15.  Cynosurus coeruleus.  Blue dog’s-tail-grass.—­Dr. Walker states this plant to be remarkably agreeable to cattle, and that it grows nearly three feet high in mountainous situations and very exposed places.  As this grass does not grow wild in this part of the country, we have no opportunity of considering its merits.  In our Botanic Garden it seldom exceeds the height of ten inches or a foot.

It is the earliest grass of all our British species, being often in bloom in February.

The above intelligent gentleman, who seems to have studied the British Gramina to a considerable extent, says that the following kinds give considerable food to sheep and cattle in such situations; I shall therefore mention their names, as being with us of little esteem and similar to the above.

Phleum alpinum.  Eriophorum polystachion.  Festuca decumbens.  Carex flavescens.  Carex gigantea, probably Pseudocyperus.  Carex trigona, probably vulpina.  Carex elata, probably atrata.  Carex nemorosa, probably pendula.  And he is of opinion that the seeds may be sown to advantage.  Be this as may, the observation can only apply to situations in the north of Britain, where he has seen them wild; in this part of the island we have a number of kinds much better adapted to soil, climate, and fodder.

16.  Dactylis glomerata.  Rough COCK’S-foot-grass.—­Has a remarkable rough coarse foliage, and is of little account as a grass for the hay-stack; but from its early growth and great produce it is now found to be a useful plant, and is the only grass at this time known that will fill up the dearth experienced by graziers from the time turnips are over until the meadows are fit for grazing.  Every sheep-farm should be provided with a due portion of this on the land; but no more should be grown than is wanted for early feed, and what can be kept closely eaten down all the season.  If it is left to get up it forms large tufts, and renders the field unsightly, and scarcely any animal will eat it when grown old or when dried in the form of hay.  The seed is to be bought; two bushels per acres is sown usually alone.

17.  Festuca elatior.  Tall fescue-grass.—­This in its wild state has been considered as a productive and nutritive grass; it grows best in moist places; but the seeds have been found in general abortive, and the grass consequently only to be propagated by planting the roots, a trouble by far too great to succeed to any extent.—­See Poa aquatica.

18.  Festuca duriuscula.  Hard fescue-grass.—­A very excellent grass both for green fodder and hay, and would be well worth cultivating; but the seeds have not hitherto been saved in any quantity.

I have seen a meadow near Bognor where it formed the principal part of the herbage; and it was represented to me by the owner as the best meadow in the neighbourhood, and the hay excellent [Footnote:  Mr. Curtis observes that this grass grows thin on the ground after a time.  I have sometimes observed this to be the case in the Botanic Garden, but it is otherwise in its native state of growth.  Nothing stands the dry weather better, or makes a more firm sward.].