Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/428

396] run to seed-stalks in a manner similar to the common annual species of corn, and the leaves of which gradually decay, in proportion as they approach towards perfection, and totally wither when the seeds are fully ripe. In this division may be ranked, to which may be added the , the , and the. 2. Those, the leaves of which grow after the seed-stalks are formed, and retain their succulence and verdure during the whole season. Such are the and  Grasses, that continue green and succulent, even after the seeds have attained to maturity, and while the flower-stalks are fading.

We cannot here specify the places of growth, proper soils, or the modes of cultivating the different grasses; but, as many farmers are not sufficiently acquainted with the peculiar names of those plants, and as little improvement can be made in this important branch of husbandry without such knowledge, we shall here state the proper appellations of the best cultivated and uncultivated grasses, referring the reader to the various articles as they occur in their alphabetical order.

I..

1. : Lolium perenne, L.

2. : Cynosurus cristatus, L.

3. : Festuca pratensis, L.

4. : Alopecurus pratensis, L.

5. Smooth-stalked : Poa pratensis, L.

6. Roughish Meadow-grass: Poa Trivialis, L.

7. : Bromus mollis, L.

8. : Holcus lanatus, L.

9. : Anthaxanthum odoratum, L.

10. : Phleum pratense, L.

II. .

1. Sheep's : Festuca ovina, L.

2. Hard Fescue-grass: Festuca'duriuscula, L.

3. : Aira aquatica, L.

4. Annual : Poa annua, L.

5. Flote Fescue-grass: Festuca fluitans, L.

6. Reed Meadow-grass: Poa aquatica, L.

7. : Melica nutans, L.

8. : Agrostis stolonifera, L.

9. Marsh : Triglochin palustre, L. and,

10. Sea Arrow-grass: Triglochin maritimum, L. which is peculiarly calculated for sheep-walks.

These are the principal grasses, cultivated and wild, which merit the attention of agriculturists; but, as their seeds as well as those of other grasses drop from the husks a very short time after, and many of them, before they are ripe, those who wish to preserve such seeds, ought to watch them diligently; as the neglect of a very few days will deprive the cultivator of an opportunity of collecting them. The Tall Fescue-grass, however, forms an exception: for, as its seeds are not fertile, it can only be propagated by parting and planting the roots.

The culture of grasses has been particularly attended to within these few