The Botanists Companion, Vol. II | Page 8

a dainty for culinary purposes; but I have never seen it
used here, neither are the seeds to be collected in great quantities.
Stillingfleet, on the authority of a Mr. Dean, speaks highly of its merits
in a water-meadow, and also quotes Mr Ray's account of the famous
meadow at Orchiston near Salisbury. There this, as well as Poa trivialis,
most certainly is in its highest perfection; but the real and general value
of grasses or other plants must not be estimated by such very local
instances, when our object is to direct the student to a general
knowledge of the subject. See Curtis, art. Poa trivialis.

38. POA trivialis. ROUGH-STALKED MEADOW-GRASS.--Those
who have observed this grass in our best watered meadows, and in
other low pasture-land, have naturally been struck with its great
produce and fine herbage. In some such places it undoubtedly appears
to have every good quality that a plant of this nature can possess; it is a
principal grass in the famous Orchiston meadow near Salisbury, and its
amazing produce is mentioned in the Bath Agricultural Papers, vol. i. p.
94: but persons should not be altogether caught by such appearances;
for I have seen it in some lands, and such as would produce good red
Clover, a very diminutive and insignificant plant indeed.
When persons wish to introduce it, they should carefully examine their
neighbouring pastures, and see how it thrives in such places. The seeds
are small, and six pounds would be sufficient for an acre, with others
that affect a similar soil.

39. POA pratensis. SMOOTH-STALKED MEADOW-GRASS.--This
is also a grass of considerable merit when it suits the soil; it affects a
dry situation, and in some such places it is the principal herbage; but I

have cultivated this by itself for seed in tolerably good land, and after
some time I found it matted so much by its creeping roots as to become
quite unproductive both of herbage and seed. Care should therefore be
taken that only a proper portion of this be introduced. The seeds of this
and Poa trivialis are the same in bulk, and probably the same
proportion should be adopted. The seeds of both species hang together
by a substance like to cobwebs, when thrashed, and require to be
rubbed either in ashes or dry sand to separate them before sowing.

* * * * *

SECT. II.--ARTIFICIAL GRASSES [Footnote: This technical term is
generally known to farmers. It is applied to Clovers, and such plants as
usually grow in pastures, and not strictly Gramina.].
Under this term are included such plants as are sown for fodder, either
with a view to form permanent pastures when mixed with the grasses,
or as intermediate crops on arable land. In those cases they are usually
sown with a spring crop of Oats or Barley, and the artificial grasses are
protected after the harvest by the stubble left on the ground, affording
the succeeding season a valuable crop, either for pasturage or hay.

40. ACHILLEA Millefolium. YARROW.--This has been much
recommended for sheep feed; but I observe it is frequently left
untouched by them if other green herbage is found on the land. It will
thrive in almost any soil, but succeeds best in good loam. The seed
used is about twelve pounds per acre.

41. ANTHYLLIS vulneraria. KIDNEY VETCH.--This plant is not in
cultivation, but it has been noticed that where it grows naturally the
cows produce better milk and in greater quantity. It grows best in
calcareous soils: the seeds are large, and easily collected. This plant

well deserves attention.

42. CICHORIUM Intybus. CICHORY, or BLUE SUCCORY.-Much
has been said of the good properties of this plant; and if it has them to
the full extent mentioned by different authors, I wonder there is not
little else than Cichory grown in this country. It is very prolific, and
will grow extremely quick after the scythe during the summer months:
but I fear, from the observations I have made, that it does not possess
the fattening quality it is said to have. The plant is so extremely bitter,
that although cattle may be inclined to feed on it early in the spring, yet
as the season advances and other herbage more palatable is to be met
with, it is left with its beautiful blue flowers and broad foliage to rob
the soil and adorn our fields, to the regret of the farmer. It grows wild
in great abundance in Battersea fields, where my late friend Mr. Curtis
used ludicrously to say that bad husbandry was exhibited to perfection.
This plant is there continually seen in the greatest abundance, where the
ground has not been lately disturbed, even under the noses of all the
half-starved cattle