i

When compared with the tall fescue, this species of brome is
found to be inferior in nutritive properties, and in the quality of
the herbage. The leaves are much coarser in every respect. It
cannot therefore be recommended for any agricultural purpose.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 365

The clavus often attacks the seed of this species, though not
so generally as to prevent it from perfecting a sufficiency, if the
value of the grass required its propagation on the farm. The dis-
ease termed clavus makes its appearance by the body of the seed
swelling to three times its usual size, and the want of the corcle.
Dr. Willdenow describes two distinct species of it : first, the simple
clavus, which is mealy, and of a dark colour, without any smell
or taste ; second, the malignant clavus, which is violet blue or
blackish, and internally too has a bluish colour, a foetid smell, and
a sharp pungent taste. The first is the disease which attacks the
grass now spoken of. Bread made from grain affected with the
last variety of the disease, or malignant clavus, is of a bluish
colour, and when eaten produces cramps and giddiness.

Flowers about the first and second weeks of July, and ripens
the seed in three weeks afterwards.

ELYMUS Pkiladelphicus. Philadelphian Lyme-grass.

Specific character : Spike pendulous, open ; spikelets villose,
6-flowered, the lower ones ternate. (Linn.) ; Hort. Kew. i. 176.

Obs. — Culm from two to five feet high, smooth, round, of a
light green or glaucous colour. Leaves broad, mucronate,
slightly rough, glaucous, spikelets in pairs ; awns of the
calyx or involucre shorter than those of the florets. Hort.
Gram. Fol. 261.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam and retentive subsoil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 45 oz. The produce per acre - 30628 2 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 40 0 7 iroi^ i r>
The produce of the space, ditto - 360 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 15314 1 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 417 9033 14 6
The produce of the space, ditto 47 3| $

In the Hortus Kewensis we are informed, this grass was first in-
troduced into England by the Right Hon. Sir J. Banks, Bart., K.B.,
in 1790, from North America. It is a very productive grass, and
with respect to foliage, is rather early in the spring : it contains a
considerable quantity of nutritive matter. From the large size it
attains, the produce is rank and proportionally coarse, and is unfit
for pasture. It appears that for soiling, or hay to be used in the

366 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

form of chaff, this, and some other of the gigantic grasses, would
be profitable plants on soils unfit for the production of the superior
pasture grasses, or of corn.

A comparison of the quantity of nutritive matter contained in
hay of the best quality with that contained in an equal weight of
the hay made from this grass, will shew, nearly, their comparative
value.

One pound of hay composed of the best natural grasses con-
tains of nutritive matter 57 dr. One pound of hay composed of
the Elymus Philadelphicas contains of nutritive matter 34 dr.
With regard to nutritive powers, therefore, five tons of the hay of
this grass are scarcely equal to three tons of that of the superior
grasses. But the soil that will produce this grass, and others of
the same class, at the rate of six tons per acre, would not produce
one-fifth the quantity of the superior grasses ; consequently, the
adoption of the tall fescue and Philadelphian lyme-grasses, on
soils of this description, for the uses now described, might be
found a profitable measure.

Flowers in the first and second weeks of July, and successively
till the end of summer. Seed ripe in about three weeks after the
time of flowering.

ELYMUS striatus. Striated Lyme-grass.

Specific character : Spike erect ; spikelets 2-flowered, fringed ;
involucre or calyx striated, short. Hort. Kew. i. p. 177.

Obs. — Native of North America. Root perennial ; was intro-
duced into this country about 1790. Ibid. Hort. Gram.
Fol. 263.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre - 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 1 ^QOQ Q n
The produce of the space, ditto - 210 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 1 1485 3 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 407 1 07« o A
The produce of the space, ditto - 30 0 5

From these details, therefore, this species is inferior in nutritive
powers to the Philadelphian lyme-grass in the proportion of 17 to
16. It is also much later in the production of foliage in the

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

367

spring, and does not come into flower till after that species has
nearly perfected its seed. It cannot, therefore, be recommended
for the purposes of the Agriculturist.

Flowers about the latter end of July, and ripens the seed in
August.

ELYMUS Sibericus. Siberian Lyme-grass.

Specific character : Spike pendulous, like an arch ; spikelets
longer than the calyx. Hort. Kew. i. p. 176.

Obs. — Culm round, smooth ; leaves roughish, vagina smooth.
This plant does not accord exactly with the description of the
Elymm Sibericus of Gmelin : he says the spike is close or con-
tracted ; but in this grass the spike is mostly branched, or is
in fact a panicle ; the branches are confined, however, to the
middle of the rachis, occupying about one-third of its length ;
both extremities are contracted, and spike-like. On very
poor soils the branches hardly appear. The calyx is hardly
half the length of the spikelet. The edges of the spikelet
are tinged with a reddish purple colour. Hort. Gram. Fol.
265.

Native of Siberia. Root, on a moist or clayey soil, biennial;
on a sandy soil it continues several years.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich sandy soil is —

Grass, 24 oz. The produce per acre
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry
The produce of the space, ditto

dr.

28
134

qr.

Produce per Acre.

Ibs.
16335 0 0

0
If

5717 4

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 10617 12
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 1 <
The produce of the space, ditto - 13 2 J

574 4 7

The produce of this grass is very coarse, and the weight of the
crop, therefore, though considerable, is comparatively of no value.
It is a native of Siberia, and withstands the effects of the severest
continued frost, but not sudden changes from frost to mild
weather. It requires to be sown every year, and treated as an
animal. It comes into flower the second season, about the second
or third week in June, and continues to emit flowering culms till
autumn. The seed is ripe in about three weeks after flowering.

368 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

A light rich siliceous soil appears to be best adapted to its growth.
In the Hortus Kewensis it is said to have been cultivated, in 1758,
by Mr. Philip Miller.

ELYMUS hystrix. Rough Lyme-grass.

Specific character: Spike upright; spikelets without the in-
volucre, spreading.

Obs. — Spike compounded of two spikelets at each tooth of the

rachis ; spikelets 4-flowered, with long awns. The place of

the involucre is supplied by two calluses. Linn. Spec.

Hort. Gram. Fol. 267.

Native of the Levant. Root perennial. Introduced in 1770, by

M. Richard. Hort. Kew.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich siliceous sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 40 oz. The produce per acre - 27225 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 > 13512 8 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 230 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 1 3612 8 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 22) ^^ 7 JQ
The produce of the space, ditto 25 0 )

The harsh, broad, thin, light-green leaves of this species, and
likewise of those of the E. striatus and E. Sibericus, indicate that
they are naturally inhabitants of woods or wet shady places.
Grasses of this description are generally (indeed in every instance
that has come under my observation) deficient in nutritive matter,
and contain an excess of bitter extractive matter. Cattle appear
to dislike these grasses ; oxen ate the Philadelphian lyme-grass
when it was offered to them, but they refused the striated, Siberian,
and rough lyme-grasses. From the above details, there is no au-
thority for recommending the rough lyme-grass to the notice of the
Agriculturist.

It flowers in the second week of July, and ripens the seed in the
second week of August.

ELYMUS arenarius. Upright Sea Lyme-grass, Starr, or Bent.

Specific character : Spike upright, close ; main stalk not winged,;
calyx lanceolate, the length of the spikelets ; leaves spinous-

'

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

369

Produce per Acre.

qr.

Ibs.

-

43560

0

0

0

7

24502

8

0

0

5

Iryii

ag

19057

8

0

6
0

i

3403

2

0

pointed. — Fig. 1. Spikelet. 2. Floret. 3. Germen. Sm.
Engl. Fl. i. p. 177.

Obs. — Root powerfully creeping. Leaves hard and rigid, very
glaucous, involute ; their upper surface marked with strong
rough furrows ; the under side quite smooth. Stipula very
short. Spike erect, close, glaucous. Husks finely downy.
See Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 177. Engl. Bot. 1672. Fl. Br. 152.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

German, Sand-Haargras.

Experiments. — At the time the seed is ripe, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

.

dr.

Grass, 64 oz. The produce per acre
80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 45

The produce of the space, ditto - 576
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 19057
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 5
The produce of the space, ditto - 80

The nutritive matter afforded by this lyme-grass is remarkable
for the large quantity of saccharine matter which it contains,
amounting to more than one-third of its weight ; this grass may
therefore be considered as the sugar-cane of Britain. The sac-
charine matter must render the hay made from this grass very
toiutritious, particularly when cut into chaff, and mixed with corn
or common hay. Its natural soil (if soil it can be called) are the
blowing sands on the sea-coast. The Arnndo arenaria, Poa mari-
tima, and Festuca rubra, I found in company with the Elymus
arenarius, on the sands near Skegness, Lincolnshire. The sand-
hills on the shore near that place were formed by the E. arenarius
and Arundo arenaria; the latter, with its tufty habit of growth,
formed the summit of the hill, while the broad spreading roots
and leaves of the Elymus arenarius secured the base and sides.
These two grasses, when combined, seem admirably adapted by
nature for the purpose of forming a barrier to the encroachment
of the sea. What sand the Arundo arenaria arrests and collects
about itself, the Elymus arenarius secures and keeps fast. The
culms are produced in small number when cultivated on a clayey
loam, or on a sandy soil. This deficiency of culms was even ap-
parent in the plants when growing in their natural soil. A greater

B B

370 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

proportion of saccharine matter is afforded by the culms of this
grass than by the leaves.

Flowers about the third week in July.

ELYMUS geniculatus. Knee-jointed Lyme-grass.

Specific character: Spike bent perpendicularly downwards,
loose ; calyx bristle-shaped, spreading, longer than the spike-
lets ; leaves sharp-pointed.

Obs. — A singular habit of this grass is, that the spike, just be-
fore flowering, bends down by the assistance of a joint near
the foot of the spike-stalk. Engl. Bot. 1586. Hort. Gram.
Fol. 268.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr, Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 07 o-,g« g Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 192 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12251 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 317 inog 14 j
The produce of the space, ditto 24 0^ 5

The root is powerfully creeping, and the foliage is tough and
coarse. The quantity of nutritive matter it affords is not c
siderable. It seems, therefore, to be but little adapted for useful
purposes. Sir J. E. Smith, in the English Botany, informs
us, that it was discovered in the salt marshes of Gravesend by
Mr. Dickson, and that Mr. Curtis was the first to distinguish it
from the Elymiis arenarius, — as it seems even Linnaeus had con-
founded them.

The Elymus arenarius is nearly allied to this species in its
general habit, but differs specifically in the spikelets being pubes-
cent, more compact, and the spike perfectly upright. The leaves
are broader, culms taller and stronger, and the root is more
powerfully creeping. The pubescence on the spikelets, and the
close order in which they are placed on the spike-stalk, with the
upright habit of the spike before and after flowering, seem to be
good specific distinctions — with the exception of the last; as the
first two indicate an excess of saccharine matter in proportion to

Ar u adol /Yrevnnrla

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 371

the other constituents of the plant, while the slender culms, dis-
tant florets, or loose spike, destitute of pubescence, with thin
leaves, indicate the contrary. This is the case with the two
species now spoken of; the nutritive matter of the Elymus are-
ttarius contains more than one-third of its weight of saccharine
matter, and that of the Elymus geniculatus contains but a very
small proportion.

M. Schrader, in the Flora Germanica, describing the Elymus
arenarius, says — " Huic affinis, at in Germania hue usque haud
observata, species est Elymus geniculatus. Smith, Britan. i. p. 153,
cui culmi altiores, graciliores ; folia angustiora ; spicse sesquipe-
dales, bipedales, laxse ; spiculse remotse ; gluma3 calicinse lineari-
setacese flosculis longiores."

At the time of flowering, the produce of the Elymus arenarius
on a clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 64 oz. The produce per acre 43572 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 45 0 7 24502 8 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 576 0 3

The weightiest by the produce of one acre in drying 19069 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 507 0400 9 8
The produce of the space, ditto 80 0 5

This species is therefore greatly superior to the above in pro-
ill duce and nutritive properties, but neither appears to have merits
sufficient to recommend it for cultivation ; for even though they
were early in the produce of fine foliage, and grew rapidly after
being cut, their strong creeping roots, which exhaust the soil very
much, would preclude their introduction on the farm.

The knee-jointed, or pendulous lyme-grass, flowers in the se-
cond week of July. The sea lyme-grass flowers about a week
later. The seed is perfected in about three weeks after the time
of flowering.

ARVNDO arenaria. Sea-reed, Marram, Starr, or Bent.

Specific character: Calyx single-flowered, longer than the corolla;
panicle spiked; flowers erect, slightly awned ; leaves involute,
sharp-pointed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 171. — Fig. 1. Calyx.
2. Floret. 3. Germen, Styles, and Nectary, magnified.

Obs. — Root jointed, creeping very extensively; whole plant

dr.

40
128
ein
4

Produce per
qr. Ibs.
10890

: i «•

drying 5445
? 1 680 1

Acre.

0 0
2 0
0 0

372 HOllTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

glaucous ; culms finely striated, smooth, almost solid ; leaves
narrow, rigid, sharp-pointed ; stipula lanceolate, pointed, near
an inch long, mostly divided or torn. See Engl. Fl. i. p. 172 ;
E. Bot. 520; Fl. Ger. 221, t. 5, fig. 2.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil is —

Grass, 16 oz. The produce per acre

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry

The produce of the space, ditto

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter

The produce of the space, ditto 16 0

The nutritive matter of this grass affords a large portion of sac-
charine matter when compared with the produce, in this respect,
of other grasses : the Elymus arenarius, however, affords about one-
third more sugar than the present plant. The quantity of nutritive
matter afforded by the Elymus arenarius is superior to that afforded
by the Arundo arenaria, in the proportion of 4 to 5.

The above details of produce shew that the Arundo arenaria is
unworthy of cultivation as food for cattle, out of the influence of
the salt spray. But the habit of the plant in its natural place of
growth, the loose sands of the sea-coast, is of great utility, par-
ticularly when combined with the Elymus arenarius (as was before
observed when speaking of that species), in binding the sands of
the sea-shore, and thereby raising a natural barrier the most
lasting against the encroachments of the ocean upon the land.
So far back as the reign of William III., the important value of
the Elymus arenarius and Arundo arenaria was so well appreciated
as to induce the Scottish Parliament of that period to pass an act
for their preservation on the sea-coasts of Scotland.* And these
provisions were, by the British Parliament, in the reign of
George II., followed up by further enactments, extending the
operation of the Scottish law to the coasts of England, and im-
posing further penalties for its inviolability ; so that it was ren-

* Communicated by my ingenious friend Mr. Bringloe, of Edinburgh : and for
the perusal of the Act of the British Parliament which contains a clause respecting
these grasses, I am indebted to W. P. Taunton, Esq.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 373

dered penal, not only for any individual (without even excepting
the lord of the manor) to cut the bent, but for any one to be in
possession of any within eight miles of the coast.

SPARTINA juncea. Rush-leaved Cord-grass.

Dactylis patens. Spreading Cock's-foot Grass. Hort. Gram.
Fol. 271.

Specific character: Spike spreading, flowering a little on one
side ; florets bent like an arch ; culm decumbent ; leaves two-
rowed, spreading very much ; keel of the calyx rough.

Obs. — Introduced into England in 1781 by Mr. William Curtis.
Hort. Kew. i. p. 160.

Native of North America. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

rich siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 49 oz. The produce per acre 33350 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 36 0 7 i enn^ -10 n
The produce of the space, ditto 313 O^i

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 18342 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 237 1433 Q Q
The produce of the space, ditto 33 2J 5

This grass is very late in the production of foliage in the spring,
and it does not come into flower till the month of August. The
produce, considered as a single crop, is then great, but it is the
only one it produces in the season. The nutritive qualities of the
herbage are likewise inferior to those of most other kinds of grass.
The leaves are remarkable for their length, smoothness of surface,
and toughness of fibre.

I submitted a quantity of the leaves to the process used for
forming flax by steeping, drying, breaking, &c. The results were
favourable, inasmuch as the clean fibre was equal in strength and
softness to that of flax, but it was deficient in length ; for though
the leaves of the grass were as long as the plants of flax in general,
yet a considerable portion of the top, or from the point of the leaf,
did not stand the effects of the process. The only advantage that
appears would result from this plant affording flax is, that it could
be produced on a soil unfit for the growth of flax or the produc-
tion of corn.

374 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

It flowers in the second week of August, and the seed is ripe
about the middle of September.

FESTUCA sylvatica. Slender Wood Fescue-grass. Sm. Engl.
FJ. i. p. 149.

Bromus sylvatica. Wood Brome-grass. E. Bot. 729; Hort.

G. Fol. 273.

Festuca gracilis. Slender Wood Fescue. Flo. Ger. i. p. 343.
Specific character : Spike nodding ; spikelets distant, somewhat

erect, awned ; awns longer than the husks.
Obs* — This species appears to be nearly allied to the Festuca
pinnata, but the distinction is nevertheless obvious : in this
the spike-stalk is nodding, in that erect ; the awns of the
F. pinnata are shorter than the blossom ; those of the F. syl-
vatica are longer. The root of the former is creeping, but
this grass has a fibrous root.
Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich siliceous sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre - 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 7 gjg^ g Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 192 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12250 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 0 7 533 \ g
The produce of the space, ditto - 1503

The general appearance of this grass, and that of the next fol-
lowing species (Bromus pinnatus)t promise but little to reward the
labours of the experimentalist. Its natural place of groAvth is in
woods and damp shady places. Oxen, horses, and sheep, refused
to eat this grass when offered to them. During deep snows and
severe frosts I have observed hares and rabbits crop the extremi-
ties of the leaves. It is very subject to be affected with the rust
disease at the time of flowering. Birds appear to neglect the
seeds, till every other resource fails.

Flowers in the second week of July, and the seed is perfected
about the first week of August.

HORTUS GRAMJNEUS WOBURNENSIS. 375

FESTUCA pinnata. Spiked Heath Fescue-grass. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 150.

Bromus pinnatus. Wing-spiked Brome-grass. E. Bot. 730 ;
Hort. Gram. Fol. 275.

Festuca pmnata. Wing- spiked Fescue-grass. Flo. Ger. i.
p. 342.

Specific character: Spike simple, erect, two-ranked; spikelets
a little distant, awned ; awns after flowering a little spread-
ing, shorter than the husks ; root creeping. See Sm.
Engl. Fl.

Obs. — The whole plant is of a yellowish-green colour; culms
numerous, eighteen inches and more in height, upright,
roundish, slightly scored, smooth and unbranched ; leaves
erect, linear spear-shaped ; spike-stalk flexuose, rough ;
spikelets rather distant, linear, at first roundish, afterwards a
little compressed, many-flowered, awned, pubescent.

Native of Britain. Root perennial, creeping.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil with manure, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 30 oz. The produce per acre - - 20418 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 32 0 7 81 57 R 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 192 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12251 4 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 117 OQO i r> r\
The produce of the space, ditto 9| 1 3

The above experiments shew that the wing-spiked brome-grass
cannot as yet be considered in any other light than a noxious
weed ; for though the weight of produce is considerable, it is nei-
ther early, nutritive, nor relished by cattle. It grows chiefly in
dry, hilly woodlands, particularly where the soil is calcareous.
This, and the Festuca syfoatica, which is likewise an inhabitant of
woods where the soil is siliceous, may be considered the least
useful of the British grasses. This species of fescue seems to
connect the bromes and fescues in a natural series.

It flowers about the third week of July, and the seed is ripe
about the last week in August.

376 HOllTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

FESTUCA gigantea. Tali Fescue-grass. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. 144.

Festuca gigantea. Tall Fescue. Engl. Bot. 1. 1820.

Bromus giganteus. Tall brome-grass. Flo. Ger. 362 ; Curt.
Lond. ; Host. t. 6; Hort. Gram. Fol. 277.

Specific character : Panicle nodding at top ; spikelets spear-
shaped, compressed, naked ; florets from three to six, im-
bricated ; awns somewhat flexuose, longer than the husks ;
leaves naked. See Sm. Engl. Fl.

Obs. — Root fibrous, fibres woody, from two to four feet high,
erect, round, striated, smooth ; leaves sword-shaped, acute, a
foot and a half long, apex nodding; sheath roundish, striated,
smooth, or a little rough, mostly tinged with purple at the
base; sheath-scale short, truncated, cartilaginous, of a brown
or russet colour ; outer husk of the corolla lanceolate, acute,
margin membranaceous, convex on the back, keeled above,
generally 5-nerved, cloven at the top ; between the clefts
issues the awn, which is a continuation of the middle nerve,
as in the different species of fescue, to which it is evidently
as much, if not nearer allied, than to the bromes.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 40 oz. The produce per acre 27225 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 2
The produce of the space, ditto 25 0

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Grass, 35 oz. The produce per acre - 23821 14 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 217 «o7 7 i i
The produce of the space, ditto 19 2| 3

This species is confined to woods in its natural state; but it
continues in the soil, and appears to thrive equally well when cul-
tivated in open situations. It is a coarse grass, and but little nu-
tritive, though greatly superior to the spiked and wood fescue
grasses. The seeds are eaten by birds; and this appears to be the
chief use of the plant, its large structure being, apparently, intended
to enable it to perfect its seed among bushes, where it would be
otherwise choked up.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 377

It flowers in the third week of June, and ripens the seed about
the middle and latter end of July.

AGROSTIS ?amosissima. Lateral-branching Bent-grass.

Specific character : Panicle spike-like, heaped ; calyx shorter
than the corolla; culms branching at each joint. Hort. Gram.
Fol. 279.

Obs. — This is nearly allied to the Agrostis Mexicana ; the culms
are taller and more woody, lateral branches more numerous,
shorter, and pointing one way ; leaves smoother than those of
the A. Mexicana; panicle more compact, or heaped together,
which gives it more the appearance of a spike ; calyx shorter
than the corolla, with very few hairs at the base, which are long
and numerous in the Mexicana. Flowers a month later than
that species.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

strong clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 42 oz. The produce per acre - 28586 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0 7 11404 n A
The produce of the space, ditto - 268 Of 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 17152 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 ggo r Q
The produce of the space, ditto - 20 OJ 3

This is one of the latest flowering grasses. It is remarkable for
the number of branches that issue from the joints of the stem; and
the woody substance of the culms makes it approach to the nature
of a shrub. It affords little herbage till the beginning of summer,
and flowers at so late a period of the season, that excepting once,
I have never been able to procure any perfect seed, the frost ge-
nerally destroying the panicles before the seed is perfected. The
herbage is killed by frost, but the roots suffer nothing from its
effects. It is propagated by parting and planting the roots early
in the spring, or late in the autumn. The above details shew that
it is neither very productive nor nutritive.

Flowers in the first or second week of October.

TRIODIA decumbens. Decumbent Heath-grass. Sm. Engl.

Fl. i. p. 131.
Generic character: Corolla orbicular, expanded, obscurely ribbed.

378 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

deeply cloven, with an intermediate point ; both valves con-
cave ; seed loose, depressed.

Poa decumbens. Decumbent Meadow-grass. Engl. Bot. 792 ;
Hort. Gram. Fol. 288, 289.

Fesluca decumbens. Decumbent Fescue. Flo. Dan. 162 ;
Willdw. i. 424.

Specific character : Panicle nearly simple, contracted, erect ;
spikelets oval oblong ; florets four, their middle tooth
shortest ; stipula hairy; calyx smooth, root somewhat creep-
ing. See Sm. Engl. Fl.

O^5. —Culms decumbent, from ten to eighteen inches long;
root-leaves flat, hairy on the upper surface, especially at the
base ; stem-leaves shorter ; sheaths villose towards the top, a
little compressed, striated ; the place of the sheath-scale is
supplied with a row of short hairs ; panicle veiy simple, little
branches alternate, simple, shortest one 1-flowered, the longest
one two-flowered; flowers from three to four, the terminating
one always sterile. Flo. Ger.

Native of Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre - - 5445 0 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 27 ^7 q 14

The produce of the space, ditto 3 0 3

The produce of latter-math is —

Grass, 5 oz. The produce per acre - 3403 2 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 117 „„ _ „

The produce of the space, ditto 1 2J 3

It is chiefly confined to high wet barren pastures, though some-
times found in those that are dry. On some particular spots
among the trees in Woburn Park, it is found growing in company
with the Carex axillaris. It appears to be but little susceptible of
improvement by being transplanted to a richer soil ; as the pro-
duce from a rich black loam scarcely exceeded the above-stated
produce, from a clayey loam, without any manure. It never ap-
peared to be cropped by the deer in the Park. It is late in the
production of foliage in the spring, and produces little after-grass :
it is not, therefore, to be recommended for cultivation.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 379

It flowers about the third and fourth weeks of July, and the
seed is ripe in the middle and towards the latter end of August,
according as the soil and season are favourable to its growth.

From the above details it is evident, that if we except one, or at
most two species of grass, the whole natural produce of bogs and
low-lying stagnant meadows is of little or no value to the possessors.
Such lands, however, by the simple process of forming them into
water-meadows, have had their original value, which is, generally,
from one to five shillings, increased to forty, and frequently to
sixty shillings, per acre. From the magnitude, and the short
space of time in which the rise in the value of land is thus perma-
nently effected, the conversion of waste bogs to irrigated meadows
may justly be ranked with the very first improvements in this
branch of practical agriculture ; and were it not from the local
nature of the lands in question, when it is considered that in
numerous instances, with a spade only, the process may be begun
and finished, it may justly perhaps maintain a claim for the first
place in improvements of modern agriculture in any branch what-
ever. At least it appears difficult to find any other improvement
in this art that so speedily, permanently, and at so moderate an
expense, raises the value of land to the degree now mentioned.
It is hardly possible, I should conceive, to witness one of these
wastes converted into a rich fertile meadow in the short compass
of two seasons, without feeling a conviction something like this.

In forming a water-meadow, the chief point to be obtained is a
perfect command of the water, that it may be admitted on the
land, and completely carried off at pleasure ; for without this it
will be found a vain and useless labour, as none of the valuable
species of grass will thrive or even exist in this kind of soil under
any other condition.

Lands lying on declivities are seldom converted into water-
meadows, from the want of a regular and sufficient supply of
water in such situations. Bogs and low marshy grounds are
generally, in their natural state, the least profitable of soils, but
are capable, by means of irrigation, of having their value increased
to a higher degree than any other waste lands.

Water-meadows situated on declivities are termed catch-work
meadows ; and those formed out of bogs and low level land, are

380 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

styled flowing meadows. The last requires the most art and labour
in its formation, on account of the difficulty that sometimes occurs
in getting a command of the water. This is generally effected by
throwing up the land in high ridges, with deep drains between
them. A main carriage is then taken out of the river, at a level
sufficiently high to command the tops of the ridges. Along the
top of each ridge an open drain or trench is made to communicate
with the main water-carriage. These little water-carriages being
furnished with moveable stops of earth, disperse the water on each
side of the ridge, and is received below by the drains, which con-
duct it to other parts of the same meadow. The point of import-
ance next to that of having a perfect command of water, at least
as far as the growth and prosperity of the superior grasses is con-
cerned, is the size of the ridges. Where there is a plentiful sup-
ply of water, as from a river, the ridges may be from forty to fifty
feet broad, and seventy in length ; but when the supply of water
depends upon a small brook, or upon a reservoir formed by land-
drains, thirty feet in width and fifty in length are supposed to be
the best dimensions. The height of the ridges seems to be a point
of considerable importance. I have invariably observed, that all
the superior grasses inhabit the crowns of the ridges, extending
generally to eight feet on each side of the water-carriage, and the
inferior grasses occupying the lower extremities of the ridges.
When the ridges are nearly level, much less water is required
to irrigate the land ; but unless the subsoil is porous, the produce
will be found much inferior to what it would have been had the
ridges been raised to a proper height. In all the observations I
have made while examining different water-meadows at various
periods of the season, the most productive in the superior grasses
were those where the ridges were formed thirty-three feet in width
and two feet and a half in height, that is, from the level of the
furrow to the crown of the ridge. But when the situation is very
low and moist, and the soil deep, as in the instance of a peat-bog,
or where the subsoil is tenacious, the height of the ridge should
be from two to three feet.

From numerous statements published by gentlemen who have
made these improvements, the expenses of forming land into
water-meadows appear to be from four to twenty pounds per acre,
— varying thus according to the local circumstances under which
the improvement is made. The yearly expenses for repairs appear
likewise to be from three to nine shillings per acre. The value of

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 381

such lands, by these means, has been increased from one to
twelve shillings (their original value) to forty and sixty shillings
per acre. But when connected with a breeding flock of sheep,
the advantages derived from these meadows are hardly to be esti-
mated, for they produce a full bite of grass at least three weeks
earlier than the common pastures, and that at a season when
every other kind of food is scarce.

Irrigated meadows seldom or never require any manure, the
water being found sufficient to produce that extreme degree of
fertility for which they are remarkable.*

* Sir H. Davy gives the theory of the effects of water in increasing the fertility
of meadows. He says they depend on many causes, some chemical, some
mechanical : — " When land has been covered by water in the winter, or in the
beginning of spring, the moisture that has penetrated deep into the soil, and even
the subsoil, becomes a source of nourishment to the roots of the plant in summer,
and prevents those bad effects that often happen in lands in their natural state,
from a long continuance of dry weather.

" When water used in irrigation has flowed over a calcareous country, it is
generally found impregnated with carbonate of lime ; and in this state it tends in
many instances to ameliorate the soil.

" Even in cases where the water used for flooding is pure, and free from vege-
table or animal substances, it acts by causing the more equable diffusion of nutritive
matter existing in the land; and in very cold seasons it preserves the tender roots
and leaves of the grass from being affected by frost.

" Water is of greater specific gravity at 42° Fahrenheit than at 32°, the freezing
point ; and hence, in a meadow irrigated in winter, the water immediately in con-
tact with the grass is rarely below 40°, — a degree of temperature not at all preju-
dicial to the living organs of plants.

" In general, those waters which breed the best fish are the best fitted for
watering meadows ; but most of the benefits of irrigation may be derived from
any kind of water. It is however a general principle, that waters containing
ferruginous impregnations, though possessed of fertilizing effects when applied to
calcareous soils, are injurious on soils that do not effervesce with acids ; and that
calcareous waters, which are known by the earthy deposit they afford when boiled,
are of most use on siliceous soils containing no remarkable quantity of carbonate
of lime." — Agricultural Chemistry, p. 305 et seq.

The proper business of irrigation begins in October, and is carried on till April,
according to circumstances. In cold backward situations it is continued latest,
and in warmer soils it is generally finished in February. As soon as the latter-
math is eaten bare, the water-carriages are cleared out, and the stops and sluices
made good. The water is then admitted on the land, and suffered to remain for
two or three weeks, with a dry interval of a day or two; or, according to others,
the water is continued on the meadow two -weeks at first, then laid dry for one
week, and again laid under water for two weeks more. The state of the grass
affords the best rule to judge of the frequency of waterings. It is a general

382 HORTUS GRAMI^EUS WOBURNENSIS.

All the superior perennial grasses thrive under irrigation, when
the meadow is properly formed. The following species of grass I
have invariably found to constitute the produce of the best water-
principle to make the meadows as dry as possible between every watering, and
to stop the water the moment any scum appears on the surface, for that indicates
the land has had water enough ; in fact, it is caused by the fermentation excited
by the decay of the grass. As soon as the land has been sufficiently dry after the
last watering in February or March, the early grass, of which there is always an
abundance, is consumed by ewes and lambs, if a breeding flock of sheep is kept.
In order to prevent the sheep from trampling too much of the grass at first, some
Farmers use hurdles, by which they portion out the consumption of a day. Open
spaces are left in the hurdles, to give the lambs free range of the meadow at large.
Mr. Davis says, that one acre of good grass will be sufficient for five hundred
couples for a day. It is usual to leave off depasturing the meadows about the
beginning of May ; when the water is again admitted, to prepare the land for a crop
of hay. Two days' flooding at this season is all that the land can receive without
injury ; it is then laid dry, and the process may be said to be finished for that
season. Six weeks is usually sufficient to produce the crop of hay, — so rapid is
vegetation in these meadows.

The following is a statement of the produce of a water-meadow of nine acres,
belonging to His Grace the Duke of Bedford : —

1803. Stocked with twelve score sheep, and it kept them three weeks.
April 16. Shut up for hay.

June 23. Cut the crop for hay, supposed to be about two tons per acre.
Aug. 20. Cut the second crop for hay, supposed to be about one ton and a

half per acre.
Sept. 16. Stocked it with four score of fat sheep : three weeks after that

it was depastured with lean bullocks, as long and as often as

they could find food.

1804. Feb. 27. Stocked with eight score and four lamb hogs; they have now

(April 28, the time this account was drawn up,) been nine
weeks in it. It had more and better water this last winter
than that before; but from the want of grass upon the farm,
it was in this instance eaten longer than it otherwise would
have been.

Valuation.

£. s. d.

1803. March 29. Two hundred and forty sheep three weeks, at six- > is 5 0
pence per head - - - '

Spring food per acre, at 2/.

June 23. Eighteen tons of hay, at 41. - 72 0 0

Aug. 20. Thirteen and a half ditto, at 4f. 5600

Sept. 16. Eighty fat sheep, three weeks, at fourpence - 400

Lean bullocks.

£150 5 0

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 383

meadows. Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), round-panicled
cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), field brome-grass (Bromus ar-
vensis), meadow-fescue (Festuca pratensis) ; these occupied the
crowns and sides of the ridges. The furrows were stocked with
the creeping-bent (Agrostis stolonifera), marsh-bent (Agrostis pa-
lustris), hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula), lesser variety of meadow
cat's-tail (Phleum pratense, var. minus), woolly soft-grass (Holcus
lanatus), rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), meadow-
fescue (Festuca pratensis), and a small admixture of other species,
which were thinly scattered over every part of the ridge ; these
were, meadow-barley (Hordeum pratense), yellow or golden oat
(Avena Jiavescens), crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), rye-
grass (Lolium perenne), sweet-scented vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum
odoratum), tufted vetch (Vicia cracca) ; with a larger proportion of
the tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus). The meadow cat's-
tail (Phleum pratense), I never met with in irrigated meadows, but
only the lesser variety of it, and that not very prevalent. It is a
very common grass, however, in some natural meadows that I
have had an opportunity to examine. The soil of the water-mea-
dows which produced the above grasses was either a deep active
peat, incumbent on a siliceous sand, or a sandy loam on a chalky
or gravelly subsoil. In some irrigated meadows that I examined,
where the ridges were formed nearly flat, and the soil consisted of
a sandy loam on a retentive clayey subsoil, the following grasses
constituted the chief produce: crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cris-
tatus), creeping-rooted soft-grass (Holcus mollis), rye-grass (Lolium
perenne), meadow-barley (Hordeum prateme), tall oat-like soft-
grass (Holcus avenaceus), sweet-scented vernal, and soft brome-
grass (Holcus mollis). Though this soil was not entirely destitute
of the superior kinds of grasses mentioned as the produce of the
former meadows, yet they were in very small quantity, being thinly
scattered over certain portions of the ridges only. It seems pro-

1804. Feb. 27. One hundred and sixty-four hog-sheep, nine weeks ) £„
at fivepence - - \

Spring food per acre, 3/. 8s. 4d.

For full details respecting the construction and value of irrigated meadows,
consult Brown's Rural Affairs, p. 263 ; Young's Annals ; Agricultural Surveys,
viz. Middlesex, by Marshall, i. p. 284 ; Wilts, by Davis ; Dorset, by Coldridge ;
Hants, by Driver; Brecknock, by Clark; Communications to the Board of
Agriculture, vol. iv.

384 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

bable that the flatness of the ridges tended much to prevent these
grasses from flourishing on the sandy loam incumbent on clay,
for I invariably found the head ridges, which had been raised
considerably above the level of the rest, as the first conductors of
the water, were plentifully stocked with the superior grasses, and
as productive of grass as those of the first-mentioned meadows.

The hay of water-meadows is generally supposed to be less
nutritious than the hay of rich permanent pasture land. I com-
pared the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by these grasses,
produced under irrigation, and those produced in rich permanent
pasture land. The difference was much less than I had Expected.
An instance may suffice : —

4ft

Rye-grass (Lolium perenne), at the time of flowering^
taken from a water-meadow that had been fed off
with sheep till the end of April, afforded of nutri-
tive matter - *••

The same weight of this grass, taken from a rich old j
pasture that had been shut up for hay about the > 95
same time, afforded of nutritive matter - j

The same grass, from the meadow that had not been 7 JQQ
depastured in the spring, afforded - $

That from the rich pasture that had not been depas- ) -, ^rv
ttired, afforded 3

A water-meadow may be said to be a hot-bed for grass. The
rapidity with which vegetation advances by the process of irriga-
tion justifies the comparison. The small deficiency of nutritive
matter in water-meadow hay, is what might be expected from
such a cause ; as we find it exemplified by daily experience, in the
instances of esculent vegetables that are forced beyond their
natural habits. The same effects are produced by the application
of an excess of manure.

On a spot in a field of artificial pasture, where a large portion
of cow-dung had been accumulated, the grass was extremely
rank, and of a very deep green colour, distinguishable from the
rest of the rye-grass pasture at a considerable distance.

Four ounces weight of this luxuriant tuft was sub-^k

mitted to experiment, and it afforded of nutritive f 72 grains.
matter - - - - - *

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSJS. 385

The same quantity of grass from a moderately rich ^

soil, that surrounded this luxuriant patch, afforded /• 122 grains,
of nutritive matter

In another trial, the same species of grass, produced \
on a soil entirely destitute of manure, afforded > 95
of nutritive matter - j

On the same soil excessively manured, the grass > ™
afforded only - - >

Common quaking-grass, on a soil moderately en- ^
riched, afforded fourteen ounces of grass, the given > 90
weight of which contained of nutritive matter j

On a poor siliceous sandy soil incumbent on clay, it \
afforded sixteen ounces of grass, the given weight > 80
of which afforded J

From a soil consisting almost of pure clay, the proO
duce of grass was twelve ounces, the usual weight v 69
of which afforded of nutritive matter - \

Tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus), from a^
clayey loam moderately manured, was twenty- ( Q*
three ounces of grass, the given weight of grass f
contained - )

From a soil almost pure clay, the produce of grass }
was thirteen ounces, four of which afforded of > 89
nutritive matter - 3

From a siliceous sandy soil, with a small portion of J
manure, the produce was ten ounces of grass, the /• &0
given quantity afforded - 3

From a heath soil, the produce of grass was eight 7 ««
ounces, four of which afforded of nutritive matter 3

In all these trials the grasses were of the same age (two-year
old plants), and submitted to the chemical process at the same
stage of growth.

When a water-meadow is formed, if the original turf is fine, and
free from the coarse inferior grasses, it will be found the most ex-
peditious way to obtain a good sward, to replace the turf on the
new-formed ridges, and afterwards to give a top-dressing with
compost, and then to sow a mixture of the following grass-seeds :
Alopecurus prateiisis, Dactylis glomerata, Festnca prate/isis, Poa
trivialis, Ilolcus avenaceus, and a small proportion of the Agrostis
stolonifera latifolia. The quantity of seed per acre, must be regu-

c c

386 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

lated by the state of the turf. Consolidating the surface with a
heavy roller would be of infinite service, but the turf is often dis-
placed by the operation. A light bush-harrow, therefore, drawn
over the surface to cover the seeds, or rather to draw them into
the interstices of the turfs, followed by a light wooden roller, drawn
by men, in the same manner as the bush-harrow, will be found
the best mode of management.

It is customary, when forming a water-meadow out of inert
peat-bogs, to throw the coarse surface (composed of sedges and
rushes chiefly) promiscuously together, to form the ridges ; but it
would surely be more advantageous to pare and burn a surface of
this nature, as it affords an abundance of excellent ashes ; and
without these, or a substitute perhaps of a more expensive nature,
to apply as a top-dressing, previous to sowing the seeds, soils of
this description remain for years in a state of comparative sterility.
Caustic or hot lime is found to be the very best simple manure
that can be applied to inert peat-moss, to bring it into a state of
activity. When the ridges are formed of this soil, the surface
should have a copious dressing of hot lime, which may be with ad-
vantage incorporated with the surface soil by a common harrow,
and afterwards suffered to remain unmolested for a few weeks.
A thick covering of the ashes, mixed with the cleanings of roads,
waste headlands, &c. should then be applied ; and the seeds of the
before-mentioned grasses, with a larger proportion of the Agrostis
stolonifera, and an equal proportion of the Agrostis palustris, sown
at the rate of five bushels to the acre : the ground should be well
rolled. I have made several trials to overcome the sterile nature
of this soil (p. 122), but in none was J successful, except in that
where the above means were adopted. The best season for sowing
the seeds of the grasses is in the beginning of May or early in
August. It may be unnecessary to remark, that if the soil becomes
very dry, previous to the vegetation of the seed, which is seldom
the case in lands of this nature, a gentle watering for one day will
greatly promote the progress of vegetation : provided it can be
effected without displacing any of the surface-dressing which
covers the seed.

SECTION V.

Of the different Grasses, and other Plants, adapted for the Alter-
nate Husbandry.

THE grasses, and other plants, best fitted for alternation, as green
crops with grain, are such as arrive at perfection in the shortest
space of time, or within the compass of two years ; such as have
their leaves broad and succulent, and that do not quickly run to
seed. Plants of this description are supposed to produce the
greatest weight of herbage at the least expense to the soil.

It is a curious and well-known fact, that any species of plant
that has continued till its natural decay on a particular soil, can-
not be again immediately reared with equal success on the same
spot, till some other crop intervene ; but that a different species of
vegetable will there succeed better, for its peculiar period of life,
than it would on a soil naturally better adapted to its growth,
where it had just attained to perfect maturity. This holds good
with respect to annual plants as well as to those that continue to
live many years. But it is better seen in the former, as their habits
and duration in the soil are oftener and more directly within the
reach of common observation.

On this antipathy of plants seems to depend the theory of alter-
nate cropping with green crops and grain — varying in some mea-
sure according to the circumstances of soil and climate ; but the
principle appears to remain the same.

On analysing a soil immediately before and after producing an
impoverishing crop, the results of such analysis do not point out
any diminution in the weight or proportions of its constituents
sufficient to account for the weight of vegetable matter produced.
The decomposing animal, and vegetable matters of the soil are the
only constituents wherein a sensible loss is perceived.

M. Braconnot grew plants in substances free from any kind of
soil, as in flowers of sulphur, and in metal. He supplied the
plants with distilled water only. They arrived, by these means,
to a perfect state of maturity. The produce was submitted to

388 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

careful analysis ; and the results shewed that the different vege-
tables so produced, contained all the constituents of the different
species, precisely the same as when the plants were cultivated on
their natural soils.*

Some have supposed that the antipathy of plants arises from the
roots depositing a noxious matter in the soil. And, according to
the experiments of M. Burgmanns, oats are thus killed by the field
saw-wort; wheat by the blue erigeron; flax by the corn scabious,
and the purple spurge ; and buck-wheat by the corn spurry.

The analysis of a plant, therefore, and of the soil which pro-
duced it, appear insufficient to account for the true cause of the
impoverishing principle of vegetables to the soil, and why one
species should exhaust it more than another.

Some useful information, however, on this very interesting
point, may probably be drawn from facts obtained by daily prac-
tice and observation in the garden and the farm.

Green Food. N^tritive-

Ibs. Ibs.

Mangel-wurzel, or white beet, (Beta cicla),

produces upon a suitable soil, or a deep rich

loam, on an average, twenty-five tons of

green food per acre, every pound weight of

which contains 390 grains of nutritive mat-
ter ; and therefore per acre
Carrots (Daucus carota), produce upon a deep

light loam, on an average, eleven tons, every .

pound of which contains 750 grains of nu- * 2

tritive matter
Potatoes (Solarium tuberosum), produce upon a

fresh loam, of intermediate quality as to

moisture and dryness, on an average, 15 tons )> 33600 - 4800

per acre, affording of nutritive matter per

pound, 1000 grains
The common field or white turnip (Brassica \

rapa, var.) affords from a sandy loam, upon /

an average, per acre, 16 tons of green food, S 35840 - 1638

a pound of which contains 320 grains of nu- t

- J

tritive matter

* Annales de Chimie, Fev. et Mars, 1808.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

389

Matter.
Ibs.

1830

56000 - 3440

Green Food.

Ibs.
The Swedish turnip, or ruta baga (Brassica

rapa, var.), produces on a favourable soil, ori

a strong loam, on an average, 13 tons per > 29120

acre, a pound weight of which affords of nu-

tritive matter 440 grains.
Cabbages (Brassica oleracea, var.), which de-

light in a rich strong loam, afford of green/

food, on an average per acre, 25 tons, every

pound of which contains 430 grains of nutri-'

tive matter
Kohl rabi (Brassica oleracea, var.), the produce

from a soil similar to that for cabbages or,

Swedish turnips, is on an average 14 tons

per acre,* and affords of nutritive matter I

per pound 420 grains. -

If a plant, therefore, impoverishes the soil in proportion to the
weight of vegetable substance it produces on a given space of
ground, the following will be the order in which the plants just
mentioned exhaust the land.

31360 - 1881

M angel- wurzel -
Cabbages
White Turnip -
Potatoes
Kohl-rabi -
Swedish Turnip -
Carrots

25
16
15
14
13

The proportions which they bear
to each other with respect to
weight of produce.

Experience has long since proved, that carrots exhaust the soil
in a much greater degree than white turnips; though, by this mode
of judging, they impoverish land in a less degree than any of these
plants. But when we take the weight of nutritive matter which a
plant affords from a given space of ground, the results are very

* The average of some of these crops may be thought too small perhaps ; but from
information with which I have been favoured from extensive cultivators, and care-
ful comparisons of the produce, as stated in the Agricultural Surveys, and in
Mr. Young's Annals, with the produce obtained in numerous experiments which I
have conducted on the subject, I believe the above will be found a correct view of
the average produce of these plants.

390 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

different, and will be found to agree with daily experience in the
garden and on the farm.

Potatoes 63,

Cabbages - 42 )

« , /-vo I The proportion in which they

Mangel-wurzel - 28 I standp top each otheFj ^ re_

Carrots - I \ spect to the weight of nutri.

Kohl-rabi - 17 I live matter per acre, and in

Swedish Turnip - 16 1 exhausting the land.

Common Turnip 14 *

The effects of some plants are only to impoverish the soil for an
immediate succession of the same plant ; while others have the
property of exhausting the land, not only for an immediate suc-
cession of themselves, but likewise for every other kind of
vegetable.

A consideration of the difference in the composition of compo-
nent parts of the nutritive matter of different species of plants, it
appears, will account in some measure for this property.

It has been already mentioned (p. 3) that the nutritive or
soluble matter of vegetables consists, for the most part, of five
distinct vegetable substances — mucilage or starch, saccharine
matter, gluten or albumen, and bitter extractive or saline matters.
A plant, therefore, whose nutritive matter consists of one or two
of these principles only, will impoverish the soil in a greater degree
for an immediate succession of the same plant, than a different spe-
cies of vegetable that has its nutritive matter composed of a greater
variety of these substances. Hence, plants that have the greatest
dissimilarity in the number and proportion of vegetable principles
which constitute their nutritive matter, will be found best fitted to
succeed each other in alternate cropping. The different varieties
of wheat consist almost entirely of starch and gluten ; while barley,
pease, and turnips, contain a greater proportion of saccharine
matter which is wanting in wheat : and are consequently best qua-
lified to precede or follow that grain, in alternation with green
crops. Oats, rye, and beans, afford nutritive matters similar to
wheat, though in less proportion; and a crop of either of these will
have a like effect on the soil to that of wheat, though in a less de-
gree, but totally different from those of barley, pease, and turnips.
The former plants, therefore, as they impoverish the soil only for
an immediate succession of themselves, may be termed p artial
impoverishes; and the latter, exhausting the land for themselves,

Tri folium Ma,ororliixiim

;

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURN ENSIS. 391

as well as, in a degree, for every other kind of vegetable, may be
called general impoverishers.

If the nutritive matter of the following plants be examined with
this view, they will be found to rank either as general or partial
impoverishers.

General Impoverishers.
Oats,
Rye,
Potatoes,
Carrots,
Mangel-wurzel,
Cabbages,
Kohl-rabi,
Bunias Orientalis.

Partial Impoverishers.
Wheat,
Pease,
Beans,
Turnips,
Clovers,
Sainfoin,
Lucern,
Grasses, when mown.

It does not fall within the limits of these pages to give an
account of all the plants employed in the Alternate Husbandry,
but only of such as have been more particularly submitted to ex-
periment in this series. There have been, however, several plants
of this class made trial of, with respect to the quantity of nutritive
matter they contain, some account of which will be found in the
Notes given in the following pages.

TRIFOLIUM macrorhizum. Long-rooted Clover.

Specific character : Legumes racemed, naked, one-seeded, bow-
striated, semi-ovate, stem erect. Hort. Gram. Fol. 291. —
Fig. 1. Calyx and Anthers.

Obs. — This plant appears to be the T. massanense, Linn. Syst.
687 ; and of Morison, the " Melilotus minima recta lutea, sili-
quis crassis, curtis in capitulum congestis radiatis semine
famugrseci." Hist. ii. t. 16, f. 9, et t. 15, f. 9. Sicilian Melilot
Trefoil. — Leaves ternate, fleshy, subserrate; flowers yellow,
small ; legumes rather oblong, whitish, wrinkled, with semi-
circular streaks ; seeds bigger than in T. melilotus officinalis,
(Lin. Mant.) ; racemes axillary, short, erect ; legumes one or
two-seeded, subcompressed, pendulous, oblong, attenuated
at both ends, acute, slightly curved in one side (Desfont.).

Native of Siberia, or, according to the above, Italy, Sicily, and
Barbary. Root biennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich clayey loam is —

392 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS,

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 110 oz. The produce per acre 74868 12 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 7 ogf)75 19 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 660 0 3
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 46793 0 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 227 0004 8 0
The produce of the space, ditto 68 3 3

At the time the seed is ripe, the produce is —
Herbage, 144 oz. The produce per acre 98010 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 34 0 *41654 4 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 979 0£ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 56355 12 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 37
The produce of the space, ditto - 99 0 3

The root of this species of clover is biennial when the plant is
permitted to perfect its seed ; but if kept from flowering, the root
remains fertile for four or five years. It produces little after-grass,
but a great weight of crop at the time of flowering. In this
respect it is much superior to most other plants of the same class
employed in alternate cropping, as the following particulars ma-
nifest : —

Ibs.

Trifolium pratense (broad-leaved red clover), produce per acre, herbage 49005

Ditto, hay - 12251

Affords, ditto, of nutr. matter 1914

Medicago sativa (lucern), from a soil of the like nature, produces grass - 70785

Ditto, hay - 28314

Affords of nutritive matter 1 659

Hedysarum onobrychis (sainfoin), - produces per acre, herbage, 8848

Ditto, hay - 3539

Affords of nutritive matter 345

It requires good shelter, and a deep soil. The deficiency of
latter-math takes much from the merits of this plant. Under cir-
cumstances where it may be desirable to plough up the land after
the summer crop is taken, hardly any plant can be more valuable
than this one ; as in this respect, from the foregoing facts, it is
evident that the plant, on an equal soil, affords twice the quantity
of nutritive matter of that afforded by the broad-leaved clover.
The produce of lucern, in quantity, comes nearer to this clover, but

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 393

it is inferior in nutritient qualities. The long continuance of
lucern in the soil is therefore the chief advantage it possesses over
this plant; however, when that, or depasturing, is particularly
desired, the broad-leaved clover and lucern are greatly superior.

The value of the herbage of sainfoin is equal to that of the broad-
leaved clover, and proportionally less than that of the long-rooted
clover, as 10 to 11. The weight of crop being comparatively small
on a soil of the nature above described, it is doubtless inferior.
On dry hilly situations, and chalky soils, however, it may be their
superior in every respect, on account of its valuable herbage.

The white or Siberian melilot, which appears to be only a variety
of the long-rooted clover, was cultivated by Arthur Young, Esq.,
as he informs us in his " Annals of Agriculture." The produce,
by drilling on a moist loam, with a cold marshy bottom, was seven
and a half tons per acre. It was given to horses, working-oxen,
and calves, and they ate it very readily, some even greedily.

From the foregoing details it is evident the long-rooted clover
should be cut at the time of flowering. It can only be locally
useful, as in instances where it is desirable to have the land ready
to plough up before the beginning of August.

It flowers about the first week of July, and the seed is ripe in
August.

TR1FOLIUM melilotus officinalis. Melilot Trefoil, Common
Melilot, King's Clover, Hart's Clover.

Specific character: Legumes racemed, naked, two-seeded,
wrinkled, acute ; stem erect. (Martyn). Hort. Gram. Fol.
293.

Obs. — This is very nearly allied to the long-rooted clover. The
root, however, appears to be strictly annual. The lower leaves
are oblong wedge-shaped ; the upper ones elliptical, they are
more serrate, and smaller in every respect than those of the
long-rooted clover. The flowers are smaller, and more droop-
ing. The legume contains often more than two seeds, which
is seldom, or, according to my experience, never the case in
the long-rooted clover.

Native of Britain. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
clayey loam is —

394 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 55 oz. The produce per acre - 37434 6 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 30 0 7 14037 14 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 330 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 23396 8 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 21} ioig A 13
The produce of the space, ditto 30 3f 5

Horses and sheep are said to eat this clover, as are also cows,
goats, and swine. Dr. Withering says, that water distilled from
the flowers possesses but little odour in itself, but improves the
flavour of other substances. It does not appear to have been
cultivated in England. Professor Martyn observes, that there
cannot be a worse weed among bread-corn ; for a few of the
seeds ground with it, spoil the flour, by communicating the
peculiarly strong taste of the plant : notwithstanding this, horses
are said to be extremely fond of it. Some Italian writers call it
Trifolium caballium. In medicine it was esteemed emollient and
digestive, and was used in fomentations and cataplasms, particu-
larly in blister plasters ; but it is now laid aside, as being more
acrid and irritating than emollient.

From the above details, it is very much inferior to the long-
rooted clover, and cannot be put to any use for which that
species is not equally good or superior : it grows chiefly in clayey
soils. In very exposed situations it attains only to a small size ;
while in such as are much sheltered, I have found it exceeding six
feet in height.

It ripens an abundance of seed. Flowers in the third or last
week of June.

cracca. Tufted Vetch.

Specific character : Peduncles many-flowered ; flowers imbricate ;
leafets lanceolate, pubescent; stipules half arrow-shaped,
mostly entire. Hort. Gram. Fol. 295.

Obs. — Root creeping, perennial. Stems quadrangular, weak,
striated, attaining a great height when growing in hedges.
Branches alternate from the axils of the upper leaves. Leaves
alternate, consisting of from eight to twelve pair of leafets,
and terminated by a long branched and curling tendril.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 395

Leafets oftener alternate than opposite, more or less hoary on
both sides, with silky hairs, commonly rounded at the end,
and terminated by a short point. Flowers of a purple or
violet bluish colour. Legume half an inch long, containing
four or five globular seeds, the size of a lentil. Fl. Rust,
t. 117; Fl. Dan. t. 804; Wither, ii. 363; Engl. Bot.
t. 1168.
Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam in an exposed situation is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 16 oz. The produce per acre 10890 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 30 0 7 4033 j2 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 96 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 349 5 Q
The produce of the space, ditto 803

This species of vetch is chiefly confined to woods and hedges
in its natural state : I have found it in two instances among the
herbage of irrigated meadows. When growing among bushes, a
space of ground equal to that above mentioned, afforded 48 oz. of
herbage, or three times the weight of that cultivated in an open
situation. Dr. Plot, in his History of Staffordshire, says, that this
and the Vicia sylvatica advance starved or weak cattle above any
thing yet known ; and Dr. Anderson, in his Essays, speaks highly
of this plant. It is inferior to common tares (Vicia sylvatica) in
the quantity of nutritive matter it affords, but contains much less
superfluous moisture. This must give it a superiority, in regard to
nutrient properties, over tares, which contain an excess. But it
has a strong creeping root that will always prevent its admission
to arable lands. It might be best cultivated on tenacious soils,
and used after the manner of lucern, than which, though greatly
deficient in the weight of crop, it is nevertheless more nutritive.

Forty-three grains of nutritive matter consisted of —

Saccharine matter or sugar - 20 grains.

Mucilage - 12

Insoluble and saline matters - 11

Flowers about the middle of July and the beginning of August^
and the seed is ripe at the beginning of September.

396 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

VICIA sylvatica. Wood Vetch.

Specific character: Fruit-stalks many-flowered; leafets elliptic;
stipula crescent-shaped, toothed. Hortus Gram. Wob. Fol.
297.

Obs. — Stems running to a great height in the bushes where it
grows, and spreading widely, so as to choke its supporters.
Leaves of six or nine pair of leafets, mostly alternate. Sti-
pulae in pairs, small, deeply divided into several awl-shaped
segments. Flowers whitish, with beautiful pencil-streaks of
blue. Pods lanceolate, smooth, pale brown. E. Bot. t. 79 ;
Flo. Dan. t. 277 ; Wither, iii. 335.

Native of Britain, and most parts of Europe, from Sweden to
the south of Italy ; also of Siberia. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Herbage, 12 oz. The produce per acre - 8167 8 0

80 dr. of herbage weigh, when dry - 20 0 7 OQ^I 14 Q
The produce of the space, ditto 48 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6750 10 0
64 dr. of herbage afford of nutritive matter 2 27 ^^ Q Q
The produce of the space, ditto 723

The habits of this vetch are similar to those of the Vicia cracca,
but it seems more impatient of exposure : it thrives better where
it has the support of bushes. When transplanted to open situa-
tions, the produce is inconsiderable compared with that of the
Vicia cracca or Vicia sepium ; though in its natural place of growth
the produce is six times that of either of these vetches, it is like-
wise superior in the quantity of nutritive matter it affords. Horses,
cows, sheep, and the South American sheep (lamala), ate this
vetch with more eagerness than they did the other vetches or
natural grasses that were on several trials offered to them.

Of all the different vetches that were submitted to experiment,
the winter tare, or common vetch (Vicia sativa, var.), afforded the
most nutritive matter. 64 dr. of the herbage, cut at the time of
flowering, afforded 4 dr. 4 gr. of nutritive matter ; spring tares
afforded only 3 dr. 3 qrs., which confirms the justice of that pre-
ference which practice has given to the former.

Flowers in July and August, and the seed is ripe in September.

s

Lolium Temulent-um.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 397

LOLIUM temulentum. Annual Rye-grass, Bearded Ray-grass,
Bearded Darnel.

Specific character : Awns longer than the corolla ; spikelets
shorter than the calyx ; florets elliptical ; stem rough in the
upper part. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 174; Hort. Gram. Fol. 299.
— Fig. 1. Spikelet. 2. Lower Calyx, with its occasional
elliptical appendage. 3. Floret. 4. Germen, Styles, and
Nectary.

Obs. — This is distinguished from the perennial rye-grass by its
bearded or awned spikelets, by the roughness of the stem
and leaves ; leaves broader, of a paler green colour. For the
distinguishing marks of the seed, see pp. 25 and 31.

Native of Britain. Root perennial. Flo. Rust. 33 ; Flo. Dan.
160; Engl. Bot.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich sandy loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 20 oz. The produce per acre - 13612 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 40 0 > fiQQfi 4 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 160 0 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 6806 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 70 gr. 7 ^qfi . ~
The produce of the space, ditto - 350 3

This is supposed to be the darnel of the ancients, mentioned as
hurtful to crops of wheat. It has lived under the opprobious
name of weed nearly two thousand years. It appears, from the
trials that have been made of it here, to be incapable of outliving
winter frosts ; even in mild winters I never could preserve a single
plant under ordinary circumstances. It is never, according to my
experience or information, found beyond the precincts of tillage-
fields. It is probable, therefore, that it owes its preservation or
continuance in this country to the spring-sown annual crops of
grain. It is reasonable to conclude from this circumstance, that
it was not originally a native of this country, but may have been
mixed with the grain imported from warmer climates.

The above statements shew the produce of one acre for one
year. Being strictly an annual plant, it may be easily kept under,
or totally extirpated, by the practice of the drill mode of hus-
bandry. Indeed it is never found in arable lands that are

398 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

managed under this superior system of tillage, except when in-
troduced by having seed from other farms where broad-cast
sowing is practised.

Flowers in the first week of July, and the seed is ripe about
the beginning of August. The seeds vegetate quickly after being
sown.

LOLIUM arvense major. Larger Short-awned Annual Darnel.
Fig. 1. A cutting of the grass. Native of Botany Bay.

Lolium arvense minor. — Fig. 2. A cutting of the grass. Native
of Britain.

Lolium arvense. Short-awned Annual Darnel.

Specific character : Corolla slightly awned ; spikelets as long as
the calyx; florets elliptical; stem very smooth. Sm. Engl.
Fl. i. p. 174.

Obs. — Rather smaller and smoother than the preceding species,
of which it is probably only a variety. See Sm. Engl. Fol.

Lolium temulentum, var. Slender-awned Annual rye-grass.
Hort. Gram. Fol. 301.

Qls. — This differs from the common annual bearded rye-grass
in having the calyx longer than the spikelets ; spikelets
more cylindrical, resembling in this respect the Lolium tenue ;
awns very weak; leaves smoother; root-leaves spreading,
pointing horizontally. It partakes of the characters of the
Lolium tenue, L. arvense, and L. temulentum ; but evidently
approaches nearest to the Lolium arvense, as pointed out by
Sir James Edward Smith. It is said to be a native of New
Holland, being marked as such on the envelope of the seeds
I received ; but as it withstands the effects of the severest
frosts, which utterly destroy the common sort, it is most
probably, as the late Mr. Sowerby observed, only a British
plant returned from transportation.

Root annual.

Experiments, — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
siliceous sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 25 oz. The produce per acre - 17015 10 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 35 0 } 5334 1 r Q

The produce of the space, ditto /- 175 0 5

o 1 i u m • A r v c 11 s e

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBUUNENSIS. 399

Produce per Acre.
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 11680 1 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 80 0 > «Qg ^ r Q
The produce of the space, ditto 500 0 5

This variety is very hardy, being able to bear the severest of
our winter frosts. It is considerably superior to the preceding
species in point of produce, and affords a superior quantity of
nutritive matter. But neither of these plants appears to possess
sufficient merits to rank it above the class of annual weeds.
The seeds are larger than any of the natural annual grasses, and
approach to the size of the cultivated grain crops. Birds are very
fond of the seeds. Linnaeus says, that when mixed with bread
corn, these seeds produce but little effect unless the bread be
eaten hot; but if malted with barley, the ale soon occasions
drunkenness. It is said,* that when made into bread with a small
proportion of wheat, and eaten repeatedly, it produced vomiting,
purging, violent colics, and death.

Flowers about eight days before the common variety, and the
seed is perfected nearly at the same time as the seeds of that
variety.

PHALARIS Canariensis. Manured Canary-grass.

Specific character: Panicle spike-like, ovate; husks of the
calyx boat-shaped, apex quite entire ; corolla four-valved,
outer smooth, inner villose. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 74.

Obs. — Culms from six inches to three feet high, according to
the richness of the soil, erect, roundish, somewhat com-
pressed ; leaves linear-lanceolate, acute, flat, rough ; florets
ovate-compressed, outer convex, inner somewhat concave ;
nectary, two fleshy concave pear-shaped substances on the
outside of the base of the corolla. Schrader ; Engl. Bot.
1310; Flo, Rust. t. 17; Wither, iii. 113; Hort. Gram.
Fol. 303.

Native of the Canary Isles, now also of England, France, Spain,
and New Zealand. Root annual.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich clayey loam on a tenacious subsoil is —

* Monthly Review, vol. Ixvii. p. 559. Withering.

400 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENS1S.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 80 oz. The produce per acre - - 54450 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry - 26 0 7 17696 4 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 416 0 5

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 36753 12 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 1 27 1075 o n
The produce of the space, ditto - 30 0 3

This grass has been cultivated in England for the sake of its
seeds only, which are esteemed the best for the smaller birds,
particularly canaries ; whence it takes its name. Its culture here
appears to be chiefly confined to the Isle of Thanet. From the
results of the above experiments, it proves a great impoverisher
of the soil. A given space of a rich clayey loam afforded in the
first season 80 oz. of grass, when cut at the time of flowering ;
the succeding year the same space was well worked and sown,
but no manure was applied ; the produce was only 9 oz. On the
third year the ground was manured with decayed stable-dung, at
the rate of 70 cart-loads per acre ; the given space then afforded
85 oz. of grass. The herbage is but little nutritive, and the plant
cannot be recommended for cultivation but for the seeds only,
which are principally in demand in the neighbourhood of large
towns.

Flowers in the first week of July, and the seed is ripe about the
end of August.

PDA annua. Annual Meadow-grass, Suffolk-grass.

Specific character: Panicle divaricate; spikelets ovate, five-
flowered ; florets somewhat remote, five-ribbed, without a
web ; culms oblique, compressed. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 127 ;
Flo. Rust. t. 8; Engl. Bot. t. 1141 ; Huds. Angl. 42; Curt.
Lona. 1, t. 6; Wither.; Hort. Gram. Fol. 305.— Fig. I.
Nectary and Germen. 2. Floret, magnified.

Obs. — The Poa annua is distinguished from the Poa trivialis by
its general habit, its spreading panicle, and reclining culms ;
by its smoothness, greater softness, and delicacy ; from Poa
pratensis, by having the branches in pairs, its panicle more
thinly set, and its spikelets larger ; from both, by its inferior
size, compressed culms, and annual root. Martyn.— Stigmas

Poa annua

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 401

very large and repeatedly, compound, as in Glyceria fluitans.
Sin". Engl. Fl. i. p. 128.
Experiments. — About the middle of June, the produce from a

rich black loam, is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 8 oz. The produce per acre - - 5445 0 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 > IQQZ 10 0
The produce of the space, ditto - 344 0£ 3

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 3539 4 0

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 2 27 010 11 o
The produce of the space, ditto 50 5

This, though a diminutive annual plant, is the most troublesome
weed that infests gravel walks, stone pitchings, and the like. It
continues to flower and produce seed all the spring, summer, autumn,
and even sometimes in the winter months. The seed is perfected
in a shorter space of time than that of any other species of grass,
or of any plant with which I am acquainted. It will produce
flowers and seeds, when it cannot attain to more than an inch in
height, from the soil being in the next degree to absolute sterility.

Mr. Stillingfleet informs us,* that in some parts it is called
Suffolk-grass, there being whole fields of it in High Suffolk,
without any mixture of other grasses; and he expresses an opinion,
that it is likely to be the best grass for the dairy. But the dimi-
nutive size of the plant renders its cultivation unprofitable, com-
pared with that of any other of the pasture grasses; and, besides,
it is an annual, which, though it continues to produce flowering
culms during most part of the year, nevertheless, it is soon
injured by frost, and often killed by a continuance of dry weather.
How to extirpate it, therefore, is the point of most importance to
be ascertained. Some recommend boiling water to be poured on
the stone pitchings where it abounds ; but the most effectual
mode is to cover the spot with a layer of litter, or the mowings of
the lawn, in sufficient thickness to create fermentation. On
removing this, in the course of ten days or a fortnight, the Poa
annua, and most other weeds in the pitching, will be found com-
pletely destroyed. But the most effectual remedy to destroy
this grass when growing in pitchings, and on gravel and sand
walks, is, by an application of common salt, which, since the re-
duction of the duty on this article, can be had at a price that will

* Tracts, page 383.
D 1)

402 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

allow of its application economically. The best manner of applying
it is, just after the pitchings or walks have been cleaned, to strew
the salt over the surface sufficiently thick to make each particle
of the salt touch another. This dressing will be found to prevent
the vegetation of the seeds or roots of the grass. It will also be
found to destroy worms and slugs.

The Poa annua flowers and ripens its seed throughout the
summer.

TRITICUM repens. Creeping Wheat-grass, Couch, Quitch,
Dog's-grass, Quicks.

Specific character: Calyxes 5-flowered, awl-shaped, many-
nerved ; florets acuminate ; leaves flat ; root creeping.

Obs. — Root perennial, powerfully creeping-jointed, coated;
fibres downy; stems slender, upright, two feet high, but
acquire a much greater height when drawn up in hedges ;
round, smooth, striated, having five or six joints, which are
frequently tinged with red ; leaves spreading very much,
smooth on the under surface, on the upper and the margin
rugged ; they are often directed on one side ; spike nearly
upright, two or three inches long, flat, composed of numerous
spikelets, often more or less awned. Flo. Rust. t. 124; Engl.
Bot. 909 ; Huds. 57, Wither. Arr. ; Smith Brit. 158 ; Flo.
Dan. t. 784.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

clayey loam is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 18 oz. The produce per acre 12251 4 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 32 0

The produce of the space, ditto - 115

64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 20^ OQQ 13 in

The produce of the space, ditto 9 0 5

64 dr. of the roots afford of nutritive matter 5 dr. 3 qr. ; the
proportional nutritive powers of the roots is therefore superior to
that of the herbage, as 8 to 23.

This species constitutes the principal of what is termed couch-
grass, in gardens or rich cultivated grounds. The Holcus mollis,
and Poa pratensis, are the proper couch-grasses of light or sandy
soils. The Agrostis alba is chiefly troublesome as couch in
clayey lands. Forking out the roots after the plough, is doubt-
less the best mode of extirpating this noxious weed ; but the pro-

Tri lieu in. Kepents

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

403

cess must not be discontinued while a particle of the root is sus-
pected to remain in the soil, as the least portion will grow, and
the land being so much broken and loosened by the operation,
gives double encouragement for the rapid growth of the plant.
It does not thrive well when combined with other grasses, but is
naturally more common in hedges.

The roots contain a large proportion of nutritive matter ; they
are esteemed abroad for feeding horses; at Naples, they are
collected in large quantities for this purpose, and brought to
market. My friend, the Rev. Thomas Roy, sent me some of these
roots from Naples ; they were much larger than I had seen of
British growth. On trial, the given quantity afforded 6 dr. 2 qr.
of nutritive matter, being, in this respect, superior to the English
roots in the proportion of 26 to 23. Boerhaave recommends the
juice of the root to be drunk liberally in obstructions of the
viscera ; particularly in cases of scirrhous liver and jaundice.
Dogs eat the leaves of this grass, and also those of the Holcus
avenaceus, to excite vomiting. The nutritive matter from the
leaves contains an excess of bitter extractive and saline matters.

Flowers about the beginning of August, and the seed is ripe
about the end of the month ; but is seldom good, being subject
to mildew.

MILLIUM effusum. Common Millet-grass.

Specific character: — Flowers panicled, dispersed, awnless.

Obs. — Stems generally rising to three or four feet in height,
with about four joints ; leaves smooth, thin, and weak ;
panicles from four inches to a foot in length; branches loose;
pedicles often in whirls, diverging by glands fixed in the axils,
which has caused it to be mistaken sometimes for the Poa
retroflexa or P. distans. Mr. Curtis observes, that it is distin-
guished from the panics, to which it has the greatest natural
affinity, by having a calyx of two valves only. Engl. Bot.
1106; Curt. Lond. iv. 12, 248. Wither. Arr. Native of
Britain. Root perennial.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a

light sandy soil is —

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 11 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 7827 3 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 31 0 > ^033 n

The produce of the space, ditto - 111 2f 3

0

404 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 4794 3 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 13? 21400
The produce of the space, ditto 0 0 £

The common millet, in its natural state, seems to be confined to
woods as its place of growth. It will thrive and grow, however,
when transplanted to open exposed situations. It is remarkable
for the lightness of the produce in proportion to its bulk. The
foliage comes pretty early in the spring, but appears, from the
above results, to be but little nutritive. Birds are remarkably
fond of the seeds ; so much so, as to raise a doubt whether, for
the sake of the seed only, it could be cultivated to advantage on
the farm. But in covers, where game is preserved, there cannot
be a better grass encouraged ; it will save the corn fields. About
the beginning of August is the best season for sowing the seed.
The surface of the ground, near the roots of the bushes, should be
lightly stirred, and the seeds scattered over it and raked in ; a few
of the decaying leaves that cover the ground should be afterwards
thrown over it.

It flowers in the second week and latter end of June, and the
seed is ripe in the middle of July and beginning of August.

AGROSTIS Mexicana. Mexican bent-grass.

Specific character : Panicle oblong, heaped ; calyx and corolla

acuminate, and nearly equal.

Obs. — Culms numerous, from one to two feet high, according
to the nature of the soil it grows in, branched, erect ; leaves
smooth; sheath-scale truncated; panicle pale green, tinged
with purple, according as it is produced in full exposure to
the sun, crowded with scabrous florets ; calyx-valves unequal,
shorter than the corolla ; corolla-valves nearly equal, hairy at
the base. Linnaeus observes, that it is very difficult to dis-
tinguish this species.

Native of South America. Root perennial. Introduced into
England by Mr. Gilbert Alexander, in 1780. Hort. Kew. i.
p. 150 ; Linn. Mant. 31. syst. 111.

Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a
rich black siliceous sandy soil incumbent on a tenacious sub-
soil, is —

HORTUS GHAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 405

Produce per Acre,
dr. qr. Ibs.

Grass, 28 oz. The produce per acre - - 19057 8 0

80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 28 0 ? ^Q 2 Q

The produce of the space, ditto - 156 3^ i
The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 12387 6 0
64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 207 rgr o IQ
The produce of the space, ditto - 1403

It delights more in calcareous or clayey soils, than in those
that are of a siliceous sandy nature. It perfects an abundance of
seed, which, when sown, produces plants that soon arrive at per-
fection. So far, therefore, it possesses the requisite properties of
a grass adapted for the Alternate Husbandry ; but it is late in the
produce of foliage in the spring, and that herbage is not distin-
guished by any superior nutritive powers, as the above results of
experiments manifest. It is perfectly hardy. Being a native of
a warmer climate, its defects may possibly be greatly lessened by
being naturalized, and by frequently raising it from seed suc-
cessively ripened in this country. At present it does not offer
any strong reasons to recommend it further to the notice of the
Agriculturist.

It flowers in the third week of August, and the seed is ripe
towards the end of September.

From the facts brought forward in this and the preceding
series, it appears manifest that there are but a smaller number of
the natural grasses peculiarly fitted for the Alternate Husbandry.

The merits of a grass, or other species of plants for alternation,
as green crops* with grain , were before mentioned.

* The following plants having been submitted to experiment, in so far as regards
the quantity of nutritive matter they afford, it is hoped, the accompanying short
notices respecting them may not be altogether uninteresting, but of some use to
the Agriculturist.

1 . Turnips (Brassica rupa.} By whom, and at what period, turnips were first
used in England as the food of cattle, does not appear ; but from various accounts,
their culture and uses were known in the Low Countries, as far back as there are
any records. The ancients appear to have been well acquainted with the value of
this root. Columella, speaking of the several kinds of vegetables adapted for the
farm, recommends the cultivating of rapa in plenty, because, says he, those roots
that are not wanted for the table, will be eaten by the cattle. Worlidge, in his
Mystery of Husbandry, &c. printed in 1681, (my copy I believe to be a second
edition, for Worlidge wrote in 1668,) says, that " although turnips be usually

406 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

The meadow-foxtail, (Alopecurus pratensis), is early, productive,
and nutritive, but it does not arrive at perfection so soon as many

nourished in gardens, and be properly a garden plant, yet are they, to the very
great advantage of the husbandman, sown in his fields in several places of England,
not only for culinary uses, as about London and other great cities, but also for the
food of cattle." Again he says that " in Holland they slice their turnips with the
tops and rape-seed cakes, and grains, See. and therewith make mashes for the cows*
and give it them warm, which the cows eat like hogs." He likewise complains of
the very great neglect and deficiency of English husbandry in this particular.

Lord Viscount Townsend appears to have the merit of occasioning their culture
to be carried to a great extent in England. His lordship was ambassador to the
states-general in 1709, and afterwards retired to Rainham, in Norfolk: in which
county the culture of turnips has been brought to the highest state of perfection by
Mr. Coke. In most counties in Scotland, the culture of turnips has also arrived at
a great height, and appears to be more general than in many parts of England.
Sir John Sinclair* informs us, that the seed of the Swedish turnip was first
introduced into Scotland in 1781-2, on the recommendation of Mr. Knox, a native
of East Lothian, who had settled at Gallowburgh, whence he sent some of the seeds
to Dr. Hamilton.

The culture of the common field-turnip is most advantageous on light or sandy
soils ; it enables the farmer to adopt a profitable rotation of crops on such soils as
would not otherwise admit of it, nor support live stock during the winter, much less
prepare them ready for market, without great expense in the use of hay. The
Swedish turnip, or Ruta bagay is equally valuable for heavy soils that are not well
fitted for the common field-turnip.

Manure is essential in the culture of the turnip, which, like all other tuberous or
bulbous roots that require it, thrives better with short than long dung. There is no
mode of applying it so effectually as that of burying it in the ridges made for the
purpose of the drills ; because the dung in this case becomes as it were a hot-bed
for the young plants, encouraging their growth in a high degree, which is of great
effect in defeating the attacks of the turnip-fly. The Swedish turnip is a great
acquisition to the husbandman for tenacious soils. It is seldom injured by the frost,
and though less productive in the average weight of crop, contains much more
nutritive matter than the common turnip, as much as 3 to 2. When sown broad-
east, the produce is seldom more than half the weight of that drilled on ridges,
though on ihe same soil.

The Nutritive powers of the different varieties of turnips, appears to be as
follows ( —

64 dr. of the Swedish turnip, or Ruta baga, afford of nutritive matter 110 grains.
64 dr. of the stone or garden-turnip 85

64 dr. of the common, or white loaf 80

64 dr. of the tankard, or long-rooted - 76

64 dr. of the Norfolk white turnip 83

The quantity of nutritive matter contained in different roots of the same variety,

* Account of the System of Husbandry in Scotland, &c. by Sir John Sinclair,
Bait., Founder of the Board of Agriculture.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 407

other grasses. The seed is also often defective, and the crop in
consequence cannot be depended on.

varies according to the size and texture of their substance. A root of the white loaf
variety, measuring seven inches in diameter, afforded only seventy-two grains and
a half, while the same quantity of a root which measured only four inches, afforded
eighty grains. The middle-sized roots of the common turnip are therefore the most
nutritious ; as, on the contrary, are the largest roots of the Swedish turnip, affording
110 grains, while the middle-sized and smaller roots afforded only 99.

100 grains of the nutritive matter of white turnips appeared to consist of mucilage
16, sugar 82, albumen or gluten 2=100 grains.

2. Cabbages (Brassica oleracea, var.) are of a great value under the circumstance
of a tenacious heavy soil, where the turnip culture cannot be practised with
advantage. They require to be raised from seed sown in beds of earth in autumn
or spring, and transplanted into the field towards the end of May, or beginning of
June at farthest ; and will be ready for use in October. It is essential that the
seed-beds have good shelter, but at the same time free exposure to the sun, morn-
ing, mid-day, and noon. The soil a rich friable loam. One pound of seed, if
properly treated, will produce 24,000 plants, and 8,000 plants are considered
sufficient for an acre of land. For the purposes of the dairy, one acre of cabbages
is considered worth three of turnips. There has been some difference of opinion
with respect to their effects on the quality of the milk and butter ; but they are
evidently superior to turnips as long as they keep fresh ; one or two decaying leaves
upon a head, however, are sufficient to give both milk and butter a strong disagree-
able taste. This I have long had an opportunity of proving.

The varieties of the cabbage are numerous. Those best fitted for field culture are
the drum-headed cabbage, red-veined, the Scotch or Yorkshire, and the American.
The most productive of these are the drum-headed and American, but the red-
veined and Scotch stand the winter best. This plant impoverishes the soil very
much ; in collecting the produce for consumption, the plants should therefore be
drawn up by the roots, and not merely cut over, as is often practised to the detri-
ment of the soil. These different varieties afford about equal quantities of nutritive
matter.

It is here necessary to correct a misstatement in the first printed account of the
results of these experiments, respecting the nutritive matter afforded by cabbages
and potatoes.

The nutritive matter of the cabbage is wholly soluble in water, that of the potatoe
only partially so, for a great proportion of the potatoe consists of starch.

Nutritive Woody

matter, fibre, Water,

grains. grains. grains.

One pound, or 7,000 grains of the cattle cabbage or drum-
headed cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata) consists of - 430 - 280 - 6290

One pound of the early York cabbage (Brassica oleracea,

var.) - 430 - 312 - 6258

One pound of the Woburn perennial kale (B.oler.Jimbriata
perennis) - 438 - 932 - 5632

One pound of the green curled kale (B. oler. viridis) - 440 - 880 - 5680

One pound of the purple bonecole or kale (B. okr. lacinata) 448 - 1 1 20 - 5432

One pound of the bulb of the turnip-rooted cabbage

408 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Meadow cat's-tail (Phknm pratense) arrives speedily at perfec-
tion. It is very productive in the fore-part of the season, and the

Nutritive Woody

matter, fibre, Water,

grains. grains. grains.

(Brassicarapa, var.)the seeds of which were communicated

to the Duke of Bedford by the Right Hon. Sir John

Sinclair, Bart, from the celebrated Doctor Von Hopsen

of Vienna - - 400 - 320 - 6280

One pound of the leaves or tops of the turnip-rooted

cabbage, consisted of - - 252 - 360 - 6396

The turnip-rooted cabbage has a woody short stem, produced by the formation
and decay of the leaves ; as new leaves are formed by the central bud of the stem,
the lower leaves drop off, and thus the top of the bulb assumes the appearance of a
stem. A part of this woody stem was included in the portion of the bulb submitted
to experiment ; in the other instance the leaves simply were submitted to trial :
hence, the superior quantity of woody fibre contained in the root in comparison to
that afforded by the leaves. The cattle cabbage, and York cabbage, mentioned
above, are of a very solid consistence : the leaves are rolled up, and, excepting the
outer ones, excluded from the action of the air ; hence it seems that exposure to the
influence of the sun-beams and atmosphere tends towards the increase of woody
fibre in this class of plants.

The Woburn perennial kale* is a valuable variety of the open-growing cabbage.
It is propagated by planting cuttings of the stems and branches. The seed is apt to
produce spurious plants. The soil should be rich. The expense of forming a
plantation of this kale is not more than that of the common cabbage ; and it has
this advantage over other sorts of cabbage, or kale, that it continues highly produc-
tive for many years without farther trouble or expense than what is incurred
in keeping the ground clean of weeds.

For the table, it is not inferior to the best kinds of greens or kale, and for the
farm, and cottage-garden, its highly productive powers, and cheapness of culture,
promise to render this plant highly valuable. The perennial habit of the Woburn
kale places it out of the reach of the yearly accidents of weather, bad seed, and the
depredations of insects, to which all other varieties of cabbage, and every other
crop, indeed, which requires the seed to be sown annually, are subject.

Swedish turnips are superior to cabbages in the quantity of nutritive matter they
afford, in the proportion of 110 to 107£; and the common field turnip is inferior in
the proportion of 80 to 107*. Carrots are more nutritive than cabbages, in the pro-
portion of 187 to 107£.

3. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosutn). The varieties of the potatoe are very numerous,
and the confusion of their names inextricable. Those most valued in the field-
culture are the ox-noble, yam, champion, purple-red, rough-red, hundred-eyes,
Yorkshire kidney, and Moulton white. Though there is some difference of opinion
respecting the time when this most valuable root was first cultivated in Great
Britain, as also of the individual to whom we are indebted for its introduction ; yet

* For an account of the culture and valuable properties of this variety of kale,
see a paper published in Vol. V. of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of
London.

HORTUS GHAM1NEUS WOBUHNENSIS. 409

foliage and culms are very nutritive ; but it runs much to stalks,
and the after-grass is very trifling.

the most authentic records agree in giving the merit to the illustrious Sir Walter
Raleigh, who brought it from Virginia in 1584. " The president of the Royal
Society (Sir R. Southwell) related that potatoes were first introduced into Ireland
by his grandfather, who had them from Sir Walter Raleigh, after his return from
Virginia.* «

The culture of potatoes is well known. They are a very impoverishing root to
the soil.

The yam potatoe is very productive, attains to a large size, but is often hollow,
and less nutritive than most others. 64 dr. afford of nutritive matter 190 grains,
which consist of starch 164 grains, and saccharine and albuminous matter 26.

The ox-noble is a very productive variety, contains more nutritive matter than
the yam, but less than several others. 64 dr. afford 1 95 grains of nutritive matter,
consisting of starch 164, and saccharine, mucilaginous, albuminous matters, 31.

The purple-red potatoe is smaller than .the preceding, but well-flavoured and
very prolific. 64 dr. afforded me 200 grains of nutritive matter, which appeared to
consist of starch 169, albuminous and saccharine matters 31 grains.

The hundred-eye variety is very prolific on dry loams ; it contains rather more
nutritive matter than the foregoing. 64 dr. afford 218 grains of nutritive matter,
which afforded starch 170 grains, albuminous and other matters 48.

The rough-red produces plentiful crops on soils of a moister nature than that
adapted for the hundred-eyed variety; it is well-flavoured. 64 dr. afforded 250
grains of nutritive matter, which consisted of starch 204, and saccharine, mucilagi-
nous, and albminous matters, 46.

Champion : this variety grows to a moderate size, is very productive, and but
little subject to the curl disease. 64 dr. contain 260 grains of nutritive matter, con-
sisting of starch 199, mucilage, sugar, and albumen, 61.

Soluble matter,
gum or mucilage, extractive
and saline matters,
not perfectly dry. Pure starch. Fibre. Water.

In 7000 grains, or one pound of the bread-fruit

potatoe, I found by careful and repeated trials 975 - 548 - 477 - 5000 grs.
An equal weight of the Barbadoes potatoe

(introduced by the Duchess of Bedford)

consisted of - 980 - 667 - 616 - 4737

An equal weight of the black-kidney potatoe

afforded - 970 - 695 - 622 - 4713

The quantity of water therefore contained in raw potatoes is much greater than
has been supposed. Dressing the potatoe by steam, roasting, or by boiling, and
afterwards drying them over the fire, must render this root more highly valuable as
food for cattle, than when it is given to them in a recent state.

Carrots (Daucus carota). The garden or cultivated carrot is supposed to be an
accidental variety of the wild carrot, a common weed in sandy loams (see Engl.
Bot. 1174). There are four varieties of the common carrot, distinguished by their
colour ; as the long-red, the orange, the white, or Walcheren, and the early-horn

* Minutes of the Royal Society, December, 13, 1693.

410 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Rye, or ray-grass (Lolium perenne) comes soon to perfection,
and when in a young state produces a plentiful supply of early

carrot. The soil which answers to the turnip-culture is likewise adapted for the
carrot ; but it requires to be deeper. The highly nutritious nature of this root is
well known ; it is excellent food for all sorts of cattle, particularly horses. Swine
are said to fatten sooner on carrots than on any other kind of food, and the flesh is
superior. The only objection to the general adoption of the cultivation of carrots
is their impoverishing effects on the soil, and the root does not succeed well if
manure be applied with the crop. The most successful mode I ever witnessed of
raising carrots in the field, was precisely the same as that of turnips, with the
exception, that no manure was applied with the crop. The seeds were drilled on
ridges, about the end of March, in dry weather, and on gaining their fourth leaf,
about the middle of May, were thinned out and first-hoed, vacancies being filled
up by transplanting from the crowded spots. The produce about 300 bushels per
acre. The long-red carrot is the most productive, but the orange variety is more
certain for a crop. Carrots are superior to turnips, in being more nutritive, more
hardy, and less subject to disease, and continue good till a later period in the
spring. But their effects on the soil unfit them for alternation as a green crop with
grain. The expense of reaping the produce is also greater than that of turnips.
The growers of this root affirm, that one acre of it will feed as many cattle as three
of turnips, which exactly agrees with the comparative weight of nutritive matter
afforded per acre, carrots being superior to turnips as 3 to 1. 64 dr. afforded 187
grains of nutritive matter, 1 00 grains of which, according to Sir. H. Davy, consist
of sugar 95, mucilage 3, and extract |.

The white carrot appears to contain more sugar. 64 dr. afforded 190 grains of
nutritive matter, 100 of which gave sugar 98, mucilage 2, and extract 1.

Mangel-Wurzel, Root of Scarcity, Lettsom Root, White Beet (Beta cic/o, Racine
de disette). This variety of beet»appears to have been introduced to the Agricul-
turists of this country by Mr. Parekyns, who sent the seeds from Metz, in 1786,
with directions for its culture.* Dr. Lettsom did much to recommend it for field-
culture. It requires a rich deep soil. Some recommend the seeds to be sown in
March or April, and as soon as the roots attain to the size of a goose-quill, to be
transplanted, 18 inches plant from plant in the rows. But with this as with all
bulbous and tuberous roots, transplanting does not tend to increase the size of the
root, as those tuberous-rooted esculent vegetables in general do much better when
not transplanted. The reports of the weight of crop produced on suitable soils
make this the most productive of esculent plants. But it impoverishes the soil in a
high degree, even more than carrots. The weight of nutritive matter afforded by
mangel-wurzel was before stated ; it is superior to turnips and carrots, and inferior
to cabbages and potatoes.

Kohl Rabi, Bulb-stalked Cabbage (Brussica oleracea, var.). This curious variety
of cabbage is a native of Germany, where it is much cultivated. They take it up
before the frost sets in, and protect it like potatoes or turnips, for winter use. The
produce is nearly the same as that of Swedish turnips, and the soil that suits the one
is equally good for the other. It may either be sown in drills, or raised in beds,

Trans. Soc. Arts, vol. V.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 411

foliage. After the time of flowering, however, it produces com-
paratively nothing during the rest of the season ; and unless the

and transplanted like cabbages ; in this case, the beds require to be made and sown
the preceding autumn. Two pounds of the seed will produce a sufficiency of plants
for one acre of ground. The stem is swoln like a bulb, and when divested of the
leaves may readily be mistaken for one. Hares are so fond of it, that on farms
where these animals abound, the culture of this plant is found to be impracticable.
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt first introduced kohl rabi into England from Germany. In
1805, Messrs. Gibbs and Co., seedsmen to the Board of Agriculture, raised one ton
and a quarter of the seed, and continue to supply the demands of the public for it,
and for all other agricultural seeds of the best quality. 64 dr. of the bulb of kohl
rabi afford 105 grains of nutritive matter.

Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba). This plant is a native of Britain, growing in dry
upland pastures and calcareous soils. It was first introduced to the notice of the
Agriculturist by Mr. Rocque, of Walham Green, in 1 760. Ann. Regist. Since
that period, the numerous trials that have been made of it as a plant for pasture and
for hay, have not proved it superior to lucern, sainfoin, or clover, except in soils
where these plants do not succeed. The chief property that gives value to burnet, is
its hardy nature, keeping green all winter, and its early growth. If left uncut in
autumn, it will afford green food from October till April. On soils suitable to its
growth, a portion of ground set apart for the growth of burnet would therefore be
attended with considerable profit. 64 dr. afford of nutritive matter 100 grains.

Oriental Bunias (Bunias orientalis"). This is a native of the Levant and Russia. It
was cultivated in 1739 by Philip Millar, in the Botanic Garden of Chelsea. It
appears to have been first introduced into the field-culture by Arthur Young, Esq.,
from whom Messrs. Gibbs and Co. had the seeds, which they have since increased
in sufficient quantity to supply the farming public. The manner of growth of the
roots and leaves resembles that of the dandelion. It is not a very early plant, but
bears mowing well. It is less productive than chicory, and is cultivated in the same
manner as that plant, and applied to the same uses as food. Its nutritive qualities
are equal to those of the broad-leaved clover. 64 dr. of the stems and leaves, at
the time the seed is ripe, afford 100 grains of nutritive matter; the same weight of
leaves, cut at the beginning of May, affords only 70 grains.

Hogweed (Heracleum Sphondyliuni). I was first led to submit this plant to ex-
periment at the suggestion of the Rev. S. Bale, of East Grinstead, who favoured
me with the seeds of another species, the H. giga?iteum. He observes, that it is a
very early and productive plant, bears mowing well, and that it is much relished by
cattle. Gmelin says, that the Russians distil an ardent spirit from the stalks ; they
prepare it by fermenting the stalks in water with the marsh whortle-berry ( Vacci-
nium uliginosuni), which is more agreeable to the taste than spirits made from corn.
Cows, sheep, swine, and rabbits, appear to be very fond of the leaves. It comes
into flower about the middle of May. Its nutritive powers appear to be consider-
able, when compared to those of lucern and some other plants.

About the first of May, 64 dr. of the herbage afford of nutritive matter 90 grains.
Ditto of lucern - - 90

Ditto of burnet - - 100

Ditto of Bunias orientalis - 100

Ditto of the broad-leaved cultivated clover - 80

412 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

culms are mown previous to ripening the seed, the ground is
much impoverished by it. The new varieties, however, of this
species of grass, which have been discovered of late years, remove
in a considerable degree the serious objections which applied to
the common rye-grass. These new varieties were before men-
tioned, at pp. 82 and 211 et seq. For the Alternate Husbandry,
rye-grass should be combined with other species of the natural
grasses and with clovers.

Hard fescue (Festuca duriusculd) early attains to maturity ; the
culms are succulent and nutritious ; it grows quickly after being
cropped, and springs pretty early ; but it is very deficient in the
weight of produce.

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is very productive and
nutrient, but does not spring sufficiently early, and seldom attains
to perfect maturity in two years. In some soils this grass attains
to a maturity of produce in as short a time as rye-grass.

Tall oat-like soft-grass (Holcus avenaceus) attains to maturity

Yarrow (Achillea millifoliurri), or Thousand-leaved Grass, has long been con-
sidered a bad weed in pasture and arable lands. It has a creeping root, which is
difficult to extirpate on light soils. Sheep are said to be fond of it, and Dr. Ander-
son has recommended it for cultivation ; but its productive and nutrient properties
are very inferior to many other plants equally adapted to light soils. Linnaeus says,
that its properties are vulnerary and styptic. An essential oil is extracted from the
flowers. 64 dr. of the leaves and stems cut when in flower (June 26) afforded 98
grains of nutritive matter.

An ointment made of the leaves is reckoned good against the scab in sheep.
There is every reason to believe that yarrow is only useful as a part of the food of
cattle in a medicinal point of view.

Since the above was first printed, further observation and experience of this
plant induces me to consider yarrow as an essential ingredient of the most fattening
and healthy pastures. In all the pastures most celebrated for fattening or for daily
produce, which I have examined in Devonshire, Lincolnshire, and in the Vale of
Aylesbury, yarrow was present more or less in almost every part of the surface.

Chicory, Succory (Cichorium intybuti). This plant is common on the borders of
corn-fields and poor gravelly soils. The cultivated variety was first pointed out as
a plant for cultivation, in this country, by Arthur Young, Esq., who brought the
seed from France in 1788. In some instances it appears, by Mr. Young's experi-
ments, to be more productive than lucern (Annals of Agriculture). Succory has
broad succulent leaves, and the stems become hard with age ; it is therefore unfit
to be made into hay. 80 dr. of the herbage lost in drying 52 dr., which shews it is
more difficult to make into good hay than the clovers. The quantity of seed
required to sow one acre is thirteen pounds, but a good deal depends on the rich-
ness of the soil. It requires to be sown in drills.

64 dr. of the herbage, cut previous to the time of flowering, afforded 60 grains of
nutritive matter.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 413

from seed in a very short space of time. It is very early and pro-
ductive in the spring, and during the whole season grows rapidly
after cropping, and the culms are succulent. The produce, how-
ever, is very deficient of nutritive matter, which contains an excess
of the bitter extractive and saline principles.

Yellow oat-grass (Avena Jlavescens) arrives soon at perfection ;
the produce is tolerably nutritive, but deficient in quantity.

Rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trimalis) early attains to
maturity ; the produce is highly nutrient, but likewise deficient
in weight.

Smooth-stalked meadow-grass (Poa pratensis) is early, and
rather nutritive, but comparatively unproductive. The creeping-
roots unfit it for introduction on arable lands.

Crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) is backward in arriving
at maturity. The produce is very nutritive, but wanting in
weight.

Fertile meadow-grass (Poa fertilis) soon attains to maturity ;
the produce is highly nutritive, but comparatively deficient in
quantity.

Nerved meadow-grass (Poa nervatd) is productive, very nutri-
tive, and affords an abundance of early foliage ; but it does not
attain to its full productive powers in two years.

Narrow-leaved meadow-grass (Poa angustifolia) is greatly supe-
rior to the smooth-stalked meadow-grass in early growth, produce,
nutrient properties, and reproductive powers ; but, unfortunately,
it possesses a strong creeping root, which exhausts the soil, and
renders it inadmissible on arable lands.

Wood meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis} soon arrives at maturity,
and springs early; the spring herbage is likewise very nutritive,
and produced in considerable quantity. The after-grass in the
autumn is, however, very inferior.

Flat-stalked meadow-grass (Poa compressa} affords much nutri-
tive matter, and continues to vegetate from spring till autumn ;
but its deficiency, with regard to weight of produce, puts it out of
the question for the purpose of alternate cropping.

Darnel-like fescue (Festuca loliacea). This grass possesses all
the valuable properties of rye-grass, and few of its defects. It
would, doubtless, be the best substitute for that species in alter-
nate cropping ; but, unfortunately, it does not perfect a sufficiency
of seed.

Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), though not possessing every

414 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

excellence in a degree superior to those species now mentioned,
for the Alternate Husbandry, nevertheless, it appears to have a
greater variety of merits for this purpose than almost any other
grass. It soon arrives at maturity ; it bears cropping well, is very
productive, and its nutritive powers are considerable. It is much
less impoverishing to the soil than rye-grass, and when ploughed
in affords a greater quantity of vegetable matter to the soil. It
has been objected to cock's-foot, that it rises in tufts, and is apt to
become coarse. But the objections will apply to every grass that
is not sown sufficiently thick to occupy with plants every spot of
the ground, and that is not afterwards sufficiently stocked to keep
the surface in a succession of young leaves. It is the practice of
thin sowing, and the strong reproductive powers of the plant, that
occasion it to appear a hassocky grass. If one species only is
therefore thought preferable to several in the Alternate Husbandry,
there is scarcely a species to be preferred to the Dactylis glome-
rata. But with respect to an early and certain supply of the most
nutritious herbage throughout the season, it will be found a vain
labour to look for it in one species of grass, but only where Nature
has provided it, in a combination of many. It will likewise be
found, that the Dactylis glomerata, from its more numerous merits,
should constitute three parts of a mixture of grasses adapted for
the purposes of the Alternate Husbandry. The different species
most proper to combine with cock's-foot, are such as possess in a
greater degree the properties of which this grass is deficient. For
this purpose, none appear better fitted than the Festuca dnriuscula,
Festuca pratensis, Poa trivialis, Holctts avenaceus, Phleum pratense,
Lolium perenne, and white clover, which should be in a smaller
proportion. A combination thus formed, of three parts cock's-
foot, and one part of these species just mentioned, will secure the
most productive and nutritive pasture in alternation with grain
crops, on soils of the best quality ; and even on soils of an inferior
nature, under the circumstances of unfavourable seasons, will
afford nutritive herbage, when otherwise the land would have been
comparatively devoid of it, if one species of grass only had been
employed.

APPENDIX I.

THE mode of returning tillage land to permanent pasture, called
transplanting, was invented by Mr. Whitworth, of Acre House,
Lincolnshire ; and Mr. John Blomfield, of Warham, Norfolk, first
practised it to any extent, having, in 1812, or the following year,
converted thirty-two acres of tillage-land by this mode.

In 1817, Mr. Blakie published a full account of the process,
with details of the merits of the new practice ; from which work,
— the information communicated by Mr. Whitworth, by corre-
spondents who have tried this new mode, and from my own
personal observations, the following statements and remarks are
furnished.

In laying down land to permanent pasture by this mode, it is
essential that the soil should be free of the seeds and roots of
weeds, and made perfectly clean by a clear out summer fallow.
The autumn is the best season for transplanting turf, and the
sooner the work is begun at this season the better, provided the
autumnal rains have sufficiently moistened the turf to fit it for
paring off clear. By transplanting in autumn, the roots of the
grasses get established before the commencement of warm weather
in the spring, and stored with sap to supply a more luxuriant crop
of grass than when the turf is delayed planting until February and
March. On a farm of the Marquess of Tavistock, at Oakely, I
witnessed the important effects of particular seasons in trans-
planting turf. One part of the field had been transplanted in
the autumn, and another portion at different periods of the spring.
The superiority of the autumn-transplanted portion of the field
was observable at a considerable distance, and when closely
examined could hardly be distinguished from old pasture land.
In the like proportion, the earlier spring-planted land held the
same superiority over the latter spring-planted ground.

In this new mode of returning tillage-land to pasture, it is also
essential that the turf should be selected or taken from the very
best pasture, for otherwise weeds and inferior grasses will be pro-
pagated.

416 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

If the field, from which the turf is to be taken to make the new
pasture, is intended to be broken up for a course of tillage crops,
then the whole of the turf may be pared off, and employed in
forming the new pasture to the required extent. But should the
field be required to remain in permanent pasture, a portion only
of the turf must be taken from the field, and a sufficiency of the
sward, or grass plants, left standing for that purpose.

In the first of these cases, Mr. Blakie directs a paring-plough
to be used; but if that cannot be conveniently obtained, a
common plough, with the coulter and share made very sharp, will
answer the purpose ; a wheel-plough is preferable to a swing-
plough for paring turfs, because it goes steadier, and cuts the turf
more regularly. The turf should be cut about two inches and a
half thick, and seven, eight, or nine inches wide, according to the
nature of the turf-gage of the plough, and the width of the wing
of the share ; it is sometimes cross-cut into short lengths, pre-
vious to the operation of paring; but this can only be effected
when the turf is moist, and free from stones. The cross-cutting
is done by a scarifier with scimetar tines, the convex edges made
very sharp, and faced to the work, and the implement heavily
weighted, so as to press the tines a proper depth into the turf,
into small pieces; but it gives more trouble, and increases the
expense of filling into carts ; for when cut into small pieces, in the
first instance, it requires to be filled with shovels, whereas, if left
in large flags, it is readily filled with forks or by the hand, when
the turf is tough, and hangs together. The turf is taken in carts
(if broad wheels so much the better) to the arable land on which
it is to be planted, and then dragged out of the cart in heaps, set
in straight lines, and at regular distances, in the same manner as
dung-heaps are set in fields, and after the rate of fifty single-horse
cart-loads to the acre. It is then chopped into pieces of about
three inches square, and spread with shovels regularly over the
ground. A scarifier with square or round tines, about one inch
and a half diameter, and set about one inch and a half apart, or
four tines in a yard, is drawn regularly over the field, and again
crossed at right angles, which takes out the cart-wheel tracts,
levels the ground, and marks out the distances for placing the
pieces of turf; but the operation of scarifying cannot be practised
when the ground is wet. It is, however, much better when
the scarifier can be used, as it not only marks out the dis-
tances accurately, but it makes an opening for the reception of

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 417

the plants, at the angles where the tracts of the tines cross each
other.

The turf being spread, women and children are then employed
to place or plant the turf, one piece in each intersection formed
by the tracts of the scarifier ; and with the foot or a wooden ram-
mer, having a broad end to correspond with the size of the piece
of turf, the plants or turf is pressed into the soil. One acre of
turf divided in pieces, and placed as before described, will plant
nine acres of arable land, as will appear from the following cal-
culation : —

Suppose one acre of turf cut into pieces of three inches square,
it will produce 696,960 plants, or pieces of turf.

One acre of arable land, marked out in squares of nine inches
to the side of the square, or eighty-one square inches, and one
plant to each square, will require 77,440 plants : consequently,
one acre of turf will plant nine acres of arable land ; each plant
will stand six inches apart, and occupy a space of nine square
inches, the blanks in each square being seventy-two square inches,
to be filled up by the future growth of the plants.

Mr. Blakie farther observes, that although this is the most
common, and judged to be the most proper size for the plants,
and distance for them to be set apart, yet it may not always be
convenient to allow so large a proportion of turf for plants to the
acre. In that case, either the plants may be reduced or the dis-
tances apart extended.

The process for the second case, or when the field from which
the turf is to be taken for transplanting is intended to remain in
permanent pasture, is as follows : — the gauge of the paring plough
may be set at nine inches, as before directed, but the wing of the
share should be turned up at six inches, and, being made very
sharp, will cut the turf on that side, while the coulter (also made
sharp) will cut the turf on the other side ; and the flat of the share
will turn the turf out six inches wide, leaving ribs of grass three
inches wide uncut. The cut turf being removed, the plough, set
at the same gauge, is then drawn across the field, at right angles,
to its former direction, and cross-cutting the uncut ribs of grass,
will leave patches of grass three inches square in each angle, con-
sequently the same number of plants to the acre as before stated
in the calculation for transplanting. After the turf is removed
the field should have a good top-dressing, not less than thirty or
forty loads per acre, of compost manure, or good vegetable mould.

E E

418 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

If the natural turf is deficient in any particular species of valu-
able grasses, the seeds of those should be sown at the proper
season after the top-dressing is spread; after this the surface
should be repeatedly well rolled. The turf will soon unite, and
in many instances will be found materially improved from its
former state, particularly so where the turf had been previously
hide-bound, or mossed.

The turf may also be taken out of the grass-field in narrow
ribs, suppose three inches wide only, leaving three inches uncut ;
then with a top-dressing of compost, and the ground thoroughly
well rolled, the turf soon unites, and the herbage will be greatly
improved. In the operative part of transplanting turf, particular
attention is required in carefully turning the flag with its grass-
side up, and in pressing the plants well into the ground ; for if the
roots of the plants are left exposed to the vicissitudes of winter
weather, they will certainly be injured in a material degree. The
whole process should therefore be effected with all possible expe-
dition, particularly when carried on in winter ; but which is not
advisable, as frosts, more or less, are expected every night in that
season : no more turf should be cut, carried, and spread in the
day, than is likely to be planted before night.

No stock of any kind should be admitted upon the young
pasture until after the grasses have perfected and shed their seed.

The expense of converting arable land into pasture by trans-
planting turf (according to the certificate delivered by Mr. Henry
Blyth, of Burnham, as a claimant for the premium offered by
T. W. Coke, Esq., 1816, for the encouragement of this new
description of husbandry), is as follows : —

A. E. P.

Extent of grass-land pared to produce plants for trans-
planting; the turf being clean pared off - - 1 2 18
Extent of arable land transplanted with the above - 11 0 15

EXPENSE.

£. s. d.
To ploughing or paring 1 acre, 2 roods, 18 poles, at

10s. per acre - 0 16 1J

To carriage of 600 loads of turf, 50 days' work for one

horse, at 3s. per day - 7 10 0

To lads driving carts, one boy fourteen days, at Is. 2d.

per day, and one ditto at IQd. per day - 0 19 8

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 419

£. s. d.

To scarifying 11 acres, or 15 poles of ground, when

covered with turf cut in pieces, at 2s. 6d. per acre - 1 7 8f

To labourers, filling, cutting, spreading, and planting
the turf on 11 acres, or 15 poles of land, at 30s. per
acre - - - - - - 16 12 9j

£27 6 4
Total expense per acre £2 9 2|

Mr. Blakie observes, that in the foregoing estimate there is no
allowance made for the expenses incurred by the clear out-sum-
mer fallow of the arable land, nor of the year's rent, poors' rates,
and taxes for that year; neither is there any charge made for
restoring the land to its previous state from whence the turf-
plants were taken : consequently there may be a very consider-
able additional charge made against the transplanted pasture.

Mr. Whitworth states the expense of the operative part of this
process, per acre, to be 21. 4s., and gives the following details
from his own minutes on the business. About 180 sods, of nine
square inches, will be equal to one bushel measure, and 240
bushels will be equal to eight cart-loads, which, at the rate of
about nine sods to a square yard, will plant one acre of land. A
man will cut with ease one bushel of sods in eight minutes ; and
two children in twelve minutes will gather them, put them into
the cart, and assist him to plant that quantity ; the whole time
being twenty minutes. The planting will be at the rate of three
bushels per hour, consequently, the day of ten hours will plant
thirty bushels, and eight days will finish one acre.

£. s. d.

One man eight days, at 2s. per day - - - 0 16 0

Two children eight days, at 6d. per day - - 0 8 0

Carting turf, if near at hand - - 0 10 0

Total per acre £1 14 0

But should the turf for transplanting have to be carted from a
distance, the expense would be proportionally increased.

Having had an opportunity of examining some pasture-land on
the Duke of Bedford's estates, near Endsleigh, Devonshire, which,

420 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

by the Duke's desire, had been formed by transplanting, I re-
quested Mr. John Forrester, who conducted the work, to give me
an account of the results ; this he favoured me with, in a valuable
communication. Mr. Forrester laid down to permanent pasture a
field of sixteen acres ; one half of the field was transplanted ac-
cording to the mode above described, and the other half was
sown with the seeds of natural grasses and clovers. With the
grass-seeds was also sown buck- wheat, which proved a heavy
crop, and injured the seedling grasses, by enfeebling their growth.
The turf for transplanting being close at hand, saved a great
expense in carting, and the expense of the transplanted portion
of the field exceeded but little that which was converted by sowing
the seeds.

In both cases the pasture proved good, and equal to the best
ancient pasture ; but Mr. Forrester observes, that from the first
year until now, (five years from the time the pasture was made,)
that portion of the field which had been laid down with seeds has
always produced more grass than the transplanted portion. In
two other instances, one of a field of five acres, and another of
two acres, treated in like manner as the above by Mr. Forrester,
he obtained similar results.

On a farm of the Marquess of Tavistock at Oakely, before
alluded to, I observed an improvement on the practice of trans-
planting turf; particularly as regards the recovery of a pasture
partially deprived of its turf for the purposes of transplanting. It
has been recommended to take the turf out in strips, or ribs, six
inches wide, and to leave ribs of grass uncut, of three inches in
width, to continue the pasture ; but here the turf was allowed to
remain in ribs of from ten to twelve inches wide, which, with the
liberal use of the grass-roller, had the effect of sooner covering the
vacant spaces with grass, or of promoting the union of the edges
of the stripes of turf, than when they were left of narrower dimen-
sions. A piece of land in Woburn Park was planted with turf,
but the expense of the process was here greater than what is men-
tioned above in the statements of expense. The turf was taken
out in stripes six inches broad, and ribs of grass left three inches
wide, to continue the pasture, precisely according to the directions
above given. The edges of the stripes of turf left standing to
continue the pasture did not however approach or unite, so as to
furnish the naked spaces with plants, because there were not any

HORTUS GKAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

421

creeping-rooted grasses in the sward to throw out lateral roots
and plants ; and the naked stripes, or furrows caused by the
removal of the turf, being very inconvenient to the feet in riding
or walking over the ground, they had to be filled up with mould,
and afterwards sown with grass-seeds.

The valuable permanent pasture-grasses cannot therefore be
said to be propagated or increased on the farm by this process of
transplanting turf, but that they are merely removed from one
field to another.

To bring forward to the reader facts capable of easy demon-
stration, and which cannot therefore mislead, has been a principal
object of the writer of these pages.

Had the seeds of those different species of grasses which com-
posed the turf used in these instances of transplanting, been sown
on a separate part of the same field, (or on a soil of the like nature
as that on which the turf was transplanted,) and had a dressing
of rich mould, equal to that conveyed and applied to the trans-
planted portion by the turf, been given to the land sown down with
these seeds ; then the comparative value of the two modes of con-
verting tillage land into permanent pasture would have been tried
under equal circumstances. But it is clear and evident, that if
we plant ten, fifteen, or twenty different species of the proper
grasses and clover in one field, and on another field or soil of the
same nature sow the seeds of only one or two species of grasses
and clover, it will surely appear unreasonable, if not absurd, to
expect that the comparative value of these two modes of culture
can be determined by the results of trials made under such un-
equal circumstances. Had the seeds of all these proper perma-
nent pasture-grasses, and of which the richest and most fattening
pastures were shewn to be constituted, been at the command of
those eminent Agriculturists who have put in practice this mode of
converting tillage-land into pasture, the comparative value between
planting the turf, and sowing the seeds of grasses, would have been
satisfactorily determined, and the superior advantages accruing to
the farm from the propagation and extended increase of the valu-
able permanent pasture-grasses by seed, would then have been
demonstrated. But, in the absence of these essential seeds from
the market, at a price sufficiently low to insure as regular a
demand for them as for rye-grass and clover, the practice of trans-
planting turf will be found highly useful ; particularly in clayey

422 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

and sandy soils, where a natural defect exists as regards the raising
of seedling grasses, and which defect is corrected, and such soils
improved for the growth of the valuable species of grass, by the
rich mould supplied to the soil by the transplanted turf.*

APPENDIX II.

Of the Grasses which afford the best culms, or straw, for the manu-
facture of Straw Bonnets, such as will equal, and may surpass, the
finest Leghorn Manufacture.

STRAW-PLAiT,in imitation of the celebrated Leghorn manufacture,
has been made in England for many years past, but the practice till
lately had been confined to the London manufacturers of straw bon-
nets. Above seventeen years since, land was taken at Ampthill, on
the estate of the late Earl of Upper Ossery, for the express purpose
of raising straw for this kind of plait ;t and a few years since, a very
fine straw bonnet was sent to the Duchess of Bedford from Leigh-
ton Buzzard, where it had been manufactured from English straw.
About three years since, Miss Woodhouse, a farmer's daughter of
Connecticut, transmitted to the Society of Arts in London, a
straw bonnet in imitation of the Leghorn, made of the straw of
Poa pratensis, smooth-stalked meadow-grass (or the spear-grass of
America), which, from its excellence, obtained the reward of the

* The author believes, that the plan for raising the seeds of all the valuable
permanent pasture-grasses, on every farm for its own supply, detailed at pp. 32, 38,
and 39, of this work, will, if properly acted on, remove every difficulty which may
have hitherto arisen from the want of their seeds ; and he takes this opportunity to
inform his readers, that having entered into the firm of Cormack and Son, Nursery
and Seedsmen, New Cross, London, and having made the actual raising of genuine
seeds of all the essential permanent pasture-grasses, clovers, and agricultural seeds
of every description, one of the objects of his arrangements with that old established
firm, — he therefore trusts, in a short time, to be able, from the New Cross Nursery,
to supply the Agricultural public with these seeds at a price sufficiently low to
insure a demand for general farm practice.

f About twenty years since, Mr. Corston, an eminent manufacturer, then of
Ludgate Hill, and now of Fincham, Norfolk, succeeded with the straw of rye,
which had been raised at Ampthill for the purpose, in manufacturing fine Leghorn
plait, which, from its great merit, obtained the award of the gold medal from the
Society of Arts in London.

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 423

society. Mr. Cobbett published an account of this circumstance
in his " Cottage Economy/' and also an account of his own
experience in selecting the best grasses for the purpose, and of
bleaching the green culms or straw, and for which Mr. Cobbett
received the society's medal.

The lady of the Key. Mr. Morrice, of Great Brickhiil, Bucks,
manufactured a very beautiful straw bonnet, in imitation of
Leghorn, of the culms of the crested dog's-tail grass (Cynosurus
cristatus), which, being submitted to the Society of Arts, obtained
the society's medal. Very great merit was displayed in the manu-
facture of this bonnet.

Mrs. Grant, of Leighton Buzzard, has made very successful
trials with the bleaching and selecting of the straws of the peren-
nial grasses for the Leghorn plait, and, from Mr. Grant's exten-
sive knowledge of the British grasses, much assistance may be
expected from his patriotic exertions.

The Duke and Duchess of Bedford, being desirous of intro-
ducing the manufacture of this kind of straw-plait among the
children of the labouring classes at Woburn, and in furtherance
of the intention of His Grace to establish here a girls' school for
the purpose, combining therewith, at the same time, the means of
moral and religious instruction to the children, I was instructed
to proceed in the cultivation of such grasses as were most likely
to supply the best culms or straw for the purpose. The wheat
recommended by Mr. Cobbett, and which was said to be the same
as that cultivated in Italy for the celebrated Leghorn plait, and
which was also said to have been imported from thence, was sown
on a siliceous soil, rather poor and exhausted, on the 27th of May.
Five different varieties of oats were sown at the same time, and
also a considerable number of the different species of perennial
grasses, on a separate space of ground.

The wheat was sown on two distinct spaces of ground, at the
rate often and of fifteen bushels to the acre respectively; and each
of these spaces was again divided as to the mode of culture, one
half of each respectively being sown in drills, and the other half
broad-cast. The oats were treated in like manner. When the
wheat came into blossom, it proved to be the common bearded
spring or cape wheat, which in this climate is very subject to the
rust disease, or rubigo ; and its power to supply clean or bright
straw is therefore rendered very uncertain, even should a mode of
culture be found out, under the circumstances of a British climate,

424 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

that would afford culms or straw of this grain sufficiently fine, and
at the same time of a texture sufficiently tough and firm for the
Leghorn plait; but experience will prove, that these last-men-
tioned properties are not to be obtained here by this plant.

W. P. Taunton, Esq., of Bristol, communicated a specimen of
wheat cultivated in Italy for the Leghorn plait; this proved to be
a specimen of the Triticum spelta, or spelt-wheat (see p. 1 15 supra).
Mr. Taunton states, that in Italy the wheat cultivated for the
straw is cut over twice or thrice, or is eaten down by cattle, so as
to render the culms which afterwards spring up very slender.
The long Italian summer allows of that mode of culture, which
this climate will not permit. The straw of Mr. Cobbett's wheat
proved too coarse for Leghorn plaits, but would have answered for
the split-straw manufacture. The straw of the fine varieties of
oats was also too coarse, though clean and of a good colour. The
expense attending the culture of grain for the straw merely, and
the difficulty of raising it of the required degree of fineness for the
Leghorn plait, without increased labour and expense in picking,
seem to forbid the adoption of that mode of obtaining straw in
this country for that particular purpose, more particularly when
the perennial grasses offer culms or straw of a finer quality than
is seen in any Italian plait, and which may be obtained at compa-
ratively a very small expense. There are many species of peren-
nial grasses adapted to supply fine and beautiful straw, the prin-
cipal of which have already been noticed ; but as several of these
species of grasses affect soils of a different nature, it may be useful
to mention the different soils peculiarly adapted for the growth of
certain species, that those who may be locally circumstanced as
to a particular soil, and who may be disposed to encourage the
introduction of so valuable a manufacture among the females of
the labouring classes, may be saved the temporary disappointment
caused by cultivating a grass not adapted to the soil, or not calcu-
lated to afford the finest straw for the intention.

Heath, or black siliceous Moor-soil. See p. 119.

Festuca ovina, sheep's-fescue grass, p. 257. Straw very fine
and clear.

Festuca duriuscula, hard-fescue grass, p. 155. Straw long, equal,
and clear; but coarser than the sheep's-fescue.

Festuca ovina hordeiformis, long-awned sheep's-fescue, p. 159.
Straw long, clear, and equal.

HORTUS QRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 425

Nardus stricta, upright mat-grass, p. 288. Straws long, without
joints, very fine, equal, and tough; perhaps the best grass for the
supply of straw for the Leghorn plait.

Dry Soils.

Cynosurus cristatus, crested dog's-tail grass, p. 152. Straw fine,
strong, or tough, well adapted for the Leghorn plait, but the culms
are frequently subject to discoloration, particularly after the time
of flowering.

Poa angustifolia, narrow-leaved meadow-grass, p. 184. Straws
very long, fine, and clear, greatly superior to the Poa pratensis, of
which Miss Woodhouse's celebrated bonnet was made.

Hordeum pratense, p. 314. Straws of the best quality for the
Leghorn plait, being fine, tough, and clear.

Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet-scented vernal grass, p. 134.
Straws clear and straight, but frequently rather coarse.

Agrostis lobata, lobed bent-grass, p. 273. Straws short, but
very fine, clear, and tough.

Agrostis spica venti, silky bent-grass. An annual, straws long,
fine, and clear.

Avena flavescens, p*161. Straw generally fine, bleaches well,
and of an equal and tough quality.

Agrostis vulgaris mutica, p. 279. Straw fine, bleaches easily,
but is rather short.

Avena pubescens, p. 285. Straw generally fine, long, and of a
good colour.

Festuca heterophylla, various-leaved fescue. Straw similar to
that of Festuca duriuscula.

Damp or Moist Soils.

Agrostis canina fascicularis, bundled-leaved brown-bent, p. 278.
Straw very fine and white.

Agrostis canina mutica, brown-bent, p. 341. Straw longer than
that of the preceding, in all other respects similar to it.

Agrostis stolonifera angustifolia, narrow-leaved stoloniferous
bent, p. 346. Straw long, tough, bleaches equally of a fine white.

Agrostis alba, white-bent, p. 342. Straw fine, tough, bleaches well.

Agrostis stricta, upright bent, p. 274. Straw very fine, straight,
and tough.

Agrostis repens, creeping-rooted bent, p. 344. Straw long and
equal, bleaches well ; in general it is not so fine as some others.

F F

426

HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

Poa nemoralis angmtifolia, narrow-leaved wood meadow-grass,
p. 182. Straw very equal, fine, and tough, but not so long
between the joints as some others.

Agrostis stolonifera aristata, awned stoloniferous bent, p. 345.
straw long, equal, and bleaches very white, but works rather
soft and flat in the plait. There are many other species of the
perennial grasses which afford fine culms, and which might be
added to the above list; but the above species have been submitted
to careful trials, and found to possess the valuable properties
stated. Any number of these species of grasses which come into
flower at the same period, and which affect similar soils, might
with advantage be sown together for the reasons already men-
tioned at p. 38. There is scarcely a fibrous-rooted species of
grass that can be cultivated singly without much time and atten-
tion, and consequently expense, in weeding or keeping out other
grasses from combining with it in the soil : whereas, by sowing
a mixture of those species which in common possess the proper-
ties above mentioned, they will keep possession of the soil, and
render weeding almost unnecessary ; and after the crop of straws
is taken, the grass or sward will be found more nutritious and
productive for depasturing with sheep than if it consisted of one
species of grass only.

The results of all the experiments made here prove, that the
period of flowering, or at the time the grass is in full flower, or
when the blossom is about decaying, is the best stage of growth
at which to cut the culms or straw, for the purposes of Leghorn
plait.*

* On examining the straw of the Leghorn plait, it exhibits a bland surface com-
pared to the glossy shining surface of an English bonnet manufactured of the
ripened straw of oats, &c. On comparing the appearance, in this respect, of the
culms of grasses cut when in flower, with others cut at the time the seed is ripe, and
after they have respectively been bleached, the former have a bland surface like to the
Leghorn plait, and the latter a glossy shining surface similar to the English bonnet
made of the split straw of ripened grain. The culms at the flowering stage of
growth are also less hollow, have more substance, are more tough and pliable than
ripened culms, and in this point also resemble more the Leghorn straw. It is
perhaps too well known to mention here, that the shining glossy surface of ripened
straw arises from the silica or pure earth of flints, which enters into the composition
of the culms of the gramina ; a wise provision of nature to give strength and stability
to stems of such slender structure for the support of the ripened seed or grain. As
the period of ripening the seed advances, this polish of the surface of the culm
increases. From these facts it seems probable that the Italian straw is taken when
the plants are in flower.

JiORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 427

The culms or green straw may be bleached by the process
detailed by Mr. Cobbett. The culms being selected and placed
in a convenient vessel, boiling water is poured over them, in
quantity sufficient to cover the straw ; in this they are to remain
ten minutes : when thus scalded, the culms are to be spread out on
a grass-plat to bleach; by turning them once a day, the bleaching
is generally effected in seven or eight days. According to my
experience, the bleaching may be effected in a much shorter
space of time. Instead of ten minutes, the culms are suffered to
remain in the scalding water from one to two hours ; they are then
spread out on the grass, and regularly moistened as they become
dry, and turned once a day for two days : after this it is taken up
and washed clean from dust, &c. It is then, in a moist state, placed
in a close vessel, and subjected to the fumes of burning sulphur
for two hours. This has been found sufficient to bleach the straw
in the most perfect manner. Green culms, immersed for ten
minutes in a strong solution of acetic acid, and then subjected to
the sulphureous acid gas, are bleached perfectly white in half an
hour. Green culms, immersed for fifteen minutes in muriatic acid
diluted with twenty times its measure of water, and then spread
on the grass, became in four days as perfectly bleached as those
culms which were scalded and bleached eight days on the grass.
The texture of the straw was not in the least injured by these pro-
cesses. The application of the sulphureous acid gas to the
moistened culms,5* even after scalding and bleaching on the grass,
had, in every instance, the effect of greatly improving the colour,
and that without being productive of the smallest injury to the
texture of the straw.

When straw is immersed in diluted acid it should be whole, for
if cut, the acid will get into the hollow of the culm, where it can
be of no use to the intention of bleaching.

To imitate, in the most perfect manner, the Leghorn plait, the

* It is necessary that moisture should be on the straw during the application of
the fumes of sulphur, to obtain the greatest use of the gas ; for water absorbs this
gas with rapidity, and the water in this process assists the action of the gas in
destroying the colouring matter of the straw without injury to its texture. A liquid
sulphureous acid is formed on the surface of the straw during the process. A few
laths fixed in the ground, and some others placed crossways, formed a platform for
the culms of the grasses in these trials, an iron pan held the burning sulphur, and a
large tub inverted on the lath platform confined the fumes of the sulphur to the
moistened straw.

428 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS.

straws should be plaited the reverse way of the common English
split straw-plait. In the English plait, the straws are flattened
by a small hand-mill made for the purpose, but the Leghorn plait
has the straws worked without flattening, and pressure is applied
after the plait is made. These two points are essential to be
observed by those who wish to rival the finest Leghorn manufac-
ture. By reversing the common mode of plaiting, the fingers have
a much greater power in knitting firmly and intimately the straws,
and the round or unflattened state of the straws allows of their
being more closely knitted ; a circumstance that gives an appear-
ance of fineness to the real Leghorn plait, which, had the straws
been flattened or milled, would have appeared coarse, and the
manufacture of a less firm texture. Specimens of plait made of
the culms of the above-mentioned grasses proved this clearly ;
and to derive all the advantages of a finer material than the
Italians possess, and which is to be found in the culms of our
perennial grasses, it appears essential that the superior manual
process of the Italians in plaiting, which they have acquired by
experience and long-continued practice, should here be adopted ;
and there appears to be no reason to doubt but that the manu-
facture of straw bonnets may be brought to a greater degree of
perfection in England than it has yet arrived at in Italy, and that,
if properly encouraged, Britain, instead of importing, will export
the finest manufacture.

INDEX.

AXJROSTIS alba, 542.

canina, var. mutica, 341.

canina capillaris, 300.

canina fascicularis, 278, 279.

Mexicana, 404.

nivea, 276.

ramosissima, 377.

repens, 344.

stolonifera, var. latifolia, 21, 225

—231.

stolonifera aristata, 345.

stolonifera angustifolia, 346.

palustris, 348.

lobata, 273, 274.

stricta, 274 — 276.

vulgaris mutica, 269, 271.

vulgaris canina, 271, 272.

Aira aquatica, 351.

caespitosa, 22, 352.

cristata, 304, 305.

flexuosa, 279 — 281.

Alluvial soil, analysis of, 121.

more productive of grass

than any other kind of soil, ibid.

Alopecurus agrestis, 29, 283, 284.

arundinaceus, 231 — 233.

bulbosus geniculatus, 301.

geniculatus, 353.

pratensis, 20, 139 — 142.

Tauntoniensis, 232 — 234.

Alternate husbandry, summary of grasses
adapted for, 405—414.

grasses and other plants adapted

for, 387.

Anthoxanthum odoratum, 18, 134,
135.

Avena flavescens, 161, 162.

pratensis, 312, 313.

pubescens, 25, 285, 286.

Anthemis nobilis, 328.

Antirrhinum linaria, ibid.

Arrangement, the, of grasses into ge-
nera, species, and varieties, how use-
ful, 40.

Arundo epigejos, 25.

colorata, 359.

arenaria, 371.

Barley-grass, meadow, description of,
314.

Barley-grass, meadow, figure of, 314.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 314, 315.

Barley-grass, wall, description of the
seeds of, 27, fig. 24.

description of, 268.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 268, 269.

Bent, vide Starr.

Bent-grass, common, description of,
269.

experiments on, ibid.

— — comparative value of, 270.

figure of, 269.

Bent-grass, bundle-leaved, description
of, 278.

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 279.

Bent-grass, awned, fine, description of,
271.

experiments on, 272.

Bent-grass, awnless variety of brown,
description of, 341.

experiments on, ibid.

Bent-grass, fine panicled brown, 300,
301.

Bent-grass, creeping-rooted, description
of, 344.

experiments on, ibid.

Bent-grass, awned creeping, description
of, 345.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 346.

fine awned, 271—273.

Bent-grass, smaller-leaved creeping, de-
scription of, 346.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 347.

Bent-grass, larger-leaved creeping, de-
scription of, 225.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, 226.

comparative value of, 227 — 231.

— — nutritive matter afforded by the
leaves of, in spring, 240.

figures of the seeds of, 21, fig. 9.

Bent-grass, fine-panicled brown, de-
scription of, 300.

G G

430

INDEX.

Bent-grass, fine-panicled brown, experi-
ments on, 300, 501.
Bent-grass, sea-side lobed, description
of, 273.

experiments on, 274.

Bent-grass, marsh, description of, 348.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 349.
Bent-grass, lateral-branching, descrip-
tion of, 377.

experiments on, ibid.

Bent-grass, Mexican, description of,
404.

experiments on, 405.

Bent-grass, white, description of, 342.

experiments on, 343.

figure of, 342.

Bent-grass, rock, description of, 274.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 275, 276.

Bent-grass, snowy, description of, 276.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 277.

Bent-grasses, general view of, in the
order of their early produce of foliage
in the spring, 272.

Botany, the study of the whole science
not absolutely required, to ascertain
with readiness and certainty the dif-
ferent species of grasses, 10.

Briza media, 23, 205, 206.

Bromus arvensis, 31, 173, 174.

* cristatus, see Triticum cristatum.

diandrus, 297, 298.

erectus, 203, 204.

inermis, 207, 208.

littoreus, 364.

multiflorus, 175.

mollis, 24, 176.

pinnatus, 375.

. sylvaticus, 374.

tectorum, 298, 299.

sterilis, 296, 297.

Brome-grass, annual upright, description
of, 297. ^

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 298.

Brome-grass, crested, see Wheat-grass.

Brome-grass, barren, description of,
296.

comparative value of, 297.

Brome-grass, field, description of, 173.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 174.

figure of, 173.

description of the seeds of, 51,

fig. 34.

Brome-grass, many-flowered, description
of, 175.

Brome-grass, many-flowered, experi-
ments on, 175.

Brome-grass, nodding-panicled, descrip-
tion of, 298.

experiments on, 299.

comparative value of, 300.

Brome-grass, sea-side, description of,
364. .

experiments on, and comparative

value of, ibid.

Brome-grass, soft, description of the
seeds of, 24, fig. 18.

description of, 1 76.

experiments on, ibid.

specimen of, ibid.

comparative value of, 177.

Brome-grass, upright perennial, descrip-
tion of, 203.

experiments on, 204.

figure of, 203.

comparative value of, 204.

Brome-grass, smooth awnless, descrip-
tion of, 207.

experiments on, ibid.

figure of, ibid.

comparative value of, 208.

nutritive matter contained in the

leaves of, 24O.

Brome-grass, wood, see Fescue grass,
wood.

Brome-grass, wing-spiked, see Festuca
pinnata.

Bogs, grasses that naturally grow in, 540.

Bunias, oriental, nutritive matter con-
tained in the spring produce of, 239,
411.

Bunium bulbocastanum, 529.

Burnet, nutritive matter afforded by
the spring produce of, 239, 411.

Cabbages, varieties of, best adapted for
the farm, 407.

nutritive powers of, 408.

Calamagrostis variegata, see Arundo
colorata.

Cattle often subject to disease, when
fed on food containing an excess of
bitter extractive and saline mat-
ters, 8.

different breeds of, acquire differ-
ent weights of flesh from equal quan-
tities of food consumed by them, 2.
— two of the same breed will scarcely
gain equal weights of flesh from the
equal weights of food, ibid.

Canary-grass, common, figure of the
seeds of, 18, 19, fig. 4.

description of, and experiments

on, 399, 400.

INDEX,

431

Canary-grass, striped reed, description
of, 359.

description of the seeds of, 28,

fig. 26.

experiments on, and descriptions

of, 359, 360.

Canary-grass, reed-like, specimens of
the seeds of, 28.

Canary-grass, cat's-tail, see Purple-
stalked canary-grass.

Carrots, nutritive powers of, 410.

Cat's-tail grass, meadow, figure of the
seeds of, and description of, 19, fig. 5.

description of, 195.

experiments on, ibid.

Cat's-tail grass, purple-stalked, descrip-
tion of, 317.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 318.

Cat's-tail grass, meadow, figure of,
195.

comparative value of, 196, 197.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves in spring, 240.

Cat's-tail grass, lesser, var. meadow,
description of the seeds of, 28, fig.
27.

description of, 197.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 198.

Cat's-tail grass, bulbous-jointed, de-
cription of, 199.

experiments on, 199, 200.

Chicory, nutritive matter afforded by,
412.

Clay, tenacious, analysis of, 121.

method of determining the quan-
tity to be applied to poor sandy
soils, to bring them to the nature of
loams, 124.

Clover, marl, or cow-grass, description
of, 218.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 219—221.

Clover, red perennial, description of,
221.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, for permanent pasture, 222.

Clover, white or Dutch, comparative
value of, 223, 224.

nature of the nutritive matter of,

241.

nutritive matter in the spring

leaves, 239.

Clover, long-rooted, 391.
Clover, long-rooted, figure of, 591.

Clover, broad-leaved red, nutritive
matter in the spring leaves, 239.

Cock's-foot grass, round-headed, de-
scription of the seeds of, 25, fig. 15.

description of, 136.

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 137, 138.

composition of the nutritive mat-
ter of, 247.

Cotton-grass, sheathed, description of,
358.

experiments on, ibid.

description of the seeds of, 19,

fig. 3.

Cotton-grass, long-leaved, description
of, 356.

experiments on, 357.

comparative value of, 357, 358.

Cord-grass, rush-leaved, 573.

Culm of grasses, varieties of, 11.

those best adapted for Leghorn

plait, Appendix II.

Cynosurus cristatus, 23, 152.

erucaeformis, 200 — 202.

echinatus, 320.

Cynodon dactylon, 290, 291.

Dactylis glomerata, 23, 136 — 158.

patens, 373.

Darnel of the British farmer, 32.

Digitaria sanguinalis, 294.

Dog's-tail grass, crested, description of
the seeds of, 23, fig. 16.

specific character of, 152.

figure of, ibid.

results of experiments on, 153.

comparative value of, ibid. 154.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves in spring, 240.

Dog's-tail, linear-spiked, description of,
200.

experiments on, 201.

comparative value of, 202.

Dog's-tail, rough, description of, 320.

experiments on, 320, 521.

Dog's-tooth grass, see Doob grass.

Doob grass, figure of, 290.

description of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 291, 292.

celebrated in India, by the Hin-
doos, 292.

Downs, what, 335.

natural produce of, ibid.

Mr. Taunton's valuable observa-
tions on, ibid.

Drank, see Darnel.

Dung of sheep and deer, comparison
and composition of, 7.

432

INDEX.

Elymus arenarius, 568.

geniculatus, 27, 570.

Philadelphicus, 565.

striatus, 566.

Sibericus, 567.

hystrix, 568.

Erica vulgaris, 528.

Eriophorum vaginatum, figure of the
seeds of, 1 9.

angustifolium, 556.

vaginatum, 558.

Extractive matter, bitter, examined
chemically by Sir Humphry Davy,
supposed to be little nutritive, but
useful in forming a constituent part
of the food of cattle, 7.

Feather-grass, long-awned, description

of the seeds of, 24, fig. 1 9.

description of, 282.

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 285.

Fescue, creeping, description of, 261.

experiments on, 262.

comparative value of, 265.

Fescue, barren-seeded, tall, description

of the seeds of, 51, fig. 55.
nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves in spring, 259.

description of, 56 1 .

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 562.

Fescue, fertile-seeded, tall, description

of, 565.

experiments on, ibid.

figure of, ibid.

comparative value of, ibid.

Fescue, fox-tail-like, description of,

519.
experiments on, and comparative

value of. 519, 520.
Fescue, tall, 576. See Tall brome-grass,

576.
Fescue, hard, description of, 155.

experiments on, ibid.

figure of, ibid.

comparative value of, 156, 157.

Fescue, meadow, description of the

seeds of, 24, fig. 17.

description of, 149.

figure of, 149.

experiments on, 150.

comparative value of, 1 50 — 1 52.

compared with tares, 241.

Fescue, pubescent wood, description

of, 265.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 265, 264.
Fescue, slender wood, 574. .

Fescue, spiked heath, 575. See Wing-
spiked brome-grass.
Fescue, viviparous, description of, 260.

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 261.

Fescue, wall, description of, 266.
experiments on, 267.

Fescue, Welsh, description of, 157.

experiments on, ibid.

figure of, ibid.

comparative value of, 158, 159.

Fescue, long-awned sheep's, description

of, 159.
— experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 160.

specimen of, 159.

nutritive matter in the spring

leaves, 240.
Fescue, darnel-like, description of, 178.

experiments on, ibid.

specimen of, ibid.

comparative value of, 179, 180.

nutritive matter in the spring

leaves, 240.
Fescue, flote, see Floating sweet-grass.
Fescue, smooth, description of, 180.

specimen of, ibid.

experiments on, 180, 181.

comparative value of, ibid.

nutritive matter afforded by the

spring leaves, 240.
Fescue, sheep's, description of, 257.

experiments on, 258.

figure of, 257.

comparative value of, 259.

Fescue, glaucous, description of, 264.

experiments on, 265.

comparative value of, 265, 266.

Festuca alopecurus, 519.

Cambrica, 157—159.

dumetorum, 265, 264.

— duriuscula, 155, 156.

gigantea, 576.

elatior var. fertilis, 565.

elatior var. sterilis, 51, 561.

glauca, 264 — 266.

glabra, 180, 181.

- loliacea, 178—180.

myurus, 266, 267.

ovina, 257 — 259.

ovina hordeiformis, 159, 160, 259.

pratensis, 24, 149 — 152.

pinnata, 575. See Bromus pin-

natus.

rubra, 261 — 265.

sylvatica, 574. See Bromus syl-

vaticus.

vivipara, 260, 261.

fluitans, see Glyceria fluitans.

INDEX,

433

Fiorin-grass, see Agrostis stolonifera,
var. latifolia.

Flea-bane, great, or ploughman's spike-
nard, a troublesome weed in sandy
pastures, how to destroy, 329.

Floating sweet-grass, 549.

reedy sweet-grass, ,354 — 356.

Flowers of grasses, varieties of, 14.

parts of, 16.

Food of cattle, the nutritive powers of,
can be only satisfactorily ascertained
by the aids of chemistry, 2.

cannot be satisfactorily ascertain-
ed by the process of weighing and
feeding, ibid.

Food of cattle, green, its laxative na-
ture corrected by the bitter extrac-
tive principle, 8.

Food, the succulency of, and the differ-
ent vegetable principles it contains,
influences its fattening qualities, 9.

Fox-tail, bulbous-rooted, knee-jointed,
description of, 301.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, ibid.

Fox-tail, meadow, figure of the seeds
of, 20, fig. 7.

description of, 139.

experiments on, 140.

figure of, 139.

comparative value of, 141, 142.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves of, in spring, 240.

Fox-tail grass, knee-jointed, description
of, 355.

experiments on, and value of,

354.

Fox-tail, slender, description of the

seeds of, 29, fig. 28.

description of, 283.

experiments on, 284.

figure of, 283.

Fox-tail, reed-like, description of, 231.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 232.

Fox-tail, Taunton's, description of, ibid.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 235, 254.

Glyceria fluitans, 349.

aquatica, 354. See Poa aquatica.

Grasses, experiments on, how con-
ducted, 1.

selection of, for permanent pas-
ture on soils of the best quality, 243.

out of 215 species, two only have

been cultivated to any extent, Pref.xvi.
the knowledge of, yet in its in-
fancy, ibid.

Grasses, the length of time required to
ascertain the relative value of the
different species of, discouraging to
farmers, 10.

a hope of promoting the know-
ledge of the different species and
varieties, induced the Duke of Bed-
ford to institute a series of experi-
ments on, Preface, xviii.

chemical process, to ascertain the

comparative nutritive powers of, 2.

vegetable principles that consti-
tute the nutritive matter of, 3.

every distinct species of, differs

from all others, in one or more of
the properties which alone render
them of value to the farmer, 10.

botanical terms used in describing

the structure of, ibid.

comparative advantages and dis-
advantages of depasturing or mowing
the first year on dry sandy soils, 338,
339.

figures and descriptions of the

seeds of, 17 — 32.

that naturally grow in moist soils

and irrigated meadows, 340.

that peculiar structure which dis-
tinguishes them from all other plants,
40.

general catalogue of, 43.

selections of for early flowering,

238.

that afford the least nutritive mat-
ter from the first growth in spring,
what, 240.

that afford the greatest quantity

of nutritive matter, what, ibid.

the composition of the nutritive

matter of the leaves of, 241.

not two species afford nutritive

matter of the like composition, 242.

nothing retards the after-growth

so much as close cropping the first
shoots of, early in the spring, 538.

the different species of, natural to

dry sandy pastures, 256.

the attempt to cultivate them on

soils not naturally adapted for, a
vain labour, 275.

the kinds best adapted for im-
proving dry sandy pastures, 337.

selection of, for dry sandy soils,

336.
Grazing, the leaves of grasses the most

valuable part of the plant for, 238.
statement of the nutritive powers

of the spring leaves of the grasses

adapted for, 240,

434

INDEX.

Grass-land, valuable observations on the
management of, in Devonshire, by A.
Wilson, Esq. note, 250.

Hair-grass, crested, description of, 304.

experiments on, 505.

Hair-grass, turfy, description of the
seeds of, 22, fig. 1 1 .

description of, 352.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, ibid. 555.

Hair-grass, zig-zag, description of the
seeds of, 29, fig. 30.

description of, 279.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, 280, 281.

Hair-grass, water, description of, 351.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, ibid.

Hassocks, see Aira caepistosa, 352.

Heath-grass, decumbent, 377, 378.

Heath-soil, analysis of, 119.

Hedysarum onobrychis, 325.

Heracleum angustifolium, 239.

sphondylium, 411.

Hilaire, M. St., his natural arrange-
ment of grasses, 43.

Holcus avenaceus, 169—172, 243.

avenaceus muticus, 172, 173.

odoratus (repens), 167, 168.

mollis, 29, 165, 166, 240.

lanatus, 21, 163—165.

Hog-weed, nutritive matter afforded by,
239,411.

Hordeum murinum, 27, 268.

pratense, 314.

Husbandry Alternate, summary of the
grasses best adapted for, 406.

impoverishing crops in, 391.

Inoculation, see transplanting.

Irrigation, all the superior grasses thrive
under, 382.

Irrigated meadows, grasses that natu-
rally grow in, 340, 383.

hints for forming, value of, 379,

380.

experiments on the grass of,

384.
compared to that of rich ancient

pasture, ibid.
best season for sowing the seeds

on, 386.

great value of, 379.

statement of the produce of, note,

382.

Kale, Woburn perennial, nutritive pow-
ers of, and produce of, 408.

Kohl-rabi, nutritive matter afforded by,
259, 410.

Leghorn straw-bonnets, grasses which
afford the best straws for the manu-
facture of, Appendix II.

Loam, sandy, analysis of, 120.

rich black clayey, analysis of, 120,

clayey, analysis of, ibid. 121.

Lathyrus pratensis, 188 — 190.

Leaves of grasses, description and varie-
ties of, 12.

Lolium temulentum, 31, 397.

arvense major, 398.

perenne, 25, 211—217.

Lotus corniculatus, 309.

major, 311.

Lyme-grass, jointed, description of the
seeds of, 27, fig. 23.

description of, 370.

experiments on, ibid.

Lyme-grass, Philadelphian, description
of, 365.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 365.

Lyme-grass, striated, description of,
566.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, ibid.

Lyme-grass, Siberian, description of,
367.

experiments on, ibid.

Lyme-grass, rough, description of, 368.

experiments on, ibid.

Lyme-grass, upright sea, description of,
368.

figure of, 368.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 369.

upright, specimens of the
seeds of, 18, fig. 2.

description of, 288.

experiments on, 289.

Mangel-wurzel, nutritive matter afford-
ed by, 410.

Meadow-grass, alpine, description of,
and experiments on, 301, 302.

Meadow-grass, annual, description of,
and experiments on, 401.

figure of, 400.

Meadow-grass, flat-stalked, description
of, 306.

experiments on, ibid.

comparative value of, 307.

description of the seeds of, 22,

fig. 13.

Meadow-grass, flat-stalked, upright, de-
scription of, 307.

INDEX.

Meadow-grass, flat-stalked, upright, ex-
periments on, 308.

— — figure of, 307.

comparative value of, 309.

Meadow-grass, fertile, description of, 1 8 6

figure of, 186.

experiments on, and comparative

of, 186 — 188.

nutritive matter in the spring

leaves, 239.

Meadow-grass, flote, or floating sweet-
grass, description of, 349.

experiments on, 350.

Meadow-grass, narrow-leaved, descrip-
tion of, 184.

figure of, 184.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 184, 185.

Meadow-grass, nerved, description of,
190.

figure of, ibid.

nutritive matter in the spring

leaves, 259.

Meadow-grass, nerved, experiments on,

and comparative value of, 191, 192.
Meadow-grass, glaucous, description of,

194.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 194, 195.
Meadow-grass, rough, description of, 1 46.

figure of, 146.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 147, 148.
description of the seeds of, 30.

fig. 32.
Meadow-grass, smooth, description of,

142.

figure of, 142.

experiments on, 143.

description of the seeds of, 30,

fig. 31.

comparative value of, 144.,

Meadow-grass, sea-green, description
of, 192.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 193.

Meadow-grass, short blue, description
of, 145. ^

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 145, 146.

Meadow-grass, soft, description of, 281.

experiments on, 281, 282.

Meadow-grass, reflexed, description of,
322.

experiments on, 322, 523.

Meadow-grass, water, or reedy sweet-
grass, description of, 554.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, 355.

Meadow-grass, narrow -leaved wood,

description of, 182.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 183, 184.
nutritive matter contained in the

spring leaves of, 24O.
Medicago lupulina, 525.
Melica caerulea, 286, 287.

ciliata, 208, 209.

Melic-grass, ciliated, description of, 208.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 209.

Melic-grass, purple, description of, 286.
experiments on, and comparative

value of, 287, 288.

description of seeds of, 22, fig. 12.

Milium efFusum, 20, 405.

Millet-grass, wood, figure of the seeds

of, 20, fig. 8.
description of, and experiments

on, 403, 404.
Moor-grass, blue, description of, 303.

experiments on, 304.

Mould, vegetable, analysis of, 122.

Nardus stricta, 18, 288, 289.

Nonsuch, black, 323.

Nourishment, the absolute degree of,
contained in different species of food,
cannot be ascertained by the process
of feeding and weighing, 2.

chemical process recommended

by Sir Humphry Davy, at the sug-
gestion of the Duke of Bedford,
to ascertain the degree of, in vege-
tables, ibid.

Nutritive matter, comparative state-
ment of the weight of, contained in
food, and that of the flesh formed by
it, 4, 5.

nature of, indicated by the pecu-
liar structure of the plant, 41.

quantity and nature of, in plants,

render the plants more or less im-
poverishing to the soil in which they
grow, 391.

Oat-grass, downy, description of the
seeds of, 25, fig. 20.

— figure of, 285.
description of, ibid.

downy, experiments on, 286.

Oat-grass, yellow, description of, 161.

specimen of, ibid.

experiments on, 162.

Oat-grass, meadow, description of, 312.
figure of, ibid.

— experiments on, 313.

436

INDEX.

Oil-cake, nutritive matter contained

in, 5, 6.
Oxen, experiment on six, 4.

Panic-grass, glaucous, figure of the
seeds of, 20, fig. 6.

Panic-grass, green, description of, 292.

experiments on, 295.

Panic-grass, slender-spiked, description
of, 294.

> experiments on, 295, 296.

Panicum sanguinale, see Digitaria san-
guinalis.

Panicum viride, 292, 295.

Plants, table of the number of, in differ-
ent kinds of pasture land, on a foot
square of surface, 244.

Plants, their effects in impoverishing
the soil, 587—590.

Phleum nodosum, 199, 200.

Boehmeri, 517.

pratense, 19, 195—197.

pratense, var. minus, 28, 197 —

199.

Phalaris arundinaceus, 28, 559.

Canariensis, 19, 599.

phleoides, 517.

Potatoe, nutritive matter contained in
different varieties of, 409.

composition of, 409, 410.

Poa alpina, 501, 502.

annua, 400.

angustifolia, 184 — 186.

aquatica, 554.

glauca cresia, 192, 195.

sub-caerulea, 145, 146.

cenisia, 281, 282.

compressa, 22, fig. 15, 506, 507.

compressa, var. erecta, 507 — 509.

decumbens, 578. See Triodia de-

cumbens.

. distans, 522.

fertilis, 186.

fluitans, see Glyceria fluitans.

glauca, 194, 195.

nemoralis, var. angustifolia, 182,

185.

nervata, 190, 192.

pratensis, 50, 142— 144.

trivialis, 30, 146.

Peat, active, analysis of, 122.

Peat-moss, barren, analysis of, ibid.

Pasture-land, natural, inquiries respect-
ing the frequent failures in attempts
to renew the valuable sward on, 127.

grasses and other plants that com-
pose the produce of, 152.

. cause of failures in attempts to

renew the valuable sward on, 234.

Pasture-land, unaccountable assertion

respecting its renewal, 234.
the superiority of, over artificial

pastures, 255.
the chief properties which give

value to a grass for, 257.
selection of grasses adapted for,

245.
manner of sowing the grass-seeds

on, 247.
treatment of seedling grasses on,

249.

the original valuable sward may

be renewed on, in the space of four

years, 235.
Pasture-land, rich, grasses and other

plants which compose the sward of,

ibid.

nature of the soil of, 256.

in Lincolnshire, ibid.

in Devonshire, ibid.

in the Vale of Aylesbury, ibid.

Pastures, dry, rough, sandy, and down-
grasses, and other plants that are
natural to, 256, 527 — 551.

less capable of improvement than

peat-bogs, 551.

disadvantages that attend convert-
ing them with the plough only, 552.

Pastures, facts to prove the increase of
value they are capable of receiving,
553.

number of plants combined on one

square foot of, 244.

may be much improved by con-
version to tillage, 352.

how improved permanently, 556,

557.

grasses best for improving, ibid.

a judicious mode of treatment of,

essential to continue its fertility, 250.

Quaking-grass, common, description of

the seeds of, 23, fig. 1 4.

description of, 205.

figure of, ibid.

comparative value of, 206.

nutritive matter contained in the

spring leaves, 259.

Ray-grass, see Rye-grass.

Reed-grass, wood, description of the

seeds of, 25, fig. 21.
Reed-grass, striped, see Canary-grass,

striped-reed.
Reed-grass, sea, 571.
Root of grasses, varieties of, 11.
Rye-grass, annual bearded, description

of the seeds of, 51, fig. 55.

INDEX.

43?

Rye-grass, annual bearded, description
of, 397.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, ibid.

Rye-grass, larger short-awned, descrip-
tion and figure of, 398.

Rye-grass, perennial, description of the
seeds of, 25, fig. 22.

observations on the seeds of dif-
ferent varieties of, 26.

Rye-grass, common, description of, 21 1.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of different varieties of, 213 —
217.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves of, in spring, 240.

Rye-grass, Russell's, figure of, 216.

comparative value of, ibid.

Sainfoin, 325, 326, 327.

Seed of grasses, figures of the, 1 7 et seq.

32.
Seeds of grasses, proper quantity of per

acre for permanent pasture on soils

of the best quality, 243.

the importance of saving the, 32.

periods of the season at which

different grasses perfect the, 32 — 37.
directions for saving the, on every

farm, 38, 252.
Mr. Blakie's plan for saving the,

on downs, note, 39.
number of, contained in one

bushel measure, 245.
weight of one bushel measure of,

in different species of grasses, ibid.
Sesleria caerulea, 303, 304.
Sheath -scale of grasses, description

of, 13.

Stem of grasses, see Culm.
Straw-bonnets, grasses which afford the

best straw for the manufacture of,

Appendix II.
Soft-grass, creeping meadow or couch,

description of the seeds of, 29,

fig. 29.

description of, 165.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, 166.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves of, in spring, 240.
Soft-grass, tall oat-like, description of,

169.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 170—172.
nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves of, in spring, 240.

Soft-grass, awnless, tall oat-like, descrip-
tion of, 172.

experiments on, 172, 173.

Soft-grass, sweet-scented, description of,

167.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 168, 169.
Soft-grass, woolly, description of the

seeds of, 21, fig. 10.

figure of, 163.

description of, ibid.

experiments on, ibid. 164.

nutritive matter afforded by the

leaves of, in spring, 240.
Soil, every different species of, produces

grasses in some measure peculiar to

itself, 115.
terms used to denote the different

kinds, 116.
to what these terms should be

limited, 117.
Soils, chemical examination of those

employed in the experiments on

grasses instituted by the Duke of

Bedford, 118—123.
the inferior, how to improve,

124.
dry, sandy, or elevated, different

grasses and other plants that are

natural to, 256.
Spartina juncea, 373. See Dactylis

patens.
Succulency, the degree of, in the food

of cattle, of importance to be ascer-
tained ; how it may in most instances,

9.
influences the nutritive powers of

the food, 9, 242.
Stipa pennata, 24, 282.
Starr, or bent, 368, 371.
Straw of grasses, varieties of, 11.
adapted for the manufacture of

straw-bonnets, Appendix II.

Tare, everlasting, 188 — 190.

Tares, composition of the nutritive
matter of, 241.

nutritive matter contained in, ibid.

manner of growth of, offers a re-
medy for the defects of thin sandy
soils, in rearing seedling grasses, 357.

Transplanting turf, Appendix I.

Trefoil, bird's-foot, 309.

greater bird's-foot, 31 1.

Trefoil, medick, 323, 324.

melilot, 393.

Trifolium macrorhizum, 391.

medium, 218 — 220.

438

INDEX.

Trifolium pratense perenne, 221, 222.

melilotus officinalis, 595.

— ' repens, 223, 224, 402.

Triticum repens, 27.

caninum, 202, 205.

cristatum, 316.

Trichodium caninum, var., see Agrostis
nivea.

rupestre, see Agrostis stricta.

Triodia decumbens, 577.

Turnips, yellow, Scotch, nature of the
nutritive matter of, 7.

dung of sheep that had fed on,

ibid.

Turnip, weight of nutritive matter af-
forded by different varieties of, 406,
407.

Vernal-grass, sweet-scented, figures of

the seeds of, 18, fig. 1.

description of, 134.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 134, 155.
nutritive matter contained in the

leaves of, in spring, 239.
Vetch, bush, description of, 209.

figure of, ibid.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 210.

Vetch, tufted, description oi't 594.

experiments on, 395.

Vetch, wood, description of, 596.

experiments on, ibid.

Vetchling, yellow, description of, 188.

experiments on, and comparative

value of, 189, 190.
Vicia cracca, 594.

ssepium, 209.

sylvatica, 596.

Water-meadow, see Irrigated meadow.
Way-bennet, see Hordeum murinum.
Wheat-grass, bearded, description of,
202.

experiments on, ibid.

Wheat-grass, creeping, or couch-grass,
description of the seeds of, 27, fig. 25.

description of, 402.

experiments on, ibid.

figure of, ibid.

Wheat-grass, crested, description of,
516.

experiments on, 316, 517.

Yarrow, nutritive matter afforded by,

412.
proportion of the seed of, for

combining with the proper grasses,

245.

THE END.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY J. MOYES, GHEV1LLL 5THU£T.

NEW CROSS NURSERY,
NEAR LONDON.

THE Author of the HORTUS GRAMINF.US WOBURNENSIS begs leave
to inform his Readers, that he has entered into Partnership with
Messrs. CORMACK and SON, Nursery and Seedsmen, New Cross, near
London ; and that, from their possessing so large and select a stock of
Fruit and Forest Trees, Evergreens, Flowering Shrubs, American, Hot-
house, Green-house, and Herbaceous Plants, Bulbous Roots, &c., and
being Cultivators of Seeds of every description, both for the Garden and
the Farm, he ventures to solicit the honour of their patronage, and with
confidence to assure them, that all Orders transmitted to the Firm of
CORMACK, SON, and SINCLAIR, will receive that attention which cannot
fail to induce a continuance of their support.

Designs for Forcing-houses, Stoves, Green-houses, and Conserva-
tories, on the most approved principles, combining taste with utility
and economy ; also for Kitchen and Flower Gardens, Shrubberies, and
more extensive Plantations; which may be completed by contract or
otherwise, as circumstances require.

Having for seventeen years conducted the business of the Gardens of
the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, and executed the various Im-
provements during that time, G. SINCLAIR trusts that he shall be able
to engage in this more extended concern with advantage and effect, in
conjunction with his experienced Partners, Messrs. CORMACK and SON ;
and that his exertions to merit the favours of the Public will not be
altogether unattended with success.

%* Orders addressed to CORMACK, SON, and SINCLAIR, New Cross
Nursery, near London, will be punctually executed.

Preparing for publication, by the same Author,
An ESSAY on the WEEDS of AGRICULTURE; with

their Common and Botanical Names, their respective Characters, arid Evil Quali-
ties, whether as infesting Samples of Corn or incumbering the Soil. Also Practical
Remarks on their Destruction by Fallowing, or otherwise. The Posthumous Work
of BENJAMIN HOLDICII, Esq., late Editor of the Farmer's Journal.

,.

WORKS

PUBLISHING FOR

J. RIDGWAY, PICCADILLY.

The BOTANICAL REGISTER, No. 116, for Oct. 1st, 1824,

continued Monthly; each Number containing Eight faithfully coloured Portraits
(taken from life) of rare and beautiful Exotic Plants, cultivated in the Public and
Private Collections of this Country. By SYDENHAM EDWARDS, F.L.S., and others ;
accompanied by their History, Mode of Treatment in Cultivation, and any thing
else thought likely to interest the general as well as the scientific reader. Price 4*.
each Number. Nine Volumes are now completed, each containing alphabetical
and general indexes, &c., price 2/. 9s. each, or 2/. 15s. half-bound.

%* As the former Numbers which were out of print are now reprinted, Ladies
and Gentlemen may obtain them to complete their Sets.

" We look upon the above Work (Edwards's ' Botanical Register') to be the only one
of its kind capable of bearing the scrutinizing examination of the L'otanist in all its de-
partments : and for beauty of execution in its plates and typography, it stands unrivalled
by any whatever which have come under our notice. It cannot fail to please every lover
of this fashionable and interesting science, as well as admirers of beautiful Works in
general."

GERAN1ACE.E; or, Natural Order of the Beautiful Family
of Geraniums, Number 58, for Oct. 1824. Price 3s. To be continued Monthly.
Each Number contains Four coloured Figures, highly and correctly finished, from
Living Plants, with their Scientific and English Names, and Mode of Culture.
By ROBERT SWEET, F.L.S.
Number 50 completed the Second Volume, Price 3/. 16s., or 4/. 2s. half-bound.

The BOTANICAL CULTIVATOR; or, Plain Instructions
for the Management and Propagation of the Plants cultivated in the Hothouses,
Greenhouses, and Gardens of Great Britain, disposed under their Generic Names,
and alphabetically arranged under their proper Heads in Horticulture. By ROBERT
SWEET, F.L.S. 10s. 6d. boards.

ROSARUM MONOGRAPHIA ; or, a Botanical History of
Roses ; to which is added, an Appendix for the Use of Cultivators, in which the
most remarkable Garden Varieties are systematically arranged. With Nineteen
Plates — Eighteen beautifully coloured. By JOHN LINDLEY, Esq. F.L.S. One
volume royal octavo, I/. Is.

Works publishing for J. RIDGWAY, Piccadilly.
HORTUS SUBURBANUS LONDINENSIS; or, a Catalogue

of Plants cultivated in the Neighbourhood of London, arranged according to the
Linnaean System ; with the addition of the Natural Orders to which they belong,
References to Books where they are described, their Native Places of Growth,
when introduced, Time of Flowering, and References to Figures. By ROBERT
SWEET, F.L.S. 18s. boards, royal octavo.

%* This Catalogue contains several hundred more Plants than any other pub-
lished, besides various acknowledged improvements in Arrangement.

A TREATISE on BULBOUS ROOTS; containing a Bota-
nical Arrangement and Description of the Plants heretofore included under the
Genera Amaryjlis, Cyrtanthus, Crinum, and Pancratium ; with general Observa-
tions, and Directions for their Cultivation. Illustrated with coloured Plates, and
two large Plates of Dissections. By the Hon. and Rev. WILLIAM HERBERT. 5s.

%* This forms an Appendix to the Botanical Register and Botanical Magazine.

The FRUIT GROWER'S INSTRUCTOR; or, a Practical

Treatise on Fruit Trees, from the Nursery to Maturity ; and a Description and
Enumeration of all the best Fruits now in Cultivation, both for keeping and imme-
diate use ; with useful Hints as to the Planting for Orchards or in Gardens. To
which is added, a full Definition of the Apple-fly, commonly termed the American
Blight, which causes the Canker in Apple Trees ; its effectual Remedy and Pre-
vention; together with some Practical Observations on Horticulture in general.
A Work which will be found equally useful to the Gentleman, Nurseryman, or
Gardener ; and particularly adapted for those who cultivate or superintend the
cultivation of their own Gardens. The whole written from Practice. By G. BLISS,
Gardener.

PRACTICAL REMARKS on the IMPROVEMENT of

GRASS LAND, by Means of Irrigation, Winter-flooding, and Drainage, in a
Letter to the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the County of Essex. By C. C.
WESTERN, Esq. M.P. Is. 6d.

A SYSTEM for MANAGING HEAVY and WET LANDS

without SUMMER FALLOWS; under which a considerable Farm in Hertford-
shire is kept perfectly clean, and made productive. By THOMAS GREG, Esq.
Third Edition. With an Appendix, pointing out how the infant Turnip may be
protected from Insects by a critical Application of Lime ; to which are added
Extracts from some Letters written by the Earl of Thanet, proving the Infallibility
of the Plan : as presented to the Board of Agriculture, and now published at their
request. 5s.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE explaining the Art and Mystery
of BREWING PORTER, ALE, TWOPENNY, and TABLE BEER; recom-
mending and proving the Ease and Possibility of Every Man's Brewing his own
Beer in any quantity, from One Peck to a Hundred Quarters of Malt. Intended
to reduce the Expenses of Families. By SAMUEL CHILD, Brewer. The Eleventh
Edition, carefully revised. 1*.

Works publishing for J. RIDGWAY^ Piccadilly.

An ESSAY on DIET and REGIMEN, as indispensable to the
Recovery and Enjoyment of Firm Health, especially to the Indolent, Studious,
Delicate, and Invalid ; with appropriate Cases. By J. M. ADAIR, M.D., Member
of the Royal Medical Society, and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh, &c. &c. &c. Second Edition. 5s.

PRACTICAL TREATISE on BREEDING, REARING, and FAT-
TENING POULTRY, &c., after Plans pursued with Advantage and Profit in
France. Second Edition. 5s.

FIRST and SECOND REPORTS from the COMMITTEES of the
HOUSE of LORDS appointed to inquire into the State of the Growth, Com-
merce, and Consumption of Grain, and all Laws relating thereto ; to whom were
referred the several Petitions presented to the House in the Session of 1813 and
1814, respecting the Corn Laws. Second Edition. 10s. 6d. boards.

REPORT from the SELECT COMMITTEE of the HOUSE of
COMMONS on Petitions relating to the Corn Laws of this Kingdom ; together
with the Evidence, and an Appendix of Accounts. Second Edition. 10s., Qd. boards.

The SPEECHES of the Hon. THOMAS (afterwards LORD) ERS-
KINE, when at the Bar, on Subjects connected with the Liberty of the Press, and
against constructive Treason. Second Edition. 5 vols. 8vo. 2/. 10s.

" These Speeches, stored as they are with the soundest political doctrines, the finest
moral sentiments, and the purest oratorical beauties, are calculated eminently to enlighten,
and permanently to please — they are qualified to make men not only wiser, but better —
to expand their views, to steady their principles, and to meliorate their hearts — to teach
them to pursue the dictates of duty at every pain and peril, and to uphold the interests of
humanity in every sphere and season"

" We take the opinion of the country, and of every part of the world where the language
is understood, to be that of the most unbounded admiration of these exquisite specimens of
judicial oratory, — and of great obligations to the editor of the collection." — Edin. Rev. vol. 19.

The SPEECHES of Sir SAMUEL ROMILLY in the HOUSE of
COMMONS. With a Memoir of his Life, &c. By WILLIAM PETER, Esq., Bar-
rister. Illustrated with a finely executed and correct Portrait by Reynolds, after a
Painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. Two vols. I/. 6s.

The SPEECH of JOHN GEORGE LAMBTON, Esq. in the HOUSE
of COMMONS, on Tuesday, April 17, 1821, on moving for a Committee to con-
sider the State of the Representation : with a Bill for a Reform of Parliament. 2s. 6d.

SUBSTANCE of the SPEECHES of LORD JOHN RUSSELL, on
moving Resolutions on REFORM of PARLIAMENT, on May 9, 1821, and
April 25, 1822. 2s. 6d.

A LETTER to LORD HOLLAND on FOREIGN POLITICS.
By Lord JOHN RUSSELL. Second Edition. 2s. 6d.

MEMORANDUM of TWO CONVERSATIONS between the EM-
PEROR NAPOLEON and VISCOUNT EBRINGTON, at Porto Ferrajo, in
1814. Second Edition. 2s.

Works publishing for J. RIDGWAY, Piccadilly.

The LAST REIGN of the EMPEROR NAPOLEON ; being the Sub-
stance of Letters written from Paris, and addressed principally to Lord BYRON.
By JOHN CAM HOBIIOUSE, Esq., M.P. With an Appendix of Official Documents.
Third Edition, with additional Notes, and a Prefatory Address in answer to
Mr. GIFFORD and the Quarterly Review. Two Vols. 8vo. \L 4s.
" How nations sink, by darling schemes oppress'd,
When vengeance listens to the fool's request!"

Vanity of Human Wishes.

The CAMPAIGN of 1815; or, a Relation of the Military Operations
of the French Armies which took place in France and Belgium during the 100
Days. With an Appendix of Official Documents, and illustrated with a Map of
the principal Theatre of War. Written at St. Helena. By General GOURGAUD.
One Vol. 10s.

Le MANUSCRIT de L'ISLE D'ELBE, ou des Bourbons, en 1815.
Par NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE. 5s.

An ACCOUNT of the BATTLE of WATERLOO, fought on the
Eighteenth of June, 1815, by the English and Allied Forces commanded by the
Duke of Wellington, and the Prussian Army under the orders of Prince Blucher,
against the Army of France commanded by the Emperor Napoleon. By a British
Officer on the Staff. With an Appendix, containing the British, French, Prussian,
and Spanish Official Details of that memorable Engagement. Fifth Edition,
enlarged, with a Plan of the Battle. 6s.

DOMESTIC POLICY of the BRITISH EMPIRE, viewed in con-
nexion with its Foreign Interests. By JOHN PRATT WINTER, Esq. Second
Edition. Prince 9s. boards.

" The Author has treated the Irish question, particularly, with justice, correctness, and
liberality. Time would not be misspent by an attentive perusal by those interested in the
fate of that Country."

The GOLDEN AGE; or, England in 1822 and 1823. In a Poetical
Epistle to a Friend abroad. Second Edition, enlarged. 3s. 6d.

" Impius haec tarn novalia miles habebit,

Et quae nunc domino rura paterna carent !"
" The envy of surrounding nations," &c. &c.

" The Public having thought the following trifle worthy a second edition, and having
indulged in various surmises respecting its Author, I have seized this opportunity of setting
all further doubts at rest, by putting my name to a work, which will, at least, shew, that I
value the good of my country far above the present sunshine of court favour, or the more
remote contingencies of honours and preferment. I must also avail myself of this occasion
to caution individuals against the very prevalent vanity of supposing they have discovered
their own portraits delineated at full length in zjeu d'esprit upon society in general, which
must obviously fail of success were I to descend to such minutiae."

Advertisement to Second Edition.

KOSCIUSKO, and other POEMS. By RALPH FERRARS. Dedi-
cated to Lord HOLLAND. 7s. 6d. boards.

The NEW TORY GUIDE : a Collection of Squibs, &c., by Noble
Authors, 7s. Qd. boards.

Works publishing for J. RIDGWAY, Piccadilly.

The ROLLIAD, in Two Parts ; Probationary Odes for the Laureat-
ship ; and Political Eclogues and Miscellanies : with Criticisms and Illustrations.
Revised, corrected, and enlarged, by the original Authors. The Twenty second
Edition. 16s. boards.

The LIFE of the late JOHN ELWES, Esq., Member in Three suc-
cessive Parliaments for the County of Berks. The Twelfth Edition, corrected and
enlarged. To which is added, an Appendix, entirely new. By the Author,
EDWARD TOPHAM, Esq. " Every singular character merits some notice from
posterity ; and I have always said, that if fate prolonged my life, I would write
his." With a Portrait. 5s. boards.

The SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS, in Eighteen Volumes;
being a Selection of the most exquisite Essays, Jeux d'Esprit, &c., in Prose and
Verse, which have appeared in the Public Journals and other Publications, from
the Year 1797 to 1815; comprising the whole Period of the French Revolution,
and the Contention of the two great Parties (Whig and Tory) in England during
the Time of Mr. Fox and Mr. PITT. With Explanatory Notes and Anecdotes of
noble and celebrated Persons alluded to. Any of the Volumes may be had sepa-
rately, 75. boards.

The NEW JOE MILLER; or, the Tickler: the original Collection
of Jests, Jeux d'Esprit, &c., Prose and Verse. Second Edition, 2 Vols. 10s.

The WORKS of RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, Esq. Two
Volumes, 8vo. I/. 8s.

VIRGIN1US, a Tragedy, in Five Acts, as performed at the Theatres
Royal, Covent Garden and Drury Lane. By JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES, Esq.
Sixth Edition. 3s. 6d.

CAIUS GRACCHUS, a Tragedy, in Five Acts, as performed at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. By JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES, Esq. 3s. 6d.

PIZARRO, a Tragedy, in Five Acts, as performed at the Theatre
Royal, Drury Lane ; taken from the German Drama of Kotzebue, and adapted to
the English Stage. By RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, Esq., M.P. Thirtieth
Edition. 2s. 6d.

ATHENS, a Comedy, in Verse, in Five Acts. 4s. 6d.

The ANTIQUARY, a Musical Play, in Three Acts ; taken from the
celebrated Novel of that Name, and first produced at the Theatre Royal, Covent
Garden, Tuesday, January 25, 1820. 3s.

The HEART of MID-LOTHIAN, a Musical Drama, in Three Acts,
first produced at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Saturday, April 17, 1819.
By DANIEL TERRY, Esq. 2s. 6d.

SIX of SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS, as acted. Revised by JOHN
PHILIP KEMBLE, Esq.; viz. MACBETH, MEASURE for MEASURE, KING
HENRY the FOURTH (First and Second Parts), MERRY WIVES of
WINDSOR, and HAMLET, 8vo., 8s. ; or either of the Plays separately, 2s,

14 DAY USE

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

LOAN DIPT.

This book is due on the last date stamped below, or

R*n J ?? ie date to which ^newed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

LD 21A-60m-10 '65
(F7763slO)476B

.General Library

University of California

Berkeley

YD 14917

667756

Si

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY