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.

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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.