A WORD UPON GRASSES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 21 November 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

A WORD UPON GRASSES.

In onr impression for the 30th of June of last year (186 U), wo find the following statement by a Correspondent in reference to the grass in Hyde Park ; ‘■The most extraordinary piece of grass that can bo found is that in Hyde Park ; there is not a plantain, dandelion, nettle, or any other weejl in it. If permission were given under certain restrictions for seeds of this grass to be gathered, the country at largo would ere long derive great advantage from it. The practice of sowing what are called ‘hay seeds’ is very objectionable,” Isow it was with this latter part of our Correspondent’s note in our mind, that wishing to sec what really were the capabilities of the grass of the Park for permanent pasture, we shortly afterwards took a list of its graminaceous productions ; and we then found a pretty plentiful supply of the folowing species : GHASSES FORMING THE TTHF OF HYDE FA HE. 1. Poa annua.—Annual Meadow Grass 2. Poa trivialis.—Hough stalked ditto. 3. Poa pratensis.—Smooth ditto ditto; 4. Ilordeutu pratonse. —Meadow Pavlov. 5. Lolium perenne.—Perennial Pye-grass. 6. Dactylis glomerata.—Cocksfoot grass. 7. Cynosurus eristatus. —Dogstail Grass. 8. Agrostis stolonifera. vars. —I'iorin. Other plants. 9. ITantago media.—Common Plantain. 10. Trifolium repens.—Hutch clover. IVe perfectly agree with our Correspondent as to the impolicy of sowing hay seeds, but differ from him in his estimate of their quality in this particular instance. If the contents of Hyde Park should be allowed to seed, we see no reason, so far as wo then ascertained those contents to recommend that seed for permanent pasture, in any position whatever. Only those grasses to which the Xo.s. 3,5, 6, and 10 are attached, arc worth much either for pasturage purposes or for the rick, whilst Xos. 1,7, 8, and V can hard!} - be considered better than weeds, to which category, if wo wore estimating for a first-rate pasture, we should also be inclined to refer 2\o. 1. the fact is that although Hyde Park is comparatively free from absolute weeds, which is a matter due fo the constant treading which it receives, yet its grasses are not generally those of a rich, but on the contrary, of a poor meadow. Its condition is, however, an evidence of the great good of treacling, in preventing the growth of extraneous plants on the one hand, and in producing that consolidation so necessary to the development of an even uniform turf on (lie other. Its condition is moreover influenced by our climate ; for a long period of drought and intense boat which usually characterises the summers of other countries bakes the turf, so (bat if not universally destroyed it is so in patches ; but our climate is so fitful that, speaking generally, the brown caused by frost is displaced by green after the first showers of spring, and so is the brown of summer by the fitful rains of which we often so unreasonably complain. It ballpens however that Hyde Park and the other open spaces of grass of London and large cities are liable to injury not only from occasional longdronght, but from the more continuous traffic of large bodies of people. A case of this kind occurcd on and after the first grand parade of the Hide Volunteers. Its result was to destroy whole patches of the turf, winch was here and there warn into holes. In such place? if entirely left to themselves there will bo sure to spring up a few sprigs of the Poa amuia, and if this allowed to seed will cover the places preparatory to a gradual admission by wind or other means of a stray seed or two of perennial kinds of grass. Such a method of restoration may bo indeed imitated artificially. A mixture of Poa annua, and Poa pratensis should be sown on ruch bald places in the early spring ; the first spcices would mend the mischief for the London season, while the hitter will prepare for a peramanent restoration of the grassy herbage. Such a plan is applicable in any circumstances of a smilar nature ; the Poa annua, being specially adapted to any case where the early appearance of grass is required for any special purpose. — Gardeners Chronicle.