The Botanists Companion, Vol. II | Page 3

when dry perfumes the hay. It will grow in almost any soil
or situation. About three pounds of seed should be sown with other
grasses for an acre of land.

2. ALOPECURUS pratensis. MEADOW FOX-TAIL-GRASS.--One of
our most productive plants of this tribe: it grows best in a moist soil, is
very early, being often fit for the scythe by the middle of May. About
two bushels of seed will sow an acre, with a proportionate quantity of
Clover; which see.

3. ALOPECURUS geniculatus. FLOTE FOX-TAIL-GRASS.--Is very
good in water meadows, being nutritive, and cattle in general are fond
of it. We do not know if the cultivation of this plant has as yet been
attempted.

4. AGROSTIS capillaris. FINE BENT-GRASS.--Dr. Walker, in his
History of the Hebrides, speaks very favourably of this grass. I have
therefore noticed it here, but I do not think it so good as many others. It
grows on the sandy hills near Combe Wood in Surrey, and forms the
principal part of the pasturage; but it is neither very productive, nor are
cattle observed to thrive on it. The seeds are very small; one peck
would sow an acre.

5. AGROSTIS pyramidalis. FIORIN-GRASS [Footnote: Fiorin is the
Irish name of butter].--No plant has engaged the attention of the farmer
more than this grass, none ever produced more disputes, and none is
perhaps so little understood. It is perfectly distinct from any species of
Agrostis indigenous to this country: it is introduced by Dr. Richardson,
and to that gentleman's extraordinary account of it we are indebted for
numerous mistakes that have been made respecting it. It is an
amphibious plant, thriving only in water or wet soils, is very productive,
and the stalks after a summer's growth secrete a large quantity of sugar.
It has the power, when the stalks are ripe, of resisting putrefaction, and
will become blanched and more nutritious by being cut and laid in
heaps in the winter season, at which time only it is useful. The
cultivator of this plant must not expect to graze his land, but allow all
the growth to be husbanded as above; and although it will not be found
generally advantageous on this account, it nevertheless may be grown
to very great advantage either in wet soils, or where land can be
flooded at pleasure.
The seeds are often barren; and the only mode is to plant the shoots or
strings in drills at nine inches apart, laying them lengthways along the
drills, the ends of one touching the other.

6. AIRA aquatica. WATER HAIR-GRASS.--This is an aquatic, and
very much relished by cattle, but cannot be propagated for fodder.
Water-fowl are very fond of the young sweet shoots, as also of the
seeds; it may therefore be introduced into decoys and other places with
good effect. Pulling up the plants and throwing them into the water
with a weight tied to them, is the best mode of introducing it.

7. ARUNDO arenaria. SEA-SIDE REED-GRASS.--This is also of no
value as fodder, but it possesses the property of forming by its thick
and wiry roots considerable hillocks on the shores where it naturally
grows: hence its value on all new embankments. If it be planted in a
sandy place, during its growth in the summer the loose soil will be
collected in the herbage, and the grass continues to grow and form roots

in it; and thus is the hillock increased. Local acts of parliament have
been passed, and now exist, for preventing its destruction on the
sea-coast in some parts of Great Britain, on this account.

8. ARUNDO Phragmites. COMMON REED.--Is useful for thatching,
and making slight fences; it grows best in ponds near streams of water;
it does not often seed, but it could easily be introduced to such places
by planting its roots in spring: it is a large-growing plant; and where
herbage may be wanted either for beauty or shelter for water-fowl,
nothing can be more suitable, and the reeds are of great value.

9. AVENA flavescens. YELLOW OAT-GRASS.--Is much eaten by
cattle, and forms a good bottom. It has the property of throwing up
flowerstalks all the summer; hence its produce is considerable, and it
appears to be well adapted to pasture. The seeds of this grass are not to
be obtained separately; hence it is not in cultivation. It is however
worthy of attention, as the seeds are produced very abundantly in its
native places of growth. It will grow either in wet or dry soils.

10. AVENA pubescens. ROUGH OAT-GRASS.--This appears to have
some merits, but the foliage is extremely bitter. It grows in dry soils.

11. AVENA elatior. TALL OAT-GRASS.--From the good appearance
of this grass some persons have recommended