Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/203

Rh first of British grasses; as the best meadows abound with it, and particularly the celebrated Orcheston Meadow, in the county of Wilts. And though few grasses are more productive, or better calculated for hay or pasturage, than the rough meadow-grass, yet it requires a moist soil, and a situation somewhat sheltered, being liable to be injured by severe cold or excessive drought. It is much relished by every kind of cattle.

5. The compressa,, or : It is perennial; grows on walls, house-tops, and very dry situations, and flowers from June to August.—This species, in the opinion of Dr. , is the most valuable of the meadow-grasses. Its leaves are firm and succulent; of a dark Saxon-green colour; and grow so closely together, as to form a pile of the richest pasture-grass. Its flower-stalks continue to vegetate very luxuriantly during the summer; and, even in a fading state, the leaves retain their beautiful green cast. The latter are much larger, and more abundant than those of the roughish meadow-grass. Besides, it produces a fine turf in parks and sheep-walks, while it renders the flesh of deer and sheep, uncommonly tender and sweet flavoured; being a favourite food of these animals.

6. The palustris, or, which abounds in marshes and overflowed lands. It grows to the height of four or five feet; is excellently calculated for laying down spongy or fenny grounds; and is reputed to be equal, if not superior, to any other vegetable for the purposes of the dairy.—In autumn, however, its leaves become somewhat prickly.

7. The maritima, or, which is frequent on the sea coast, and flowers in the months of June and July.—It is one of the principal grasses which grow in salt marshes, and is eagerly eaten by cattle.  MEADOW-SAFFRON, or, Colchicum autumnale, L. an indigenous perennial plant, being the principal of three species; growing in meadows; flowering in the months of August and September.

The flower of this hardy plant rises immediately from the root, and its large leaves appear in the succeeding spring: the former afford a beautiful variety of purple, white, red, rose-coloured, yellow, &c. with single and double flowers.—This vegetable is more ornamental than useful; and, though it frequently occupies a considerable part of a meadow, it is never touched by horses.

In its medicinal properties, the Meadow-Saffron resembles those of the Squill: the root of the former has ever been considered as an acrid poison, but it is less injurious in autumn than in the spring; its seed is also deleterious, though not mortal to either man or cattle.—The juice expressed from the leaves of this plant, wheu rubbed on the skin of animals, affords a very powerful and effectual remedy against vermin, with which they are often infested.  MEADOW-SWEET, the, or , Spiræa ulmaria, L. an indigenous perennial plant, growing in moist meadows and on the banks of rivers; flowering in the months of June and July. Its stalk attains the height of four feet; and the fragrant flowers, when infused in