A WORD UPON GRASSES.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 425, 19 November 1861, Page 3

A WORD UPON GRASSES.

In our impression for the 30th of June of last year (1860), we find the following statement by a correspondent in reference to the gra9a in Hyde Park:—

' The most extraordinary pices of gVass that can be found is that in Hyde Park p, there is not a plantain, dandelion, nettle, or any other weed in it. If permission were given under certain restrictions for seeds of this crass to bo gathered, the country at largiK would ere long derive great advantage from it. The practice of sowing what are called 'hay seeds' is very objectionable.' Now,^ it was with this latter part of our correspondent's note in our mind, that wishing to see 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 following species:— GRASSES FORMING THE TURF OF HYDE PARK. 1. Poa annua.—Anaual Meadow|itJra93. 2 „ trivialis—ltough Stalked ditto. 3. „ prateusis.—Smooth ditto ditto. 4. Hordeum pratense—Meadow Barley. 5. Lolium perenne.—Perrennial Rye-Grass. 6. Dactylis glomerata.—Cocksfoot Grass. 7. Cynosurus cristatus.—Dogstail Grass. 8. Agrostis stolonifera, vars. —Fiorin. Other plants. 9. Plantago media.—Common Plantain. 10. Trifplium repens.—Dutch Clover. We 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 we then ascertained those contents, to recommend that seed for permanent pasture, in any position whatever. Only those grasses to which the Nos. 3, 5, 6, and 10 are attached, are worth much either for pasturage purposes or for the rick, whilst Nos. 1, 7, 8, and 9 can hardly be considered better than weeds, to which eaten pry, if we were estimating for a first-rate pasture, we should be inclined to prefer No. 4. The fact is, that although Hyde Park is comparatively free from absolute weeds, which is a matter due to the constant treading which it receives, yet its grasses are not generally those of a rich, but on the contrary, of a poor mesdow. Its condition is, however, an evidence of the gre.it good of treading, 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 the other. Its condition is moreover influenced by our climate; for a long period of drought and intense heat which usually characterises the summers of other countries bakes the turf, 60 that 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 happens, however, that Hyde Park and the other open spaces of grass of London and large cities are liable to injury, not only from occasional long drought, but from the more continuous traffic of large bodies of people. A case of this kind occurred on and after the first grand parade of the Rifle Jfolunfeers. Its result was to destroy whole patc'iwof the turf, which was here and there worn into holes. In such places, if left entirely to themselves, there will be sure to spring up a few sprigs of the Poa annua, and this if 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 indeed be imitiated aitificially A mixture of Poa annua and Poa pratensis should be sown on such bald places in the early spring; the first species would mend the mischief for the London season, while the latter will prepare for a. permanent restoration of the grassy herbage. Such a plan is applicable in any circumstances of a similar nature; the Poa annua being specially adapted (o any ca;t where the early appearance of grass is required for any special purpose.— Gar* dener's Chronicle.