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U.S:
BEPARFMENT CF AGRICULTURE.

aher :
THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES

OF THE

|

UATTED SpATES.

DR. GEORGE VASEY,

BOTANIST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ALSO

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

OF

AMERICAN GRASSES,

BY

y
CHhiPPORD RICHARDSON,

:
ASSISTANT CHEMIST.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1884.

er
— ©

ili | Gti

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 1, 1884.

Sir: I herewith submit a special report on the grasses of the United
States which are either native or naturalized and which have more
or less agricultural value.

Respectfully yours,
GEO. VASEY,

Botanist of the Department.
Hon. GEORGE B. LORING,

Commissioner.

REPORT.

Every thoughtful farmer realizes the importance of the production on
his land of a good supply of grass for pasturage and hay. He, who can
produce the greatest yield on a given number of acres, will be the most
successful man; yet this is a a which has been, and still is,
greatly ieslocted.

In the United States we have many climates. many kinds of soil, many
geological formations, many degrees of aridity and moisture. Tt must
be apparent that one species of grass cannot be equally well adapted to
growth in all parts of this extensive territory ; yet hardly a dozen spe-
cies of grasses have been successfully introduced into our agriculture.
True it is that this number answers with a tolerable degree of satisfac-
tion the wants of quite an extensive portion of the country, chiefly the
northern and cooler regions. But it is well known that in other local-
ities the same kinds of grasses do not succeed equally well, and one of
the most important questions for those regions is to obtain such kinds
as Shall be thoroughly adapted to their peculiarities of climate and soil.
This is particularly the case in the Southern and Southwestern States,
‘the arid districts of the West, and in California.

The solution of this question is largely a matter of experiment and
observation.

‘The grasses which we have in dattivation were once wild grasses, and
are still such in their native homes.

The question then arises, can we not select from our wild or native
species some kinds which will be adapted to cultivation in those por-
tions of the country which are not yet provided with suitable kinds?
Many observations and some experiments in this direction have already
been made, and if proper research is continued, and sufficiently thorough
experiments are followed up, there is no reason to doubt that proper
kinds will be found for successful cultivation in all parts of the country.

GRASSES OF THE GREAT: PLAINS.

The plains lying west of the one hundredth meridian, together with

_. much broker and mountainous interior country, nearly treeless and arid,

in New Mexico, Western Texas, and Arizona, are nearly useless for the
purposes of ordinary agriculture, but are becoming more and more im-
‘portant as the great feeding ground for the multitudes of cattle which
supply the wants of the settled regions of our country, as well as the
constantly increasing foreign demand. The pasturage of this région
consists essentially of native grasses, some of which have acquired a

6 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

wide reputation for their rich nutritious properties, for their ability to
withstand the dry seasons, and for the quality of self-drying or curing,
so as to be available for pasturage in the winter. This quality is due
probably to the nature of the grasses themselves and to the effect otf
the arid climate. It is well known that in moist countries, at lower
altitudes, the grasses have much succulence ; they grow rapidly, and their
tissues are soft ; a severe frost checks or kills their growth, and chemical
changes immediately occur which resultin rapid decay; whereas in the
arid climate of the plains the grasses have much less suceculence, the
foliage being more rigid and dry, and therefore when their growth is
arrested by frost the tissues are not engorged with water, the desiccat-
ing influence of the climate prevents decay, and the grass is kept on the
ground in good condition for winter forage. General Benjamin Alvord,
of the United States Army, has recently published an article on the
subject of these winter-cured grasses, and states that they only acquire
this property on land which is 3,000 feet above the level of the sea.
The region having such an altitude includes, he says, all, nearly up to
the timber line, of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado,
and New Mexico; five-sixths of Arizona, one-half of Dakota, one-fourth
of Texas, one-fifth of Kansas, and one-sixth each of California, Oregon, -
and Washington Territory, embracing about oné-fourth of the area of
the whole United States.

Many of the grasses of this extensive region are popularly daunt as
‘bunch grass,” from their habit of growth ; others are known as “ mes-
quite” and “‘gramma grass.” These consist of many species of differ-
ent genera, some of them more or less local and sparingly distributed,
others having a wide range from Mexico to British America.

The most important of the “ bunch grasses ” may be briefly mentioned
as follows: Of the genus Stipa there are several species ; Stipa comata
and Stipa setigera occur abundantly in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona,
and California, reaching to Oregon. In Colorado, Kansas, and all the
prairie region northward, stretching into British America, Stipa juncea
is the principal one of the genus. On the higher plateaus and near the
mountains the Stipa viridula is very common, extending from Arizona
to Oregon and British America. Somewhat related botanically is
Eriocoma cuspidata, a very rigid bunch grass, with a fine, handsome
panicle of flowers. - It is equally widespread with the preceding. An-
other widely diffused grass is Aira cespitosa, varying much in size and _
thriftiness according to the altitude and amount of moisture where it
grows, but always having a light, elegant spreading panicle of silvery-
gray flowers.

One of the most extensively diffused grasses is Keleria cristata,
varying in height from to 1 foot to 24 feet, with a narrow and closely- —
flowered spike. Several species of fescue grass (Festuca) are inter-
mixed with the vegetation in varying proportions; the most impor-
tant of these, probably, are Festuca ovina in several varieties, and

>. o ss
Res." { : 2

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 7

Festuca scabrella, the latter especially in California, Oregon, and Wash-
ington.

The genus Calamagrostis (or Deyeuxia, as it is now called) Soe
several species which contribute largely to the vegetation of this re-
gion. They are mostly talk, stiff, and coarse grasses, but leafy and
some of them very nutritious. Of these Deyeuxia sylvatica and Deyeuxia
stricta are the least valuable. Perhaps the best of them is Deyeuzxia
canadensis, which is soft and leafy. Next in value, probably, is De-
yeuxia aleutica of California and Oregon, extending into Alaska. Cal-
amagrostis (Ammophila) longifolia, confined chiefly to the plains east of
the Rocky Mountains, is tall and reed-like, growing in dense a anes
from 4 to 6 feet high.

Several species of Andropogon are diffused from Arizona to British
America, but are not found on the western coast. ‘The principal species
are Andropogon scoparius, A. furcatus and A. (Chrysopogon) nutans.
Some of them are known under the name of blue-joint. |

Other grasses also widely spread, but in more sparing quantity are

severai species of Poa and Glyceria. Several varieties of Triticum (Ag-

ropyrum) repeus, or Couch grass,occur abundantly in saline soils, and
also Agropyrum glaucum, which is widely known as blue-stem and is
considered among the most nutritious of grasses. Brizopyrum spicatum
now.called Distichlis maritima, and some species of Sporobolus, also form
extensive patches or meadows in saline soils. Besides, there is a large
number of grasses of low growth and of more spreading habit, which are

‘known in the southwest and east of the Rocky Mountains under the

names of mesquite and buffalo grasses. The former belong mostly to
the genus Bouteloua, the most important species being B. racemosa
or tall mesquite, and B. oligostachya or low mesquite. The true buffalo
grass is botanically Buchloe dactyloides, which in many places forms ex-
tensive fields or areas. Itis of alow and densely-tufted or matted habit.
Another similar grass, spreading out in low, wide patches is Munroa
squorrosa. The above-mentioned species form the larger proportion of
the grassy vegetation of the great plains.

GRASSES OF MONTANA.

Prof. F. L. Seriber, of Girard College, Philadelphia, an accomplished

botanist, spent the past summer in Montana in an investigation of the

agricultural capabilities of the country, and he has furnished some val-
uable notes on the grasses of that region, from which we give the fol-
lowing selections:

‘ Beckmannia eruceformis.—Grows along the wet banks of streams,
rivers, and irrigating ditches, never away from a constant and abundant
supply of water. In favorable localities it attains the height of 3 feet,
and yields an abundance of tender herbage. Well adapted for cultiva-
tion. | |

“* Hierochloa borealis. —Common along the streams and rivers in the

8 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

mountainous districts, frequently occupying extensive areas to the ex-
clusion of all other grasses.

‘A lopecurus glaucus.—Very common along mountain streams and fre-
quently covering acres of the so-called mountain meadows. Its slender
but leafy culms grow to the height of 3 feet or more, and it is called in’
some localities ‘native timothy,’ which it resembles in habit. It yields
to the acre a great bulk of fine, Jong, bright-colored hay, for which pur-
pose it is often harvested and highly valued. It has little value for
grazing. It grows most luxuriantly between the altitudes of 5,000 and
6,000 feet. Under cultivation I see no reason why this grass should not
become as celebrated on the great western plateat as is its near rela-
tive, the meadow foxtail, in the moist climate of England.

‘6 Stipa comata.—Common on the bench lands, growing in soil too
gravelly and thin for Poa tenuifolia. In richer soil it grows tall and
produces a great abundance of forage.

“ Stipa viridula.—This is the most valuable of the Stipas, growing in
light, sandy loam, frequently covering large areas to the exclusion of
other species. In favorable localities it attains the height of 3 feet.
The associated species are Stipa comata, Poa tenuifolia,and Keleria cris-
tata.

‘6 Hriocoma (Oryzopsis) cuspidata, abundant on the lower sandy bench —
lands bordering the Missouri. Itis one of the esteemed ‘ bunch grasses’
and thrives on soil too sandy for other valuable species.

‘‘Phleum alpinum, called ‘native timothy ;’ it grows in mountainous
regions near streams, ascending to the altitude of seven or eight thou-
sand feet. At elevations between five and six thousand feet I have seen
this grass growing in rich open woods along with common timothy
(Phleum pratense), and it was the more luxuriant of the two—not so tail,
perhaps, but growing to the height of 2 feet, with larger and more leafy

‘culms. I see no reason why, in the region where this grass grows nat-
urally in such luxuriance, it may not take the place in cultivation ofthe
well-known and justly valued timothy of the Hast.

‘‘ Agrostis exarata.—Grows only along the rich, moist banks of streams
in the mountain districts. Apparently a valuable grass to introduce
into cultivation.

‘6 Deyeuxia Canadensis —Common along streams. There is a species
allied to Deyeuxia neglecta, perhaps only a variety of it, that grows upon:
the dry bench lands along with Poa tenwfolia and Keleria cristata, and
so closely resembling the latter in habit that at a little distance it is ~
difficult to distinguish the one from the other.

‘6 Deschampsia cespitosa is common in moist meadows even when the
soil is highly alkaline. It yields an abundant growth of stalks and
leaves, and may have some value, but it is not recognized as a forage
plant. 7

“ Bouteloua oligostachya, the ‘ buffalo grass,’ of Montana. Abundant
on the lower benches at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,500 feet, and

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 9

regarded as one of the most valuable of the forage grasses. It stands
tramping better than any other species, and comes in when other species
have been tramped out. Its fine, curly leaves make a dense turf of
highly nutritious herbage. The true buffalo grass (Buchloé) was not
seen. /
6 Keleria cristata, called ‘ June grass,’ is very common on the bench
lands, disputing possession with Poa tenwifolia. These two may be said
to be the most common grasses of the low districts.
“ Distichlis maritima, or ‘salt grass,’ is common in alkaline soil
along the rivers. It is of little or no value for forage, and considered a
great nuisance in agriculture, as its tough and matted roots form a sod
that is almost impossible to be broken up.
“* Poa.—Al]l the Poas, wherever growing in abundance, yield much ex-
cellent food for stock. On the mountain tops we find Poa alpina, Poa
lara,and Poa cesia. Poa Nevadensis is common along mountain streama,
and on the slopes we find Poa serotina and Poa nemoralis. _Poa pratensis
is truly indigenous, and grows abundantly along the streams and rivers.

Poa tenuifolia, in its various forms, may-be ealled the grass of the coun-
try. It constitutes the chief forage upon the dryest bench lands, where
it is called ‘bunch grass,’ or, on account of its reddish color, ‘red-top/
Another local name is ‘red-topped buffalo grass.’ In dry situations
its culms are low and slender, and the foliage is confined to the dense
radical tuft, the leaves of the stem being very short and of little ac-
count. When growing in rich soil, along streams or on land naturally
irrigated, it makes a luxuriant growth of stems and foliage 2 to 6 feet
high; and a field of Poa tenuifolia in bloom presents as fine an appear-
ance as does a field of Kentucky blue grass in the Hast, and the pro-
duce per acre, I should think, nearly thesame. This and Keleri cristata
are usually associated, and both bloom about the same time, June 1d
to 30. As fine a field of natural grasses as I saw in Montana contained
Poa tenuifolia, Keleria cristata, Stipa viridula, and Stipa comata as the
leading species, the Poa being the most abundant. In this field the
Stipas were unusually fine, overtopping the other grasses.

‘* Festuca scabrella, the ‘ great bunch grass’ and ‘buffalo bunch grass,’
is one of the principal grasses of the country. It is the prevailing species
on the foot-hills and mountain slopes at from six to seven thousand feet.
In respect to elevation above the sea, the following is the order of the most
important grasses of the grazing lands of Montana: Bouteloua oligos-
tachya, Poa tenuifolia, Keleria cristata, and Agropyrum glaucum occupy
the low lands and benches; then Agropyrum divergens ; above this
is Festuca ovina, var., and above all comes Festuca scabrella. In any
of the mountain valleys the belts of altitude occupied by these grasses
are well defined: First and lowest, Poa tenufolia prevails; between this
and Festuca ovina there is usually, though not always, a belt of Agro-
pyrum divergens. Usually, at about 6,000 feet, Festuca ovina gives way
to Festuca scabrella. The latter may be regarded as the more abundant

10 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

and valuable species of the two. It is rather too hard a grass for sheep,
but there is no more valuable grass on the ‘summer ranges’ for cattle
and horses. It makes excellent hay for horses, and is cut in large quan-
tities for this purpose. It grows in Jarge tussocks, making it rather
a difficult grass to mow with a machine. estuca ovina, var. prevails in
the mountain regions on a line of altitude just below Festuca seabrella,
growing in close bunches, and yields a large amount of forage for all
kinds of stock.

“ Agropyrum glaucum, ‘blue-joint’? and buesene is the most
highly praised of the native grasses for hay. Wherever this grass 0c-
cupies exclusively any large area of ground, as it frequently does in the
lower districts, especially near Fort Benton, it is cut for hay. Natur-
ally, it does not yield a great bulk, but its quality is unsurpassed. It
has a tough, creeping root, like the ‘ couch grass’ of the Eastern States,
aud by some is regarded as a variety of it. After two or three cuttings
the yield of hay diminishes so much that it is scarcely worth the harvest-
ing. An effectual way to increase the stand of grass after a succession
of cuttings, as proved by actual experiment, is to drag over the sod a
short-toothed harrow, which breaks up the roots or underground ems:
and each fragment of root then makes a new plant.

‘* Hordeum jubatum, or ‘fox-tail grass,’ is common on the low lands,
especially where there is moisture. It is looked upon as one of the
worst of weeds. Its presence with other .grasses destroys their value
entirely for hay. ee

‘“¢ Hlymus condensatus, or ae -rye grass,’ is the only species that is
known popularly. It grows along the streams and rivers, often covering
extensive areas. Itis valued chiefly as a winter forage grass. It yields
a great bulk of coarse hay, but is rarely harvested. When growing in
fields of ‘biue-joint’ the blue-joint is cut and the rye grass is left stand-
ing. If cut before flowering it makes a good hay, but if left until it
comes into flower, it is not. only too hard for hay, but is too hard to
cut, except with a bush-scythe.”

Ths connection with this subject the question arises, what effect will
continued pasturage have upon the perpetuity of the grasses composing
these great pasture-fields ? Probably in the course of time certain spe-
cies will disappear, being unable to withstand the constant tramping
and cropping by cattle and sheep, and it will be necessary to fill their
place with more hardy species. If this is not done by self-propagation
it will then become necessary for the proprietors of the land to make
selection from the native species which prove hardy, or to seek out suit-
able species from other countries. It can hardly be doubted thatamong |
our very many native species there are those which will meet the re--
quirements of the occasion, but much careful observation and many
trials and experiments will need to be made before the question is satis-
factorily determined. To an intelligent performance of this work a
knowledge is first required of the characteristics, habits, and names of

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill

the species now occupying the ground, and a very important aid to the
acquisition of this knowledge will be found in the present work, with
its descriptions and figures of a large number of the common grasses
now prevailing in different parts of the country. A careful study of
these and comparison with the living plants will enable an ordinary ob-

server to identify the grasses which may come under his observation.

A chapter is also presented on the structure and characteristics of

grasses in general, their various organs and parts, and the technical
terms by which they are distinguished.
- Where the species of a genus or order of plants are so numerous and
so closely related as they are in the case of the grasses it is impossible,
without an immense repetition of words, to describe accurately the dif-
ferences between different kinds by the use of popular language. Any
one, therefore, who may wish to obtain an accurate acquaintance with
them wiil find it necessary to learn something of the botanical terms used
in describing plants. We hope, therefore, that the reader will not be dis-
mayed by the use of the technical descriptions, but will consult the
glossary, where the terms are explained.

Among the younger readers, and especially, we may hope, among
agricultural students, there are many who will be glad to have precise
and scientific descriptions, for this is an age of progress, and an age
when even the labor of the farm may be enlivened and beautified by
mental improvement and bya scientific knowledge of the common ob-
jects of life.

For a close study of the flowers of grasses a small magnifier or lens,
single or double, will be needed. One magnifying five to ten diameters
will be sufficient, and such a one can generally be purchased at a jewel-
er’s for a dollar or two.

Within the limits of the United States there are about six hundred
species of grasses, mostly native, a few naturalized from other coun-
tries. Many of these species are either too small, too coarse, too sparse,
or in some other way wanting in the character needed for a good agri-
cultural grass. But it is certain that among this great number there
are some which will be found suitable for cultivation at least in special
districts. We have here selected from all parts of the country about
one hundred and twenty species for description and illustration.

GENERAL REMARKS ON GRASSES.

The name grass in popular usage is by no means a definite term, as
it is often applied to plants which have no botanical relationship. In
a popular sense it includes the sedges, rushes, various plants with grass-
like leaves, and sometimes such widely different plants as clover. On
the other hand, many persons will be surprised on being informed that
all the cereals, as wheat, barley, rye, oats, sugar-cane, sorghum, Indian
corn, rice, and bamboo are true grasses. In this paper, however, we
consider mainly such grasses as are used for pastures, meadows, or fod-

_ der purposes, or which have some importance in that direction.

12 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF GRASSES.

A grass possesses the following parts: (1) the root, (2) the culm,
(3) the leaves, (4) the flowers.

(1.) The roots are the fibrous ramifications which extend downward
into the ground and appropriate the water or other liquid nutriment to
be conveyed into the stem and leaves.

(2.) The stem or culm is the ascending part which commonly rises
above ground, either erect or reclining. Sometimes the culnr is hori-
zontal and subterranean, sending out erect branches and fibrous roots
at the joints. These are called creeping stems, or, improperly, creeping
roots. They are botanically called rhizomes, and sometimes are sev-
eral feet long. In some grasses there isa kind of bulb at the base of
the stem, in which is stored a concentration of nutriment for the support
of the plant under peculiar circumstances, as in protracted drought.
This bulbous formation is a part of the stem, and not of the root. The
stem or culm of grasses is usually cylindrical and hollow; sometimes it
is more or less compressed or flattened. It is divided at intervals by
transverse thickened portions called joints or nodes, at which points
leaves and sometimes branches are given off. These nodes tend also to
strengthen the stem. Stems are usually simple and unbranched, except
at the top, where they commonly divide into the more or less numerous
branches of the panicle or flowering part. But some stems give rise
from the side joints to leafy branches, which may, like the main stem,
produce smaller panicles at the top.

(3.) The leaves take their origin at the nodes or joints in two
ranks—that is, they are placed alternately on opposite sides of the stem
at greater or less distances—thus, the first leaf will be on one side, the
second on the opposite side a little higher up, the third still higher and
directiy over the first, the fourth over the second, and so on. The
leaves consist of three parts: (1) the sheath, (2) the ligule, and (3) the —
blade. The sheath is that part which clasps the stem. It is generally
open on one side, as will be readily observed in the leaves of a corn-
Stalk, but in some grasses the sheath is partly or even completely
closed together by the adhesion of the opposite edges. The sheath is
analogous to the stem or petiole of the leaves of many higher plants.
The ligule: At the point where the blade of the leaf leaves the stem, at
the top of the sheath and on the inner side, there is usually a small,
thin, leaf-like organ, called the ligule or tongue. Thisis sometimes half —
an inch long, more commonly only two or@hree lines, and sometimes it
is almost absent or reduced to a short ring, but its length and size is
very constant in the same species. This ligule represents the stipules
which occur at the base of the leaves in many of the higher plants.
The blade or lamina of the leaf is the expanded part which is commonly
called leaf. In the majority of grasses the leaf is long and narrow ;
that is, many times longer than wide. There is one central nerve, called

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 13

the midnerve or midrib, extending to the point of the leaf, and numerous
fine lines or nerves on each side running parallel to each other, and not
connected by transverse nerves and not giving off branches as in the
higher plants. These leaves are in some species rough, in others
smooth, hairy, or downy, &c. The agricultural value of a grass depends
mainly upon the quantity, quality, size, and nutritive properties of the
leaves. — | ;

(4.) The flowers: The flowers of the grasses are generally at the end
of the stem or the side branches, sometimes very few in number, some-
times in great abundance, sometimes in a close spike, and sometimes in
a panicle, with many spreading branches or rays. The flowers may be
single on the branches or on the pedicels, or they may be variously clus-
tered. In the common red-top (Agrostis alba or A. vulgaris), there is a
single flower at the end of each of the small branchlets of the panicle.
Each of these flowers is inclosed by a pair of small leaf-like scales or
chaff, called the outer or empty glumes. The flower consists of (1) the
essential organs and (2) the envelopes. The essential organs are the

- §tamens and pistils, which may readily be seen when the grass is in

bloom. The stamens, of which there are usually three in each flower,
consist of the anther and filament, the anther being the small organ
which contains the pollen or dust which fertilizes the pistil or female
organ, and the filament being the thread-like stem on which the anthers
are borne. |
- The pistilis the central organ of tke flower, and consists of three
parts, the ovary, the style, and the stigmas. In most of the grasses the
styles are divided into two branches which have a handsome plumose
appearance. The stigmas are the delicate parts at the extremity of
these branches which receive the pollen for the fertilization of the flower,
and the ovary is that part at the base which contains the future seed.

The envelopes of the flower are usually two leaf-like scales or husks in-
closing between them the stamens and pistil ; these scales face each other,
one being a very little higher on the axis than the other, and also
usually smaller and more delicate in texture. This smaller scale is called
the palet ; the other larger and usually coarser one is called the fower-
ing glume; its edges generally overlap and partly inclose the palet.

The flower constituted as above described, together with the pair of
outer or empty glumes at the base, form what is called a spikelet. In
many cases, however, there, are two three, or more flowers, sometimes
even ten to twenty, in one spikelet, in which case they are arranged
alternately on opposite sides of the axis, one above the other, with a
pair of empty or outer glumes at the base of the cluster. Such may be .
seen in the blue grass (Poa pratensis), fescue grass (Festuca), and many
others.

There are innumerable modifications of these floral organs, and upon
the differences which exist in them the distinction of genera and species
are based. In some cases the glumes areentire in outline, in some they

14 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

are toothed and lobed, and sometimes running out into a slender point
called an awn, sometimes with a bristle or awn on the back, &c. They
also vary in size from the twentieth part of an inch to an inch or more in
length.

Authorities consulted.—In the preparation of this work reference has
been had to many authorities, both scientific and practical. Among
those who have written practically on the uses and the cultivation of
grasses the following-named works have been consulted and frequently
qnoted. Flinton Grasses and Forage Plants; Grasses and their Culture,
by Hon. J. Stanton Gould; Manual of Grasses at the South, by C. W.
Howard; The Grasses of Tennessee, by J. R. Killebrew; The Farm-
er’s Book of Grasses, by Prof. D. L. Phares, of Mississippi.

It is not thought necessary here to take up a systematic classification
of the grasses farther than their arrangement in regular sequence, as
the classification will be found fully described in the special report No.
63.

WINTER GRAZING IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

An article by General Benjamin Alvord, in a recent Bulletin of the

American Geographical Society, with the above title, is deserving of _

extended publication and of careful study.
Our space will only allow us to give an abridgment of the article.
General Alvord says:

During the last fourteen years a revelation has dawned on the people of the United
States, respecting the resources for winter grazing in the whole Rocky Mountain re-
gion. It is now known that all land over about 3,000 feet above the level of the sea
has these qualities, viz, that without shelter, all the domestic animals can find ample
food on the nutritious, summer-cured grasses of those plateaus, and that myriads of
those animals are yearly raised by the great capitalists and others in our Western
regions. The experiment has now for so many years been tried that it is not con-
sidered at all problematical, and although winters of great severity may occur, it is
admitted that on an average the losses in the herds by the vicissitudes of the weatnoer
‘do not exceed 5 per cent. of the whole number.

General Alvord then proceeds to explain why this fact was so long
unknown:

Surely it is extraordinary that so salient a fact as to the resources of this country
should not have been fully known until the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad
in 1869. My Army station from 1852 to 1865 was in Oregon or Washington Territory,
and at Omaha from 1867 to 1871. Thus, I was thrown in the course of my official
travels into regions giving me opportunities for observation, which I embraced. But
I must confess that notwithstanding my knowledge of the benefits of the cured bunch-
grasses in Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains, and my large intercourse with emi-
- grants yearly arriving on the Pacific slope, and with the officers and scientists of
many exploring expeditions, it was not until during my residence in Omaha and my
journeys over the Union Pacific Railroad that I knew of the immense resources for
winter grazing on the Rocky Mountain plateaus which cover probably one-fourth of
our whole territory. Our total area is 4,000,000 square miles, and we can safely add
that the region for winter grazing is about a million of square miles, if not more—not
including any portion of Alaska. The moment California, New Mexico, and the other

———— ll

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 15

territories were acquired from Mexico in 1848, our Government turned its attention to
the Pacitic slope, and to the necessity of a Pacific railroad, and sundry exploring ex-
peditions were organized in 1853 to examine the various routes—northern, southern,
and central. These expeditions, and those preceding, of Lewis and Clarke, of Long,
of Bonneville, and of Frémont, gave to the world a great mass of information of all
kinds concerning those little known regions. Each of the Pacific railroad exploring
parties had scientists of the greatest repute in various branches of investigation, as
geology, botany, and natural history, and had with them experienced guides, hunters,
woodsmen, mountaineers, and prairie-men; and all these were as ignorant as the rest
of the winter resources of that vast domain. Thereason was that'all the explorations
were made in summer, each party returning to winter in lower altitudes in the settle-
ments without any attempt to 2 and unveil the winter characteristics of the
mountain regions.

We learned at Omaha that the fligtemety, of the resources of the Rocky Mountain
plateaus for winter grazing was really made during the war by the parties under that
enterprising man, the late Edward Creighton (afterward president of the First Na-
tional Bank of Omaha), who had taken the contract to build the telegraph line from
Omaha to San Francisco. One winter their animals were left to graze in the elevated
pastures of those regions, and were found in the spring in splendid order for the prose-
cution of their labors. This fact was utilized by Mr. Creigton, and it was the founda-
tion of his large fortune, made in great part by stock-raising in Western Nebraska and
- Wyoming. These facts soon became known. By the time the Union Pacific Railroad
was completed, in 1869, the enterprising capitalists and herdsmen of the West were
aroused and ready to avail themselves of this new and promising mode of investment.

- General Alvord proceeds further, as follows:

We will now undertake to explain the anomaly that the grasses of the arid plateaus
are ready at all seasons for grazing, whereas in winter in all the lower altitudes they
are not. Heat and moisture will cause the grasses in autumn and in winter to rot.
With us they decay and, unless cut in season, cured and made into hay, are lost to
use. .

In the arid Rocky Mountain plateaus the grasses, as they stand on the soil, are
cured in the sun during the summer, the action of heat retaining and concentrating
in the stalks the sugar, gluten, and other constituents of which they are composed.
This is true of the bunch grasses, the buffalo and grama, and many similar grasses
which pervade those regions. It is so cold and so dry in those elevations that there
are neither heat nor moisture to rot them. And the snows are so fine (save in some
exceptional seasons) in that cold atmosphere, that they are so blown by the winds
into drifts, that four-fifths of the soil is never covered by them. Thus, the grass is ever
accessible to the domestic and other animals, while the snow is so fine that it falls
from their backs; therefore they are not encumbered with a coating of frozen snow,
which in the lower regions would go far toward killing the poor brutes. They find,
shelter in the hollows, bushes, and forests during very severe weather. In the natu-
ral abodes of the buffalo, antelope, and other wild animals, it is found that our valued
domestic animals can in like manner survive the winter. Countless millions of buf-
faloes have ever subsisted on the buffalo grass. Although our domestic animals gen-
erally prefer the other grasses, the buffalo grass does not fail to be one of their re-
sources. :

The difficulties in lower altitudes than those I have described have been that after
a warm speil and a thaw, the snow freezes to a crust and the grass is matted down
by the ice, and kept from the stock. East of the Cascade Mountains, in the arid por-
tion of Oregon, bunch grasses and cured grasses are found near the Dalles, where it is
only 300 or 400 feet above the sea. In December, 1852, I witnessed such a thaw, fol-
lowed by freezing, which kept the oxen from getting to the grasses, andi consequently
large numbers died of starvation. If they had been wintered near Fort Boise or any-

16 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

where 3,000 feet above the sea, they would have thriven on the rich bunch grasses
ever accessible on those plains. Sheep should always have shelter from the cold
winds, but no other stock requires it.

In Texas the grazing grounds are mostly at so low a level above the sea that the
grasses rot in winter. Hence, in the latter part of winter, the animals there are often
poor, and it is difficult to provide food forthem. Thus it isthat the vast herds started
from Texas to be driven to market acquire flesh and improve every hundred miles of
their journey north, as they reach new and well-advanced pastures.

But we must now allude to another element which prepares the elevated regions for
winter grazing, viz, that the climate is much warmer than in the regions east of it in
the same latitude. The isothermal lines all ascend in moving westward.

At Omaha cattle and horses must have shelter in winter, but none is needed at Fort
Laramie. The extreme severity at Fort Buford, Dak., 1,900 feet above the sea is, in
like manner, contrasted with the weather at Fort Phil Kearney or Powder River, 6,000
feet above the sea, or with the winter climate of Forts Custer and Keogh.

Scientists are not yet able to assign satisfactory reasons for these anomalies; per-
haps they are inscrutable. Why in ascending the slopes of the Rocky Mountain pla-
teaus a warmer climate should be encountered is a proper field for future consideration
and investigation. It still remains a paradox.

We can make the following statement as to the region higher than 3,000 feet above
the sea, fit for winter grazing. It includes all, nearly up to the timber line, of Mon-
tana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, and five-sixths of
Arizona, one-half of Dakota, one-third of Nebraska, one-fifth of Kansas, one-fourth of
Texas, and one-sixth each of California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. This
embraces, as we have already said, about one-fourth of the area of the whole United —
States. ‘

Strange enough, all the best authorities who have had opportunities for comparison
say that those regions farthest north are the best. Brisbin, page 90, says: ‘‘ Montana
has undoubtedly the best grazing grounds in America, and parts of Dakota stand
next.”

The writer thus engages in a consideration of the elevated plateaus
of South America, Asia, and Africa, and a comparison with those of
our own country, and thus proceeds as follows :

I shallnow give some account of the various grasses which are found on the plateaus,
and which are summer-cured. In Appendix C will be found a letter to me, of March
1, 1883, from Dr. George Vasey, botanist of the Department of Agriculture, who has
complied with my request to give me a concise statement of the names of the prin-
cipal grasses.

In general parlance it has been supposed that what are called ‘‘ bunch ” grasses are
in the northern portions of the Rocky Mountain range, and that the ‘‘gama” or
‘“grama” grasses were peculiar to the southern territories in New Mexico and Arizona:
But I am satisfied, from personal inquiries of travelers (Marey and Dutton among
others), as well as from the statements of the botanists, that both the ‘‘bunch” grasses
and others are found in each region. But it seems probable that the ‘‘gama” and
‘‘oraina” grasses are found in the greatest abundance in the more southern portions.
The ‘‘buffalo” grass or grasses. (for the term 1s applied to more than one kind) are
found throughout all the ranges of the buftalo from north to south. The term
“bunch” grass was given because it grows in tufts or bunches a foot or more in
height, sometimes two feet apart, so that the aspect from surrounding hills would
often be that of a desert region. A green carpet isnever or rarely seen. The buftalo
grass grows as a low tuft, and it is summer-cured as it grows, like the other grasses
under consideration.

sy the courtesy of General F, A. Walker, Superintendent of the Census, I had the
privilege of reading (before publication) a full and interesting paper by Prof. William

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 17

H. Brewer on “‘ Pasture and Forage Plants.” Inthe following statement I have often
availed myself of some items from it.

The term “ bunch grass” has been applied to several kinds, and we will name those
prominently known:

The Festuca scabrella is the one best known on the Pacific slope, ranging from Cali-
fornia to Oregon and Idaho.
~ The Festuca occidentalis is also found there.

The Festuca ovina (or sheep grass) in several varieties is found through the whole
region of winter grazing, and seems the world over to be found wherever sheep graze.

Eriocoma cuspidata is one of the valuable bunch grasses generally prevalent.

Of the grasses termed ‘‘grama” Hragrostis powoides and Eragrostis oxylepis are called
erama grasses. The former in Texas is sometimes called one of the buffalo grasses.

Munroa squarrosa, Mr. Brewer says, is a buifalo grass of the north, and one of the
grama grasses of Texas. Calamagrostis longifolia has a wide range and is sometimes
called ‘‘mesquit” and grama grass, and Calamagrostis canadensis, sometimes called
“blue joint.” 7

The terms “‘gama” and ‘‘grama” are not interchangeable. Mr. Brewer says that
Tripsacum dactyloides is the ‘gama grass” of the South—a tall, coarse grass, from 3 to
7 feet high—and is found from Texas to Illinois and Connecticut.

Though much confusion of names is in popular use in reference to all the grasses it
seems to be admitted that the term ‘‘ buffalo grass” is applied most justly to Buchloe
dactyloides. It is one of the most nutritious of grasses and pervades the whole range
of the Rocky Mountain plateaus.

The following is the letter of Dr. Vasey, referred to in the preceding
paper:

DEAR SiR: In reply to your request I offer the following remarks on the native
grasses of the great plains and arid portions of the West. These grasses furnish the
chief resource of the immense herds of buffaloes and the vast droves of domestic ani-
mals which feed upon the plains, and from the habit of growth are, for the most part,
known by the name of bunch grasses. Theyare chiefly grasses of rigid aspect, at least
as respects their culms and leaves, some of them, however, forming a diffuse and ele-
gant panicle of flowers. The most important of the bunch grasses may be briefly
mentioned as follows: . ;

Of the genus Stipa there are several species. Stipa comata and Stipa setigera occur
abundantly in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and the drier regions of California, reach-
ing to Oregon. In Colorado, Kansas, and all the prairie region northward, stretching
‘into British America, the Stipa juncea is the principal oue of the genus. On the higher
plateaus and near the mountains the Stipa viridula is very common, extending from

_ Arizona to Oregon and British America. Somewhat related botanically is Eriocoma
cuspidata, a very rigid bunch grass with a fine, handsome panicle of flowers. It is
equally widespread with the preceding. Another widely-diffused grass is Aira caespi-
tosa, varying much in size and thriftiness according to the altitude and amount of
moisture where it erows, but always having a light, elegant, spreading panicle of

-silvery-gray flowers. .

One of the most extensively-diffused grasses is Koeleria cristata, varying in height
from one foot to two and a half feet, with a narrow and closely-flowered spike. Sey-

eral species of fescue grass (Festuca) are intermixed with the vegetation in varying
proportions; the most important of these are probably the Festuca ovina, in several
varieties, and Festuca scabrella, the latter especially in California, Oregon, and Wash-
ington.

The genus Calamagrostis furnishes several species, which contribute largely to the
vegetation of this region. They are mostly tall, stiff, and coarse grasses, but leafy,

and some of them very nutritious. Of these Calamagrostis sylvatica and C. stricta are
2218 GR 2

18 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

least valuable. Perhaps the best of them is Calamagrostis canadensis, which is soft
and leafy. Next, perhaps, in value is Calamagrostis aleutica, of California and Oregon,
extending into Alaska. Calamagrostis longifolia, confined chiefly to the plains east of
the Rocky Mountains, is tall and reed-like, growing in dense clumps, from four to six
feet high. Several species of. Andropogon are diffused from Arizona to British Amer-
ica on the plains, but are not found on the western coast. They are, however, not
properly called bunch grass, as their habit of growth is more spreading. The princi-
pal species are Andropogon scoparius, A. furcatus,and A. nutans. Some of them are
known through the plain region as blue-joint or blue-stem. Others, more sparingly
spread, are several species of Poa and Glyceria. Several varieties of Triticum repens
or couch grass occur abundantly in saline soils, and are among the most nutritious of
grasses. Brizopyrum spicatum and species of Vilfa and Sporobolus also form extensive
patches or meadows in saline soi]. Besides the grasses already mentioned there are
a large number of low growth and more diffused habit, which are known in the South-
west and east of the Rocky Mountains under the names of mesquit and bwftalo
grasses. The former belong mostly to the genus Bouteloua, the most important species
being B. curtipendula, or tall mesquit, and B. oliyostachya and B. hirsuta, or low mes-
quit. The true buffalo grass is botanivally Buchloe dactyloides, which in some places
forms extensive fields of its low and densely-tufted growth. Another similar grass
spreading out in low patches is Munroa squarrosa. The above-mentioned species form
the larger proportion of the grassy vegetation of the great plains.

Respectfully,
GEO. VASEY,

Botanist.

General BENJAMIN ALVORD.

REPORTS ON GRASS AND GRASS CULTURE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE
UNITED STATES.

In 1882 circulars were sent out by the Commissioner of Agriculture
to agriculturists and farmers in all parts of the country asking infor-
mation as to the natural pasture grasses of this district, what kind of ~
natural and cultivated grasses were used for hay and pasture, and what
grasses could be suggested for experiment. A large number of reports
were received and compiled by the assistant botanist, W. P. Conant, and
a summary of the results is herewith given. As a general thing the cor-
respondents were not acquainted with the botanic or technical names of |
the grasses, and gave the common or local name where there was one. It
frequently happens that the same grass will have different local names
even in places not far remote from each other, and also that the same
name will be applied to grasses very unlike. Many have no common
name and are referred to as wild grass, woods grass, Swamp grass, &c.

So, in examining the reports, a perplexing difficulty was often en-
countered in not being able to determine to what species a grass be-
longed from the name given. In some instances this difficulty was ob-
viated by obtaining specimens of the piants referred to; in others they
were not sent or failed to reach here.

The reports were sent in with commendable promptness, and all
evinced a great interest in the subject, and expressed a strong desire to
aid the undertaking by all means in their power. |

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 19
WASHINGTON TERRITORY AND OREGON.

From Washington Territory twelve reports were received, and from
Oregon thirty-one. They are so much alike that we consider them to-

gether.
NATIVE PASTURE GBASSES.

Buneh-grass is found in the drier places and on the hills; wild pea-
vine and a few wild grasses in the timber; clover upon bottom-lands;
wild rye-grass, a species of elymus, upon lowlands, and a variety of
mixed grasses upon the prairies.

Several species of grass are called bunch-grass, the principal of which
are Poa tenuifolia Nutt, Festuca scabrella, Eriocoma cuspidata, and some
of the species of Stipa.

Buneh-grass, which formerly was the principal pasture grass upon
the uplands, has become about extinct, partly from the land being taken
for cultivation and partly from overfeeding. Its place has been taken
by wild chess (Bromus secalinus) and other poor grasses.

But little native grass is cut for hay; some little wild red-top, wild-
rye grass, salt-marsh grass upon tide-water, and, east of the Cascades,
a little bunch-grass is cut.

CULTIVATED GRASSES.

Timothy is found universally distributed throughout this section, and
has become so well established that some consider it indigenous. It
has so tenacious a hold upon the soil that it can scarcely be killed out.
As a hay grass, timothy has no superior; for a pasture grass, it gives
out too early in July.

Next in general diffusion come the clovers and orchard grass. Red-
top, also, is quite common. Kentucky blue-grass, though not so exten-
sively introduced, seems well adapted to some portions of this section.

The soil and climate of Oregon and Washington Territory are ad-
mirably adapted to the culture of grass, and any kind will do well if
allowed a fair chance. There is a great diversity of soil; and often on
the same farm all:kinds may be found, from the black sandy loam to

_ red clay.

From some, come inquiries for a grass that will do well upon lands
worn out by constant wheat-cropping; others say that they are sowing
clover on their exhausted lands to recuperate them, and no better ad-
vice can be given the former than to do likewise. By this means the
tired lands can soon be restored to fertility.

_A better way, and one which the intelligent farmers will soon learn
to follow, is to avoid depleting the land at all, but by a suitable rota.
tion of crops, among which the clovers and grasses should have a prom-
inent place, the lands can be kept in a normal state of fertility, and,
being naturally rich, will yield a generous reward to the husbandman’s
toil. |

20 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.
CALIFORNIA.

From California thirty-seven reports were received. They give the
following as the principal grasses:

NATIVE PASTURE GRASSES,

Wild oats (Avena fatua), alfilaria (Hrodium cicutariwm), bur-clover
(Medicago denticulata), wild clovers, of which there are several species,
and bunch-grass, in the order named. Inthe northern part of the State
a little wild rye-grass (Hlymus), wild red-top, and wild pea-vine are
found. |

Accounts from the central and southern counties state that the native
bunch-grass, which formerly furnished a nutritious feed for a large part
of the Pacific slope, has of late years become about extinet, and in some
sections the alfilaria, bur-clover, and other forage plants, which were
found on the uncultivated lands during spring and early summer, are
slowly but surely dying out, and their places are being taken by a
worthless grass that nothing will eat green or dry. |

Mr. ©. O. Tucker, of Ballena, attributes this gradual disappearance
of the native grasses to the constant and too close pasturage at and
prior to the time for maturing their seeds, and to a too persistent pas- —
turage with sheep at other times, causing the ground to become thor- -
oughly trodden and compacted. This has been followed during the
last few years by unusually hot and dry summers. He knows of no
section where the need of useful forage plants is more severely felt than
here.

Mr. Mart. Walker, of Saint Helena, says that there is an intense de-
sire among farmers to obtain a grass capable of resisting the intense
heat and drought of summer, and aftord grazing for cattle during that
period, and if possible one that will grow on poor soil. For the want
of some such resource many districts are fast becoming worthless. He
says that this results from the system of continuous cropping to which
the land has been subjected for the last thirty years.

NATIVE GRASSES CUT FOR HAY.

Except wild oats and bur-clover but little native grass is cut for hay.
In the northern part of the State a little wild-rye ‘STass, wild red top,
and in some localities rushes are cut.

CULTIVATED GRASSES.

The various grains, as wheat, rye, and barley, cut when in the milk,
are principally relied upon for hay in many parts of California. They
come as volunteers, or very often after the grain is taken off a ‘ half
cast” of seed is sown on the stubble at the first rain in the fall and
harrowed in. Wild oats are cut extensively, and alfalfa (Medicago
sativa), often called lucern, is cultivated largely for hay, especially in

e

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 21

the southern part of the State, where by irrigation large crops are
made.

In the northern and central counties timothy and clover are cut to
some extent, and are commented on favorably. Thus far but very lit-
tle attention has been given to this subject. The general system of
farming in vogue here is so different from that of other parts of the
country, and so few experiments have been made, that no particular
erasses or forage plants can be recommended at this time.

Further experiments and developments will have to determine the
important question.

IDAHO AND MONTANA.

Bunch grass is common throughout the hill country. In the lowlands
the wild rye grass and other coarse grasses are found. Timothy is
found successfully cultivated everywhere. In Idaho clover is culti-
vated extensively, especially in the Boise Valley, where some very large
crops are reported. Some farmers have put their whole places in it.
The small red clover is preferred. Alfalfa succeeds well in Montana.

Timothy and clover are recommended for the bottoms, and alfalfa for
the “‘ bench lands.” All the grasses would succeed well with attention.
The soil and climate are well adapted to their growth, and all things
seem favorable to their culture, both for pasture and hay. - All the
farmers have to do here is to avoid the mistake made in many new sec-
_ tions, that of overpasturing and continuous cropping, and for years
to come they will have a neyer-ceasing source of wealth.

UTAH.

The principal native pasture grasses of Utah are the bunch grass, wire
grass (Juncus Balticus), salt grass) Vilfa depanperata), and butfalo grass
(Buchloe dactyloides). The wire grass and salt grass are cut for hay. Lu-
_ cern, or alfalfa (Medicago sativa), is cultivated for forage and hay to a
greater extent than anything else, and succeeds well. Insome counties
scarcely any other forage plant is cultivated.

Clover is reported successful in some places and timothy in others,
though neither has been cultivated largely.

NEW MEXICO.

The gramma grass (Bouteloua) is common on the high ground through-
out New Mexico. On the river bottoins there is a little blue grass. AJ-
falfa has been cultivated more than any other forage plant, and on the bot-
toms will thrive after the second year without irrigation. The millets
have been raised some, and should receive more attention. No experi-
ments worthy of note are reported.

The reports from Utah and New Mexico were so few in number, and
the area so great and so diversified that no suggestions can be made as
to what grasses will be best adapted to this section. Many experi-
. ments will have to be made to determine this.

22 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

TEXAS.
NATIVE GRASSES.

From Texas there were sixty-nine reports. The natural pasture
grasses consist of the mixed grasses usually found on the prairies
which occupy so large a part of the State. The sage or sedge grass
holds a prominent place among them; but when overpastured it is run
out, and the mesquite, both hardier and better, takes it place. The
mesquite is found in the northern, central, and southern parts of the
State, but not much in the northeastern part.

The term mesquite is used somewhat indefinitely, being applied to a
number of grasses, but here it is probable that the buffalo grass of the

plains (Buchloe dactyloides) is meant. It is found chiefly on the black —

lands. The gramma grass (Bouteloua), of which there are some patches,
is rapidly disappearing, and is being replaced by the mesquite. Prairie
grass thus far has been the chief reliance for hay as well as pasture.
Texas has always been a great stock-raising State, and while the
range was uninterrupted no attention was given to cultivating grass or
to improving pastures. But of late years portions of the State have

been rapidly filling up, and the range consequently diminishing, so now -

the farmers are giving considerable attention to improving their past-
ures and to the hay crop. This, intelligent farmers write, should re-
ceive all the encouragement and assistance possible.

Mr. Talley says that the greatest difficulty in making the culture
of Kentucky blue grass a success is in getting it to live the first
year. The same remark is applicable to most of the grasses. The

main reason of failure, he says, is not so much on account of the .

drought as on account of the nature of the soil. It is loose and porous,

aud dries up very quickly on the surface; hence they often find it

difficult to get a “stand” of turnips in the fall or a “stand ” of millet in

the spring. The soil holds moisture well below the depth of 2 inches.
He further says: :

/

I have taken great interest in investigating the subject of grasses, and my labors
were awarded by finding a much greater variety on my place than JI had ever sus-
pected, and all I have to do isto cultivate and take care of what I already possess,
and cut the weeds to prevent their shading and smothering out the grasses already
in the ground.

Texas is naturally a great State, and only needs fair attention to
succeed. Johnson grass and Bermuda are , receiving considerable
attention, and for the most part are spoken of favorably. |

Bur, or California clover, does well in this State, and is highly es-
teemed in California for the feed it affords, though the burs or seed-
pods stick to the wool of sheep and impair its value. Alfalfa is eculti-
vated largely here, and does very well. Timothy, orchard grass, and
clover are not reported on so favorably as could be wished.

The millets are cultivated quite extensively and do well. Mr. Clarke,

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 23

of Hempstead, Waller County, Texas, has recently sent to the Depart-
ment samples of several kinds, among which were specimens of the so-
called double-headed German millet 45 feet high, and estimated to
yield 3 tons to the acre.

Mr. W. H. D. Carrington, of Austin, says that thereis but one nae
grass cultivated for hay, and that is what is called Colorado bottom
grass; sometimes called goose grass, and in some places Green River
grass (Panicum Texanum). The method of culture most commonly
adopted is the same as that for crab grass. It comes voluntarily after
corn is “laid by.” A few farmers have found it so profitable that they
plow and harrow their land in winter and cut the grass as soon as it ma-
tures. In this way they secure two crops annually. It is preferred by
all kinds of stock to Hungarian grass or to oats in the sheaf. It seeds
itself freely. The hay sells now (February, 1882), at $25 per ton, while
prairie hay sells at from $10 to $12 per ton. This might be intro-
duced into the other Southern States without requiring any change in
the method of culture generally pursued. It is figured and described
in the report for 1879.

THE SOUTHERN STATES.

The returns from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louis-
jana are so similar in general character that they are considered to-
gether, differences being noted as they occur.

NATIVE PASTURE GRASSES.

By an examination of the returns from this section, crab grass (Pant-
cum sanguinale) is found to be the most extensively diffused pasture
grass for summer and fall grazing, while crow-foot (Hleusine Indica) is
quite common in Georgia and Florida.

The sedge grass also holds a prominent place as a pasture grass in
Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, being reported from nearly one-half
the counties. Several grasses are called sedge and broom sedge. They
are for the most part some species of Andropogon or Stipa.

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is reported in over one-third of the
counties, and is probably growing in many more, and though an intro-
duced grass it has become so well established that it is generally re-
ferred to as a native. The wild pea vine is also plentiful and in some
places quite popular. In Floridait is said to do well on the poor sandy
soil, and to endure the heat and drought of,summer. Mexican clover
Be eraconia scabra) is spreading over the sandy uplands along the
coast. Tick trifoil, or tickseed, two species of Desmodium, is frequent
jn rich woods, and is esteemed as a milk-producing plant. Nimblewill
(Muhlenbergia Mexicana and diffusa) are found in open woods in the
northern and central counties.

In Alabama and Mississippi, Japan clover (Lespedeza striata) has
spread extensively over the roadsides and uncultivated fields. It will

24 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

grow upon all soils, even the poorest, and withstands the heat and
drought of summer remarkably well. It spreads rapidly, and some say
it will root out the broom sedge and even Bermuda. It is rather a
coarse plant, and should be tried only in places unsuitable for the bet-
ter grasses. In Louisiana, crab grass, though still common, is gradually
giving place as a pasture grass to Bermuda and white clover. Several
species of clover seem to be spreading over this section; some of them
are said to afford considerable seed.

The bur, or California clover (Medicago denticulata), is reported in two
counties of Alabama, and has been successfully tried in Georgia. In
California it is highly esteemed.

Paspalum ovatum is found in Texas and Louisiana. It is highly
spoken of as a pasture grass by those who have examined - (See re-
port of the botanist for 1880.)

Numerous other grasses are found growimg with the foregoing species,
but generally are of no particular value, and having for the most part
no common names, they are spoken of as wild grasses, &c.

In regard to native pasture grasses, Mr. Hawkins, of Hawkinsville,
Ala., says: .

There is but very little grass of any kind here, except the wild varieties which come —
spontaneously on all old fields with the broom sedge, and our very best pastures are
on these old fields. Old fields when turned out usually grow weeds the first two
years, and require about four years tor them to become sodded with broom sedge.
Burn this off in early spring, and with sufficient cattle it need never be burned
again, as the cattle will keep it down. I have an excellent pasture of 150 acres of

this kind, which will keep in good condition thirty head of cattle, half as many mules
when not at work, and some hogs.

NATIVE HAY GRASSES.

In this section crab grass is cut very extensively, being reported
from nearly every county where any attention at all is given to hay.
Crow-foot, as a crop grass, is chiefly confined to Georgia. Some of the
coarse Swamp grasses are cut to a considerable extent in certain local-
‘ities.

CULTIVATED GRASSES.

Over one-half of the reports from this section state that no attempts
have been made to cultivate grass for hay. They rely entirely upon
the volunteer grasses, the principal one being crab, which some con-
sider to be superior to the so-called cultivated grasses.

The chief reasons given in favor of crab grass as a pasture grass and
for hay are that it is indigenous, and therefore well adapted to with-
stand the effects of the climate; that the ground has only to be smoothed
after the corn is “laid by,” and it comes voluntarily; that it never fails,
and does well on poor and sandy soil.

In the remaining counties more or less introduced grasses have been
G

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 25

eut for hay, consisting principally of herds grass (red top), the clovers,
timothy, and orchard grass in the order named. Bermuda grass is
reported to be cut for hay to a greater extent than any other, except
the crab grass. The millets are cultivated for hay, and are deserving
of more attention, for, being annuals, they can be grown successfully
in all parts of the South. In Louisiana the cow-pea is considered one
of the best forage crops, and its cultivation is extending. In the Red
River district sorghum of various kinds is largely raised for food.

JOHNSON GRASS. ©

Johnson grass is steadily growing in favor and its cultivation extend-
ing. It is being introduced on the low, wet prairie lands of Texas, and
the reports are quite favorable. It is essentially a hay grass, and may
be cut three or four times a year. It should always be cut before the
- seed stalks run up, else it will be too coarse. It is even more difficult
to exterminate when once well set than Bermuda, hence should not be
allowed to seed. The best way to eradicate it is by frequent plowings
in July and August, exposing the roots as much as possible to the san.
It will not bear tramping.

Both this grass and Bermuda are regarded as a great blessing, or as
an ulmitigated evil, according to the standpoint from which they are
viewed. The exclusive cotton-planter is apt to look upon them with
unabated hostility, while those who are beginning to diversify their
crops look upon these and other grasses as a great boon.

In these States hay should be secured early enough in the season to
allow the meadows to get a good start before the summer drought sets
in, so that the roots may have a good protection during this trying
period. Meadows should not be pastured until the fall rains set in,
and then only lightly, and never when the ground is soft from much
rain. Care should be taken not to pasture too late in the spring,
thereby preventing the grass from growing tall enough to cut before
the heat of summer. According to the reports, the farmers are accus-
tomed very generally to pasture too closely, which causes great injury,
if not destruction, to the grass.

PERMANENT PASTURE. |

For a permanent pasture grass the Texas blue grass (Poa arachni-
fera) promises to be one of the very best grasses yet brought to the
attention of the South. It is a strong, deep-rooted grass, with an
abundance of foliage, and seems to possess all of the characteristics
necessary for a grass to be successful in most parts of the South. It
grows in woods or open prairie, and thrives upon a variety of soils,
poor as well as rich, but has not, so far as reported, been tried upon a
dry, sandy soil. This grass seems worthy of earnest consideration by

26 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

all interested. As it is figured and so fully described in another part
of the report more need not be said here.

The Texas blue grass dies down during the heat. of summer and
springs up with the first fall rains and lasts till summer again. Ber-
muda comes in early spring and lasts till frost comes, thus being a
Summer pasture grass.

WINTER PASTURE.

From severai places, especially in Georgia and Alabama, requests
come for a grass that will make good winter pasture, and if possible
one that will succeed upon weak, sandy soil. The cultivated grasses
best adapted for winter pasture at the South are the tall meadow oat
grass (Arrhenatherum avenaceum), which wili thrive on more sandy soil
than most of the cultivated grasses (though it prefers a rich upland),
and will yield more green food in winter than any other grass.

Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) is next in value. It does well in
orchards and thinned woods, and will do well on any rich, dry soil.
After being cut or eaten down by stock it springs up again with great
rapidity, thus rendering it of peculiar value as a pasture grass. Ex-
periment demonstrates that these grasses will thrive and do well in
the northern and central counties of the Gulf States, an d ought to suc- —
ceed in all sections, except, perhaps, on a very dry, sandy soil. These
two grasses are thought to endure the heat and drought better than
other cultivated grasses. Italian rye grass (Loliwm Italicum) is one of
the very best grasses for this section. By being sown and harrowed in
at the first fall rains it will be ready for pasture by midwinter, and will
afford a rich pasturage during the latter part of winter and spring, and
can then be plowed under for the following crop, thus enriching the iand
as well as furnishing abundant winter feed. By only pasturing very
lightly a crop of hay can be cut and the stubble turned under for a
following wheat or other grain crop. » The attention cannot be too
strongly called to this useful grass. Wild rye grass (Hlymus) and wild
meadow barley (Hordeum pratense), also the common cultivated rye and
barley, make excellent pasture.

BERMUDA GRASS.

Bermuda grass has of late attracted more than usual attention. It
has been referred to and discussed by so many of the correspondents
that an idea of the estimation in which it is held cannot be better
given than by making a few extracts from their letters.

Mr. Hawkins, of Barbour County, Alabama, says that he is very
certain now, and has been for years, that the great want of the South
is a grass with which the tired lands may be seeded, and some return
had while the land is being recuperated. Bermuda, he says, is the
grass to do this if it seeded, and could be easily destroyed when the
land is wanted for cultivation. These difficulties, he says, operate suf-

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 27

ficiently to almost exclude it from the tillable land. A correspondent
from Mississippi says :

Bermuda is the grass for this country, resisting both the drought of summer and
the frost of winter, and affording a richer pasturage than any other grass. With
this for pasture and the Johnson grass (Sorghum halapense) for hay, stock-raising
will be more profitable than cotton.

Georgia has taken the'lead in introducing Bermuda grass. In the
central part of the State it is found in every county, and is steadily
growing in favor. The report of the State board of agriculture for 1881
Says: 3

The hay crop of Georgia has been unusually fine in 1881. The clovers and cul-
tivated grasses made heavy crops before the summer’s drought commenced. Large
harvests of Bermuda hay were realized in some of the counties of Middle Georgia,
where this valuable grass is being more highly appreciated every year. It makes a
hay inferior to none, with the advantage of being permanent when once well set.
Quite a number of farmers now realize a better income from lands set in Bermuda
than they did from the same when in cotton.

Another correspondent says:

Bermuga, beyond all doubt, is the best grass for pasture, but for hay we need other
grasses, and I am satisfied that Johnson grass is the one for that purpose. These
two grasses have the power to make this section a great stock country.

Such expressions as this frequently occur in the reports: ‘‘ Bermuda
is the best, but the farmers are afraid of it.”
Mr. F. Seip, of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, says:

Of all the usual cultivated grasses none can compare in general usefulness to the
Bermuda. It is invaluable as a pasture grass for all kinds of stock, furnishing,
through nearly the entire year, and even in winter, under some circumstances, an
extraordinary amount of food. For hay purposes it cannot be surpassed. Under
favorable circumstances it will yield more to the acre than any other known grass,
with the exception possibly of lucern (Medicago sativa) and Johnson grass, the latter
being too coarse to make superior hay.

Again Mr. Seip says of Bermuda:

It can only be recommended for permanent pastures or meadows, as it is very diffi-
cult to eradicate, but still it is practicable to remove it. The best method, I think,
is summer plowing repeated frequently, followed by oats in the fall and winter, and
after the oat crop by a heavy crop of pease. If this is well done there will be no
trouble in making a crop of corn or cotton the following year.

Colonel Lane, in ‘‘ Forage Plants of the South,” says, in reference to
destroying Bermuda:

Upon ordinary upland I have found no difficulty in destroying it by close cultiva-
tion in cotton for two years. It requires a few extra plowings to get the sod thor-
oughly broken to pieces. The breaking should be done with a small plow first and a
harrow run over it once or twice in winter or early spring. Take advantage of the
dry hot monthsof summer to have the grass that may be found alive plowed and hoed,
and exposed as muchas possible to the sun. In ordinary seasons so much of the grass
will be killed. the first year that but little interference with the next crop need be
apprehended.

28 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED’ STATES.

Bermuda is essentially a Southern summer-pasture grass, and as such
possesses Superior qualities. It will thrive upon poor soil and stand
the heat and drought of summer. It is nutritious, and is eaten by all
kinds of stock. It is permanent when once well set, provided it is pas-
tured; otherwise, the broom sedge and other grasses will run it out.
It requires tramping to flourish. The objections it encountered during
the first years of its introduction have gradually given way, as the
farmers have seen more of it and have become better acquainted with
its nature and habits. To make hay it requires a rich soil—a soil rich
enough to produce good crops of timothy and the more valuable grasses.
It is an ameliorating crop. A field kept in Bermudaa few years will be-
come so enriched that should it be wanted for cultivation the increased
crops will more than pay for the extra labor and expense required the
first year on account of the sod. oye

Often in the reports a request is made for a grass that will do well
on their exhausted lands and yield some return while they are being re-
cuperated. Lands naturally fertile, but depleted by cropping, if not
‘“‘ turned out in commons,” can be recuperated by proper management
through the agency of ameliorating crops, the particular ones to be
used varying with the different conditions of location, nature of soil,
&c., and cannot be entered into minutely here, but which the intelligent
cultivator will soon learn to determine.

Immediate and constant returns, as some ask for, should not be ex-
pected from a soil already exhausted. Butin ashort time, by generous
treatment, they can be brought to a condition to once more reward the
toiler for his labor, and will prove in the end to be much more econom-
ical than to ‘‘turn the fields out” and wait thirty or forty years for the
slow process of natural recuperation, expending meantime oues ener-
gies in clearing and bringing into cultivation new tracts, to be in turn
abandoned and “ turned out.”

Some ask for a grass that will do well upon a soil naturally poor or
barren. Such a soil will not yield anything without fertilizing except
afew worthless weeds or some of the coarser plants. Good grasses
will not grow on land that will not produce medium crops of grain. By
using fertilizers and turning under green crops the productiveness can
be increased so as to give fair returns, and then by suitable rotation
the land can be continuously improved.

EXPERIMENTS.

In nearly one-half of the counties, according to the reports, no ex-
periments introducing new grasses have been made, while in many of
the other counties they have been made only on a small scale, and were
too often abandoned as failures before they had been fully tested. Fail-
ures frequently result from not fully understanding the nature and re-

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 29

quirements of the grasses, especially during the early stages of their
growth.

Mr. J. J. Barclay, of Wheeler, Ala., says:

I have experimented on my place with most of the cultivated grasses, and find
they do well if protected from the tramping and depredations of stock for one season.
* * * Tam confident of their success and feel that their introduction into this
portion of the South wil) be of incalculable benefit to the country and people, and
especially attractive to the immigrant, whose first question is, ‘‘ Do grasses grow in
your State?”

Another says that orchard grass, tall meadow oat grass, and Johnson
grass will do well if properly attended to and the ground suitably pre-
pared. Mr. Hawkins says that his experiments show that any of the
grasses will do well upon rich loam, or on moist, stiff land, or on moist,
sandy land. Mr. D. P. Hurley, of Pike County says:

I would add, on the important subject of grasses, that their cultivation is sadly
neglected, not because the climate is hostile or the soil unadapted, nor because they
cannot be successfully cultivated, but for the reason that diversified agriculture is
practically disfavored.

Mr. P. M. Morehouse sent from Texas a sample of Kentucky blue
erass, grown on the open prairie, without shade or extra care after well
set. It has withstood the heat and drought of summer for three years
extremely well. Yet there are large tracts of country, often embracing
counties, where a meadow of grass is not to be found. Mr. Hawkins
says that he does not know of a meadow of cultivated grass in South-
- eastern Alabama. Similar statements come from Louisiana. This un-
favorable condition has arisen from several influences which can only
be referred to here. Among them may be mentioned the custom of
exclusive cotton planting which has been so sedulously followed for so
many years, leaving but little time for anything else; also the habit
of “turning out” fields when depleted instead of recuperating them
by ameliorating crops.

Another is the reluctance and hesitation which persons naturally feel
about changing old-established ways for untried methods, without the
encouragement and aid of example to guide them in their new enter-
prise. The want of seed has been quite an impediment to increased
attention being given to the grass crops. The correspondents say that
a liberal distribution of grass seed would relieve a deeply-felt need and
do much toward determining the important question of extending grass
culture. .

Fifth inquiry. ‘‘ Please suggest any grasses that might be useful in
your section.” |

The replies to this request were somewhat limited, and often rather
suggestive than definite. There are but few to be added to those al-
ready mentioned. But for convenience, all of the grasses recommended
for trial will be given here, together with such suggestions as the gen-

-

30 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

eral tenor of the reports and correspondence, and information obtained
elsewhere, would seem to warrant. They recommend as follows:

For Washington Territory and Oregon.—lItalian rye grass, tall meadow
oat grass, Kentucky blue grass, Texas mesquite, and Bermuda.

For California.—Timothy, large red clover, the millets, orchard grass,
Italian rye grass, white clover, Guinea grass (Panicum jwmentorum)
Bermuda, alfalfa, and Johnson grass.

For Idaho and ‘Montane —All the erie for bottom lands, and al-
falfa for ‘“¢ bench lands.”

For Texas.—Alfalfa, Bermuda, timothy, the clovers, orchard grass,
Johnson grass, and the millets in the order named.

For Georgia.—Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass, herds grass
(called red top in New England), timothy, the clovers, and alfalfa, in
the order named.

For Florida.—Bermuda, alfalfa, Guinea grass ea jumentorum),
orchard grass, Johnson grass, and clover.

For Alabama.—Orchard grass, Kentucky blue grass, ace herds
grass (red top), Johnson grass, alfalfa, and California clover. |

For Mississippi.—Orehard grass, herds grass (red top), the clover S,
Kentucky blue grass, and the millets.

Tor Lowisiana. Migrates blue grass, orchard grass, Bermuda, tim-
othy, herds grass (red top), the clovers, and alfalfa.

The above are the principal forage plants enumerated for trial. It
will be observed that in some instances instead of suggesting new
grasses for trial those are named which have already been so fully tried’
that there is no question about their success.

It appears from the reports and correspondence that the principal
need of Washington Territory and Oregon is a pasture grass for the
dry hills in place of the nearly extinct bunch grass; some are desirous
that Bermuda and Texas mesquite be tried. The latter has already
been reported as successful in several counties. There is some uncer-
tainty concerning what grass is referred to, as several go under the name
of mesquite. It is probable that some mean the Buchloe dactyloides, the
buffalo grass of the plains, a valuable pasture grass and similar in habit
to Bermuda. In Texas it is called mesquite. The suggestion of these
correspondents appear worthy of attention.

In Southern California some wish Bermuda to be tried for their pas-
ture land which cannot be plowed, and where the bur-clover, &c., is
being tramped out. They also think that the Guinea grass (Panicum
jumentorum) might possibly succeed.

The suggessions from Florida were from only a few oduitlees the
general impression seems to be that crab grass and other native grasses
are superior to the so-called cultivated ones. Some think that a grass
will have to be obtained from Cuba or the tropics to be suited to the
climatic conditions existing there.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. ol

DESCRIPTION OF GRASSHS.

PASPALUM, Linn.

Flowers in narrow, mostly Jinear, spikes, of which theve may be one,
or several crowded at the summit of the stem, or they may be more or
less numerous, and arranged along the general peduncle. The spike-
lets are mostly obtuse and arranged in one or two rows on each side of
the generally elevated crest or midrib of the flattened rhachis. The
spikelets contain each one perfect flower inclosed within two outer mem-
branaceous glumes; rarely one of the outer glumes much reduced or —
wanting. The glume of the perfect flower, called the flowering glume,
is more or less convex or rounded on the back, usually thick and indu-
rated, and incloses the shorter palet, which is of similar texture with
the three stamens and two distinet plumose styles.

This genus has its range principally in the Southern States. They
are mostly perennials, varying much in form and habit. Some are tall
and erect, some decumbent or spreading, and others have the habit of
sending out prostrate runners which take root at short intervals and
thus spread and form dense patches. Several species may often be
found in the same field. Professor Phares, of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical College of Mississippi, Says :

They are all succulent, tender, nutritious, hardy, thrifty, and relished by all grass-

eating animals. They fill the soil with a matting of roots and cover the surface densely
-with luxuriant foliage from early spring till autumnal frosts.

PASPALUM LAEVE. (Smooth paspalum.)

This species grows from 2 to 4 feet high. The stem and leaves
are smooth or smoothish, the lower leaves long and firm, the upper ones
shorter and distant. Near the top of the culm are three to five slender
spreading spikes, each from 2 to 3 inches long and 1 to 2 inches distant.
There are a few longish hairs at the base of the spikes where they sepa-
rate from the stem. The spikelets, or what becomes the seed, are oval,
smooth, about one-tenth of an inch long, close together in two rows,
which are wider than the narrow, slightly wavy rhachis.

Professor Phares (above quoted). says he has a neighbor who has been
feeding this grass for twenty-five years; and for many years has had a
meadow of it from which without ever having seeded, he annually mows
about 2 tons of hay per acre. It should be cut before the seeds get
ripe enough to fall off. (Plate 1.)

PASPALUM DILITATUM. (Hairy-flowered paspalum.)

This species is quite similar to the preceding, but taller and stouter.
The culms are from a thick perennial rootstock, erect, 3 to 5 feet high,
smooth, and with three to five leaves from as many smooth, purplish
joints. The leaves at the base of the culm are numerous, about a foot

32 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

long and one-third to one-half an inch wide. They are smooth on both
sides and roughish on the margins. The raceme is from 5 to 8 inches
long, composed of from five to ten somewhat spreading spikes, which
are 3 inches or more in length, and 1 or 2 inches apart on the rather
slender axis, the upper ones are gradually shorter, all with a few long
hairs at the base. The spikelets are closely arranged in four rows, two
on each side of the narrow and nearly straight axis, in alternate pairs.
They are about one and a half lines long, ovate, acutely pointed, crowded
and overlapping each other, compressed, and the margins clothed with
silky hairs. The two outer or empty glumes are ovate, acute, five-
nerved, nearly smooth, except the fringe of thin white hairs on the mar-
gin. The flowering glume is thick and firm, and very delicately punc-
tate under a magnifier. The palet fits inside the margin of the flower-
ing glume and inclosing the stamens and styles. This species has been
found in Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. It is
also a South American species. It has been called Paspalum ovatum,
but the name first given is the proper one. It was described in the
Agricultural Report for 1880, and has since then been noticed and ex-
perimented with by several persons. (Plate 2.)

Several other species of the same general appearance and habit occur.
in the Southern States, among which may be named Paspalum lenti-
ferum, P. Floridanum, and P. plicatulum. Quite recently another spe- —
cies has been brought to our notice by Mr. H. B. Richards, of La Grange,
Tex. It has been called Paspalum remotum, and Mr. Richards states
that it roots at every joint and sends up shoots like a layered grape-
vine; it remains green all winter, and it is almost impossible to destroy
it by cultivation. -Plowing spreads it, as every stem broken off takes —
root again. It can only be killed by digging out every particle and ex-
posing it to the hot sun. AI soils seem to be equally acceptable to it;
it grows as well in the shade as in the sunshine. Drought does not
seem to affect it. Stock like it both in winter and summer. A single
seed or joint has been known to spread over an area of five or six feet
in diameter in a single season, with a perfect mat of grass firmly rooted
all over. It evidently will bear close pasturage and hard tramping.
The difficulty of eradicating it will be an objection to it in the opinion
of some, but where it is desirable to make a permanent pasture this fea-
ture would seem to be an advantage. More extended observation and
experiment with this grass is highly desirable.

Another species of Paspalum, having the same creeping habit, has
been observed in several of the Southern States. It is the Paspalum
platycaule. It is a grass of lower growth and smaller size than the pre.
ceding. It occurs in all the Gulf States, as well asin the West Indies and
jn South America. Mr. Benjamin Brodnax, of Morehouse Parish, Lou-
isiana, has given avery full account of its habits in a Southern agricult-
ural paper. He says the mode of growth is flat to the ground, taking
root at every joint and spreading in every direction. It effectually kills

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 33

out every other grass or weed, as it forms a thick sod and is evergreen.
It looks like Bermuda grass and is equally prolific, but it possesses one
trait that Bermuda grass does not, that is, it is easily got rid of. It
is only necessary to plow shallow, turn the sod over, and in a week har-
row and your grass is gone. All grazing animals eat it in preference to
any other except Bermuda grass. It grows on a great variety of soil,
but thrives best in good soil. Some of the joints send up culms or stalks
which are very fine and wiry, with a few slender seed-bearing spikes at
the summit. The runners extend out several feet, taking root at all the
joints, which are usually only 1 or 2 inches apart. It grows too-close to
the ground and is too short for a good grass for hay, but for grazing it
has many good properties. Like the preceding species, it should receive
attention from farmers, with careful experiments.

Paspalum setaceum is a species which is widely spread both in the
Northern and Southern States. It grows usually 14 to 2 feet high in
dry, sandy, or gravelly soil, some forms having smooth and others very
heavy leaves. It seems to have very little practical value. (Plate 3.)

DIGITARIA.

This, genus is usually considered as a section of the genus Panicum,
but it will be most convenient here to retain the oldname. It serves to
connect Paspalum and Panicum, and in the structure of the flowers dif.
fers from Paspalum very little except in commonly having an additional
empty glume to the spikelets. This glume in sometimes very small and
occasionally absent. The flowers or spikelets are arranged like those of
Paspalum on one side of a narrow flattened axis or spike, and there are
several spikes crowded together at or near the summit of the culm.

DIGITARIA SANGUINALE (Panicum sanguinale). Crab grass.

This is an annual grass, which, although a native of the Old World,
has become spread over most parts of this country, and, indeed, over
most tropical countries of the globe. It occurs in cultivated and waste
grounds, and grows very rapidly during the hot summer months. The
culms usually rise to the height of 2 or 3 feet, and at the summit have
from three to six slender flower spikes, which are from 4 to 6 inches
long. The culms are bent at the lower joints, where they frequently
take root. This grass is well known to farmers and planters in the
South under the name of crab grass. Professor Killebrew, Tennessee,
Says:

It is a fine pasture grass, although it has but few base leaves and forms no sward,
yet it sends out numerous stems or branches at the base. It serves a most useful
purpose in stock husbandry. It fills all our corn-fields, and many persons pull it out,
which is a tedious process. It makes a sweet hay, and horses are exceedingly fond
of it, leaving the best hay to eat it.

Professor Phares, Mississippi, says that the corn and cotton fields
are often so overrun with it that the hay which might be secured wouid

2218 GR 3

34 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

be more valuable than the original crop. It is some times mowed from
between the rows, some times cut across the ridges with the corn.
Any good piece of ground that has had this grass matured on it the preceding

year may be plowed and harrowed smoothly and then rolled:in May, and it will soon
be covered with a rich growth. If the season is favorable two mowings should be

made.

Digitaria villosa is a very similar species of the Southern States, with
a perennial, creeping rootstock, the stem decumbent and bent below at
the hairy joints. The leaves with their sheaths are very hairy. The
external glume of the flower is scarcely one-fourth as large as the up-
per ones. It probably is frequently confounded with the preceding,
and has the same qualities. (Plate 4.)

PANICUM. (Panic grass.)

- The botanical character of this genus are as follows: Flowers in
spikes, racemes, or panicles. The spikelets consist of one perfect
flower (the upper or terminal one in the spikelet), and usually a second
male or rudimentary one below it. Outer empty glumes two, one of
which is smaller than the other, often very small, rarely absent. The
glume of the perfect flower and its palet are usually of a coriaceous or
leathery texture, and obtuse or obtusish. The grasses belonging to
this genus are extremely numerous, and of widely different general
appearance. We have about fifty native species, most of which have —
little practical value except as adding more or less to the wild forage
of our woods and fields. But some species, both native and foreign,
are of the highest agricultural value. We shall notice a few of those
which seem best adapted to cultivation in this country.

PANICUM JUMENTORUM. (Guinea grass.)

A large, vigorous, perennial grass, attaining in good soil a height of
from 6 to 10 feet, the leaves are 1 to 2 feet long, and frequently an inch
or more wide, rough on the edges, and with a few scattered hairs on
the surface; the sheath is long and nearly smooth, except near the
joints, which are soft-hairy. The panicle is from 1 to 14 feet long and
diffusely branched, the upper branches single and 3 to 4 inches long,
the lower ones two to five together and 6 to 10 inches long; the flowers
are thinly scattered along the rather slender branches nearly the whole
length on slender, rather short pedicels. The spikelets a1e about 14
lines long, smooth and rather acutely pointed; the lowest glume is
about one-third the length of the spikelet; the second glume is slightly
longer than the perfect flower and five to seven nerves. The lower
flower is staminate or male only, the glume and palet thin, the upper
flower perfect, much thicker, and finely wrinkled transversely.

This grass is a native of Africa, but has been introduced into many
tropical countries, and in the West Indies is extensively cultivated for
pasturage. It has been introduced in Florida, but is yet very little

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 35

known in the Southern States.: It has been confounded with the John-
son grass, which is very different, and is botanically Sorghum halapense.
It (the Panicum jumentorum) seldom matures seed in this country and
may be propagated by dividing the roots or by obtaining the seed from
foreign countries. The best time to set out the roots is in March and
April. If so treated it is said that they will be ready for the first mow-
ing by the last of May, and that with favorable weather mowing may
be repeated about every six weeks until frost occurs. The roots are
tender and easily killed by frost, and should therefore be protected by
mulching during the winter. It is too tender to be cultivated except
in the very warmest portions of our country. An analysis made at the
Department of Agriculture in-1878 shows it to be very rich in nutritive
materials. (Plate 5.)

PANICUM BARBINODE. (Para grass P. molle Swz.in Annual Report,
1883.)

This is quite similar in general appearance to the preceding, but has
smaller leaves, and a shorter, less spreading panicle, with shorter, more
densely-flowered branches. The spikelets are closer together and very
short-pediceled, the lowest glume is about one-fourth as long as the
spikelet. Itis said to be anative of Africa. It has been introduced into
South America, and in Brazil is largely cultivated for pasturage, and
is said to be unequaled for the quantity and quality of the feed which
it produces. Dr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, Ala., states that it has been
some years introduced in that vicinity, and that it is extremely pro-
ductive and valuable. It has also been introduced in Florida. (Plate
6.)

PANICUM MILIACEUM. (Millet grass.) 7
This annual species grows 2 to 3 feet high, with a large, open nod-

ding panicle of flowers. The stem is thick and branching above, the

nodes or joints swollen, the leaves, and especially the sheaths, are soft
hairy. The leaves are numerous and about 6 inches long. The flowers
and seeds are at the ends of the slender pedicils, and when ripe become
yellow in color. Itis a native of Asia, where it has been cultivated
for ages, and in many parts is an important article in the food supply
of the natives. It is also cultivated in Egypt, Turkey, and Southern
Europe. It has been cultivated to a limited extent in this country for

- forage, and will thrive and ripen in the Northern as well as the Southern

States. _

Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

Millet is one of the best crops we have for cutting and feeding green for soiling
purposes, since its yield is large, its luxuriant leaves juicy and tender, and much rel-
ished by milch cows and other stock. The seed is rich in nutritive qualities, but it is
very seldom ground or used for flour, though it is said to exceed all other kinds of meal .
or flour in nutritive elements. An acre well cultivated will yield from 60 to 70 bushels
of seed. Cut in the blossom, as it should be for feeding to cattle, the seed is compar-
atively valueless. If allowed to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more nutritious, proba-
bly, than oat straw.

36 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.
Of the native species of Panicum we will notice a few:

PANICUM TEXANUM. (Texas millet.)

This grass is a native of Texas, and was first described and named
by Prof. S. B. Buckley in 1866. It is an annual, growing from 2 to 4
feet high, at first erect, then becoming decumbent and widely spread-
ing, sparingly branched, very leafy, the sheaths and leaves soft hairy,
the margin of the leaves rough, the blade of the leaf 6 to 8 inches long,
and one-half to 1 inch wide, the upper leaves reaching to the base of the
panicle, or nearly so; the panicle is 6 to 8 inches long, strict or close,
the branches alternate, erect, simple, 3 to 4 inches long, with some-
what scattered sessile spikelets. The branches of the panicle are rough,
the pedicels with scattered hairs, especially near the flowers; the spike-
lets are oblong, somewhat pointed, 2 to 24 lines long, sparsely hairy;
the lower glume is half or two-thirds the length of the upper one, acute,
five-nerved, the lateral nerves uniting with the mid-nerve below the
apex, the upper empty glume prominently five to seven nerved, pointed ;
the flowering glume of the sterile flower is five to seven nerved, its
palet thin and transparent, as long as the glume, the perfect flower
ovate or oblong-ovate, acutish, transversely wrinkled with fine reticu-.
lated lines.

It is a grass of rapid, vigorous growth, many stalks proceeding from ~
the same root, growing very close and thick at the base, succulent, and
yielding a large amount of forage.

_ Mr. Pryor Lea, of Goliad, Tex., has had it in cultivation a number
of years, and states as follows:

I consider it far superior to any grass that I ever saw for hay. It is a much more -
certain crop than millet, and cultivated with less labor, and all kinds of stock pre-
fer it. In this region it is regarded, in the condition of well-cured hay, as more nu-
tritious than any other grass. It grows only in cultivated ground; it prospers best
in the warmest season of the year; its luxurious growth subdues other grasses and
some weeds, with the result of leaving the ground in an ameliorated condition.

Mr. H. W. Ravenel, of Aiken, 8S. C., says he has been cultivating
Panicum Texanum for several years. It is hardy and naturalized there,
freely seeding and propagating itself, coming up in his grounds with
other grasses, and much larger and better than any of them for hay
and forage. |

The experiments of Professor Phares and others, in Mississippi, sub-
stantially confirm the statements of Mr. Lea, although it is said that it
will hardly hold its own against the common erab grass (Digitaria
sanguinale). It has been called concho grass in some parts; in others
Colorado bottom grass. It is stated that on the Colorado bottoms, in
Texas, many of the farmers have devoted their farms entirely to its
production, finding it more profitable than corn or cotton. It is cut
twice and sometimes three times in a year, yielding about one and a
half tons per acre at each cutting. (Plate 7.)

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 37

PANICUM PROLIFERUM.

This species has a wide range of growth, being found in the North-
ern and Western as well as the Southern States, growing late in the
season, generally in low waste grounds. The stems are flattened, erect-
ish, or decumbent, spreading and rooting at the lower joints. It is a
useful grass as helping out the supply of wild fodder, but does not pre-
sent particular promise for cultivation. But in the Southern States,
from South Carolina westward, there occurs a variety of this grass,
called Panicum proliferum, var. geniculatum, or sprouting crab grass.

It is an annual, growing in low moist ground. The stems are at first
erect, then becoming decumbent and spreading, frequently attaining a
length of 6 or 7 feet, bent and rooting at the lower joints. It has much
the same habit as the Panicum teranum, but the stems are more flat-
tened and smoother ; the leaves are smoother and longer. The stems
are sometimes nearly an inch thick at the base and very succulent.
The leaves are sometimes 2 feet long and half to three-fourths of an
inch wide. The lower joints give out numerous branches, which de-
velop flowering panicles that are partly inclosed in the large leaf-
sheaths. The main stem is also terminated by a diffuse panicle some-
times 2 feet long. Large specimens have a handsome appearance.
The spikelets are pale green, rarely purplish, about one line long. The
neutral flower is a little longer than the perfect one, the lower empty
glume broad and short, the upper acute and strongly seven-nerved.
Mr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, says of it:

In damp grassy places it prefers rich ground throughout the coast region. It com-
mences to vegetate vigcrously in the hottest part of the summer, throwing out nu-
merous shoots from the joints, forming large-branched bushes. The foliage is rich
and tender, and the succulent, thick stems are sweet and juicy. After cutting, it
throws out numerous sprouts from the lower joints, which grow rapidly, so as to al-
low repeated cuttings until frost. It is through all stages of its growth much relished
by horses and cattle. -

(Plate 8.)

PANICUM AGROSTOIDES. (Red-top Panicum.)

This is a perennial grass, commonly growing in large clumps in wet
meadows or on the muddy margins of lakes and rivers. It grows 4 to
6 feet high, is erect in habit, and develops its reddish panicles from
several of the joints as well as at theapex. The stem is somewhat flat-
tened and very smooth, as are the sheaths; the leaves are 1 to 2 feet
long, about half an inch wide, and somewhat rough on the margins and
midrib. The terminal panicle is 6 to 12 inches long, at first somewhat
close. but becoming quite open and diffuse. The lateral panicles are
shorter and partly inclosed by the sheath at the base. The branches
of the panicle are mostly 1 or 2 inches long, and rather densely
flowered nearly to the base. The spikelets are a little more than a line
long, on very short. pedicels, mostly racemose on one side of the branches,
oblong, acute, the lower empty glume ovate, acute, half as long as the

38 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

upper one, which is rather long-pointed and five-nerved; the lower or
sterile flower is a little shorter than the longer glume and a little shorter
than the perfect flower, which is oblong, obtuse, and under a lens shows
a few beards at the apex. This grass produces a large amount of foli-
age which makes fair hay if cut before flowering time; if left later it
contains too many wiry stalks. It may be utilized as a hay crop in low
grounds, but it is doubtful if it can be made productive on dry, tillable
land. (Plate 9.)

1
i

PANICUM ANCEPS. (Two-edged Panic grass.) .

A perennial grass, when well developed resembling the preceding,
but of a smaller, lighter growth, generally found in moist clay soil. It
has a flattish erect stem, 2 to 3 feet high, with smooth leaves a foot or
more Jong, of a bluish-green color, and mostly near the base of the stem.
The rhizoma, or root-stock, is thick, scaly, and creeping near the surface
of the ground. The panicle is 6 to 12 inches long, with short branches
near the top, the lateral branches 3 to 6 inches long, rather distant,
erect or somewhat spreading. Usually there are also several smaller
lateral panicles from the upper joints of the culm. The spikelets are
about a line and a half long, a little longer than those of Panicum
agrostoides, oblong, lanceolate, a little curved, and sessile, or on very
short pedicels. The lower empty glumeis broadly ovate, and about half
as long as the five to seven nerved upper one. The lower glume of the
sterile flower is as long as the upper empty glume and much like it in
texture, while the palet is thin, obtuse, and much shorter. The perfect
flower is one-third shorter than the upper empty glume, oblong; the
flowering glume and its palet, as in most species of Panicum, is thick
and hard in texture. This cannot be considered a valuable grass, but
it frequently occurs in neglected and poor land in sufficient quantity to
afford considerable grazing for stock. It makes its growth late in the
season, usually reaching the flowering stage in August. Dr. Mohr, of
Mobile, remarks that it is not much relished by stock, being rather
harsh and dry. :

Professor Phares says it forms strongly-rooted spreading clumps, often
completely carpeting the ground with very pretty, glossy, light-green
foliage. (Plate 10:)

PANICUM CRUS-GALLI. (Barn-yard grass.)

This is an annual grass, with thick, stout, erect, or procumbent culms,
usually 2 to 4 feet high, and branching at the base. The leaves are
long, sometimes 1 to 14 feet, and half an inch to an inch wide, rough onthe
margins, the sheaths sometimes hairy, sometimes smooth, and the lower
ones inuch thickened at the base. The panicle, like the entire plant, is
variable in size, sometimes 3 inches, sometimes a foot or more long, lanceo-
late in outline, and composed of a number of alternate, mostly simple,
rough branches, or frequently the branches are glomerate and much

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 39

subdivided. The panicle is, in ditferent varieties, narrow and with few
short, simple branches, or large and dense with long and spreading
branches. The glumes are also variable, being sometimes awnless and
sometimes provided with long, rough awns or beards. These variable
features have been indicated by special names, as variety mutica, the
form without beards; var. hispida, a form with rough, hairy-leaf sheaths ;
variety echinata, a form with long, rough awns to the glumes. The
spikelets are densely crowded on the spikes or branches of the panicle.
The glumes are usually more or less rough, with oppressed, stiff hairs,
the outer empty one very broad, with a very short point one-third as
long as the pointed upper one, the glume of the sterile flower still longer
and frequently having a long, strong awn sometimes an inch or more in
length. The perfect flower is ovate, smooth, pointed, and contains a
large flattened orbicular seed. This grass is found in almost all parts
of the world. It is frequently found in barn-yards, and hence the com-
mon name.

In the Northern States it is esteemed as a rough, coarse weed ; in the
South it is often utilized and considered a very useful grass.

Dr. Charles Mohe, of Mobile, says of it:

An annual, 2 to 3 feet high, bearing its ronghly-awned flowers in dense, one-sided
panicles, composed of numerous crowded spikes; it grows Inxuriantly, particularly
in the lowlands of the coast; is greedily eaten by horses and cattle, and makes a hay
of good quality. Itis justly regarded as an excellent grass, particularly before it

ripens its seed, as in the latter stages of its growth the long and stiff awns of its
spikes tend to make it somewhat unpalatable.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

_ In Louisiana, Mississippi, and some other States it is mowed annually. Some

farmers assure me that they harvest four or five tons of hay per acre. It may be cut
twice each season by making the first mowing as soon as it beginsto bloom. I know
no one who plants it; but it annually reseeds the ground and requires no cultivation
or other care, save protection from live stock and the labor of harvesting. Being a
coarse grass, with long leaves and large succulent stems, it requires care to cure well.
In one county in Mississippi hundreds of acres are annually mowed on single farms.
Cows and horses are very fond of it, whether green or dry. Farmers who have tested
it most thoroughly for many years prefer it to the best corn fodder.

(Plate 11.)

PANICUM VIRGATUM L. (Tall Panic grass; Switch grass.)

A tall perennial grass, 3 to 5 feet gh, growing mostly in clumps in
moist or even in dry sandy soil, very common on the sea-coast, and also
in the interior to the base of the Rocky Mountains. The culms are
erect, firm, and unbranched; leaves 1 to 2 feet long, flat, rongh-mar-
gined, otherwise smooth, one-third to one-half inch wide. The panicle
is large and diffuse, rather pyramidal, from 6 inches to 2 feet long, the
branches angular, rather verticillate, the lower in fives or more, decreas-
ing above, flowering mostly near the extremities. The lower branches
are frequently half as long as the panicle and much subdivided. The

40 .THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

spikelets are usually short-stalked, variable in size, but usually about
two lines long, ovate, sharp-pointed, commonly purplish. The lower
empty glume is from halt to two-thirds as long as the upper, both are
pointed, sometimes long pointed; the lower glume is three nerved, the
upper one five to seven-nerved; the lower flower is male, nearly as
long as the upper glume, its glume five to seven-nerved and acute, its
palet one-quarter shorter, thin, two-nerved. The perfect flower is
shorter than the lower one, smooth, oblong, and obtuse. Thisis a good
and prolific grass if cut when young; when ripe it becomes harsh and
unpalatable. It forms a constituent of the native grasses of the prai-
ries, particularly in moist localities. (Plate 12.)

PANICUM DIVARICATUM. (Cane-like Panicum.)

A tropical and subtropical species found in our country only in Flor-
ida and the Gulf States near the coast. It is a shrubby plant, the
culms being woody and persistent, like the small kind of cane. Only
the leaves and young shoots are eaten by cattle. The larger stems are
of the size of a goose quill. It is smooth and decumbent, with short,
spreading branches. The leaves are lanceolate, 2 to 3 inches long by
four to five lines wide, gradually pointed. The panicles terminate the
branches, are 2 to 4 inches long, with comparatively short divergent
branches and few flowers. The spikelets are obovate, tumid, about ..
two lines long, smooth. In the districts where it grows this grass may
be utilized, as an analysis of its composition gives a very good result.
(Plate 13.)

PANICUM GIBBUM.

A perennial species, growing in Swamps and low wet ground: in the -
Southern States, from North Carolina to Florida and to Texas. The
stem is. decumbent, branching, and rooting at the lower joints. The
panicle is 3 to 5 inches long, and narrow from the erect, appressed
branches. The spikelets are oblong or lance-oblong, rather obtuse, al-
though narrowed above. The lower glume is small, about one-fourth
as long as the upper one, which is strongly eleven-nerved, swollen at
the base, and twice as long as the smooth, fertile flower. The leaves
are smooth or rarely somewhat hairy, half an inch broad and 6 to 8
inches long. The whole plant is of a deep green color. The flowers
drop off soon after flowering. This grass, if it occurs in abundance,
would be of considerable value, as it furnishes a good deal of nutri-
tious matter. (Plate 14.) © :

PANICUM OBTUSUM. (Obtuse-flowered Panicum.)

A perennial species of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It has a
strong, running root-stock, which at intervals sends up flowering culms,
which are about 13 to 2 feet high, very smooth, pale green, with nu-
merous smooth, narrow, erect, stiff, long-pointed leaves, and a narrow
linear panicle, 3 to 4 inches long, composed of about half a dozen

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 41

short, alternate, sessile branches, the lowest about an inch in length,
the upper very short, and all densely crowded with the sessile flowers.
The two outer glumes are of nearly equal length, or the lower one
rather the longer, which is different from the ordinary rule of the ge-
-nus. They are obtuse, five to seven-nerved, and fully as long as the
male or sterile flower, which is also obtuse. The perfect flower is of
equal length with the sterile one, very smooth, shining, delicately stri-
ate longitudinally, and obtusish. Leafy runners, 2 to 3 feet long, are
sent out form the base, which at intervals form thickened woolly knots
or nodes which eventually take root. This grass will evidently have
great endurance of drought, and is deserving of trial with reference
to its agricultural value.

PANICUM CAPILLARE. (Old Witch grass; Hair-stalked Panic grass.)

An annual grass varying in height from 6 inches to 2 feet, often
branching at the base. It has a large terminal panicle, which, when
mature, is very diffuse, with long capillary branches. The leaves and
Sheaths are usually covered with long spreading hairs. It is very com-
mon in cultivated grounds, making its growth late in the summer, and
after maturity the tops break off and are blown about and accumulate
in quantities in fence corners. There is a smoothish form growing in
Texas and the Western Territories. The grass is generally rejected by
cattle, especially the very hairy forms. It is one of the most worthless
kinds. (Plate 15.)

There are many other species of Panicwm which have some value as
wild forage where they prevail, but they are generally scanty in foliage,
thin in habit of growth, or otherwise unsuitable for cultivation.

SETARIA.

The structure of the flowers in this genus is the same as in Panicum,
of which genus it is by some botanists considered only a section. It is
characterized as follows. The spikelets collected into a cylindrical or
elongated spike-like, or sometimes interrupted, panicle. Below the ar-
ticulation of the spikelets are several (or one) bristles or stiff hairs,
which are supposed to be abortive branchlets, and which are persistent
after the fall of the spikelets.

SETARIA ITALICA. (Hungarian grass, Italian Millet, German Millet.)

This grass is supposed to be a native of the East Indies, but it has
been extensively introduced into most civilized countries. It has long
been cultivated as a fodder grass both in Europe and in this country.
It is an annual grass of strong rank growth, the culms erect, 2 to 3 feet
high, with numerous long and broad leaves, and a terminal, spike-like,
nodding panicle, 4 to 6 inches long, and often an inch or more in diam-
eter. The panicle is composed of a great number of small closely-
crowded branches, each of which consists of a small group of several

42 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

clusters of spikelets, at the base of each of which there springs two or
three bristles, sometimes short and sometimes so long as to give the
head a very bristly appearance. The bristles are roughened or barbed
by numerous teeth-like processes on the margin, pointing towards the
apex. The spikelets are about 1 line long; the lower glume is about
one-third as long as the upper one, which, with the glume of the sterile
flower, is obtusish and about the length of the perfect flower. There is
a great difference in the different varieties and forms of this grass, so
much so that some of them have been considered different species, but
the general opinion of botanists is that they are all varying forms of the
Same species, dependent upon the character of the soil, thickness of
seeding, moisture or dryness, and time of sowing. It owes its value as
a fodder plant to the abundance of its foliage and to the large quantity
of seed produced. In some instances objection has been made to this
grass on account of the bristles which surround the seed, and which
have been said to penetrate the stomachs of cattle so as to cause inflam-
ation and death. But it is plain that this opinion is not generally
held, as the cultivation of the grass is widely extended and every where
recommended. |

For forage it should be cut as soon as it blooms, when of course, it is worth nothing.
for seed, but is most valuable for forage and exhausts the land much less. [If left -
for the seed to mature they are very abundant and rich feed, but the stems are worth-
less while the soil is more damaged. The matured stems are very hard, indigestible
and injurious, and the ripe seeds will founder more promptly than corn, and some-
times produce diabetes if mouldly and too freely used. If cut at the right stage the
whole plant is a safe and very valuable forage. On good soil if the ground be moist
it will be ready for mowing in sixty days from seeding and produce from two to four
tons of hay per acre. It is folly to sow it on poor land.—Professor PHARES.

(Plate 16.)

SETARIA SETOSA. (Bristle grass, Fox tail.)

A native species growing in New Mexico, Texas, and southward into
Mexico and South America. It grows about 2 feet high. The stem and
leaves are smooth except a fine hairy ring at the joints. The leaves are
6 to 10 inches long, narrow, and gradually tapering to a long point.
There is a tuft of short white hairs at the top of the leaf sheath. The
panicle is 4 to 6 inches long, erect or slightly nodding at the top, nar-
rowly cylindrical with very short sessile branches, usually somewhat
interrupted below, sometimes the lower branches are longer and the
panicle looser. It has much the appearance of the other species which
we called Pigeon grass. The axis of the panicle is scabrous. The lower
glume is broadly ovate, more than half as long as the upper, clasping
the base of the spikelet, three-nerved, acute, the margins secarious and
minutely pubescent; the upper glumeisalso broadly ovate, short-pointed,
five-nerved, about as long as the perfect, spikelet; the glumes of the
sterile flower are much like the upper empty glumes and also five-nerved ;
its palet is about two-thirds as long as the glume, and much narrower ;

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 43

the perfect flower is oblong, very finely striate and dotted. The bristles
are variable in length, about one to each spikelet, usually three to four
times as long as the spikelet.

We know little as to the agricultural value of this species; as it is
found in the arid districts itis deserving the attention of farmers of that
section. (Plate 17.)

SETARIA GLANCA. (Pigeon grass, Bottle grass.)

A native of most tropical and many temperate climates, and her been
introduced into most cultivated fields, springing up or growing after the
cutting of wheat and early grain, and making its growth in the latter
part of the season. It is generaly an annual, but southward it assumes
a perennial form. It grows about 2 feet high, with leaves 6 to 9 inches
long, one-fourth to one-third of an inch wide, and generally smooth. The
panicle is terminal, cylindrical, 2 to 3 inches long, and about one-third of
an inch wide, dense and spikelike from the numerous, approximated
short branches or clusters of flowers. These clusters consist of from
one to three spikelets, having at the base of each a cluster of from six
to ten bristles, which are two to four lines long, and finely barbed up-
wardly. When mature they assume a tawny yellow color. The spike-
lets are a little over a line long, oblong; both the outer glumes are short
and broad, the lower one third and the upper two-thirds as long as the
_ flower; the glume of the male or lower flower is broadly ovate, obtusish
_and five-nerved, its palet is of equal length and two-nerved; the perfect
flower is oblong, beautifully striated longitudinally, wrinkled and dotted
transversely. This grass is often found with the next (S. Viridis), in
stubble fields, and furnishes a considerable amount of fodder, which is
as nutritious as Hungarian grass, but not as productive. The figure
(Plate 18) does not represent a sufficient quantity of bristles.

SETARIA VIRIDIS. (Green Pigeon or Foxtail.) |

This species has the general habit and appearance of the preceding; it
differs in the commonly looser, longer, and more tapering, less erect
spike, in the smaller spikelets, shorter lower glume, less distinctly
transversely wrinkled seed, and in fewer bristles, which are of a green-
ish color. It grows in the same situations and commonly with the pre-
ceding. The seeds of both kinds are eagerly sought for by birds and
poultry, especially among the stubble after harvesting wheat.

PENICILLARIA SPICATA. (African cane, Egyptian Millet, Hast India
Miilet, Cat-tail, and Pearl Millet.)

A tall, erect, thick-stemmed grass. It grows to the height of 6 feet
or more, and thestockis terminated by a compact, dense, cylindrical spike
resembling the common ecat-tail, frequently a foot long and an inch in °
thickness, which is studded with the small obovate sessile grains, sur-
rounded at the base by an abundance of short, coarse hairs or bristles.

44 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

This millet has been more or less cultivated, especially in the Southern
States, for many years. Jn rich ground it is said to yield an immense
amount of forage, for which purpose it should be cut before it has ma-
tured, and may be cut many times during the season. It is extensively
cultivated in India and there forms an important article of food for th
natives. :

SPARTINA.

A genus of coarse, perennial grasses, growing mainly in marshy
ground, from extensively-creeping, scaly root stocks. The leaves are
long and tough and the sheaths smooth. The flowers are produced in
racemed spikes, the spikes varying in size and arrangement in different
species. The flowers are arranged in two ranks on one side of a trian-
gular axis, being closely sessile and more or less imbricated. Thespike-
lets are one-flowered, much flattened laterally. The outer glumes are
strongly compressed and keeled, acute or bristle-pointed, the keel mostly
rough-hispid, the upper one longer and larger than the obtusish flower.
The flowering glume is strongly compressed and is shorter than the
thin membranaceous palet. There are about five species in the United
States.

SPARTINA CYNOSUROIDES. (Fresh-water Cord grass, Fall Marsh grass.) -

This species has a wide range, from near the coast to the Missouri
River. In the Western States it is very plentiful, often forming a large
part of the grass of the sloughs and wet marshes of that region. Itis
coarse and stout, growing from 3 to 5 feet high, with leaves 2 to 3
feet long. The top of the culm for about 1 foot is occupied by from five
to ten flower spikes, which are from 14 to 3 inches long, and the spike-
lets are very closely imbricated. The outer glumes are unequal, the
lower one linear-lanceolate, the upper one lanceolate, with a long, stiff
point. The flowering glume is about as long as the lower glume, the
upper half of the stout keel strongly hispid. The palet is thin mem-
branaceous, two-nerved, and longer than its glume.

This grass is frequently cut for hay, but it is a very coarse, inferior
article, unless cut when very young. It gives good feed very early in
the spring, but becomes so coarse as soon to be rejected by the cattle
when anything better is procurable. In the bottom lands of the Mis-
sissippi it is abundant, and has to some extent been manufactured into
paper. (Plate 19.)

SPARTINA JUNCEA. (Marsh grass, Salt grass, Rush salt grass.)

A slender, rigid grass, usually 1 to 2 feet high, from a creeping, scaly
rhizoma; leaves involute, rush-like, and rigid; panicle composed of three
to five linear, alternate, shortly-peduneled, spreading spikes 1 to 2 inches
long and an inch or more distant on the culm. The spikelets are
crowded. The outer glumes are very unequal, acute, the upper one

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 495

linear-lanceolate, strongly compressed, and keeled, four or five lines long,
the margins membranaceous, the middle thick, and the keel scabrous ;
the lower one is less than half as long as the upper, narrow and thin.
The flowering glume is about four lines long, lanceolate, obtuse, mem-
branaceous, compressed, and with a thick midrib which 1s roughish near
the apex; the palet is thin, as broad and somewhat longer than its
glume. This grass forms a large portion of the salt marshes near the
sea-coast. It makes an inferior hay, called salt hay, which is worth
about half as much per ton as timothy and red-top. (Plate 20.)

TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES. (Gama-grass, Sesame-grass.)

A tall, perennial grass, found both North and South, with solid culms
from thick creeping rhizomes, broad and flat leaves, and with flower
spikes 4 to 8 inches long produced from the side joints and from the
top, either singly or two or three together. The upper portion of these
spikes is Staminate or male, and the lower portion pistillate and pro-
ducing the seeds. The upper or male portion of the spikes drops off
after flowering. The fertile portion is much thickened, somewhat flat-
tened and angled, and the fertile flowers and seeds are deeply embedded
init. This part of the spike at maturity easily breaks up into short
joints. The staminate flowers are three to four lines long, sessile, and
in twos at each joint of the axis. Hach spikelet is two flowered, the
outer glumes are somewhat thick and coriaceous, oblong, the lower one
obscurely many-nerved, the upper one of thinner texture, boat-shaped,
five-nerved and scarious-margined; the flowering glumes and palets
are equal in length to the outer glumes, very thin and membranaceous,
awnless; the anthers open by two pores at the apex. The pistillate
spikelets are single at each joint; also two-flowered ; the outer empty
glume is ovate, cartilaginous thickened, the inner glume much thinner,
and pointed. One of the flowers is neutral, the other fertile, the flow-
ering glumes and palets very thin and searious. The stigmas are long,
purple, and feathered. Mr. Howard, in the Manual of Grasses for the
South, says: :

This is a native of the South, from the mountains to the coast. The seed stem
was up to the height of 5 to 7 feet. The seeds break off from the stem as if from a
joint, a single seed at a time. The leaves resemble those of corn. When cut before
the seed stems shoot up they make a coarse but nutritious hay. It may be cut three
or four times during the season. The quantity of forage which can be made from it
is enormous. Both cattle and horses are fond of the hay. The roots are almost as
large and strong as cane roots. It would require a team of four to six oxen to plow
itup. It can, however, be easily killed by close grazing, and the mass of dead roots
would certainly enrich the land. As the seeds of this grass vegetate with uncertainty,
it is usually propagated by setting out slips of the roots abont 2 feet apart each way.
On rich land the tussocks will soon meet. In theabsence of the finer hay grasses this
will be found an abundant and excellent substitute. The hay made from it is very

like corn fodder, is quite equal to it in value, and may be saved at a tithe of the ex-
pense.

This account is concurred in by other writers. (Plate 21.)

A6 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

EUCHLG@NA LUXURIANS. (Teosinte, Guatemala grass.)

This grass is anative of Mexico and Central America, but has been
introduced into cultivation in various parts of the world, and recently
in the Southern States. It is closely related to Indian corn (zea mays).
It has the male flowers in a tassel at the top of the stalk. The fertile
flowers are from the lateral joints, not like maize, on a thickened axis,
but on a very Slender stem, and inclosed in a loose external husk.

Prof. Asa Gray writes in the American Ae for August,
1880, respecting this plant, as follows:

The director of the botanic garden and government plantations at Adelaide, South
Australia, reports favorably of this strong-growing corn-like forage plant, that the
prevailing dryness did not injure the plants, which preserved their healthy green,
while the blades of other grasses suffered materially. The habit of throwing out
young shoots is remarkable, sixty or eighty rising to a height of 5 or6 feet. Further
north, at Palmerston (nearer the equator), in the course of five or six months the
plant reached the height of 12 to 14 feet, and the stems on one plant numbered fifty-
six. The plants, after mowing down, grew again several feet in a few days. The
cattle delight in it in a fresh state, also when dry. Undoubtedly there is not a more
prolific forage plant known; but as it is essentially tropical in its habits, this luxu-
riant growth is found in tropical or subtropical climates. The chief drawback to its
culture with us will be that the ripening of the seed crop will be problematical, as
early frosts will kill the plant. To make the Teosinte a most useful plant in Texas
and along our whole southwestern border, the one thing needful is to develop early-
flowering varieties, so as to get seed before frost. And this could be done without
doubt if. some one in Texas or Florida would set abont it. What it has taken ages
to do in the case of Indian corn, in an unconscious way, might be mainly done in a
human lite-time by rightly-directed care and vigorous selection.

ZEA MAYS. (Indian corn.)

This plant is too well known to need more than a botanical descrip-
tion. The staminate or male flowers are produced at the apex of the
stalk in a large, branched panicle, a foot or more in length. The
branches of the panicle are rather slender, 8 to 10 inches long, with a few
shorter subbranches near the base. 'They are flower-bearing through their
entire length. The flowers are in small clusters of two to four spikelets
at each joint of the flattened axis, on very short, slender pedicels, or some
of them almost sessile, the different clusters somewhat overlapping each
other. The spikelets are each four to five lines long and two-flowered.
The outer glumes are membranaceous, lanceolate, and acute or acumi-
nate, sparsely hairy, five to nine nerved, and delicately purple striped.
The flowering glumes and palets are nearly es long as the outer glumes,
lance oblong, alike in texture, very thin membranaceous, the glume
three-nerved, the palet two-nerved, both delicately fringed on the mar-
gins near the apex with soft white hairs. Stamens, three in each
flower.

The female or pistillate flowers are produced from lateral joints of
the stem on a hard, thickened, cylindrical spike or axis, called the cob,
in longitudinal rows (usually eight to sixteen). The spikelets are closely
sessile and packed in the rows. The structure of the spikelets is some-

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 47

what obscure. The glumes and palets are reduced to a few scales at
the base of the large grain, and are usually unnoticed. At the apex of
each grain is produced a long thread-like style, varying from a few
inches to a foot long. The entire axis, or ear of corn as 1t is called, is
enwrapped by a number of leaf-like bracts, commonly called the husks.
_ The long thread-like styles extend beyond and protrude from the point
of this envelope, where they may be fertilized by the pollen falling
upon them from the male flowers in the terminal panicle. There is a
variety of maize in which each kernel or grain of the corn is enveloped
by a husk of three or four pieces three-fourths of an inch to 1 inch
long. It is supposable that these are the normal envelopes, which in
other varieties have become abortive.

ZIZANIA AQUATICA. (Wild rice, Indian rice, Water oats.)

This grass is botanically related to the common commercial rice (Oryza
sativa), but is very different in general appearance. Itis widely diffused
over North America, and is found in Eastern Siberia and Japan. It
erows on the muddy banks of rivers and lakes, both near the sea and
far inland, sometimes in water 10 feet or more deep, forming patches or
meadows covering many acres or extending for miles. Its ordinary
growth is from 5 to 10 feet high, with a thick spongy stem and abun-
dant long and broad leaves. The panicle is pyramidal in shape, 1 to 2
feet long, and widely branching below. The upper branches are rather
_ appressed and contain the fertile flowers, and the lower branches con-
tain only staminate ones. The spikelets are one-flowered, each with one
pair of external husks or scales, which are by some botanists called
glumes, and by others called palets. These husks or glumes in the
fertile flower are nearly or quite an inch long, with an awn or beard as
long or twice as long. ‘The grain inclosed between them is half an inch
long, slender, and cylindrical. The glumes of the staminate flowers are
about half an inch long and without awns, each flower containing six
stamens. These flowers fall off soon after they expand. The fertile
- flowers also drop very readily as soon as the grain isripened. The grass
abounds in the small lakes of Minnesota and the Northwest, and is there
gathered by the Indians for food. The husk is removed by scorching
with fire. It is a very palatable and nutritious grain. .Some attempts
have been made to cultivate the grass, but the readiness of the seed to
drop must interfere with a successful result. Near the sea-coast multi-
tudes of reed birds resort to the marshes where it grows and fatten upon
the grain. The culms are sweet and nutritious, and cattle are said to
- be very fond of the grass. (Plate 22.)

LEERSIA.

A genus of rough-leaved grasses growing for the most part in marshy
or moist ground throughout nearly all parts of the United States.
There are about five species, two of which are confined to the Southern

~

48 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

States; the others, at least twoof them, are very common, though rarely
occurring in great quantity. They are sometimes cut for hay. They
cannot be recommended for culture, but may be utilized wherever they
grow spontaneously. The flowers grow in spreading panicles. The
spikelets are sessile, on short one-sided branches or spikes. The spike-
lets are one-flowered, possessing but two seales, which may be ealled
glumes or palets, which are strongly compressed, without awus, bristly
ciliate on the keels, the lower one broader and inclosing the seed.
Stamens, one to six; stigmas, two; grain flattened. The two common
species are:

1. LEERSIA ORYZOIDES. (White grass, Cut grass, False rice.)

This is a handsome grass, the culms decumbent. It is commonly
called rice grass, from its strong resemblance to common rice. The
leaves are pale green, frequently a foot or more long, prominently veined
below, very rough on the margins and on the sheaths. The panicle is
about 1 foot long, diffusely branched, the branches mostly in twos, and
an inch or two distant. The spikelets are very flat, about two lines
long, nearly sessile, and mostly toward the ends of the long branches.
The glumes are unequal, the lower one much the broader; the palets
are wanting. The leaves are so rough on the margins as readily to cut
the hand if roughly drawn through it.

2. LEERSIA VIRGINICA. (Small-flowered White grass.)

In this species the panicle is much smaller and narrower, and the
branches appressed. The spikelets are smaller, the glumes narrower
and smoother, and there are but two stamens. The leaves are narrower
and smoother than in the first.

HILARIA JAMESII.

This grass was formerly called Pleuraphis Jamesi. It is a native of
the arid regions extending from Mexico to Colorado, growing in clumps
from strong, scaly runners or rhizomas. The base of the culm is usu-
ally covered with the dried leaves of the preceding year. The culms
are from 1 to 14 feet high, with a few short, rigid, light green, or bluish
green leaves, which are more or less involute. Hach culm is terminated
by a simple, loose spike, 1 or 2 inches long, with alternate clusters of
sessile spikelets. These clusters are quite complex in structure, each
one containing three spikelets, one central and two lateral. The centra]
spikelet consists of a single fertile flower, and the lateral spikelets each
of two male flowers. The lower glume in each lateral spikelet is awned
about the middle. The two outer glumes of the central spikelet are
bifid or two lobed, strongly nerved, and with the nerves extended into
awns reaching beyond the apex of the glume

We do not know to what extent this grass prevails, nor what may be
its agricultural value. (Plate 23.)

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 49

-

ANDROPOGON,

There are numerous species of this genus. They are perennial grasses,
mostly tall, and with tough, wiry stems. Some of them occur in nearly
all parts of the country from New England to Florida and west to Ari-
zona. They are most abundant, however, in the Southern States, where /
they have been employed for permanent pastures. When they occur in
quantity they can be utilized, but to be of value they should be kept
from sending up their strong stems as these are universally rejected by
cattle and horses. They are not to be recommended for cultivation,
but their place should aS soon as possible be supplanted by more valu-
able grasses.

' We will mention the more common kinds:

1. ANDROPOGON VIRGINICUS. (Broom grass, Broom sedge.)

This species has an extended range on the eastern part of this conti-
nent, growing in a great variety of soils and situations, but mostly on
dry hills, abandoned fields, or stony woods and pastures. The culms.
are from 2 to 4 feet high, and very leafy; the leaves two-ranked at
the base, smooth except a few long hairs on the margins and at the
throat of the sheath. The panicle is long, narrow, and leafy, 1 to 2 feet
long, composed of numerous lateral branches from the upper joints.
These branches are several times subdivided and partly inclosed in’
the long-leaf sheath, each ultimate sheath or bract inclosing usually a
_ pair of loose, slender flower spikes. These spikes are about 1 inch long,
comprising ten or twelve joints, each joint giving rise to one sessile fer-
tile spikelet, and a hairy pedicel longer than the fertile flower, at ihe
summit of which there is the vestige of a flower, or a mere bristle-like
‘point. The fertile spikelets aré oneflowered and consist of two outer
thickish glumes and two thin transparent inner ones, one of which has
a slender awn three or four times its own length; the upper one is by
some considered as a palet, and isnot awned. (Plate 24.)

2, ANDROPOGON SCOPARIUS. (Wood grass, Broom grass.)

This grass usually grows from 2 to 3 feet high, the flowering spikes
coming out in small clusters from many of the side joints on slender,
graceful peduncles. ~The spikes have a small bract near the base, and.

consist of a slender axis, with from six to ten alternate joints. At each

joint there is one sessile, fertile spikelet, and a flatttened hairy pedicel
or stalk nearly as long as the fertile spikelet, and at its apex a rudi-
mentary flower, consisting of a single awned glume. The fertile spikelet
has two outer, empty, narrowly lanceolate glumes, about four lines long.
The flowering glume is very thin, and furnished with a twisted awn
twice as long as the flower. The palet is also very thin and shorter than
its glume.

Mr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, says of this grass:

One of our most common grasses, covering old fields and fence-rows, and extensively

erowing in the dry sandy soil of the pine woods. Much despised as it is as a trouble-

2218 GR 4

\

50 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OB THE UNITED STATES.

some, unsightly weed, it has its good qualities, which entitle it to a more charitable
consideration. In the dry pine woods it contributes, while green and tender, a large

* ;
share to the sustenance of stock.

(Piate 25.) :,

3. ANDROPOGON MACROURUS. (Heavy topped Broom grass.)

This species is frequent on low sandy ground near the coast, from
New Jersey to Florida and thence westward to Texas. It has a stout
culm 2 to 3 or even 4 or 5 feet high, bushy branched at the summit,
loaded with numerous flower-spikes, which form thick leaiy clusters.
The spikelets have the same general structure as the preceding. The
fertile flower has a capillary awn three or four times as long as its glume,
and the sterile flower, which is usually present in the genus, is reduced
to a mere point at the apex of the slender plumose pedicel. (Plate 26.)

4, ANDROPOGON FURCATUS. (Finger-spiked Broom grass, Blue Stem.)

This is the tallest of our species. It grows erect to the height of 5
or 6 feet, in rocky or hilly ground, or at the West it is abundant on the
native prairies, where it is frequently called bluestem. The leaves are
long and frequently somewhat hairy on the sheaths and margins. The
spikes are in small clusters of three to six, terminating the stalk, and
also several clusters from the side branches. The spikes are usually 2
to 3 inches long, rather rigid, and contain ten to twenty points each.
At each joint there is one sessile, perfect flower, and one stalked one,
which is male only, otherwise it is nearly like the fertile one. The
outer glumes are about 4 lines long, the upper ones tipped with a short
stiff awn. The flowering glume of the perfect flower is twisted and |
about one-half inch long.

This species, as above stated, is abundant on the prairies of the West,
where it is one of the principal hay grasses of the country, and is exten-
sively cut and cured for winter use. (Plate 27.)

CHRYSOPOGON NUTANS. (Indian grass, Wood grass.)

This is a near relative of the Andropogous; is also related to the
genus Sorghum, and is known in the botanical works as Sorghum
nutans. Itis a tall, perennial grass, having a wide range over all the
country east of the Rocky Mountains. It grows rather sparsely and
forms a thin bed of grass. The stalks are 3 to 4 feet high, smooth, hol-
low, straight, and having at the top a narrow panicle of handsome straw-
colored or brownish flowers, 6 to 12 inches long, which is gracefully
drooping at the top. The spikelets are at the ends of the slender
branches of the loose panicle, generally of a yellowish color. At the
base of each spikelet are two (one on each side) short, feathery pedicels,
the flowers which they are supposed to have been made to support have
entirely disappeared. The outer glumes are about three lines long,
‘both alike lanceolate, obtusish, coriaceous five to seven nerved, the
lower one sparsely hairy, and with hairs at the base and on the stalk
below.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 5]

Within the outer glumes are two thin hyaline glumes, one nearly as
long as the outer glumes, and a shorter one with a twisted and bent awn
half an inch or more in length. The true palet is very minute or
wanting.

This grass when it occurs in quantity is frequently utilized for hay
_making, for which purpose it should be cut early. There are three
other species occurring in the Southern and Southwestern States not
of much value in an economic view. (Plate 28.)

SORGHUM HALAPENSE. (Cuba grass, Johnson grass, Means grass,
False Guinea grass, Evergreen millet, Arabian millet.)

A tall perennial grass, with strong, thick, undergrowing root-stocks,
and an abundance of long and wide leaves. Its stems attain a height
of 5 or6 feet, with a large and spreading panicle. In botanical charac-
ters it does not differ much from the preceding genus, except in habit
and in the flower glumes becoming more hardened after flowering. The
panicle when well developed is a foot or more in length, with the lower
branches 5 or6 inches long, and whorled, the upper ones, fewer and grad-
ually shorter, becoming widely spreading, subdivided and flower-bear-
ing to below the middle. The spikelets on the short branchlets are in
pairs at each joint and in threes at the extremity. Of the pairs, one
is sessile and perfect, the other is stalked and male only. Of those at
the extremity, one is sessile and perfect, and two stalked and male only.
- The spikelets are about two lines long, ovate-lanceolate. The outer
glumes of the fertile spikelets are acute, coriaceous, smooth, and shining,
or with a few sparse hairs; the veins, (5 to 9) are obscure externally,
but internally are plain and sometimes beautifully cross-veined. Within
these thick outer glumes are two thin delicate leaflets, by some cailed
palets, by others considered to be inner glumes, the shorter of which
occasionally bears a twisted awn or beard half an inch long. The male
spikelets are on stems or pedicels one line long. . They are as long as
the perfect fowers, but the outer glumes are much thinner, and they
contain only three stamens. The flowers and seeds are similar to
those of broom-corn, which belongs to the same genus.

This grass has been often called Guinea grass, but that name prop-
erly belongs to a quite different plant, Panicum jumentorum, of which
see an account elsewhere. The underground root-stocks are sometimes
half an inch thick, very succulent, and are eagerly sought for and eaten
by hogs. The grass spreads and is readily propagated from these root-
stocks, every joint being capable of developing a new shoot. Mr. N.B.
Moore, of Augusta, Ga., has cultivated this grass for over forty years,
and prefers it to all others. He says it is perennial, as nutritious as
_ any other, when once set is difficult to eradicate, will grow on ordinary
land, and yields abundantly.

My meadow consists of 100 acres of alluvial land; the grass should be cut when

from 2 to 4 feet high; on such land as mine it willafford three or four cuttings if the
season is propitious.

52° THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Many farmers and planters especially object to this grass because of
the difficulty of eradicating it. But Mr. Hubert Post says it is not as
hard to get rid of as many suppose... He says that one of his neighbors,
in 1878, broke up some 15 acres, which he has since successfully planted
in cotton with no trouble from the grass. He also says that in this
Johnson grass a kind Providence has given the South a mine of wealth,
which could easily be made a foundation for wealth and prosperity such
as the South has never seen. The history of the grass in this country
is said to be as follows: |

Governor Means, of South Carolina, obtained some of the seed from
Turkey as early as 1835. He planted it on his plantation, where it is
stilled called Means grass. In 1840 or 1845 William Johnson, of Alabama
obtained some of the seed and sowed it upon bis farm, whence it derived
the name of Johnson grass. It is said to have been introduced into
California from Australia, and has there been cultivated under the name
of evergreen millet. It has been tried in Kansas with very promising
results. A farmer there obtained some seed from his brother in Cali-
fornia, who had cultivated it successfully on a very dry soil on an upland
farm. This farmer finds it to be in Kansas perfectly hardy, rapid in
growth, affording three cuttings in one season, and producing a heavy
vrowth of after-math for fall grazing. Horses and cattle are fond of it
both in its dry,and green condition. Probably no grass gives better
promise for the dry arid lands of the West. In Utah it has been culti-
vated under the name of Arabian millet grass. (Plate 29.)

SORGHUM VULGARE. (Sorghum sugar cane, Broom corn, Chinese
sugar cane,’.Guinea corn, Doura corn, Indian millet, Chocolate
corn, Pampas rice, African millet, Wc.)

The above-named grasses are generally believed to be all varieties of
Sorghum vuigare. Most of them are well known and cultivated for var-
ious purposes other than for hay or forage. The Doura corn has been
extensively cultivated in some of the arid western counties of Kansas,
where the grain is used for feed for hogs and cattle and also as human
food. The seeds of the other varieties are probably also valuable for
feed for stock.

The sugar corn has been extensively cultivated at the North and West,
and has lately received an extraordinary impulse from the development
of successful methods of manufacturing sugar from its juice. It is also
frequently sown thickly for a forage crop, and in good seasons and with
proper cultivation furnishes a very heavy yield.

The botanical character may be briefly given as follows: Flowers in
an ample terminal panicle, loose and spreading, or close and compact,
erect or nodding. The flowers are on the small branches near their ex-
tremities. If examined while young it will be observed that there are
two kinds of flowers, one perfect and finally producing seeds, the others
containing only stamens or empty. The male or sterile flowers are on

at

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 53

short stalks, one or two at the base of each perfect flower, which is ses-
sile or without a stalk. At or near maturity the sterile flowers drop
off, leaving still remaining the short stem or stems on which they were
borne. The perfect spikelet has two outer glumes, which are tough and
leathery, and two thin transparent inner ones, one of which is two-
lobed at the apex, and between the lobes extended into a short, rigid,
bent and twisted awn or beard. Stamens, three; stigmas, plumose. The
sterile spikelets are narrower, the outer glumes without the leathery text-
ure, nerved longitudinally, the two inner ones thin and delicate, desti-
tute of the awn and containing three stamens or empty.

PHALARIS.

This genus is defined as having spikelets with one perfect flower and
one or two rudimentary flowers, or mere sterile pedicels, within the
outer glumes and below the proper flower.

The outer glumes are compressed and boat-shaped, none. strongly
keeled, becoming coriaceous or cartilaginous. The inner or true flower
aes of two thin glumes, sometimes called palets, inclosing the sta-
mens and pistils. No proper palet present.

PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA. (Reed canary grass.)

A perennial, grass with strong creeping rhizomas, growing from 2 to
o feet high, usually in low or wet ground. It ranges from New England
and New York westward to Oregon, and northward to Canada, also in
the mountainous parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia: It is common,
also, in the north of Kurope. The culm is stout, smooth, and leafy; the
leaves are mostly from 6 to 10 inches long, and Toa half an inch wide,
the upper ones shorter. The ligule is about two lines long, rounded or
obtuse. The panicie is from 2 to 4 inches long, narrow and spike-like ;
the branches short and crowded above, rather distant below,. slightly
Spreading when in flower. The spikelets are three lines long; the outer
glumes nearly equal, nearly smooth, boat-shaped, oblong-lanceolate,
acute, three to five nerved, the ‘keel scabrous and slightly thickened
near the apex. The flowering glumes are one-third shorter, ovate,
thick, somewhat hairy externally. The two sterile pedicels are about
one- qs as long as the flowering glumes and feathered.

The stout stems bear five or six leaves, which are 6 to 8 inches long,
and a quarter to a half inch wide, smoothish except on the edge, striate
and pointed. The ligule is conspicuous, thin, and rounded. This grass
is said to be extensively used for fodder in Sweden, and is liked by
cattle. Mr. J.S. Gould says of it:

In the province of Scania it is mown twice a year. The peasantry there use it asa
thatch for their cottages and hay stacks and find it is more durable than straw. It
is very certain thit cattle in our country do not relish it either as pasture or hay, and
they wili not touch it as long as they can get anything better. When cut very young,
say when about 1 foot high, and used for soiling, cattle eat it better than any
ot her way.

* ;
54 - THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

The well-known ribbon grass of the garden is a variety of this grass,
and will, it is said, easily revert to the normal type. In mountainous
regions it may be worth trial for meadows. (Plate 50.)

PHALARIS INTERMEDIA. (Southern reed Canary grass, Gilbert’s Relief
grass, Stewart’s Canary grass, California Timothy grass.)

This species resembles the foreign Canary grass (Phalaris Canarien-
sis); which produces the seed commonly sold as food for Canary birds.
It is, however, a taller and more robust species, growing 2 to 3 feet
high, with a stout, erect culm and broad linear leaves, which are from
4 to 10 inches long. The spike is oblong and compact, 1 or 2 inches :
long. There is a variety called var. angustata, in which the spike is 3 or
4 inches long. The spikelets are much like those of the preceding spe-
cies (P. arundinacea), having one perfect flower and two-abortive ones.
The outer glumes in P. intermedia are lanceolate and nearly alike and
have a narrow wing extending down the keel. The glumes of the fer-
tile flower are nearly like those of P. arundinacea already described.

This species grows in South Carolina and the Gulf States, extending
to Texas, then stretching across to the Pacific coast and occurring through
California and Oregon. It has frequeutly been sent to the Department
from the Southern States as a valuable winter grass.

Mr. Thomas W. Beaty, of Conway, 8S. C., writes as follows:

The grass I send you was planted last September, and the specimens were cut on
the 9th of March (following). You will notice that it is heading out and is just now
in a right condition for mowing. It is wholly a winter grass, dying down in the lat-
‘ter part of April and first of May, and it seems to me should be a great thing for the
South if properly introduced and cultivated, or rather the ground properly prepared
and the seed sown at the right time. It would afford the best of green pasturage for
sheep and cattie all winter. It is what we call Gilbert’s relief grass.

Many years ago Dr. Lincecum, of Texas, experimented with this grass
and recommended it very highly. In California it is called California
timothy, and is said to have little or no agricultural value. It is an an-
nual or biennial. Professor Phares says:

The variety angustata is much larger and more valuable. It erows 2 to 3 feet
high, and in swamps 5 feet, with many leaves 4 to 10 inches long, the spike some-
what resombling the head of timothy ; stock like it well, especially as hay. Mr. D.
Stewart, of Louisiana, having tested other grasses, prefers this for quantity and quality
for winter and spring grazing, and for soiling for milk cows. There is much testimony
from many parts of the South of the same import, and this grass is doubtless worthy
of extended, careful testing.

(Plate 31.)

ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM. (Sweet vernal grass.)

A perennial grass, native of Kurope, much employed as a part of
mixed lawn grasses, and also frequently found in meadows. It grows
thinly on the ground, with slender culms, seldom more than 1 foot to
18 inches in height, and scanty in foliage. The panicleis 2 to 3 inches
long, narrow and close, but expands considerably during flowering time.

\

*

ee AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. \ 55

The spikelets are clustered, three to four lines long, and with one per-
fect flower. There are two pairs of empty glumes; the outer pair is un-
equal; the lower are about half as long as the second; both are acute
and keeled. Within these glumes is a second pair, about half as long as
the first, thin, two-lobed, hairy, and with an awn or bristle on the back
longer than the longest outer glume. These may be considered as.
abortive or defective flowers. Between these innerglumes is the fertile
flower, consisting of another pair of glumes, inclosing the floral organs.
‘These glumes are commonly called palets; they are less than a line long,
thin and transparent, the lower one broad and three-nerved, the upper
narrow and one-nerved. ‘There are two stamens and two styles.

This grass is very fragrant and gives a pleasant odor to hay which
contains it. Mr. J. Stanton Gould says:

It is nowhere considered a very valuable variety for hay, as the culms are wide
apart, very thin, and bear but few leaves; hence it gives a light cropof hay.

(Plate 32.)

HIEROCHLOA BOREALIS. (Vanilla or Seneca grass. Holy grass.)

This is a perennial grass of northern latitudes, growing in moist
meadows near the coast, also in low marshy ground in some parts
of illinois and other States bordering the Great Lakes, and in the
mountains of Colorado and northward. The name Hierochloa means
sacred grass, so called because it, with other sweet-scented grasses,
was strewed before the church doors in the north of Europe. The culms
grow from 1 to 2 feet high, with short lanceolate leaves, and an open
pyramidal panicle from 2 to 5 inches long. The spikelets are three-—
flowered, the third or terminal one perfect, but with only two stamens;
the two lower flowers of the spikelet are male only, each with three
stamens. ‘The two outer glumes are thin and scarious, acutely keeled;
the glumes of the male flowers are thicker, slightly pubescent, and
fringed on the margins with soft brownish hairs, sometimes with a very
short awn from the apex, and inclosing a narrow, bifid, two-keeled palet;
the upper or perfect flower has a one-nerved glume in place of the usual
palet. This grass is very sweet-scented and is often used to perfume
drawers, &c. It grows commonly in the northern parts of Europe, as
Norway, Sweden, and Russia. In our country it does not appear to be
adapted to general cultivation. There are two other species native to
this country. (Plate 33.)

(1.) Hierochloa alpina growing on mountains at high altitudes, and
(2) Hierochloa macrophylla, a largeleaved, robust species, growing in
California, whose value for agricultural purposes is undetermined.

ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS. (Meadow Fox tail.)

This is a perennial grass, native of Europe, but has been introduced
and is frequently found in meadows in the Eastern States. It has con-
siderable resemblance to timothy, but will be readily distinguished by

56 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STAT§S.

an examination. It ordinarily grows about 2 feet high but frequently in
good soil reaches 3 feetor more. The culms are erect, with four or five
leaves at pretty uniform distances. The sheaths are long and rather
loose, particularly on the upper one. The blade of the leaf is 3 or 4 in-
ches long, about one-quarter inch wide, at the base and tapering gradu-
ally to a point. The panicle terminates the stalk and is a cylindrical
spike 2 or 3 inches long, dense, soft, and with the awns of the Howers con-
_ Spicuously projecting. The spikelets are single-flowered, between two
and three lines long. The outer glumes are strongly compressed, boat-
shaped, keeled, nearly equal, sometimes slightly united together at the
base, and have a line of soft, short hairs on the keels. These glumes
closely inclose the flower, which is of nearly the same length, and consists
of a flowering glume (formerly called the lower palet) and the floral or-
gans, but without any true palet. This flowering glume is folded upon
itself and incloses the stamens and styles. It gives rise on its back near
the base to a fine awn, which extends two or three lines beyond the
glumes.

Mr. J. 8. Gould says:

It flourishes in May, nearly four weeks in advance of timothy, and is one of the
earliest grasses to start in the spring. Pastures well covered with this grass will af-
ford a full bite at least one week earlier than those which do not have it. It does not
flourish in dry soils, but loves moist lands; no grass bears a hot sun better, and it is ~
not injured by frequent mowings, on which account, as well as for its early verdure,
it is valuable for lawns.

There is a variety of this grass called A. alpestris, growing in the
Rocky Mountains, which may possibly be utilized there.

Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

It is a valuable pasture grass on account of its early and rapid growth, and of its.
being greatly relished by stock of all kinds. The stems and leaves are too few
and light to make it so desirable as a field crop. It thrives best on a rich, moist,
strong soil, and shoots up its flowering stalks so much earlier than timothy, that it
need not be mistaken for that grass, though at first sight it considerably resembles it.
It is superior to timothy as a permanent pasture grass, enduring the cropping of sheep
and cattle better, and sending up a far more luxuriant aftermath. It is justly re-
garded, therefore, as one of the most valuable of the native pasture grasses of England
forming there a very considerable-portion of the sward and enduring a great amount
of forcing and irrigation. Though forming a close and permanent sod when fully set,
it does not acquire its full perfection and hold of the soil until three or four years
after being sown.

(Plate 34.)

ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS. (Water Fox tail.)

This species, especially the variety aristulatus, is native to this coun-
try. It is commonly found on the muddy banks of streams and lakes,
and sometimes is found in wet meadows and ditches. It seldom grows
more than a foot in height; the stem is usually bent at the lower joints,
and the sheaths of the leaves are more or less swollen, especially the
upper one. It is of no value for cultivation, being only useful for the
amount of grass it may contribute to the wild. forage where it grows.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 57

ALOPECURUS ALPINUS.
A species resembling the Alopecurus pratensis grows in alpine mead-
ows in the Rocky Mountains.

ARISTIDA.

This is a genus of grasses of which many species are found in tle
United States, Mexico, and South America. They are principally an-
nual grasses and are of little value, unworthy of cultivation, but in
some regions, particularly the arid Western plains, they furnish a por-
tion of the wild forage.

ARISTIDA PURPURASCENS. (Beard grass, Three-awned grass.)

This species grows in many of the States east of the Mississippi River,

usually in poor, sandy, or clay soil, in thin woods or barren fields. It

- grows usually about 2 feet high, with a slender, smooth culm, narrow

leaves, which are inclined to be involute when dry, and with a narrow,
loose, spike-like panicle a foot or more long, which usually gracefully
droops or bends. The branches are short, appressed, mostly single at
the joints of the axis, and each haviug seldom more than two or three
spikelets. The spikelets are single-flowered, the outer glumes are nar-
rowly linear; four or five lines long, the lower one slightly the longer,
both usually sharply pointed. These glumes inelose the flower, which
consists of a slender, almost cylindrical flowering glume about three lines
long, having a short-pointed, hairy base, and along, three-bearded apex.
This glume enrolls the narrow, thin palet and the floral organs. The
awns or beards are widely spreading, the middle one about an inch long,
the two lateral ones somewhat shorter. (Plate 35.)

ARISTIDA PURPUREA. (Western Beard grass. Purple Three-awned
grass.)

This species prevails extensively west of the Mississippi River, from
British America to Mexico, and is abundant on the plains of Kansas,
New Mexico, and Texas. It grows usually 1 to 14 feet high, with
slender culms, branching at the base, and with short, involute leaves.
It is an exceedingly variable species, or there are several distinet va-
rieties. The panicle is 6 to 8 inches long, rather narrow, erect, or flex-
uous. The spikelets are much like those of the preceding species, but
usually larger and with longer awns or beards. In some varieties these
awns are 2 or 3 inches long, widely diverging, and purplish colored, the
whole panicle having a graceful and feathery appearance.

Like the other species, this is an inferior grass, but furnishes a con-
siderable amount of wild forage. (Plate 36.)

ARISIIDA BROMOIDES.

A small, apparently annual, grass, growing in New Mexico, Arizona,
and Southern California. It grows in tufts, the culms from 6 to 12
inches high, slender, erect, and generally unbranched. The spikelets
are seven to eight lines long, including the awn. (Plate 37.)

58 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Stipa. (Feather grass, Beard grass.)

A genus mostly of coarse, rigid grasses, chiefly Western, in structure
and habit resembling the preceding genus. It differs in having the
spikelets usually longer and the flowering glume pags a single undi-
vided awn or beard.

STIPA VIRIDULA. (Bunch grass.)

A perennial grass, culms 2 to 4 feet high, leafy ; the radical leaves 12 to
18 inches long, those of the stem 4 to 10 inches long, one to two lines
wide, involute, and bristle-like at the point; sheaths lorg, smooth, the
uppermost inclosing the base of the panicle; panicle very variable in
size, from 6 inches to a foot or more, narrow and loose, variable in thick-
ness, the branches mostly in twos or threes, erect and appressed, much
subdivided; spikelets, one-flowered on short pedicels; outer glumes
four to six lines long, bristle-pointed, nearly equal, lanceolate, three to
five nerved, thin ; flowering giume three to four lines long, cylindrical,
covered with short, scattered hairs, which are longer at the minutely
two-toothed apex, which is terminated by a slender awn 1 to 135 inches
long, once or twice bent, twisted and sparsely pubescent below, scabrous
above. The palet is narrow and shorter than its glume, by which the
floral organs and it are involved. Widely diffused over the Rocky
Mountain region, extending to California, Oregon, and British Amer-
ica, furnishing a considerable part of the wild forage of the region.
(Plate 38.)

STIPA SETIGERA. (Bear-grass, Bunch grass.)

A perennial grass, growing in bunches on dry hills and plains from
Oregon to Southern California and eastward to Arizona aud Texas.
The culms are 2 to 3 feet high, erect, somewhat pubescent at the joints,
with about three leaves. The sheaths are long and somewhat scabrous,
the upper one loose and inclosing the base of the panicle; the blade flat,
two or three lines wide, 4 to 6 inches long, roughish and long.pointed ;
the upper one nearly as long as the panicle, which is about 6 inches
long, loose, the rays mostly in pairs, rather distant, slender, bearing
near the extremity the few spikelets on short pedicels. Spikelets one-
flowered, the outer glumes one-half to two-thirds of an inch long, the
upper one rather shorter, narrow, acute, purplish and three-nerved.
The flowering glume is nearly cylyndrical, four to five lines long, spar-
ingly hairy above, with a short, stiff point at the base called a callus,
and a hardened ring at the apex, to which is attached the slender, twisted
awn, 2 to 3 inches long, the. lower part of which is softly pubescent.
Professor Brewer says this is the most common and most valuable
‘‘bunch grass” of the hills of California. (Plate 3)).)

STIPA EMINENS. (Feather grass, Beard grass.)
A very common species in California on dry hills, growing in rather
small tufts with numerous short and narrow root-leaves. It is a per-

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 59

ennial, growing usually 2 to 3 feet high, with rather slender culms, and
slightly hairy joints. The leaves are very narrow and convolute, rather
rough and rigid, the lower ones about half the length of theculm. The
panicle is rather narrow, but open and loose, usually about 6 inches
long, at first sheathed by the upper leaf, but becoming exerted; the
branches are slender, in pairs, and flower-bearing above the middle.
The spikelets, as in the preceding, are single-flowered, the outer glumes
about half an inch long, very narrow, three-nerved, and long, !fine-pointed.
The flowering glume is very similar to that of the preceding, rather
shorter and smaller, with a ring of very short hairs at the apex, and
with an awn about an inch long, which readily separates from its glume.
(Plate 40.) |

Stipa spartea and Stipe comata are two species, also called bunch
grasses, which prevail from British America southward, on the plains
and in the mountain region, very similar in general appearance to the
preceding, but usually with longer awns, sometimes 6 inches long.

Mr. Robert Miller Christy, writes about these grasses in Manitoba,
where they are common, that there is much complaint concerning them
among stockmen on account of the injury they do to sheep by the pene-
tration into their wool, and even into the flesh, of the sharp-pointed and
barbed awns of the seeds.

Stipa avenacea is the only species prevailing in the Eastern and South-
ern States. It is more slender than those previously mentioned, and
grows sparsely in open woods or on rocky hills. Itis of no agricultural
importance. |

ERIOCOMA CUSPIDATA. (Bunch grass.)

This grass has a wide distribution, not only on the Sierras of Cali-
fornia, but northward to British America, and eastward through all the
interior region of Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and
Nebraska to the Missouri River. It is a perennial, growing in dense
tufts, whence its common name of bunch grass. The culms are 1 to 2
feet high, with about three narrow. convolute leaves, the upper one
having a long, inflated sheath which incloses the base of the panicle.
The radical leaves are narrow, rigid, and as long as or longer than the
culm. The panicle is about 6 inches long, very loose, spreading, and
flexuous. The branches are in pairs, slender, rather distant, and
‘are subdivided mostly in pairs. The spikelets are at the ends of the
capillary branches, each one flowered. The outer glumes are three to
four lines long, inflated and widened below, gradually drawn to a sharp-
pointed apex, thin and colorless except the three or five green nerves,
and slightly hairy. The glumes inclose an ovate flower, which is cov-
_ ered externally with a profusion of white, silky hairs, and tipped with
a Short awn, which falls off at maturity. This apparent flower is the
flowering glume of a hard, coriaceous texture, and incloses a similar
hard, but not hairy, and smaller palet. (Plate 41.)

60 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

MILIUM EFFUSUM. (Wild millet.)

A perennial, rather slender, grass. 4 or 5 feet high, growing in damp
woods in the northern portions of the United States and in Canada. It
is also found in Northern Europe and in Russian Asia. There are four to
five joints to the culm, each provided with a leaf which is broad and flat,
6 to 12 inches long, and half an inch wide, smooth above and roughish
below. The sheaths are long and smooth. The panicle is loose and
spreading, 6 to 10 inches long, the slender branches mostly in fives, of
unequal length, the longer ones 2 to 3 inches, and flowering near the
extremities. The whorls are from 1 to 2 ncn apart. The spikelets
are sing le-flowered, consisting of a pair of thin, concave, smoothish,
empty glumes, one to one and one-half lines long, rather exceeding the
flowering glume, which is thick and hard, very smooth and shining, and
inclosing the palet which is of similar texture. ‘The flowers are in
structure similar to those of Panicum, to which this grass is closely re-
lated.

Hon. J. 8S. Gould, in the Report of the New York State Beenie
Society, says pene this grass:

* Mountain meadows and borders of streams and cold woods. It thrives when trans-
planted to open and exposed situations. It is one of the most beautiful of the grasses ;
the panicle is often a foot long, and the branchesare so exceedingly delicate that the :
small glossy spikelets seem to be suspended in the air. Birds are very fond of the
seed. Mr. Colman says that he has raised 3 tons to the acre of as good nutritious
hay as could be grown from it, when sown in May. The plants multiply by the roots

as well as by the seed, sending out horizontal shoots of considerable length, which
root at the joint as they extend.

(Plate 42.)

MUHLENBERGIA. (Drop-seed grass.)

There are many species of this genus, mostly perennials. It is char-
acterized as having small, one-flowered spikelets, generally in open pan-
icles. The outer glumes are variable in size in different species, in
some minute, in others nearly as large as the flowering glume, some-
times bristle-pointed, sometimes very blunt, and sometimes toothed at
the apex. The flowering glume is longer than the outer glumes, with
a short more or less hairy callus at the base, three to five nerved, thin-
nish or rigid mucronate pointed, or commonly with a long capillary awn
from the apex; the palet as long as the flowering awn and cf sim-
ilar texture. Lig: f

MUHLENBERGIA DIFFUSA. (Nimble will, Drop seed, Wire grass.)

This species is perennial, low with much-branched, decumbent stems
and slender panicles of flowers. The outer glumes are very minute, so
small as to be scarcely visible to the naked eye, transparent and obtuse ;
the flowering glume little more than a line long, tipped with a fine awn
or beard once or twice-its own length.

*

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 61

Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, says:

It is hardly more than necessary to mention this grass, which forms in many sec-
tions the bulk of the pasturesof the woods. It does not grow in fields, but in woods,
where, after rains have set in, it carpets the earth with living green. Various opin-
ions are entertained as to its nutritive qualities. Some farmers assert that their stock
are fond of it, and that on sufficient range cattle, horses, and sheep will go into the
winter sleek and — from this vigorous grass. Others regard it as well nigh worth-
less.

According to the analysis of the chemist of this Department it has a
very good amount of nutritive properties. It is considered by some
that itis a good butter-producer and gives a good flavor to butter. In
cultivation, no doubt, its place can be supplied with much more pro-
ductive grasses. (Plate 43.)

MUHLENBERGIA MEXICANA. (Ww ood grass.)

A perennial grass of decumbent habit, 2 to 3 feet et very much
branched, from scaly creeping root-stocks. The culm has numerous short
joints, which frequently are bent and rooting near the base, and sending
out many long, slender, leafy lateral branches. From these branches and
from the apex of the culm arise the flowering panicles, which are some-

-times partially included in the leaf sheaths. The leaves are 3 to 4

inches long and two to three lines wide, gradually pointed. The pani-
cles are narrow, usually 2 to 3 inches long, and composed of five to ten
spike like branches, closely Bp earaicd or distant and interrupted
below. The spikelets are single-flowered ; the outer glumes are ab-
ruptly sharp-pointed and nearly as long as the flowering glume, which
is narrow, strongly three-nerved, and acute, with usually a few soft
hairs at the base and on the nerves. The palet is of equal length with
its glume, which is also acute, but not bristle-pointed.

This grass is frequently found in moist woods and low meadows or
in prairie bogs. It probably would not endure upland culture, but in

its native situations it fills an important part among ee grasses.
(Plate 44.)

MUHLENBERGIA SYLVATICA. (Wood grass.)

This species in habit and appearance is very much like that of the
preceding. The panicle is looser, the spikelets not so densely clustered,
and the flowering glume bears an awn two or three times as long as
itself. The outer glumes are generally bristle-pointed, but they vary
much in this respect, in some forms being only acute. It inhabits drier
situations than the M. Mexican, being found in dry, open, or rocky
woods and fence-corners. In agricultural value it corresponds with
that species. (Plate 45.) ,

MUHLENBERGIA GLOMERATA. (Spiked Mublenbergia.)
This grass grows in wet, swampy grounds, chiefly in the northern

and western portions of the United States. It is found in Colorado,

62 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. It grows to the height of 2 or3
feet, stiffly erect, and generally unbranched. The culm is hard, some- —
what compressed, and very leafy. The panicle is narrow, 2 to 4 inches |
long, composed of numerous close clusters of flowers, becoming looser
below, forming an interrupted glomerate spike. The spikelets are
closely sessile in the clusters. The outer glumes are linear-lanceolate,
gradually tapering into an awn or bristle of equal length. The flower-
ing glume is one-third to one-half shorter than the outer glumes and
very acute. The root-stock is hard and knotty and furnished with nu-
merous short, firm shoots or stolons. In the Eastern States it is util-
ized as one of the vative products of wet meadows in the making of
what is called wild hay. Specimens have been sent from Colorado and
Kansas and recommended as an excellent grass for hay. (Plate 46.)

MUHLENBERGIA COMATA. (Wooly-seeded Muhlenbergia.)

This species is closely related to the preceding. It grows throughout
the Rocky Mountain region in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Ne-
vada, and California, usually on the sandy or alluvial banks of streams.
It grows in tufts from firm, creeping root-stocks. There is reason to
think it may be a valuable grass for arid regions. The culms are erect,
sinple, 2 to 3 feet high, leafy below, the leaves 3 to 6 inches long and
roughish, the upper one at first inclosing the base of the panicle, the joint
slightly pubescent. The panicle is 2 to 4inches long, narrow, and close, —
sometimes interrupted below, generally of a purplish lead color and of
soft texture. The spikelets are nearly sessile, the outer glumes very
narrow, acute, nearly equal, one-nerved, one and one-half to two lines
long. The flowering glume is rather shorter, and surrounded at the
base by a copious tuft of long, silky hairs. It is also terminated by a.
slender awn three or four times as long as the flower. The palet is
slightly shorter than its glume and acute., (Plate 47.)
MUHLENBERGIA GRACILIS. (Graceful Muhlenbergia.)

A perennial grass growing in tufts or loose patches from a creeping
root-stock, much branched at the base. The culms are erect, much
branched, slender, and wiry, 1 to 14 feet high; the leaves mostly radi-
cal, involute, and bristle-like, 2 to 6 inches long, scabrous on the edges.
The panicle is erect or somewhat nodding, 3 to 6 inches long, narrow,
very loose, the branches erect, rather distant, and mostly single. The
spikelets are on short pedicels; the outer glumes unequal, the lower
one ending abruptly in a slender point, the upper one three-nerved and
three-toothed, the teeth usually prolonged into short awns; the flower-
ing glume is somewhat cylindrical, taper-pointed, and with a straight
awn about half an inch long; palet as long as its glume without the
awn.

This species, of which there are several varieties, inhabits the arid
regions of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. It is too small to be
of much econowic importance. (Plate 48.) |

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 63

PHELUM PRATENSE. (Timothy, Herd’s grass.)

This is one of the commonest and best-known grasses. For a hay
crop it is, perhaps, the most valuable, especially in the Northern States.
The heighth of the grass depends on the soil and cultivation. In poor
ground it may be reduced to 1 foot, while in good soil and with good
culture it readily attains 3 feet, and occasionally has been found twice
that height. It is a perennial grass with fibrous roots. The base of the
culm is sometimes thickened and inclined to be bulbous. The culm is
erect and firm, with four or five leaves, which are erect and usually
from 4 to 6 inches long. The flower spike varies from 2 to 6 inches in
length, is cylindrical and very densely flowered. The spikelets are
sessile, single flowered, and cylindrical or oblong in outline. The outer
glumes are rather wedge-form. with a mucronate point or short bristle.
The main nerve on the back is fringed with a few short hairs. The
flowering glume is shorter than the outer ones and thinner, five-nerved,
-and toothed at the apex. The palet is thinner in texture and much
narrower.

This grass, as known in cultivation, is-supposed to have been intro-
duced from Europe, but it is undoubtedly indigenous in the mountain
regions of New England, New York, and the Rocky Mountains. It is
said that about the year 1711 a Mr. Herd found this grass in a swamp
in New Hampshire and cultivated it. From him it took the name of
Herd’s grass. About the year 1720 it was brought to Maryland by
Timothy Hanson and received the name of Timothy grass. Itis now
the favorite and prevailing meadow grass over a large part of the
eountry.

Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

As a crop to cut for hay it is probably unsurpassed by any other grass now culti-
vated. Though somewhat coarse and hard, especially if allowed to ripen its seed,
yet if cut in the blossom or directly after, it is greatly relished by all kinds of stock
and especially so by horses, while it possesses a large percentage of nutritive matter
in comparison with other agricultural grasses. It is often sown with clover, but the
‘best practical farmers are beginning to discontinue this custom on account of the dif-
ferent times of blossoming of the two crops. It grows very readily and yields very
large crops on favorable soils. It yields a large quantity of seed to the acre, vary-
ing from 10 to 30 bushels on rich soils.

(Plate 49.)

SPOROBOLUS INDICUS. (Smut grass.)

This grass is a native of India, but has spread over most tropical and
warm climates. It occurs more or less abundantly in all the Southern
States, and is called smut grass, from the fact that after flowering the
heads become affected with a black smut. It grows in tufts or loose
patches, is erect, from 14 to 3 feet high, with an abundance of long,
flat, fine pointed leaves near the base, and a narrow, terminal panicle
frequently a foot in length, composed of short, erect, sessile branches,
which are very closely flowered. The spikelets are narrow, less than a

64 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE-UNITED STATES.

line long; the outer glumes unequal, thin, and nerveless, the upper one
about half as long as the flower, the lower one, still shorter, obtuse or
truncate; the flowering glume and palet are of nearly equal length,
membranaceous, lead-colorved, smooth; the glume acute; the palet
obtuse. |

Professor Phares says

It grows abundantly and luxuriously on many uncultivated fields and commons,
and furnishes grazing from April till frost. It thrives under much grazing and many
mowings, aud grows promptly after each if the soil be moist enough. Cattle and
horses are fond of it if frequently cut or grazed down, butif allowed to remain un-
touched long they will not. eat it unless very hungry, as it becomes tough and unpal-
atable and probably difficult to digest.

Professor Killebrew also speaks favorably of it and recommends it
for trial under cultivation. (Plate 50.)

SPOROBOLUS CRYPTANDRUS.

This species grows chiefly in sandy soil. It is stouter than the pre-
_ ceding, growing in loose tufts; the culms frequently bent at the lower
joints, then rising erect to the height of 2or3 feet. Theleaves are mostly
near the base, where the joints of the culms are short;, here the sheaths are
short and the blades of the leaves 5 to 6 inches long; the upper sheaths.
become longer and the blades shorter; the leaves are flat, but become |
involute in dry weather. The top of the sheath is fringed with fine ~
soft hairs. The long and narrow panicle is for a long time completely
inclosed in the very long sheath of the upper leaf, but finally emerges
except the base and becomes more or less spreading. The full panicle
is from 6 to 12 inches long, the branches mostly alternate or scattered,
the lower ones about 1 inch apart and 2 inches long, the upper ones —
much closer and shorter, all flowering nearly to their bases with the
spikelets short stalked and appressed.

This species is very common in sandy fields in ‘the Northern and
Southern States, as well as over all the dry plains west of the Missis-
sippi River, extending from British America to Mexico, where it fur-
nishes a portion of the wild pasturage. It deserves observation and
experiment as to its value. (Plate 51.)

SPOROBOLUS HETEROLEPIS. _

This species grows in dense, firmly-rooted tufts, principally west of the
Mississippi River, from British America to Texas. Tie culmsare 14 to
3 feet high, erect, smooth. The radical leaves are very long and nar-
row; those of the culm, 3 or 4, with long sheaths and blades, becoming
involute when dry. The panicle is from 3 to 8 inches long, rather nar-
row and loose; the branches, two to three together, slender, and with
few rather distant flowers. The spikelets are one-flowered, sessile or
nearly sessile, on the slender branches; they are about two lines long,
unequal, acutely long-pointed, the lower one a little shorter and the
upper a little longer than the flower. The flowering glumes and palet

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 65

are of about equal length and texture; the seed is perfectly round,
smooth and shining, thick and coriaceous.

A writer on the grasses of the Rocky Mountains and plains in the
Agricultural Report for 1870 says:

This species may be identified from its long, slender leaves, growing abundantly
from the base of the plant, gracefully curving and frequently resting their tips on the
ground; from its tendency to grow branches or stools, and when in fruit, from its
-small panicle of sharp-pointed spikelets and its round seeds. These when bruised emit
a strong, heavy oder, which has been compared to that of Eragrostis megastachya when
erushed in the hands; but to most olfactories it is much less offensive, and to some not
at ail disagreeable. It attains to the average height of about 24 feet in fruit, but in
dry seasons large tracts almost exclusively composed of this species are without a
- single fruiting plant. It'is sometimes cultivated for hay, in the absence of the more
productive species, and makes an article of fine quality.

SPOROBOLUS AIROIDES. (Salt grass.)

Culms arising from strong perennial creeping root-stalks, 2 to 3 feet
high, thickened at the base and clothed with numerous long, rigid, gen-
erally involute, long-pointed leaves, which are smooth and bearded in
the throat of the sheath, panicle becoming exerted and diffuse, 6 to 12
inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide ; the branches capillary, scattered, mostly
single, or in whorls below, the branches subdivided above the middle
and rather sparsely flowered.

The spikelets are one-flowered, purplish, on short slender pedicels.
_ The outer glumes are unequal, thin, nerveless, or obscurely nerved, ob-
long, the lower half as long as the upper, the upper one rather shorter
than the flowering glume, which is about one line long, oblong, obtus-
ish or minutely dentate at the apex; palet about equal to its glume;
bidentate.

A common grass throughout the arid regions of the West, sometimes
called salt grass, and affording considerable pasturage in some places.
(Plate 52.) ; ,

AGROSTIS. (Bent grass.)

This genus has many species all characterized by having one-flowered.
spikelets; the outer glumes acute, one-nerved, and awnless, nearly equal,
_or the lower rather longer, and longer than the flowering glume, which
is very thin, three to five nerved, awnless or awned on the back; palet
shorter than the flowering glume, frequently reduced toa small scale or
absent.

AGROSTIS VULGARIS. (Red top, Fine top, Herd’s grass of Pennsyl-
vania Borden’s grass, Bent grass.)

A perennial grass, growing 2 or 3 feet high from creeping root-stocks,
which interlace so as to make a very firm sod ; the culms are upright, or
sometimes decumbent at the base, smooth, round, rather slender, and
clothed with four or five leaves, which are flat, narrow, and roughish,
from 3 to 6 inches long, with smooth sheaths, and generally truncate

2218 GR——5

66 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

ligules. The panicle is oblong in outline, 4 to 6 inches long, open, com-
posed of eight or ten joints or whorls, the lower branches mostly in
fives, slender, unequal, the longer ones much subdivided. The spike-
lets are about a line long, varying from greenish to purple. The outer
glumes are lanceolate and pointed, nearly alike in size, smooth, except
the more or less roughened keel. The flowering glume is but little
shorter than the outer ones, thin and delicate, and occasionally with a
minute awn on the keel.. The palet is narrow, and from half to three
fourths as long as its glume, and inclosing the floral organs. There are
several varieties of this grass, which are by some botanists considered
a distinct species.

Agrostis alba, the Fiorin grass of Ireland, and Agrostis stolonifera are
usually considered synonymous, and are distinguished from A. vulgaris
by having a closer, more verticillated panicle, and with longer and more
acute ligules.

Mr. J. G. Gould says of Agrostis vulgaris:

This is a favorite grass in wet, swampy meadows, where its interlacing, thick roots
consolidate the sward, making a firm matting which prevents the feet of cattle from
poaching. It is generally considered a valuable grass in this country. though by no
means the best one. Cattle eat hay made from it with a relish, especially when

mixed with other grasses. As a pasture grass it is much valued by dairymen, and in
their opinion the butter would suffer much by its removal.

Professor Phares, of Louisiana, says respecting this grass:

It grows well on hill tops and sides, in ditches, gullies, and marshes, but delights
in moist bottom land. It is not injured by overflows, though somewhat prolonged.
It furnishes considerable grazing during warm spells in winter, and in spring and
summer an abundant supply of nutrition. Cut before maturing seed, it makes good
hay and a large quantity. It seems to grow taller in the Southern States than it does
farther north, and to make more and better hay and grazing.

Mr. Flint says:

It is a good permanent grass, standing our climate as well as any other, and con-
sequently well suited to our pastures, in which it should be fed close; for if allowed
to grow up to seed the cattle refuse it; and this seems to show that it is not so much
relished by stock as some of the other pasture grasses.

(Plate 53.)

AGROSTIS EXARATA. (Northern Red top, Mountain Red top.)

This is chiefiy a northern species, being found in Wisconsin and west-
ward to the Rocky Mountains, also in British America, and California
to Alaska. It is very variable in appearance, and presents several
varieties. It is generally more slender in growth than the common red
top. The panicle is usually longer, narrower, and looser. In all the
forms the palet is wanting or is very minute. The form chiefly growing
on the Pacific slope from California to Alaska is often more robust than
the A. vulgaris, growing 2 to 3 feet high, with a stout, firm culm, clothed
with three or four broadish leaves, 4 to 6 inches long. The panicle is
4 to 6 inches long, pale green, rather loose, but with erect branches.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 67

The outer glumes are of about equal length, accuminate, rough on the
keel. The flowering glume is one-third shorter than the outer ones,
rather acute, four-nerved, the nerves extended into short points or teeth,
and rarely with a very short awn on the back. The palet if present is
very minute, scarcely as long as the ovary.

There is reason to believe that this grass can be made to supply the
same valuable place on the Pacific coast that the A. vulgaris does at
the Hast, but it requires investigation and experiment. (Plates 54
and 54a.) ;

AGROSTIS MICROPSYLLA.

This is a species belonging to the western coast and the adjacent
mountains. It is apparently an annual or biennial, frequently with
several culms springing from one root. The radical leaves are few and
short. The culms are erect, stiff, 15 to 3 feet high, with four or five rough
and rather rigid leaves 3 to 6 inches long, two or three lines wide, and
gradually pointed. The sheaths are long and roughish. The pan-
icle is 3 to 5 inches long, erect, spikelike, narrow, and densely flowered,
sometimes interrupted below. The spikelets are densely crowded on
the short, almost sessile, branches. The outer glumes are slightly un-
equal, rather more than a line in length; awn pointed, narrowly lanceo-
late, scabrous or hispid on the keel. The flowering glume is about half
as long as the outer glumes, thin, acute, two-toothed at the summit, and
- on the back, about one-third below the apex, furnished with a slender
awn three times its own length, which is readily seen projecting beyond
the outer glumes. There is no proper palet or only a microscopic one.
This grass deserves the attention of those who live in its habitat. It
may prove a useful species. (Plate 55.)

AGROSTIS CANINA. .(Dog’s Bent Grass, Mountain Red top.)

A grass usually of low size, 6 to 12 inches high, with slender culms,
and a light, flexible, expanded panicle, growing in elevated regions or
in high latitudes, and with a perplexing variety of forms. The radical
leaves are numerous, but short and narrow. Theculm has two or three
fine short leaves, 1 or 2 inches long, the ligule acute, short but con-
‘Spicuous. The panicle is pyramidal in form, 3 or 4 inches long, of few
. capillary branches, which are in pairs, horizoutal in flower, more erect
and close in fruit, dividing near the extremities into a few sparsely flow-
ered branchlets. The spikelets are on short, fine pedicels; the outer
glumes nearly equal, ovate and acute, one to one-half line long; the
flowering glume is about a quarter shorter than the outer ones, thin,
smooth, obtuse, and bearing on the back, about the middle, a fine,
Straight awn about two lines long; the palet is so minute as to be hardly
visible to the naked eye.

There are several varieties of this grass growing in mountainous re-
gions throughout the United States and in Europe. It forms a close
sod, and affords considerable pasturage in those regions. (Plate 56.)

68 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS. (Beard grass.)

An annual grass frequent in California, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, and
Utah, and sometimes found on the Atlantic coast. It is a native of
Europe. The culms are from 6 inches to 2 feet high, rather stout, apt
to be procumbent at the base, and often branching below. There are
usually three or four leaves on the culm, which are broad, flat, 3 to 6
inches long, and somewhat rough; the sheaths are rather loose and
striate, and the ligule long and obtuse. The panicle varies from 1 to 4
inches in length, contracted into a dense cylindrical spike, of a shining,
yellowish-green color, the long awns or beards of the flowers being very
conspicuous. The spikelets are one-flowered, about one line long. The
outer glumes are nearly equal, one-nerved pubescent, notched at the
apex, the midnerve extended into a slender awn or beard from two to
four times as long as the glume. The flowering glume is about half as
long as the outer ones, thin, toothed at the apex, and usually having a
fine awn about one line long; the palet is smaller, thin, delicate, and
without an awn. , It is quite an ornamental grass, but of little agricult-
ural value. (Plate 57.) .

CINNA ARUNDINACEA. (Wood Reed grass.)

A perennial grass, with erect, simple culms from 3 to 6 feet high, with-
a creeping rhizoma; growing in Swamps and moist, shaded woods in the
northern or mountainous districts. The leaves are broadly linear-lan-
ceolate, about 1 foot long, four to six lines wide, and with a conspicuous
elongated ligule. The panicle is from 6 to 12 inches long, rather loose
and open in the flower, afterwards more close. The branches are four
or five together below, about 2 inches long, above in twos or threes and
shorter. The spikelets are one-flowered, much flattened, rather crowded »
on the branches, frequently purple colored. The glumes are linear-lan-
ceolate, roughish, acute, and strongly keeled, mostly three-nerved, firm
in texture, about two lines long, the lower rather the shorter. The flower
is short-stalked within the glumes; the flowering glume is as long as_
the outer ones, and of the same texture, rather scabrous and three-
nerved, and usually with a very short awn near the apex. The palet
is rather shorter than its glume, thin and membranaceous, except on
the green somewhat rough nerve. This is one of the very rare cases in
which the true palet has only a simple nerve, probably, Mr. Bentham
says, by the consolidation of two. There is but one stamen.

This leafy-stemmed grass furnishes a large quantity of fodder, but
experiments are wanting to determine its availability under cultiva-
tion. (Plate 58.)

There is another species, Cinna pendula, which is more slender, with
a looser drooping panicle and more capillary branches, and with thinner
glumes. It occurs in the same situations as the preceding, and is more
common in the Rocky Mountains and Oregon.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 69

DEYEUXIA (CALAMAGROSTIS.)

This genus is characterized by having one-flowered spikelets, with the
addition at the base of the flowering glume of a small hairy appendage or
pedicel, which is considered to be the rudiment of a second flower. In
addition to this the flower is also generally surrounded at the base with
a ring of soft hairs, and the flowering glume usually bears an awn on
its back, which is generally bent and twisted. Our species have been
until recently included in the genus Calamagrostis, which is principally
a very similar Huropean genus.

DEYEUXIA (CALAMAGROSTIS) CANADENSIS. (Blue Joint, Small Reed
grass.)

A stout, erect, tall perennial grass, growing chiefly in wet, boggy
ground or in low, moist meadows. Its favorite situation is in cool, ele-
vated regions. It prevails in all the northern portions of the United
States, in the Rocky Mountains, and in British America. In those dis-
tricts it is one of the best and most productive of the indigenous grasses.
It varies much in luxuriance of foliage and size of panicle, according
to the location. The culms are from 3 to 5 feet high, stout and hollow,
hence in some places if is called the small reed-grass. The leaves are
a foot or more long, flat, from a quarter to nearly half an inch wide,
and roughish ; the stem and sheaths smooth.

The panicle is oblong in outline, open, and somewhat spreading, es-

pecially during flowering; it is from 4 to 6 or even 8 inches in length,
and 2 or 3 inches in diameter, of a purplish color; the branches are
mostly in fives at intervals of an inch or less. These branches vary in
length from 1 to 3 inches, the long ones flowering only toward the ex-
tremity. The spikelets are short-stalked, the outer glumes about one ©
and one-half lines long, lanceolate and acute; the silky white hairs at
the base of the flowering glume, are about as long as the glume; those
on the sterile pedicel also nearly as long. The flowering glume is thin
and delicate, about as long as the outer glumes, and somewhat finely
toothed at the apex, three to five nerved, and bearing on the back, be-
low the middle, a delicate awn, reaching about to the point of the glume,

and not much stouter than the hairs. The proper palet is thin, oblong,
and about two-thirds the length of its glume.

Mr. J. S. Gould says:

It constitutes about one-third of the natural grasses on the Beaver Dam Meadows
of the Adirondacks. It is certain that cattle relish it very much, both in its green
state and when made into hay, and it is equally certain that the farmers who have
it on their farms believe it to be one of the best grasses of their meadows.

(Plate 59.)

DEYEUXIA SYLVATICA. (Bunch grass.)

A coarse perennial grass, growing in large tufts, usually in sandy
ground in the Rocky Mountains at various altitudes, aiso in California,

70 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Oregon, and British America. It furnishes an abundant coarse forage
in the regions where it is found. The culms are from 1 to 2 feet high,
erect, rigid, and leafy ; the radicle leaves are frequently as long as the
culm, two or three lines wide, sometimes flat, but generally involute
and rigid. The culm leaves are from 3 to 6 or 8 inches long, rigid and
rough. The panicle is narrow and spike-like, 3 to 5 inches long, erect,
rather dense, sometimes interrupted below, and varying from pale green
to purple. The branches are mostly in fives, very short and rough.
The spikelets are about a quarter of an inch long, on short, rough pedi-
cels; the outer glumes are nearly equal, ovate-lanceolate, long and sharp
pointed, the upper one three-nerved, the lower one-nerved. The flower-
_ ing glume is about one-third shorter, of similar texture, three-nerved,
four-toothed at the apex, and bearing on the back a twisted and bent
awn longer than the'glume. The hairs at the base are scanty and short,
those of the rudiment about balfas long as the flower. The palet is
about half as long as its glume, thin, two-nerved, and two-toothed at
the apex. (Plate 60.)

DEYEUXIA HOWELLII. (Howell's grass.)

Culms densely tufted, 1 to 2 feet high, erect or somewhat geniculate
below, smooth; radical leaves numerous, as long as the culm, firm, but
not rigid, inclined to be involute, the ligule conspicuous. about one and -
one-half lines long, scarious; culm with three or four leaves which are
4 to 6 inches long, the upper one nearly equaling the culm. Panicle
pyramidal, loose and spreading, 3 to 4 inches long, the branches mostly
in fives, the lower ones 1 to 14 inches long, numerously flowered above
the middle. Spikelets pale green or tinged with purple, outer glumes
lanceolate, acute, two and one-half to three lines long, nearly equal,
membranaceous, the upper three-nerved, the lower one-nerved ; flower-
ing glume slightly shorter than the outer ones, lanceolate, acute, three
to five nerved, the apex bifid, usually with four mucronate points, a
conspicuous strong awn one-half inch long, inserted on the back about
the lower third, a tuft of short hairs, and a hairy pedicel about half as
long as the floret; palet nearly as long as its glume, thin, acute, and
two-toothed at the apex.

This grass has recently been discovered in Oregon by Mr. T. J. Howell,
and also in Washington Territory by Mr. W. N. Suksdorf. From its
habit of growth and the great abundance of foliage, it gives promise
of being a valuable grass for cultivation. (Plate 61.)

AMMOPHILA.
This genus differs very little from Deyeuxia, but chiefly in the absence
of the awn on the back of the flowering glume.

AMMOPHILA ARUNDINACEA. (Sea-sand reed, Beach grass,.Mat grass.)

This is the Calamagrostis arenaria of the olden books. The entire
plant is of a whitish or pale-green color. It grows on sandy beaches

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 71

of the Atlantic at least as far south as North Carolina, and on the shores
of the Great Lakes, but has not so far been recorded from the Pacific
coast. Italso grows on the sea-coast of the British Isles and ot Europe,
It forms tufts of greater or less extent, ‘its long creeping roots ex-
tending sometimes to the extent of 40 feet, and bearing tubers the size
of a pea, interlaced with death-like tenacity of grasp, and form a net-
work beneath the sand which resists the most vehement assaults of
the ocean waves.” The culms are from 2 to3 feet high, rigid and solid ;
the leaves long, involute, smooth, rigid, and slender-pointed; the pan-
icle dense, 6 to 10 inches long, close and spike-like; the spikelets are
about half an inch long, compressed, crowdea on the very short branch-
lets. The outer glumes are nearly equal, five to six lines long, com-
pressed, lanceolate, chartaceous, smooth excepton the thin keel; the flow-
ering glume is a little shorter, acute or slightly mucronate at the tip,
obscurely five-nerved; the palet about as long as its glume, two-keeled.
* The hairs at the base are rather scanty, and about one-third as long as
the flowering glume; tbe hairy pedicel is of about the same length.
This grass has no agricultural value, but from time immemorial its util-
ity in binding together the loose sands of the beach and restraining the
inroads of the ocean has been recognized and provided for in some
places by law. Mr. Flint, in his work on grasses, says that the town
and harbor of Provincetown, once called Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims
first landed, one of the largest and most important harbors in the United
States, sufficient in depth for ships of largest size, and in extent to anchor
three thousand vessels at once, owe their preservation to this grass.
The usual way of propagating the grass is by transplanting the roots.
_ The grass is pulled up by hand and placed in a hole about a foot deep
and the sand pressed around it by the foot. There are undoubtedly
many places on the sea-coast where this grass would be of inestimable
value in restraining the encroachment of the ocean. It would also be
useful in forming a dense turf for the protection of dikes and banks
subject to water-washing.

AMMOPHILA LONGIFOLIA.

This grass, formerly called Calamagrostis longifolia, has recently been
transferred by Mr. Bentham to genus Ammophila. It grows on the
sandy plains of the interior from British America to Arizona, and on the
borders of the Great Lakes. It has strong running root-stalks, like the
preceding, but is much taller, the culms being 3 to 6 feet high, stout
and reed-like; the leaves long, rigid, and becoming involute, with a long
thread-like point. The panicle is quite variable, from 4 to 16 inches long,
at first rather close, but becoming open and spreading, the branches in
the smaller forms being 2 or 3 inches long, and in the larger ones often
10 or 12 inches and widely spreading. The outer glumes are lanceolate,
unequal, smooth, and chartaceous, the upper one three to four lines long,
the lower about one-fourth shorter.

(2 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

The flowering glume and palet are of equal length and similar texture |
with the longest outer glume; the copious hairs at the base are more
than half as long as the flower. There is no sterile pedicel or rudiment.
This grass is too coarse to be of much agricultural value, but would be
useful for the same purposes as the preceding.

DESCHAMPSIA. (Aira of the books.)

This genus has two-flowered spikelets, the upper flower usually small-

er than the lower, generally in a loose panicle with slender branches.
The axis or stem connecting the two flowers is hairy, and is extended
into a hairy pedicel which rarely bears an empty glume or rudiment of
another flower. The outer glumes are keeled, rather thin, and with
scarious margins; the flowering glumes have a fine awn on the back
below the middle.

DESCHAMPSIA CASSPITOSA (aira cespitosa). (Hair grass.)

This is an exceedingly variable species, having a very wide distribu-
tion in this and other countries. It is somewhat rare east of the Mis-
sissippi, but on the elevated plains and in the Rocky Mountains, also
in California and Oregon, it is one of the common bunch grasses which
afford pasturage to cattle and horses. In the East it is found in the
hilly regions of New England and the Alleghanies.

The culms forin tussocks, are smooth, and grow from 2 to 4 feet high ;
the root leaves are very numerous, generally flat, narrow, and from 6
inches to a foot long; those of the culm about 2, and from 1 to 3 inches
long; the ligule is conspicuous and pointed. The panicle is generally
pyramidal, 4 to 6 or sometimes 10 inches long, the branches distant, 1
to 3 inches long; capillary and spreading, the lower ones in fives, those
above two or three together, or single, and are flower-bearing mostly
above the middle. The spikelets are smooth, on slender pedicels, and are
about two lines long. The empty glumes are membranaceous, purple,
or yellowish, nearly equal, the upper one a little the longer and about
as long as the flowers; the flowering glumes are oblong, toothed at the
obtuse apex, thin, scarious margined and delicately nerved; from the
back near the base proceeds a slender awn about as long as the glume.
The palets are similar in texture, narrow, two-nerved and two-toothed
at the apex.

The panicle is very handsome, presenting a purple or glossy hue and
a loose graceful appearance.

We know very little as to the value of this grass. It may be found
worthy of cultivation in the arid interior districts. (Plate 62.)

DESCHAMPSIA FLEXUOSA. (Wood hair grass.)

A perennial grass, growing in tufts on rocky hills or in sandy woods.
The culms are slender, 14 to 2 feet high, and smooth. The leaves are
mostly from the root, very numerous, very narrow, involute, and 6 to

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 73

12 inches long. The panicle is rather looser, and with longer, more
naked branches, and fewer flowers than the preceding species. The
branches are two to three together at the joints; the spikelets are of
about the same size, on longer pedicels, the awn of the flowering glume
about half longer, becoming bent and twisted. Sheep are fond of this
grass, and where they have access to it, gnaw it close to the ground.
It affords, however, but a small amount of feed, and is undeserving of
cultivation. 3

DESCHAMPSIA DANTHONIOIDES. (Aira danthonioides.)

A slender annual grass, common in Oregon and California, growing
in moist meadows, where, according to Mr. Bolander, it often forms a
large portion of the herbage.

From its slender culms and small leaves it cannot furnish a large bulk
of hay. The culms vary from 3 inches to a foot or 2 in height, some-
times bent and branching at the base. The leaves are 1 or 2 inches
long and very narrow; the upper sheaths are Very long. The panicle
is loose, very slender, erect, usually 2 to 5 inches long, the lower
branches in twos or threes, the upper ones in pairs or solitary, distant,
appressed, branching from below the middle, and two-flowered. The
spikelets are on slender pedicels. The outer glumes are about three
lines long, lanceolate, gradually sharp-pointed, three-nerved, and slightly
roughed on the keel. The two flowers are together, shorter than the
- outer glumes, being each about one line long, with a small tuft of silky
white hairs at the base. ‘The flowering glumes have a truncated apex
with four small teeth, and the awn, which is inserted on the back about
the middle, is three or four times as long as the glume, and usually more
or less twisted and bent. (Plate 63.)

HOLcuS LANATUS. (Velvet grass, Meadow Soft grass, Velvet Mes-
‘quite grass.)

A foreign grass, which has been introduced and has become tolerably
well established in many places. It is a perennial, with a stout, erect
culm, 2 to 3 feet high, the leaves, and especially the sheaths, densely
. Clothed with soft hairs feeling like velvet. The culm is leafy and the
sheaths loose; the upper ones longer than the blade, which is three to six
lines wide, 4 to 5 inches long, and rather abruptly pointed. The panicle
is open and spreading, rather oblong in outline, and 4 to 6 inches long.
The branches are mostly in twos or threes, much divided, and softly
pubescent. The spikelets are two-flowered, the lower one being the
larger and containing both stamens and pistils, the upper one small
and staminate only. The outer glumes are about two lines long, mem-
branaceous, boat-shaped, sparingly pubescent, and white, the upper one
broader and three nerved, the lower one-nerved, both much longer than
the flowers. The flowering glumes are smooth and shining, thicker

74 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

than the outer glumes, the lower flower awnless, the upper one with a
short, stout, bent, or hooked awn at the apex. .

This grass is not held in good repute as an agricultural grass in
Europe. In this country, especially at the South, it has frequently
been favorably spoken of. Professor Phares says:

It luxuriates in moist, peaty lands, but will grow on poor, sandy, or clay hill lands,
and produce remunerative crops where few other plants will make anything. It has
been cultivated in North Carolina on such land, and after cutting and allowed to grow
again, plowed under with so much advantage that other crops were subsequently
produced. Hon. H. W. L. Lewis, of Louisiana, has cultivated this grass many years
with great satisfaction. It is by no means the best of our grasses, but best for some
lands, and on such lands more profitable than other grasses. It seems to have been
greatly improved by acclimating in Texas and other Southern States, and this is
true of some of the other grasses and forage plants.

(Plate 64.)

TRISETUM.

This genus is charactérized as having the spikelets two to three and,
rarely, five flowered, the axis usually hairy, and at the base of the upper
flower extended into a bristle; the outer glumes unequal, acute, keeled,
membranaceous, with scarious margins; the flowering glumes of similar
texture keeled, acute, the apex two-toothed, the teeth sometimes pro-
longed into bristle-like points, the central nerve furnished with an awn -
above the middle, which is usually twisted and bentin the middle; thé
palet hyaline, narrow, two-nerved, two-toothed.

TRISETUM PALUSTRE.

A slender grass, usually about 2 feet high, growing in low meadows or
moist ground throughout the Eastern part of the United States. The:
culms are smooth, with long internodes and few linear leaves, 2 to 4 inches
long; the panicle is oblong, 3 to 4 inches long, loose and gracefully
drooping, the branches two to five together, rather capillary, 1 to 14
inches long, and loosely flowered; the spikelets are two-flowered; the
outer glumes are about two lines long, the lower one one-nerved, the
upper rather obovate and three-nerved; the lower flower is commonly
awnless or only tipped with a short awn; the second flower is rather
shorter and with a slender, spreading awn longer than the flower.

This is a nutritious grass, but is seldom found in sufficient quantity
to be of much value. (Plate 65.)

TRISETUM CERNUUM.

This grass grows to the height of 2 or 3 feet, with flat wide leaves,
which are about 6 inches long, and with an open, spreading, and droop-
ing panicle, 6 to 9 inches long; the branches are slender, solitary, or
sometimes clustered below, and much subdivided above the middle.
The spikelets vary from three to six lines in length-and have two to three
or, rarely, four flowers in each. The outer glumes are very unequal, the

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 179

lower one being very narrow and awl-shaped, the upper one broad, three-
nerved, obtuse, and tipped with a fine point, and longer, sometimes twice
as long as the lower. |

The flowering glume has two slender pointed teeth, and on the back,
near the apex, a slender awn twice its length.

Of this grass Mr. Bolander says that it deserves further attention.
It grows on dry hill-sides near the Bay of San Francisco and the Oak-
land hills, and also extends northward to Oregon. (Plate 66.)

TRISETUM SUBSPICATUM.

A perennial grass of the mountainous regions of Europe and North
America. It is found sparingly in New England, on the shores of Lake
Superior, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon,
and northward to the Arctic circle. It varies in height according to the
altitude at which it grows, being sometimes reduced to 3 or 4 inches, at
other times running up to 2 feet high. The culms are erect and firm,
smooth, or downy. The panicle is spike-like, dense, and cylindrical or
elongated, and more or less interrupted, generally of a purplish color.
The spikelets are two to three flowered. The flowers are slightly longer
than the outer glumes, slightly scabrous, the flowering glumes acutely
two toothed at the apex, and bearing a stout awn which is longer than

its glume.
This undoubtedly furnishes a considerable portion of mountain pas-
- turage. (Plate 67.)

AVENA. (Oats and Oat grass.)

This genus is closely related to Trisetum, the spikelets are larger and
two to five flowered, the uppermost one generally imperfect; the axis is
hairy below the flowers, the outer glumes nearly equal; the flowering
glumes of firmer texture (in some species cartilaginous), shortly two-
toothed at the apex, and with a long twisted awn below the point.

AVENA FATUA. (Wild oats.) .

This species is very common in California. It is generally thought
to have been introduced from Europe, where it is native, but it has be-
come diffused over many other countries, including Australia and South
America. It is thought by some to be the original of the cultivated
oat, Avena sativa, that the common oat will degenerate into the wild
oat, and that by careful cultivation and selection of seed the wild oat
can be changed into the common cultivated oat. But on this question
there is a conflict of opinions, and the alleged facts are not sufficiently
established. The wild oat differs from the cultivated one chiefly in
having more flowers in the spikelets, in the long brown hairs which
cover the flowering glumes, in the constant presence of the long twisted
awn, and in the smaller size and lighter weight of the grain. It is a
great injury to any grain-field in which it may be introduced, but for

76 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

the purpose of fodder, of which it makes a good quality, it has been
much employed in ieee

It is stated above “that the common cultivated oat is believed some-
times to degenerate into the wild oat.” The following case. described
by Mr. J. G. Pickett, of Pickett’s Station, Wis., certainly seems to
afford evidence to that effect. The circumstance can only be other-
wise accounted for by supposing the accidental introduction of the wild
oat through seed obtained from some foreign source. It also shows
how easily this pest is spread after once being introduced into a field.
Mr. Pickett writes as follows:

Inclosed I send you specimens of a plant known in this section as wild oats. The
history of the plant is as follows: In the year 1856 Mr. Lucius Hawley, of this town,
threshed with a machine about 15 acres of common white oats from the stack, upon
the ground where the crop grew. The straw was indifferently piled up, and so re-
mained through the winter. In the following spring the straw was set on fire, but
being wet was but partially burned, and what remained was scattered over about an
acre of ground, and, with the balance of the field, was plowed under, and the field
sown to spring wheat. At harvest time the dieoctie ground and the land upon
which the partially burned straw had been drawn was found to be completely occu-
pied by a crop of oats, and so thick upon the ground as to have completely smothered
the wheat. Mr. Hawley, supposing the oats were from those of the former crop, did
not examine the grain closely, but cut the wheat and oats with a reaper, at the same
time keeping the grains separate as much as possible, and he did not discover until
stacking the grain that the oats were not the common oats, but something different |
from any he had seen before. The oats ripening early, had shelled upon the reaper,
and were carried more or less over the entire field, and a crop of spring wheat again
following, the new oats were found scattered over the whole field. This wasthe first -

‘known of this pest here, and up to this time (March, 1882) it has continued to spread
over the country by being mixed with seed wheat and oats, and transported from
farm to farm by threshing-machines until the damage done can hardly be estimated:
It will effectually run out any crop and take entire possession of the soil. Seeding -
down the land for three or four years will eradicate the grain, and this is the only
remedy yet found. This oat is a winter grain and will not germinate and grow until
it has laid in or upon the ground over winter and been frozen. I have known a field
of 40 acres sown in the spring with clean wheat seed and nothing else, from which
was threshed 600 bushels of these oats, and wheat about equaling the amount of seed
sown. The oat, while growing, looks precisely like the common oat, but ripens early
and shells easily. The kernel, when ripe, is nearly black, and has attached to it a
spiral barbed tail, by which it attaches itself to clothing, grain-bags, and to every
crevice about a threshing-machine, fanning-mill, or reaper, and will even penetrate
the skins of animals. When cleaned the grain weighs from 12 to 18 pounds per
bushel, and it is only used by finely grinding the grain for stock, or by cutting, before
ripening, for hay, of which it makes a good quality. My own theory of its origin is
that by the action of fire and the winter exposure the common oat on the farm of Mr.
Hawley changed its variety and nature into this wild winter oat, which is now the
worst pest this part of Wisconsin has yet known.

(Plate 68.)

AVENA STRIATA. (Wild oat grass.)

Grows on rocky hills in New England, New York, and northwest-
ward. The culms are about 2 feet high, smooth and slender. The
leaves are narrow and 4 to 6 inches long; the panicle is slender, 4 to 5

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 77

inches long, open and drooping; the upper branches are single and un-
divided, each with a single spikelet, the lower branches are in twos or
threes, with longer pedicels, and sometimes having two or three spikelets.
The spikelets are one-half to three-fourths inch Jong, and from three to six
flowered. The outer glumes are much shorter than the spikelet, thin,
scarious on the margins, acute, aud purplish. Each of the flowers has
a short tuft of hairs at the base. The lower palet is four lines long,
seven nerved, sharply two toothed at the apex, just below which rises
a slender bent awn. All the flowers of the spikelet are alike, except
that the upper ones are smaller. This grass is related to the cultivated
oats. Its range is to the northward, being addicted to a cool, elevated
country. Its pruductiveness and value for agricultural purposes has not
_ been tested. (Plate 69.)

Avena pratensis and Avena flavescens are two species of Europe, which
have been cultivated to some extent in that country, but are little
known here. .

ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM. (Evergreen grass, Tall oat grass,
Meadow oat grass.)

A perennial grass of strong, vigorous growth, introduced from Europe,
and sparingly cultivated. Culms, 2 to 4 feet high, erect, rather stout,
with four or five leaves each ; the sheaths smooth, the leaves somewhat
rough on the upper surface, 6 to 10 inches long, and about three lines
' wide, gradually pointed. The panicle is loose, rather contracted, from
6 to 10 inches long, and rather drooping; the branches very unequal,
mostly in fives, the longer ones 1 to 3 inches, and subdivided from about
the middle; the smaller branches very short, all rather full-flowered.
The spikelets are mostly on short pedicels. The structure of the flowers
is Similar to that of common oats, but different in several particulars.
The spikelets consist of two flowers, the lower of which is staminate
only, the upper one both staminate and pistillate; the outer glumes are
thin and transparent, the upper one about four lines long and three-
nerved, the lower one nearly three lines long and one-nerved. The
flowering glume is about four lines long, green, strongly seven-nerved,
lanceolate, acute, hairy at base, roughish, and in the lower flower gives
_ rise on the back below the middle to a long, twisted, and bent awn; in
the upper flower the glume is merely bristle-pointed near the apex.
The palet is thin and transparent, linear, and two-toothed. This grass
is much valued on the continent of Europe. The herbage is very pro-
ductive and its growth rapid. When growing with other grasses cattle
and sheep eat it very well, but do not like to be confined to it exelu-
sively.

Mr. Thomas Brigden, of South Lowell, Ala., says, respecting this
grass:

We obtained seed from the Tennessee Valley under the name of evergreen grass, and
it appears at the present time to be by far the most valuable kind that we have ex-

18 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

perimented with; it remains green during the winter, and starts into growth very
early in the spring, making a dense, heavy growth from 20 to 30 inches high, and, as
far as at present tested, it stands the summer heat well. -

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says :

It is widely naturalized and well adapted to a great variety of soils. On sandy or
gravelly soils it succeeds admirably, growing 2 to 3 feet high. On rich, dry upland
it grows from 5 to 7 feet high. It has an abundance of perennial, long fibrous roots
penetrating deeply in the soil, being therefore less affected by drought or cold, and
enabled to yield a large quantity of foliage, winter and summer. These advantages
render it one of the very best grasses for the South, both for grazing, being evergreen,
and for hay, admitting of being cut twice a year. It is probably the best winter
grass that can beobtained. It will make twice as much hay as timothy. To make good
hay it must be cut as soon as it blooms, and after cut, must not be wet by dew or
rain, which damages it greatly in quality and appearance. For green soiling it may
be cut four or five times with favorable seasons. In from six toten days after bloom-
ing the seeds begin to ripen and fail, the upper ones first. It is therefore a little -
troublesome to save the seed. As soon as those at the top of the panicle ripen suffi-
ciently to begin to drop the seeds should be cut off and dried, when the seeds will
all thresh out readily and be matured. After the seeds are ripe and taken off the long»
abundant leaves and stems are still green, and being mowed make goodhay. It may
be sown in March or April and mowed the same season; but for heavier yield it is
better to sow in September or October. Not less than 2 bushels (14 pounds, per acre
should be sown. The average annual nutriment yielded by this grassin the southern
belt is probably twice as great as in Pennsylvania and other Northern States.

Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

It produces an abundant supply of foliage, and is valuable for pastures on account
of its early and luxurious growth. It growsspontaneously on deep, sandy soils when
once naturalized. It has been cultivated to some extent in New England, and was
at one time highly esteemed, mainly for its early, rapid and late growth, making
it well calculated as a permanent pasture grass. It will succeed on tenacious clover
soils. j

(Plate 70.)

DANTHONIA.

This genus is related to Avena and characterized as follows: Spikelets
three to five or many-flowered, the axis hairy and produced beyond the
flowers in a stipe or imperfect flower; outer glumes narrow, keeled,
acute, usually as long as the spikelet; flowering glumes of firmer tex-
ture, convex on the back, seven to nine nerved, with two rigid or scarious
terminal teeth or lobes, and with a flatish, twisted, and bent awn be-
tween the teeth. This awn is composed by the union of the middle and
two of the lateral nerves. ;

DANTHONIA SPICATA. (Spiked Wild Oat grass.) ,

This species grows in small clumps on barren hills or in poor elay
lands. The leaves are mostly in a tuft near the ground, short, narrow,
and curled in dry weather. The culms are from 14 to 2 feet high, erect
and slender. The panicle is only an inch or two long, mostly simple,
and of four to seven spikelets, with very short pedicels. The spikelets

‘THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 79

are about five-flowered, the flowering glume loosely hairy, with the teeth
about one-fourth its length and very acute.

It is a grass of very little value.

Hon. J. 8. Gould says:

As it will grow on hard clay lands where nothing else will, it might be worth while

to sow its seeds on such lands, as it is certainly better than nothing; but the better
plan is to manure the soil so that it will produce the richer grasses.

(Plate 71.)

DANTHONIA COMFRESSA. (Mountain Oat grass.)

This species grows in Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.
Mr. C. G. Pringle sends it from Vermont growing on dry hillocks along
the Waterbury River. It also grows on the summit of the Roan
Mountains, North Carolina, over large areas, and furnishes good sum-
mer pasturage. Probably it occurs on the other mountains of the Al- '
leghany range. It differs from the preceding in forming a compactsod,
by having more numerous and larger leaves, by a larger, longer, and
spreading: panicle, and by the longer, more slender awn-pointed teeth
of the flowering glumes. (Plate 72.)

DANTHONIA SERICEA. (Silky-flowered, Oat grass.)

A perennial grass, 2 to 3 feet high, growing in open, sandy woods,
with numerous long, slender, radical leaves, and three or four similar
ones on the stem, the sheaths soft, hairy the ligule a mere hairy fringe;
eulms smooth, flexible; panicle loose and rather contracted, 3 to 4
inches long, and 1 or 2 inches wide; the branches single at the joints,
and subdivided from the lower third into a few branchlets, each with
one to three spikelets. The spikelets are about seven-flowered, the
flowers closely packed and silky hairy; the outer glumes are smooth,
half an inch or more in length, longer than all the flowers in the spike-
let, linear-lanceolate, the lower one two-nerved and the upper one
three-nerved. The flowering glumes are about three lines long, five to
seven nerved, the awl-pointed teeth very slender and nearly as long as
the rest of the glume, with the middle awn six or seven lines long,
sparsely hairy on the back, and copiously white silky on the margins
below. This species appears to be confined to the Atlantic States. Its
value has not been tested. (Plate 73.)

DANTHONIA CALIFORNICA. (The California Oat grass.)

A perennial grass of California, Oregon, the Rocky Mountains, and
Manitoba; not very common, variable in height, usually 1 to 2 feet, with
narrow, convolute and long-pointed root-leaves, those of the culm some-
what wider, 3 or 4 inches long, the lower sheaths hairy, especially at the
throat. The panicle usually consists of three to five spreading branches,
each of which is terminated by a single spikelet. The spikelets are five
to seven flowered, widening upwards. The outer glumes are about
three-quarters of an inch long, linear-lanceolate, acute, five to seven

S80 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

nerved, and purplish. The flowers are somewhat crowded on the axis.
The flowering glumes are broad, obscurely nine-nerved, smooth on the
back, the margins below fringed with long, silky hairs, the narrow,
stiff, awned-teeth about half as long as the glumes (four or five lines).
This is a somewhat ornamental grass, but probably not of much agri-
cultural value. (Plate 74.)

CYNODON DACTYLON. (Bermuda grass.)

A low, creeping perennial grass, with abundant short leaves at the
base, sending up Slender, nearly leafless flower stalks or culms, which
have three to five slender, diverging spikes at the summit. The spike-
lets are sessile in two rows on one side of the slender spikes; they each
have one flower with a short pediceled, naked rudiment of a second
flower; the outer glumes nearly equal, keeled; the flowering glume boat-
shaped, broader and prominently keeled; the palet narrow and two-
keeled. This grass is a native of Southern Hurope and ‘of all tropical
countries. It is a common pasture grass in the West Indies. In the
Southern States it has long been a chief reliance for pasture, has been
extravagantly praised by some and cursed by others who find it diffi-
calt to eradicate when once established. Its properties have been very
fully discussed in Southern journals. It rarely ripens any seed, and the
usual methods of reproducing is to chop up the roots with a cutting
knife, sow them broadcast, and plow under shallow.

Col. T. C. Howard, of Georgia, says:

The desideratum to the South is a grass that is perennial, nutritious, and adapted
to the climate. While we have grasses and forage plants that do well when nursed,
we have few that live and thrive here as in their native habitat. The Bermuda and
crab grasses are at home in the South. They not only live, but live in spite of neg-
lect, and when petted and encouraged they make such grateful returns as astonish
the benefactor.

Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, says :

In Louisiana, Texas, and the South generally it is and has been the chief reliance
for pasture for a long time, and the immense herds of cattle on the southern prairies
subsist principally on this food. It revels in sandy soils, and has been grown ex-
tensively on the sandy hills of Virginia and North and South Carolina. It is used
extensively on the southern rivers te hold the levees and embankments of the roads.
It will throw its runners over a rock 6 feet across and soon hide it from view, or it
will run down the sides of the deepest gully and stop its washing. Hogs thrive upon
its succulent roots, and horses and cattle upon its foliage. It has the capacity to
withstand any amount of heat and drought, and months that are so dry as to check
the growth of blue grass will only make the Burmuda green and the more thrifty.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says :

As a permanent pasture grass, I know of no other that I consider so valuable as this,
after having transferred it from near the mouth of the Red River to my present re-
sidence thirty-five years ago, and having studied it on hundreds of other farms, com-
mons, and levees for a longer period. To make good hay and the largest yield, this

~~

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 81

erass must be mowed from three to five times every summer. Thus briers, broom
grass, and other weeds are repressed and prevented from seeding, multiplying, and
ruining the meadow.

Respecting the difficulty of eradicating this grass from ground wanted
for other cultivation, Colonel Lane, of Georgia, says:

Upon our ordinary upland I have found no difficulty in destroying it by close cul-
tivation in cotton for two years. It requiresa few extra plowings to get the sod thor-
oughly broken tw pieces.

(Plate 75.)

CHLORIS ALBA.

An annual grass, growing in tufts, 1 to 2 feet high, smo::th, the culms
frequently-branched and bent at the lower joints, decumbent, becom-
ing erect; leaves numerous, smooth, the sheaths mostly loose, the blade
broad, the upper sheath dilated and at first inclosing the flower spikes,
which are eight to fifteen in number, 2 to 3 inches long, and umbeilate
or fasciculate at the top of the culm or of the lateral branches.. The
spikelets are sessile and crowded in two rows on one side of the spikes ;
each spikelet contains one perfect and one or two imperfect or rudi-
mentary flowers; the outer glumes are unequal, thin, keeled, the upper
one mucronate-pointed, and about one and one-half lines long, the lower
one one-third shorter; the flowering glume of the lower or perfect flower
is thick and firm in texture, nearly one and one-half lines long, broad in
_ the middle and narrowed above and below, much compressed, tive nerved,
with two short teeth at the apex, and a straight awn two or three lines
long between the teeth, the margins toward the top strongly ciliate with
long white hairs; the palet is of similar texture, narrow, and nearly as
long as its glume; the neutral or upper flower is shorter, truncate above,
of a club-like appearance, smooth, tipped with an awn. Sometimes
there is another small imperfect flower or a pedicel above the second,
and enwrapped by it.

This is a common grass in the arid regions of New Mexico, Arizona,
and farther south and west. This grass furnishes a large quantity of
foliage, but of its agricultural value we have no information. There
are several other species growing in the same region. (Plate 76.)

BourELova. (Mesquite grass.)

This genus, of which there are many species, has generally numerous
Spikes in a racemose one-sided panicle. The spikes are generally
densely flowered and from one-half to 14inches long. The spikelets are
crowded in two rows on one side of the axis, each consisting of one per-
fect flower, and a stalked pedicel bearing empty glumes and one to three
stiffawns; the outer glumes are unequal, acute, keeled, nembranaceous;
the flowering glume broader and usually thicker, with three to five lobes,
teeth or awns at the apex ; palet hyaline, narrow, entire or two-toothed,
enfolded by its glume.

2218 GR——6

82 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

BOUTELOUA OLIGOSTACHYA. (Mesquite grass, Gramma grass, Buffalo
grass.)

This is a perennial species growing on the great plains from Montana
and Dakota southward to Texas. The culms are from one-half to 14 feet
high. Near the top there are usually two or three, sometimes more,
curved flowering spikes, about 14 inches long; the culm and leaves are
smooth ; the outer glumes and the flowering glumes are sparingly soft-
hairy, the lobes aw] pointed, the sterile flower or rudiment is copiously
villous-tufted at the summit of the naked pedicel, its three awns equal-
ing the perfect flower. (Plate 77.)

BOUTELOUA HIRSUTA. (Bristly mesquite or Gramma grass.)

This annual or biennial species has about the same range as-the pre- |
ceding, is of about the same size and general appearance. The upper
empty glume is on the back hispid with bristly hairs proceeding from
dark, warty glands; the flowering glume is pubescent, three-cleft into
awl-pointed lobes; the sterile flower and its pedicel are glabrous, the
three sterile awns longer than the fertile flower.

BOUTELOUA POLYSTACHYA. (Low Gramma grass.)

This species probably does not reach farther nortli than northern New
Mexico. It isan annual from 6 to 10 inches high growing in clumps; the
culms are slender, branching and bent at the lower joints. The culm
terminates in a raceme-like panicle, 3 to 6 inches long, composed of five
to seven alternate, narrow, one-sided spikes, which are about 1 inch long
and one-half inch to 1 inch apart. The spikelets are generally close but
not so dense as in the preceding, and much smaller; the outer glumes
are thin, unequal, oblong, the upper one about one line long, bifid and
mucronate pointed; the flowering glume of the perfect flower is oblong,
obtuse, three-nerved, the nerves extended beyond the glumes into short
awns, with two broad lobes, one on each side of the central awn, and
two shall lateral lobes, one on the outer side of each lateral awn, the
outer margins ciliate. The rudimentary flower is very short stalked,
with three small glume-like scales and three short awns. There are
several varieties or forms of this species, some smaller and some larger. .
It abounds near the banks of streams and furnishes excellent pasturage.

(Plate (8.) /

BOUTELOUA RACEMOSA, (Bb. curtipendula, GRAY). (Tall Gramma
grass.)

This species ranges from Mexico to British America, and east of the
Mississippi River in Wisconsin and L[llinois. It is easily distinguished
from the others by its taller growth, and by the long, slender raceme of
twenty to fifty or more slender spikes. These are usually about half an
inch long and reflexed. There are from six to ten spikelets on each
spike. The outer glumes are lanceolate, acuminate ; the upper about
two lines long and scabrous; the flowering glume is oblung, between

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES: OF THE UNITED STATES. 83

two to three lines long, with three short awl-pointed teeth at the apex ;
the palet is nearly of equal length; the sterile flower is reduced to one.
or two minute scales with three short awns, or to a single small awn.

The most useful of the gramma grasses is, probably, the Bouteloua
oligostachya, but the others aid in furnishing the supply of food for the
thousands of animals which are fattened on the great plains. It is
doubtful if these grasses would bear the effect of continued tramping
and close cropping if the lands were inclosed and pastured.

ELEUSINE Inpica. (Yard grass, Crow-foot, Crab grass, Wire grass.)

An annual grass belonging to tropical countries, but now naturalized
in most temperate climates. Inthe Southern States it is found in every
door-yard and in all waste places. ‘The culms are from 1 to 3 feet high,
usually coarse and thick, and very leafy, especially below. The leaves
are long and rather wide. At the top of the culm there are two to five
or more thickish, densely-flowered spikes proceeding from a common
point, with sometimes one or two scattering ones lower down on the
culm. The spikelets are sessile and crowded along one side of the axis,.
each being from two to six flowered, the upper flower imperfect or ru-
dimentary ; the outer glumes are membranaceous, shorter than the
flowers, the flowering glumes usually obtuse; the palet folded and two-
keeled. 7

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

‘The clumps have many long leaves and stems, rising 1 or 2 feet high, and many
long, strong, deeply penetrating fibrous roots. It grows readily in door-yards, barn-
yards, and rich cultivated grounds, and produces an immense quantity of seeds. It
isa very nutritious grass, and good for grazing, soiling, and hay. The succulent
lower part of the stems, covered with the sheaths of the leaves, renders it difficult to

cure well, for which several days are required. It may be cut two or three times,
and yields a large quantity of hay.

(Plate 79.)

GLEPTOCHLOA MUCRONATA. (Feather grass, Slender grass.)

An annual grass, growing from 2 to 3 feet high, the flowers arranged
in a long panicled, loose raceme. The branches or spikes are very
slender, 1 to 5 inches long, and very numerous, thirty to fifty or more,
with the spikelets sessile and continuous in two rows along one side
of the spikes. The spikelets are about one line long, three-flowered,
the uppermost flower imperfect. The outer glumes are lanceolate,
acute keeled, and nearly as long as the spikelet; the flowering glumes
are obtuse or sometimes slightly mucronate, one-half line long, keeled,
and with strong, somewhat pubescent, lateral nerves.

This is a handsome grass when full grown, the panicles on thrifty
specimens becoming 2 feet long, the slender branches arranged along
the main stem in a feather-like manner, hence the name. It grows
from Virginia, west and’south, becoming quite common in the South-

84 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

ern States. It aNOE DS a small amount of grazing during the summer.
Professor Phares says

Its growth is very a although it has little root and is easily uprooted. Al-
though it contains a good percentage of nutritious matter, it is of little agricultural
value. Its assurgent leaves and stems and immensely large panicles oceupy so much
space that a comparatively small number of plants would occupy an acre of ground,
while it has so little weight that the product of several acres of the finest Se Ge of
it would be required to produce a single ton of hay.

(Plate 80.)

BUCHLOE DACTYLOIDES. (Buffalo grass, False Mesquite grass.)

This grass is extensively spread over all the region known as the great
plains. Itis very low, the bulk of leaves seldom rising more than 3 or 4
inches above the ground, growing in extensive tufts or patches, and
spreading largely by means of stolons or offshoots similar to those of
Bermuda grass, these stolons being sometimes 2 feet long, and with
joints every 3 or 4 inches, frequently rooting and sending up flowering
culms from the joints. The leaves of the radical tufts are 3 to 5 inches
long, one or one-half line wide, smooth, or edged with a few scattering
hairs. The flowering culms are chiefly dicecious, but sometimes both
male and female flowers are found on the same plant but in separate
parts. The flowering stems of.the male plant are 4 to 8 inches high,
bearing three or four slender leaves, and at the summit two to four’
short contiguous spikes, which are about half an inch long. These —
spikes consist usually of five to six sessile spikelets, alternate, in two
rows, on the lower side of the flattened, scabrous axis. The spikelets
are two to three lines long and mostly two-flowered. The outer glumes
are unequal and one-nerved, the lower one half as long as the flower
above it, the upper one shorter. The flowering glumes and palets are -
of equal length, membranaceous, the flowering glume three-nerved, the
palet two-nerved. The flowering stalk of the female plant is shorter
than the leaves, 1 to 2 or sometimes 3 or 4 inches high, sometimes
almost concealed among the leaves at the joints of the stolons. The
sheaths of the two or three uppermost leaves of the culm are dilated
and inclose the spikes or clusters of flowers. Of these spikes there are
two or three, each consisting of three to five spikelets. The spikelets
are single-flowered and of a somewhat complex structure, the parts
analagous to those of the male flowers, but thickened, indurated, and
modified. All the upper glumes are indurated and united at their bases
with the thickened axis, the lower glume of the lowest spikelet being
lanceolate, with an herbaceous tip or two to three cleft, thickened and
united to the upper glume, the lower glume of the other spikelets free,
much smaller, ovate-lanceolate, acute, and one-nerved, the flowering
glume shorter, three-nerved, and three-toothed at the summit.

It is hardly necessary to recapitulate the virtues of this widely cele-
brated grass. It plays an important part in the feeding and fattening
of the vast herds of cattle, which have now mostly displaced the buffalo,
whose favorite food it was supposed to be.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 80)

Prof. S. B. Buckley, of Austin, Tex., says:

This is one of the best grasses of Texas for pasturage, if not the very best; being
perennial it affords food for stock both summer and winter. Even in midwinter it
presents a green covering over many hills and prairies in this vicinity. It is also the
best grass for lawns indigenous to Texas. It thrives on every variety of soil, grow-
ing on poor graveily uplands, and also in rich river bottoms, but it mostly abounds
on the prairies, among the mesquite trees scattered over their surface, throughout a
lar~>e portion of our State, whence it is commonly called mesquite grass in Texas.

This name, however, is given to two or three other species of grass which are asso-
ciated with it. It is not difficuit to eradiate, nor is it ever troublesome in cultivated
fields, because it has so few seeds. All kinds of stock are extremely fond of it, from
which we infer that it is very sweet and nutritous. in extreme droughts all the
grasses seem dead, but a rain will make this grass green and growing in a few hours.
Even when ary, weather-beaten, and seemingly dead it is still good food for stock.

Whether this grass can be successfully subjected to cultivation re-
mains to be seen. (Plate 81.) . :

TrRiopia. (Tricuspis.)

This genus, which contains numerous species of very different size and
aspect, is characterized as follows: Spikelets, several to many-flowered,
some of theupper ones male orimperfect ; the outer glumes keeled, acute,
or acutish, awnless; the flowering glumes imbricated, rounded on the

,back, at least below, three-nerved, the marginal nerves usually hairy,
mucronate, three-toothed or three-lobed at the apex, or obscurely erose,
often hardened and nerveless in fruit; the palet broad, prominently

- two-keeled.

TRIODIA SESLERIOIDES. {Tricuspis seslerioides.) (Tall Red top.)

This grass grows from 3 to 5 feet high. The culms are very smooth ;
the leaves are long and flat, the lower sheaths hairy or smoothish. The
panicle is large and loose, at first erect, but finally spreading widely.
The branches are single or in twos or threes below, and frequently 6
inches long, divided, and flower-bearing abovethe middle. The spikelets
are on short pedicels, three to four lines long, and five or six flowered.
The outer glumes are shorter than the flowers, unequal and pointed ;
the flowering glumes are hairy toward the base, having three strong
nerves, which are extended intoshort teeth atthe summit. It isalarge
and showy grass when fully matured, the panicles being large, spread-
ing, andof apurplish color. It grows in sandy fields, and on dry sterile
banks, from New York to South Carolina, and westward. This is eaten
' by cattle when it is young, but the culms are rather harsh and wiry and
not relished by them. It is, however, cut for hay where it naturally
abounds. (Plate 82.)

TRIODIA TRINERVIGLUMIS. (Tricuspis trinerviglumis.)

Another perennial species of this genus, growing in Colorado, Ar-
kansas, Texas, New Mexico; and southward. The culms are 2 to 3 feet
high, and rather stout; the radical leaves are somewhat rigid, 6 to 12

§6 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

inches long, narrow, acuminate-pointed, inclined to be involute, the
sheaths more or less hairy. The smooth culm has three or four leaves,
which are 4 to 8 inches long, and slender-pointed. The panicle is nar-
row and spike-like, 6 to 9inches long, composed of five or six alternate,
somewhat distant, and closely erect branches, the lower ones 1 to 2 inches
long, and consisting of six to ten sessile, alternate spikelets, each of
which are eight to ten flowered, and four to six lines long. The outer
glumes are lanceolate, acute, smooth, nearly equal, somewhat faintly
, three-nerved, and three to five lines long; the flowering glumes are
oblong, three-nerved, two to three lines long, entire or obscurely dentic-
ulate at the apex, acute or obtusish, the nerves and margins densely
hairy for about two-thirds the length, also the base and axis hairy. The
palet is one-third shorter, two- keeled, minutely toothed at ae apex,
hairy on the keels below.
Little is known of its abundance or agricultural value. (Plate 33.)

Triodia stricta is another species of Texas and the Southwest, much
larger, stouter, and more rigid than the preceding.

TRIODIA ACUMINATA. (Tricuspis acuminata.)

A low species, growing in tufts, from 6 to 12 inches high, the leaves
short and narrow, but abundant near the ground ; the culms are erect,
slender, with one or two short leaves, and terminated by an ailone:
spike-like panicle about an inch long, composed of a few crowded ses-
sile or nearly sessile branches, each with one to three spikelets. The
spikelets each contain eight or ten crowded flowers. The outer glumes
are nearly equal, lanceolate, acute, chartaceous, one-nerved, about three
lines long; the flowering.glumes are about three lines long, lanceolate
or ovate-Janceolate, acute, three-nerved, the mid-nerve extended into a
short stiff awn, the margins fringed with long white hairs, and the back
below, with re axis, hairy. The palet is about one-third shorter than
its glume, folded baer on the two keels, sparingly hairy, and the keels
scabrous pubescent. This is a native of the arid regions of Texas, New
Mexico, and SUEUR ENG (Eoate 84.)

TRIPLASIS PURPUREA. (Tricuspis purpurea.) (Sand grass.)

An annual grass, growing in tufts in sandy soil along the Atlantic
coast, and also in sandy districts in theinterior. The culms are about
1 foot high, rather decumbent at the base, with eight to ten short joints,
and an equal number of narrow, awl-shaped leaves, 2 to 3 inches long,
which are bearded with hairs at the top of thesheaths. There are usu-
ally several lateral panicles of flowers as well as a terminal one. The
lateral ones are inclosed within the sheaths; the terminal one usually
exerted, but short and simple. The spikelets are two to five flowered ;
the glumes much shorter than the spikelet; the flowers rather distant
from each other; the flowering glumes and palets strongly fringed on

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 87

the nerves; the flowering elumes two-lobed or two-cleft at the summit,
with the mid-nerve extended into a short awn between the lobes. This
grass has very little practical value.

DIPLACHNE. (Leptochloa.)

This genus is characterized as having the spikelets narrow, sessile,
or nearly so, on the long slender branches of the panicle, usually in two
rows, but not continuous as in Leptochloa, the outer glumes keeled;
acute, but not awned ; the flowering glumes one to three nerved, witha
thin or hyaline, shortly two-toothed or two-lobed apex, the keel pro-
duced into a short point or awn between the lobes; palet thin and
prominently two-nerved.

DIPLACHNE FASCICULARIS. (Leptochloa fascicularis.) (Spike grass.)

An annual grass of vigorous growth, 2 to 3 feet high, growing in brack”
ish marshes or wet ground near the sea-coast, and, also, far inland in
the Mississippi Valley, Texas, Arizona, &c., in alkaline soil. The radical
leaves are narrow and half to two-thirds as long as the culms, rough on
the margin; those of the culms similar, with long, smooth, loose sheaths,
the upper one usually inclosing the base of the panicle. The culms are
frequently branched at the lower joints. The panicle is large, 6 to 10
inches long, consisting of numerous (fifteen to thirty) spike-like branches,
which are 2 to 4 inches long, mostly alternate, sometimes fascicled be-
- low, angular and rough, and flower-bearing throughout. The spikelets
are nearly sessile and alternate, usually somewhat longer than the space
between them; each contains five to seven flowers; the outer glumes
are unequal, smooth, one-nerved, and mucronate-pointed ; the fowering
are ovate-lanceolate, about one and a half lines long, flattish on the back,
three-nerved, pubescent on the nerves and margins below, shortly two-
toothed at the apex, with a short rough awn between the teeth; the
palet is somewhat shorter, lanceolate, two-nerved, and ciliate on the
nerves. (Plate 89.)

DIPLACHNE DUBIA. (Leptochloa dubia.)

_A grass of similar aspect to the preceding ; the leaves somewhat longer
and more rigid; the panicle rather shorter, and composed of six to twelve
branches, which are stouter and more spreading. The outer glumes are
lanceolate, nearly equal, acute, one-nerved, rough on the keel, about one
and one-half lineslong; the flowering glumes are oblong, very obtuse, two-
lobed and somewhat fringe-toothed at the apex, three nerved, smooth
except on the margins, awnless; the palet is as long as its glume, nar-
rower, two-nerved, and ciliate on the nerves. The spikelets in age be-
come.spreading, and the axis zigzag. It isofmore southern range than
he preceding, occurring in the Gulf States and southwestward. (Plate
86.) 2

88 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

PHRAGMITES COMMUNIS. (Reed grass.)

A tall, coarse, perennial grass, growing ou the borders of ponds and
streams, almost rivaling sorghum in luxurianee. It attains a height of
6 to 10 feet; the culms sometimes an inch in diameter, and leaves an inch
or two in width. The panicle is from 9 to 15 inches long, loose but not
much spreading, of an oblong or lanceolate form and slightly nodding.
The branches are very numerous, irregularly whorled, 4 to 8 inches long,
much subdivided, and profusely flowering. The larger panicles form
very ornamental plumes, almost equal to those of Arundo donax, so
much cultivated for ornamental purposes. The spikelets are three to
seven flowered, all the flowers except the lowest surrounded by long
silky hairs at the base ; the lowest one is either empty or contains only
stamens. The lower or empty glumes are thin, lanceolate, keeled, and
unequal in size, the upper one being considerably the longer. The flow-
ering glumes are membranaceous, narrowly awl shaped, and about as long
as the silky hairs. The palets are thin and only half to one-third as
long as their glumes.

This grass is widely distributed in different parts of the globe, and in
some countries is put to several uses, as for thatching, for which it is
said to be valuable. It is also sometimes used for making light reed
fences and screens. Its leaves are too coarse and innutritious for fod-
der except when very young. ;

Professor Scribner saw in Montana prostrate stems of this grass which
were 28 feet long, and some of the upright culms were 10 to 14 feet high.
(Plate 87.)

KQGLERIA CRISTATA. (Crested Keeleria.)

This grass has a very wide diffusion both in this country and in Europe -
and Asia. It favors dry hills or sandy prairies, and on the great
plains is one of the commonest species. It occurs throughout Califor-
nia and into Oregon. It varies much in appearance according to the
location in which it grows, these variations being so striking that they
have been considered different species, and perhaps two species ought
to be admitted. Itis perennial, with erect culms usually from 1 to 2
feet high, and a spike-like panicle varying from 3 to 6 inches in length
and more or less interrupted or lobed at the lower part. When grown
in very arid places the culms may be only a foot high, the radical leaves
short, and the panicle only 2 inches long. When grown in more favored
situations the radical leaves are 18 inches long, the stem 3 feet, and
the panicle 6 inches long. The branches of the panicle are, in short,
nearly sessile clusters. crowded above, looser and interrupted below.
The spikelets are from two to four flowered. The outer glumes are a
little shorter than the spikelets, lanceolate, acute, compressed. The
flowering glumes are similar, membranaceous, acute, or mucronate.
The palet is of nearly equal length, thinner and two-toothed at the apex.
The flowers, panicle, culm, and leaves are usually more or less softly
hairy. It is readily eaten by cattle. (Plate 88.)

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 89

ERAGROSTIS.

Of this genus we have about twenty species in the United States. It is
characterized as follows: Spikelets numerous, usually in a loose, some-
times spreading and diffuse, panicle ; commonly many flowered (rarely
two or three only), sessile or pediceled, usually glabrous; the outer
glumes are unequal and rather shorter than the flowering ones, keeled
and mostly one-nerved ; the flowering glumes are membranaceous, acute
or obtuse, unawned, but rarely mucronate pointed, three-nerved, the
keel prominent, the lateral nerves sometimes very faint; the palet
shorter than its glume, with two prominent nerves or keels, often per-
sisting after the glume and grain have fallen away.

ERAGROSTIS POAOIDES var. MEGASTACHYA. (Pungent meadow
grass.)

This is a foreign grass which has become extensively naturalized, not
only in the older States but in many places in the westeru and south-
western Territories. It is found in waste and cultivated grounds and
on roadsides, growing in thick tufts, which spread out over the ground
by means of the geniculate and decumbent culms. The culms are from
1 to 2 feet long, the lower joints bent and giving rise to long branches.

The sheaths are shorter than the internodes, the leaves from 3 to 6 inches

long. The panicle is frequently 4 or 5 inches long, oblong or pyramidal,
somewhat open, but full-flowered; the branches irregularly single or in

- pairs, branched and flowering nearly to the base. The spikelets are ob-

long or lanceolate one-fourth to one-half inch long, and ten to twenty
flowered when well developed. The empty glumes are smaller than the
flowering ones, rough on the keel, acutish. The flowering glumes are
one line long, ovate, rather obtuse, and strongly three-nerved. The
palets are shorter than their glumes, narrow, the sides reflexed and the
margin ciliate. This grass is said to have a disagreeable odor when
fresh. It produces an abundance of foliage, and is apparently an an-
nual, reaching maturity late in the season. We are not aware that its
agricultural value has been tested. (Plate 89.)

ERAGROSTIS PURSHII.

This is a native grass, very widely diffused over the United States,
and extends into Mexico. In habit it is somewhat like the preceding
Species (H. pocoides), growing in tufts, with the culms branching at
the base and the lower joints bent. The culms are smooth, slender, 10
to 20 inches high, the leaves narrow and sparse, with a tendency to
produce an abundance of flowering culms. The panicle is oblong, open
and spreading, 3 to 4 inches long, with the branches irregularly single

or in pairs, and much subdivided. The spikelets are oblong, lanceolate

to linear, about two lines long, and usually from five to fifteen flowered.
The empty glumes are small, only about half the length of the flowering

- glumes, ovate and acute. The flowering glumes are about half a line

10) THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

long, acutish, and distinctly three-nerved. It has little or no agricult-
ural value except in arid, sandy districts, where it seems to be most
common. (Plate 90.)

MELICA.

Of this genus we have ten to twelve species. Its characters are as
follows: Spikelets two to many flowered; the flowers usually convolute
around each other, the upper one smallerand imperfect; the outer glumes
membranaceous or hyaline, acute or obtuse, awnless, the lower one three
to five and the upper sometimes seven to nine nerved, the lateral nerves
not reaching to the margin. The flowering glumes are of thicker text-
ure, becoming coriaceous, scarious at the apex, rounded or flattish on
the back, five to nine nerved, the lateral nerves not reaching the apex,
the central one sometimes ending in a point or an awn; the palets
shorter than their glumes, two-keeled, ciliate on the keels.

MELICA MUTICA. (Melic grass.)

A perennial grass, growing sparingly in rich, rocky woods through-
out most of the States east of the Rocky Mountains. It grows in loose
tufts, the culms about 2 feet high, the lower leaves and sheathes
soft hairy, the upper Jeaves narrow, 3 to 4 inches long, gradually
pointed. The panicle is very simple or little branched. In the variety
diffusa the panicle is larger, more branched and spreading; the spike-
lets are loosely arranged on the branches, almost sessile, and rather on
one side of the branches. They are large and graceful in appearance,
each one consisting of two perfect flowers and a small chaffy knob,
called a rudiment. The outer glumes are thin, scarious-margined, five
to seven nerved, purplish, and three to four lines long. The flowering.
glumes are thicker, strongly ribbed, scarious at the blunt apex, and
minutely rough on the nerves. The two flowers are somewhat distant
from each other. The palets are narrower and shorter than the flower-
ing glumes, arched and ciliate on the keels. This grass is eaten and
relished by cattle, but is probably not well adapted to cultivation.
(Plate 91.)

MELICA BULBOSA. (Bulbous Melic grass.)

This species is distinguished by its large bulbous roots, or, more
properly, by the bulb-like enlargement of the base of the culm. It
grows to the height of 2 or 3 feet; the leaves narrow, scabrous, and
mostly involute. The panicle is from 4 to 8 inches long, narrow, with |
short and distinct branches, which are mostly in pairs, erect and densely
flowered. The spikelets are about half an inch long, with usually three
or four flowers, the upper one sterile. The outer glumes are thia, broad,
and obtuse, the lower one three to tive nerved, the upper five to seven
nerved. The flowering glume is about a quarter of an inch long, ob-
tuse, roughish, and seven-nerved. The palet shorter than the flower:

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 91

ing glume and ciliate on the keels. This species grows in the mountain
region of California and Oregon, also in Nevada. Utah, and Wyoming.
(Plate 92.) |

MELICA IMPERFECTA.

There are seven or eight species of Melica in California, some of them
quite common, but they do not appear to have much agricultural value.
The Melica imperfecta grows in tufts in shaded ground. There are sev-
eral varieties, which differ considerably in size and general appearance.
They may be described in general terms as growing from 1 to 3 feet
high, with slender, rather wiry culms; the lower leaves are narrow,
with long-tapering points, and about half as long as the culm, generally
smooth or slightly scabrous. The roots are perennial, with strong fibers.
The panicle varies in the different varieties from 6 to 12 inches in length,
rather narrow, with distant rays, which are very unequal in length, and
in clusters from three to five. The longer rays are 1 or 2, or sometimes
3 inches long, flower-bearing for half or two-thirds their length, while
the shorter ones, 4 to 1 inch long, are flower-bearing to their base. The
spikelets are one-quarter of an inch or less in length, and usually with
two flowers, one of which is imperfect, sometimes, however, with three
flowers, one or two of which are imperfect. The outer glumes are fre-
quently purplish, with thin, whitish margins, slightly obtuse, and three
to five nerved. The flowering glume is about seven-nerved, usually
purplish, rather acute; the palet of about the samelength and two-
toothed. The imperfect flower has a short pedicel, and is about half
as long as the perfect one. (Plate 93.)

UNIOLA.

This genus has closely, many-flowered spikelets, usually large, very
flat, and two-edged, one or more of the lowest flowers neutral and con-
sisting only of an empty glume; the glumes are closely folded together,
keéled, rigid, or coriaceous; the flowering ones larger, many-nerved,
usually acute or pointed, entire; palet rigid, two-keeled, the keels nar-
rowly winged. |

UNIOLA LATIFOLIA. (Broad-flowered Fescue grass.)

This is a handsome grass, growing 2 to 3 feet high, with very broad
leaves and aspreading panicle; the drooping spikelets larger than those
of any other grass we have, being an inch long or more, and nearly half
as wide, consisting of ten to twelve flowers. It grows from Pennsyl-
_vania and Illinois southward. Mr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala., says of
this grass:

A fine vernal grass, with a rich foliage, blooming early in May; 2 to 3 feet high;
frequent in damp, sandy loam, forming large tufts. This perennial grass is certainly

valuable, affording an abundant range early in the season; if cultivated it would
yield large crops ready for cutting from the Ist of May. It is called by some wild

92 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

fescue or oat grass. It isnot found near the coast, consequently I had no chance to

observe its growth during the latter part of the summer and in the winter season, and
therefore am not able to judge of its value asa pasture grass.

(Plate 94.)

DISTICHLIS MARITIMA. (Salt grass, Marsh grass.)

This is described in most botanical works as Brizopyrum spicatum,
but recently the name given by Rafinesque has been accepted and re-
stored to it by Mr. Bentham. It is a perennial grass, growing in
marshes near the sea-coast on both sides of the continent, and also
abundantly in alkaline soil throughout the arid districts of the Rocky
Mountains. It has strong, creeping root-stocks, covered with imbri-
cated leaf-sheaths, sending up culms from 6 to 18 inches high, which are
clothed nearly to the top with the numerous, sometimes crowded, two-
ranked leaves. The leaves are generally rigid and involute, sharp-
pointed, varying greatly in length on different specimens. The plants
are dicecious, some being entirely male and some female. The panicle
is generally short and spike-like, sometimes, especially in the males,
rather loose, with longer, erect branches, and sometimes reduced to a
few spikelets. The spikelets are from four to six lines long and five to
ten flowered, the flowers being usually much compressed. The outer
glumes are smooth, narrow, and keeled; the flowering ones are broader,
keeled, acute, rather rigid, and faintly many-nerved. The palets have
an infolded margin, the keels prominent or narrowly winged. The pis-
tillate spikelets are more condensed and more rigid than the staminate.
Although this cannot be considered a first-rate grass for agricultural
purposes, it is freely cut with other marsh grasses, and on the alkaline
plains of the Rocky Mountains it affords an inferior pasturage. (Plate.
95.)

DACTYLIS GLOMERATA. (Orchard grass, Cocksfoot grass.)

This is one of the most. popular meadow grasses of Europe, and is
well known to most farmers in the Northern and Eastern States. It is
a perennial, of strong, rank growth, about 3 feet high, the culm and
leaves roughish, the leaves broadly linear, light green, and five to six
on the culm. The panicle is generally but 2 or 3 inches long, the upper
part dense from the shortness of the branches; the lower branches are
longer and spreading, but with the spikelets glomerated or closely
tufted. The spikelets are usually three to four flowered, one-sided, and
on short, rough pedicels. The glumes are pointed and somewhat un-
equal, the upper one being smaller and thinner than the lower. The
flowering glumes are ovate-lanceolate, roughish, and ending in a sharp
point or short awn, and are rather longee than the outer elumned.

Professor hanes of Mississippi, says:

Of all grasses this is one of the most widely diffused, growing in Africa, Asia, every

country of Europe, and all our States. It is more highly esteemed and commended
than any other grass by a larger number of farmers in most countries, a most decided

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 93

proof of its great value and wonderful adaptation to many soils, climates, and treat-
ments. Yet, strange to say, though growing in England for many centuries, it was
not appreciated in that country till carried there from Virginia in 1764. But, as in
the case of timothy grass, soon after its introduction from America, it came into high
favor among farmers, and still retains its hold on their estimation as a grazing and
hay crop. It will grow well on any soil containing sufficient clay and not holding too
much water. If the land be too tenacious, drainage will remedy the soil; if worn
out, a top dressing of stable manure will give it a good send-off, and it will furnish
several mowings the first year. It grows well between 29° and 48° latitude. It may
be mowed from two to four times a year, according to latitude, season, and treatment,
yielding from 1 to 3 tons of excellent hay per acre on poor to medium land. It is
easily cured and handled. It is readily seeded and catches with certainty. It grows
well in open lands and in forests of Jarge trees, the underbrush being all cleared off.
I know but one objection to it. Like tall oat grass it is disposed to grow in clumps
and leave much of the ground uncovered. This may be obviated by thick seeding,
using 24, or, better, 3 bushels of scvd per acre. The gaps may be prevented by sow-
ing with it a few pounds of red-top seed. But as the latter multiplies annually from
seeds dropping, it would in a few years root out the orchard grass. In common with
others I prefer red clover with orchard grass. It fills the gaps and matures at the
same time with the orchard grass; the mixture makes good pasture and good hay ;
but if mowed more than twice a year, or grazed too soon after the second mowing,
the clover will rapidly fail. One peck of red clover seed and six pecks of orchard
grass seed is a good proportion per acre. * * * After being cut it has been found
to grow inches in less than three days. Sheep leave all other grasses if they
ean find this, and acre for acre it will sustain twice as many sheep or other stock as
timothy. Cut at the proper stage it makes a much better hay than timothy, and is
greatly preferred by animals, being easier to masticate, digest, and assimilate; in
fact, more like green grass in flavor, tenderness, and solubility.

Mr. J. S. Gould, of New York, says:

The testimony that has been collected from all parts of the world for two centuries
past establishes the place of this species among the very best of our forage grasses,
and we have not the shadow of a doubt that the interests of our graziers and dairy-
men would be greatly promoted by its more extended cultivation. It is always found
in the rich old pastures of England, where an acre of land can be relied on to fatten a
bullock and four sheep. It is admirably adapted for growing in the shade, no grass
being equal to it in this respect, except the rough-stalked meadow grass (Poa trivi-
alis). It receives the name of orchard grass from this circumstance. We have seen
it growing in great luxuriance in dense old New England orchards, where no other
grass except Poa trivialis would grow atall. It affords a good bite earlier in the spring
than any other grass except the meadow fox-tail (Alopecurus pratensis). It affords a
very great amount of aftermath, being exceeded in this respect by no other grass
“except Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), and it continues to send out root leaves
until very late in the autumn. When sown with other grasses its tendency to form tus-
socks is very much diminished; indeed, it is always unprofitable to sow it alone in
meadows or pastures, as it stands too thin upon the ground to make a profitable use
of the land, and the filling up of the interspaces with other varieties greatly improves
the quality of the orchard grass by restraining its rankness and making it more deli-
cate.

Mr. Sinclair states, and the statement has been abundantly verified
in all countries, that the herbage when suffered to grow rank or old
‘contains one-half less nutriment than that which is of recent growth.
Cattle, sheep, and horses eat it with the greatest avidity when it is
young, but will not touch it when old, hence the importance, when

94 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

pastures have been understocked, of going over them with a mowing
machine; the orchard grass will then stool out, and the cattle will be
found eating first on the very spots that they had previously rejected.
(Plate 96.)

POA.

This is an extensive genus, there being about thirty-five species in
the United States, and it contains some of the most valuable grasses
for pasturage.

The chief characters of the genus are as follows: Spikelets some-
what compressed, usually two to five flowered ; the axis between the
flowers glabrous, or sometimes hairy ; the flowers generally perfect, in
a few species dicecious; the outer glumes commonly shorter than the
flowers, membranaceous, keeled, obtuse or acute, one to three nerved,
not awned; the flowering glumes membranaceous, five or rarely seven
nerved; the lateral nerves frequently very faint and obscure, often
Scarious at the apex and margins; the back, especially toward the
base, frequently pubescent on the nerves, often with a few or many
loose or webby hairs at the base; palet about as long as its glume,
prominentiy two-nerved or two-keeled. oe

POA PRATENSIS. (June grass, Kentucky blue grass, Spear grass.)

This grass is too well known to need an extended description. It is
a perennial, growing usually 14 to 2 feet high, with an abundance of
long, soft, radical leaves. There are several well-marked varieties,
which are much modified and improved by good cultivation. It is
indigenous in the mountainous regions of this country as well as of
Europe, and has been introduced into cultivation in many countries.
The panicle is generally pyramidal in outline, 2 to 4 inches long, open
and spreading, the branches fine, mostly in fives, the lower ones 1 to 2
inches long, subdivided and flowering above the middle. The spike-
lets are about two lines long, ovate, closely three to five flowered,
mostly on very short pedicels. The outer glumes are acute; the flow-
ering glumes acute or acutish, five-nerved, the lateral nerves prominent,
the lower part of the keel and marginal nerves more or less hairy, and”
at the base more or less webby-hairy. From the unexampled success its
cultivation has met with in Kentucky it has acquired the name of
Kentucky blue grass, although in New England it is known by the
name of June grass. In all the middle portions of the United States
it forms the principal constituent of pastures, though its excellence is
said to be rather depreciated in the Eastern States.

In some sections it has been used as a hay grass, but it is not a success as a
meadow, its chief excellence being exhibited as a pasture grass. It endures the
frosts of winter better than any other grass we have, and if allowed to grow rank
during the fall months it will turn over and hide beneath its covering the most lux-
uriant of winter croppings.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 95

Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, says :

It would seem a work of supererogation to argue as to the advantages of cultivat-
ing this grass. All know its benefits, and all see around them the great increase in
the value of the land covered by it. It grows readily in all parts of the United
States north of 40°, and lower down on suitable soils. It flowers in the earliest sum-
mer, and gives rich pasturage, except in the driest months, all the year. It varies in
size in different localities according to soil and climate.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

Kentucky blue grass, known also in the Eastern States as June grass, although
esteemed in some parts of America as the best of all pasture grasses, seems not to be
considered very valuable among English farmers except in mixtures. It is certainly
a very desirable grass, however. Its very narrow leaves, 1, 2, or more feet long, are
in such proftision and cover the ground to such depth with their luxuriant growth
that a mere description could give no one an adequate idea of its beauty, quantity,
or value; that is, on rich land. On poor, sandy land it degenerates sadly, as do other
things Gereeuially located. Perennial, and bearing cold and drought well, it fur-
nishes grazing a large part of the year. It is specially valuable as a winter and
spring grassfor the South. In prolonged summer drought it dries completely, so that
if fired it would burn off clean. But this occurs even in Kentucky, where, indeed, it
has seemed, without fire, to disappear utterly ; yet when rain came, the bright green
spears promptly recarpeted the earth. Sown alone, 20 to 26 poet: that is 2 bushels,
should be used to the acre; in mixtures, 4 to 6 pounds.

Mr. Klippart, of Ohio, says that this grass is very much in favor in
Southern Ohio, whilst in Northern and Northeastern Ohio it is considered
a very unwelcome guest in the grass lands. This ditference of estima-
tion is probably due to varieties, or to alteration of soil and to treat-
ment. (Plate 97).

POA TRIVIALIS. (Rough-stalked Meadow grass.)

This species very much resembles the Poa pratensis. It is distin-
guished chiefly by its having rough sheaths, by its long, pointed lig-
ules, its fibrous roots, and the smooth marginal nerves of the flowering
glumes; whereas, in Poa pratensis, the sheaths are smooth, the ligules
obtuse, the root-stock running, and the marginal nerves of the flower-
ing glumes are hairy. It has been little cultivated by itself in this
country, but is sometimes found in low meadows or on the banks of
_ shaded streams. It flourishes best in low or wet ground and in shaded
Situations, and is not so well adapted to general cultivation as the blue
grass.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

It is specially adapted to wood pastures, as it delights in shade, banks of streams,
and moist ground generally. It bears tramping and is an excellent pasture grass. It

makes a good mixture with red top and orchard grass, or red top and tall oat grass,
and with other pasture grasses.

POA SEROTINA. (Fowl Meadow grass.)

Culns erect, 2 to 3 feet high, without running root-stocks. The leaves
are narrowly linear, 3 to 6 inches long and two to three lines wide, the
sheaths long, smooth, and striate, the ligules long. The panicle varies

96 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

with the size of the plant from 5 to 10 or 12 inches long and 1 to 3 inches
wide, and Jax; the branches mostly in fives or more numerous, nearly
erect, from 1 to 4 inches long, the longer ones subdivided and flowering
above the middle. There are some mountain forms or varieties in
which the culms are 1 foot or less in height and the panicle greatly re-
duced. The spikelets are one to two lines long, two to five flowered, on
short pedicels. The outer glumes are about one line long and sharp-
pointed. The flowering glumes are rather obtuse, the lateral nerves
not prominent, slightly pubescent on the margins below, and somewhat
webby at the base.

This species is most common in the Northern States, particularly in
New England, New York, and westward to Wiscousin, and also in re-
duced forms in all mountainous districts.

Mr. J.S . Gould, of New York, says:

I have found it to grow on almost every kind of soil; but it attains the greatest
perfection in a rich moist one. It is one of those grasses that thrive best when com-
bined with others ; it will not make a superior turf of itself, but it adds much to the
value of a sward from its nutritive qualities and powers of early and late as As
it perfects an abundance of seed it may be easily propagated.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

In portious of the Western States this grass has, for some years, been very highly
recommended. In the Eastern States it has been cultivated for one hundred and fifty
years or longer and valued highly. Jared Elliott, in 1749, spoke of it as growing tall
and thick, making a more soft and pliable hay than timothy and better adapted for
pressing and shipping for use of horseson shipboard. He saysit makes a thick, abund-
aut growth on land more moist than is adapted to common upland grasses, and may be
mowed any time from June to October, as it never becomes so coarse and hard but the
stalk is sweet and tender and eaten without waste. It has not been sufficiently culti-
vated in the Southern States, so far as I am aware, to know how long a meadow set
with it may remain profitable. It is, however, worthy of extended trial.

Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

It grows abundantly in almost every part of New England, especially where it has
been introduced and cultivated in suitable ground, such as the borders of rivers and
intervals occasionally flooded. It never grows so coarse or hard but that the stalk is
sweet and tender, and eaten without waste. It is easily made into hay, and is a nu-
tritive and valuable grass.

(Plate 98.)

POA COMPRESSA. (Wire grass, Blue grass.)

This species has sometimes been confounded with the Kentucky biue
grass, from which it differs in its flattened, decumbent, wiry stems, its
shorter leaves and shorter, narrower, and more scanty panicle. It is
found in many old pastures, on dry banks, and in open woods. The
culms are hard and much flattened, 1 foot to 18 inches long, more or
less decumbent, and frequently bent at the lower joints. The leaves
are scanty, smooth, short, and of a dark bluish-green color. The pani-

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 97

cle is short and contracted, 1 to 3 inches long. The branches are in
pairs or threes, short, rough, and frequently one sided. The spikelets
are ovate-oblong, flat, short-stalked, and generally three to five flowered.
The outer glumes are acute, the flowering ones obtuse, smooth, the
nerves obscure, and the apex frequently purplish colored. It forms a
very firm turf by means of its creeping rootstalks. Very contradictory
accounts have been given as to its agricultural value, some denouncing:
it as worthless and others entertaining a good opinion of it. It thrives
well on clay, or hard trodden and poor soils.

Hon. J. S. Gould says, respecting it:

It is certain that cows that feed upon it both in pasture and in hay give more milk

and keep in better condition than when fed on any other grass. Horses fed on this
hay will do as well as when fed on timothy hay and oats-combined.

These discrepant opinions may be due in part to having mistaken the
Poa pratensis for this grass. It is probably a nutritious grass, but from
its spare yield can hardly obtain much favor for ahay crop. (Piate 9.)

POA ARACHNIFERA. (Texas Blue grass.)

‘This species was first described by Dr. John Torrey in the report of
Captain Marcy’s exploration of the Red River of Louisiana, as having
been found on the headwaters of the Trinity, and named Poa urachnifera
from the profuse webby hairs growing about the flowers, although it is
found that this character is very variable, probably depending some-
- what on the amount of shade or exposure to which the grass is subject.

. Several years ago Mr. Hogan, of Texas, sent specimens of the grass
to this Department, and as it was shown to be a relative of the Kentucky
blue grass, Mr. Hogan adopted for the common name Texas blue grass.
We give some extracts from his letters relating to the grass:

I find it is spreading rapidly over the country, and I claim for itall and more in Texas
than is awarded to the Poa pratensis in Kentucky. It seems to be indigenous to all
the prairie country between the Trinity River and the Brazos in our State. It blooms
here about. tne last of March, and ripens its seeds by the 15th of April. Stock of all
kinds, and even poultry, seem to prefer it to wheat, rye, oranything else grown in winter.
It seems to have all the characteristics of Poa pratensis, only it is much larger, and
therefore affords more grazing. I have known it to grow 10 inches in ten days during
the winter. The coldest winters do not even nip it, and although it seems to die down

‘during summer it springs up as soon as the first rains fall in September and grows all
winter. I have known it in cultivation some five years, and have never been able to
find a fault in it. It will be ready for pasture in three or four weeks after the first
rains in the latter part of August or first of September. I have never cut it for hay.
Why should a man want hay when he can have green grass to feed his stock on?

Mr. James E. Webb, of Greensborough, Hale County, Alabama, writes
to the Department December 26, 1883, and says:

Recent experiments show that the Texas blue grass (Poa arachnifera) flourishes and
grows here in west Alabama as finely as could be wished, and is likely cre long to
furnish us what we so much need, a fine winter grass. With Texas blue grass, Meli-
lotus, and Bermuda grass, Alabama is a fine stock country.

2218 GR 7

98 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Mr. 8. C. Tally, of Ellis County, Texas, has sent specimens of this
grass; he says it is abundant there, bears heavy pasturing, and makes
a beautiful yard or lawn grass.

Similar favorable accounts have been received from others. It is
likely to prove one of the most valuable grasses for the South and South-
west. By means of its strong stolons or offshoots if multiplies rapidly
and makes a dense permanent sod. It produces an abundance of radi-
cal leaves, and those of the culm are long, smooth, and of good width,
about 4 to 8 inches long and two lines wide. The culms are 2 to 3 feet
high, each with two or three leaves, with long sheaths and blade, the
upper leaf sometimes reaching nearly to the top of the panicle. The
ligule is short and rounded, or lacerated when old. The panicle is from
5 to 8 inches in length, rather narrow, and with short, erect branches
of unequal length, in clusters of from three to five, the longest seldom
2 inches, most of them short, some nearly sessile, and profusely flower-
ing to the base. The spikelets usually contain about five flowers. The
outer glumes are Ovate-lanceolate, acute, with whitish scarious margins,
and scabrous on the keel. The flowering glumes are longer, gradually
sharp pointed, and smooth except on the margins and midnerve, which
are usually pubescent, sometimes densely so. In many cases there is a
remarkable development of long, silky hairs at the base of each flower,
but sometimes these are quite absent. (Plate 100.)

POA TENUIFOLIA. ‘Oregon Blue grass.)

There is some uncertainty about the proper specific name of this
grass. In the report for 18381—’82 it was published as Poa Californica,
but it seems probable that that name belongs to a different species. It
is common in California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, and is one
of the numerous bunch grasses referred to in accounts of the wild pas-
turage of that country. The foliage of some forms of the grass seems
to be too scanty, but of others the radical leaves are long and abun-
dant. It furnishes an abundance of nutritious seeds, which are said to
be gathered for food by Indians.

The culms are from 14 to 3 feet high, erect, and scantily clothed |

with a few short, narrow leaves. The panicle is erect, 3 to 5 inches
long, rather narrow and loose, the branches mostly in fives, unequal,
from 4 to 14 inches long, flowering above the middle. The spikelets

are three to five flowered ; the outer glumes are oblong-lanceolate, about —

two lines long, nearly as long as the flowers, three-nerved, rough on the
keel, somewhat scabrous, and acutish. The flowering glumes are lance-
olate, convex, or slightly compressed toward the apex, indistinctly five_
nerved, two to three jineslong, acutish, minutely scabrous, the apex and
margins scarious and of a bronze or purplish color, sometimes slightly
pubescent near the base. The palet is almost as long as its glume, nar-
_ rower and bidentate at the apex.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 99

Tt is probable that this species, by careful cultivation, may be made
as valuable in agriculture for the region where it grows as the Poa pra-
tensis is in the Eastern States. (Plate 101.)

PoA ALSODES. (Tall Spear-grass, Woods grass, Wood Spear erass.
] gS ’ £ , } s

A species of spear-grass of, probably, no great agricultural value, but
found in mountainous districts in the northern parts of the United
States, in woods and on hill sides in New England, New York, the
mountainous parts of Pennsylvania, and westward to Wisconsin. The
culms are 2 to 24 feet high, slender, erect, and with about three nar-
rowly-linear leaves, each 3 to 4 inches long. The panicle is about 6
inches long, very open, aud composed of about four whorls of branches,
chiefly in fours, the lower ones distant, very slender, 2 to 3 inches long,
and with few flowers only toward the extremity of the branches. The
Species may most readily be distinguished by the acute flowers. The
spikelets are about two lines long, chiefly three-flowered. All the glumes
are acutely-pointed, the flowering ones obscurely nerved, and with a
narrow tuit of long, webby hairs at the base.

Mr. J. S. Gould says:

It flourishes on mountain sides from 1,000 to 3,000 feet above the sea, but is very
well adapted for lawns and for thick, shady places, where few other kinds wil! grow.
‘The seeds weigh about 15 pounds to the bushel.

(Plate 102.)

Poa ANDINA OF NUTTALL. (Mountain Spear grass.)

A perennial tufted grass, with short, narrow, rigid, and pungently
pointed leaves, usually involute; the culms are 6 to 18 inches high,
smooth, or nearly so, wiry and naked, except about two very short
leaves, the blade an inch long, or almost wanting. The panicle is 2 to
4 inches long, narrow, erect, and rather loose, the branches mostly in
pairs, which are erect, about an inch long, and flowering for the upper
two-thirds, or nearly throughout. The spikelets are three to five flow-
ered, and nearly sessile; the outer glumes are one and a half lines long,
nearly equal, thin, ovate-lanceolate, acute or acutish, the margins scari-
ous, the lower one-nerved, and the upper obscurely three-nerved, mi-
nutely scabrous; the flowering glumes are oblong, obtuse, or obtusish,
slightly compressed, rounded on the back. at least below, obscurely
nerved, softly and finely pubescent and below villous; the apex scari-
ous and tinged with purple, sometimes denticulate or lacerated; the
palets are as long as their glumes, and pubescent on the nerves. The
flowers separate very readily and drop off early.

This grass prevails widely throughout the region of the great plains
and table lands from Arizona to British America. Little is known of its
agricultural value. (Plate 103.)

100 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Poa ANNUA. (Annual Spear grass, Goose grass.)

This grass is a native of Europe, but has become extensively natur-
alized in this and many other countries. It is an annual or biennial
species of low growth, usually 3 or 4 to 6 or 10 inches high, with pale-
green, tender leaves. It is commonly found in door-yards or neglected
lots or on the roadside. It blooms very early in the spring, and also.
frequently in the fall. It is very nutritious, but so small that the yield
is deficient in quantity. It appears to die at the approach of hot
weather.

Poa flexuosa, Poa brevifolia, Poa debilis, and Poa sylvestris, are species
growing in woods or shaded grounds in different parts of the country,
South and East, but are not of much agricultural importance.

G:LYCERIA. :

This genus is closely related to Poa, and is characterized as follows:
Spikelets terete or flattish, several to many flowered, the axis of the
flowers smooth, the outer glumes shorter than the flowers, unequal,
membranaceous, one to three nerved, the flowering glumes membrana-
ceous or subcoriaceous, obtuse, awnless, more or less hyaline, and finely-
toothed or worn at the apex, rounded (not keeled) on the back, five to
nine nerved, the nerves separate and all vanishing before reaching the
apex; palet about as long as its glume, two-keeled, entire or bifid at
the apex. |

The species of this genus are not of much agricultural importance.
They mostly grow in wet or swampy ground, and where found in
abundance can be utilized for pasturage or hay-making.

GLYCERIA AQUATICA. (Reed Meadow grass, White Spear grass.)

This species is widely diffused in the northern portions of the United
States, Canada, the Rocky Mountains, and the Northwestern States.
and Territories. It has a stout, erect, leafy culm, 3 to 4 feet high.
The leaves are a foot or two long, a quarter to half an inch wide, flat,
and somewhat rough, especially on the edges. The panicle is large, 9
to 15 inches long, much branched; the branches arranged in half
whorls alternately on the main axis, at first erect, but spreading with ~
age. The spikelets are oblong, about three lines long, five to nine flow-
ered, oncapillary pedicels. The lower third of the branches is naked. The
outer glumes are one-nerved, and unequal. The flowering glumes are —
obtuse, prominently seven nerved or ribbed, mostly entire at the apex.
The palet is two-toothed, two-nerved, and about as long as its glume.

Hon. J. 8. Gould says: .

This grass is made into hay which is liked by cattle. It flowers in July. It is
found in most parts of Europe, and is widely diffused in this country in wettish
meadows. Me

It is doubtful if the European grass of this name is identical with the
American one, although much resembling it. (Plate 104.)

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 101

GLYCERIA NERVATA. (Nerved Meadow grass, Nerved Manna grass.)

This is similar in appearance and habit to the preceding, but gen-
erally smaller. It has also much the same general range. The culms
are 2 to 3 feet high, usually somewhat decumbent below, often branch-
ing and rooting at the lower joints. It varies greatly in size and in the
magnitude of the panicle. It usually grows along the wet margins of
streams and in swamps. The panicle is from 4 to 8 inches long, nod-
ding when young, loose and spreading, with capillary branches. The
leaves are 8 to 12 inches long, and two to three lines wide. The spikelets
are small, about five-flowered, oblong, frequently becoming purplish
with age. The outer glumes are unequal, obtuse, thin, and small, neither
of them much more than half as long as the flowers. The flowering’
glumes are obtuse, oblong, prominently five to seven ribbed, and en-
tire or minutely ciliate at the apex. The paletis as long as its glumes,
two-ne@ved, two-toothed at the apex. Like the preceding this grows in
wet meadows and swamps. It is nutritious and might be advan-
tageously mixed with other grasses in wet or swampy grounds.

‘Mr. Charles L. Flint says:

It isa hardy grass, grows best on moist ground, but is said to succeed also on
lightish upland soils. It is a very valuable native grass, retaining its nutritive
qualities until the seed is ripe, and then sending up large fan-like shoots which are
succulent and nutritious. It would be a valuable ingredient in a mixture for wet or
_ moist pastures. ay

_ (Plate 105.)

GLYCERIA CANADENSIS. (Rattlesnake grass, Tall quaking grass.)

A grass belonging to the northern portion of the United States, usually
found in mountainous districts, in swamps, and river borders, growing
in clumps. The culms are stout, about 3 feet high, smooth and leafy:
The leaves are linear-lanceolate, 6 to 9 inches long, or the iower ones
much longer, about four lines broad and rather rigid. The panicle is
large and effuse, 6 to 9 inches long, oblong pyramidal, and at length
drooping. The whorls are an inch or more distant, the branches semi-
verticillate, mostly in threes, the largest 3 to 4 inches long, and sub-

divided from near the base. The spikelets are oblong to ovate, when
mature nearly three lines long, rather turgid, but flattened at the sides,
usually six to eight flowered. The empty glumes are shorter than the
flowering glumes, ovate-lanceolate, acute, purplish, the upper onelargest. —
The flowering glumes are broadly ovate, acute, five to seven nerved, one
and one-half to two lines long. The palets are shorter than their glumes
and thicker in texture, roundish, and obtuse, with the sides strongly
reflexed. a

This is quite an ornamental grass, resembling the quaking grass
(Briza). Cattle are fond of it, both green and when made into hay. It
is well adapted to low meadows.

102 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Hon. J. 8. Gould says:

It is usually found on high elevations, in swampy lands, and by the margins of
streams. Itis very apt to grow in clumps. It is one of the most beautiful of grasses,
and is exceedingly ornamental in grass boquets. It is abundanton the Catskill and
White Mourtains and on the Raquette waters of the Adirondacks. Cattle eatit very
well in pasture and when made into hay. —

(Plate 106.)

GLYCERIA FLUITANS. (Floating Manna grass.)

This species grows in shallow water on the margins of lakes, ponds,
and sluggish streams. Its culms are usually 3 to 4 feet high, rather
thick and succulent and quite leafy. The leaves are 4 to 9 inches long
and threeto four lines wide. The panicle is oftena foot long, very narrow,
the short distant branches mostly in twos or threes, 1 or 2 inches long,
erect and close, each having usually two to four spikelets. The spike-
lets are half an inch to three-quarters of an inch in length, ratho cylin-
drical and nearly of the same thickness throughout, seven to thirteen
flowered. The outer glumes are membranaceous and one-nerved. The
flowering glumes are abouttwo lines long, oblong, convex on theroughish
back, rather thick, with a thin, scarious entire apex. The palets are as
long or sometimes longer than their glumes and minutely two-toothed.

Hon. J. 8. Gould says:

This grass is found growing in shallow water, overflowed meadows and wet woods,
but will bear cultivation on moderately dry grounds. Schreber says that it is culti-
vated in several parts of Germany for the sake of the seeds, which form the manna
crop of the shops, and are considered a great delicacy in soups and gruels. When
ground into meal they make bread very little inferior to that made from wheat. In
Poland large quantities of the seeds are obtained for culinary purposes. All graniy--
erous birds are exceedingly fond of these seeds. Trout and indeed most fish are very
fond of them; wherever it grows over the banks of streams the trout are always found
in great numbers waiting to catch every seed that falls. There is a great difference
of opinion among agricultural writers with respect to the fondness of animals for the
leaves and culms of this grass. We have often seen the ends of the leaves cropped by
cattle, but have never seen the culms orroot-leaves touched by them. On the other
hand, reliable writers have asserted that cattle, horses, and swine were alike fond
of it.

FESTUCA.

This is a large genus, of which we have some fifteen native and
several introduced species. The genus is characterized as follows:
Spikelets, three to many flowered, variously panicled, pedicellate ;
axis of the spikelets not hairy, outer glumes unequal, shorter than the
flowers, the lower one-nerved and the upper three-nerved, narrow,
keeled, acute; flowering glumes membranaceous, chartaceous, or sub-
coriaceous, narrow, rounded on the back (not keeled), more or less dis-
tinetly three to five nerved, acute, or commonly tapering into a straight
awn, rarely obtusish; palet narrow, flat, prominently two-nerved or two-
keeled.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 103

FESTUCA ELATIOR. (Meadow Fescue grass, Tall Fescue, Randall grass,
Evergreen grass.)

A perennial grass, growing from 2 to 4 feet high, with flat, broadish
leaves about a foot long. The panicle is somewhat one-sided, loose,
and spreading when in flower, contracted after flowering, from 6 to
10 inches long, the branches 1 to 2 inches long, erect, mostly in pairs
below, single above, subdivided; the spikelets are lanceolate or linear,
about half an inch long, five to ten flowered. The outer glumes are
one and three nerved, shorter than the flowers; the flowering glumes
are lanceolate, about three lines long, firm in texture, five nerved, scari-
ous at the margin, acute, and sometimes with a short but distinct awn
at the apex. This is an introduced species, now frequently met with
in meadows; it is one of the standard meadow grasses of Kurope-
Cattle are said to be very fond of it, both green and as hay. There is
a smaller form or variety which is the variety pratensis or Festuca pra-
tensis, Hudson.

Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, writes of this grass as follows:

This grass has received some attention in different parts of the State, and has met
with a warm reception from those testingit. It ripensits seed long before any other
grass, and consequently affords a very early nip to cattle. It has been raised under
various names, in Virginia as “‘ Randall grass,” and in North Carolinaas ‘‘evergreen
grass.” Mr. James Taylor, writing from North Carolina, says: ‘‘ The evergreen grass
is very good for pasturing through the fall and winter. It will do best when sown
on dry land, and is well adapted to sheep. It grows well on rocky soil to the height
of 4 or 5 feet when ripe, continuing green in the spring, and affording fine herbage
throughout the winter. It is best to sow in the spring with oats. <A peck of well-
cleaned seed is enough for an acre, or a bushel in the chaff. It ripens about the 1st
of June. If sown in the spring this grass will not go to seed before the next year,
but if sown in the fall it will bring seed the next spring.” From the limited culti-
vation it has met with-in Tennessee, it seems rather to be better adapted to moist, low
lands, though I have seen it growing on some of the high ridges of East Tennes-

see, at least 1,500 feet above the sea. There it thrives luxuriantly and makes a very
superior pasture.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

It grows well in nearly all situations, wet or dry, on hill or bottom land, even
though subject to overflow, and matures an extraordinary quantity of seed. The
- seeds germinate readily, and it is easy to set a piece of land with this grass. Seeded
alone, 28 pounds, or about 2 bushels, of seed should be sown broadcast in August, Sep-
tember, October, or from the middle of February to the 1st of April. From remain-
‘ing green through the winter it is sometimes called ‘“‘ evergreen grass.” Mowed and
dried it makes a good hay, much relished by stock.

(Plate 107.)

FESTUCA OVINA. (Sheep’s Fescue grass.)

A deusely-tufted, perennial grass, with an abundance of rather nar-
Tow, sometimes involute, short radical leaves and slender culms, 1 to
14 feet high. The panicle is 2 to 4 inches long, narrow, the branches
mostly single and alternate, erect and few-flowe1ed ; the spikelets are

104 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

mostly three to five flowered, and about three lines long; the outer
glumes are acute and narrow. The flowering glumes are lanceolate,
two lines long, roughish, and with a short rough awn about half a line
long. ,

This species has many varieties, both in this country and in Europe.
It is indigenous in the mountainous parts of New England, in the Rocky
Mountains, and in various Northern localities.

As found in cultivation it has been derived from Europe.

Hon. J. Gould, of New York, says:

It forms the great bulk of the sheep pastures of the highlands of Scotland, where
it is the favorite food of the sheep, and where the shepherds believe it to be more
nutritious for their flocks than any other. Gmelin says that the Tartars choose to
encamp during the summer where this grass is most abundant, because they believe
that it affords the most wholesome food for all cattle, but especially for sheep. Nat-
ure distributes it among dry, sandy, and rocky soils, where scarcely any other species
would grow. It is without doubt the very best of the grasses growing on sandy soils.
It roots deeply, and forms a dense, short turf, which adapts it admirably for lawns
aud »leasure-grounds where the soil is sandy. It is almost useless as a hay crop, as
its leaves and culms are too fine to give a remunerative amount of hay; it is only as
a pasture grass on sandy soils that it is valuable, and in these, when highly manured,
itis driven out by the more succulent species. It is often found 4,000 feet aboye the
level of the sea. Its seeds weigh about 14 pounds to the bushel. ‘

(Plate 108.)

FESTUCA MICROSTACHYS. (Small Fescue grass, Western Fescue.)

A slender annual grass, which is very common in California and
Oregon, considerably like the small fescue (Lestuca tenella). The culms
are slender, 6 to 18 inches high; the leaves are short and narrow. The
panicle is from 2 to 5 inches long, with rather distant short branches,
which are mostly single at the joints, and apt to be one-sided, some-
times with the lower branches spreading or reflexed. The spikelets are
small, from two to five flowered, on short, thickened pedicels, varying
from smooth to pubescent. The outer glumes are acute, about a line
long. The flowering glumes are two or three lines long, with an awn
nearly twice as long; the palets have each two short, bristle-like teeth,
which often project beyond the flowering glume. The grass is of little
value, except as it helps to extend the pasturage of uncultivated ground.
(Plate 109.) =

FESTUCA SCABRELLA. (Bunch grass.)

A perennial grass, growing in strong clumps or bunches, and hence
called “bunch grass.” It is a native of the Rocky Mountain region,
from Colorado westward to California and Oregon. The culms are usu-
ally 2 to 3 feet high, erect, and sinooth; the radical leaves are numerous,
about half as long as the culm, generally rigid, involute, and scabrous
on the margins; the blade is prone to separate when old, leaving an
abundance of leafless sheaths at the base; the cauline leaves are about —
two, short and pointed, 2 to 4 inches long; the sheath scabrous, the lig-
ule short or wanting; the panicle is usually 3 to 5 inches long; the

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 105

rays spreading, 1 to 3 inches long, distant, usually in pairs below, single
above, subdivided to the middle; spikelets five to six lines long, three
to five flowered, the flowers rather distant; outer glumes ovate-lanceo-
late, membranaceous, acute or acuteish, obscurely nerved, the upper
one two lines long, the lower one-third shorter; flowering glumes lanceo-
late, acute, or short cuspidate, about five-nerved, minutely scabrous, of
thicker texture than the outer glumes; palet as long as its glume, two-
nerved, bifid at the apex.

This grass varies greatly in size and appearance in different. locali-
ties, one form in Oregon and California growing 3 to 5 feet high, with
panicle twice as large as the mountain form. Cattle are said to be fond
of it, and it is considered one of the most valuable wild grasses of the
region where it grows. (Plate 110.)

BROMUS. ,
Spikelets five to many flowered, subterete or compressed, the axis
smooth; the outer glumes more or less unequal, shorter than the flow-
ers, membranaceous, acute, one to nine nerved, awnless or short mu-
cronate; flowering glumes, membranaceous to rigid-subcoriaceous,
rounded on the back, or compressed or keeled, five to nine nerved,
acute or awned from below the mostly two-cleft apex; palet commonly
rather shorter than its glume, two keels, the keels rigid and ciliate.

BROMUS SECALINUS. (Chess or Cheat.)

We introduce this grass, not to recommend its cultivation, but to
familiarize those interested with its appearance and character. Many
farmers know it well, as it occurs in their wheat fields. It is an old
tradition, which some farmers still cling to, that chess is a degenerated
wheat; that the action of frost and other causes occasion the deteriora-
tion, whereas the truth undoubtedly is that chess seed was either in the
land or in the seed sown, and being more hardy than wheat it survived
the frost and took possession of the ground. Some years ago this grass
had a temporary popularity under the name of Willard’s Brome grass,
but it was soon abandoned when brought into competition with better
2Tasses.

It has a stout upright culm, 2 to 3 feet high, the panicle being from
4 to 6 inches long, rather spreading, and the large spikelets somewhat
drooping when ripe. Usually there are three to five branches at each
joint of the panicle; these branches are of different lengths, from $
inch to 2 inches, and each with one to three spikelets. The spikelets
are usually from five to ten flowered; the glumes unequal, nerved,
shorter than the flowers; the flowering glume is convex or compressed,
keeled on the back, with an awn variable in length from below the
point. |

In the South it would perhaps be a good winter grass, like its relative
Bromus unioloides, but it is not as vigorous a grass as that species, and

dloes not produce such an abundance of foliage. (Plate 111.)

106 THE. AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

BROMUS UNIOLOIDES. (Schrader’s grass, Rescue grass.)

This is one of the so-called winter grasses; that is, it makes in the
South a large share of its growth duringshe winter months. It belongs.
to the chess or cheat family. In its early growth it spreads and pro-
duces a large amount of leaves; early in the spring it sends up its flower
stalks, which grow about 3 feet high, with a large, open, spreading
panicle, the ends of the branchlets bearing the large flattened spikelets,
which, when mature, hang gracefully upon their stems, giving them
quite an ornamental appearance. These spikelets are from 1 inch to 13
inches in length, and composed of two acute lanceolate glumes at the
base, and from seven to ten flowers arranged in two rows alternate on.
each side of the axis. The flowers are lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate,
the flowering glume extending into a fine point or short awn.

During several years past this grass has been sent to this Department,,
chiefly from Louisiana and Texas, and has been much commended.
Many years since the same grass was distributed and experimented.
with under the name of Australian oats, or Bromus Schraderi. Tt is not
adapted to use in a country with severe winters, and hence did not give
satisfaction in all places. Mr. C. Mohr, of Mobile, says of it:

Only of late years found spreading in different parts of this State; makes its ap-
pearance in February, grows in tufts, its numerous leafy stems growing from 2 to 3:

feet high; it ripens the seed in May; affords in the earlier months of spring a much- ~
relished nutritious food, as well as a good hay.

Under date of March 4, 1878, Mr. Williams writes from San Antonio,
Tex., describing the introduction and spreading of a patch of this grass-
He says:

Inasmuch as Western Texas is the great stock-producing section of the Southwest,. _
and considering the fact that pasturage is scanty, particularly in February, stunting
the growth of young cattle, this seems wonderfully adapted to supply just what is
greatly wanted, both for milch cows, calves, colts, and ewes just dropping their lambs;
and besides, this grass grows well on the thinnest soil and crowds out weeds, maturing”
in March and early April, while not interfering with the native mesquite. I therefore
regard this grass as a wonderful and most important discovery.

This grass is said to have been introduced into Georgia by General
Iverson, of Columbus, and by him called rescue grass. The favorable
opinion which it at first received does not seem to have been well sus-
tained in that State. ,

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

This grass is also called Bromus Schraderi, B. Willdenovii, Ceratochloa unioloides, and.
Festuca unioloides. It is an annual winter grass. It varies in the time of starting:
growth. I have seen it ready for mowing the first of October, and furnish frequent
cuttings till April. Again, it way not start before January, nor be ready to eut till
February. This depends on the moisture and depression of temperature of the fall,.
the seeds germinating only at a low temperature. When once started, its growth
after the successive cuttings or grazings is very rapid. It is tender, very sweet, and:
stock eat it greedily. It makes also a good hay. It produces an immense quantity
of leaves. On loose soil some of it may be pulled up by animals grazing it.

(Plate 112.) .

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 107

BROMUS ERECTUS. (Erect Brome grass.)

This is a European species, which has become sparingly naturalized
in some places. It is a perennial grass, growing about 25 feet high,
the culms erect, firm, and smooth. The leaves are narrowly linear,
mostly radical, or at the base of the stem. The panicle is somewhat
oblong in outline, 5 or 6 inches long, the branches mostly in fives, 1 to.
2 inches long, slender, erect, not much subdivided, and each terminated
with the pretty large spikelet of seven to nine flowers. The spikelets.
are about 1 inch long. The empty glumes are lanceolate, thinnish,
acute, rather shorter than the flowering glumes, which are about five lines
long, linear-lanceolate, slightly rough, and pointed with an awn of half
. to three-quarters its own length.

This species is not so coarse as many of the brome grasses, and will
be more useful for hay. Itis of the same genus as chess or cheat, but
is very different from and should not be confounded with broom grass,,
which is an Andropogon and much less valuable. (Plate 113.)

We have several other native species of this genus, and there are
several species growing in California, Oregon, and the mountain region.
of the Pacific slope. The most important of these is the Bromus grandi-
fiorus, which is in many respects like the Bromus unioloides, but of a
larger growth and with larger spikelets. Bromus mollis, Bromus race-
mosus, Bromus sterilis, and some other European species are occasion-
_ ally found introduced. |

LOLIUM PERENNE. (Rye grass and Italian Rye grass.)

A perennial grass, introduced from Europe. The culms are 2 to 3:
feet high, very leafy, and terminating in a loose, spike-like panicle, 6
inches or more in length. The spikelets are arranged alternately on
the axis, placed edgewise; that is, with one edge of the flat spikelet.
applied to the main stem at short distances, so that there may be twenty
or more in the panicle. The spikelets are one-half to three-fourths of an
inch long; generally seven to eleven flowered. The inner empty glume
is generally wanting, so that, except on the terminal spikelet, only one
glume is apparent, which is half or more than half the length of the
_spikelet, narrowly lanceolate, and acute. The general appearance of
the panicle is like that of couch grass (Triticum repens). The flowering
glumes are thickish, obscurely nerved, rather hispid, acutely pointed,
or in the variety Italicum, with a longish awn. The proper palets are
similar to the flowering glumes and of nearly equal length.

An intelligent writer, whom we have frequently quoted, says respect-
ing this grass: ;

It occupies the same place in Great Britain that timothy does with us, and is there:
esteemed on the whole higher than any other species of grass, and is called rye grass.
or ray grass. Of all the varieties of Lolium perenne which are known that called
Ttalicum is by far the most valuable. Its spikelets are conspicuously bearded, the

flowers being all terminated by long, slender awns, which character distinguishes it
very easily from Lolium perenne. Its name (Italian rye grass) is derived from the fact

>

+”

108 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

that its native habitat is on the plains of Lombardy, where broad and extensive
plains of pasture land are frequently inundated by the mountain streams which inter-
sect them. It is mainly adapted to irrigated meadows, and in these it is undoubtedly
superior to any other grass.

Professor Phares says:

This grass stands drought well and grows most luxuriantly in our Southern States.
If not kept grazed or mowed, however, the leaves cover the ground so deeply and
densely that an excess of rain in very hot weather in the extreme South causes it to
rot suddenly, destroying even the roots. This I have never seen or heard mentioned
by any other person, but it occurred on my own farm one season, where I was reserv-
ing a lot for seed.

Hon. J. 8. Gould says:

The valuable qualities of this grass. may be summed up as follows: Its habit of
coming early to maturity; its rapid reproduction after eutting; its wonderful adapt-
ation to all domestic animals, which is shown by the extreme partiality they manifest
for it, either alone or when mixed with other grasses, whether when used as green
food for soiling, as hay or as pasturage, in which latter stage its stems are never
allowed to ripen and wither like those of other grasses. One of its greatest recom-
mendations is its beneficial influence on the dairy, not only in augmenting the flow
of milk, but in improving the flavor of the cheese and butter that are made from it.

(Plate 114.)

AGROPYRUM. (Triticum.)

This genus is by many botanists considered as asection of Triticum, |
and our species are best known under that name. Tha spikelets are
usually from three to five flowered, compressed, alternately sessile on
the continuous or slightly notched axis of the simple spike and with
the side of the spikelets against the axis; the outer glumes are nearly
equal membranaceous or herbaceous, one to three nerved, scarcely.
keeled, tapering to a point, or awned; flowering glumes similar to the
outer ones, but generally broader, rounded on the back, three to seven
nerved, pointed or awned from the apex; the palet nearly as long as
its glume, the two prominent nerves almost marginal and ciliate.

AGROPYRUM REPENS. (Triticum repens.) (Couch grass, Quack grass,
Quitch grass, Wheat grass, Twitch grass, Dog grass.)

There has been a good deal of discussion relative to this grass, some
pronouncing it one of the vilest of weeds, and others claiming for it
high nutritive qualities overweighing all the disadvantages of its
growth. Whichever party may be right, it is proper that farmers
should be acquainted with itin order to know how to treat it, and hence
our figure and description. It forms a dense sod by means of its far-
reaching rhizomas or root-stalks, which have short joints, and root tena-
ciously at every joint. .

It has an abundance of foliage, and sends up a flowering culm, 2 to 3
feet high. which is terminated by a close, narrow spike of flowers from
3 to 6 inches long. This spike consists of a succession of closely-set
spikeiets, one at each joint of the axis, and placed flatwise with the side

¢

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 109

against the stalk. Each spikelet contains several (three to eight) flow-
ers, with a pair of nearly equal and opposite three to five nerved glumes
at the base.

This grass as it occurs in the Eastern States is supposed to be intro-
duced from Europe, but on the great Western plains and in the Rocky

Mountains there are several varieties of it) which are undoubtedly in-
digenous, as also several other species in the same region.

Hon. J. 8S. Gould says:

The farmers of the United States unite in one continuous howlof excreation against
this grass, andit seems stratige, when every man’s hand is against it, that it is not
exterminated. Yet we could never really satisfy ourselves that its presence in mead-
ows and pastures was such an unmitigated curse. In Jands where alternate hus-
- bandry is practiced, it must be admitted to be an evilof great magnitnde. Its hardi-
ness is such, and its rapidity of growth is so great that it springs up much more
rapidly than any other crop that can be planted, and chokesit. Still it has many
virtues. It is perfectly cosmopolitan in its habits. It is found in all sorts of soils
- and climates. Its creeping roots are succulent, and very nutritive, and are greedily
devovoured by horses and cows.

_ Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says:

This is perennial, with stem 2 or 2} feet high, so much like wheat as to be called also
wheat grass. Cattle eat it heartily when green, and cut early it makes a good hay.
But it fills the ground with roots, is as difficult to cultivate amongst and exterminate
as coco or nut grass; and hogs are as fond of and root up the groundas industriously
to obtain the roots. Cows and horses are also fondofthem. Itshould be destroyed
as soon as found in cultivated ground, but it is very valuable in permanent pastures.

(Plate 115.)

AGROPYRUM GLAUCUM. (Blue stem, Blue joint.)

This species, which has also been considered a variety of the preced-
ing, prevails on the Western plains from Texas to Montana, and is well
known to stockmen. It differs from the A. repens in having a stouter,
more rigid stem and leaves; the leaves, indeed, often becoming involute
and stiff. Itis also of alight bluish-green color. The spike is gen-
erally shorter, denser, and with larger spikelets.

Mr. Richard Gaines, of Colorado Springs, Colo., says:

; We think this is the best grass grown, superior to timothy or clover. We call it
blue stem, or blue joint; no richer hay can be made from anything known.

HORDEUM NODOSUM. (Barley grass.)

An annual or biennial grass, growing principally ip alkaline soils and
on the borders of saline marshes, especially in the Western States and
- Territories. Although eaten by cattle when in a young state, it cannot
be claimed as of anything more than temporary value. The culms are
usually 1 to 14 feet high, sometimes in moist places reaching 3 feet, and
varying as to smoothness or pubescence. The leaves are usually flat,
2 to 4 inches long, and about two lines wide. The flowers are ina close,
eylindrical spike, about 2 inches long, with three spikelets at each joint
of therachis. One (the central) spikelet is sessile and perfect; the two

110 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Jateral ones are short-stalked and imperfect ov abortive. Each of the
spikelets has a pair of empty glumes, which are narrowly lanceolate
and awn-pointed, or the lateral ones may be reduced to rough bristles.
The flowering glume of the perfect flower is lanceolate, indistinctly three-
nerved, and terminated by an awn one-quarter to one-half inch long,
equaling those of the empty glumes. The proper palet is inclosed in
its glume, is of about the same length as that, excluding the ty and
-of thinner texture. (Plate 116.)

HORDEUM JUBATUM. (Wild barley, Squirrel tail grass.)

This species has the same general characters as the preceding, but
the flowers have awns 2 inches or more long, giving it a bushy and rather
handsome appearance. Itis frequently found in wet or marshy places,
and is of no agricultural value. |

HORDIUM MURINUM.

Professor Brewer states that this grass, unfortunately is extensively
naturalized in California, andis a vile pest; it comes in when land is
overstocked; is known there as “ Squirrel grass,” “* Squirrel tail,” ‘‘ Fox
tail,” and “ White oats.” The heads break up and the barbed seeds
work into the wool of sheep, and even into the flesh of lambs, killing
them. It damages tie eyes and throats of animals.

ELymMus. (Wild rye.) .

Of this genus we have several species. Its general characters are as
follows: Spikelets in a simple, generally stout, spike, sessile, two to four
at each joint of the axis, one fo six flowered; outer glumes two for each
spikelet, nearly side by side in front, forming a kind of involucre for the’
cluster, narrow, rigid, one to three nerved, acuminate or awned; flow-
ering glumes herbaceous, thick and harsh, oblong or lanceolate, rounded
on the back, not keeled, acute, or awned ; palet shorter than its glume,
acute, two-keeled.

ELYMUS CANADENSIS. (Wild rye, Lyme grass, Terrell grass.)

A perennial coarse grass, growing on river banks and in rich shaded
woods. Culms, 2 to,4 feet high, leafy, terminated by a cylindrical loose
spike, 4 to 8 inches long, with the spikelets placed at intervals of about
half an ineh on the axis. The spikelets are mostly in pairs at each joint,
each composed of from three to five flowers. The glumes are narrow,
strongly nerved, and tapering to an awn which is rather shorter than
the awn of the flowers proper. The flowering glume of each flower is
thick in texture, narrow, and extending into a long, somewhat curved,
awn or beard, the palet with the awn being an inch or more in length.
‘The palet is thinner in texture, obtuse, and not awned, fringed with
short hairs on the margin. The spike is usually drooping at the top,
and rather graceful in appearance. The leaves are broad and rough,
the lower ones 9 to 12 inches long.

“THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 111

In some localities this is common in low meadows, and is cut with
other native grasses for hay. If left until maturity it becomes too
coarse to be of much value. In some portions of the Southern States
this grass is known as Terrell grass from having been prominently
brought to notice by Dr. Terrell, of Sparta, Ga. Mr. C. W. Howard
writes concerning it, as follows:

This grass will live on thin land, but the soil, to make it valuable, must be rich—
the richer the better. It lasts for years. I have known it to occupy and flourish on
the same spot for twenty years. Horses, sheep, and cattle are very fond of it during
dhe winter and spring; hogs reject it. Orchard, blue, or meadow-oat grass are either
of them preferable to it where they thrive. Whatever doubt there may be of their
thriving in a given locality, there can be no doubt of the thrift of the Terrell grass in
any part of the South, however hot it may be, if the soil be made rich. The planter
living in the flat and somewhat sandy portions of the South who says he cannot get
a good winter pasture, has certainly never tried the Terrell grass on rich land.

(Plate 117.)

ELYMUS VIRGINIcUS. (Wild Rye grass, Smooth Rye grass, Terrell
grass.)

* A coarse perennial grass, growing on alluvial river banks or in rich
low grounds. The culmis rather stout, 2 to 3 feet high, leafy; the lower
leaves are 10 to 15 inches long, broad and rough. The sheath ofthe
upper leaf usually incloses the stock, and sometimes the base of the

_ flower spike. This spike is erect, dense, and rigid, 2 to 4 or 5 inches long
andone-half inchthick. The spikelets are two or three together at each
joint, all alike and fertile, sessile, two to five flowered, and each with
a pair of empty glumes. These glumes are very thick and coarse
strongly uerved, lanceolate, and bristle-pointed, about 1 inch long. The
flowering glumes are of firm texture, lance-oblong, five-nerved, hairy
on back, and terminating in a stiff, straight awn, half an inch to nearly
an inch long. The lowest one in the spikelet having the lon gest awn,
the others gradually shorter. The palet is oblong, obtuse, and as long
as the flowering glume, excluding the awn.

This grass frequently forms a considerable portion of native meadow
lands and makes a coarse hay. It starts growth early in the spring,

and thus affords a good pasturage. Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee,
says it is very valuable and ought to be tried in cultivation.

Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says :

This perennial grass is a native of the Southern States. As all farm stock except
‘hogs are fond of it, and it is green through the winter and spring, it has been de-
stroyed when grazing animals have access to it at all times. It is, however, found
in many af our States along the banks of wooded streams, of ditches, and in fence-
corners among briers ‘and thickets. It will grow on thin clay, gravelly, or sandy soil,

but much better:on rich lands, dry or rather moist, and will thrive ten, twenty, or
“nore years on the same land.

(Plate 118.)

i

112 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

ELYMUS STRIATUS. (Smaller Rye grass, Dennett grass).

This grass has a structure as to the flower-spike similar to the pre-
ceding, but it is a more slender grass in all its parts; varying from
smooth to pubescent. The spike is 3 to 4 inches long, cylindrical, and
inclined to droop. The glumes are more slender than in #. Virginicus,
with longer awns. The spikelets are usually two-flowered, the empty
glumes narrow, rigid, and about 1inch long. The body or dilated part
. of the flowering glume is oblong, about four lines long, and tipped with
a slender awn an inch or more in length.

This species grows in rocky woods and on river banks, growing more
sparsely than the preceding, and it is said by some to furnish a good
hay.

Professor Phares says of this species: :

This, also, is a perennial and a native of the Southern States. Everything said of
the preceding, EL. Virginicus, applies with equal force to this, except the spikes of this
are 3 to 7 inches long, and often slightly nodding. Also the spike of this species is
raised by its long peduncle far above the sheath of the upper leaf, while the spike of
the other is partly included in the upper sheath. They may be grazed or mown re-
peatedly during spring and early summer, and grow rapidly after each mowing.
Many acres have been planted in the last few years. As hay it is rather hard unless
eut when young. It should be cut as soon asthe blooms appear or earlier. It would
be preferable to have these grasses for grazing or soiling, and to sow better grasses
for hay.

(Plate 119.)

ELYMUS CONDENSATUS. (Giant Rye grass, Western Rye grass.)

- This is a perennial grass, ranging from San Diego throughout Cali-
fornia, and into Oregon and Washington Territory, also in the Rocky
Mountain region of the interior. It is very variable, but always a
strong, heavy-rooted, coarse grass, from 3 to 5 or even to 12 feet high.
Mr. Bolander. states that it seems to do excellent service by fixing the
soil on the banks of creeks and rivers. In the larger forms the culms
are half an inch thick. The leaves are smooth, 2 feet long and an inch
wide, or more, and the panicle 8 to 14 inches long and 14 inches thick.
As it usually occurs in arid grounds it is from 3 to 6 feet high, the
leaves about a foot long and half an inch wide, and the spike-like pan-
icle 4 to 8 inches. In the large form the branches of the panicle are
subdivided and 1 or 2 inches long.

More commonly there are two to five sessile spikelets at each joint of
the axis, the spikelets about three-flowered. The outer glumes are sub-
ulate or short, bristle-like. The flowering glumes are mostly coriaceous,
five-nerved, rounded on the back, and acute or mucronate pointed.

There isa variety called Triticoides, which has a more slender, less
crowded spike, the spikelets more distant, not more than two at a joint,
and frequently single, the culm more slender, and the leaves narrow
or involute. This variety seems to unite the genus to Triticum. (Plate

120.)

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 113

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING GEASSES.

Abrupt. Terminating suddenly.

Acuminate. Extended into a tapering point.

Acute. Sharp-pointed.

Alternate. Situated regularly one above the other on opposite sides.

dnnual,. Living but one season.

dnther. The organ containing the pollen or flower dust.

Apex. The top or extreme end of any part.

| Appressed. Pressed together, not spreading.

Avistate. Having an awn or beard.

Articulated. Connected by a joint or joints.

Ascending. Rising obliquely from the ground.

Awl-shaped. Gradually narrowed to a fine point like an awl.

Awn. A bristie-like hair proceeding from the glumes. |

Axis. The central stem of apanicle, spike, or spikelet on which the flowers are dis-
posed.

_ Beard. Along slender hair or awn.

Biennial. Living through two seasons.

Bifid. Divided into two portions at the apex.

Bisexual. Having both stamens and pistils.

Blade. The expanded portion of a leaf.

Boat-shaped. Folded together in the form of a boat, convex outwardly and concave
on the inside.

Branch. A division of the stem or panicle.

Branchlet. A secondary division of the branch.

Brisiles. Short, stiff hairs.

Bulbous. Thickened like a bulb.

Cespitose. Growing in bunches or tufts.

Capillary. MHair-like, very slender.

Cartilaginous. Firm and tough like cartilage.

Carinate. Keeled, having a prominent ridge in the center.

Cauline. Belonging to the culm or stem.

. Chaff. The dried glumes and palets of grasses.

Chartaceous. The texture resembling paper or parchment in thickness.

Ciliate. Having the margin or nerves fringed with hairs.

Compressed. Flattened laterally.

Contorted. Twisted.

Convolute. Rolled together inward from the margins.

Cornaceous. Of a horn-like consistence.

Coriaceous. Of a leathery consistence.

Cuim. The stalk or stem of grasses.

Cuspidate. Ending in a sharp, stiff point.

Decumbent. Reclining on the ground, but rising at the top.

Dichotomous. Branching in twos, forking by pairs.

Digitate. Dividing from a common point.

Dioecious. Having the stamens and pistils on separate plants, the staminate flow-
ers on one and pistilate flowers on another.

Diverging. Widely spreading.

Dorsal. Belonging to or growing from the back.

Fmarginate. Having a notch at the end.

Entire. Without notches or divisions.

Equal. Alike in length.

Exserted. Protruded, extended beyond, standing out.

2218 GR 8

114 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Fertile. Having perfect pistils, producing fruit.

Fibrous. Having thread-like divisions.

Filament. The stalk or support of the anther.

Filiform. Thread-like.

Flexuous. Bending freely.

Floret. The flowers of grasses are sometimes called florets.

Foliaceous. Resembling a leaf.

Fusiform. Spindle-shaped, largest in the middle and tapering to both ends.

Geniculate. Bent abruptly at an angle, like a knee.

Genus. <A group of species having a general agreement in structure.

Glabrous. Smooth, without hairs or roughness.

Glaucous. Having a light bluish-green color.

Glomerate. Clustered in small roundish heads.

Glumes. The chaff-like leaves forming a part of the flowers.

Herbaceous. Herb-like, not woody.

Hirsute. Pubescent, with rather stiff and coarse hairs.

Hyaline. Thin and transparent.

Indigenous. Growing naturally, not brought from some other country.

Inferior. Lower in position.

Inserted. Growing out of, or upon another.

Internode. The space between two nodes or joints.

Involute. Rolled together inwards.

Imbricate. Closely overlapping each other, as frequently the flowers of a spikelet.

Joints. Thickenings in the stem where the leaves originate; separable parts ue an
axis; point of issue of the branches of a panicle.

Keel. An elevated longitudinal ridge, in the middle of a leaf, glume, or palet; re-
sembling the keel of a boat.

Lamina. The free or expanded portion of a leaf, as distinguished from the petiole
or the sheath ; the blade of a leaf.

Lanceolate. 'Tapering gradually to the apex, like a lancet.

Lateral. At or from the side.

Ligule. A tongue-like appendage at the upper part of the sheath of a leaf.

Line. The twelfth part of an inch.

Linear. Long and narrow, with parallel sides.

Lobe. Some division of a glume.

Male flower. A flower that has stamens, but without pistil.

Membranaceous. Thin like a membrane, generally somewhat translucent.

Monecious. With stamens and pistils.

Midrib. The central and principal nerve of a leaf or glume.

Mucronate. Abruptly tipped with a short awn or bristle.

Nerves. The ribs or veins of a leaf, or leaf-like organ.

Neutral. Having neither stamens nor pistils.

Nodes. Knots or thickened portions in the culms.

Oblong. Longer than wide, with nearly parallel sides

Obovate. Egg-shaped, with the wider end uppermost.

Obtuse. Blunt or rounded at the apex.

Oval. Broadly elliptical, approaching the round form.

Ovary. That part of the pistil which contains the seed.

Ovate. Egg-shaped.

Palet or palea. The inner scale or chaff of the proper flower, placed nearly opposite
and a little higher on the axis than the flowering glume.

Panicle. A branched and subdivided stem bearing the flowers.

Pedicel. A small branchlet supporting a spikelet.

Peduncle. The main stem or stalk of a flower spike.

Perennial. Living more than two years, or indefinitely.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 115

Perfect. Having both stamens and pistils.
Petiole. Thestem of a leaf.
Pistil. The central or female organ of a fertile flower.
Pistillate. Having only pistils without stamens.
Plumose. Feather-like.
Pollen. The powder contained in the anthers.
Pubescent. Clothed with short and soft hairs.
Radical leaves. Those growing from the base of the culm. :
Revolute. Rolling backwards or outwards. -
Rhachis. The axis or stem on which the flowers of a spikelet are arranged ; also the
common axis of a close spike or of a panicle.
Khizoma or rootstock. A horizontal underground stem.
Ribs. Prominent nerves of the leaves or glumes.
Rugose. Wrinkled or furrowed.
Scabrous. Rough, with small points or hairs.
Scarious. Dry and thin, and generally transparent.
Sericeous. Covered with soft, silky hairs.
Serrate. Having teeth on the margin, pointed toward the apex.
Serrulate. Finely-toothed.
Sessile. Without a foot stalk or pedicel.
Setaceous. Like a bristle.
Sheath. That part of the leaf which embraces the culm or stalk.
Spike. <A collection of sessile or nearly sessile flowers on a close, uarrow axis.
Spikelet. A flower or cluster of flowers having one pair of outer glumes.
Stamen. The male organs of a flower, including the anther and filament.
Staminate. Having only stamens,
Sterile. Imperfect flowers not producing seed.
Strict. Erect and close. .
Sioloniferous. Sending off offshoots or runners from the base.
Strigose. Having spreading, bristly hairs.
Subulate. Stiff and linear, shaped like an awl.
Succulent. Fleshy and juicy.
Style. ‘That portion of the pistil bearing stigmas or a stigmatic surface ; in grasses
often branching.
Truncate. Abruptly cut off at the apex.
Unequal. Not of equal length.
Verticillate. Arranged in a whorl or whorls. °
Villous. Velvety, clothed thickly with long, soft hairs.
Whorl. A number of leaves or branches arranged around a stem on the same plane.
Wooly. Clothed with long and matted hairs.

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

OF

AMERICAN GRASSES -

FROM

INVESTIGATIONS IN THE LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
| AGRICULTURE, 1878-1882.

BY

CLIFFORD RICHARDSON,

ASSISTANT CHEMIST.

Ne

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AMERICAN GRASSES.

In submitting grasses to chemical analysis, with a view of judging of
their nutritive value, it is usual to determine the amount present of
water, ash, fat or oil, fiber and nitrogen. From the latter the amount of
albuminoids to which it is equivalent is readily calculated by multiply-
ing by a factor which represents the per cent. of nitrogen present in the
average albuminoid, and by subtracting the sum of all these constit-
uents from one hundred, the percentage of undetermined matter is ob-
tained, and as it of course contains no nitrogen, and consists of the ex-
tractive principles of the plant, itis described as “‘ Nitrogen free extract.”
It includes all the carbo-hydrates, such as sugar, starch, and gum, to-
gether with certain other allied substances, with which we are less in-
timately acquainted, but which have a certain nutritive value.

Although it has been customary to state as albuminoids the equivalent
-of the nitrogen found, this is rarely entirely correct, as a portion is gener-
ally present in a less highly elaborated form of a smaller nutritive value.
This portion is described as non-albuminoid nitrogen, and in analyses
of the present day the amount is always given as an additional source
of information, although our knowledge of its exact value to the animal
is rather uncertain.

The ultimate composition of the ash is also frequently determined, and
examples of the results obtained are of interest, as showing the mineral
matter that grasses withdraw from the soil.

Without entering into a discussion of the nutritive value of the several
constituents of the grasses, for which reference can be made to Armsby’s
Manual of Cattle Feeding, it is sufficient to say that during the past
few years the greater portion of the species described by Dr. Vasey in
the preceding portion of this bulletin have been analyzed, and the results
collected and rearranged, with some corrections, from the annual reports
of the Department are presented in the following pages.

The first series consists of analyses made with specimens collected at
or near the time of blooming. Their origin is as follows:

No. of anal.
1. Paspalum laeve (Water grass). From Prof. S. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex. 1878.
2.. Paspalum laeve (Water grass). From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove,
Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1880, August 23-29.
3. Paspalum ovatum. From §. L. Goodale, Saco, Me. 1880.

4, Paspalum praecoc. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.

5. Digitaria filiforme. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.
119

\

120 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

No. of anal.

6.
ae

28.
. Setaria glauca (Foxtail). From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Ches-

Digitaria sanguinale (Crab grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.
Digitarria sanguinale (Crab grass). From the grounds of the Department. June
23, 1880.

. Digitaria sanguinale (Crab grass). From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West

Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. August 11, 1880.

. Panicum jumentorum. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.
. Panicum Texanum (Texas millet). From Prof. 8. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex. 1879.
. Panicum proliferum (Large Crab grass). ‘‘ Very ripe and rank.” From Charles

Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.

. Panicum agrostoides (Marsh panic). From W. 8. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T.

1879.

. Panicum anceps. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.
. Panicum anceps. From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Chester

County, Pennsylvania. July 31, 1880.

. Panicum crus-galli (Barn-yard grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.
. Panicum crus-galli (Barn-yard grass). From Prof. 8. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex.
. Panicum crus-galli (Cock’s foot). From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West

Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. August 25, 1880.

. Panicum virgatum (Panic grass). From W. S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind.T. 1879.

Low growth.

. Panicum virgatum (Tall panic or switch grass). From Prof. S. B. Buckley, Aus-

tin, Tex. 1878. \

. Panicum virgatum (Tall panic or switch grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala.

1878. ’

. Panicum virgatum (Tall panic or switch grass). From W.-S. Robertson, Mus-

cogee, Ind. T. 1879. Tall growth.

. Panicum diraricatum. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.
23.
. Panicum obtusum. From Prof. 8. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex. 1878.
25.

Panicum gibbum. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.

Panicum capillare (Witch grass). From W. S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T.
1879.

. Panicum dichotomum. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879. A
. Setaria Italica. From the Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Chester County

Pennsylvania. July 24, 1880.
Setaria glauca (Foxtail). From the grounds of the Department. July 24, 1880.

ter County, Pennsylvania. August 11, 1880.

. Setaria setosa (Bristle grass). From Prof. S. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex.. 1878.
. Tripsacum dactyloides (Gama grass). From D. L. Phares, Woodville, Miss. 1878.
. Tripsacum dactyloides (Gama grass). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove,

Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1880.

. Spartina cynosuroides (Whip grass). FromA.C. Lathrop, Glenwood, Pope County,

Minnesota. 1879.

. Spartina cynosuroides (Whip grass). From J. D. Waldo, Quiney, Ill. 1879.
. Spartina cynosuroides (Whip grass). From W.S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind.-T. —

1879.

. Andropogon Virginicus (Brown sedge, Sedge grass). From Prof. 8. B. Buckley,

Austin, Tex. 1878.

. Andropogon scoparius. From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879. Before bloom.

. Andropogon scoparius (Broom grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.

. Andropogon scoparius. Fron: W. 8S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T. 1879.

. Andropogon macrourus (Broom grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala.

. Andropogon furcatus (Blue joint grass). From A. C. Lathrop, Glenwood, Pope

County, Minnesota. 1879.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 121

No. of anal.

42,
43,
44,

45,
46.
47.
48.
49.

50.

51.

52.

53.
54,

59.

56.
. Muhlenbergia pee (Drop-seed grass). From Prof. 5. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex.

60.

Andropogon furcatus (Blue joint). From D. H. Wheeler, Nebraska. 1879.

Andropogon furcatus (Blue joint). From W.S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T. 1879.

Andropogon furcatus (Blue joint grass). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West
Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. September 2, 1880.

Andropogon argenteus (Silver Beard grass). From W. S. Robertson, Muscogee
Ind. T. 1880.

Sorghum halapense (Johnson grass.) From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.

Sorghum nutans. From W.S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T. 1879.

Sorghum nutans (Wood grass). From Prof. S. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex. 1878.

Phalaris intermedia, var. angusta (American cite Fh grass). From South Carolina,
1879.

Anthoxanthum odoratum, (Sweet Vernal Hiab): From James O. Adams, Manchester,
Wer. 1879:

Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal grass). From the Eastern Experimental
Farm, West Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. May 11-24, 1880.

Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal grass). From the grounds of the Depart-
ment. May, 1 1880.

Hierochloa borealis (Vanilla grass). From E. Hall, Athens, Ill. 1878.

Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow foxtail). From the grounds of the Department.
May 1, 1820.

Aristida perpurascens (Purple Beard grass). From W. S. Robertson, Muscogee,
Ind. T. .

Milium effusum. From C.G. Pringle, Hazen’s ope Vt. 1880.

1878.

. Muhlenbergia diffusa (Drop-seed grass). From Eastern Experimental Farm, West

Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Aug. 25, 1880.

. Muhlenbergia Mexicana. From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Chester

County, Pennsylvania. Aug. 22, 1880.
Muhlenbergia glomerata (Satin grass). From A.C. Lathrop, Glenwood, Pope ae
Minnesota. 1879.

61. Muhlenbergia sp? (Knot grass). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H. 1879.

62.

63.

G4.

65.

66.

67.
65.

1879.
Phleum pratense (Timothy, Herd grass). From the grounds of the Department.
June 18, 1280.
Phleum pratense (Timothy). From the grounds of the Department. Wayside
growth. June 4, 1880. :
Phleum pratense (Timothy). From the grounds of the Department. June 26,
1882. First year’s growth from seed.

Phleum pratense (Timothy). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Chester
County, Pennsylvania. June 20, 1880.

Phleum pratense (Timothy, Herd grass). From J. W. Sanborn, Hanover, N. H.
1381. ;

Phleum pratense (Timothy). From W. H. Hackstaff, La Fayette, Ind. 1882.

Phleum pratense (Timothy). From J. M. Robinson, Queen Anne County, Mary-
land. July 4,1882. Unmanured for years.

. Sporobolus Indicus (Sweet grass). l‘rom D. L. Phares, Woodville, Miss. 1878.
. Agrostis vulgaris (Red Top, Herd grass). From the grounds of the Department.

June 23, 1880.

. Agrostis vulgaris (Red Top). From the grounds of the Department. Wayside

growth. June 18, 1880.

2. Agrostis vulgaris (Herd grass). From the Eastern Experimental Farm, West Grove

‘Chester County, Pennsylvania.

. Agrostis vulgaris (Red Top). From J. J. Rosa, Milford, Del.

122 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

No. of anal.

74. Agrostis exar he (Native Red Top). From Theo. Louis, Louisville, Wis. 1878.
75. Cinna arundinacea (Reed grass). From W.S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T.
76. Holcus lanatus (Velvet grass). From the grounds of the Department. May 25,
1880.
77. Avena striata (Mountain Oat grass). From CyrusG. Pringle, Charlotte, Vt. 1879.
78. Arrhenatherum avenaceum On grass). From the grounds of the Department.
May 25, 1880. }
79. Arrhenatherum avenaceum (Oat grass). From Dr. W. C. Benbow, Greensboro’, N.
C. Late bloom. May 12, 1880.
80. Danthonia spicata (Wild Oat grass). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H.
1879.
81. Danthonia compressa (Wild Oat grass). From Cyrus G. Pringle, Charlotte, Vt.
1874.
82. Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.
83. Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass). From D. L. Phares, Woodville, Miss. 1878.
84. Bouteloua oligostachya (Gamme grass). From A. C. Lathrop, Glenwood, Pope
County, Minnesota. 1879.
85. Eleusine Indica (Yard grass, Crow-foot grass). From Prof. §. B. Buckley, Austin,
Tex.
86. Eleusine Indica (Yard grass, &c.). From Dr. W. A. Creswell, Americus, Ga. 1878.
87. Eleusine Indica (Yard grass, &c.). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1878.
88. Leptochloa mucronata (Feather grass). From Prof. 8. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex.
1878. ian
89. Triodia purpurea (Sand grass). From W. S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T. 1879.
90. Triodia seslerioides (Tall Red Top). From Prof. 8. B. Buckley, Austin, Tex. 1878.
91. Uniolu latifolia (Fescue grass). From Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 1879.
92. Uniola latifolia (Fescue grass). From M.S. Robertson, Muscogee, Ind. T. 1879.
93. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H.
1879.
94. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From the grounds of the Department, May
13, 1880. First growth.
95. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From the grounds of the Department, June
18, 1886. Later growth.
96. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West
Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1880.
97. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From W. H. Cheek, Warren Ces North
Carolina. Early bloom. May 16, 1880.
98. Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From Dr. W. C. Benbow, Greensboro’, N. C.
1880. Early bloom, May 12.
99. Ductylis glomerata (Orchard grass). From 8. L. Goodale, Saco, Me. 1880.
100. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, June grass). From Theo. Louis, Louisville, Wis.
1873.
101. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H.
1879.
102. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &¢c.). From the grounds of the Department. May 28,
1880. Growth from best soil.
103. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From the grounds of the Department. May 8,
1880. Growth from poorer soil.
104. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From the grounds of the Department. May 19,
1880. Growth by wayside.
105. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From J. D. Waldo, Quincy, Ill. May 17, 1880.
106. Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From W. B. Cheek, Warren County, North Car-
olina. 1880. Before bloom.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 123

No. of anal.

107.
108.
109.
110.
1d.
112.

113.
114.

115.
116.
117.
118.

ig.
120.

el.
122.
123.
124,

125.
126.

127.
128,
129.
130.
131,
132.
133.

134.
135.

136.

Poa pratensis (Blue grass, &c.). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove,
Chester County, Pennsylvania. 1880.

Poa compressa (English Blue grass, Wire grass). From James O. Adams, Man-
chester, N. H. 1879.

Poa compressa (English Blue grass). From the grounds of the Department.
June 17, 1880.

Poa compressa (English Blue grass). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West
Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. June 19, 1880.

Poa compressa (English Blue grass). From J. J. Rosa, Milford, Del. June 6,
1880.

Poa serotina (Fow]-meadow grass, False red top). From Theo, Louis, Louisville,
Wis. 1878.

Poa arachnifera. From Ellis County, Texas. 1882.

Poa alsodes. From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove, Chester County, Penn-
sylvania. June 2, 1820. :

Glyceria aquatica (Reed Meadow grass). From Cyrus G. Pringle, Charlotte, Vt,
1879.

Glyceria nervata (Fowl Meadow grass). From Cyrus G. Pringle, Charlotte, Vt.
1879.

Glyceria nervata (Fowl Meadow grass). From James O. Adams, Manchester,
Neil 1879.

Glyceria nervata (Fow] Meadow grass). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West

_ Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. June 2, 1880.

Festuca orina (Sheep’s Fescue). From J ames O. Adams, Manchester, N. H. 1879.

Festuca orina (Sheep’s Fescue). From the grounds of the Department. May 21,
1380.

Festuca elatior (Meadow Fescue). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove,
Chester County, Pennsylvania. June 2, 1880.

Festuca pratensis (Meadow Fescue). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H.
1879. |

Festuca pratensis (Field Fescue). From the grounds of the Department. June
1,1880. After bloom.

Bromus secalinus (Cheat or Chess). From James O. Adams, Manchester, N. H.
1879.

Bromus wnioloides (Schrader’s grass). From the groundsof the Department. 1879.

Bromus unioloides (Schrader’s grass). From the groundsof the Department. May
13, 1880.

Bromus erectus (Chess). From the grounds of the Department. May 19, 1880.

Bromus carinatus (California Brown grass). From E. Hall, Athens, Ill. 1878.

Lolium perenne (Common Darnel, Ray, or Rye grass). From the grounds of the

Department. June 1, 1880.

Lolium perenne (Rye grass, &c.). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West Grove,
Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Lolium Italicum (Italian Rye grass). From the grounds of the Department.
May 26, 1882.

Agropyrum repens (Couch, Quitch, or Quick grass). From James O. Adams, Man-
chester, N. H. 1879.

Agropyrum repens (Couch grass, &c¢.). From Eastern Experiment Farm, West
Grove, Chester Connty, Pennsylvania.

Agropyrum repens (Couch grass). From 8. L. Goodale, Saco, Me. 1880.

Agropyrum repens (Couch grass, &c.). From the grounds of the Department.
June 23, 1880. Early bloom.

Elymus canadensis (Wild Rye grass). From D. H. Wheeler, Nebraska. 1879.

124 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

The specimens, it will be seen, are from all parts of the country and
grown under every condition of soil and environment. Those collected
by Dr. Peter Collier in 1878 and 1879 were mostly from the poorer soils
and were intended to represent the wild grasses of the country. Those
collected in subsequent years by myself were chiefly cultivated varie-
ties. The development in nearly every case was full bloom or shortly
after, that being the period at which the grasses as a whole seem to be
cut for hay.

The analyses have been calculated for ‘‘ dry substance” and also for
‘‘ fresh grass” where the amount of water in the fresh grass had been
determined, otherwise for the average amount of water in hay as given
by Wolff. This figure is probably too high for the United States owing
to our drier climate, but, in the absence of exact data for the selectiou
of a more accurate one, it has been provisionally accepted. It is very
easily to calculate from the composition of the dry substance what effect
the presence of any percentage of water would have on the absolute
amount of any constituent present in a given weight of grass.

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THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 129

The great variation in composition of grasses becomes apparent on
examining the one hundred and thirty-six analyses; and by selecting
the highest and lowest determinations the following table of extremes
has been prepared :

Limits of composition of grasses.

Dry substance. Highest. Lowest.
228 2225 ccccscdc cocccoeSoeee SUed0e Clue sep Bee bose sO BOSE OU UES SEO USE ISOr saeccEoseeaes 19. 24 | a
re ee ee ne eee en J easdongcepsecessoasecdocese 5.77 1. 48
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Beeeent) ol umirogen a5 non-albuminoid .........--.-- 2-2-6: 222205202 ee etee eee ee- 60.7 | 00 -
RE Ree TION: SEER ASS ee aio as © alae =) ae sic wwim sie aioniwnic awe eiecninws onesies ciccriel 76. 50 60. 00

The highest ash is undoubtedly owing to the presence of adherent
soil, and the lowest carbo-hydrates are dependent relatively on the same
cause. The wide variations in fiber and albuminoids must be regarded,
however, as being entirely due to physiological causes, which are
difficult to explain. Digitaria sanguinale, for instance, which in one
Specimen contains the extreme amount of albuminoids and a small
amount of fiber has in another only half as much albumen and one and
_ three-quarter times as much fiber. We learn, then, that species are not
in themselves at all fixed in their composition, there being as large vari-
ations among specimens of the same as between specimens of different
species. Examples may be found in several portions of the preceding
tables, and, for illustration, several analyses of Phelum pratense and of
Dactylis glomerata from widely separated localities are given in the fol-
lowing tables:

Analyses of Phleum pratense (timothy) from various localities.

FULL BLOOM.
| A | 2 Sa
| S a = aS)
| 9g 2b a. |S au ees
Pere tales Mel tee la ss = a) | Balt ass
Locality. | Pies SS = S Wl Bas laa =
2 ee Ae = = ee ee =
| | { Jearr 5 E A |aee| 8e5
Lage ae: oe rS = S a A CSS
(Pe Cea Roce a= E = eye 5 a's
| <q eA = < ie ie ~
|
Department garden, 1881 ........-.---..-.. | 7.16 | 4.47 | 50.03 | 27.35 10.99 || 1.75 51 29.1
Department garden, 1880 .........---.--.-- 5.66 | 3.58 58.93 21.93 9.90 1.58 .38 24.0
LLLP UG 2 spent 4,93 | 4.22 | 52.83 30.43 7.69 | 1.23; .15 12. 2
Biwerampsnire... ---.2.2.- 240002. cele ee 4.57 | 4.20 | 57.16 28. 28 5. 79 . 93 10 10.8
LLG? . cated eos ee rrr 7.05; 2.18 | 52.99 32.26 5. 52 . 88 00 .0

130 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Analyses of Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass) from various localities.

FULL BLOOM.

[oe : 2 Sse
| © | ; 5 ee

Do. | : Z ono | Galaga
we R = ° ao | Sas
Locality. ac Ss = Bl ee (sae S
cs = 3 ee See
: a0 o = 4 ee eS
rhe Pas c=} = oS are al =e
ies al ers Bi ales PA t= SAS

sof ei eye ta iS) < a A a
NortheCaroling ces ee tore eee eee 7.42 | 3.56| 56.03 23.08 9.91 || 1.58) .30, 19.0
Disinctiom Columbian eeseessese eee eee eee eee | 8.07 | 3.24 | 53.76} 25.40 | 9.53 |] 1.53 165} 10.5
Mian 3 2c eee BER ee See eee cree ne eprernt 8.02 | 3.39 54. 80 26. 05 | 8. 74 || 1.40 36 ZO,
Districtiot Columbiae esse e= too eoeee oe 6.00 | 3.62 |° 57.34 | 24.42 | 8. 62 || 1.38 42 30.4
IRennsy Va a cesecacicae acer eee eee 6.33 | 2.66 | 54.99 | 27,51 | 8.56 || 1.37.| Sab) 37.2
New Eampshite sass secre see oes a eee 8.44 | 3.49 | 54.75 | 24.91 | 8.41 || 1.35 42 30.9

= & =
AVERAGE.
Five Localities. 7.38 | 3.33 | 55.17) 25.19 | 891 |] 1.48 eae) | ea=2
| | 1

The average composition of American grasses aS derived from the
preceding analyses of grasses in bloom and averages for different sec-
tions of the country, has been calculated. The results presented in
the following table, with Wolff’s averages for German grasses, are of -
interest :

; Average composition of grasses,

is oneal |) polis Se

- at 5 Pees

| aS x S aS =S | © |coo a | we

eee S21-2 ® fies (sie ks

hi eae as = a Whe oie
52 OR =) = Tiles = =e | BOs
| 2 of © ies | eee Slee a
2 q Ua) ee S ie cae rane Lees
4 iS = & s2 = ee. Nt eee eee oecoees

A <q a A S) << eepelaes Ay
e ever Bre care
American: | | \|
WnitediStatesi2 22sec eee 135) |) 7. 90 W314: 53.97 25. 71 9.21 || 1.47) .45 30. 6
INIMEWN CHE IROOM INNGS aoso bosons soocaas 70 | 7.64 | 3.44 55. OL 23. 70 10. 21. || 1. 68 32 19. 6
Soulblin saison < se eee sere ciciaee 27 | 8.80 | 2. 74 52. 55 26. 68 9. 23 || 1.47 . 56 38.1
MididlecWeSt222 asec ctig aot as sae 8 | 7.12 | 2.96 | 54.581 25.39 9.95 || 1.60! .41 25. 6
West of Mississippi..-..----....-..- 30 | 8.23 | 2.86 | 52.67 29.60 6. 64 1-1. 06)) 41.4. 38:7
German (Wolff): | | | | | |

Tai cis ies eh sosaisins ine cee es pee | 6.30 | 2.34 | 46.53 | 34.09 | 10:74 |) 1.72 |/---2-).------
Goodie se. S eee oo eve etic ae See eee Toe) |) BOP 47, 84 30. 69 11. 32 |} 1.81 |-2--2-|-------
MQM S coaonesbudcdaseonsucaoses Jeeosae (8.24 3.29 48.93 25.77 | 13.77) 2.20) ..--. (eae

The different sections furnish very different qualities of grasses, and
for the reason that those from the North were almost entirely from cul-
tivated soil, while those from the other sections were many or most of
them wild species from old sod. The improvement brought about by
cultivation is marked and the difference between a ton of wild Western
and Eastern cultivated hay is apparent. :

In comparison with German grasses our best do not equal in amount
of albuminoids those classed by Wolff as fair, but they are far superior

_in having a much smaller percentage of fiber and consequently a larger

—

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 131

amount of digestible carbo-hydrates.- In the grassés of both countries
the fiber increases with regularity as the nitrogenous constitutents
decrease, and of the latter the non-albuminoid portion is relatively
greatly the poorer the quality of the grass.

CHANGES IN COMPOSITION DURING GROWTH.

In addition to the single analysis previously tabulated, analyses
have been made of series illustrating the changes in composition of
several species from the appearance of the blade to the maturity of the
seed.

The grasses examined comprise:

I. Agrostis vulgaris. (Red top.)
A series from richer soil.
A series from poorer soil.
Il. Phleum pratense. (Timothy.)
A series from richer soil.
A series from poorer soil.
A series of first year’s growth from seed sown in garden soil.
A series from La Fayette, Ind.
A series from Hanover, N. H., the two latter from rather poor soil.
III. Dactylis, glomerata. (Orchard grass.)
A series from the first growth.
A series from later growth.
IV. Alopecurus pratensis. (Meadow fox-tail. )
A series from good sod.
VY. Poa pratensis. (Blue grass, Meadow grass.)
A series from good soil.
_A series from pcorer soil.
A series from the wayside.
A series from Quincy, Ill.
VI. Poa compressa. (Wire grass.)
A series from poor soil.
VII. Bromus unioloides. (Schrader’s grass. )
A series from rich garden soil.
VIll. Bromus erectus. (Broom grass.)
A series from poor soil.

f

IX. Holcus lanatus. (Satin grass.)

A series from poor soil.
X. Arrhenatherum avenaceum.
A series from medium soil.
XI. Setaria glauca.
A series from medium soil.
XII. Anthoxanthum odoratum. (Sweet verna! grass. )
A series from medium soil.
XIII. Festuca ovina. (Sheep’s fescue.)
A series from poor soil, growing in bunches.
XIV. Lolium [alicum. (Italian Rye grass.)
A series from low moist soil.
A series of first year’s growth from the seed in garden soil. -
XY. Lolium perenne. (Rye grass darnel.)
A series from medium soil.

132 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

With a few exceptions the specimens were personally collected in the
grounds of the Department, and are to be so understood when nothing
else is said in their description. They all grew in the summer of 1880
except the few series illustrative of the first year’s growth of certain
species. The character of the soils has been designated as rich or gar-
den soil, good soil, poorer soil, and wayside soil. The first is that of the
experimental garden of the Department, and is above the average rich-
ness of cultivated soils; the second is that of the lawns about the De-
partment building, the third, a light gravelly soil, occurring in a portion
of the grounds, and the last the gutters and paths.

The specimens were cut close to the roots, weighed and dried rapidly
in a current of air at 60°C. The methods of analysis were such as
have been described in previous reports.

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 133

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134 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

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136 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

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THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 137

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‘

138 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.

The preceding analyses furnish the data from which is derived the
general conclusion that asa grass grows older its content of water de-
creases, ash decreases, fat decreases, albuminoids decrease, carbo-ky-
drates increase, crude fiber increases, non-albuminnoids decrease till
bloom or slightly after, when it is at its lowest, and then increases again
during the formation of the seed.

There are exceptions to these rules, but for the large majority of spe-
cies under ordinary conditions of environment they hold good.

There are almost no exceptions to the fact that the water decreases in
the maturer specimens; that is to say, the plant gradually dries up and
becomes less succulent. The ash is very dependent on locality and
‘surroundings, and asin the analyses which are here published it in-
cludes whatever soil there may be mechanically adherent to the blade
or stalk as collected, it sometimes shows irregularities from one period
to another. .

The albuminoids decrease in amount with great regularity, the few
cases where an increase appears being owing to the fact that the speci-
mens were probably grown under varying conditions.

The fiber sometimes decreases, as in Br omus erectus, but the change
in that direction is never large.

The non-albuminoid constituents, however, are often quite the reverse
of constant in their manner of appearance and disappearance, and show
themselves to be largely or more affected by environment than any other
constituent. In Agrostis vulgaris they continue to decrease after bloom,
and in Anthoxanthum odoratum and Festuca ovina they increase steadily
from early growth to maturity. The relative amount present in the
same species from different iocalities is extremely variable, as may be
seen in the analyses of Phleum pratense, where specimens from Indiana
contain almost no non-albuminoid nitrogen, while those from the Dis-
trict of Columbia and elsewhere are well supplied. The specimens from
poorer soil having the smallest amount in some cases and the largest in
others, the fact can hardly be due directly and entirely to the lack of eul-
tivation, but as the averages show that the best grasses contain the least
non-albuminoids it is plain that it is dependent on the sources of nitro-
gen and the supply furnished the plant. The usual changes in the non-
albuminoids seem to point to the possibility that they increase at the
time of the formation of the seed in the act of transferring to the seed,
as amides, the nitrogen of the plant.

THE BEST PERIOD OF GROWTH AT WHICH TO CUT FOR HAY.

Although largely a matter of opinion, it would seem from the forego-
ing results that the tine of bloom or very little later is the fittest for
cutting grasses to be cured as hay. The amount of water has dimin-
ished relatively, and there is a proportionately larger amount of nutri-
ment in the material cut, and the weight of the latter will be at its
highest point economically considered. Later on, the amount of fiber
becomes too prominent, the stalk grows hard, arid, indigestible, and the

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 139

albuminoids decrease, while the dry seeds are readily detached from
their glumes and lost with their store of nitrogen.

For different species, however, different times are undoubtedly suit-
able, and experience must be added to our chemical knowledge to enable
a rational decision to be arrived at.

THE COMPOSITION OF THE ASH.

The ash of many foreign varieties of grasses have been analyzed and
the results collected and published by Wolff. Of American growth the
ash of only a number of the wild grasses collected in 1878 have been
examined. The results are here given:

Ash analyses—grasses.

Ors tee ee bee le aor Ts Mis {4

‘EO ES | = s oO | Bap = F = ES a

aa | 3M] WM = | ssa D Ae = n~ =

Name. eA | 2 = | 5O ga | SG) aes fears sage

em ras ps) Sa Sones (el 2 sa)

8 NA | oe | | ee |. = |e 3

Ae 2 O Se) oOo. oq RD MQ
Hierochloa borealis (V anilia grass) ..-.-.-- 7.42 | 2.55 |42.73 | 4.49 | 3.97 | 2.54 (31.51 | 4.54 |..... .. 25
Hleusine Indica (wire grass).-.-...------ 2.69 | 4.24 |47.56 10.09 |10.27 | 4.10 (10.27 | 9.52 |---.-. 1. 26
Eleusine India (wire grass) -.....---.--. | 9.68 | 5.79 \24.61 | 6.71 |13.65 | 7.38 |24.79 | 7.39. |.--.-).....
Eleusine India (wire grass).....-----.--- | 9.84 | 8.55 {16.25 | 9.61 |11.10 | 5.57 (30.98 | 4.55 |.-.-.-- 3. 5D
Uniola latifolia (fescue grass) .-...-.----- ARG? |e 2IG2 66290 Was (ke | te FD Oo jo2 D2.) 5.49) |e. 2-2] 2. Se,
Cynodon dactyion (Bermuda grass) .----- 1+6..20 | 9.37 130. 29 : 6.05 |13. 44 | 5:00 (22.99 | 6.66 |-.-.-|..__-
Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass).-----| 5.09 11.31 |30.27 9.46 | 7.99 2.96 22.89 | 9.61 |..... - 42
Sporobolus Indicus (smut grass).--.-.--. | 6.02 | 4.60 127. 36 |11. 03 | 2.64 | 2:66 |83.53 |12:16 |.----|.-2_-
Andropogon Virg. (broom grass) ......-.| 2.97 | 2.80 |58.33 6.37 | 6.76 | 1.83 13.93 | 7.01 |..-.. 2.22.
Andropogon scoparius..... 1gSs2hepe ted i332 brace! 64. 62 315:.65 | 2512. |5 . 58.) 22. NGS es lasers pees
Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass)..-. 9.88 4.76 30.25 6.30 | 4.81 | 3.23 33.81 | 6.95 |.--.. 10...
Poa serotina (fowl meadow grass)..-.--.. 10.80 | 3.35 137.10 | 3.80 | 6.70 | 2.92 {31.71 | 2.79 |..--. . 83
- Dactyloctenium Egypt (Egyptian grass) -: 8.37 4.42 34.17. 6.76 |20.67 6.91 21.20 7.50 |...-. 2.22.
Panicum sanguinale (Crab grass) ......- | 6.40 i 4.02 (30.93 | 6.04 | 4.40 | 7.98 '33.56 | 6.67 |.----j2_.<.

Panicum jumentorum (true Guinea |
EROS) So Ue oe ee ee | 4.37 | 2.51 |16.51 | 7-77 )10.18 |14 16 135.93 | 8.57 j--.-.f.....
Panicum obtusum .......... Roan fF 22,5 | 5.18 | 6.71 [48.60 | 4.20 | 5.91 | 3.13 |21.65 | 4.62 |.....|.._..
Panicum virgatum (tall panic grass)....| 5.50 | 3.56 51.17 | 4.93 7.87 | 3.63 |18.76 | 3.36 ....- | 1.22
IPT ERT IO S38 ae ee | 4.37 | 5.29 [45.10 | 4.06 | 7.39 | 7.98 |22.53 | 1.54 |>.:.- 1.74
Panicum Texanum (Texas millet) ...... | 8.48 | 4.68 |34 31 | 6.55 | 7.39 | 4.57 |27.95 | 4.54 |..... 1. 58
Panicum Crusgalli (barn-yard grass)....| 4.27 |.~3.69 42.18 |11.48 7.23 | 5.52 18.26 12.00 ..... 37
Panicum filiforme (slender crab grass)..| 6.37 | 4.84 40.36 |12.17 4.69 | 5.18 12.98 13.41 ..... 2.2...
Sorghum halapense (Johnson grass) -.-.---.|J0.44 | 2.96 22.21 | 4.58 12.87 6.73 35.72 | 3.68 |..... 81
Sorghum avenaceum (Indian grass) --..-. henson ool 1Gl 5G.) O-1ile 2092 Il ollG: 34 [6.74 12... -l- ces
Muhlenbergia diffusa (drop seed)..-.-..., 6.65 | 3.389 39.98 | 8.21 11.95 4.39 17.32 6.78 .-..- 1.33
Bromus unioloides (Schrader’s grass) .... 8.79 | 5.61 4.84 16.84 4.43 | 4.64 37.20 16.38 ..... 1. 27
Bromus carinatus (broome grass) -....... 9.29 | 3.94 |38.33 | 3.30 | 6.19 | 2.19 /31.61 |.---- 2. 17) 2.98
Agrostis exarata (brown top)--.--...---- feSe 01818 937134265 13.60) 15560 |caa84 (a8. 41 |eS,97 |b oo. sls .- =
Paspalum leve (water grass) ...--...... | 6.18 | 5.64 |44.65 | 1.73 | 9.36 | 5.26 |25. 44 |-..--- .60 | 1.12
Setaria setosa (bristly foxtail)........... | 3.24 | 3.51 /42.59 | 3.81 | 2.31 | 1.56 [39.33 |.....-. 1.18 | 2.47
Leptoehloa mucronata (feather grass) ..-.) 6.46 | 3.31 55.92 2. 89 | 5.94 | 2.66 120.21 | 1.81 |..-.-- 80
Tripsacum dactyloides (gama grass)....- | 2.52 | 3.69 37. 84 |13.08 | 1.64 | 1.07 (29.06 | 6.30 |..-..- 4.77
| 4.04 37.52 | 7.39 | 2.32] . Salsas see
j |

Tricuspis seslerioides (tall red top)-...---. | 1.58

~ CONCLUSION.

The work which has been collected in the previous pages extended
over several years, from 1878 to1883. It wasinaugurated by Dr. Peter
Collier, as chemist to this Department, and the laboratory work for the
first year was in the hands of Mr. Henry B. Parsons, Mr. Charles Wel-
lington, and myself. The remainder of the work has been under my
Own supervision, and has been almost entirely carried out by Mr. Miles
Fuller and myself. It is hoped that the collection and rearrangement
of the results will give them an increased value.

INDEX

LO

AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF UNITED STATES.

INDEX TO COMMON NAMES.

Page.
Jono GEIS: Ge 606600" ge GaSe COce Sc Oseseee 109
Peat VAUOCOTASS 0-0 sease svc eee neceee 38
SCAG MEOTASS iets cieicisieis <'\sciejeSelcisecine sbe ec 70
Se nMOS ASS teeta ee cersiciecicic(eicir (ciaisle e/e\sieisinis'© 58
BPS CMB ON ASS ects sleieisic wleicieniaeie siclnniec es fenec 57, 58
NVIESUOUM ee ates cc ee ec cisaceselcee cee 57
i580) UES 582 oo SCeeeo Ss peseees Seahopeance 65, 67
ISOC O AISMASS sccm ci ce ees eee ee eet c nese 26, 80
(ple (Tass:---<5----- i ae nea Sea 96
PeUIMGTN UNC Kayes sise ce ciscaecc once ces t: 94
OPSR0 a Le CAS Ree 98
MOIS at-7 Seka =n sinicie, «oc Re emcee 97
Blue joint........ eke Persieeiasms sere aie ates 10, 69, 108
ISIMG BUST ss 466 SES See EOC OE ee aera 10, 69, 108
PESO UULOMOLASS foeticiejscininicja'clocins<sjee es sceaccs 43
ABOURCEMUSWOTASS \eeee oe eS a= cise asic cee ee sc 65
SEMI i ye IETS ico le tle sins sie se emne veers come 42
SESE OMI St ORAS area sine clack o c/aia cae ewicss Soce ene 107
Broom grass or sedge...............-.---- 49
PETS UVC OO side an a clccic le sane as onn-s 50
NECAVAELOPDEG soos sosnen cece ee cee ee 50
Tila eS pee 8, 82, 84
Bunehworass 2-5-5. 5-2 5% 6, 9, 16, 17, 58, 59, 69, 104
Wamaly STASS: LOCO 25... wien e ee ee eee eee 53 |
Southermreed sso 05.4... e eee ee 54
BUCWHEUS ore de sce. ssc ae ese Sei) aie 54
(Cant@,: AGOOtNE eo Ie eae Beane a eee eee 43
@IMMese smear cose s5. 02 tS ee ee ee 52
SCLEUNOT S12) Gl a ae ee 52
WHEARORVONESS © ecco phen cee e ee. eee 105
(COURS 1G Gis 92
(COMUIHISS : .ceee so eC OSE Oona: ee 44
Cormebroombes- =... 2. cece c eee ame 52 |
(Citocolatorsa sy seymcic ces cle Sap ticis wanes 0's 52
DOG OVW OWTA Son - 0. 622 ten enne-- 2+ 52 |
Guime a ese See nce Bie teeny ge cteevs 52 |
Aiptolia Meret Ne ater beigaia = aia! 2lele coe as - 3 46 |
(OUEID (GIRL S32 2 Oates O GU ar Ce ae Re ean 83 |
@rowtOOtyOasss ccc cesses saeco h nec nese 83 |
Waa PASS ccc 2 ce sce ccna awecces Sine’ 51
Cut grass...... Se mctiaiceieia ee yaaa ee 48
ID GHING GUOTASS = os nccicie Selo nsec eee ks 112
ID @ GMGE (ease edeq see oerias coer rborer aoe 108
MG PISVENT (TASS: <0) ates emiene scene es dee 67
PPTOMSCOU PTASS v.04. cic eee see's Sanaces 60
RIVE ROTCCIU-STASS << cjcren sca ees cunceescn a UT N08:

ME AS OMe CO eters ore aria peeere seni clots meicinz alcvevess
(Gauim CaO ASS! yee clase clsieleis ns caisie See
IN eatherrorass eure eer ocle emia eicis seem 6
Fescue, broad-flowered............-....2.
MICA OW2s ele ee ete aac melas Cie teveias sitlaw

MIN GOD. caemsece ees etic ose asl eiee na.
AL ENSICG) G1 0 Ves Se tela se een a a
IOI cosoce codssecodosuceescanceabd esas

MC AC OW: seer eee er ee nice salam oe ecers =

Guatemala grass.............-- es ere ores
Guinea grass
Grass, description of......-..-.......----.

LEOPOLUMUP OM es sec cas setse meas

Herd’s grass of Pennsylvania............
VOW OUASS ohana o ke Seles ee et eee boat
HO WelliSioOnassee gece case ccc tsieine ocleeee
UNA TIAMHOTASSeoacn ocean cole eee secs
ANC ANIC Cae sata a ss wloce eile sie ei eee

JOMMSONUGTASS Hees as na ccc cicimea\lscie eee

|e cUMNS MOV AGSE cere satan cis caiciavecea cle isiete ye csievaicie et 3
Wem liM CLOTAGS y= estes As icieiocsisiwataefacioisiee wesc

Manna grass, floating ......--....-..-.---
MOEVE Mics 5) Seetenie s ie wie ebissiceecieclee ee

| WERE ONES Sa cosgess650 Goodoue Ssioigieres As

Meadow, erass)fowle 2 cess. os-- oaece-es
NELWCG Ms Ree nce a rece lee eeneeroaes
DWN Mine = soosoos stoooo5 soodonecsoons
RECO ace veerseeisinias cles Se sistem wiciejsoe eels sie
MOM Stallone: eet oelalaieleteieiein/s sere

Mead OwiSOht @UAgS stem cierto mci ces clomaiaiais s.-

142

Miean'’s ST ASS ae stic,oocis ore Sajceicieteeiciisyene
MeliCiOrass 22eoia Scene nec enee Cee eens
ul DOU sea ae Sata cee oe ye a epee

ee ee

@Veroreenia oho. Skee co amase sees eer
German 2: 30 Su ue ee rae es ots
ELUATE aia yee Vee oe ae ee
di) oV0 HE) GR shetty ahs alae y = ie eee

Oatiergsse ts case Nee seid cue urate yenen
@aliformiae se soso oe aa aeese eee
' meadow

Oldiwitchiorass sees. 2 225k ee seiae este eras
Oxchardyorass as sseoee see aaee ese eee
Pampas LCC sooo sci c retiaw ele note aeeiosisiarae
PaniciSrass sei. sac ccs secs ccisiceuine anenes
Cameslike way sos Joao aan see melas
hainy-stalikediae jie cece se ce erseeee

obtuse-flowered

two-edged...---.....--...---- eae eree
PPALA CLASS ee telcos lhc eieie Genie neerem eye
Paspalum, hairy-flowered

SMMOOGW Heres occ Ae ee OS a ee
PAP COMIOT ASS, Hoe e es eas A eee hy ae asl yale spare
Purple three-awned grass
COMACKIONASS Seif ae Bnet ee een ere
Quaking erass, tall
Quitch grass
Randalliorassis: colds assesses eee
Rattlesmake grass -).2 222.0 ses nee:

INDEX.

Page. ° | Page.
51. | Redtop s22. 222 neces >A eee 65
90 mountains fosee Bae Ee 66, 67
90 northern!) ii. cchece cee mene eee ee 66

81, 82 tall. co. cosos. PAR oe eee 85
84"| Reed: grass ....222-22-25 eee eee eee 88
(lie! small 3. ..iicc ose eee ee eee eee es!)
82.| Rescue grasss =... <5... come eee 106

35, 43. | Rye grass... 3... 2... 2:ss ee ee 107
52) | giant (2.022. 2c estes cee eee een ee 112
51 Ttalian °. 222243. 5 2.25235 eee ee eee 107
43 | smaller. 3.0.5.0 5.5 nce see ee 112
43 | smooth. 23.)5. 4: 500 eeee eee eee 111
43 Western s......5.555 52255-5020 ee eee 112
Fil Wilds. Siz.06. ek oe ee ee 110, 111
41 |. Salt: grass. 2. 2-2 jh oe eee ee 9, 21, 44, 65, 92
4) Samd (grass 207-2 ec =e ee 86
52)|) SCSAME PLASS 5.55.02. -e ee eee eee eee 45
41.| Seneca grass -22.2<22)-52- 9:05 eeeee 55
43 | Schrader’sigrass>.. 2-5 -=-e eee 106
36. || Slender crass (2245-2 Snes a: 83
60: | Smut grass... 222 a2295 2 eee eee 63
60 | Soft. grass, 20.) Jadsc bose eee 73
75 | Spear. grass |... 722cc.ses2 eee 94
79 | annual! 12.0222 S33 ha eee 100
ite MountaiN: «2.5.0. 5024545265 99
79.| .. tall.).t..csonemeee rr 99
79 | White >i2..o2.22 dee ao oe nee eee 100
17 WOOG. «= saiieset reer rs aa eA 99
f6.| Spike erass .22-05 c2ecssseeeee seen eee 87
41, | Squirrel-tail grass!- 2222. -s-5 sense eee 110
92. | Sweet vernal erass-2---5--- 44-2 seeeeee 54
52. | Switch: grass-s.:: 2225-42 -e eee eeeee 39
34° | Teosinte:.</.. 225). ghadcoo see eee eee eee 46
40 | Terrell QLASS« 25. /ds ss samen te gee eee m0; 114
41 | Three-awned grass.---:-2524: 2) 5seeeee ee 57
40. | “Limothy .. 120.22 2.< Saceeeee ee 63
37 | alpine . 22: 20.05.0504. ee 8
39 | Cailfornia...<- 252524226 eee 54
38 | A watCh SV ASS see. -reea le eee tae 108
35. | Vanilla grass... ..<-5<uelsee eee eee 55
31 | Velvet orass 2242.02 8520 seuues sone eee 73
31 Water oats....--..----- +2202 +--+ +2 seen ee 47
43.\| Wheat grass 2. 22.0... sec y aooo eee eee 108
57 | White grass.:i......2. 2.2 22ers 48
108 small:flowered. -...2-s2252--ee eee 48
101 | Wild:barley ........--..2.222-2= eee 110
108° | Wild oats ..... 2.5.2.2. 52-2 75
103 | Wild rice . 0.1.5.0... 25 e eee 47
101) Wild rye: 22.222.) isc ese seen eee 110

INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

Page. | Page
PURO RIS nian a - 2-2 ee - 108 Danthonia—Continued.

Pe MICHIE 2-2 ncn 2 == =< 2)= 2 10, 109 COMpPNESSAes= = sees Bi velnilard Lime erste iG
TIQGTLS 256 66530 SeSe Sete BeSE Seer 108 SeLiceas- ee 12 Seng Joe deuae SEOs ASE 79
JULY DE (one {eGo oe are 65 SLOAN pon ouncaeed a emacs ue boMeEUDoaNme 78
GN Bis Ooooh GSO See EEE OSE ee ees Gow Deschampsia ora ime ae Se ase 72
[FIDSG) 5362 bee hee Git ee Ces pitOsai see es we iT ae 8, 72
ORT bos abn Se Ceo! eee 8, 66 Gamiphoniordes tae sae ee ee ee 73
PMNETOP WV Manos 2-2. -~ =~ salen Stone Be 67 HERUOSAN aie se een sien os cre 2a Sink tes 72
SHOLOMMEOL Ape sits ciac cine cise b aes 2's soeatess Oke HD CMe Texel Deyn! era a Nee eo ete 69
HUE AGS 5 8 Sk Sct aaa ae 65 WanmAdensis (scree tase seein ord eee: © 2 8, 69

SUNG) 2 copa dooces Ges eee eae ee 72 NTO Wellies ene ae eee le ates ais shoes fi
Alopecurus alpinus ..--...-.-- Pe ares Shave 57 SiVAVEUELG Ais pesce erence sree ye etc ian, 2 69
geniculatus .......-- ie Gee es see 56. |, Digitariale.2 22.225 SG Gite Sane OC E ae 33
GAMES, s.coSoae as begat e ae ae ae eaeae 8 Sampupinal oy ates vcstaee een Reems seria. 33
(UHCI. gene 5D! | VAL O Sayeeene sects are eee SE eh sk oe “34
PREM Mey meee Sates sc ciclo bees see bagcss 70. | Diplachne (Leptochloa) ..-....4...-.-..-- 87
BALUNGIMACCH) <== 2s 2'.5/.-. == 5 Ses Bae s 70 dubiaeeess- ene ta 8 eet a ect ee 7
TOES E 1 2 a ee a 71 MAS CI CM] AVIS ses dere ee oon 7
PMARNORAA OM teat Aa 5a Soe oes es 290) Distrehlis manktumia ens see emcees ace 9, 92
TOUT CHITUS. 6 bao CER a SE ECs e EES eee eae SOM leusine madleawes 8 e- ees eens. 83
IMACS, joe eee eee ee FD) SS aie DUNG DIDS ee as i. aed Saag pe es et I 110
SCOPITS). Seco oR Sooo OEE eae eae 49 Wana eMsigers o.oo one sees ees ees 110
VIRGEN Rios soec Caen eR ete aE EEE 49 Condensabusiasee aca see a ae ae 10, 112
‘ Anthoxanthum odoratum ................ 54 ShriabwSyasscepotecc sence andeac ces see 112
ANTUSTG G52 22 5 RSC a 57 NAneIMIOH SSS et eee se 111
DEOMTOTOES eae eee toe codec. oe Lok Tee eae OOS G1 Se ets nro ae apr Ete 8 89
purpurascens ....... COR Oe Sea ne 57 POROIMES SV arrest ae Me ony eee ee oe 89
DUUOURE),. Oe Soc e Se eeE oes Cee eee 5T IVES EW wee nee Sa a A ee 89
Arrhenatherum avenaceum ...........--. ii, | einiocomarciepittatay = see 6) see ee 8, 59
STRIDE BE el ee To (ePuehicena loxunians) 2 ewes se eee oe 46
TBE. -eeccacae Se eee See ee are Toe WAHES UNG alee sissy cen er enone Sie crss unease, ees 102
HAW CROCS jc dass Seg OS See ae eee 77 ClUGOL iE Het cn ae ners 2 « Sele ye orn 103
RAL SIS Mer eee on coo awidleseccsecus: 77 MICTOSCACIY Ses ne as seems Sacto ae 104
SHUG) J. oe 76 OWA De oe ee eis eis ieicls enle eioie Nee ee aie 103
Beckmannia eruceformis.....-.......... 7 Scabhellaysso4- 2 secs ic no saseees 2 104
[ADM oe pobeee esses Silosimmenly Cerlae cee nn cawan/ a= cece ern ae es ete 100
LDS 65 sau Soca eee es eee 82 AQUMAGIC A Acres hine acieteciee sete sieests eee 100
(ISO Woe 882) | Canadensis: (bose 1h. a Ue ae lone 101
DOS SUROIN Ey Sect ose ee ene ee 82 NUD SHey ak oes Catia w yahonleleie-& Sine 102
TENGE 0082) ee ge ses snede eee eee ne eesesebe SE) ) JURINGUR I Soc6 so oc-ceoncenessoccas9secod 101
Brizopyrum (distichlis) ........02.....-... 2 F iicrochloamborealissss.--)4-25 44 -4-- See oe 7, 55
LOTUS 2 soo Seas en Cea LOSa ie larian dames. sesarije sacs scecs sees 48

GUOUULG: 36 5n8g45 Aes ae eee NOY | LeWOKe nS JEHIENTTS 555456 S5ec6 coe 4 acca estes “i
SACHIN) - OS Sas ee 105) | Hordeuny jipatwnt y -5---4-ermee- 4-4 --- 10, 110
WATIOOGIES\ Soe 26h See 106 THC NN seers = Svar aie eats 110
Calamagrotis (Gevemxig): 2 25..-20.5h5- 62 69 MOM OSTA 2s y saeeet 2s wees a eee 109
Chloris alba....... SPR ee iss eae gl Sian ce Verlaryenis tata mos. soos see eee 9, $8
Chrysepegon nutans,.....2...-....-...--- SOM COMS tamer cre Aare, terete oe Mine cr cea eae 47
Winnararundinaced......-..o.+..-5-+.6-6. 68 OLY ZOOS) sik eee icinte s.sicie mre wiclelaee 48
TIETEUE OU ES, SEO ie pee ep een Oe 68 | WWE OUTMIG AR iS ocivcc a telen eainta ei alapetayeiaiaate 48
eyuoden dacty lon... 52.02.5050... 2. - 80") Leptochloamucronzta---.--+-..--+--4--=-- 83
Mructylis elomerata.:.2-...2....2..- 2... 92 | Lolium perenne'....:----<'- ne ey eee 107
Danthonia.......- pera a Uap ames nto TSR MLC Car sasen os sacs oi atacioe lene a niseinvermcle/= cis 90
COMO ENL CA satire ee ewlow ince wiabne ee = 79 DUM OSA reer olen cs Seeeetectetseacin isc ok = 90

144

Melica—Continued.
imperfecta
MUUGICA ace we eoe ae oc eee elem reets

Milium effusum

Muhlenbergia
comata
GiffinGa c's wed eac es wsis wep eee ieee seerie
glomerata
GTACHILS' oe miele ceursis sisininie ere oe eieise eles ae te
MGT CAM A) Se c1 cis ne corse eee cleneteieieicioe aie
Slvanicalemecuertaseciste ria

Panicum

agrostoides

anceps
barbinode
caplllare. aise cece a sclerosis eee
oaiseer Ne ARSE cada AsnoonnscHondekoc
GivaricabwmM yess asec ees ese eaten
gibbum
jumentorum
miliaceum
obtusum
proliferum
sanguinale

TPexXaMUIMh ye he siwenic trate eeeresereiie ce

VALERA 5686 souHeuS asec ooDoDauaaue

Paspalamys Se vecise cian ee wise stern ore teerseeretere
TARO. oun do ee nome AL eee

eeeeceececeszsee se eceecse ese ee eo ~

ceececes eee se eee ee ee ce te eee eee ee

eceeccessee-cesece sc eee eee cee

eecee seer sce see eee e cee ee eee see oe

ec eceerc ese ceo ee se cose eee ee ee ow =

Galbta tum eS oae e ee oeee

Floridanum
lentiferum
remotum
ovatum
platycaule

PP LLC At HUTT i specie nclelertelepe aiateeiareaete
S@bace mma: me sake aan laymen S Suerte
Pencillaria spicata
Phialavise aloes ek dace elec cteseice Nets a eelesioe:
ALUM GINAC CAs sees diais.60i- Sleeisieieeleisieisere
intermedia
Phleum alpinum
pratense
Phragmites communis
Pleuraphis Jamesii
Poa

cece ecm ew cc ee ees eo es eee eee
coesesr sec ete eee cee eee cece es
seccceece eae sees ee ee eee eee cee
coerce eae ecco e ecco eos ee ese eee ee oe

eee ence ecee eco ees ee see eso e ce

eeeee cece ccc ec eee te ee eee ce
cc eee eet eee cee tec eee ee eee ee oe
seer ce eee sce e eee eee
cece ete eee eee eet coe eee

BISOMES* Aes ae ee OMARION, atte
andina

INDEX.
Page. Page.
Poa—Continued.

91 ATM Borate lool tele wallet atelier ene eat 100
90 arachnifera::...2. .\./-2)-42-.0ce ee eee 97
60 ) COMPLCS8A.. 2 pe ale ee eee 96
60 pratensis..... [2480-2 os) =e 94
62 serotina: -< so... td aera cle wee eRe eee 95

60 tenuifolia:. 32.5 ...s¢heppe-eecee ee eeee
61 trivialis: 0.5 3o4.< cee eee eee eee 95
62 | Polypogon Monspeliensis ..-....-..-..--. 68
61. | Setaria. .c..22 250s eo eee eee eee eee 41
61 glauca... 2.22320 ee eee 43
34 | Ltali¢a : -..:..: 2. sconces eeeee eee 41
37 | SOtOSA meer 2 seam olelee ae eae aes 42
38 | VILIGiS ..2-,300 5+ coshseee. een eee eee eee 43
35 | Sorghum halapense .........----....-..-- 51
4] NUCADS 252s ses oll Seicic cee eee ee ee 50
38 VU Pare. . ..0:5 66 ose nee ee 52
40. | ‘Spartina ...¢-.- 324-8 eeee eee eee 44
40 Cynosuroides::. 2-2 \j.-s-seeeeeeeeeeeee 44
34 JUNCCA-- 2a. seen eee ee sejatarovapeienes 44
35 |. Sporobolus airoideés --52 52-2. -5--eseeeeeeee 65
40 | eryptandrus.. <3... -coace eee 64
37 | heterolepis. :. ...5..225 eee ee eee 64
33 Indicts. 2.22.02 5.223 sce eee 63
36.) Stipa..:5.2...0 32. 5.-eeee oe ee 58
39 AVENACCA: <2 5.52 ono soe ten este ese 59
31 COMATA 2:55.00 oi aids ssenajeteeeeie aaa 59
31 €MINONS..'.2/5\- --,o-ceseeeeee eee eee 58.
31 Seti gera....2.. = sities os scise ee e een es 58
32 spartea. 2 .. 022.2. .2.65 See eee eee 59
32). waridalla - 0 oo. cee ee ee 58
32° |- Tricuspis (Triodia)=ss22--eeeeeeeee teens 85, 86
O40) Triodia. .. .s<ciece. sto e se eee ee 85
32 acuminata. 24,225.05.) jee eee 86
39 seslerioides,. 2.85025 45. see eee eee 85
33 trinerviglumis! {322022 >- eee eee 85
43 |. Triplasis purpurea: =. -icje= 252 eens 86
53 | Tripsacum dactyloides................... 45
53. | "Trisetum): 2.202... \2-5semee eee eee 74
54 | CEFNUUM ¥_ 2 Lose see es 74
8 | palustre. ..<...-<ssiasa Sone Sen 74
63 | subspicatum) 922452205 eee = Seetintie 75
88° |, Eriticumass . 22 lo. cssee ceeee eee eae 108, 109
48) Wmniolae. -s2< 55.6 Saco see aoe ee ee eee Eee 91
9, 94 latifolia:. 0335 2c0ce eee eee eee eee 91
99. |: Zea Mays ..025.b.n25 3) See eee eee eee 46
99 | Zizania aquatica, 3.042245 47

©

Plate 1.

==

WSS SEONG. Z
SA = ENG M NN Y CF
7

ZEEE ot x eS

VATE TS

PASPALUM LZAVE.

Plate 2.

PASPALUM DILITATUM.

a a

PASPALUM SETACEUM.

Plate 3

Plate 4.

PANICUM SANGUINALE.

B

|

tr

a)

aw,
4
+

Plate 5.

SS
G-SIESS
A Zn —

PANICUM JUMENTORUM.

aia

Plate 6.

SS

iN

Y Yi
y Y
Y Y

iy G WY ff,
G “

“4

Y A
4, > —\
Kip G
yy;
ty 4 Yj
4

sa \\)

QQ

Zi)

KG A
Dug

PANICUM BARBINODE.

Plate 7.

PANICUM TEXANUM.

Plate 8.

—

y
\ “d)
\ NG
\
\ i
\\
\\
\ alt A
YW
\\
NW ANY /
\\h
\ |
NAY
NIA
i
Wits
{ WWi7
4 Wy
y) "9
H )
f Wy
YY dy
\ iH
J iil
ff Z |
{ [7 )
y, Wi
Hi}
fs Wi) f
i WHY
} Wi
yy
yy,
A /}}
iy
f j q
WA fl
if
fi gs
f! Wy
YM
Uf s
G
Z }
1M
y |
gy f i
i iis
Wa \
Zr \\\i
Ss \ (
= f
fp
\ |
\\\ f
S

==

BSS :
S SSS is
5 ia = (i
{SSS ij Y,
SS if =i
SS =
SS |
S . y/ Hf:
SS =

=
SSS

PANICUM PROLIFERUM.

a Pe eh aS

So OR et hg

aa ee sud

Plate 9.

PANICUM AGROSTOIDES.

Plate 10.

6) ee

aN he.
As Y ‘ vies <
fe 7 ay =

WN

a\ \\
oo AW \ =<
ie EG Tnennens
i Ler AWN coo»
WSs \ iY V7 Z yi Bibs) Ny ri

Z Zi
ij Zi 2
BS f

Xi! i \\
'g i \
U 2s Z > \ \Y
f) Whe A
iN \\

4
Me

Vp A
joe,

PANICUM ANCEPS,

D
i
i
{
t
i

Plate 11.

U)
}

ANS

N NSN ‘
Na NY WS \ } ee
oi N AN WV AWS
p N® t \ \

jy WAS :
v4 fe AY Y aN i

3) ah : WY LES
Ay TH a NY | aS
PANICUM CRUSGALLI.

rs VE RRRa Se £
may

no bi SS ae
- iy ae .

P t
wha
a

SE ab
= r

Mii

)

haley tgs

Bah,

:

Plate 12.

PANICUM VIRGATUM.

ey

eg
eh

i
—,

bi

f
Plate 13.

HH.N.S6G.

PANICUM DIVARICATUM.

Plate 14.

SS —,

By

Ly j UN,

———

==

PANICUM GIBBUM.

ip “eae

PSA A et hae

Plate 15.

PANICUM CAPILLARE.

Plate 16.

SETARIA ITALICA.

ay

Pai

oa
Ars

Ae RESIS” lene

Plate 17.

SETARIA SETOSA.

‘

Plate 18,

iy)

NSN")
WY 4, GAA
ihe?
S

4H.NICHOLS=ENG

SETARIA GLAUGA,

Plate 19.

—S=>=

= ———S

~—__—SSS—S ——— 2
SS=== —_____SSpSSspsSa=|===

——_— —SSS==

—

—=
= —————SS—__

——— : SS oS a

SPARTINA CYNOSUROIDES.

— are TTT AER. tS ie gs pe aR EE!

SD Ole lk A NG ST UIE e a we quattnn

Plate 20.

DHEIDEMANN.SC.

SPARTINA JUNCEA.

LAO OR re CET CER GE

ee ee ELBE SEO CREPE yeh Hie

ZZ

"f

LZ SO

= — Z TZ a, —
Ss ae = = LES LL
—= IPI =
z — CH
= —_>= Sz LL =
=— yy Ti ——= ——— =
= e = ge oF =e
““Zz¢-9) ~ —_
LE =
s = =

TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES.

Plate 22.

ZIZANIA AQUATICA.

a
ae

Py
A,

Plate 23.

- HILARIA JAMESII.

Plate 24.

YY. SS
fe esa = =

Fs —_
ship pe — =
———

ZZzZz=—
ZA

SS

ANDROPOGON VIRGINICUS.

ee
ee

rh

ANDROPOGON SCOPARIUS.

Plate 25.

mae
i

Be Aa

oe

ul

;
ne
abe}

Plate 26.

MARX.DEL.

ANDROPOGON MACROURUS,

Plate 27.

= —E

ANDROPOGON FURCATUS.

SEE Vs hot caer >

Plate 28.

CHRYSOPOGON (SORGHUM) NUTANS.

.
he

2 +See

ie

SSS SS

SSE

Plate 29.

—
BAA

SoRGHUM HALAPENSE.

Plate 30.

VSine \ AS
WSs
SSss

= NS

Q,HEIDEMANN.SC.

PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA.

Plate $l.

YY

HH NICHOLS, SG

PHALARIS INTERMEDIA.

Plate 32.

= ——

ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM.

Sai, ee
1) OR cl
.

Sy

Plate 33.

W

MA) N=
=

i)
! Ls WS

\y in’

\ Vi cS ) iN \\ WW IN

Zs) (\\ q (} (A\) : if) H

Gy fi ® PW.
Z/ (\) y A)
yf AY ‘i

7IKS)

fer
——
=

HIEROCHLOA BOREALIS.

Puad ern ie

Plate 34.

ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS.

SS ~

‘ay

Sa
+

SG oe

; } Pa iG a
| se A ae
| : :
2 ; a
PART 4 ij : y + av, ait!

Plate 35.

NSHOLS.ENG

ARISTIDA PURPURASCENS.,

Plate 36.

MARX.DEL.

HLELNICHOLS-ENG.

ARISTIDA PURPUREA.

e.

=

>

Plate 37.

——————~S

SSS SS
<=

' ARISTIDA BROMOIDES,

Plate 38.

MEL gli
ee SSS ~
Z ge Se ~ —S .
A 2 —= SS
<— = 2 SS SEAN

SSS SSS

\
“DY

STIPA VIRIDULA.

Ris ty F, A
DMS ona ae

SI

Plate 39.

—_ —_- ee ee eee ee a a a

——— a -

STIPA SETIGERA.

«

NS ve WAND cc Bagg

Plate 40.

STIPA EMINENS.

Plate 41.

T TAYLOR Dike

ERICOMA CUSPIDATA.

eae 8 te we per Mme Beers

Senet penned a i

Plate 42.

S S
S '§
LF; UV

MILIUM EFFUSUM.

Plate 43.

MUHLENBERGIA DIFFUSA.

Plate 44.

MUHLENBERGIA MEXICANA.

B.ULN. Sc.

MUHLENBERGIA SYLVATICA.

Plate 45.

MABX.DEL.

Plate 46.

= = ————— ———— —————— ee =< (\Y} WS \
SS -_-_= Peer St aw /
= ———————— = SSS ——- ‘\s

SSS
SES
Ss

LS

SES

CC ————S—=—==

\

) \

HH NICKOQLS.E)

WARKIDELL

MUHLENBERGIA GLOMERATA.

Plate 47.

MUHLENBERGIA COMATA.

Ee ey

2 ASO SERS ee

ee eee

Plate 48.

——

-

—

SS : ~
= = Ss ‘v
= ———_ = \
——

MUHLENBERGIA GRACILIS.

Plate 49.

TENSE.

PHLEUM PRA

Plate 50.

—

se 2 = a
Za Cit
Ss 4
Gd) a

Za

af i} Y), ~7 Za y 4
a9 4) Ai ‘Sg, =) G as
SH Siig WLI saci)

SPOROBOLUS INDICUS.

Plate 51.

Paes Bes ~~ , ‘ : i
al Y, IN = WSNeE

2 On
SPOROBOLUS CRYPTANDRUS.

Plate 52.

SPOROBOLUS AIROIDES.

Plate 53.

FLAW. A Dee bee |

AGROSTIS VULGARIS.

MARX DB&,

Plate 54.

Zi GE
Zs Bi4fs
t

a

—=——

‘
= — ®
SS \" —
= SSS

AGROSTIS EXARATA.

Plate 54 a.

Ss

=
E

Dp Ze

AGROSTIS EXARATA (var.).

Plate 55,

AGROSTIS MICROPHYLLA.

at A aN Pt Se

Plate 56.

AY A I Y fe 7
HYD A fi
WS
NS ( Wy y: ee hj yA
oo fh We Z iZ , zm
et ZEAE =
Migs

K
INN
SS Y Ly A
Ky ANN Vi V, 4 eg aS
N \\ A Whi / ie A
We ( yt
o.\e/P'
\ ~< 5 EXPN Ss
ALZFEESS

AGROSTIS CANINA.

Plate 57,

MNROC DEL.

ning POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS.

J)

WF

CINNA ARKUNDINACEA.

.

be

7 eee,

ee ee

Plate 59.

~ Ye Nb NZ
AN NY Y
SS e

WEHOLS-ENG. oS > OWARKEDEL:

DEYEUXIA (CALAMAGROSTIS) CANADENSIS.

i oe Bie

oa re
A

Plate 60.

DEYEUXIA (CALAMAGROSTIS) SYLVATICA.

= a

%
1b

i

fi

\

‘ yi

sete ee

re se ce

Plate 61.

\ /|

DEYEUXIA HOWELLIL.

Plate 62.

DESCHAMPSIA (AIRA) CSPITOSA.

cet a

Plate 63.

DESCHAMPSIA (AIRA) DANTHONIOIDES,

Se ear a

Plate 64.

1. Nichols «Se

Moor, Ll,

ee HOLCUS LANATUS. |

Net

= ’ ne

SS ee =
Sn ee

Plate 65,

TRISETUM PALUSTRE.

Plate 66,

Od ne
al
x

fy

ip YY YU Hix \

ty ly Ler Wit RS (iy

YI 4 Ye ah Ky \ Wa

My VY, Jy 4 \ \

oY !) \ \
Uy, / \ VA
Li
y ty jy ;

YVELIICHOLS. "CTP LOR DEL

TRISETUM CERNUUM.

ata ian OG

a je ass = re — ae en eee narenee * ee
ex piso gaT Dae CPS NT ET TO, ATES Ce ee ee a . _ -
Tete me ~~ am a Ee RE eS

ipiaaienin ee her

WANiCHGLs.,

TRISETUM SUBSPICATUM.

Plate 67

Sao eeen

See
oat.

Plate 68.

AVENA FATUA.

Plate 69.

AVENA STRIATA.

ae - Ree eee =
i eel ee ee |
DO ay

Ns Se
ae ee ae ae et

1 gS I 7 - ; as nd Nh
e™ = Se ee eee: ee ingens
adnan uP ea, eae a i ae ei x
= Pra rer ro ;
ee cenieeaiactitnes einai

FARR LOA ie

Plate 70.

MABX-CEL,

WSROLS -ENG.

ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM.

OL MGT

is

"

a

a a eter

ral

Plate 71.

DANTHONIA SPICATA.

Plate 72.

NICHOLS .ENG.

DANTHONIA COMPRESSA.

Plate 73.

a WS EZ£#ZZB
S\ Ie

SN

Seat)

ees

oN

es

DANTHONIA SERICEA.

—

Spo ea a ES

=

Plate 74.

DANTHONIA CALIFORNICA.

ae
to =

es ee

Plate 75.

~ EAGER REN CKO.
YQ “SVAN SLOSS
RAS week RASS YS

CYNODON DAGCLYLON.

Plate 76.

\\

\\Wan
\ \\\

\\

Y,
\

\\

CHLORIS ALBA.

Ti) pS ee
cea AS

i Rh eA NT

f
yy
ry
ei
Y, CMY) j HI!

U
1

|

nl

i ‘
j it Whi

NN WY ee

BOUTELOUA OLIGOSTACHYA.

Plate

fo

Plate 78.

BOUTELONA POLYSTACHYA.

SE OE mt Eo ~s dual S = * =r pee : = = - = : . 3 = = * :
7 + = - * - P ee ee

— = SS SS
IIA i pa oe ; ; 5 res l : : 5 Sacer
. . i mene

Plate 79.

ra

ELEUSINE INDICA.

WaE ip

Plate 80.

LEPTOCHLOA MUCRONATA.

ER SE re

a oe ewe:
Ce I TOE Ot AE ATE ie a we a et

Plate 81.

WARA- DELL

WCHOLS

BUCHLOE DACTYLOIDES.

an

Plate 82.

= =) E ah Se

f a

sss FI =|?

Ue EZ LBP N =

GA VA FZ [FEN

ji) [i

“TRIODIA (TRICUSPIS) SESLERIOIDES.

Plate 83.

EZ SS a
—— é SSE

TRIODIA TRINERVIGLUMIS.

: Bes : e = : _ a
‘ see wt Tae —_ : rae = = ee <i tcalnn earteng hayes

ea aa ens

Sn a a A I A I ELS
Ba ein Soon pe A le a A ac” i og ry

oe - a P le ess a e os ——_ ‘
aS eS ee = OID EM . a at ee : i nes = . : oe = SS
ag es Oe” Ae = = r . a

Plate 84.

¥
sy
Mare ad. A
<
ae ae y :
QO. HEIDEMBAA SE

TRIODIA ACUMINATA.

ieSeset

ee

LE A A TO et i tes: PP TBE EI Ee NF tn I el
7 A ene De ee ~ am

SR eR RIE A, Nt Se EE See NONRE e w

Se

ee

wie

nt ra \
DIPLACHNE FASCICULARIS.

Plate 85.

ee

Plate 86.

=F) Ser, Fy : : = : es

ee

A

zd

DIPLACHNE DUBIA.

SA ee 3 : -- os Sees = rr
— ~ a 2 : - TT

te —

Plate 87.

My aTY dol.

PHRAGMITES COMMUNIS.

8 TE SD oe

ee ne a ee ee

Plate 88.

KOELERIA CRISTATA.

a A ALOR ek

eS Ue

4

a

Paneer eer e
=

EE
mon te

Plate 89.

Se =

i
eo

_ ERAGROSTIS POALOIDES.

Plate 90.

\ Vf
WY
a
I
i = Li

Sa.
ras

=

SS
ZA] Y

7

ERAGROSTIS PURSHII.

- .

Lp weg ee ee ee
<ma : :

a ee

MELICA MUTICA, Var. DIFFUSA.

Pilate 91.

Along 40

Plate 92.

6 - __—— SS
GB, EE SSS
LPO EE SaaS = SE —
- FE3 SS
—————S SS
LSS

———— SS

——

ap FE pe — = BG
575 SSS oe \S a
——_———,

SA

EN SGNAW ~

A a eS

MELICA BULBOSA.

WR ILAGLS.

*Plate 93.

MT

Ee WE )
Ci

—=

Tt

MELICA IMPFRFECTA.

Plate 94.

A SS = Sf WN
LE _ G2 SSppasa= —— VS ett SSNS
ae Tz ey BE —S SF aS

_—S>> =

UNIOLA LATIFOLIA.

Plate 95.

HAN

—
SSS
——

a

—S>
SS

—
—

WOM td =

DISTICHLIS MARITIMA.

SS

SSSe

Plate 96.

DACTYLIS GLOMERATA,

Plate 97.

Me

XY

&

SN VAY
WY

Mi

SS

—

POA PRATENSIS.

a
a

ee —— — = = ae
————————————————

Plate 98.

POA SEROTINA,

Plate 99.

GI GG

YZ SLA
LEE fF

——

YN \ \ We Yj, Vy

NN

\

sae ny PRICE eR TRIS Rig Biers ee eg ee ee ee ere Sater Be Ene a ee ee Ee ee ee heer pein oe ee

POA COMPRESSA.

Plate 100.

s\ AW

VA

NINN,

\\
\\\ S
\N
\ \Y
\
\

POA ARACHNIFERA.

f

i a -

te ao ee ln eee

ee

eee —_ wt - =

ne Oe RN NN LT TENE 8: TCR NS TTT NIT PS AT ES SIS SE A IS
Spaeth oC ht EI oh Ua a ee oe

Plate 101.

¥ > 4 op wo pe c
TS eee Tee ne. San) Meaney eae aaa aed ee Skee Oo = al

‘

¢

"t { z J 3 :
: > : ; MS _ =f v. - a te fs
id ik A a SRT, SS GGL TI Ga Wa ale ‘ingtiiink a

a

WABADEL.,

POA TENUIFOLIA (var.).

PoA ALSODES.

Plate 102.

5 ein Spt A i it SE IS ae a

+e

_ O.HEIOEMANNS -

POA ANDINA (of Nuttall).

oS ene Eee

Plate 103.

a ee ie AE ar a a a

ne cn IER I a anty

Plate 104.

=

oo
a
eee = =

GLYCERIA AQUATICA.

Te ENE RS EES abe av = Secniorees eee Pe ee or

Fn a ge haa nD mt es a Dn

=>
SS\ We g
ZN,
By »_
<7 A
=))\h
zai
iit
=]
mY
=
— ij
=]
ee /
a
za)
i}
yy YW

MARX.DEL,

WE

“Gz
HG

GLYCERIA NERVATA.

Plate 105.

NICHOLS,S:

eels
=e

eet A Mo SF

To a ag ye

Peace tee ae

ae + seers ae ea
aha Fa
* Mags

Se

Fa oe

GLYCERIA CANADENSIS.

ll

|

Plate 106.

—
wince
st
po =

BeNCeKVEL. >

Plate 107.

FESTUCA ELATIOR.

Spee
,
Ag
/

STS RTS
+
‘

PTET ET
3

a5
‘

<

=i

ort
\

—
*

ee
me
< :
‘ ;
‘
i
: ( ;
ee.
: ‘
' ~
‘
\

“que

a)

ET ae
ey
ry
f
i

Se a

~

=p
x=
a

Plate 108.

7
SS
WR

AANICKOLS_ENG,,

4° ©
Me . ~y
< or RR) ox:

ae eS a

Plate 109.

- SS SS:
— ss SS

So ee aes

o
at

MARA.

FESTUCA MICROSTACHYS.

Plate 110,

———

FESTUCA SCABRELLA.

Plate 111.

i ‘

WARA.DEL.

| Acuas.

BROMUS SECALINUS.

ote.
ie
nit

:

aire
ee

Plate 112.

/}
O —
LEE GEE

BROMUS UNIOLOIDES (4 size),

ERECTUS.

BROMUS

Plate 114.

ZB]

\\

LOLIUM PERENNE.

Pa GF ia
Mea

Plate 115.

MARX.DET

AGROPYRUM (TRITICUM) REPENS.

Plate 116.

, SS
S
SS

SSS
SS

= = = > =<
<

=— 2ZZZ LP

MARX. Del.

HH NICHOLS. Sc.

HORDEUM NODOSUM.

. i

Th ee

Plate 117.

ELYMUS CANADENSIS.

Plate 118.

MARX.DEL.

ELYMUS VIRGINICUS.

iy
i,
oY,

i A,

Ht} Yf

ii ty

|

|

|| F
i | fe

ELYMUS STRIATUS.

Plate 119.

id
2

ELYMUS CONDENSATUS.

Plate 120.

Sore SE

Oe a Se ee

gas

t

,

ee

se

rr tig

‘e
{*

ON
t
fp
Ri
ey
|

= tse

a

Tees

| DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. |

THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES
SUNIEED STATES

DR. GEORGE VASEY,
- -BOTANIST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE -

ALSO

OF

AMERICAN GRASSES,

BY

CLIFFORD RICHARDSON, .

ASSISTANT CHEMIST.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1id4.

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Re eek Saray Sp ae elle

4s ee clntinE many ee

ae eh, wees SELL, DIAL Aye IN Peeve WOME Snel | a Be panier Lt) Canes eee Soe Dv Pie Po ON ae SOL EE eS ea ne eee ean discal - ; =

, ; . ‘ ' , * -
r c a= a"? a
wd x ‘ -
+ ae = » * ; i .
; ¢ ; f 4 4
. “ ‘» @
, p ; t
ah c ‘ a
hi - 1 i *
2a) 3 t i 2 x . t ‘ ah
? . ‘ es = F
4) 3 i 5 - id >
a! ‘ . iS .
é " ae ~ » hy yy.
& % i
1 7 +2 —
a , . ; 4 Fe
“ R f “
+ a - > : a t : ‘a I . a s
34 * \ rm e — :
} 7 A j ~
; _

i " re : a a é
1 ° ‘ : K . > 7 = .
‘ . a a -2
. ‘ 7
. % t= ' ' . =
‘a \
7 . a - t
x ; A 3 .
1 i x \ F sey a
zi ie % 5
on 1 * Ls i
k > » 7 ~ i + “4
+ -
ns) - 4 a x > J 7 “5
an = oy - i ‘
» ‘ 1 H = a

| UTA

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