sxDERSoy,

v ee ‘HANDBOOK Nis |

- THE GRASSES ;
- GREAT! BRITAIN _

AND AMERICA,

|

New York
State College of Agriculture
At Cornell University
Ithaca, N.Y.

Library

Cornell University

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003374281

HENDERSON’S

HAND-BOOK

oF

THE GRASSES

OF

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

+ +:

Their Generic and Specific Character; Comparative Nutritive Value; Soils
Best Adapted for their Cultivation ; Proper Times and Methods
' of Sowing; Approved Mixtures and Quantities ©
Usually Sown; After Management, ete.

BY

JOHN HENDERSON,

Practicat AGRICULTURIST.

NORTHPORT, L.I.
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY.

1875.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by
JOHN HENDERSON,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D.C.

;SUFroLE County JOURNAL AND PUBLISHING CcMPany,
Northport, L. I.

PREFACE.

Tue design or plan of this work is simply the illus-
tration of an idea which I have long entertained of
Yhe requirements of a book on the grasses that
would meet the wants and merit the approval of the
practical farmer. With this object in view, I have
made. a selection of the most valuable of the true
and artificial grasses, and brought them out, as it
were, in bold relief, in the first and second parts of
this work, thus bringing them in close proximity to
each other for the purpose of a close and thorough
examination of their respective merits. The analy-
‘Ses given are those made by Professor Way, of the
‘Royal Agricultural Society, and are universally ac-
knowledged to be the most reliable ones ever made
of the grasses. By a careful comparison of the anal-
ysis the reader is made acquainted with the compar-
ative nutritive values of the grasses analyzed. Fol-
lowing this is given the history of most of the val-
uable grasses from the different periods of their in-
troduction until the present time, and the experience
and directions for their successful cultivation by emi-
nent practical agriculturists in both countries. In
order to avoid confusion in the names of genera and
‘species, and to assist in making the natural system
‘the standard one of this country, also to make this
work acceptable in part to the student of Botany. In

iv PREFACE.

the arrangement of genera and species. Part third of

this work I have followed, as Mr. Flint has done in
his valuable treatise, the natural order adopted by
Professor Gray, to whose Manual of Botany I refer
the student for a specific description of the grasses of
‘no agricultural value. All grasses having an agri-
cultural value have their generic and specific charac-
ter given in this work. And lastly I have given suit-
able mixtures for various soils.

Although much has been said and written on the
subject of grass culture, there still remains a great
work to be accomplished in this important industry.

Perrennial grasses constituting rich, permanent
meadows and pastures are generally acknowledged
‘to be the true basis of the agricultural prosperity of
a country, consequently the want of these must be a
serious inconvenience and drawback to agricultural
communities. What must then be thought of the
practice, followed in many sections of the country of
making a speciality of growing Timothy, which isa
short-lived grass, and almost totally unfit for perma-
nent pasture, to the exclusion of other grasses, many
of them equaling it for hay crops, but all surpassing
it in permanency of meadow and pasturage.

If my humble efiorts will have the effect of indu-
cing farmers to give mixtures of those valuable
grasses a fair trial, which must result in individual
wealth and general prosperity, clothing the fields
with luxuriant verdure and giving the country an
appearance which would betoken enlightened agri-
cultural progress, I will not have labored in vain.

JOHN HENDERSON,
Northport, L. I, June, 1875. ‘

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page

EN TROD UCTION. cic daiseviss acosautiaaitvenied auonesua’ Hdiisess Aupulglaee ender erd ¢ 15
CHAPTER I.

Timorny, Mrapow Cat's Tam (PHLEUM PRATENSE) ........- ee 19)

Specific Character, Analysis—Called Herd Grass in the
Eastern States, first called Timothy Grass in Baltimore—
Introduction into England ; experiments, and progress in
its cultivation in the United Kingdom—Preference for
Timothy Hay in American’ markets—Directions, ete., for
its succesful cultivation ; quantity sown per acre.

CHAPTER II.

OrcHarp Grass, Rove Cocxsroor (Dacrynis GuommRata)..
Specific character, Analysis— Indigenous to the soil of
America—When introduced into England ; opinions of it
ly English farmers—Forty years’ experience in the cnlti-
vation of this grass by Judge Peters, of Pennsylvania ;
strong recommendations in favor of its more extended
cultivation by progressive farmers of the present day—
Methods of sowing, quantity sown per acre, and weight of
seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER Iii.

PERENNIAL Ryze Grass (Lonrum PERENNE)..........0.000 000.
Specific Character, Analysis—Early period of its cultiva-
tion in England ; varieties very extensively grown in that
eountry—Its culivation in this country ; directions for
sowing, etc.; weight of seeds per bushel.

a CHAPTER IY.

Traian Rye Grass (Lontum IranicuM)........0. eee eee eee

Observations, Analysis—Compared with other varieties of

rye grass—Its cultivation in France—Excellent results

from experiments made this year [1875] ; preferable to

any of the other varieties of common rye grass for soiling

purposes ; superior appearance, compared with other spe-

cies growing in same field on Beacon Farm—Comparison

of its analysis with that of Timothy—Quantity of seed per

acre for separate and mixed seedings ; weight of seeds per
bushel, and the soils best adapted to its growth,

24

30

22

vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.

ANNUAL Ryze Grass (LOLTUM ANNUM)......00. 0000 ceeeer sees

Analysis—Difference between this and the other varieties of
rye grass—Not considered equal to the Perennial sorts.

CHAPTER VI.

Meapow Foxtati (ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS)........:00eee cree
Specific Character, Analysis—One of the earliest of the Eng-
lish grasses—Of a hardy nature—Stubble grows rapidly
after being mown—Description and weight of seed per

. bushel. e :

CHAPTER VII.

Tatu Oat Grass (ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM).......-.--++
Specific Character, Analysis—Character of this grass in
England ; its character past and present in this country—
Direciions for cultivating ; quantity of seeds to be sown
per acre ; weight per bushel of seeds. :

CHAPTER VIII,

SmootHEeD STaLKED Poa, on Mrapow Grass, JUNE GRASS,
_Kentucky Brun Grass, Common Spear Grass (Poa
PRATENGIS) coos aegina tie Gee siwesdeat ccm seweraseEes
Specific Character, Analysis—Its European character—Its
merits fully developed and established in the Blue Grass
region of Kentucky—Confusion in the names of the Pea
species set right by the Editors of Country Gentlemar—
Description of seeds of Poa Pratensis ; mixtures, aud
weight of zeeds per bushel.

CHAPTER IX.

Far Staukep or Crerprne Poa, Poa CoMPRESSA...........5.

Specific character—Qpiuion of its agricultural value by Eng-

lish, farmers—Its cultivation in this country principally
confined to the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware.

CHAPTER X.

Roven Srankep Poa or Rouge StatKED Mrapow Grass
Coa Tra VA His ) ress cdoesina ccoseven'nlasanboonedouaawierd Biah erewoersbaess. es.

Specific character—Its European reputation—Delights in
moisture and sheltered situations ; Grass grows seven or
eight feet high in places suited to it; quantity of seed to
mix with other grasses.

87

41

46

47

TABLE OF CONTENTS. vil
CHAPTER XI.
Page
Fown MEapow, Fause Rep Top (Poa Serotina)............ oe 49

Specific character—Known and cultivated in the New Eng-
land States from an early period—Yields well on land
suitable for its cultivation ; in what its merits consist ;
should enter largely into mixtures, sown on favorite soils.

CHAPTER XII.

Crestep Doastam (Cynosurus OCristatus).............0.65 2

Specific character, analysis—Its habits of growth and pres
ence in abundance in the best English meadows and pas-
tures ; should enter into lawn mixtures—Introduced into
this country—Weight of seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER XIII.
SuHeeps’ Frscve (Festuca Ovina)......:... cece cece eee ee ene

50

52

Specific character ; how it may be distinguished from the

other feseues—Admirably adapted for sheep lands ; not
suitable for sowing on lawns; quantity sown per acre ;
weight of seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER XIV.

Harp Fescus Grass (Festuca Duriuscula)...............66.
Specitic character, analysis—Thrives on a great variety of
soils, and produces well ; resists the effects of drought to
a great extent—Adapted for sowing in parks and pleas-
ure grounds; seeds to enter a- mixture ; weight of seeds

per bushel.

CHAPTER XY,

Meavow Fescus (Festuca Pratensis)............0.:0eeeeueee

Specific character—Similar in appearance to rye grass, but

superior in some respects—Grows well in a variety of

soils ; produces abundance of seeds ; highly recommended

for cultivation ;-grateful to stock of all kinds ; weight per
bushel of seeds.

CHAPTER XVI.

TatLER or Mrapow Fescuz (Festuca Elatior)...............

Specific charaater—Larger [nearly double] than Festuca

Pratensis ; yields well, and is relished by cattle ; valuable

to sow ou moist lands; of rapid growth, keeping down

inferior kinds and weeds , quantity seeds sown per acre ;
weight of seeds per bushel.

53

54

55

vill TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.

Sweet Scextep Vernat (Anthoxanthum Odoratum)..........

Specific character, analysis—An early English grass; the

most fragrant grass natural to meadow or pasture fields—

naturalized in this country ; aftermath excellent for graz-

ing purposes; quantity of seeds to enter a mixture ;
weight of seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER XVIII,

Yerutow Oar Grass (Avena Flavescens).........0000eceeeeee
Specific character, analysis—Avrives early at maturity ; the
most useful of ths genus Avena ; forms a permanert turf
in almost any soil; lime recommended as a top-dressing
for it; quantity of seeds sown per acre ; weight of seed

per bushel. :

CHAPTER XIX.

Downy Oat Grass (Trisetum Pubescens..............000005

Specific character, analysis; soils on which it is found
growing in a natural state ; a slight impoverisher of the
soil; its analysis compared with that of Avena Flaves-
ceus—Very little grown in this country.

CHAPTEK XX.

Quaxine Grass (Briza Media)

Specific character, analysis—Grows naturally in light, infe- .

rior soils ; seeds difficult to procure—Several varieties of
this grass ; Briza Media found growing naturally in pas-
tures in the Middle and Eastern States.

CHAPTER XXI,

Woorty Sorr Grass or YoresuirE Waurre, Mrapow Sorr
Grass, Veuver Grass (Holcus Lanatus,..............
Specific character, analysis—A common grass 1n almost all
soils in England—Cattle not fond of it; injnrious to
horses—OCalled Salem Grass and White Timothy in the
Eastern States.

CHAPTER XXII.
Crezrine Sorr Grass (Holeus Mollis)..........0.....0......

Easily distinguished from Holcus Lanatus, and these two
species distinguished from all other grasses by the woolly

appearance of their panicles—These two species used on
sheep walks.

58

60

61

62

64

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIII.

Five Benr Grass, Rep Top, Five Tor, BurpDEN GRASS,
Herp Grass of Penusylvania and Southern States
(Agrostis Vulgaris) é 73325. Sctstes«jecciscewiaaceiis sataared sok a

Specific character—Not favorably thought of in Britain ; in
better repute in this country—Indigenous to the soils of

both countries—Quantity of seed sown per acre; weight
per bushel

CHAPTER XXIV.
Larce Leavep Creepine Brent Grass or Front (Agrostis
Hrolonifera: Var, Latifoliay iad ccnae-sie ating. ered eos eae a8
Pc-uliar value of Fiorin and other grasses of the Agrostis
{ mily—First introduction of Fiorin to the notice of the
Lritish public ; stiil held in high estimation by the north

ot Ireland farmers—Special directions for its cultivation;

propagation by cuttings and raised from seed.

CHAPTER XXV.
Meavow Spear Grass, Nervep Manna Grass (Glyceria Ner-
VOB wie ieie ns ware wasiiae shea cess tes side evade oeoaids esis

Specific character—High opinion of G. Sinclair of its
hardy qualities—Fowl meadow grass of many farmers in
Eastern States.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Frioatine Guycerta, Manna Grass (Glyceria Fluitans........
Specific character—Natural place of growth—Haten with
avidity by stock of aJl kinds; its seeds very nourishing,

but very difficult to collect ; weight of seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Reep Mzapow Grass (Glyceria Aquatica)..............0055

Specific character—Natural place of growth—One of the

tallest of British grasses; abundant and much valued in

the Isle of Ely—Method of curing and preserving it for
fodder.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Srperun Lyme Grass (Elymus Sibericus)..........+-..0065
Specific character~—A growth once started in spring,
it grows: rapidly afterwards—Much relished by cattle,
either in a green or dried state—Soils best adapted for its
growth.

1X

Page

64

67

70

72

72

74

x TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIX.

Urpricut Sra Lyms Grass (Elymus Arenarius).......-+.+++6 75.

Specific character—Termed the surgar-cane of Britain—Pur-
poses for which it is generally employed——Introduced and
cultivated

CHAPTER XXX.
Hounearran Grass (Setaria Germanica..........- Ae nghitiseve ater onehianet AOR

Specific character—Direction for its successful cultivation ;
a-highly satisfactory experiment made with it this season,
1875.

PART SECOND.

CHAPTER I,

INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL GRASSES......0 000 cece cece ners 72

The artificial grasses mostly belopging to the pulse family of
plants—Length of time of their being cultivated in Eng-
land — Supposed first important introduction of Red
clover into this conntry—Gypsum first used in Pennsyl-
vania as a fertilizer—First mention of Mammoth clover—
Species of Red clover cultivated at present in England—
Species and varieties in this country—Substitutes for
clover grown in England, many of which are successfally
cultivated in America.

CHAPTER II.

Common Rep Crover, Maru Grass (Trifolium Pratense...... 83

Specific character, analysis—Red clover in all parts of Eu-
rope and Siberia—Special directions for its succesgful
cultivation—Ireland produceg the finest natural grasses of
any part of Europe—Action of clover in increasing the
fertility of soils—Quantity of seeds sown per acre, and
weight of seeds per bushel.

CHAPTER II.

PERENNIAL Rep Cuover (Trifolium Pratense Perenne)....... 86

Remarks—Perennial varieties later in flowering than the an-
nuals; the former preferred for laying down lands to grass-—
Experience offarmers with the Mammoth red—Qiantily of
seed sown per acre.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.

Zic Zac Ciover, Cow Garass (Trifolium Medium
Specific character, observations, analysis—A careful com-
parison of the three species or varieties of Red clover re-
commended—Separate and mixed seedings [quantity of];
weight of seeds per bushel. —

CHAPTER V.

WHITE Ciover, Doron Crover (Trifolium Repens)..........

Specific character, analysis--English first learned its-use

from the Flemings—Grows in almost every variety of soil;

land running spontaneously to white clover a sure test of

its good qualities—Quantity of szed to be sown per acre ;
weight of seed per bushel.

CHAPTER VI.

ALSYKE or PERENNIAL HyBrRip CLOVER (Trifolium Hybridum),

Takes its name from a district in Sweden—Highly esteemed
by the farmers of Sweden and the agriculturists‘of Brit-
ain—Resembles the white more than the red clover—
Quantity of seed sown per acre by English farmers—Its
cultivation in Canada; in the States, North and South.

CHAPTER VII.
Yetitow Cuover, Hor Treror, or SHamrRock Cuover (Trifo-
linm Proeumbens)........- Adie sat eaW seem eae ES

Specific character, analysis—Natural places of growth ;
soils on which it is recommended to be grown ; its value
as a pasture grass,

CHAPTER VIII.
Yentow Firowerep Crover, Common Sccxuina Crover, or
StenpER Yettow Trerorn (Trifolinm Filiforme)......
Natural places of growth—Useful for growing on dry places.

CHAPTER IX.

Jratian Cuover (Trifolium Incarnatum)..........-.eeeee eee

Observation, analysis—Yields well—Cultivated in England
and Scotland as a field crop—Its introduction into this
country, and experiment with it.

CHAPTER X.

Eeyprian Treo (Trifolium Alexandrinum).............++

Remarks—Of a more recent introduction into England than
Ttalian clover; the habits of both compared—Preparation
of ground, and time of sowing.

91

93

97

99

99

xii TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XI. .

Common Brrvsroor Treroin (Lotus Corniculatus)...........- 102

Remarks—Natural place of growth, and soils for which it is
adapted—Highly nutritious—Not liable to be injured by

drought.
; CHAPTER XII.
Tue Greater Brrpsroot Trerom (Lotus Major)............ 103

Supposed to be a variety of Lotus Corniculatus—Natural
place of growth—Soils in which it attains its greatest lux:
uriance—Common in English pastures.

CHAPTER XIII.

Lucerne (Medicago Sativa......... ere Sousa 5.2 aval ae au FS a 104

Specific character, analysis—About the time of its first

~ introduction into British husbandry—Still continues a
favorite plant—Time of sowing in England—Its cultiva-
tion in this country—High opinions of its value, and
adaptability to our own climate—Judge Buel’s successful
experiment with it—Its successful cultivation in Canada—
Quantity to be sown per acre, drilled or broadcast; weight
of seed per bushel. ;

CHAPTER XIV.

Buack Mepicx, Nonesucu, Lucernz, resembling Hop Tre-
foil (Medicago Lupulina)............. eee cece e eens 107
Specific character, observations, analysis—Mixtures of other
grasses with which it has been sown—Seeds produced in
abundance—Quantity of seed sown per acre.

CHAPTER XV.
Sarnrorn or CocksHEap (Onobrychis Sativa)................ 109
Generic and specific characters, analysis—Countries most
favorable to its growth—Long period of its cultivation in
England, and existing high opinions of it—Its introduc-
tion into and_ cultivation in this country—Successful ex-
periment with it this year.

CHAPTER XVI.

Bunryer (Poterium Sanguisorba)...............0.0 cece cee 113
Specific character—Natural place of growth; important to
have good seed, etc.—Mr. Coke of Holkham’s experiment
—Should be sown with other grasses; proportion of seed
to be sown with other grasses.

TABLE OF CONTENTS. xiii
CHAPTER XVII.

Common VeEtcH or Tare (Vicia Sativa)........... ee un omeeda 115

Specific character, observations, analysis—Its qualities of -
growth; number of species; experiments, in order to ascertain
their hardiness—Seeds much alike ; different appearance
after vegetating ; times of sowing, and quantity of seed
sown per acre.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Cuicory or Winp Succory (Cichorium Intybus)............ 118
Epeeife character—Natural place of gro th in England ;
purposes for which it is grown—Time of sowing seed ;
seed per acre.

CHAPTER XIX.

Bip Grass (Plantago Lanceolata)..... 0... cece eee eee 120

Specific character—Vegetates early in the seagon— Suitable
for sowing on dry soils—Cattle of all kinds fond of it.

CHAPTER XX. z

- Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium).............00 ccc ceeeeeeees 120
Specific character—A very common ina valuable grass

in English and American pasture lands—Seeds sown per
acre, etc.

CHAPTER XXI,

Invran Conn (Zea; Malze)icus siacecevavs seaaan iseeens ve 121

Generic character—Grown for soiling and fodder—experi-
ment on a small scale with it—Directions for its cultiva-
tion and curing, with the different methods employed— ‘
seed per acre, etc.

PART THIRD.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION TO THE ORDER OF GRAMIN o ccc cineca wet ncastoaie'a 128

The Order of Graminex, or Grass Family —Its arrangement
into genera, species, and varieties—The importance of
some degree of botanical knowledge to the farmer—
What distinguishes this order from the other natural
orders—Method of fixing their generic and specific dis-
distinctions.

xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER II.

REMARKS ON THE NATURAL SYSTEM OF BOTANY.....++--4005- 129

Remarks on the Natural System of Botany—Plants classified ;
characterized; explanation of generic and specific names, .
scientific names of plants in Latin, or Latinized—Method
of describing plents, terms used, and definitions given—
The principal parts which belong to any fluwer.

CHAPTER III.

N&ATURAT:ORDER GRAMINER sc ceesig caglie Eda eeaemeen aes 135

Names and characters of genera, from 1 to 67, inclusive—
Species and varieties of each genus given, under their
proper heads; those having an agricultural value fully,
whilst the others not having such, are but briefly de-
scribed. -

CHAPTER IV.

Lavine Down LANDS TO GRASS.) 2... ce eee eens 213

What lands designed for permanent meadow or pasture
should incline to; plants must be suited to the quality of
the soil; the grasses which compose the richest natural
pastures in England—Preparation, etc., of land for grass
seed,

CHAPTER V.

Sevection, Mixture, anp Sowrne oF Grass SEEDS......... 216

Care required in the selection and raising of grass seed ;
Remarks on the quantity of seeds to sow, and deficiencies
which may occur—Method of ascertaining the degree of
closeness plents should stand—Ist mixture of the best
grasses per acre for permanet pasture—2nd mixture per
acre for permanent pasture—3d mixture per acre—4th

~ mixture per acre of grasses suitable for light sandy or
gravelly soils—5th mixture of seeds per acre for pastures
much shaded with trees.

SYSTEMATIC INDEX. costes geen doe oe eee s acs he a da ls 228
M@GENERAL INDEX... 0... ee eee eee ieig-gie xed Susanointe Seto ave neel: 231
ERATA

CHAPTER I.

MEADOW CAT’S-TAIL OR TIMOTILY.
Phleum Pratense—Specifie Character.

Tall; spike cylindrical : elongated ; glumes ciliate
on the back, tipped with a short bristle, leaves long,
flat, rough, with long sheaths; roots perrennial,
fibrous on moist soils, on dry ones often bulbous.
Grows best on damp, peaty soils. Flowers end of
June and ripens seeds in July.

Way's Anazysis.
100 parts as taken green from the field, June 13th,

NV OEO Ne 5 eaters, Gia ties astessy aie vaimuaye tant aeh Talay saben san 57.21
Albuminous, or flesh forming principles............. 4.86
Baty ai a tbe rg sca ceskten, certs cep sna soebte huh cccensildadan side SussmecSe OS 1.50
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete... 22.85
Woody Wibrescs susc.cca scietd wis lies aracape cuca cates eee » 11.32
Mineral matter or ash... 0.0... 0c eee eee 2.26

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. :

Albuminous, or flesh forming principles...........-. 11.36
athy Matter wasn veetancccaw. ase eae new eee 8.55
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 53.35
Woody -Fibte' cin sccos nei wanianehiewe sais ceed Oe 26.46
Minera) matter Or Osh va.i4. ose wsin nndavarnreneeae 5.28

100.00

Herds Grass, as it was then called in the Eastern
States, was first introduced and brought into cultiva-

16 INTRODUCTION.

no value to him, whilst others constitute the founda-
tion of his riches, as they. are the staff of life to the
most valuable of the domestic animals. Though the
numerous species and varieties of grasses differ so
widely from each other in value, yet the simplicity
which pervades their whole structure is too great to
afford any certain marks of distinction without hav-
ing recourse to particular rules, made from a consid-
eration of those parts of their structure which are not
subject to vary from culture or change of situation.
The botanical, or discriminating characters, of
which these rules consist, are often minute, and some-
times perplexing even to professed botanists. To
those, therefore, who have made botany no part of
their study, the number and difference of value of
all the species and varieties of grass will appear com-
paratively small, and the necessity and importance
of a particular’ selection proportionally little. The’
natural consequence resulting from this would be
confusion in the choice of seed, all of which is obvi-
ated by attention to the characters of each species;
hence the necessity of giving the specific characters
of all the valuable grasses treated of in this work.
The past winter has added another proof to the
many already experienced of the necessity that ex-
ists throughout the Northern States of feeding cattle
under shelter from five to six months of the year;
and although corn-fodder forms a considerable por-
tion of our means, yet we are mainly dependant on
the grasses for the better part of our supplies. It is
therefore evident that grass culture demands more at-
tention in the future than has hitherto been given it.
As it is necessary for a proper understanding of
the subject, I shall endeavor to give a brief history

INTRODUCTION. 17

of all the useful grasses. It is my purpose to make
each article as complete as possible so as to fix an in-
dellible impression of the character, etc., of each
Species of grass on the mind of the reader.

After mature deliberation, the form I have adopted,
viz.: Name of Grass, Specific Character, Analysis,
History, etc., appears to be the best adapted for that
purpose. I have been familiar with the theory and
practice of grass culture for the last forty years, part
of which time Ihave given it my special attention.
For the purpose of being able to communicate valu-
able information on the subject of the grasses. to sub--
scribers and purchasers of this work, I have upwards
of thirty species of the best grasses of Europe and
America growing finely in my experimental grounds
at the present time.

The subject of laying down lands to grass, whether
for lawns, meadows or pasture, also the selection,
mixture and sowing of grass seed, will receive care-
ful attention, and be treated of ih the concluding
chapters of this work.

GRASSES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

INTRODUCTION.

Tne most distinguished agriculturists and farmers
of America agree in opinion that the knowledge of
the comparative merits and value of all the different
species and varieties of grasses, and consequently of
the best mode of cultivating them, is very much be-
hind that of the other branches of practical agricul-
ture. Timothy (Phleum Pratense) has received
more attention than all the other grasses combined ;
itis indebted, most probably, for this distinction, to
its value as a hay crop and the preference given it in
the markets of large cities. Orchard Grass (Dactylis
Glomerata,) however, is speedily superceding it in
many sections of the country through the successful
practice and recommendation of advanced and en-

lightened farmers.

' “Grass,’’ says an eminent professor, ‘‘commonly
forms one single idea ; and a farmer, when he is look-
ing over his fields, does not dream that there are up-
wards of three hundred species of grasses, of which
thirty or forty may be at present under his eye.’’ In
this age of progress it is no longer excusable that the
humblest farmer should be ignorant of the above
facts. Comparatively speaking, some grasses are of

20 TIMOTHY.

tion in the State of Maryland, by Timothy Hanson,
a native of one of the New England States, who built
the first grist mill on Jones’ Falls, now forming
a part of the city of Baltimore, about the year 1720.
W hen it first came into notice it was called Timothy
Hanson’s Grass, and sold in ‘‘Baltimore Town,” by
that name. The character and name of this grass
was soon established by the fine crops of it grown on
the Hanson Farm, and the name it received then,
will, in all probability, forever adhere to it. It is
supposed to have been introduced into England from
Virginia, about the year 1760, and for years after-
wards its cultivation was confined to moist and newly
reclaimed, peaty or moorish soils.

The first general notice taken of it was after the
Woburn experiments, made by George Sinclair, in
1824, when it was found to possess the advantage of
affording double the quantity of nutriment when its
seeds were ripe thatit did ifcut when in flower, hence
it presented an increased stimulous to its cultivation
from its seeds, being procured without its being less-
ened in value as a hay crop. It was considered after
this discovery to be equal to any of the Rye grasses.
Yet [am not aware of much progress being made in
its cultivation until the year 1850, since which time
its cultivation has become general in the United
Kingdom. The analysis made of it by Professor
- Way, and the well known preference given to Tim othy
hay in the American markets, have no doubt con-
tributed largely to the experimental cultivation of it
by the English farmers. But the excellent hay made
from a mixture of the various grasses, and particu-
larly rye grass, which is always for sale in the
markets of England, and held in high estimation bv

TIMOTHY. 21

turf-men, will probably operate strongly against
Timothy ever monopolizing too large a share of at-
tention in that country.

In the New England and Middle States, from an
early period down to the present day, Timothy has
been cultivated almost exclusively for sale in the
markets of the large cities. The preference given to
this hay, is no doubt in a great measure owing to
its attractive uniform appearance when well. cured.
The little waste with which it may be handled, and
the easy means afforded of judging pure Timothy,
compared with other kinds offered for sale,
are considerations of no little consequence to dealers
and owners of horses in cities.

Similar reasons have operated in favor of Rye
grass hay, for two centuries in English markets.
For hay crops, both in regard to quantity and quality,
Timothy is perhaps unequalled, but it is a great im-
poverisher of the soil, each ton of hay, as shown by
analysis, taking from the land at least one hundred and
fifty pounds of potash, &c., an equivalent to which
must be returned in annual top dressings, or else in
a few years the land becomes exhausted; and the
Timothy disappears. A late writer in the Country
Gentleman, W. J. F., Monroe Co, N. Y., remarks,
“The roots of Timothy grass are fine and near the
surface, often in the second year forming a perfect
mat. Its net-work of roots takes only the strength
of the surface soil; but they do that thoroughly,
while all beneath is left hard and not permeable to
air and light. In such conditions soils gain nothing
if they do not absolutely tend to sterility. In two
or three years the surface is exhausted, and unless
annually overflowed or artificially manured, the

22 TIMOTHY.

Timothy begins to die out. If it is then plowed and
seeded with Timothy again, this exhausted soil is
' turned to the bottom of the furrow, and the inert soil
brought up to have the process repeated. A few
years of such treatment will take the virtue out of
any land, provided Timothy is grown alone.’

The experience of farmers in different parts of the
country, in the cultivation of Timothy, is ax diverse
as the soils on which it is grown. While many of
the theories advanced by them may be correct to the
extent of their own observations, there are circum-
stances of soil and climatic influences which tend to.
produce results not always accounted for in their
calculations,

For instance, in the dairy district proper of Herki-
mer county, New York State, where the land is
moist with a rich surface underlaid with a compact
subsoil, Timothy can bé grown to advantage under
systems of treatment that would not answer in Suffolk
county, Long Island. My observations and experi-
ence in the growth of Timothy on the Island leads
me to favor the practice of allowing it to stand until

the seed is well formed. My reasons are as follows,
viz.:

ist. The analysis made by Sinclair and Way both
agree in showing that this grass affords double the
quantity of nutriment when its seeds are ripe that it
does ifcut when in flowers. 2nd. That about the
time the seed begins to ripen, the rains of August are
drawing neas. And 8rd. That the stubble roots of a
‘Matured perrennial plant will suffer less from the
heated rays of a July sun than those of animmatured
one. And lastly, the ripe seeds falling from the hay

TIMOTHY. 23

on vacancies over the ground will make up whatever
deficiences that may have existed in the sward.

The soils best adapted for the growth of Timothy
are moist, peaty or loamy, although there are fair
crops grown on light, gravelly soils, by heavy ma-
nuring, yet there are other grasses far more suitable
for such lands. As it is generally conceded that
Timothy is only profitable to grow as a marketable
hay crop, to make it as remunerative as possible, is
the object of the farmer, which can only be accom-
plished by the selection of suitable soils, liberal ma-
nuring, thorough pulverization and cleansing of the
Jand.

The common practice is to seed down with wheat
in September, or later with rye, at the rate of one
peck, or 11 pounds of Timothy seed per acre; itis
sometimes sown alone, in August or September, on
land which has been previously well prepared, at
the rate of 30 pounds per acre.

Either a chain harrow or a grass one should be
used in covering the seed, in order to give the proper
depth of covering.

The practice of sowing red clover with Timothy, is
not approved of, on account of the different seasons
of flowering; Timothy being later than red clover.
But the mammoth or alsyke clovers obviate this
difficulty, as the two latter flower or mature about
the same time of the Timothy, and during their
growth, the clover retains the dew and moisture longer
and thus preserves the Timothy from drought and
heat, which would otherwise affect it. As soon as
the first and second joints of the grass begins to turn
it should be cut, and the machine so guaged, as not to
cut below the second joint above the tuber; this is of

24 ORCHARD GRASS.

the greatest’ importance, as many a fine field of
Timothy has been ruined by close mowing in the hot
days of July. It would well repay a top dressing
immediately after the hay has been removed off the
stubble. All stock should be Kept off during the re-
mainder of the season, and the grass allowed to take
its natural course until it again arrives at maturity,

The close cropping of the aftermath of Timothy by
horses, sheep, or even cattle, is fatal to the tubers of
the plant, which require the aid of the green portion
or leaves to preserve its vitality and strength during
the winter, hence it is quite evident that Timothy
alone is not adapted for permanent pasture under any
circumstances.

A mixture of Timothy, however, with the seeds of
other grasses for permanent pasture, would give
variety of food both in pasture and meadow, an im-
portant thing for stock of all kinds. The quantity of
clover usually sown on a Timothy brairdin the spring,
is from 6 to 8 pounds per acre.

CHAPTER Ii,
ROUGH COCK’S-FOOT, OR. ORCHARD GRASS.
Dactylis Glomerata—Specific, Character.

Rough, rather glaucous, (3 foot high) leaves broadly
linear; branches of the panicle naked at the base ;

ORCHARD GRASS. 25

spikelets 3 to 4, flowered. Root perrennial. Flowers
in June and seeds ripens in July. Common in fields,
especially shade.

Way's Anatysis.
From 100 parts, as taken from the field June 13th.

Water! oes iavtianen cote viabva cede aniareigine Giau.t Se 70.00
Albumiuous or flesh forming principles ..........+4+ 4.06
Paty Mat ttc ceion ie cciie soe fe eGeewaie cases eidteeareccrcus 94
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c... 13.30
Woody fibre x. os: cis cisco acs a gece bie a pees ewiaie are sane ase em 10.11
Mineral matter or Ash ...........00ceee eee eens 1.59

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 13.53
Wathy matter. <0 56228 eis conve cee uce aint oldie weiss 3.14
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c... 44 32
Woody bree cscs ches no:¥ sestardes es couinaearosde wiacaee 83.70
Mineral matter or Ash....... Duigisiaisew snblduetes, ea ese a8 5.31

100.00

This valuable (though much neglected) grass is in-
digenous to the soil of America, and from its adapt-
ability to various soils, its early and late growth,
luxuriant foilage and nutritive qualities, is well en-
titled to an equality with any grass, either native or
foreign, which is being cultivated in this country.

It appears that this grass was introduced into Eng-
land previous to 1760. It forms one of the most
common grasses in English pastures, and enters either
more or less into all mixtures for meadow or pasture,
but is used very sparingly in mixtures for lawns. It
has been found highly useful as an early sheep feed,
and it grows well in winter. It grows in mid-sum,

26 ORCHARD. GRASS.

mer ina drought when everything else is parched
or burnt up.

In the Norfolk Agriculturist it is stated that Sir
M. Martin, observing by an experiment, that this.
grass grew four inches in less than three days, deter-
mined to attend more particularly to it, he remarked
that when sheep were let out of a fold they ran over
every thing to get at a baulk that was full of it, and
there ate it in preference to other grasses; on an ex-.
amination of the roots, they were perceived to be so
strong that some suspicion was entertained that they
might exhaust the soil, and the land was therefore:
sown foratrial. The results were quite satisfactory
that all apprehensions of the kind were ill founded.

The late Judge Peters, of Pennsylvania, one of the:
most distinguished agriculturists of his time, said of
the Orchard grass, in 1817, ‘‘I know its value, having
constantly sown it for a period of 40 years. All
beasts are fond of it, both as pastureand hay; it is
permanent, whilst clover is short lived; it grows in
the shade luxuriantly, hence it is called Orchard
grass; any soil is suitable if not wet, The Orchard
grass should be cut for hay when the panicles are
fairly formed, and this is the time the clover begins
toturn. For seeds it must be ripe, but some let it
stand too long for that purpose. Itis best to raise a
spot purposely for seed, whereof it furnishes great.
plenty.”

The Rural Advertiser says of it, ‘Many of our
best farmers who feed all their hay, and do not de-
pend on selling it, value a mixture of Orchard grass.
and red clover more than any other grasses. It
makesa highly nutritious hayeand is much relished by
stock of all kinds. Clover hay, (so called) that is hay

ORCHARD GRASS. 27

where clover predominates, so far as we know, is sel-
dom cut, for the reason that it grows too rank and
coarse first year after wheat, unless for soiling. Red
clover is a biennial plant, and every farmer experi-
ences that it is only after the second year from wheat
‘ that the timothy has much time to develop, and
that makes the article so saleable in market under
the name of timothy hay.

Orchard grass, when sown with clover, obviates this
difficulty, grows as rapidly as clover, starts in the
spring as early, and by this similarity of habit makes
a suitable grass to mix with it. For pasturage we
greatly value Orchard grass, for three reasons: It
stands a drought better than any other, will bear
heavier stocking, and comes forward in the spring
very early. We have often been surprised to ob-
serve how quickly Orchard grass recovers and
grows after being closely cropped; a week or ten
days of summer growth will make quite a good pas-
turage. Orchard Brass, also, by its great amount of
fibrous roots, tends to improve instead of impoverish
the soil, and we have observed that an Orchard grace
sod generally turns up a good dark color on being
plowed. Itis not at all fit for a lawn, as it some-
times grows in bunches or tusseks, especially when
sown thin. The proper quantity, when sown alone,
is two bushels to the acre; when sown with clover
one bushel is sufficient: Perhaps there are no other
two. grasses that can be sown together with so great
advantage as red clover and Orchard grass, by their
union the crop is nearly double what it would be if
each were sown separately; they grow and flower
well together, come to maturity about the same time
and the cloveris supported from falling by the un-
common streugth of the Orchard grass.”’

28 ORCHARD GRASS.

W. F. Tallant, Montgomery Co., Virginia, in
Country Gentleman, says of it, ‘There is no grass
that can be compared with it. This year, 1874, we

have experienced the most severe drought known
for years, and the hay crop, even on our moist blue

grass bottoms, have, in many instances, been an en-
tire failure. Fortunately for me a large part of my
farm is Orchard grass, and I have now an abundance
of hay from it. Much of ourTimothy did not head
out at all. Our clover was hardly worth cutting,
and our blue grass did but little good until after the
late rains; while all the Orchard grass that I saw
seemed to be little affected by drought.

I prefer Orehard grass hay to timothy hay as it
has more blades, timothy dies out in the course of
‘a few years, while an Orchard grass sod will continue
to get better each year for many years. One acre
of Orchard grass will afford as much pasture as two
of clover and timothy. I believe timothy to be an
impoverisher of the land, while Orchard grass forms
such an immense sod that for plowing under it is
equal to a clover one. Ira Porter, of Chautauqua
Co., N. Y., in Country Gentleman, of April, 1875,
says, ‘‘With me Orchard grass has been a success.
As a pasture grass it is much better than timothy;
with clover it is the most satisfactory crop for hay
that I ever tried. The yield is far more than any
yield of timothy that I was ever able to obtain from
the same land. My soil is a gravelly loam, no-water
standing within 10 or 12 feet of the surface. Timothy
has never succeeded well upon this soil, unless the
months of May or June were wet. The quality of
the Orchard grass appears to be first-rate, and it is
well liked by stock of allkinds. It does not run to

ORCHARD GRASS. 29°

seed the second time, but makes a fine growth of
grass. Itdoes not come to its best yield until the
third year from sowing.”’

Mr. William Crozier, of Beacon Stock Farm,
Northport, L. I., who has had a large experience in
the cultivation of Orchard grass, states that he con-
siders it the most profitable grass a farmer can raise,
whether for meadow or pasturage. <A ride over his
fields during the early part of this month (June) con-
vinced me of its superior merits. While the timothy
meadows in many parts of Long Island were so
backward as scarcely to appear more than six inches
high on an average, I found his Orchard grass and
mammoth clover meadows averaging fully two feet,
and in flower. Abundance of this rich, succulent
herbage was being cut and fed to his horses, &c.
His elevated and rolling pasture lands, studded with
Alderneys, Ayrshires and Devons, amply supplied
with a sweet herbage, composed of a mixture of
grasses in which Orchard grass predominates, and
with which those pastures are luxuriantly covered.
A twenty acre field of oats seeded down with Or-
- chard grass and mammoth clover, 23d of April, was

making a dine appearance, the Orchard grass being
then several inches high, and coming up very evenly
all over the field. There isno doubt but that his
success is, in a great measure, owing to the excellent
system headopts. He recommends thorough pul-
verization and cleansing of the land, liberal manur- -
ing, and liberal seeding, even sowing on a rolled sur-
face and covering with a chain harrow afterwards.
He has succeeded well with both spring and fall sow-
ing of seeds under the above conditions; he sows
‘from one and a half to two bushels of Orchard grass

30 PERRENNIAL RYE GRASS.

seed and fifteen pounds of mammoth clover seed per
arce, with his spring or winter grain; nearly double
that quantity if sown alone. A bushel of good fair
Orchard grass seed should weigh 15 pounds to the
bushel, cut during the season that intervenes be-
tween the flowering and forming of seed.

ee

CHAPTER III.
PERRENNIAL RYE GRASS.
Lolium Perrenne—Specifie Character.

Roots, perrennial; glume, shorter than the spike-
let; flowers, 8 to 10; awnless or sometimes short
awned. Flowers in June and ripens seeds in July.

“ay’s ANALYSIS. ‘
Of 100 parts as taken green from the field, June 8th.
"WEleT cause et aiae give ad dee ss evades Shea eas 71.43
Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 3.37
Fatty matter...... Vee Dh we eae oeen tle sh aaiee etree wes OL
Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, &c.... 12.08
WOO dy MbTS is poke ss nkine gaarc elated arate wee carn: 10 06
Minéral matter or ash cojesc see ais each aes ed avers ee 2.10
100.00
In 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.
Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 11.85
Matty Mattersin cisco cach sy neces ae hia cae eee eeeee 3.17

Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, \c.... 42.24
Woody fibre

100.00
Perrennial Rye Grass (Lolium Perrenne) contains

upwards of sixty varieties some of which are annual.

PERRENNIAL RYE GRASS. 31

It is mentioned in ‘‘Worlidge’s Husbandry,”’ 1677,
as being cultivated at that early period, since which
time there have been numerous improvements on the
common sort, of which those best known are Russell’s,
Pacey’s, Whitworth’s, Stickney’sand Ruck’s, which
are all considered perrennial.

It is found to flourish on most kinds of soil, and
grows under circumstances of different management
on many upland situations, though sound and some-
what moist midlands are the most appropriate. It
‘soon arrives at perfection and produces in its first
year of growth a good supply of early herbage which
is much liked by cattle. It produces an abundance
of seed which is easily collected. Perhaps there is no
other grass so.widely known, and in years past, so
extensively cultivated as Rye grass has been,
throughout the United Kingdom. At present it is
supplanted to a great extent by the cultivation of
timothy, which seems as in this country to have be-
come an universal favorite. Like timothy, the Rye
grass is an impoverisher of the soil, and requires
annual top dressing, else in a few years the land be-
comes exhausted and the grass dies out. The anyl-
sis of this grass will favorably compare with
the best of the cultivated grasses, and should be a
strong recommendation in favor of its cultivation on
a more extended scale than has yet been given it in
America. It is superior to timothy, as a mixture for
permanent meadow or pasturage.

Perrennial Rye grass was cultivated by Robt.
Barnard, at Normanstone, near Georgetown, D. C.,
in the year 1823, and succeeded very well. ‘‘Ruck’s”’
Perrennial Rye Grass, as it was called, was imported
and grown by agriculturists in the neighborhood of

32 ITALIAN RYE GRASS.

Baltimore, in 1824, and succeeding years; it was then
in high repute both sides of the Atlantic.

Mr. Crozier, of Beacon Farm, L. 1., has grown this.
grass successfully, but gives the Italian rye grass the:
preference. All the rye grasses should be cut for hay
shortly after they blossom, else their nutritive prop-
erties will be greatly diminished. The seed of the
Rye grass weighs from 18 to 30 pounds per bushel,
and for a separate seeding from 25 to 30 pounds per
acre will be required, less if sown with either spring
or winter grain. White clover is best to sow with it
at the rate of 3 to 4 pounds per acre.

CHAPTER IV.
ITALIAN RYE GRASS.
Lolium Italicum—Specifie Character.

Observations. The marked distinction between
Italian Rye Grass and the perrennial rye grass and
its varieties is that the Italian Rye Grass has an awn
or beard adhering to the seed while the varieties of
the perrennial are beardless. It flowers in June und
ripens seeds in July.

Way's Anatysis.
100 parts as taken green from the field, June 13th.

Waters cavwr ice pen on Ha esauaaers Nees Odes ew aAeae 75.6L
Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 2.45
Matty MGthers se tecs ws nrcide oles ctaenasG bee's Screw Ries ees 80
Heat producing pinciples, starch, sugar, gum, etc.... 14.11
WOOdy TDI ise ioc aiwies Rails nas dae 5o5 wwe Kio w Ose 4,82
Mineral matter or ash........ cc cereccvccoeccceees 2.21

ITALIAN RYE GRASS. 83.

In 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.............. 10.10
Fatter matters......... s Oiuoe 5 ise Suigye tev a dacauatin agar ave aesiesusrab eee 3.27
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 57.82
Woody fibre........... saab Geb acBi drapes byavermornsnatnouateno 19 76
Mineral matter or ash.......eeeee cece cece eens . 9.05

100.00

Compared with any of the varieties of common
rye grass, the Italian Rye Grass affords a stronger
braird, arrives at maturity sooner, has a greater
abundance of foliage, which is broader and of a
lighter or more lively green color, grows considerably
taller, is more upright or less inclined to spread on
the ground, its spikes as already stated are longer,
spikelets more thinly set,and upon the whole pro-
ducing a less bulk of seed which is smaller. In
France this grass is stated to be generally sown in
the autumn at the rate of 16 to 18 pounds per acre,
and the seed rolled in; that in the next autumn the
turf is covered like an old meadow, and the crops
of the following year is more than double; its growth,
also, is so rapid, that ifsown with clover or lucerre,
it will quickly choke them. It is also said to be of
such a hardy nature that when cut in November, it
has put forth fresh shoots of a footin length in the
close of December, and it has been found to stand
the winter in the North of Europe. In quickness of
growth this grass has excelled all others of the
true grasses which I have sown this spring and, bids
fair to be a good crop notwithstanding the severe
droughts it has been subjected to. Italian Rye
grass is preferable to any of the other varieties for
soiling purposes, it gives an early, quick and suc-
cessive growth till late in the fall, it will stand any

34 ANNUAL RYE GRASS.

amount of forcing by irrigation, liquid manures
or phosphatic applications, a system which has al-
ways been practised in the vicinity of the cities and
towns of the United Kingdom, and which has always
been considered a paying one.

In one of the large tields of the Beacon Stock Farm
which was seeded down last fall with a mixture of
orchard grass, timothy, Rhode Island bent, Ken-
tucky blue grass, red top and Italian Rye grass,
theie is about two acres which was sown exclusively
with Italian Rye grass, and its superior appearance
is quite noticeable.

we

CHAPTER V.
ANNUAL RYE GRASS.

Lolium Annum.

Way’s ANALysIs.
100 parts as taken green from the field, Juve 8th.

Wate? nics: dca gees eek ee re ene ees aaa in S 69.00
Albuminous or flesh forming principles............4 2.96
Batty matter we ox cee saved aia yew eeeenes .69
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 12.89
Woody Abii. sccscwee anes esinsics Mune spiced a $12.47
Mineral matter OP lis secs ences wees nde een tes 19¢

100.0

Owing to the acquired annual habits of the sort
generally known by this name, it differs from the
more perrennial varieties by having fewer roots.
leaves, and a greater quantity of culms and stalk:
which are rather longer and furnished with asmalle)

MEADOW FOX-TAIL. 35

proportion of foilage than most of the perrennial
varieties. From the quantity and length of its stalks
and culms, this sort has been considered as yielding
a greater bulk of crop the first season and so better
suited for single crops of hay than the perrennial
sorts, but the result of experiments tend to show that
the quantity of root and stalk leaves which these
last produce fully compensatetes"for any deficiency
which may arise from the weight of their culms, be-
sides rendering the hay less wiry and more palatable
than that of the Annual Rye Grass.

CHAPTER VI.
MEADOW FOX-TAIL.
Alopecurus Pratensis—Specific Character.

Culm, upright, smooth, 2 to 8 feet high; palet
equaling the acute glumes; awn protruding more
than half its length, twisted; the upper leaf much
shorter than its inflated sheath. The spike not so
long as that of timothy which it very much resem-
bles, the spike of Meadow Fox Tail is soft, while
that of timothy is rough. It flowers in May and
ripens seeds in July.

Way's ANALysIs.
100 parts as taken green from the field, June Ist.

WV BGR seca tsa dorsi coaed eb Hoeven cigs Bh acd ul oat uasianeang ewes tie 80.20
Albuminous or flesh forming principles.............. 2.44
RAGE y DUA CLOTS oy cc: c56) siasg ig ara go e ohe gin ave. gas bro aues wus aud auaace 52
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 8.59.
WV OO LD BG sas ciere sayy weieiin igs sGe est lepe’aine ovegzs-oa aod sien ane’s . 6.70
Mineral matter or ash...... cece e ee eee cc ete eee 1,55

35 . MEADOW FOX-TAIL.

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles..........++- 12 32
Fatty matter. ... 20... e eee e cette eect e est teeneees 2 92;
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete... 43.12
Woody fibre .... 6... eee e eee eee erence eens ovevee 33.83.
Mineral matter or ash. .cecscccescsevecs ee ee 7.81

100.00

This well known English grass is one of the earliest
and most valuable grasses produced in England.
Tt vegetates with extraordinary luxuriance and is
therefore both as a first crop andas after grass justly
considered as holding the first place among the best
grass whether used as green fodder or made into hay;
cattle are fond of it, though it is said to be less relish-
ed by oxen than by any other stock. It requires
two or three years to arrive at maturity. It has
been found more hardy against frosts than. many
other grasses, a property which recommends it for
cultivation in this country. It sends forth its spikes.
almost as soon, and in some situations quite as early,
as the sweet scented vernal and is consequently
equally valuable as an early grass, and as it ismuch
longer and quicker in its growth, it is of course
much more productive. It shoots very rapidly after
mowing, producing a very plentiful aftermath, but
on account of its not attaining its full productive
powers under three years growth it is inferior to
orchard grass for the purposes of alternate croppings
and to many other grasses besides. Yet for perma-
nent pasturage or meadow on medium or fertile soils
it should never form a less proportion than one eigth
of any mixture of different grasses prepared for that
purpose. Its merits demands this whether with re-
spect to early growth produce, nutritive qualities or

permanency. This grass is making fair progress with
me this season, notwithstanding the dry weather ex-
perienced during the months of May and June. The
seed of Meadow Fox Tail is covered with the soft and
woolly husks of the flower while the large glume is
furnished with an awn, these peculiarities account for
the small weight of a bushel ofits seeds. A bushel
of seed only weighs 5 pounds. About 2 pounds of

seed is sufficient to enter into a mixture with other
grass for permanent meadow or pasture.

CHAPTER VII.
TALL OAT GRASS.
Arrhenatherum Avenaceum—Specifie Character.

Spikelets, open panicled; two flowered, lower
flower staminate, bearing a long bent awn below the
middle of the back; leaves, flat,acute,roughish on both
sides, most on the inner; panicle leaning slightly on
one side; glumes, very unequal; stems, from two to
three feet high; root, perrennial, fibrous, sometimes
bulbous. Observations. This grass is the avena
elatior of Linneus. Flowers from May to July,

Way's ANALYSIS.
100 parts as taken green from the field July 17th.

WAtGRis aie vd its cians a6 55 i see oe ao ie wees « 72.65:
Albuminous or flesh forming prineiples. Acasdiaceneseie'eae @ 3.54
Fatty matter......... seeewaets sia SS SES one bia tienes 87
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc..... 11.21
Woody RiEGia sa aac Aeneas: ceceee 9,07
Mineral matter or ash....+sse0e- SPR She wee wate sees 2.36

100.00

38 TALL OAT GRASS.

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° tae

Albuminous or flesh Ene principles. .....ee++ee5 12.95
Fatty matter. ...ssccecccocecsscecccececcesseees - 3.19
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, ‘gum, ete... 38.03
Woody fibre...-.+- pec v eee ee nace acces eecerceee + 84.24
Mineral matter or ash. .seceeesees vecoeeoveeseres - 11.59

100.00

Tall Oat Grass, though a coarse plant, yet vege-
tates with great luxuriance; it is early and pro-
ductive, and affords a plentiful aftermath. It ap-
proaches the meadow fox tail in excellence, for which
it may prove a substitute in many cases. It is some-
times found abundant in meadowsin England. And
on the continent of Europe itis cultivated with ad-
vantage. It is found most beneficial when retained
in aclose state of feeding. It makes good hay, is
natural tosandy loams but thrives best on strong,
tenacious clays in England. Tall Oat Grass was in-
troduced into this country about the begining of the
presentcentury. Judge Buel, of Albany, speaking
of it in 1823, says: ‘It possesses the advantage of
early, quick and late growth, for which the cock’s
foot is esteemed, tillers well and is admirably calcu-
lated for a pasture grass. I measured some on the
20th of June, when in blossom, (when it
should be cut for hay) and found it four and a half
feet long. I have sownit in autumn and spring, with
clover, on a sandy loam, with good effect.”

W.F. Tallant, Christiansburgh, Virginia, writing
to me, 15th of February, 1875, says of it: ‘Tall Oat
Grass (or as itis called here in Virginia, Peruvian
grass,) isa very valuable variety of grass, and in
one or two points has the advantage over orchard
grass, which it resembles in its time of maturity,

TALL OAT GRASS. 39

quickness of growth and its earliness and lateness.
I have sown the Oat grass on wheat in the fall, made
a good crop of wheat, and late in the fall have mown
a fair crop of hay from the same land. Orchard
grass always takes two years to make a full crop,
while Oat grass sown in the fall on good land will
make a crop of hay the next summer. It has also
the advantage over orchard grass in seeding, It
may be sown either in the spring or fall, while or-
chard grass in this climate must always be sown in
the spring.”’

I think the fall is the best time to sow the Oat grass
but it can be sown either in the spring or fall, with
almost a certainty of getting a set, as it very rarely
fails. Notwithstanding these two advantages over
the orchard grass, itis not as valuable a grass, it
never forms as thick and compacta sod as orchard
grass. It is more liable to injury from drought. It
must never be lett one day after it blooms, if you
want first class hay, anda rain will injure the looks
of Oat grass three times as much as it will injure
orchard grass or timothy. If, however, it is cut and
handled right, it makes beautiful hay. Ifcut early
and the summer is not an excessively dry one it will
head twice in the same summer. I consider the Oat
grass a more valuable grass than timothy, as it
‘is not nearly as exhaustive to the soil and if properly
handled will make as good hay and twice as much
of it. :

In reply to enquiries Mr. T. B. Baker, Thorndale,
‘Chester Co., Pa., writes me, March, 1875: ‘‘In the
spring of 1863, on two acres of good ground I sowed
four bushels of Oat grass seed and mixed with usual
quantity of barley and both drilled with the ordinary

40 TALL OAT GRASS.

grain drill. In the fall the grass obtained a growth
of 18 inches, the blades very numerous and fine. In
the spring of 1864, and every year up to 1871, [have
cropped it for seed and mowed the stubble for hay.
The stubble makes superior hay, because of the
numerous green blades about a foot long growing
from the roots of the grass while the seed is ripening.
T have now about 100 acres of land seeded with this
grass and orchard grass mixed. The grass matures
for hay about the 5th of Juneand for seed about
the 10th to 15th. The seed is very difficult
to save, the moment almost that it is ripe it
falls off; the top seeds ripens a few days earlier
than the lower seeds. For two seasons, I lost all the
seed by delaying cutting a few days. There is no
difficulty about getting three crops a year for soiling
cows. By the middle of May the grass will be from
ten to fifteen inches high. In the beginning of July
it will be fit to cut again, and a third time in the lat-
ter part of August. For pasture it excells all the
grasses with which Tam acquainted. Cattle, horses
and sheep prefer it to any other grassI have on the
farm.

I have heretofore seeded it with wheat in the fall;
the only objection to this is that the grass grows as
fast as the wheat and is quite as tall at the harvest as
the grain. The straw however is better than most of
the hay thatis made. The quantity of seed to the
acre should not be less than two bushels. I prefer
three. The grass ripens for hay rather earlier than
than clover, and is therefore better to sow with clover
than timothy.”

A bushel of Tall Oat grass seed weighs seven
pounds,

KENTUCKY BLUE GEKASS. 4h

CHAPTER VIII.

SMOOTH STALKED POA OR MEADOW GRASS, JUNE
GRASS, KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS, COMMON SPEAR
GRASS.

Poa Pratensis—Specific Character.

Culms sending off copious running root stocks.
from the base, and the sheaths smooth; ligule short
and blunt; panicle short pyramidal; spikelets 3 to 5
flowered; crowded, and most of them almost sessile
on the branches, ovate lanceolate or ovate; lower
palet 5 nerved, hairy along the margins as well as
the keel. Observations: This grass is distinguished
from the Poa Trivalis rough stalked meadow grass
by its strong creeping roots, sheaths of the straw
being smooth; whereas in the Poa Trivalis the
sheaths are rough to the touch, the sheath scale is
blunt, in the Poa Trivalis it is pointed, the leares
are blunt, those of the Poa Trivalis are acuminate.
Flowers in June and ripens seeds in July.

Way's ANALYsIS.
100 parts as taken green from the field June 11th.

Water. cevccccccesscncccseees oeeeeces gob gaiere gaia ie O7.14
Albuminous or flesh forming pnenple. atvaieneaty eccees S41
Fatty matterseccocescccsecceccseeccsece seecceeseee SE
Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc... 14.15
Woody fibre...+..+.. estes seesees BERBERS oie 12.49
Mineral matter or ash.+-ssseesceesecces eecceeeees 195

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.
Albuminous or fiesh forming principles. .ccoeseeeee 10.35
Fatty matteressessscscesecsceccceesvoscesesssses 2.63:
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 43.06

42 KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.

Woody fibre Pare ee ee ee BOER cee recores 38.02
Mineral matter or aSheoscrcccccccccccesccescesves 5.94
100.00

This grass has always been a favorite one in Eng-
land as a mixture with other grasses for permanent
pasture, meadows and lawns; but as a separate crop

itis rarely or-ever cultivated.
Mr. Curtis, in his valuable flora Londonensis,

says of it: ‘The Smooth Stalked Poa is a sweet
grass, and readily eaten by cattle in general, it carries
its verdure in the winter better than most others, and
in the following spring throws out numerous young
shoots, so as to make excellent spring food. It pro-
duces a good crop of leaves at the bottom, which
makes exceedingly fine hay and is fit for cutting
early in the spring.”’

Another writer says: “This is one of the most
useful grasses, for it vegetates in the driest soils, sup-
ports its verdue during the winter and in the spring
throws out numerous shoots for early pasture, the
the hay is also of fine quality.”

George Sinclair, inhis Mortus Gramineus, says:
‘This species sends forth flowering stems, but once
in the season, and these being the most valuable part
of the plant for the purposes of hay, and considering
the superior value of the aftermarth, over that of the
seed crop it will appear from these properties to be
well adapted for permanent pasture. It is however
the property of all creeping roots to scourge the soil
and when plants with fibrous roots can be substituted
in the place of those with an equal prospect of ad-
vantage in regard to early growth produce and
nutritive qualities it will be found to repay the labor
with interest.”

KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS. 43

Although Poa Pratensis is kown all over Northern
Europe as far as St. Petersburgh 60 degrees north
latitude, yet in no part of Europe has the merits
of the Poa family been so fully developed as in the
states of Virginia, Maryland and the far famed
Kentucky Blue grass region, which lies across the
middle of that state and covers about twenty counties
including on area of 15,000 square miles, This region
also extends over several counties in Ohio, but the
grass does not seem to flourish so luxuriantly ou the
Ohio side, although in other counties of Ohio it is
said to grow as luxuriantly and form as staple a
pasture grass as it doesin any part of Kentucky.
The cultivation of this grass must have improved
wonderfully within the last fifty years. In an ad-
dress delivered by Col. Emory to the Agricultural
Society of Queen Anne Co., Maryland, in 1822, and
afterwards. published. Referring to the neglect of
cultivating the natural grasses, he remarked: “In-
deed, so far are we from promoting the vigorous ef-
forts of the invaluable grasses of the Poa class, which
by nature as if out of patience seems in her bounty
determined to force upon us that we are in the habit
of denouncing them (next to the Hessian fly) as our
deadliest enemies, and of excercising our best but
misapplied skill to extirpate them forever. If. our
-neglected flocks of cattle and still more neglected
sheep, could be endowed with the power of speech,
how eloquently would they defend those friends
which give them power enough almost unaided to
weather the winter storm, and which came to their
aid in the spring just time enough to keep life and
carcass, together. I allude to the grasses commonly
called the Blue grass and the green grass. They are

44 KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.

highly valuable to all farmers, except those who are:

fond of a naked fellow. This appeal in favor of the
cultivation of the Blue and green grasses shows the
difference of opinion that existed of their merits and
demerits at that time.”’

W.S. Rand, of Lewis Co. Kentucky, who has.
had a large experience in the cultivation of Poa
Pratensis, says of it: “Common Spear grass and
Kentucky Blue grass is one and the same, varying in
size and appearance according to the soil and latitude.
in which it grows. The plant is a light green color,
the spikelets frequently variegated with bluish.
purple. Flowers in June, but once a year, which
recommends this for lawns. The produce ordinarily
is small compared with other grasses, but the
herbage is fine. It grows ina variety of soils, from
the dryest knolls toa wet meadow. It doesnot stand
severe drouths as well as the orchard grass. It
endures the frosts of winter better than all other
grasses, and continues luxuriant through mild
winters. It requires from two to three years to be-
come well set, does not arrive at perfection as a
pasture grass till the sward is older than three years,
hence it is not suited to alternate husbandry, or
where the land is to remain in grass only a few years
and then to be plowed up. The best Blue grass is
found in shaded pastures. Itis the first plant that-
puts forth its leaves and remains green if the season
is favorable. Early in the fall it takes a second
growth and flourishes vigourously until the ground
freezes. Blue grass makes the sweetest and best of
hay. Itshould be cut as the seeds begins to ripen,
spread well and protect from rain and dews, on the
second day. stock and shelter and salt. Blue grass

KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS. 45

is not commended to cultivate especially for hay. ~ It
is not as profitable a product to merchandize as
timothy and orchard grass. Blue grass on limestone
land is perpetual, if properly managed, and the per-
fection it attains in Kentucky is to be attributed to
favorable soils, a temperate climate and mild winters,
all of which have contributed to make Kentucky
Blue grass the basis of our agricultural wealth and
prosperity.”’ ;

In the states of Pensylvania and Delaware, also in
other places, there is great confusion casued by call-
ing other grasses of the Poa family by the name of
Blue grass. The editors of the Country Gentleman
took great pains a few years ago to set this matter
right. They state: ‘‘We have, ourselves, in Ken-
tucky, Ohio, Pensylvania and other states, given
particular attention to the subject, consulting with
those best qualified to speak authoritively. Poa
Pratensis is unquestionably the grass known in Ken-
tucky as ‘Blue grass,’ and in other states by the
name of Kentucky Bluegrass. In Pennsylvania and
Deleware, however, this same grass is popularly called
“‘oreen grass,’’ while the variety botanically termed
Poa Compressa, does have priority of claim to
designation as Blue grass, but there is no doubt that
what is known as Kentucky Blue grass, the grass
which gives their peculiar value to the grazing lands
of Fayette, Woodfurd, Bourbon and adjoining
counties in Kentucky,is something quite different and
is in fact Poa Pratensis. In Eastern Pennsylvania
and Delaware the farmers will say that green grass
produces the herbage which renders their best
pastures of almost unrivalled excellence, and will
point out as Blue grass specimens of Poa Compassa,

46 FLAT STALKED OR CREEPING POA.

which may also be found quite generally, wondering
not a little as they do so that in Kentucky, Blue
grassisso highly esteemed. Let it be remembered then
whatever may be the botanical name of Blue grass
in other states, Kentucky Blue grassis Poa Pratensis
and nothing else. It willdo no harm, moreover, to
recollect that the green grass that grows on the
banks ot the Brandywine, is also Poa Pratensis, and
that the Blue grass of the latter and other eastern
localities is not Kentucky Blue grass, but is Poa
Compressa.”’

The seeds of Poa Pratensis are very small and
securely covered with husks, but when rubbed hard,
between the palms of the hands, appear of a long
oval shape, wax color and hard. From 3 to 4
pounds enter intoa mixture with other seeds for
permanent meadow or pasture, 20 pounds to two
bushels, if sown alone. The seeds of this grass
weigh 13 pounds per bushel..

CHAPTER IX.
FLAT STALKED OR CREEPING POA.
Poa Compressa—Specifie Character.

Panicle flowering on one side, rather dense, spike-
lets oval oblong, 6 to 7 flowering ; flowers connected
at the base by a complicated web of hairs; culm
compressed; rootcreeping. Observation: culms from
a foot to a foot and a half high, compressed decum-
bent at the base, ee afterwards, and erect to-
wards the top, striated smooth, sometimes sending
forth culms at the joints; leaves short linear, acute

ROUGH STALKED POA. 47

flat, somewhat glancous, bluntish condensed; florets
from three to nine, according to the age and strength
of the plant; closely imbricated, ovalangular, these
three nerved purple below the tips which is silvery
and scariose at the base, connected by very fine com-
plicated short villous hairs. Flowers in July and
ripens seeds in August.

In England this grass flowers during the greater
part of the summer, and is considered one of the
most valuable of the tribe, for its dark green leaves
grow so firmly together as to form a short turfofthe
richest pasture which is supposed to contribute much
to the delicate flavor of the flesh of sheep and deer,
to which animals it is peculiarly grateful. Its bluish
green stems retain their color after the seed is ripe.
It shrinks very little in drying, thus making a hay
very heavy in proportion to its bulk. It will be
seen in the latter part of the preceeding chapter on
Poa Pratensis, that this grass is extensively cultiva-
ted in the states of Pennsylvania and Deleware,
to which states it is principally confined, as I cannot.
learn of its cultivation to any extent in the Northern
or Eastern states.

CHAPTER X.

ROUGH STALKED POA, OR ROUGH STALKED MEADOW
GRASS.

Poa Trivialis—Specijic Character.

Webbed florets; outer palea five ribbed; marginal
ribs not hairy; ligule long and pointed; stems two to
three feet high ; distinguished from June grass by

48 ROUGH STALKED POA.

having rough sheaths, while in the latter the sheaths
are smooth, the ligule obtuse and the marginal ribs
of the outer palea furnished with hairs, it differs from
June grass also in several other respects. The Rough
Stalked Meadow grass has a fibrous root, that of the
June grass is creeping. Flowers in June and ripens
seeds in July.
Way's ANALysis.
100 parts as taken green from the field June 18th.

"Water. ..ccccccccccecceseccecscsces s8 # éSiweeweee a TO60
Albuminons or flesh forming principles......sse+0- 2,58
Fatty matters.....+. se eceeeceeeecers Sa ewe niwem: 97
Heat producing principles, starch, sugars, gum, ete.. 10.54
Woody fibre.........+ seca es ceneecssenes esoeeee 10.11
Mineral matter or ash...+.cecesececseees ee 2.20

100.00

100 parts of the gaass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles................ 9.80
Fatty matters........ 222. 02....- Fue SATA UMRAO RC TEASERS 3.67
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 40.17
Wood 9) DD Re oi ircectecicecsenteecacn dees wider sncdeisietats dere ae 38.03
Mineral matter or ash............. 202.0222. eceeee eee ee 8.33

100.00

This grass has got quite an European reputation.
In Lombardy it is accounted the queen of meadow
plants. In England it is considered an excellent
grass on good moist loams, and much relished by
cattle of all sorts. Though this grass has much simi-
larity in appearance to poa pratensis, especially in
the mode of flowering, it differs essentially in its
qualities, the latter principally occurs in moist mead-
ows and the former is chiefly found in dry pastures.
It delights in moisture and sheltered situations, on
which account, though there are few more productive
or better adapted for the purpose of pasturage or hay,

FOWL MEADOW. 49

it is tender and liable to be injured by severe cold or
drought, and in moist, rich ground it has been ob-
served to grow tall, while it has been found equally
diminutive in poor land. It however yields abund-
ant herbage, and in places suited to it, it grows to
such a prodigious length that it is said to have been
found on the famous Orcheston meadow, near Sals-
bury Plain, fully eight feet long. This grass should
only be sown on moist, fertile and sheltered soils,
and about 3 pounds of its seed should enter into
a mixture of other grasses for that purpose. 15
pounds of Poa Trivalis seed make a standard bushel.

I have sown it this spring, separately and with
other grasses.

CHAPTER Xi.

FOWL MEADOW.—FALSE RED TOP.

‘\

Poa Serotina—Specijfic Character.

Culms tufted without running rootstocks ; leaves
narrowly linear, soft and smooth ; ligules elongated,
spikelets 2 to 4 (rarely 5) flowered (1-12 to 1-6 inch
long), all short, pedicilled in an elongated panicle,
often tinged with dull purple ; flowers and glumes.
narrow ; lower palet very obscurely nerved.

Flowers in July and August.

This grass has been known and cultivated in the
New England states from an early period.

Jared Elliot, writing in 1749, mentions it as grow-
ing tall and thick, making a more soft and pliable

50 CRESTED DOGS’ TAIL.

hay and better adapted for pressing and shipping off
for the use of horses on board, than Herd’s grass
(Timothy). It yields well to the acre, and will not
spoil, although it stands beyond the common time of
mowing. It must be sowed in low moist land. The
cultivation of this grass seems to be principally con-
fined to the New Epgland states, where it is consid-
ered a valuable grass. Its merits consist in its thick
and abundant growth on. land. more moist than is
well adapted to common upland grasses. It never
grows so coarse or hard but that the stalk is sweet
and tender, and eaten without waste.

It should enter largely into a mixture with other
grasses sown on good, moist soils. I have sown it
this spring.

CHAPTER XII.
CRESTED DOGS’ TAIL.
Cynosurus Cristatus—Specific Character.

Its spikes are simple, linear; spikelets awnless ;
stems one foot high, stiff, smooth ; root perrennial,
fibrous and tufted. Flowers becinnine of July and
ripens seeds end of July.

Way’s ANaLysis.-
100 parts as taken green from the field June 21st.

Water. .....0. eal sae eie se vcesevecee O2.73
Albuminous, or flesh forming Drineiplos seund eee threaded 4.13
Fatty matters............06 Sain sieve SALea seared eg eoee 1.32

Heat producing frinciples, starch, g gum, sugar, etc... 19.64
Woody Fibre. ...cccsceseececuveccs er ae 9.80

CRESTED DOGS’ TAIL. 61

Mineral matter or ash. .....sececeeeeneceeeee teense 298
100.00
100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles....+-.sesere 11.08
Batty Tattersl, «eaewee swsatass nese srerceisrs Fie eae 3.54
Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, ete... 52.64
WiOGAY WIDE ie since ave wicie gis stdbin ace ain wiave lar aie swianeiene oral 26 36
Mineral matter or ash... 2.2... 2.e..cce ee ceeeeececeee cers 6.38
100.00

This grass grows upon sandy and calcareous soils,
and is therefore well calculated for dry upland pas-
tures, where it forms a thick, short turf and affords
wholesome food for sheep. It will not thrive in
very moist meadows, but grows best in dry situa-
tions. In some parts of Woburn Park this grass
forms the principal part of the herbage. It also
abounds in the famous pasturages_of Pampton, in:
Devonshire. It is also the prevailing grass in the
best grass meadows of the vale of Pickering.

From its. forming a close turf, and having rather
fine foilage, it may be advantageously sown on lawns
and-other places to be kept down with the scythe, it
not being so difficult to cut as its hardish like culms
and leaves would lead one to suppose. At least 10
or 11 lbs. should enter into a mixture with other
suitable grasses intended for lawns, which are to be
cut frequently. The weight of a bushel is 26 lbs.

This grass has been introduced into this country
and the seed may be had at the principal seed stores
in New York city.

I have sown it both as a mixture with other grasses
and separately, for experiment, this spring.

Missing Page

Missing Page

54 MEADOW FESCUE

summer and to retain its verdure during winter in a
remarkable degree. It constitutes a great portion of
the most natural pastures in Scotland, especially
when the soil is light and dry. From the pureness
of its foilage and greenness in winter it is well

-adapted for sowing in parks and pleasure grounds,
especially for sheep pasture, but for short grass to
be kept down with the scythe it should, from its
wiry nature, enter sparingly into the mixture. About
2 lbs. with a mixture of other seeds. A bushel of the
seeds of Festuca Duriuscula weigh 10 Ibs. IT have
sowirit this season.

CHAPTER XV.
“MEADOW FESCUE.
Festuca Pratensis—Specific Character.

Its panicle is nearly erect, branched, close, some-.-
what inclined to one side; spikelets linear, with
from nine to ten cylindrical flowers, leaves linear, of
a glossy green, pointed, striated, rough on the edges;
steins round, smooth, from two to three feet high,
roots creeping, perrennial. Its radical orroot leaves.
are broader than those of the stem, while in most
other species of fescue }the radical leaf is generally
narrower than those of the stem. Flowers in June,
seeds ripe in July.

Col. St. Leger is supposed to be the first who en-
tered largely into the culture of this grass in Eng-
land. It comes near in its appearance to rye grass
but seems greatly superior, at least for the purpose

TALLER, OR MEADOW FESCUE. 55

of forming or improving meadows, as being larger
and more productive in foilage. It is hardy, strictly
perrennial, and thrives well, not only in wet,
but in dry grounds, growing in all situations. It
abounds in the best meadows in thebest hay districts,
and in short, seems well calculated to supply the
defects of rye grass. It has also the quality of pro-
ducing more seeds than most of the other sorts of
grasses which grow rapidly and are easily gathered.
No plant, whatever, deserves more the attention of
the farmer than this, it being of certain growth, easy
culture, productive and remarkably sweet. It will
thrive in either dry or wet soils, an advantage which
most others do not possess ; and, except in point of
early growth, it appears to be little inferior to Fox
Tail. This grass, which is seldom absent from rich
meadows and pastures, is observed to be highly
grateful to oxen, sheep and horses, particularly the
former. It appears to grow most luxuriantly with
the hard fescue. This is said to be the Randall
grass of Virginia. About 2 lbs. of seed as a propor-
tion in.a mixture with other seeds. A bushel of this
seed weighs 14 lbs. I have sown this grass m a
mixture, also seperately, for experiment.

CHAPTER XVI.
TALLER, OR MEADOW FESCUE.
Festuca Elatior—Sp ecific Character

Panicle narrow, contracted before and after flower-
ing, erect, with short branches ; ; spikelets crowded,

56 TALLER, OR MEADOW FESCUE.

5 to 10 flowered, the fiowers rather remote, oblong
lanceolate ; lower palet 5 nerved, scarious margined,
blunt, acute, or rarely with a distinct but very short.
awn. The type is large, 3 to 4 feet high; spikelets
about half ati inch long, in an ample and compound
panicle ; root perrennial, fibrous, somewhat creeping
and forming large tufts. Flowersin June andtipens
seeds in July.

This species may be easily distinguished from Fes-
tuca Pratensis by being much larger (nearly double)
‘in all its parts, it is also like it perrennial and fib-
rous rooted, grows naturally on moist, superior
soils in waste places, by the banks of rivers, etc. It
is rather a coarse like grass,. but may be sown either
for hay or permanent pasture on moist soils, shady
places, etc. It yields.an abundant crop, and not-
withstanding its seeming coarseness, is relished by
cattle generally. It stands highest, according to the
Woburn experiments, of any of the Fescues as to
the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by the whole
crop when cut at the time of flowering. It is a very
valuable grass to-sow on wet or moist lands, from its
rapid growth it is calculated to smother or keep
down the coarser kinds which naturally abound in
these situations. Fora separate seeding from 20 to
28 lbs. per acre; for a mixture with other grasses,
judgment must be exercised in all mixtures of
grasses, whatever grass is required to prodominate
must be sown in excess of the others. A bushel
contains 14 Ibs.

SWEET SCENTED VERNAL. 57

CHAPTER XVII.
SWEET SCENTED VERNAL.
Anthoxanthum' Odoratum—Specific Character.

Spikelets (brownish or tinged with green), spread-
ing at flowering time ; one of the neutral flowers,
bearing a-bent awn from near its base, the other
short awned below the tip. Perrennial. Flowers in.
May and ripens in June.

= Way’s ANaLysis

100 parts as taken green from the field May 26th.

Water 'ec cance wie coreienearatienn seb aale o helene atau state 80.35
Albuminous or flesh forming principles doecieedoseneec!s 2.05
Ma bbhycMa ters oi eye cas conics tneerngrensuan veniosecenies 67
Heat producing principles, starch, anes, gum, etc... 8.54
Woody fibre...... 2.222.222 cece cece ce eee eee eee ceeees 7.15
Mineral matter or Ash...... 2.222... 22. ce eee ence cece 1.24
: 100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.
Albuminous or flesh forming principles.............. . 10.48
Fatty matters... 2.20.02. leec occ ee eee eee cece cece eee 3.41
. Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete...... 43.48
“Woody: SOKO sates cavederensens eens sacs seeeeseeemees ~ 86.36
Mineral matter or Ash..... 222. 00.... 0.2022 ceee cee ceeee . 6.82
100.00

This is one of the earliest of the English grasses,
and grows on almost any kind of soil) Although
neither very productive nor nutritive, and far from
being a favorite to cattle when given them alone. It
yet possesses the peculiar value of being the only
fragrant plant natural to English fields, and imparts
the delightful perfume so perceptible in new hay.
It indeed forms a part of the herbage on all good

58 YELLOW OAT GRASS.

meadow land, and although its chief utility seems to
consist in giving flavor to the new dried fodder, yet
when thus mixed it is grateful to all stock, and
therefore should always be sown with the other seeds
of permanent grasses. This grass has been exten-
sively naturalized in this country, and is common in
pastures and roadsides. In respect to early growth,
continuing to throw up flowering stalks till the end
of Autumn, and its hardy.and permanent nature
sufficiently upholds its claim to a place in the com-
position of all permanent pastures. The superior
qualities of its aftermath are a great recommendation
for the purpose of grazing. Its analysis is a good
one. 2 bs. of seed is sufficient to enter a mixture
with other grasses. Its seeds weigh only 6 lbs. per
bushel. Iam growing this grass.

,

CHAPTER XVIII.
YELLOW OAT GRASS.

Avena Flavescens— Generic Character.

Spikelets three to many flowered, with an open,
large, diffise panicle; lower pale, seven to eleven
nerved, with a long, twisted awn on the back;
stamens three; grain oblong, grooved on the side,
usually hairy and free. Flowers in July, and ripens
seeds in August.

a : Way's ANALYSIS.

100 parts as taken green from the field June 29th.

Albumixous or flesh forming principles.................0. 2.96
Fatty matters

YELLOW OAT GRASS. 59

Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, ClGincwasiess ; 18.66
WOO Y PDTC octane svscnneue ecaieieraicreanenn epytahianrdns nase danantincesavostonurecs 14.22
Mineral matter, or ASI oversee naan terns ranies ir: wishes i508 2.72

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried. at 212° Fahr,

Albuminous or flesh forming principles
Fatty matters

ee ee ed

Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, (| 47.08
WY OO YARIS Be asc esss vn: ova tcncnncaconenisnailovarabarcvn nine beclfalesddglavermnateckrpan are 85.95
Mineral matter, or Ash.............. asians teens See ars 6.88

100.00

Yellow Oat grass, grows naturally in dry pasture
on rather light and good soils yields a considerable
bulk of fine herbage, and deserves to form a portion
of all mixtures on light, dry soils, either for hay or
pasture. It arrives early at maturity, and although
a perreunial, yet if allowed to ripen seed, it is is but
‘of short duration, particularly if grown on stiff,
moist soils. It is the most useful, as a hay and pas-
ture grass, of the genus Avena, as well as the smallest
seeded of all the native species.

Mr. Tauton says of it: “That it is so rich in its
qualities, and so universal a citizen of the world, that
there is no soil from the lightest calcareous loam, to
the stiffest clay into which he would not introduce it
where he intended to form a permanent turf.”’ It is
said that a top-dressing of lime will double the pro-
duce of this grass, and that it thrives best on -calcar-
ious soils. About 1 or two Ibs. of seed should enter
into lawn mixtures. 5 1-2 lbs. make a bushel of the
seeds of Avena Flavescens.

60 DOWNY OAT GLASS.

CHAPTER XIX.

DOWNY OAT GRASS.
Trisetum Pubescens—Generic Character.

Spikelets 2; several flowered, often in a contracted
panicle ; the lower palet compressed keeled, of about
the same membranaceous texture as the glumes, bear-
ing a bent or flexuous (rarely twisted) awn below the
sharply two-toothed or two-pointed apex (whence
the name from tris, three, and seta, a bristle): other-
wise nearly as in Avena. Gray. Flowersin June,
and ripens seeds in July.

Way’s ANALYSIS
100 parts taken green from the field July 11th.

Watebiccs visecingssosbe cece oaeaes seas say eeeveweens 61.50
Albuminous, or fiesi forming principles PS ee eee 3.07
Batty Matters cise eyes ctssies ee trnngie.« eumnved Garniorsace wise meguenlé « . «92
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc........ 19.16
Woody Mibre: 3 cccnc ecu son madsen ooRawibee Saas woe ne co 13.34
Mineral matter, or ASh........ 00. e cc cee cece eee ence ence 2.01
100.00
100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr
Albuminous, or flesh forming principles.................. 7.97
Fatty matters sls (ei po wehonae aienaios Reales VETO Re Rare Tw 2.39
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc.... ... 49.78 °
WWGOCG:: HOE sss acs oe dang eieevenii GS cute Sd meanlereed sande Reo awe e-8-o Shaves 34 64
Maineral matter, or:Aish., cccn<2 erties svewes aan 24 sees es eee 5.22

Downy Oat giass, Trisetum Pubescens, better
known as Avena Pubescens, A Vel. Trisetum Pub-
escens. Is generally found growing on dry, rocky
soils, also on chalky cnes in England. It is only of
late years that it has received much attention. It is
now considered a good permanent grass to be sown
on medium lands, on account of its hardiness and
and its being but a slight impoverisher of the soil. It

QUAKING GRASS. 61

will be seen by a comparison of the analysis of
Avena Flavescens with that of this grass that one is
equally as good as the other. Iam not aware of this
grass being cultivated to any extent in this country.

i

CHAPTER XX.

QUAKING GRASS.
Briza Media—Specifie Character.

Panicle erect, the branches spreading ; spikelets
5 to 9 flowered (3-12 inch long) ; glumes shorter than
the lower flowers; root perrennial. Flowers in
June. :

WAY’S ANALYSIS. :
100 parts as taken green from the field June 29th.

Albuminons, or flesh forming principles
‘Fatty matters

Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc........ 22.60
WO OGG BAD EGR o ascnavasase oaitiaicore, ieaicans avschio pecs snavineciornsienecgpeysialudthins 17.00
“Mineral:matter,. or Ashis. cine sackeiesunswese cote s eee oes 4.17
100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fabr.
Albuminous, or flesh forming principles.................. 6408
Batty matterss ons 025 cence cies seater sass arenrarsan’ 3.01
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, EbGiescssannsenecd 46.95
WOOdy FADE cavers: asejoreicgreranavaniteewreupiisnaviere a Raaeparsiecedenaerevsiyind s..., 8980
Mineral matter, or Ash............... 24 Guianes cnet iamentat 8.66
100.00

Briza Media (Quaking grasss.) Grows naturally in
‘light inferior or rather dry soils, and from a given
weight yielding more nutritious matter than any
other grass indigenous to such soils. Owing, how-
ever, to the seeds not retaining their vegetating

62 WOOLY SOFT GRASS.

powers beyond a rather limited period, and the diffi-
culty with which they are procured, its cultivation is
attended with considerable disadvantage, for- such
as suit it best will not afford paying a high price for
the seed, and its foilage is not produced in great
quantities, owing to its shortness.

There is a variety occasionally to be met with in
moors differing from the common iw being of a much
more light and yellowish green color; but in other
respecis the same. There is a hardy annual, the
Large Quaking grass (Briza Maxima) cultivated in
gardens for ornament, which grows about one foot
high, very elegant ; also the Briza Graciles (slender
Quaking grass), grown for ornament. Briza Media
isfound growing naturally in pastures in the middle
‘and Eastern States.

CHAPTER, XXL.

WOOLLY SOFT GRASS}; OR, YORESHIRE WHITE. MEA-
DOW SOFT GRASS. VELVET GRASS.

Ffolcus Lanatus—Specific Character.

Perrennial, soft, downy and pale; panicle oblong;.
upper glume mucronate, awned under the apex,
awn of the staminate flower curved. Flowers in
July, and ripens seedsin July. | ~

Way's ANALYSIS.
100 parts as taken green from the field June 29th

WIACET) asc ce Sasae ular uence MocguRin ia hanpiee named epee varie anes tosoutiec as hee g 69.70
Albuminous, or flesh forming principles... ................ 3.49
aah UAE LOWS See dehenics conics cavestuaneouroieacsoneoorseonatiartet enero, se 102
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc........ 11,92,

Woody Fibre

WOOLY SOFT GRASS. 63

Mineral matter, or Ash.........0ccee ese cencucecsececes 1.93

100.00

‘100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. _ .

Albuminous, or flesh forming principles................-- 11.52.
Rati y MIACtOTS ces wcricce wie saker cinta mem aereaaiedasarnueces: BOO
Heat producing principles, , starch, sugar, gum, etc........ 39.25
Wooly Bib ress 5 cise. 0% hb Beene tea SER SAO MSGR SARE 11.30
Mineral matter, or Ash..............-0. cee fo uoliaUiddamadapout tb 6.37

100.06

This is a very common grassin England and grows
on all soils, fromthe richest to the poorest. It at-
tains to the greatest degree of luxuriance on light
moist soils; particularly on those of apeaty nature.
Cattle are not fond of this grass. It is. chiefly. used.
on sheep walks and answers well for that purpose.
It is said to occasion a voilent discharge of. urine,
and general weakness, if given-to horses. There be-
ing so many grasses superior to this, in many re-
spects, it cannot support a good claim toa place inthe
composition of the best permanent pastures and for
the cultivation singly or by itself it is wholly inad-
missible. It produces a profusion of seed which be-
ing light is easily dispersed by the winds and
though a late flowering grass the seeds ripens sooner
than that of most others and before hay harvest be-
gins, is generally perfected. This grass has long
been introduced into this country. Itis known by
the names of Salem grass and White Timothy in the
Eastern States. Its seeds weigh 7 pounds per bus shel.
Tam growing this grass.

64 CREEPING SOFT GRASS.

CHAPTER XXII.
CREEPING SOFT GRASS.
Holeus Moliis.

This grass is easily distinguished from holcus lana-
by its producing fewer culms, having more loose
panicles, longer awns (hence it is sometimes termed
Bearded soft “grass) broader foilage and powerfully
creeping roots, grows naturally in a great variety of
soils. These two species of Holcus are distinguished
from all the rest of our common grasses by the soft
and wooly appearance of their panicles, those of
Holeus Lanatus assume a great varieiy of shades in
color, from a white to a beautiful red, but generally
on a whitish like ground. These grasses are chiefly
used on sheep. walks in England and are said to
answer well for that purpose. Flowers in July and
ripens seeds in August.

CHAPTER XXIII.

FINE BENT GRASS, RED TOP, FINE TOP, BURDEN
GRASS, HERD’S GRASS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND
SOYTHERN STATES.

(Agrostis Vulgar is)—Specific Character.

Rootstocks creeping; eulm mostly upright (1 to
2 feet high); panicle oblong with spreading slightly
rough short branches, (purple) ; leaves linear, flat ;
ligule very short, truncate; lower palet nearly

FINE BENT GRASS. 65

a

equalling the glumes, chiefly awnless, 3 nerved ; the
upper one half its length. Gray. Flowers in July
‘and ripens seeds in August. ,

In England and Sister Kingdoms. This grass has
always been considered as a troublesome weed in
dry, light soils, and not being well liked by cattle,
‘it commonly attracts attention asa useless grass to
be got quit of as soon as possible, more particularly
as its creeping roots prove highly injurious to the
‘soil. However, notwithstanding its bad qualities,
sheep are found to eat it, particularly in the winter
months, and it is sometimes sown on bare, gravelly
places, where the more valuable grasses will not
grow, for the purpose of covering them with vegeta-
tion. Red Top has been long and favorably known
in this country as a permanent pasture grass. Itis
supposed by some to have been introduced into the
Northern States. But I am inclined to the belief
that it is as much indigenous to the soil of Americ¢a
as itis to that of any part of Great Britain. It is
found growing naturally on all the fertile and me.
dium soils on Long Island and there are few meadows
of three or four years standing in which Red Top is
not found in abundance, and is sure to assert its
supremacy and become permanent, while in the
course of six or seven years the timothy has disap-
~peared. .In fact, the pasture lands of Long Island
have at least two thirds of Red Top in their. compo-
sition. A circumstance which proves the neglect
and indifference shown toward the-cultivation of the
more valuable permanent grasses. Asa consequence
improved breeds of cattle or sheep are rare upon the
Island, except on the lands of progressive farmers,
whose system of grass culture embrace a mixture of

66 FINE BENT GRASS.

useful species which afford a sweet and varied herb-
age so grateful to stock of all kinds.

Red ‘op as a mixture with other grasses is nec-
essary,-but only in small quantities, on land capable
of producing better grasses. On soil, where the
more valuable grasses will not suceeed as already
stated, it is highly useful for the purpose of covering
them with vegetation. On pasture lands where Red
Top predominates, the fields must be overstocked,
for if allowed to grow up to seed, the cattle refuse it,
which is sufficient evidence that it is not so much
relished by stock as some of the other pasture
grasses. This running into extremes in the cultiva-
tion of Red Top and the now very popular Rhode
Island Bent both of which I consider one and the
same grass, any difference in their appearance being
produced by varieties of soils, is strikingly éxempli-
fied in Central Park, New York, where these grasses.
predominate, and where in many instances they are
trampled over and not eaten, whereas if orchard
grass and many other valuable grasses were substi-
ted, the latter would be eaten with avidity. Al-
though it is claimed; that the Agrostis, or Bent
grasses thrive best in moist soils, yet it has been
sufficiently proved that Agrostis vulgaris, (the true
red top) may be sown to advantage on a variety of
soils.

It would answer well to sow Red Top separately
on moist lands where old grass has run out, or be-
‘come mossy. On such places it would fill thie soik
with its numerous roots and make it more passable.
Also on moist, undrained soils, liable to occasion-
ally overflow, if cut early, it has a thick bottom, and
makes a heavy crop of second-hand hay.

BROAD LEAVED, OR CREEPING BENT. 67

From 21 to 28 lbs. of seed per acre on such soils
should be sown. About 2 or 3 lbs. of the seed of
this grass should enter into a mixture with the seeds
of other grasses for permanent pasture. 12 Ibs. of
Red Top seed make a bushel.

CHAPTER XXIV
LARGE LEAVED, CREEPING BENT GRASS OR FIORIN.

Agrostis Stolinifera Var 1 Latifolia—Specifie
Character. bi

Panicle loose at the time of flowering contracted af-
terwards; florets large, numerous; calyx husks acumi-
nate, outer serrulated from keel upwards; inner only

-slightly toward the top.

The peculiar value of the Fiorin and of other grass-
es of the Agrostis family arise from their fitness for
winter pasture as they lose very little of their bulk or
nutriment by remaining on the soil after they have
ceased to grow. The Fiorin grass to be in perfection
requires a moist climate or a wet soil, and it grows
on cold clays unfitted for other grasses; in light sand
and dry situations its produce is inferior as to quan-
tity and quality. Fiorin or as it is commonly called
in the North of Ireland Haureen, was first intro-
duced tothe notice of the British public some seven-
ty years ago by Rev. Doctor Richardson, of Clonfecle
County, Antrim, Ireland. A committee of several
members of the Agricultural society of Kirkcudbright
Scotland, visited the Doctors’ farm about that time
for the purpose of examining it They described it as.

68 BROAD LEAVED, OR CREEPING BENT.

putting forth a great profusion of strings (lateral)
like the side shoots by which strawberries increases
and by which itis propagated. The roots penetrate
buta short distance into the soil, thus denoting that
its chief sustenance is drawn from the atmosphere and
itis represented, 1st, to grow luxuriantly in low and
swamp grounds which but for the cultivation of it.
would be of little or novalue. 2nd, that it grows in
such great quantities in irrigated meadows which are
most favorable to it, that it has been known to produce
four times the weight of any single crop of any other
grass. 38rd, that cattle are so extremely fond or par-
tial to it as to prefer the hay made from it to any
other hay whatever, and that from the length of time
which it annually vegetates, it may be used as green
food during the greater part of the Winter.

The high value of a crop of Fiorin in Scotland
(at that time) was evidenced by the fact that the High-
land Agicultural Society awarded two premiums of
twenty and ten guineas for the greatest product on
an acre, in certain Counties.

- James Baird, manager of Shotts, Iron works, Szot-

land, raised it with great success. His product was
from five to seven tons per acre. Sir James Stewart
cultivated it on a spongy mass, and obtained from
five to six tons on an English acre, cut the last of
September, put in small stacks and left in the mead
ow till wanted.

Dr. Richardson cut on different pieces his eleventh,
twelfth, and thirteeth crops without any falling off
jo quantity. :

To this day Fiorin or Faureen, is held in high
estimation by the farmers of the north of Ireland.
There are hundreds of Irishman in the states who

BROAD LEAVED, OR CREEPING BENT. 69

can bear testimony from observation to its excellent
quality as a rich succulent and sweet food for cattle.

That it is not more extensively cultivated in other
countries than Ireland, may be attributed to the fact
that the specimens of the different varieties of Agrostis
stolonifera resemble each other so much that they
may be easily mistaken for each other without close
inspection and some knowledge of botany to assist
it. The first variety being therefore scarce, and the
other very common, there is little room for surprise
at the contradictory result of experiments that have
been made on one or other of these inferior varieties by
gentlemen equally eminent for agricnltural know-
ledge, under conviction of their being one and the
same grassas recommended by Dr. Richardson under
the name of Fiorin, whereas though they agree in
the general habit of Dr. Richardson’s variety anfé in-
deed in every respect, except that Fiorin appears to
be confined to rich ancient pasture land, as its natur-
al place of. growth, and the other varieties to various.
soils and situations; their inferiority in every agricul-
tural merit is so great as to justify the opprobious
epithets that have been bestowed upon them by those
who from the above causes have differed from Dr.
Richardson's statement‘of the merits of the first vari-
ety of Fiorin, and prevented justice being done to the
discovery which it may have deserved.

Although it may be propagated by the seeds, yet:
they are of such slow growth, that they are apt to be
overpowered by weeds, and the better mode is to
plant small cuttings of the grass in the latter end of
Autumn. ;

The land should be drained as well as circum-
stances may permit; for although it suits a wet soil

70 MEADOW SPEAR GRASS.

and irriagted land, yet the water should not be suff-
ered to rest upon it; the ground should be cleaned
and pulverized, and the cuttings scattered over the
surface, after which it should be slightly covered,
with loose earth. or with peat or wood ashes, and
earth well mixed. These cuttingsare prepared in
the simplest manner by twisting the strings into loose
rope aboutthe thickness of the arm, and then entting
them with an axe or hedge-bill (bill hook) upon a
plank into lengtbs about three inches and one half.
When the crop comes up, it should be carefully
weeded two or three times the first year; after which
there will be no occasion for a repetition of that pro-
cess.

For sowing on land in moist situations, Forin is
well deserving of cultivation. There is no grass per-
haps of which cattle are so fond either in a green or
dried state, and on land on which I have seen it
grow, it seems to be of a perpetual nature. From 20
to 24 pounds is required per acre.

CHAPTER XXV.
MEADOW SPEAR GRASS, NERVED MANNA GRASS.
(Glyceria Nervata)—Specific Character:

Branches of the loose panicle capillary, at length
drooping, the very numerous small spikelets ovate
oblong 3 to 7 flowered ; leaves rather long. Moist
meadows very common. Flowers in June. Ob-
servations. Panicle often halfa foot and more in

MEADOW SPEAR GRASS. 71

dength. with slender branches pressed close, and
subdivided; spikelets small, of a green color.
Valves of the blossom smooth, having five. raised

“nerves on each valve ; leaves in two rows resembling
a fan somewhat rough ; Culm, a little compressed.
Root, perrennial. Native of America.

Sinclair had-a high opinion of the hardy qualities
of this grass; he states that in February 1814, after
the severe winter preceding, this grass was perfectly
green and succulent, while not one ‘species of grass
cut of nearly 300 different species that grew around
‘it remained in a healthy state, but were inferior and
‘more or less injured by the severity of the weather.

The crops of this grass, he found by experiment at
‘the time of flowering, and at the time the seed was

ripe, to be equal in point of quantity and nutrient
quality a circumstance which did not occur in any
-other grass in the experiments made at that time.
‘The nutritive matter contained in the latter math, is
likewise greater than in most other grasses. The
‘root leaves are produced on a shoot, and stand in
‘two rows after the manner of a fan. This shoot

--which is formed by the union of the base leaves, is
~yery succulent, and contains a greater proportion of
nutritive matter than the leaves: which accounts
‘for the superiority of the latter math in nutritive
matter. This grass is the Fowl meadow of many
farmers in Eastern states while Poa Serotina is called
-by them, Bastard Fowl meadow.

In Pennsylvania, this grass is very common in wet
marshy grounds but it does not appeur that any
«attention is paid to its cultivation. It is useful asa
mixture on wet or moist pastures.

72 FLOATING GLACERIA.

XN

CHAPTER XXVI.
FLOATING GLYCERIA, MANNA GRASS.
(Glyceria Fluitans)— Specific Character.

Spikelets 7 to 13 flowered ; lower palet, oblong,
obtuse, or the scarious tip acutish, entire or ob-
scurely, 3 lobed, usually rather longer than the blunt:
upper one. Flowers in June and ripens seeds in
August. Observation. Leaves long, broad, and.
floating when in deep water. Root fibrous and.
creeping, perrennial height two to three feet.

This grass grows naturally in and by the sides of
ditches, pools, rivers, and on alluvial fresh water,
marshy. soils. Generally this grass is eaten with.
avidity by horses, cattle, sheep and swine.

It has been said not to thrive except constantly in
water, but there are few grasses better adapted for irr-
igated meadows, and even on moderately dry ground
it will yield a considerable produce. Its seeds are
very nourishing and torm the manua seeds or manna
croups of the stores which are used in soups and
gruels. They are rather difficult to collect from:
their ripening irregularly and being easily shaken.
off when ripe. The seeds of this grass weigh 15:
pounds per bushel.

CHAPTER XXVII.
REED MEADOW GRASS.
Glyceria Aquatica—Specifie Character:.

Panicle much branched, ample (8 to 15 inches;

REED MEADOW GRASS. 73.

long); The numerous branches ascending, spread-
ing with age ; spikelets oblong or linear oblong, 5 to,
9 flowered, usually purplish ‘(1-6 .to 38-12 inches
long): Lower palet entire; leaves large, 1 to 2 feet
long 1-3 to 1-2 inch wide. Wet grounds, common
Northward. Flowersin July. Culm stout, upright
3 to 5 feet high. Gray.

Like G. Fluitans this grows naturally in and by
the sides of pools, and on rich, alluvial soils, more
especially on the banks of rivers where it is occa-
sionally covered by fresh water tides. / ;

This is one of the tallest of British grasses, with a
powerful creeping root, a native of most parts of
Europe, and very common in the fens at Cambridge-
shire, England, where it not only affords a rich pas:
turage in summer, but forms the chief winter fodder.
It is sometimes cut thrice in one season, it grows not
only in very moist ground but also in very deep
water.

In the Isle of Ely, it is so abundant and so much
valued that it there forms a great source of their
dairy riches being considered excellent food for cows,
though not relished by horses. It grows there to
the height of six feet ; it is however usually cut when
about four feet high and is bound up into sheaves
and stacked for fodder.

Immense tracts which were formerly overflowed,
are now covered with this plant which from its
strong stem and upright growth is suited to places
unfit for the finer grasses.

Some of these Glycerias have been sown among
the grasses for laying down meadows in wet soils,
and for such they deserve attention as they produce
great abundance of valuable fodder.

74 ' SIBERIAN LYME GRASS.

CHAPTER XXVIII
SIBERIAN LYME GRASS.
Elymus Sibericus—Specific Character.

Glabrous: spike wand like 2 to 6 inches long, about
3-12 in thick, otten somewhat nodding; spikelets in
pairs 3 to 6 flowered: glumes linear lanceolate 3 to 5.
nerved. short awned, shorter than the florets, which
are rather short awned. South shore of lake Supe-
rior and north-westward. Gray, Fibrous rooted, per-
rennial, height four feet. Flowers in June.

The Siberian Lyme grass does not produce its foli-
age till rather late in the spring, but it grows rapid-
ly afterwards, and its leaves, which are numerous,
long and broad but soft and tender, cover the stem.
up to near the spike and together with the culm are
much relished by cattle either in a green or dried
state; although termed a perrennial, it is not so perm-
anent in itsduration as some of the other grasses,
being more of the habit of the rye grasses in this re-
spect, and like most of them it may no doubt be bet-
ter fitted for alternate husbandry than for perma-
nent pasture,

The soils best adapted for the growth of Sibarian
Lyme grass seem to be such as are of a free texture
and rather dry than otherwise; when grown on cold,
wet soils, its foliage is apt to be injured by rust.

UPRIGHT SEA, LYME GRASS. 75

CHAPTER XXIX.

UPRIGHT SEA, LYME GRASS.
Elymus Arenarius—Specijfie Character.

This grass, which much resembles beach grass,
rows from two to -five feet high, with a perrennial
ong, creeping root. Stem erect, round, smooth;
leaves long narrow, hard, grayish, pointed, grooved,
rolled in, smooth behind and rough on the inner
surface. It flowersin July. Differs from the com-
mon beach grass in having a short, obtuse, ligule,
and spikelets without footstalks, of three or four
florets, while beach grass has a long and pointed
ligule, and spikelets with footstalks, and of only
one floret. Flint.

This grass is not much eaten by domestic animals
owing no doubt to its excessive hardness and coarse-
ness. Sir Humphrey Davy found by analyzing the
soluble matter afforded by this grass that it con-
tained one third of its weight of sugar, hence it has
been, not inappropriately termed, the sugar-cane of
Britain, and its hay from this containing a consider-
able quantity of nutrious matter has been recom-
mended to be cut like chaff and given to cattle either
alone or mixed with other food.

The purpose, however, for which this grass is gen-
erally employed and for which its creeping matted
roots fit it in an eminently degree, is for binding
loose sands and preventing the encroachment of the
sea, for which purpose it is employed in several parts
of Britain, and more extensively on the shores of
Holland, and is only to be met with growing nat-
urally in such situations. This grass was intro-
dueed by the Patent office, and cultivated in differ-
ent parts of the country.

76 HUNGARIAN GRASS.
CHAPTER XXX.
HUNGARIAN GRASS, BRISTLY FOX TAIL GRASS.
Setaria Germanicum—Generic Character.

Spikelets aftogether as in Panicum proper, and
awnless, but with the short peduncles produced be-
yond them in solitary or clustered bristles resem-
-bling awns, (but not forming an involucre). Inflore-
scence a dense spiked panicle, or apparently a cylin-
drical spike. Annuals in cultivated or manured
grounds, with linear lanceolate flat leaves ; properly
to be regarded as merely a subgenus. of panicum.
Name from Seta, a bristle. Gray.

This grass has been introduced into this country
through the instrumentality of the U. S. Patent
office and is being cultivated throughout the country.
J. W. Beardsly, Fairfield Co., Connecticut in Co.
gentleman says of it. I have raised Hungarian
grass for several years, and have always been well
pleased with it Last summer (1873) I sowed eleven
acres, and am satisfied that I got twenty-five tons of
good, well made hay. Sow it after the ground gets
warm, say from the 1st to 15th of June, and it will
do to cut about the 15th of August. It grows in a
dry, warm soil. I never had any success in sowing
grass seed with it. Sow from 20 to 25 quarts per
acre. Cut when in bloom.

The Prairie Farmer says the trouble about Hun
garian grass is that it is not generally cut at the
proper time. I have raised it several years, and con.
sider it the very best hay for horses. They will fat
on it when on timothy they will grow poor. I sow
half a bushel per acre. Cutitwhen in bloom, before
any seed is formed ; wilt in the swath the same as

HUNGARIAN GRASS. vi

clover, and make in the cock. The stalk is nearly
solid and the hay very heavy ; and if made in this
way will be as green as grass, and a horse will want
little grain for ordinary farm work. I only feed
grain in the spring when doing heavy plowing. Give
your horsés all they will eat of it and they will fat
with decent usage. It is better to make it by hand,

but on a good soil you will tumble up_a big cock in
a small space. One advautage i in raising Hungarian
grass is the lateness it may be sown, for a farmer
finding in June that his meadows are light, or his
corn a failure, can sow Hungarian grass and make
up the deiciency.

Many make a mistake in seeding too soon; the
crop will be more or less injured by weeds, which
seem to grow under all circumstances. It needs but
seyenty days of reasonably good weather to make a
crop of hay from this grass.

Care should be taken in the curing of this grass
for hay. If it musts, or is exposed to the rains
much after being cut, it is almost worthless.

Finding my hay crop, in consequence of the dry
weather which prevailed during the month of May,
and up to the 8th of June, was likely to be a short
one, I sowed part of a field with Hungarian grass
seed the 9th of June. It has succeeded so. far,
beyond my expectations, notwithstanding the preva-
lence of dry weather, which we have experienced
since that time, its growth has been steady and
rapid, and from present appearances will be ready
to be cut and be cured for hay by the 10th of August.-
I sowed at the rate of half a bushel, or 16 quarts’ per
acre, but took pains to sow evenly, perhaps 20 quarts
for ordinary sowing would be required.

PART SECOND.

,. CHAPTER. I.

The Artificial grasses, belonging mostly to the Leg-
uminosa or Pulse Family of plants cultivated and
used both in a green and dried state as food_for the
_domestic animals.

In the preceding pages the most valuable species
of the true grasses belonging to the natural order
graminae have received our careful attention. We
now enter upon a description of another class of
plants called the . Artificial grasses, which are
equally deserving especial consideration.

The Artificial grasses have been cultivated over
two centuries in England. Red clover is supposed
to have been grown as a field crop since 1633. In
this country; the introduction and cultivation of Red
clover dates from 1770, about that time a small quan-
tity of red clover seed eaghed Philadelphia, and was
sown in gardens, and on pasture lots in the neigh-
borhood of the city. In 1773, Mr. James Vaux, of
Flatland Ford, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania, un-
eble to procure on this side the Atlantic, a sufficient
quantity of this seed for his purpose, obtained a

80 INTRODUCTION.

cask from England, which, owing to some injury
sustained on the voyage was found uufit for use.
This unfortunate circumstance delayed his projectcd
experiment, which would have been the first on a
large scale, ever tried in the state. It also prevented
-an increase and distribution of the seed, until after
the war then existing between the colonies and the
mother country.

In 1785, this same gentleman sowed eighty pounds
of clover seed on thirty-five acres of wheat braird,
an account of the success of which he sent to the
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.
To the combined efforts of the members of this So-
ciety, whose President, the venerable Judge Peters,
one of the-foremost men in Pennsylvania, if not in
America (at that time) in every useful Agricultural
improvement, the country is indebted in a -great
measure for the introduction and distribution of
clover and gypsum.

The seed of the common red clover, Trifolium
Pratense, or native red clover (so called in England)
also known by the name of marle grass, is believed
to be the kind first introduced. In the? ycourse of
time it passed into varieties, for we find in 1822, that
energetic and painstaking seedsman, Robert - Sin-
clair, of Baltimore, describing a new variety. There
is, he says, a species of clover, called the tall, or
saplin clover, which has the appearance of the com-
mon red, but is much taller and coarser, ripens
about two weeks later, except its coarseness (which
may be corrected by sowing thick) I prefer it to the
commonjkind for sowing with Timothy, as they ripen
together, and for improving poor land, it is much
the best as it affords a greater covering to the land.

INTRODUCTION. 81

From 1820 shipments of clover seed have been made
from Philadelphia to Liverpool, and different parts
of the United Kingdom. It is quite probable that
the species or variety known in England, as the
large American cow clover was introduced about
this period. There are at present, three distinct
species of red clover, in England, which are culti-
vated by agriculturists, viz: Trifolium Pratense,
Trifolium Perrenne and Trifolium Medium. It will
be seen by a comparison of their analyses, that there
is not much difference in their nutritive values.
There is however, in their perrennial properties, the
two latter being more permanent or lasting.

In this country at the present time it may be said
that red clover is simply divided into two classes,
the large or mammoth, and the trifolium pratense
or common clover. Parties who have made a spec-
iality of growing clover seed for market in the west-
ern part of the state for the past forty years make no
other distinction than the above. The two kinds
are essentially different, however, in their properties

of growth, &c., which will be treated of under its.
proper head. Of the many substitutes for clover,
which are grown in England, such as lucern, sain-
foin, burnet, &c., few of them are cultivated with
any degree of success in this country. Although
lucern seems to be far better adapted to the climate
of this country than that of Britain. Sainfoin I
have found to grow well here this spring when. other
grasses made very little progress: Sainfoin has
been cultivated in England sinee 1651, and is still
in high repute.. Alyske clover is not receiving the
attention to which. its superior merits entitle it.

The yellew clover or trefoils growing naturally ona

82 INTRODUCTION.

variety of soils throghout the country, on all of
which they seem to flourish, are not cultivated to any
extent deserving of notice.

To those who follow a system of soiling their cat-
tle during the spring and summer months a variety
of Artificial grasses will be found of great benefit.
I will therefore proceed to give a description, &c. of
the most useful and deserving ones for cultivating.

CHAPTER II.
COMMON RED CLOVER; MARLE GRASS.
Trifolium Pratense— Specifie Character.

Stems ascending, somewhat hairy, leaflets oval or.
obovate, | often notched at the end and marked on
the upper side with a pale spot, stipules: broad, bris-
tle pointed, heads ovate, sessile. “Fields and mead-
ows largely cultivated. Gray. Flowers in June,
and ripens seeds in July.

Way's ANALYsIS.

100 parts as taken green from the field, June 7th.

WRtE RS are beans doy diay eases lS Gra WS wets ot pints eaelensis tere ace ie +. SLOL
Albuminous or flesh forming principles Leas anees -4,27
AGG y DAB ECCT cise wooing) aun a70 0%. gene ene wine aod bpak dayne ede 0.69
Heat producing principles, starch, Bnet gum, ete... 8.45
Woody fibre..... spala aeavar bye} ¥ was'aee/asla sutvalene asaicous Masceaone es . 3.76
Mineral matter or ash... ..... cece eee rte eee .. 185

100.00

In 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.............. 22,55
Fatter matters... 2+. esse esses erate rete tee neces 3.67
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete... 44.47
Woody fibre.... setesgeiens des saasiesardia 0 6ih ws ane TRUEST 19.75.
Mineral matter or ash....... ee ee eee 9.56

84 COMMON RED CLOVER.

Red clover abounds in every part of Europe, and
even in Siberia. Although it flourishes in dry, bar-
ren and shady places, yet it delights most in such as
are rich, moist and sunny. This plant affords a
large produce of leaf and blossom, by which the land
is preserved in a more perfect state of closeness and
shade, while the crop continues upon it, than by any
other artificial grasses. It has consequently a
greater influence in ameliorating the soils and pre-
paring them for wheat crops to greater advantage.
The preparation of land for the reception of clover
seed whether sown alone or with a grain crop, is of
cousiderable importance. - If the object is to raise a
crop for soiling purposes, it should be sown on
ground which had produced green crops the pre-
vious year (such as potatoes, turnips, &c.) Plowed
in the fall and again in the spring, as early as the
season will admit, and the clover sown with fertil-
izers. This will give the clover a chance to get ahead
of the weeds, and produce at least one good cutting
the first season ; otherwise the weeds will overtop the
clover, and necessitate their cutting before they go
to seed. This will also give freedom of air to the
clover and give it a fresh start. In any case it is
better to sow clover on clean, fertile land. If on
poor land, fertilizers should be freely used, other-
wise it is time and money wasted.

The soils best adapted to the growth of clover, as
regards its nutritive properties are decidedly calca-
rious ones, and the same may be said of other grasses
as well. No part of Europe, for instance, produces
natural grass, of a finer quality than Treland, and
much of it has been immemorially in pasture, but

COMMON RED CLOVER. 85

the surface soil lies almost throughout the island
upon a limestone bottom, ;

A soil to produce good clover crops must have
either more or less of lime in its composition. Al-
though I have seen heavy, luxuriant. crops grown on
peaty soils, but the surface had been pared and
burnt previously.

Boussingault found no less than 32,80 per. cent of
lime in the inorganic constituents of red clover. It.
is therefore evident that soils which are deficient in
calcarious substances must have an application of
gypsum, ashes, leached or, unleached or phosphates,
else the clover crops will soon be diminished. The
action of clover in increasing the fertility of soils, is
well explained by Professor Voelcker ; he remarks:
‘All who are practically acquainted with the subject,
must have seen that the best crops of wheat are pro-
duced by being preceded by crops of clover, grown
for seed. I have come to the conclusion that the
very best preparation, the very best manure is
a good. crop of clover. A vast amount of mineral
manure is brought within the reach of the grain
crop, which otherwise would remain in a lockup
condition in the soil. The clover plants take nitro-
gen from the atmosphere, and manufacture it into
their own substance, which, on decomposition of the
clover roots and leaves, produces abundance of
Ammonia.

In reality the growing of clover is equivalent, toa
great extent, fe manuring with peruvian guano,
and in this paper-of mine, I show that you abtain a
larger quantity of manure than the largest dose of
peruvian guano, which a farmer would ever think
ofapplying.”’ In England the common red clover,

86 PERRENNIAL RED CLOVER.

trifolium pratense, is cultivated on a variety of soils,
and is sown at different periods or intervals between
February and May, either alone or with oats, or rye
grass, the latter preferred, as the rye grass shelters it
better from the effects of severe frosts. It is, how-
ever, considered by the English farmers, inferior to
either of the other two kinds as regards its perma-
nency. Its analysis, however, shows that it is supe-’
rior to trifolium perrenne in nutritive value.

Clover seed should be sown in the spring of the
year. The most common practice in the northern
states is to sow on the late snows of March or April,
on ‘wheat or rye brairds, when sown with spring
grain (oats, barly, &c.) Mr. Crozier’s method de-
scried on page 29, I consider the best. The common
practice is ‘from 8 to 12 lbs. per acre for a-separate
sowing. 20 to 25 lbs. per acre will be required, con-
trary to the method used with meadow grass. It is
recommended after clover has been cut, that the
swaths be not spread out, but suffered to remain om
the ground, as left by the scythe or machine, until
about three parts dried, then turned, and allowed to
dry properly and either cocked up or taken to the
barn. A bushel of red clover seed weighs 64 lbs.

CHAPTER III.
PERRENNIAL RED CLOVER,
Trifolium Pratense Perrenne.

This is a variety of Trifolium pratense; but of a
more perrennial character, roots longer, and pene-
trating into the subsoil. The Mammoth Red may

PERRENNIAL RED CLOVER. 87

also be classed under this head, although what is
known in England as Trifolium Perrenne is not a
mammoth clover. Yet both it and what is generally
known in the Northern States as mammoth clover,
“have the same peculiarities in appearance as Trifolium
Pratense, by the same colored. flowers, leaflets oval
or obovate, often notched at the end, and marked on
the upper side with a pale spot—heads ovate, sessile.

It must be borne in mind that it is only by the cul-
tivator’s skilful care that species and varieties of
clovers can be preserved and propagated ; otherwise,
hybridizing or reverting to the original form of the
species will be the result or consequence. The Per-
rennial red clovers are later in flowering and ripening
their seeds, than the common red.

Way’s Awnatysis.

From 100 parts, as taken from the field June 4th.

Water ....... Sed otiaaaeih eee be] cane anon nee wees 81.05
Albuminous or flesh forming peneples ak endianal ace Sait 3.64
Matty: Watters cools oti ctsscierac, cel wkve nae semane edt eee 18
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &e... 8.04
Woody Fr). seeccecsie sie ue. lebie iss mieieewes Rice eS 4.91
Mineral matter or Ash .......... cece eee 1.58
: 100.00
100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principled :..ccacesaos 19.18
Fatty matter siss seswos detoseie tates ocho tease ews 4.09
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c... 42.42
Woody fbres:.< acassisamaeeeties bawateiesaaas 25.96
Mineral matter or Ash..........cs cee cece cece eeees 8.35
100.00

Perrennial Red Clover is in greater repute with
English farmers than the common red.

88 PERRENNIAL RED CLOVER.

Whereas the analysis shows that in nutritive qual-
ities the latter is much superior to it. Its chief merits,
therefore, must consist in its permanent properties
continuing longer in the land than the common red.
It produces abundance of seeds, which may be easily
collected, and is more frequently employed for laying
down lands to grass.

In this country the mammoth red is receiving
marked attention at the present time. It is very
highly spoken of by the farmers of Virginia and the
Western States. W. B.S. L., Virginia, in Country
Gentleman, says of it: ‘It is known with us as the
mammoth or saplin clover. Its striking peculiarities
are the immense growth it attains in rich, loamy
soils, yielding probably as, much more bulk to the
acre as the common varieties of red clover, which it
resembles in other respects. It grows as large on
thin land as the.other on good, rich soils, and takes
well on all soils that I have tried it upon. 1t ripens
with Timothy and should be sown with it. As a
fertilizer I think it surpasses all other grasses, owing
to its immense foliage.”’

W. W.R., Marietta, Ohio, says of it: ‘It is cer-
tainly a very desirable variety for the purpose of
renovating lands, also to sow with Timothy, as it
matures about the same period. It is raised in great
quantities in the neighborhood of Albion, Mich. It
is also well known in Northern Illinois, where it has
succeeded well.”

In the Northern States this variety is no better than
the common red, unless it receives the same care and
attention which is usually bestowed on the latter. I
have seen the common red growing on fertile soils in
the neighborhood of Northport fully equal in point

ZIG ZAG CLOVFR. ou

of luxuriance, and tall, coarse growth, to any mam-
moth clover I have ever seen, either here or else-
where.

Mr. Crozier, of Beacon Farm, cultivates this mam-
moth clover exclusively. By judicious management
he keeps it up to a medium standard; avoiding the
extremes of coarseness, he secures a hay that pos-
sesses the properties and qualities of both sorts
combined.

From my experience with the different species and
variety of Red Clover, I have arrived at the conclu-
sion that to grow them with any degree of success,
attention must be paid to the cleansing and manuring
of the soil; otherwise partial or total failures will be
the result.

-From 8 to 12 lbs. of seeds per acre should be sown
on wheat or rye brairds in the spring ; from 20 to 25
pounds, if sown alone. A bushel of perrennial Red
Clover weighs (same as Pratense) 64 lbs.

CHAPTER IV.
ZIG ZAG .CLOVER (COW GRASS.)
Trifolium Medium—Specisic Character.

Stem zig zag, smoothish ;- leaflets oblong, entire,
and spotless; heads mostly stalked; flowers a
deeper purple, otherwise like the Trifolium Pratense.

Ozs. There is a marked difference between this
species and Trifolium Pratense and its variety. The
stems of the latter are ascending or rising obliquely
upwards, while the stems of the former are zig zag ;
leaflets of Pratense, often notched at-the end and

90 ZIG ZAG CLOVER.

marked on the upper side with a pale spot, whereas
in Trifolium Medium the leaflets are entire (not
notched) and spotless; the heads of Pratense are
sessile, those of Medium are stalked and the flowers
of a deeper purple, and larger than in Pratense.
Flowers in June aud ripens seeds in July.

Way’s ANatysis.
100 parts as taken green from the field June 7th.

WV AER is ciare aerate reels teve iia lesa dotvoveieteveyeis deraiiare scieslabaiieitevedeieresevreveteletar “T4eL0:
Albuminous or flesh forming principles. cevccecvece 6.30
Fatty. mattersesscceseecscovccecsccoesseens sinnsicces 299
Heat: producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete. . 9.42
Woody fibre weecoe (eee CO meee ee rrerrececerevoesoee 6.25
Mineral matter or ash...e+.ss.eee eee tees cece 3.01

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles... Seen eer Pneee 24.33
UAL DAA TCOPS os ie tarrerccent eam cre cieratetpee ale sec sie pmiscandeiaaicie 3.57
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 36.36
We0d yD recwanse wen caccacisen cospeRuabaamenacene dei 24.14
Mineral matter or 80). on0 soocerwecate se. ceeacdtscmans 11.60

100.00

It is well worthy the attention of the intelligent
reader to make a careful comparison of the analysis
of the red clovers, which will serve to show that
whatever points of difference may exist in their
specific characters, there is very little in their nutri-
tive qualities.

This species of clover has been cultivated in Eng-
land from a very distant petiod. Mr. Taunton, of
Bristol (Eng.) whose useful experiments were so
highly appreciated by English agriculturists, assisted
largely in attracting notice to this species. He found
it to furnish a darker-colored and heavier swath than

WHITE CLOVER. ot

any other part of his experimental ground ; and, con-
sidering that no manure had been applied to this
spot during the previous eight years, it served to
prove that it would clothe even a light, sandy soil
with herbage.

It is of a decidedly perrennial character, and vege-
tates spontaneously on marly soils, though it has
been cultivated with very favorable results on sandy,
loamy, and heavy clay lands. The time of sowing
in England is from the middle of April till the second
or third week in May. Itis not so good to sow alone
as the common red. It requires a sheltering crop to
wishstand the severity of the winter, but when once
established will remain in the soil for years. This
plant is cultivated throughout the Eastern States. It
is deserving of a more extensive cultivation than has
yet been given it. For separate seeding, 25 lbs.
per acre; on grain crops, sow from 8 to 12 Ibs. per
acre.

A bushel of seed weighs 64 Ibs.

CHAPTER V.
WHITE CLOVER (DUTCH CLOVER.)
Trifolium Repens—Specific Character.

Smooth perrennial ; the slender stems spreading
and creeping; leaflets, inversely heart-shaped or
merely notched, obscurely toothed ; stipules scale-
like, narrow ; petioles, and especially the peduncles,
very long; heads small and loose; calyx much
shorter than the white corolla ; pods about 4-seeded ;

92 WHITE CLOVER.

Fields and copses everywhere. Gray. Flowers in
May and during the summer. :

Way’s ANALYSIS.

100 parts as taken green from the field June 18th.

Watere-scccccvcceccscsceccccccesessressevcsecces 79.71
Albuminous or flesh forming panbipls sccceessesees 3.80
Fatty mattersecceeesses, were er eee re eee ee ee 89

Heat oe aaniiek starch, gum, sugar, etc... 8.14
Woody fibre.. see Sie Rae's sew ACER ASR Cae IOS
Mineral matter or ash. » ease tiare OCR sveececceses 2.08

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahy.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.........++06 18.76
Fatty matter.....-. soccer cercseceseccscesessssss 439
Heat pogiene pune starch, sugar,gum, ete... 4.04
Woody fibre. .sseseecccsecee ce eeeecesoevessesse 20.03
Mineral matter or walt ates days (6 tha eeweestwees ooues 1029

100.00

_ Trifolium Repens or White Clover is also known
under. the name of Dutch Clover, from the English
having first learned its use from the Flemings, and
from large quantities of the seed being imported. from
Holland. Its favorite soil is limestone, but it is one
of the most general grasses throughout England,
being found in almost every situation, from the low-
est to the highest meadow ; though on very poor land
it is often so small, and grows in such a creeping
manner among the lower leaves of other herbage,
that it is scarcely perceptible-until brought up by
top-dressings, which probably has given rise to the
very general opinion that it is indigenous to some
soils. The central root penetrates to a considerable.
depth, and the plant is thereby enabled to resist

ALASKYE CLOVER. 93

the effects of drought, particularly on sandy soils.

The branches which trail on the surface send fibrous
roots from their joints down to the ground, and hence
this species of clover maintains itself in land of oppo-
site qualities, for if the surface be too dry to afford
nourishment to the foliage, it is preserved by the
roots. It is not, however, so nutritive as the common
annual red clover, nor does it form a good pasture
when sown by itself, for it has been found injurious
to sheep; but, combined with other grasses, itis a
valuable plant. It has been said there is no better
test of good land than its running spontaneously to.
white clover. Its analysis is a good one. From 4
to 8 lbs per acre should enter a mixture with’ the
seeds of other grasses for permanent meadow or
pasture.

A bushel of white clover seeds weighs 65 lbs.

CHAPTER VI.
ALSKYE OR PERRENNIAL HYBRID CLOVER.
Trifolium Hybridum.

Alsyke or Perrenial Hybrid Clover, which takes.
name from the Alsyke district, near Stockholm, was
was first introduced into Sweden. e

Within the last century vast improvements in agri-

_culture have enabled this valuable clover to be
brought to great perfection, and it is now held in
high estimation by the Swedish farmers, and exten-
sively cultivated by the leading agriculturists in
Great Britain.

The root is fibrous and the heads globular.

94 ALASKYE CLOVER.

The plant bears a greater resemblance to the white
than the red clover, and may be described as the
giant white clover, with flesh-colored heads. The
advantages it possesses over every other variety of
clover are: Its perrennial or permanent character ;
its hardiness, for no winter will kill it; its capability
alike of resisting the extremes of drought. and wet ;
the much greater weight of herbage it produces dur-
ing the season, and the certainty of a plant when all
others fail. Its powers of’ productlon are inexhaust-
able, and improved by the wonderfully curious for-
mation of the plant, from the single crown of which
innumerable heads are continually being produced
all through the season, and tillering out laterally over
the ground. The hardy nature of the plant is proved
\by the fact of its thriving by transplanting. A single
plant may be taken up and divided into ten or more
~ parts, the fibrous roots just cropped, and each part
will produce a luxuriant plant, so that no farmer
need ever hereafter have a patchy piece of clover.
In England 12 lbs. of seed is used per acre, if sown
as a Separate crop. ,

The Canada Farmer says of Alsyke Clover: It
should be sown in the spring, with wheat or barley,
in precisely the same manner as red clover. When
allowed to ripen its seed, it cannot be cut more than
once in a season, as it bears its seeds with the first
blossom in each year; but if it is grown for a hay
crop, it can be cut again in the fall, and will yield a
nice lot of tine hay for calves and sheep. Its effect
on the ground is nearly the same as that of ordinary
red clover, and perhaps is still more paralleled by
the small white clover. The most prominent advan-
tages of the Alsyke Clover over the common red va-

ALYSKE CLOVER. en ))

riety are, that it does not heave out of the ground in

spring with the frost, and, consequently, it can be
sown on damp ground with good results. It makes
finer and better hay, for the stalks are not so thick
and woody as. those of red clover. It yields about
one-third more seed to the acre, and, when threshed.
the hay makes excellent feed for calves and sheep.
Among its disadvantages may be reckoned its rank
growth, rendering it liable to be lodged.

Mr. Chauncy Miller, of the Shaker Family, near
Albany, says of it: We find the Alsyke Clover a
very superior grass in the following points. 1st. For
its value as a hay crop on a great variety of soils.
2nd.. For its fineness of stalk or haulm. 3d. For its
multitude of sweet flowers, blooming, perhaps, three
or four times as much as red clover, making,
when in bloom, literally a sea of flowers. 4th. Its
adaptability to heavy soils, clays, or heavy clay
loams (as well as sandy soils), not being so liable to
heave out by frosts in winter and spring as red clo-
ver, being the product of a cross between the red and
white clovers originated in Germany. 65th. To all
farmers who keep bees largely the crop would -be of
great value in its season of floweriug, which lasts
about six weeks; the bees are continually on it,
‘‘from dewy morn until dusky eve.”’ 6th. To those
farmers raising clover seed for market, the Alsyke
Clover, in our opinion, would be of great value, as it
seeds enormously, and the seed threshes easily, by
flail or machine, leaving a beautiful quality of hay,
the stalks retaining their greenness when the seed is
ripe. 7th. It holds many weeks in bloom, thus giving
the farmer lee way of time and weather to secure the
hay crop.

96 ; ALASKYE CLOVER.

T. W. Briggs, West Macedon, in Country Gentle-
try, Gentleman, says of it: The Alsyke is erect and
branching like the red, throwing out its flower stalks
at every branch, and isin bloom early and late,-the
lower heads being ripe while fresh blooms are open-
ing at the top, thus affording a longer season for the
accumulation of the sweetest-of sweets ; the flower
partakes of the white and red, ‘being a very delicate
pink or ross, and the root, in our loamy soils, pene-
trates to the depth of 18 or 20 inches, and is a tap
root, like that of the red clover—hence it may be in-_
ferred it is equally as valuable for enriching the soil.
For hay, when grown with Timothy, it is much supe-
‘rior to the common red clover, as it is not as coarse,
and is more prolific of flowers and seeds. 3 to 4 lbs.
of seed is sufficient to seed an acre, with the usual
quantity of Timothy, if properly distributed.

The Scuthern Planter says: In early spring sowed
1 1b on a quarter acre; it germinated well, and, like
red clover, only made a good stand ; but in the fol-
lowing Spring it came up well, and on the 16th June
stood from 20 to 30 inches high, and was covered
with blossoms and bees. The bloom is like that of
the white clover, folding back in such a way as to
enable the bees to get into every part of it, while on
the red clover, coming uy on the same patch, you
_ seldom or ever see one.

E.T. Bryan, Calhoun county, Mich., says of Alsyke
Clover: I have tried Alsyke by the side of red clover,
four successive years—sced sown at the same time
and in the same field—and find that cattle, horses,
horses, and sheep will not graze on the red clover, so
long as they can get a good bite on the Alsyke. My
experience is, there is no other clover equal to it for

YELLOW CLOVER. 97

the purposes of feeding cattle, sheep, and horses ;
and I believe it to be equal to the red clover as a Fen
tilizer. It will flourish on both dry and moist land ;
does not suffer from the severest frosts or drought, as
red clover does ; is as free from fuzz or dust as Tim-
othy ; hence it will not cause horses to cough or
heave as red clover hay does. It will grow from one
to two and a half tons of superior hay to the acre,
according to the season. It yields two mowings an-
nually, if cut expressly for hay when in full bloom,
which, in this latitude, is generally the last of June
or first of July. But if cut for seed, it should stand
about two weeks later, then affording abundance of
superior pasturage for all kinds of_stock. The seed
is cut from the first crop.

The Alsyke, when left to seed, has its stalks yet
green when its seeds are ripe. and produces much
better hay than the red clover, when cut for that
purpose.

From 83 to 4 lbs. per acre, when sown with wheat,
rye, oats, or barley, is sufficient. It generally yields
from 8 to 8 bushels of seed per acre.

CHAPTER VII.

YELLOW CLOVER, HOP TREFOIL OR SHAMROCK
CLOVER.

Trifolium Procumbens—Specific Character.

Stems spreading or ascending, pubescent (3 to 6
inches high) ; leaflets wedge obovate, notched at the
end ; the lateral at a small distance from the other
(pinnately 3-foloilate) ; stipules ovate, short. Sandy

98 YELLOW CLOVER.

fields and roadsides. New England to Virginia.
Gray.
Flowers in June, and ripens seeds in July.

Way’s ANatysis.

100 parts as taken green from the field June 13th.

Wate cia sk tees ee is ae ew ie te ees awe Hesse seeees 83:48
Albuminous, or flesh forming principles............ 3.9
Fatty matters........... Seer ee ee © TT
Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc... 7.25
Woody Pibres ie 0.0. s0i © oie o0 Se owes eee eee eseesadees 3.14
Mineral matter or ashe ssssccecccccvcccece eves een LSet

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.....2....... 20.48

Fatty TM ATLOVS 6:6: 4-0: 6: 660! 0:6 '0, 6 ore 0:5 sar 8 iere ete er ry 4.67
Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc.... 43.86
Woody Fibre......... cee ecee cere ecceesesceses 22 66
Mineral matter or ash... 22.0.0... cece cece cece ee cece 8.33

100.00

The shamrock clover grows naturally on dry, grav-
elly places, and has been recommended for growing
on such soils as are incapable of supporting the more
valuable grasses and clovers; but, trom the small
bulk of produce which it yields, the propriety of its
cultivation is questionable, and, besides, cattle are
not found to relish it if they can procure more nutri-
tious food.

It is also very liable to be injured by mildew.
Trifolium Procumbens is readily distinguished from
Trifolium Filiforme, by its more compact, upright,
and branching habit of growth, and by its close,
globular, shining heads of yellow flowers.

YELLOW-FLOWERED CLOVER. 99

CHAPTER VIII.

YELLOW-FLOWERED CLOVER, OR SLENDER YELLOW

CLOVER—COMMON SUCKLING CLOVER. :

Trifolium Filiforme,

Grows naturally on dry, rocky, or gravelly places.
Common Suckling Clover has been recommended,
same as Trifolium Procumbens, for growing on dry,
rocky or gravelly places, which are incapable of sup-
porting the more valuable grasses or clovers. Like
Trifolium Procumbens, cattle are not found to relish
it, if they can procure more nutritious food. Although
generally termed an annual, Trifolium Filiforme is
often found of biennial duration, especially when

grown in medium good soil, or when eaten down by
cattle or sheep.

CHAPTER IX.
ITALIAN, OR FLESH-COLORED CLOVER.
Trifolium Incarnatum.

Observation. The whole plant villose, or covered
with short wool or hair. Flowers in June and July.

Height 18 inches to 2 feet ; root annual.

A native of Italy.

100 ITALIAN CLOVER.

Way’s ANALYSIS.

100 parts as taken green from the field, Juve 4th.

WY ateR oalecie's ace ae age are dal oi DEY BOM eee le ee nly pan 82.14
Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 2.96
Rathy ma ther ean casa bo nace ty oa emcees wea beng 67
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 6.70
Woody fibres wissen ea aired we ay So ed oN ede acere meen 5.78.
Mineral matter or asSh........-: cece cece cece cease 175

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles............. 16 60
Matty: THA tbS Ro 0 cies ob tis cues eve: ana sare acelin aicneGeieaica nae duet med 3.73
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 37.50
Woody fibre Jee atanesevace.al Sucsbian sinter eine eas Beans. weccee S209
Mineral matter or ash. ssccsccccvscucscccececees o. 9,78

100.00

The Trifolium Incarnatum has long been known
in England amongst horticulturists as a beautiful
border annual. But isis only since 1830 that its cul-
tivation has been recommended, as yielding an
excellent and abundant crop of fodder for feeding
cattle. It has been grown with much success in the
southern counties of England.

In Scotland it has been found to succeed well,
when sown on stubble after the oats or barley has
been removed, with no previous preparation, save a
course or two of harrowing, just sufficient to stir up
the soil to the depth of an inch or two, so that the
seed may be more easily covered.

It was first introduced into this country in 1818,
by Mr. B. Hands of Chester Town, Penn. The year
previous he had been traveling in Italy.

He thus describes it in its native fields: In making
one of the usual excursions from Naples his atten-

EGYPTIAN TREFOIL. 101

tion was arrested by the sight of a small field of this
clover, exhibiting a fine, compact crop, with long
blossoms of the most sparkling scarlet, at least three
feet in height. Its great superiority in growth and
beauty to any kind of clover he had ever seen, im-
mediately induced him to obtain information respect-
ing it; also some seed. He was told that it was
much preferred to the English clovers. He procured
a quantity of seed in the chaff, and, on his return
home in the fall, sowed some for experiment, to.
ascertain whether the winter would prove too severe
for it, or materially affect it. He found it to stand
the winter well. This was the first introduction of it
into Pennsylvania, and it attracted the attention of
the leading agriculturists of the country at the time,
but failed to supplant the red clover, nor does it ap~
pear to have been cultivated to any extent as a field
crop at any time since (in this country). This grass
should be sown in early spring, or else in July, for
soiling and mowing before winter.

The seed is always for sale in the principal seed
stores throughout the country.

CHAPTER X.
EGYPTIAN TREFOIL.
Trifolium Alexandrinum.
Remarks.—Height, 18 inches to 2 feet. Flowers in

June and July.
Native of Egypt.

As an agricultural plant, the introduction of the
Alexandrinum into England is more recent than that

102 COMMON BIRDS FOOT TREFOIL.

of the Trifolium Incarnatum, compared with which
itis of a taller and more straggling habit of growth,
and is not so’ well clothed with leaves; it is also a
few days earlier in flowering. It should be sown
the latter end of August for an early spring crop,
and it has been suggested that one or both might be
sown in spring, along with the Italian rye grass, for
summer feeding, ingtead of the common tares, par-
ticularly since they are found to be less injurious to
the soil.

The same practice of preparing the ground for this
as is used before sowing the Trifolium Incarnatum,
only the ground should be more pulverized. I am

not aware of this plant having been introduced or
cultivated in this country.

CHAPTER XI.
COMMON BIRDS FOOT TRESOIL.
Lotus Corniculatus.

Remarks. Flowers eight or ten in depressed
heads, generally of a bright yellow, but sometimes
orange colored, especially before being fully ex-
panded. Stem decumbent, thick and fusiform.

Perrennial, flowers about the 20th of June, and
continues till the end of August; height from 6
inches to one foot. Grows abundantly on dry,
elevated pastures and heathy soils.

This plant is well deserving of cultivation on light,
dry, and high elevated inferior soils, and, on such.
will yield a greater bulk of herbage than any of the
cultivated clovers. It is highly nutritious and eaten

THE GREATER BIRDS FOOT TREFOIL. 103

with avidity by cattle From the depth to which its
roots penetrate, it is not liable to be injured by
drought, and is thereby enabled to retain its verdure
after the grasses and other plants are burned up.

CHAPTER XII.
THE GREATER BIRDS FOOT TREFOIL.
Lotus Major.

Remarks. Some eminent botanists are of the
opinion that this is nothing else than a variety of
Lotus Corniculatus and account for the difference
from the natural place of growth of the L. Major,
causing a greater development of its parts, but be-
sides its more luxuriant habit, it differs materially
from L. Corniculatus in the form of its roots, which
are fibrous and creeping, while those of the latter
are thick and fusiform, characteristics which both
retain when cultivated in any soils under any cir-
cumstances, the seeds of Lotus Major being only
half the size. This specie grows naturally by the
sides of ditches, damp hedges and bushy places, and
attains its greatest luxurience in such soils as have a
portion of peat for their composition. Both those
plants are very common in pastures throughout
Great Britian.

104 LUCERNE.

CHAPTER XIII.
LUCERNE.
Medicago Sativa—Specific Character.

Upright, smooth, perrennial, leaflets obovate, ob-
long, toothed ; flowers (purple) racemed ; pods spir-
ally twisted. Cultivated for green fodder, rarely
spontaneous. Flowers in July and ripens seeds in
August.

Way’s ANALYSIS
100 parts as taken green from the field May 16th.

W STEP sce iis tcceecc chee oe sae teeter cae 69.65
Albuminous or flesh forming principles ._.............. 3.83
Fatty matters... 2.2... -----+ 222-02 eee eee ee cree eee - 82
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc...... 18.62
Woods Abre. ialndeece sgheccuciiesaneddeceneiemomescetetede 8.74
Mineral matter or Ash... 2.22.2... 2--s2e2ee sees cere 3.04

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.............-. 12.96
Matty Mathers nieces nisie cay sctcen iis wieletre sie irene 2.76
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc...... 40.16
WioGdy> DEC cee eemeke nue cae dse dws ccnigawee neceon wen 34.21
Mineral matter or Asliiecicccpcjc2ccsa cece cccececoceesemnes 10.11

100.00

Lucerne was introduced into British husbandry
about the middle of the 17th century, and has ever
since been cultivated successfully in the British Isles.
It still continues a favorite plant for soiling purposes.
It may be sown broadcast, drilled or transplanted,
all of which methods have been successfully prac-
ticed. The proper time for sowing in England is
toward the middle or end of March, or not later than
April, because like the turnip, Lucerne is subject to

LUCERNE. 105

the ravages of the fly, and by early sowing it will
attain a sufficient degree of growth so as not to be
affected by the attacks of the insect. Lucerne has
also been introduced and satisfactorially cultivated
in this country during the past fifty years,

Vanbrugh Livingston, of Westchester Co., N. Y.
State whose high opinion of Lucerne, was fully
borne out by his previous successful cultivation of
it, said of it in 1827 ‘‘Although the virtues of Lu-
cerne have been most largely descanted on by Brit-
ish writers, it is a plant which is far better adapted
to our own climate than that of Britian. The latter
country it would appear, does not possess the requi-
site degree of heat and dryness to insure the full
advantage of its real value.

And it seems to be expedient, if not necessary in
that country, to cultivate it at the expense of drill-
ing, while here it answers with perfect success in the
easier and cheaper mode of broadcast.

Judge Buel, of Albany, commenced growing it in
1820. In 1824 he sowed 16 lbs of seed, on an acre (well
prepared by manure and potatoes the preceding
year) with half a bushel of winter rye, the whole
sown broadcast. The ground was well harrowed
and rolled after it was sown. The rye soon spread
its leaves upon the surface and protected the Lucerne
until its roots had good hold of the soil. It grew
well notwithstanding the drought. The latter end
of Augnst, perceiving that some of the rye was push-
' ing up seed stalks, he mowed it and fed it green to
his cattle. In 1825, he cut three tolerable crops and
soiled it to his cows. In 1826 he cut it four times
for green fodder, and in the Autumn gave the field a
slight top dressing of rotten dung. In 1827, May

106 LUCERNE.

the 20th, he commenced cutting and feeding his
Lucerne morning and evening to his cattle; this year
he cut in all three crops, and a fourth might have
been cut only for the diffieulty in curing it.” He
further says, ‘It should be cut for soiling as soon as
the blossoms appear, and allowed to wilt a few
hours in the swath before it is fed to the cattle, and
lastly, like all other crops, it is benefitted by an
occasional top dressing of manure.”’

In 1862, on Mr. Peter Lorrillards Farm, in West-
chester Co., N, Y. State, there was four acres of
ground well prepared late in the spring and sown
broadcast, with Lucerne without any other crop, did
not cut it that season, but the following year cut it
four times, and it continued yielding well for several
years.

Lucerne has been cultivated for many years in
Lower Canada. Its growth upon the farms of the
late Mr. Logan, and others in the neighborhood of
Montreal has been quite a success, resisting the se-
verity of the Canadian Winters, it peshes forth with
vigor in the spring and increases in luxuriance from
year to year. It is generally fit for cutting a fort-
night earlier than red clover. It starts with remark-
able vigor immediately after being cut, and in the
course of a week the field is again covered with ver-
dure. Lucerne requires a deep soil. Although if
sown on a dry, light soil, it will extend its roots
downward to a great depth, and will show increased
luxuriance of growth year after year. It may be
sown from the middle of April till the middle of Au-
gust. I sowed about half an acre (broadcast) the
25th of June, this year; it is now (7th August) 18
inches high (in flower), and fit for cutting. If the

BLACK MEDICK. 107

ground has been previously well prepared, sow
broadcast, at the rate of 16 to 20 lbs. per acre, with
half a bushel of rye, oats, or barley. Asa rule, cut
when in flower for soiling. It may be drilled to ad-
vantage, in drills twelve inches apart ; 15 lbs. of seed
per acre, if drilled ; 25 lbs. per acre, if broadcast.

If Lucerne can be grown successfully in Canada, it
certainly may be grown with equal success in many
parts of the States,

A bushel of Lucerne seed weighs 60 Ibs. :

CHAPTER XIV.

BLACK MEDICK, NONESUCH, LUCERRNE, RESEMBLING
HOP TREFOIL.

Medicago Lupulina—Specifie Character.

(Black Medick Nonesuch)—Procumbent, pubes-
cent, annual leaflets, wedge obovate, toothed at the
apex ; flowers in short spikes (yellow) ; pods kidney
form, one-seeded. Flowers in May and ripens seeds
in June. .

Observation. Stems trailing, unless supported by
the plants with which it grows; about a foot long,
somewhat angular, slightly hairy, branched. Leaves
.. obovate or wedge-shaped, toothed towards the top;
the mid rib lengthened out to a short, broad point ;
soft pubescent, particularly on the under side.
Flowers small, yellow—-from thirty to forty, and up-
wards, in a head, which is at first roundish, after-
wards oval.

Legume striated and wrinkled, somewhat hisped,
with rigid hairs, turning black when ripe; seed

108 BLACK MEDICK.

ovate, smooth, yellowish. This plant has such a
general resemblance to the propér trefoils or clovers,
that it is often mistaken for some of the smaller spe-
cies. The form and color of the seed pods afford a
ready mark of distinction. Root annual; in some
situations, biennial.

Way’s ANALYsIS.

100 parts as taken green from the field June 6th.

Water 5. osccs oiccieden sc cases asccee Seseee s eeee teense 76.80
Albuminous or flesh forming principles................ 5.70
Matty qa tress... iecuenwoumecan renee doeser secon seeee iss 94
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc.... 7.73
IWiOG dy | FIDTG? vs ine re cnmatacmemeng acee ut aeaeed eueeeesleteke 6.32
Mineral matter or Ash._.... 00.0... .220 e222 ee cece ee cece ee 2.51

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles._.............. 24.60
Matty matters), socccae ce waka ties deaiecmcanscuidaiewinntne ee 4.06
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 33.31
Woody Fibre_... 2.022... ieee eee ee eee eee cece eee 27.19
Mineral matter or Ash...... 2.02.22. 2.2 e eee eee cece 10.84

100.00

The common yellow clover, as this plant is gener-
ally termed in England, is too well known to require
a lengthy description of it. It has been cultivated in
mixture with red clover and rye grass for a great
length of time. Its seeds, which are produced in
much greater abundance, are, consequently, cheaper
than those of the other clovers. The seed of this
plant falls so readily that great loss ensues from
moving it, and in threshing the least stroke clears it.
This plant is adapted for light soils which have been
subsoiled, as the root penetrates to a considerable

SAINFOIN. 109

depth, and is but little fibrous. On account of it
being an annual, or at best a triennial, it is only fit
for alternate husbandry, and, as stated above, to
enter into a mixture with red clover, rye grass, or
Timothy, for a short rotation. The analysis, how-
ever, shows that in albuminous, fatty matters and
heat-producing principles, it is very little inferior to
the red clovers.

Medicago Lupulina was dinmaedoaed into this
country from England many years ago, although
little attention has been paid to its cultivation.
From 4 to 6 lbs. of Nonesuch or Yellow Clover seed,
with the usual quantity of red clover seed, should be
sown per acre.

CHAPTER XV.
SAINFOIN OR COCKSHEAD.
Onobrychis Sativa—Generie Character.

Keel transversely obtuse ; legume jointed, with one
seed joint.

Specific Character. Legume one-seeded, prickly ;
wings of the corrolla, equal in length to the calyx
stems, elongated, nearly upright; roots subfusiform,
and penetrating to a considerable depth ; perrennial ;
height, two to three feet. Flowers in Juneand July.

110 SAINFOIN.

Way's ANALYSIS.
100 parts as taken green from the field June 8th.

\

Water vcs exe sve sea ore wwe eae wane ove Sere eis sceescscccssecee 10.04
Albuminous or flesh forming principles. treccssseees 4,59
Fatty mattersssesssseesesees sunteree lerave odeteleta torslanscaitese 70
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, ete..... 10.73
Woody ALOT Cle sieve: z0\'ere oe roreiece ee er 5.17
Mineral matter or ash...s..seceeeccoeece shessieee LB

100.00

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forniing principles..seeeeseee+ 18.45
Fatty, matter. ..ccccececvccccaccceerscscsessessee 3.0L

Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 45.96
Woody Hibre.csncc. cone otausmiestieses eee laces emia 24.71
Mineral Water, or Ash... ...... .. cece eee eee cece eens 7.87

‘France is considered the country most favorable to
the growth of Sainfoin. In Europe it is commonly
called French grass (Sainfoin Holy Hay). In Swit-
zerlaud and other mountainous countries, Sainfoin
is a main dependence, because in many parts of
those countries the finer grasses will not grow profit-
ably.

Sainfoin has long been cultivated in England, and
is found growing wild in nearly all the chalky dis-
tricts of the kingdom. Parkinson, in 1640, said of
it: “‘Itis generally known to be a singular food for
cattle, causing them to give great store of milk.”’

Worlidge, in his Mystery of Husbandry (1681),
treats of Sainfoin at large. Hesays: ‘‘In Wiltshire,
in several places, there are precedents of Sainfoin
that has been there twenty years, growing on, poor
land, anc has so far improved the same, that from a
noble per acre, twenty acres together have been cer-
tainly worth thirty shillings per acre, and still con-
tinues in good proof.”

For a period of two hundred years, Sainfoin has
been cultivated in England, and for many years in
Scotland. Its cultivation is still an important feature
in British husbandry. Morton’s Farmer’s Calendar
(Eng.), 1874, states: ‘‘There are many parts of the
United Kingdom in which the farmers could not pay
their rents without the use of this crop. Chalky
soils, and sand upon chalk, are its favorite soils;
also loams and clays, if not too stiff or too deep. On
limestone it does well, too—on very dry, sound
gravels—but not if the under stratum be mixed
with clay. I have tried it without success on
good, dry turnip loam, but on every species of
chalk and white marl its success is certain. On poor
sand lands in Norfolk and Suffolk, worth only five
shillings per acre, the crop for several years (after the
first) has been from one to two tons anda half per
acre of excellent hay, mown every year. Whatever
the price of hay may be, such a produce on such
land is prodigious, with the additional circumstance
of an after-grass extremely valuable for weaning and
keeping lambs. In England, March is ths principal
month for sowing Sainfoin. It may, hovever, be
safely sown in April. The land should be clean and
free from weeds and the seeds of weeds, and this is
the principal circumstance to attend-it. Itshould be
sown with barley or oats—the land in fine tilth—and
the seed covered by harrowing. When the land is
dry, the proper quantity of seed is 4 bushels (rough
seed) per acre. It flourishes so well broadcast that
there is no necessity to attempt the drill method.”

Sainfoin was introduced into the State of Georgia
by the Honorable W. H. Crawford, about the year
1820. Judge Peters, of Pennsylvania, experimented

112 SAINFOIN.

with Sainfoin during several perio/s of his life; also
Governor Morris, of New York State; but neither
were successful in its cultivation.

Although Sainfoin has been introduced and culti-
vated in the Eastern States and States of New York
and New Jersey, there is no mention of satisfactory
results being obtained on a large scale in its-cultiva-
tion. I sowed a small quantity for experiment, on
the 18th of last May, and it has succeeded remarka-
bly well; notwithstanding the hot weather during
the months of May and June, it progressed finely,
and was very little affected by the drought; itis now
in flower (end of July), and will soon be fit for cut-
ting. On the whole, it has done better with me than
any of the clovers I have sown this spring. Its analy-
sis shows that either in a green or dried state, it com-
pares favorably with any of the clovers in flesh-form-
ing principles, fatty matters, and heat-producing
principles ; and from the long period of its cultiva-
tion in Great Britain, and the high estimation it is
held in for cultivation on the inferior soils already
stated, its value as a hay crop (and no grass requires
so little pains in curing as Sainfoin) cannot be over-
estimated. It is well worthy of a more extended
trial than has yet been given it in this country.

Its seeds are larger than many other grasses, and
Tequire a little deeper covering. Tho best seed has a
bright husk, the kernal being - plump, externally of a
bluish or gray cast, but when cut internally of a
fresh, greenish color. The seeds weigh 23 lbs. to the
bushel.

BURNET. 113

CHAPTER XVI.
BURNET.
Poterium Sanguisorba—Specifie Character.

Leaves compound leaflets, serrated or toothed;
stems somewhat angular, branching stamens much
longer than the calyx; perrennial; height, 2 to 3
feet. Grows naturally on chalky pastures in Eng-
ae Flowers end of June, and ripens seed end of

uly.

Burnet abounds much on all chalky downs in
England, but will flourish on any soil, whether,
sand, clay, peat, etc. Itis remarked that there are
large tracts of the finest parts of the South Downs
upon which this plant forms half the indigenous pas-
turage.

Burnet has a perrennial root, that strikes deeply
into the soil and rises with a stalk, a foot or more in
height. In the culture of the plant it is of vast im-
portance to have good seed, and such as is of the
proper sort.

The celebrated agriculturist, Mr. Coke, of Holkham,
sowed forty acres with Burnet, adding a small quan-
tity of white clover and rib-grass seeds with it, as an
experiment. The result was decisive. The field was
fully and incessantly stocked with sheep, and con-
stantly pared as close to the ground as a favorite
spot could be by horses in a pasture.

Burnet is frequently sown alone, and is considered
as the best adapted of all forage plants to bear the
rigor of winter in exposed situations. It is, there-
fore, much used by stock masters, particularly for

114 BURNET.

sheep, as it supplies an important addition of. food in
the pinching season of the early part of spring. But
if made into hay, when uncombined with other
grasses, it is coarse and unpalatable. By itself it is,
indeed, an inferior food, for although it possesses a |
tonic and aromatic property, which renders it of con-
siderable value when mixed with the grasses of the
elevated pastures of the Downs, and it is there inya-
riably cropped close to the ground, yet, if grown
separately, it is rejected by stock, unless pressed by
hunger. When intended for summer pasture or hay,
it should, therefore, be joined with other grasses, or
at least with white clover, which will both render it
more palatable, and afford a heavier crop, thanif sown
alone.

On poor, chalky soils it has also been tried with
good effect, in combination with cocksfoot, and also
with small quautities of meadow fescue and perren-
nial fescue, and its hardy nature on soils of that de-
scription renders it worthy of attention.

After it has been sown, whether for seed or a second
crop of hay, the stock should be kept from it during
the whole of the autumn and winter, that there may
be a full bite for sheep in the spring ; for this is its
peculiar advantage, and its utility in a great measure
depends upon it; atleast Burnet is much less bene-
ficial under the contrary management.

The proportion of seed is generally about one
bushel to the acre, and the most proper season is
early spring. It is usually sown with barley or
oats, and covered in by two harrowings. It may
also be sown, with buckwheat in May with!much pro-
priety.

COMMON VETCH. 115

When mixed with rye grass or cocksfoot seeds,
one bushel of either of them to three pecks of the
Burnet seed has been frequently used.

CHAPTER XVII.
COMMON VETCH, OR TARE.

Vicia Sativa—Specific Character.

_ Somewhat pubescent, stem simple; leaflets 5 to 7
pairs, varying from obovate oblong to linear. notched
and mucronate at the apex; pod linear, several
seeded.

Flowers in June and during the summer.

Observations, --The stalks are round, weak, branched,
and about two feet long; pinnea five or seven pairs,
a littlr hairy, notched at the end ; stipulea denotated ;
flowers light and dark purple, on short pendicels,
generally two together ; pads erect ; seeds black.

Way’s ANarysis.

100 parts as taken green from the field June 13th.

Water. sscsccccccscccesessscccessences siesate are eens 82.90
Albuminous or flesh samen principles. wereierers's eooses 4.04
Fatty matterse escce- oon weceeebsece 52
Heat producing principles, ‘starch, ‘gum, sugar, ete... 6.75
Woody fibre...ccesssessssevsvceece seeeevenccees - 4.68
Mineral matter or ash........ senevereanececs seosceeses LIL

116 COMMON VETCH.

100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr.

Albuminous or flesh forming principles.......++++++ 23.61
Fatty matters +sscccescccesscecscenccececacecsees 3.06
Heat producing principles, starch, sugar,gum, etc... 39.45
Woody FIDTE. eo ce cvccvescccrer verse resse GOOecvese 27.38
Mineral matter or ash.s..ssseeccccvecvescscccsses 6,50

100.00
From its tall, close, hardy growth, and succulent
nature, this plant is capable of being introduced with
considerable advantage after the manner of artificial
grasses, between different kinds of grain crops, with-
out exhausting the land of its fertility ; at the same
time, it will afford a-useful supply of green or other
provender for the consumption of different sorts of
cattle. Writers on ‘agriculture distinguish two spe-
cies of the common tare, namely, the spring and win-
-ter tare. Probably one is only a variety of the other.
The former is much less hardy than the latter or
winter tare, the plants of which are capable of
resisting the effects of the most inclement seasons.
Several experiments have been made in order to
ascertain the difference of the two, relative to their
hardiness, which has always resulted in showing
that there is an important difference in the constitu-
tion of these two kinds of tares. The seeds of the
spring and winter tares being nearly alike in every
characteristic, are not easily discriminated ; but the
distinction is at once evident on the appearance of
the blade. The spring tare vegetates with a grassy
spear of a dusky brown color, whereas, the winter
tare comes up with a seed leaf of a fresh, green
color.
With respect to soil, this plant is almost with-
out limitation, as it will grow on all the varieties,

COMMON VETCH. 117

from the superficial gravel to the deep, stiff clay ;.
yet on gravelly loams, when too much moisture does
not prevail, it flourishes most vigorously.

In the vicinity of London, some years ago, as high
as one hundred dollars per acre has been realized by
farmers from the sale of tares to people who used to:
make them up in bundles of thirty pounds each, and
retailed them to trades people who kept horses about
the metropolis.

In this manner, the product of a vast number of
acres was consumed, with great advantage to the.
farmer.

Vetches are being successfully cultivated in the
Middle or Eastern States. Winter vetches cannot be
sown too early after the oat crop has been harvested,
though they may be sown through the months of
August, September, and the early part of October.
If the soil be poor, or the situation elevated and ex-
posed, sow in August, and upon every farm on which
they are cultivated, it is advisable to sow some of
them early and others late, in order to have a succes-
sion of green*food the ensuing summer. Spring
vetches produce rather a lighter crop than the winter
sort, and are subject to more risk from a dry sum-
mer. There is no difference in their use or value per
ton; but the spring coming to maturity two or three
weeks later, makes it convenient and advisable to
grow some of each, in order to have a succession of
them for green food all the summer. They may be
sown all the spring and summer, from April until the
middle of July ; but the success of late sowing will
depend upon the showery season. After ploughing
for winter vetches, spread (if not already ploughed
in) manure or fertilizer, and sow your vetches upon

118 CHICORY.

it, and harrow and cover in two bushels and a ‘half
of tares, mixed with one bushel of rye—or three
bushels of tures alone will be sufficient—and in the
following spring, when the soil is dry, roll it just
enough to smooth the surface for more conveniently
mowing the full crop.

About the Ist of June they will begin to blossom,
when they may be daily mown, and fed to cattle,
sheep, and swine ; for horses, they should be allowed
to wilt before using them.

There is no herbage more grateful to the horse,
cow, or sheep, in the hot season of July, than the
juicy vetch. And for milch cows, particularly, the
flow of milk will be increased, the butter of prime
quality, and the advantages derived from the
growth of this early forage plant will soon manifest
itself.

CHAPTER XVIII.
CHICORY, OR WILD SUCCORY.
Cichorium Intybus—Specific Character.

Stem leaves oblong or lanceolate, partly clasping
the lowest runcinate, those of the rigid flowering ;

branches minute. Gray. Flowers in July and ripens
‘seeds in October.

In England the Cichorium Intybus, Wild Succory,
or Chicory, grows naturally by the side of roads, and
in shady lanes. It sends out long leaves from the
roots, from between which the stalks arise, growing

to the height of three or four feet, and branching out
into smaller ones.

CHICORY. 119

The flowers come out from the sides of the stalks,
and are ofa fine, blue color. They are succeeded by
oblong seeds, covered and enclosed in down. This
succulent perrennial plant is cuitivated for the pur-
pose of supplying different sorts of live stock with
green food during the summer.

Most loamy soils are capable of producing it, and
on some of the light, moist sorts of land, it may be
grown; but in those that are not too retentive of mois-
ture it succeeds the best.

It answers well where clover is worn out: and on
boggy and peaty lands it thrives to a very profitable
end. Chicory is sown with both barley and oats, but
itis evident that the latter will admit of the more
early sowing.

When sown by itself, any time on the first of
April until the first or middle of August will do.
It ought not to be cut more than twice in the first
season, though the operation may be performed three
or four times in the following summer. It is not well
suited for conversion into hay, but may be used in’
a green state with advantage.

As chicory is not so much injured by close feeding
as many other plants, and is useful for feeding cows
and sheep, it is found to answer admirably well as
pasturage for this kind of stock.

The usual proportion of seed, whether sown alone
or with grain in the spring, is from 10 to 15 lbs. per
acre. When sown in the spring with clover, sain-
foin, burnet or rye grass, four pounds is sufficient per
acre.

120 RIB GRASS.

CHAPTER XIX.
RIB GRASS.
Plantago Lanceolata—Specific Character.

Natural order, 62, (Plaintain Family) Genus 1.
Mostly hairy ; scape grooved angled, at length much
longer than the lanceolate or lance, oblong leaves,
slender (9 in, to 2 ft. high, root perrenniel. Gray.

The rib grass produces its foliage at an early
period of the season, when it is eaten by cattle, sheep
and horses, on which account its mixture with grasses
on dry pastures has been much recommended and
practiced. In England and Wales it has been fre-
quently sown without admixture, and produced con-
siderable herbage on rich sands and loams, and on
poorer and drier soils answers well for sheep ; being
much used on the hills of Wales, where its roots
spread and occasion a degree of fertility in districts
which would otherwise be little better than bare
rock.

Rib grass, Ripple grass, English Plaintain, by all
of which names this grass is called, is so well-known
in this country, that further description of it is un-
necessary.

CHAPTER, AX.
YARROW.
Achillea Millefolium—Specifie Character.

Natural order 53. (Composite Family) Genus 53.
(Common Yarrow or Milfoil). Stems simple; leaves

INDIAN CORN. 121

twice pinnately parted ; the divisions linear, 3 to 5
cleft, crowded ; corymb compound, flat topped ; in-
volucre oblong; rays 4 to 5 short, white (sometimes
rose-color). Fields and hills; common northward.
Gray.

Flowers the end of June or beginning of July.

Yarrow is one of the most common, as well as one
of the most valuable of the artificial grasses, as it has
been found to form part of all the richest of the Eng-
lish pastures, and is so grateful to every species of
stock, that it is close fed down as fast as it springs,
thus frequently escaping observation, unless the turf
be attentively examined; it is considered beneficial
to stock rather as a condiment than as affording nu-
tritive matter. It suits almost every species of soils,
and posseses, besides, the faculty of resisting drought
on arid land.

The successful cultivation of this grass in the be-
ginning of the present century, by Dr. Anderson, a
distinguished agriculturist in England, established
its reputation as a highly useful grass for sheep
pastures.

At least 6 or 8 lbs. of the seeds of this grass should
enter a mixture of other grasses, to be sown for per-
manent pasture where sheep are largely kept.

CHAPTER XXT.
INDIAN CORN.
Zea, Maize—Generic Character.

Spikelets two-flowered ; flowers moncecious, the
staminate in terminal panicles; glumes 2; pales

122 INDIAN CORN.

awnless, obtuse; the pistillate or fertile spikelets
two-flowered, with the lower one abortive ; glumes 2,
obiuse ; pales awnless; fruit compressed. Flint.

Indian Corn, although one of the ceralia (or grasses
cultivated for their seed), is a true grass, and culti-
vated both for summer soiling and winter fodder.
For either purpose it should be got in as early in the
spring as the season will permit. There are various
methods adopted in the cultivation and curing of this
crop.

On a small scale, I tried three-quarters of an acre
last year (1874) for experiment ; ploughed the ground
early in May; harrowed and opened drills with a
one-horse plough, three and a half feet apart; man-
ured as heavily as I would for potatoes, and sowed
seed on manure, at the rate of two bushels per acre,
and covered lightly with hoe (on a large scale, I cover
lightly with one-horse plough), as soon as it made
its appearance in the rows, kept the cultivator at
work until it was no longer necessary to do so;
commenced cutting for cattle the end of July, and
about the 20th August had the balance cut and put
up in small stacks, and allowed to remain in field
until wanted.

An excellent plan, and well worthy of a trial, is
one recommended in Country Gentleman, viz.: Place
three rails or poles, upright, within a foot, or less,
of each other, touching at the top, or with a small
block placed between them. They should be set in
the ground far enough to stand well, with a band
around the upper end to hold them together ; or, if
they are merely poles, the lower ends may be sharp-
ened and more easily set in crowbar holes. The
stalks are now stacked around the poles, which fornr

INDIAN CORN. 123

a chimney for the escape of moisture and heated air.
The stacks should be made narrow and tall, and
each one should not contain more than a ton—better
much less—and allowed to remain in field until
thoroughly cured. ,

Mr. W. Crozier, Beacon Stock Farm, one of the
most successful cultivators of corn fodder perhaps in
the country, not only gives it a rich field, but man-
ures heavily in ploughed furrows, sowing drills a
foot in breadth over the manure. He uses seed of
large varieties, cultivates well, and secures enormous
crops. The seed may be sown from a basket on the
manure, covered by ridging with a plough, and then
harrowing down lengthwise, so that the corn will
have but two or three inches of covering.

He cuts as soon as the edges of the leaves begin to
wither, puts up in stacks well secured at the tops,
which are allowed to remain in the field as late in
Autumn as will be quite safe from the weather, or
till a suitable opportunity occurs for drawing into
stackyard.

A cheap and substantial platform is made of poles,
surported by sleepers on short posts. On this plat-
form of poles the fodder is stacked when drawn, and
additional ventilation is secured by making venti-
lating chimneys at intervals, by means of barrels
furnished with a handle or cross-rope, by which they
are drawn upwards as the stack is built. Fodder
thus secured becomes well dried, and proves of great
value.

Corn for fodder may be sown from the first of May
till the middle of July. The later the sowing the
earlier must be the corn used. The essential points
in raising good corn fodder are—lst. Rich, warm,

124 INDIAN CORN.

dry land. 2d. A medium seeding. 3d. Sowing in
drills wide enough apart to allow the use of a horse
hoe. 4th. Thorough cultivation.

The drill system is practiced in the pasion parts
of New York State with encouraging results. The
land undergoes a thorough preparation before the
seed is sown, by manuring, ploughing, harrowing,
and dragging. As the crop is needed to mature at
different periods through the season, the first sowing
takes place about the 1st May. Western seed corn
is sown with a drill, three and a half to four bushels
per acre being used on as mellowa surface as the
cultivator, drag, and roller will make. This gives
clean culture, level surface, and rapid growth. The
second sowing on 20th May, again on the 10th June,
and balance July 1st. At the proper time, before
any frost, a combined mower and reaper, rigged ex-
actly as in cutting wheat, is used, the ground being
rolled smooth before drilling. The machine is driven
around the piece, cutting just as easily and as rap-
idly as in oats or wheat, a young lad following to
remove the bundles, at the corners, out of the way
of the team in turning. Itcuresin three or four days
enough to bind. Then itis stacked up, putting eight
bundles in a bunch, securely tied at top. In this
way it becomes well cured when wanted for use, and
is all eaten, being green and fresh in color, and ex-
ceedingly sweet. Some draw it into the barn in the
fall. Others allow it to remain in the feld, and
draw as needed. The advantage of drilling is, the
stalks are not so large and woody, and are alk
eaten ; don’t require any culture with a horse ; there
are less weeds ; more ease in binding and handling,
and less expense in cutting.

INDIAN CORN. 125

Broadcast sowing has been practiced, and although
successful in many instances, is not as proper a
method for the cultivation of this crop as the drill or
row system. When sown broadcast, it is either cut
down with a machine or scythe, and removed to a
grass lot and cured as hay, and put up in cocks and
allowed to remain until thoroughly cured, and, like
the grass, should not be cut until after the flower
disappears and the seed begins to form.

Corn fodder, if properly cured, is one of the best
and cheapest kinds of food for animals in winter. It
is eaten up clean, both stalks and leaves, and, in
this respect, it is greatly superior to common husked.
corn stalks ; and on good, rich, moist soils, sown in
drills, and kept well cultivated, as much as six tons
per acre has been obtained.

PART THIRD.

CHAPTER I.

The Order Gramine, or Grass Family, are arranged
into genera, species, and varieties, which assist the
memory in retaining the discriminating characters,
or specific marks, by which every species and variety”
of grass is distinguished from all others. This is of
particular value to the farmer, whose occupations al-
low not, perhaps, the time and attention requisite to
obtain general botanical knowledge, and whose pur.
pose here is only the attainment of a perfect knowl-
edge of the comparative merits and value of this tribe
of plants, exclusively agricultural, and which consti-
tutes the foundation of the riches of a farm. The
bare enumeration of the different species and varie-

ties which comprise this agricultural family of plants,
will be sufficient to show the importance and useful-

ness which some degree of botanical knowledge is to
the farmer ; or how much light and order are prefer-
able to darkness and confusion, certainty to uncer-
tainty—or, in a word, science to empiricism.

128 INTRODUCTION.

The time and attention requisite to obtain this de-
gree of botanical information by any practical farmer,
are, indeed, but small; and no person once in pos-
session of this knowledge has ever yet been found to
regret the acquirement of it, or to say that it is not of
great utility and benefit in practice.

Every species of grass, properly so called, is dis-
tinguished from all other plants by the following
peculiar structure: the stem or straw is usually hol-
low, and closed at the joints, with leaves in two al-
ternate rows; leaves are long, slender, and entire,
sheathing or investing the straw for some length,
and in number equal to the joints of the straw or
stem.

The flowers are in little spikelets, held in two-rowed
glumes or bracts, the outer glumes generally two in
number, and unequal. The stamens vary from one
to six, but are usually three in number. The ovary
is simple, with two styles, and two feathery stig-
mas ; and the fruit is enclosed in a husk, called a
cary opsis.

Every plant, therefore, that possesses all these
peculiarities of structure, is a proper species of grass ;
hence the proper grasses are called a natural order of
plants.

But besides this agreement of external structure,
grasses are distinguished from other natural orders
of plants by this property, that every part of the
plant becomes food for the larger and more valuable
domestic animals. The parts of fructification—the
flower and the seed—-are the least liable to vary from
any change of soil or cultivation ; and botanists have
chosen them, on that account, to fix their generic
distinctions, or, when the flowers and seeds of any

INTRODUCTION. 129

number of grasses agree in one or two particular
points, and differ therein from all the rest, such are
termed a genus or family.

The differencejin the manner of inflorescence, and the
form of clothing of the culm, leaves, and roots, afford
the specific characters. or separate the genus into
species. When the difference between two grasses
amounts to little else than one or two of these last-
mentioned points, or when such distinctions are either
lost or found by raising the plant from seed, it is then
called a variety.

These characters of genera, species, and varieties,
being founded on a few parts only, and those fre-
quently not very obvious, have been termed artificial
characters of distinction. The memory, by these
means, is relieved from a multiplicity of minute dis-
tinctions, which would not be the case were all the
parts of the plant. included in the essential specific
deseription or character.

CHAPTER II.

In the natural system of botany, plants are classi-
fied—that is (in the language of Dr. Gray), ‘‘are
marshalled under their respective classes, érders,
tribes, genera, and species ; and they are character-
ized—that is, their principal characteristics or dis-
tinguishing marks are described or enumerated, in
order that—1st. Their resemblances or differences, of
various degrees may be clearly exhibited, and all the
species and kinds ranked next to those they are most
related to; and 2ndly. That students may readily
ascertain the botanical names of the plants they meet

130 INTRODUCTION.

with, and learn their peculiarities, properties, and
place in the system.”

In the following pages, I have given the 67 genera
and 240 species (and upwards) which comprise the
Order Gramine. Although omitting as unnecessary
(in this work), the tribes and sub-tribes, or grand
divisions of the order, yet each genus, numbered and
ranked (as stated above), next to those they are most
related to, ocoupy their respective places throughout
the order.

To the reader not acquainted with botany, this ex-
planation is necessary, as showing the object or pur-
pose in view.

As stated in the preceding chapter, the parts of
fructification, the flower and the seed, are the least
liable to vary from any change of soil or cultivation,
and botanists have chosen them, on that account, to
fix their generic distinction ; or when the flowers and
seeds of any number of grasses agree, in one or two
particular points, and differ therein from all the rest,
such are termed a genus or family.

The generic name, or that of the genus, is one
word, and a substantive, and is like the family name
or surname of a person, as Smith or Brown; that of
the species answering to the Christian or baptismal
name, as James or Joseph. In giving the scientific
names, the first word that occurs in parenthesis is
the name of the genus, the second that of the species ;
as, for instance, in the White Clover (Trifolium Re;
pens). ‘Trifolium is the generic name, meaning three-
leaved, and Repens the specific, meaning creeping—
commonly called white clover. A genus often con-
tains many species.

INTRODUCTION, , 181

The botanical names of plants are all in Latin, or
are Latinized, this being the common language of
science everywhere. A little reflection will soon
convince an unprejudiced persou of the wis-
dom of this long-established practice. For example,
Kentucky blue grass has quite a number of aliases
in different parts of the country ; but from St. Peters-
burgh in Europe to Kentucky in America, it is known
to botanists as Poa Pratensis. There are hundreds of
other similar cases that might be adduced, but the
above may be considered sufficient.

In botanical nomenclature, or the language used
in describing the various organs or parts of plants—
such as their leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, ete.—terms
are used which cannot easily be avoided, but
which an ordinary English scholar, with a reason-
able amount of perseverance, may soon become ac-
quainted with.

The generic or family character is a description of
what essentially distinguishes the genus; the spe-
cific character a brief enumeration of the points in
which each species differs from others of the same
genus.

In describing a plant, we first consider the root;
then the stem, the leaves, the fulcra or supports, the
different parts which constitute the flower, and (in a
plant of grass) the seed. I will introduce and try to
explain a few of the terms which are used in describ-
ing each of the above-mentioned parts in the generic
and specific characters given in this work. And first,
in describing the roots, the terms usually employed -
are—

133 INTRODUCTION.

Frsrovs. That is, consisting of many small fibres
or threads, by which they draw their nourishment
from the earth.

CrEeEpine. Larger than fibrous, and extending
more (horizontally) in the soil.

- Burzous. Consisting of knobs, not of one uniform
texture, but composed of several concentric coats or
layers, such as the onion or tulip.

The stem of grasses is called culm, straw, or stem.

Leaves or foliage are so called.

Nerve: a name for the ribs or veins of leaves, when
simple or parallel.

Ligue. The little membranous appendage at the
‘summit of the leaf—sheaths of most grass (a fulcra).

The inflorescence or arrangement of flowers on the
stem of grasses are in spikelets ; a spikelet contains a
number of diminutive flowers called florets ; a flower
consists of several distinct organs, most commonly of
the calyx cup, or outer green scale of the spikelet ;
each leaf of the calyx is called a sepal,a glume,
a bract, a pale, a husk, or chaff—they are the
leaves of the blossom, and serve to protect, sup-
port, and nourish the parts within; they are re-
moved, if possible, in cleaning the seed, as in oats,
etc. The corolla, or inner circle of delicate leaves,
called petals (these are commonly known as the
leaves of the flower). The stamens, consisting of
two parts—the filament or stalk, and the anther.
The latter is the most important part; it is a case or
bag filled with fertilizing dust, called pollen. The
pistil is the column in the centre of the flower, con-
sisting of three parts, the german or ovary, which is

INTRODUCTION, 133‘

the base of the whole, and afterwards becomes the
bearer of the seed; the style, which isthe slender
thread proceeding upwards from the ovary ; and on
the top of this is seated the stigma. This last receives
the pollen, which, descending through the style,
reaches and fertilizes the ovules, which, become seeds,
by having an embryo or rudimentary plantlet formed
in them.

The above are the principal parts which belong to
any flower. There, are however, many terms used in
botany, which only a glossary or dictionary of terms
used in describing plants, can furnish.

CHAPTER III.
NATURAL ORDER GRAMINE (GRASS FAMILY).
1. LEERSIA,—Solander. Wuitre Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Flowers crowded in one sided panicled spikes or
racemes, perfect, but those in the open panicles
usually sterile by the abortion of the ovary, those
enclosed in the sheaths of the leaves close fertilized
in the bud and prolific. Spikelets, 1 flowered, flat,
more or less imbricated over each other, jointed with
the short pedicils. Glumes wanting, palets texture
of paper, or parchment, strongly (flattened laterally.
or folded upon themselves lengthwise, awnless,
bristry ciliate on the keels, closed, nearly equal in
length, but the lower much broader, enclosing the
flat grain. Stamens 1 to 6, stigmas feathery, the
hairs branching. Perennial marsh grasses; the flat
leaves, sheaths, &c., rough upwards, being clothed
with very minute hooked prickles.

(Named from Leers, a German botanist.)

1. Leersta, Virginica (White Grass), Virginia
Cut Grass. Grows in wet woods; flowers in August
and September ; of no agricultural value.

136 ZIZANIA.

2, Lerrsta, Oryzoides, (Rice Cut Grass, False
Rice, White Grass.) Very wet places; common, flow-
ers in August ; possesses no agricultural value.

3. Lerrsia, Lenticularis, (Fly Catch Grass.) Low
grounds, Virginia, Illinois and southward ; peren-
nial ; flowers in July; no value.

2. ZIZANIA—Gronovis. WATER oR INDIAN RICE.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Flowers monecious; the staminate and pistillate
both in 1 flowered spikelets, in the same panicle.
Glumes wanting, or rudimentary and forming a little
cup. Palets herbaceo, membranaceous, convex,
awnless in the sterile, the lower one tipped with a
straight awn on the fertile spikelets; stamens 6;
stigmas pencil form—large, often reed-like, water
grasses ; spikelets jointed, with the club-shaped ped-
icils, very decidous.

(Adopted from Zizanion, the ancient name of some
wild grain).

1. Zizanta, Aquatica (Indian Rice, Water Oats).
This grass grows wild in the Southern States, also
in the Northwestern ; seeds used for food for Indians.
Common in swampy borders of streams and in shal-
low waters; flowers in August.

2. ZiZanta, Miliacea (Prolific Rice). Found in
Ohio and South, and grows from six to ten feet high
in shallow water; flowers in August.

ALOPECURUS. 137

3, ALOPECURUS—Linnzus. FoxTarint Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered ; glumes boat-shaped, strongly
compressed and keeled, nearly equal, united at the
base, equalling or exceeding the lower palet, which
is awned at the back, below the middle ; upper palet
wanting ; stamens 3; styles mostly united ; stigmas
long and feathered ; clusters contracted into a cylin-
drical and soft, dense spike; root perennial.

\(Name from two Greek words, signifying fox and

tail, the popular appellation, from the shape of
spike. )

1. AtopEcurus Pratensis, Linneus (Meadow
Foxtail). See page 35.

9, ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS, Linneus (Floating
Foxtail.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Culm ‘ascending, bent at the lower joints ; palet ra-
ther shorter than the obtuse glumes, the awn from
near its base, and projecting half its length beyond.
it; anthers linear; the upper leaf as long as its
sheath. Moist meadows eastward; flowers in May
and June.

This grass grows in situations so liable to inunda-
tion, that the other good grasses, if sown there, are
soon expelled. In respect to the degree of moisture
which it will support, it stands between the rough-
stalked poa and the flote fescue, and thus forms a
connecting link between the fens and moister meadow
lands in England, for it is found in some of the rich-

138 PHLEUM.

est marshes, and is much esteemed for its fattening
qualities in pasture as well as for hay. It is a
creeping plant, which flowers in May and June, and
grows from the centre ina nearly horizontal position,
the lower joints touching the ground, and it may be
propagated by slips. Its seeds are difficult to pro-
ctire, owing to the small number of culms or seed
stalks which it produces, and the remarkable irregu-
larity of their opening.

3. ALOPECURUS AGRESTIS (Slender Foxtail).

Observation.—Kneed or jointed-like in the middle;
root fibrous, of biennial duration ; flowers in July and
August.

This grass is generally termed an annual, but it
will flower and last two seasons on a light, dry soil.
It is of comparatively little little importance, but may
be sown along with some others, on light, sandy soils
on the sea coast, where it will grow much better than
any of the common rye grasses.

4. ALOPECURUS ARISTULATUS (the Wild Water
Fox Tail). Grows in water and wet places of no.agri-
cultural value; flowers in June and August.

4. PHLEUM—Lineus. Catstarn Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Palets both present, shorter than the mucronate or
awned glumes ; the lower are truncate, usually awn-
less ; styles distinct, otherwise much as in Alopecu-
rus ; perennials; spike very dense, harsh.

(An ancient Greek name.)

CRYPSIS.—VILFA. 1389

1, PouruM PratenseE, Linneus (Timothy Catstail).
See page 19.

2, PHLEUM ALPINUM, Linneus (Mountain Catstail).
Alpine tops of the White Mountains, New Hamp-
shire, and high northward.

5. CRYPSIS—Aiton. Crypsis.,

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, in clusters which are crowded
in a dense head or short spike, bracted by the upper-
most leaves; glumes, palets, etc, as in the next
genus, or rather thinner. Low and spreading-tufted
annuals, natives of the Kast, with short leaves; the
sheaths of the upper spathaceous.

(A Greek name, ‘‘ concealment.’’)

The spikes, at first, are partly hidden by the sub-
tending sheaths.

7

1. Crypsis ScHornorpEs, Lam. Waste places,
streets of Philadelphia and vicinity; also Wilming-
ton (Delaware) common.

6. VILFA—Adanson, Pd’ Beauvepis. Rusu Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, in a contracted or spiked pan-
icle; glumes 1-nerved or nerveless, not awned or
pointed, the lower smaller ; flower nearly sessile in
the glumes; palets 2, much alike, of the same texture
as the glumes (membranace chartaceous), and usually

140 SPOROBOLUS.

longer than they, naked,awnless and mostly pointless;

the lower 1-nerved (rarely somewhat 3-nerved). Sta-

mens chiefly 3. Stigmas simply feathery ; grain

(caryopsis oblong or cylindrical, deciduous ; culms

wiry or rigid; leaves inviolate, usually bearded at

the throat, their sheaths often enclosing the panicles.
(Name unexplained. )

1, VitFA AsSPERA (Rough-Leaved Vilfa, Rush
Grass). Flowers in September; of no agricultural
value.

2. VILFA V AGIN/FLORA (Hidden-Flowered Vilfa).
Common on barren, sandy soils, from Maine to I1lin-
ois; no value.

3. Vitra CuspipatTa, Zorr. Borders of Maine,
on St. John’s river, ete.

4. VitFA VirGinica, Beawy. Sandy sea shore,
Virginia and Southern States.

7 SPOROBOLUS—Robt. Brown. Drop SEED Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1 (rarely 2), flowered in a contracted or
open panicle ; flowers nearly as in Vilfa; the palets
longer than the unequal glumes; stamens 2 to 3;
grain a globular auticle (hyaline or rarely coriaceous),
_ containing a loose seed, decidous.

(Whence the name from two Greek words, meaning
_ Seed and to cast forth.

AGROSTIS. 141

1. §. Juncreus (Rush-like drop seed). Prairies,
Wisconsin and the South. Flowers in August.

2. 2. ILBTEROLEPIS, Gray (Strong-scented Vilfa).
This plant emits a strong odor. Middle and Western
States to Illinois; flowers in August.

3. S. Crypranpius, Gray (Large Panicled Vilfa).
Panicle lead-colored; sandy shores, coast of New
England and of the Great Lakes ; flowers in August
and September.

4, 8. ComprEssus (Close-flowered drop seed); of
no value for agricultural purposes.

5. §. Srrotinus, Gray (Late Drop Seed). It isa
delicate grass, of no agricultural value ; flowers in
September.

8. AGROSTIS, Linn. Bent Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, in an open panicle ; glumes
somewhat equal, or the lower rather longer, usually
longer than the palets, pointless; palets very thin,
pointless, naked; the lower 3 to 5-nerved, frequently
awned on the back ; the upper often minute, or none.
stamens, chiefly three ; grain (caryopsis) free ; culms
usually tufted, slenfer; root commonly perennial.

(Name from agros, a field, the place of growth.)

1. A. Exata (Taller Thin Grass). Grows from
two to three feet high, in swamps, from New Jersey
~ southward.

142 AGROSTIS.

2. A. PrrENnNANS (Thin Grass. Damp, shaded
places.

3. A. ScaBra (Hair Grass or Fly-Away Grass,
Tickle Grass. Common in old fields and marshy
places; no value.

4. A. Cantya (Brown or Dogs’ Bent Grass).

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Culms eight inches to two feet high ; roots, leaves,
involute bristle form, those of the culm flat and
broader ; panicle loose ; ; glumes slightly unequal,
ovate-lanceolate, very acute; palet exsertly awned
on the back, at or below the middle; spikelets
brownish or purplish, rarely pale or greenish (one-
twelfth to nearly one-sixth inch long).

Remarks.—Perennial: flowers in June and July.
grows naturally in poor, wet, peaty soils, and is only
valuable for cultivating on such. Cattle seem to
prefer this to most others of the genus.

5. A. VuLGARIS (Fine Bent Grass, Red Top). See
page 64.

6. A. ALBA (White Bent Grass).

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Panicle spreading, meagre, branches roughish;
culms decumbent; root creeping.
_ This grass is late, unproductive, and contains but
little nutritive matter. Its creeping roots greatly
exhaust the soil. In this variety they are smaller
than in the other varieties, but equally difficult to

POLYPOGON. 143

extirpate, when once in possession of tenacious
clays.

This plant does not produce stolones or runners,
like the varieties of the Agrostis Stolonifera; some-
times, indeed} a few slender runners are found, but
they seldom strike out at the joints. The creeping
roots abundantly supply this defect in the plant for
its propagation, as they creep under the surface, and
send up at intervals numerous young shoots. This
property of the roots is the best character of distinc-
tion for the purpose of the agriculturist, as it may
be found at any season or stage of growth of the
plant. Flowers early in August, and seeds are ripe
in beginning of September.

7. A. STOLONIFERA (Creeping Bent Grass or Fiorin).
See page 67.

8. A. Dispar (The Southern Bent) This is a use-
ful grass. It is similar in appearance to some of the
broad-leaved varieties of red top. It has stronger
and more numerous creeping roots, broader leaves,
and more upright leafy stems. It is met with in the
Southern States, but is not cultivated in the Northern
States that Iam aware of. When once rooted it is
almost as bad as Triticum Repens to extirpate. It
has been tried and discarded in England.

9. POLYPOGON—Desfontains. Brarp GRass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, in a contracted, mostly spike-
like panicle ; glumes nearly equal, long-awned, mueh

144 CINNA.

longer than the membranaceous palets, the lower or
which is commonly short-awned below the apex;
stamens 8 ; grain free).

(Name from two Greek words, much and beard,
from the awns.)

1. P. Monspeliensis (Annual Beard Grass). It is
found at the Isle of Shoals and on the coast south-
ward. No agricultural value.

10. CINNA—Linn. Woop REEpD Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, much flattened, crowded in-
an open, flaccid panicle; glumes lenceolate, acute,
strongly keeled, rough-serrulate on the keel, the
lower rather smaller, the upper a little ex-
ceeding the palets; flower manifestly stalked in the
glumes, smooth and naked; the palets much like
the glumes, the lower longer than the upper; short-
awned or mucronate on the back below the pointless
apex; stamen one, opposite the 1-nerved upper
palet; grain linear, oblong, free. A perennial, ra-
ther sweet-scented grass, with simple and upright,
somewhat reed-like culms (2 to 7 feet high), bearing an
ample compound terminal panicle, its branches in
fours or fives; the broadly linear lanceolate flat leaves
one-third to one-half inch wide) with conspicuous lig-
ules ; spikelets green, often purplish tinged.

Name unexplained.

1. C. Arundinacea—L. (Wood Reed Grass, Indian
Reed Cinna). This is a large, rank grass, growing

MUHLENBERGIA. 145

in moist roads and shaded swamps, rather common ;
flower monandrous. Of no special agricultural
value.

2. C. Pendula, Gray (Drooping Red Grass).
Grows in moist woods; perennial, flowering in
August.

11. MUHLENBERGIA—Schreber. Drop SEED
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, in contracted, or rarely in
open panicles; glumes mostly acute or bristle-point-
ed, persistent, the lower rather smaller or minute ;
‘flower very short-stalked or sessile in the glumes;
the palets usually minutely bearded at the base,

. herbaceaus, deciduous with the enclosed grain, often
equal, the lower 3-neved, mucronate, or awned at
the apex; stamens 3.

Dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Henry Muhlenberg, a dis~*
tinguished American botanist of the early part of
this century.

1. M. Sobolifera (Awnless Muhlenbergia). Open,
rocky woods, from Massachusetts and Michigan, Illi-
nois, and southward. Flowers in August.

2. M. Glomerata (Cluste> 1g Muhlenbergia). Com-
mon in swamps, low grour:'', bogs, etc. Flowers in
August and September.

146 BRACHYELYTRUM.

3. M. Mexicana (Mexican Muhlenbergia). Resem-
bles fow] meadow grass. Légarded as a troublesome
weed. Common inlow grounds. Flowers in August
and September.

4, M. Sylvatica (The Sylvan Muhlenbergia). Is
common in low or rocky woods. Flowers in August
and September.

5. M. Wildenovii (Wildenow’s Muhlenbergia).
Found in rocky woods, growing about three feet
hich. lowers in August.

6. M. Diffusa (Drop Seed Nimblewill). Is common
at the West, Kentucky, Tennessee, and southward.
Cattle eat it very readily. Perennial. Flowers in
August and September.

7. M. Capillaris (Hair Grass). Is found on sandy
soils, New England to New Jersey, Kentucky and
southward. Flowers in September.

None of the grasses of ‘this American genus are of
much agricultural value, except as they add to the
verdure of the land.

11. BRACHYELYTRUM—Beauv. BracuyELy-
TRUM.

GENERIO CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, with a conspicuous filiform
pedicil of an abortive second flower about half its
length, nearly terete, few, in a simpleappressed race-

CALAMAGROSTIS. 147

med panicle; glumes unequal, persistent, usually
minute, or the lower one almost obsolete ; palets
chartaceo-herbaceous, involute, enclosing the linear
oblong grain, somewhat equal, rough, with scattered,
short bristles; the lower 5-nerved, extended into a
long, straight awn; the upper 2-pointed; the awn
like sterile pedicil, partly lodged in the groove on its
back; stamens 2; anthers and stigmas very long.
‘Perennial, with simple culms, 1 to 3 feet high, from
creeping rootstocks, downy sheaths, broad and flat
lanceolate- pointed leaves, and spikelets one-half inch
long, without the awn.

Name from two Greek words, short and. husk,
_ from the minute glumes.

1. B. Aristatum (The Erect Muhlenbergia or Awned
Brachyelytrum). Found in rocky woods on the
sides of Wachuset mountain, and other similar situ-
ations. Flowers in June andJuly.

13. CALAMAGROSTIS—Adans. RzEp BEnr
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, and often with a pedicil or
rudiments of a second abortive flower (rarely 2-flow-
ered), in an open or spiked panicle; glumes keeled
or boat-shaped, often acute; commonly nearly equal,
and exceeding the flower, which bears at the base
copious, white, bristly hairs; palets thin, the lower
pearing a slender awn on the back or below the tip,
or sometimes awnless, the upper mostly shorter;
stamens 3; grain free. Perennials, with running

148 CALAMGROSTIS.

root-stocks, and mostly tall and simple rigid culms.
Name compounded of the Greek words kalamos, a
reed, and agrostis, a grass.

1. C. Canadensis (Blue Joint Grass). Wet grounds).
Common northward. Flowers in July. A useful
grass.

2. C0. Langsdorfffi., Found on White mountains,
New Hampshire, and northward.

3. C. Stricta. Ledges at Willoughby lake, Ver-
mont, and northward.

4. C. Confinis or Inexpansa, Gray. N. and W.
New York (especially Penn Yan), and Pennsylvania.
Flowers in July.

5, C. Nuttaliana or Coaractata (Crowded Calama-
grostis). Moist grounds, E. New England to Penn-
sylvania, Virginia, and southward. Flowers in
August.

6. C. Porteri, Gray. Found in dry woods, Pulpit
Rocks and vicinity, Huntington county, Pennsyl-
vania. e

7. C. Pickeringii, Gray. .Found near Summit of
White monntains, New Hampshire.

8. C. Brevipilis (Purple Bent). Swamps and pine
barrens in New Jersey. Rare. Flowers in Sep-
tember.

9. C. Longifolia (Woolly Bent). Sheaths clothed
with decidious wool. Sands along the upper Great

ORYZOPSIS. 149

Lakes, from Illinois -and Michigan northwestward.
Flowers in August.

10. CALAMAGROTIS, Arenaria (Beach Grass,
Sea Sand, Reed, Mat Grass).

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Culm Stout and rigid (2 to 3 ft high) from firm
running rootstocks; panicle contracted into a dense
cylindrical spike (5 to-9 in. long); hairs only one
third of the length of the palet.

This well known grass is found on sandy beaches,
from New Jersey to Maine and northward on the
Great Lakes. Its thick, strong, creeping, perennial
roots, with many tubers the size of a pea, prevent
the drifting of the sand from the action of the winds
and waves, thus forming a barrier against the en-
croachment of the ocean. This seems to be the chief
utility of the plant as it serves this purpose the
world over. '

14. ORYZOPSIS — Mich. Mountain RIcz.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, nearly terete. Glumes her-
baceous or thin membranaceous; several nerved }
nearly equal; commonly, rather longer than the
oblong flowers, which is deciduous at maturity, and
with a very short, obtuse, callus or scar-like base.
Lower palet coriaceous, at length involute so as
closely to enclose the upper (of the same length) and
the oblong grain. A simple, untwisted and deciduous
awn, jointed on its apex. Stamens 3; Squamule 2

150 STIPA.

or 8, conspicuous; Stigmas plumose. Perennials,
with rigid leaves, and a narrow raceme or panicle.
Spikelets greenish, rather large. (Name composed
of two Greek words orysa, rice, and opsis, likeness,
from a fancied resemblance to that grain.)

“1. O. Melanocarpa, (Black Mountain Rice), is a
common grass in dry, rocky woods, with a leafy
stem from two to three feet high; husks of the seed
blackish when ripe ; flowers in August.

2. O. Asperifolia (White Mountain Rice). Steep
rocky hill sides, and in dry woods; grows from a
foot to eighteen inches high ; seeds farinaceous, and
make a fine and white flower but difficult in procur-
ing, as the grain drops so easily. Flowers in May.

3. O. Canadensis (Smallest, or Canadian Rice)
Rocky hills and dry plains; rare; flowers in May.

15. STIPA, Linn. FratuHer Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered; terete; the flower falling
away at maturity (with the conspicuous obconical,
bearded, and often sharp-pointed callus) from the
membranaceous glums. Lower palet coriaceous,
involute, and closely embracing the smaller upper
one, and the cylindrical grain, having a long and
twisted or tortuous simple awn jointed with its apex.
Stamens mostly 3; stigmas plumose; perennials,
with narrow, involute leaves, and a loose panicle.
(Name, a Greek word stype, tow, in allusion to the

ARISTIDA. 151
i
flaxen appearance. of the feathery awns of the orig-
inal species. In our species the awn is naked)..
Gray.

1. 8. Richardsonii) Richardson’s Feather ; no ag-
ricultural value.

2. 8. Avenacea (Black Oat Grass) is one of the
prairie grasses of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, &c.
Flowers in July.

3. 8. Spartea (Porcupine Grass) this is another
prairie grass.

4, 8. Pennata (Feather Grass) one of the most
beautiful of the Genus Perennial. An ornamental
grass in gardens.

16. ARISTIDA, Linn, Triprz AwNeED Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Glumes unequal, often bristle pointed. Lower
palet, tipped with three awns, the upper much
smaller ; otherwise much asin stipa. Culms branch-
ing; leaves narrow, often involute. Spikelets in
simple or panicled racems or spikes. Grain linear.
(Name from arista, a beard or awn). All grow in
sterile, dry soil, and all ours have the awns naked
and persistent, and flowers late. Gray.

1. A.'Ramossissima (Three Awned Grass). Found
on dry prairies of Illinois and in Kentucky.

152 SPARTINA.

2. A. Dichotoma (Poverty Grass) Dry, sandy or
gravelly fields ; common, especially southward.

3. A. Gracilis (Slender Three Awned Grass).
Seldom found except on the poorest land; of no
value for cultivation.

4. A. Stricta (Downy Triple Awn), not cultivated.

5. A. Oligantha, Mich. (Prairie Triple Awn).
Found by Michaux on the prairies of Illinois, also
found in Virginia and Southwestward.

6. A. Parpurascens (Purple Triple Awn), com-
mon trom Massachusettes to Illinois and Southward,
Not cultivated.

7 A. Lanata. Found in Maryland and South-
ward.

8. A. Zuberculosa, (Long Awned Poverty Grass).
Sandy soil, East Massachusetts to New Jersey, also
Wisconsin, Illinois and Southward.

‘17> SPARTINA, ‘Schreber. CorpD on Marsy Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, without a rudiment, very
much flattened latterally ; spiked in 2 ranks on the
outer side of a triangular rhachis ; glumes strongly
compressed ; keeled, acute, or bristle pointed,
mostly rough-bristly on the keel; the upper one
much larger, and exceeding the pointless and awn-

SPARTINA. 153

less palets, of which the upper is longest. Squam-
ule none; stamens 3; styles long, more or less
united ; perennials with simple and rigid reed-like
culms, from extensively creeping, scaly rootstocks,
racemed spikes ; very smooth sheaths, and long and
tough leaves, (whence the name, from the Greek
word, spartine, a cord, such as was made from the
bark of the Spartium or Broom).

1. 8. Cynosuroides (Fresh Water Cord Grass, or
Tall Marsh Grass). Found on banks of rivers and
lakes, especially Northward, also in Western States,
Flowers in Angust.

2. 8. Polystachya (The Salt Reed Grass). Salt or
brackish marshes, within tide water, especially
Southward.

3. 8. Juncea (Rush Salt Grasss). Salt marshes
and sea beaches.

4. 8. Stricta (Salt Marsh Grass). Salt marshes.
Pennsylvania and South. Odor strong and rancid.

5. 8. Glabra (Rough Marsh Grass), a variety of
the last; common on the coast of New England,
Southward.

6. 8. Atterniflora (Smooth Marsh Grass. This
grass has a strong and rancid odor, and is common
with the last. Spartina Atterniflora and 8. Poly-
stachya, are worthy the special attention of students,
as they are supposed to be varieties of what was
commonly known in Europe many years ago, as the
American cocksfoot. (Dactylis Cynosurides.)

154 CTENIUM.—BOUTELOUA.

18 CTENIUM, Ranzer. ToorHacuE Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets densely imbricated in two rows on one
side of the flat curved rhachis of the solitary ter-
minal spike. Glumes persistent; the lower one
(interior) much smaller; the other concave below,
bearing a stout, recurved awn, like a horn, on the
middle of the back.

Flowers 4 to 6, all but one neutral; the one or
two lower consisting of empty awned palets ; the one
or two uppermost of empty awnless palets ; the per-
fect flower intermediate in position ; its palets mem-
branaceous, the lower awned or mucronate below
the apex, and densely ciliate towards the base, 3
nerved. Squamule 2. Stamens 3. Stigmas plum-
ose.

Name Greek—-Atenion a small comb—from the pec-
tinate appearance of the spike.

1. C. Americanum (Tooth-ache grass). Stem 8 to
4 feet high, from a perennial root. It is found in the
wet pine barrens of New Jersey. Taste very pun-
gent. No agricultural value.

19. BOUTELOUA—Legasca. Musxrr Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets crowded and closely sessile in two rows
on one side of a flattened rhachis, comprising one
perfect flower below, and one or more sterile (mostly

GYMNOPOGON. “155

neutral) or rudimentary flowers. Glumes convex
keeled, the lower ones shorter. Perfect flower, with
the 3-nerved lower palet 3-toothed or cleft at the
apex, the 2-nerved upper palet 2-toothed ; the teeth,
at least of the forme, pointed or subulate awned ;
Stamens 3; anthers orange-colored or red. Rudi-
mentary flowers mostly 1 to 3 awned. Spikes soli-
tary, racemed or spiked; the rhachis somewhat
extended beyond the spikelets.

Named for Claudius Boutelou, a spanish writer on
floriculture and agriculture.

1. B. Oligostachya (Muskit or Mosquit Grass).
‘Westward. This grass is very nutritious. On the
plains and slopes of the Rocky mountains, it cures
in the late summer into a natural hay, and is much
valued.

2. B. Hirsuta (Bristly Murkit). Grows in tufts.
Sandy plains Wisconsin, Ilinois, and southward.

3. B. Curtipendula (Hairy Muskit). This grass is
cultivated in many parts of the Southern States.
Flowers from July to September.

290. GYMN OPOGON—Beauv. NakED BEARD
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets of one perfect flower, and the rudiment
of a second (consisting of an awn- like pedicil mostly
bearing a naked bristle), sessile and remotely alter-
nate on long or filiform rays or spikes, which form a

\

156 CYNODON.

crowded, naked raceme. Glumes lance awl-shaped,
keeled, almost equal, rather longer than the some-
what equal membranaceous palets, of which the
lower is cylindrical-involute, with the. midrib pro-
duced from just below the 2-cleft apex into a straight
and slender, bristle-like awn; the upper with the
abortive rudiments at itsbase. Stamens 3. Stigmas
pencil form, purple. Root perennial. Leaves short
and flat, thickish, 1 to 3 inches long.

Name from ot two Greek words—gymnos naked,
and pogon beard—alluding to the redustion of the
abortive flower to a bare awn.

1. G. Racemosus (Naked Beard Grass). Pine
barrens of New Jersey to Virginia and southward,
Flowers in August and September.

2. G. Trefolius (Short-leaved beard Grass). Sussex
county, Delaware, and southward.

21. CYNODON—Richard. Brrmupa or Scutcn
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, with a mere naked, short,
pedicilled rudiment of a second flower, imbricate
spiked on one side of a flattish rhachis ; the spikes
usually digitate at the naked summit of the flowering
culms. Glumes keeled, pointless, rather unequal.
Palets pointless and awnless; the lower larger, boat-
shaped. Stamens 3. Low, diffusely-branched, and

extensively-creeping perennials, with short, flattish
leaves.

CYNODON. 157

Name derived from the Greek—kynos a dog, and
-odontos a tooth.

1. Cynodon Dactylon (Bermuda Grass, Scutch
Grass.

SPECHBIC CHARACTER.

Spikes four or five, crowded together, corolla
smooth.

Smnith’s Eng. Flora.

Observations.—The roots are tough and creeping,
almost woody, with smooth files; stems also creep-
ing to a great extent, matted, round, jointed, leafy,
very smooth ; leaves tapering, sharp-pointed, ribbed,
hairy, a little glaucous, with long, striated, smooth
sheaths, and a hairy stipule ; spikes four or five,
linear, flowers purplish, shining, ranged in two close,
alternate rows ; the corolla is longer than the calyx,
very much compressed, opposite.

This celebrated East India grass was first brought
to notice by the experiments made with it in the ex-
perimental grass garden at Woburn Abbey, the
seeds being forwarded from India, by the Marquis of
Hastings for that purpose.

The experiments made with this and the English
species (Panicum Dactylon) showed that the India
species flowered freely every season, whereas the
native English plants flowered very seldom.

It has not received much attention from English
agriculturists since its introduction, as it scarcely
begins to vegetate in the climate of England till the
month of June, and its produce and nutritive powers
are inferior to other favorite grasses.

158 CYNODON.

In the East Indies the doob grass, as it is there
called, grows luxuriantly, and is highly valued as
food for horses, etc. It flowers in September, and
the seed is ripe about the end of October, and some-
times in November. The plants, natives of the Eng-
lish coast, flower about a month earlier than the
above. :

This plant has long been naturalized in the South-
ern States, and there are few grasses growing in the
South that so much has been said and written about
than the grass.

Elliott described it as a tender, delicate grass,
growing over and binding the most arid and loose
lands in the country, and apparently preferred by
stock of all descriptions to every other grass in the
Southern States.

L. H. Girardin, of Baltimore College (1824), said of
it: The excellence of this plant for pasturage is evi-
denced by two circumstances. It is preferred by
stock of every description (South) to all other grasses,
and it grows luxuriantly in every kind of soil. It
possesses an additional advantage—that of binding
the loosest and most barren sandy tracts, but when
it has once taken possession of close, rich soil, its
extirpation is so difficult as almost to defy all the
skill, industry, and perseverance of farmers.

T. Affleck, of Brentham, Texas, who has given
more attention to the history and cultivation of this
grass than, perhaps, any other man in the country,
says of it:

‘‘T made my first working acquaintance with this
grass in 1842. From the first, 1 was satisfied of its
immense value to the South as a hay and pasture
grass. At the same time, it was evidently a dreadful

CYNODON. 159

pest in the crops, which fact was so earnestly im-
pressed upon me by every experienced planter with
whom the subject was discussed, that great caution
was naturally induced in the spreading of it myself,
or being the means of persuading others to do so.
After a season or two, however, of experience in the
extraordinary yield of hay, and the number of ani-
mals subsisted per acre, and possessed of a more
thorough knowledge of the washed and worn condi-
tion of the greater part of the hill plantations through
the interior of Adams county, Mississippi, where I
then resided, I strongly urged the planting of these
fields with this grass. The owner of a hill plantation
now under thorough hedge, and with a close sod of
Bermuda grass over his fields, can easily make a
living by grazing stock of any kind, independent of
free labor. And if the ownerand occupant of.a river
place in like condition, he has a sure means of even
wealth in the hay such a place will yield.”

Mr. W. Phillips, Memphis, Tenn., writing to
Country Gentleman in 1872, says :

“Tf Bermuda grass be not (for summer) the best
grass ever grown—latitude 34° and below—-I ask to
see. I say, take land equal in fertility or poverty,
and New York, can produce no grass that will feed
as many cattle, or horses, or mules, or sheep as Ber-
muda grass will in Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama,
Georgia, or Florida. This grass is propagated by
planting very small pieces of sod or scraps of roots,
in squares of, say four feet. The weeds, etc., must
be kept down for one season, after which it will take
care of itself.”’

160 DACTYLOCTENIUM.—ELEUSINE.

292, DACTYLOCTENIUM—Wild. Eoyprian
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets several-flowered, with the uppermost flow-
er imperfect, crowded on one side of a flatened rha-
chis, forming dense pectinate spikes, 2 to 5 in num-
ber, digitate at the summit of the culm. Glumes
compressed laterally and keeled, membranaceous,
the upper (exterior) one awn-pointed. Lower palet
strongly keeled and boat-shaped, pointed. Stamens
3. Pericarp a thin utricle, containing a loose globu-
Jar and rough-wrinkled seed. Root annual. Culms
diffuse, often creeping at the base.

_ Name compounded of daktylos, finger, and ktenion,

a little comb, alluding to the digitate and pectinate
spikes.

1. D. Egyptiacum (Egyptian Grass). A troublesome
weed.

23. ELEUSINE— Gertn. Crap Grass, YARD
Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 6 flowered, with a terminal naked
rudiment, closely imbricate-spiked on one side of a
flattish rhachis ; the spikes digitate. Glumes mem-
branaceous, pointless, shorter than the flowers. Pa-
lets awnless and pointless; the lower ovate, keeled,
larger than the upper. Stamens 3. Pericarp (utricle)

LEPTOCHLOA. 161

containing a loose, oval, and wrinkled seed. Low:
annuals, with flat leaves, and flowers much as in
Poa.

Name from Hlewsin, the town where Ceres, the
goddess of harvests, was worshipped.

1. E. Indica (Crab Grass, Wire Grass, Crowsfoot).
A useful grass in Mississippi, Alabama, and adjoin-
ing States; growing luxuriantly, and is plowed
down as « fertilizer—also serving as a hay and for
pasturage.

24. LEPTOCHLOA—Beauv. OxyDENiIA, SLENDER
GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3—many-flowered (the uppermost flower
imperfect), loosely spiked on one side of a long fili-
form rhachis ; the spikes racemed. Glumes membra-
naceous, keeled, and often awl-pointed, the upper
one somewhat larger. Lower palet 3-nerved, with the
lateral nerves next the ciliate or hairy margins awn-
less, or bristle-awned at the entire or 2-toothed tip,
Jarger than the upper. Stamens 2 or 3. Seed some-
times loose in the pericarp. Ours annuals, Leaves
flat.

Name composed of leptos, slender, and chloa,
grass, from the long, attenuated spikes.
oS Gray.

1. L. Mucronata (Pointed Slender Grass). Found
in flelds from Virginia to Illinoisand southward. An

162 TRICUSPIS.

annual, growing from two to three feet high. Flowers
in August.

2. L. Fascicularis, Gray (Clustering Slender Grass).
Brackish meadows from Rhode Island southward,
along the coast, and from Illinois southward, on the
Mississippi. Flowers in August.

25. TRICUSPIS—Beauv.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3 to 12-flowered, somewhat terete; the
terminal flower abortive. Glumesunequal. Rhachis
of the spikelet bearded below each flower. Palets
membranaceous or somewhat chartaceous ; the lower
much larger than the 2-toothed upper one, convex, 2
to 8-toothed or cleft at the apex, conspicuously hairy-
bearded or villous on the 3 strong nerves, of which
the lateral are marginal or nearly so and usually ex-
current, as is the mid nerve especially, into a short
cusp or awn. Stamens 3. Stigmas dark purple,
plumose. Grain oblong, nearly gibbous. Leaves
taper-pointed ; sheaths bearded at the throat. Pan-
icle simple or compound; the spikelets often race-
mose, purplish

Name from the Latin ¢ricuspis, three-pointed, al-
luding to the lower palet.

1. T. Seslerioides (Tall Red Top). .A showy.grass,
growing from three to 5 feet high, on dry or sandy
fields, from New York to Illinois, and southward.
Flowers in August.

GRAPHEPHORUM. 163

2. T. Purpurea, Gray (Sand Grass). Is found on
same soils as the above, from 6 inches to a foot high-
Acid to the taste. Flowers from August to Sep-

tember.
*

3. T. Cornuta (Horned Sand Grass). Another
species found at the South. Of no agricultural
value.

26, GRAPHEPHORUM—Desv. Duponrta, R. Br.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 5-flowered, rather terete. Glumes
membranaceous, mostly nearly equalling the remote
flowers. A cluster of villous hairs at the base of
-each flower. Palets thin and membranaceous or sca-
rious, the lower one convex, scarcely keeled, faintly
nerved, entire, pointless, and awnless. , Stamens 8.
Stigmas plumose. Ovary glabrous. Perennial and
northern or arctic grasses, with linear flat leaves,
their sheaths closed at the base, the spikelets in a
loose panicle.

Genus allied to the Avene, but awnless; named
from graphis, a pencil, and phero, to bear, from the
tufts of hair at the base of the flowers.

1. G. Melicoides, Beauv. Stem1 to 2 feet high.
Found at Grand Detour, Michigan, shore of Moose-
head lake, Maine, and northward.

2. G. Major, Gray (Large G. Grass or Dupontia
Grass). Grows 2 to 3feet high. Found in Macomb
county, Michigan.

164 DIARRHENA.—DACTYLIS.

27. DIARRHENA—Raf. DIARRHENA.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

e

Spikelets several-flowered, smooth and shining, one
one or two of the uppermost flowers sterile. Glumes
ovate, much shorter than the flowors, coriaceous, the
lower one much smaller. Lower palet ovate, convex
on the back, rigidly coriaceous, its 3 nerves termina-
ting in a strong and abrupt cuspidate or awl-shaped
tip. Squamulee ovate, ciliate. Stamens 2. Grain
very large, obliquely ovoid, obtusely pointed, rather
longer than the palets, the cartiluginous shining per-
icarp not adherent to the seed. A nearly smooth
perennial, with running rootstocks, producing sim-
- ple culms (2 to 3 feet high), with long, linear, lanceo-
late flat leaves towards the base, naked above, bear-
ing a few short pedicelled spikelets (1-6 to 1-4 inch
jong) in a very simple panicle.

Name composed of dis, two, and arren man, from
the two stamens.

1. D. Americana, Beaur. (Twin Grass). Shaded
river banks and woods, Ohio to Illinois, and south-
ward.

28. DACTYLIS—Linezus. OrcLirp Grass.
GENERIC CIIARACTER.

Spikelets several-flowered, crowded in one-sided
clusters, forming a branching dense panicle. Glumes
and lower palet herbaceous, keeled, awn-pointed,

KOELERIA. 165.

rough ciliate on the keel, the 5 nerves of the latter:
converging into the awn-like point ; the upper glume
commonly smaller and thinner. Stamens 3. Grain
lance oblong, acute, free. Perennials ; leaves keeled.

Name from daktylis, a Greek word, signifying a
finger’s breadth, apparently in allusion to the size of
the clusters.

1. D.Glomerata (Rough Cocksfoot, Orchard Grass)...
See page 24.

239. KOELERIA, Pers. Kor.LEria.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3 to 7-flowered, crowded in a dense and.
narrow spike-like panicle,. Glumes and lower palet
membranaceous, compressed-keeled, obscurely 3-
nerved, barely acute, or the latter often mucronate or
bristle-pointed; the former moderately unequal,
nearly as long as the spikelet. Stamens 3. Grain
free. Tufted grasses (allied to Dactylis and Poa),
with simple upright culms; the sheaths often
downy.

Named for Professor G. L. Kohler, an early writer:
on grasses. e

~1. K. Cristata (Crested Koeleria). Dry, gravelly

places, Pennsylvania to Illinois, and westward. Va-
riety gracilis, with a long and narrow spike, the flow-
ers usually barely acute, Dry hills, Pennsylvania.
to Illinois ; thence northward and westward.

166 EATONIA.

30: EATONIA—Raf. ReEBouLEA, KUNTH.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets usually 2-flowered, and with an abortive
rudiment “or pedicel, numerous, in contracted or
slender panicle, very smooth. Glumes somewhat
equal in length, but very dissimilar, a little shorter
than the flowers ; the lower narrowly linear, keeled,
1-nerved ; the upper broadly obovate, folded round
the flowers, 8-nerved on the back, not keeled, scari-
ous-margined, Lower palet oblong, obtuse, com-
pressed, boat-shaped, naked, charataceous; the
upper very thin and hyaline. Stamens 3. Grain lin-
ear-oblong, not grooved. Perennial,{slénder grasses,
with simple and tufted culms, and often sparsely
downy sheaths, flat flower leaves, and small greenish
(or rarely-purplish) tinged spikelets.

Named for Professor Amos Eaton, author of a
popular manual of the botany of the United States,
which was for a long time the only general work
available for students in this country, and of other
popular treatises.

Gray.

1. E. Obtusata, Gray. Dry soil, Pennsylvania to
Wisconsin, aud southward: Flowers in June and
July. . a

2. E. Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Eatonia). Is a
common grass in moist woods and meadows through-
out the Northern States. Flowers in June and
July.

MELICA.—GLEYCERIA. 167

81. MELICA—Linn. Menic Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 5-flowered ; the 1 to 3 upper flowers
imperfect and dissimilar, convulate around each
other, and enwrapped by the upper fertile flower.
Glumes usually large, scarious-margined, convex,
obtuse, the upper 7 to 9-nerved. Palets papery-mem-
branaceous, dry and sometimes indurating with age;
the lower rounded or flattish on the back, 7—many-
nerved, scarious at the entire blunt summit. Stamens
3. Stigmas branched plumose. “Perennials with
soft and flat leaves. Panicles simple or sparingly
branched ; the rather large spikelets racemose-one-
sided.

An old name, from medi, honey.

1. M. Mutica-(Melic Grass). -Of which there are
several varieties, viz., M. Glabra, M. Diffusa. Rich
soils southeastern Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, and
southward.

<4

82. GLYCERIA—R. Br., Trin. Mawwa Grass.
GENELIC CHARACTER.

Lpikelets tirete or flattish, several— many-flowered;
the flowers mostly early deciduous by the breaking up
of the rhachis into joints, leaving the short and une-
equal | to 3-nerved membranaceous glumes behind.
Palets naked, of a rather firm texture, nearly equal ;
the lower rounded on the back, scarious (and some-

168 GLYCERIA.

times obscurely toothed) at the blunt or rarely acute
summit, glabrous, 5 to 7-nerved, the nerves parallel
and separate. Stamens 3 or in the first section
_ commonly 2. - Stigmas plumose, mostly compound.
Ovary smooth. Grain oblong,-free. Perennial, smooth
marsh-grasses, mostly with creeping bases or root-
stocks; the spikelets panicled.

Name from glykeros, sweet, in allusion to the taste
of the grain. -- :

1. G. Canadensis (Rattlesnake Grass). Bogs and
wet places. Common from Pennsylvania, northward.
Flowers in July.

2. G. Obtusa (The obtuse Spear Grass). An aquatic
erass. :

3. G. Hlongata (Long Panicled Manna Grass). Wet
woods and swamps, from New England to Michigan,
and northward.

4. G.Nervata (Meadow Spear Grass, Nerved Manna
Grass). Fowl meadow of many farmers in Eastern
States. See page 70.

5. G. Pallida (The Pale Manna Grass). Grows
mostly in shallow water. No value for cultivation.

6. G. Aquatic (The water Spear Grass, or Reed
Meadow Grass. See page 72.

7. G. Fluitans (The Floating meadow Grass, or
Common Manna Grass. See page 72.

8. Glyceria Acutifolia (Pointed Spear Grass). Re-
sembles F. Fluitans, but with smaller leaves, and

BRIZOPYRUM. 163

flowers twice the length. Wet places, Pennsylvania
to Maine. Rather rare.

9. G- Maratima (Goose Grass, Greeping Sea Mead-
ow Grass, Sea Spear Grass); Grows naturally near
the see, and is relished by stock of all kinds.

10. G. Distans (Clustered Spear or Reflexed
Meadow Grass). Similar to goose grass, but of less
value.

33. BRIZOPYRUM—Link. Spike Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets and numerous flours compressed, crowd-
ed in a densely spiked or capitate panicle. Glumes
herbaceous or membranaceaus; the lower faintly
many-nerved. Lower palet rather coriaceous, later-
ally much flattened, indistinctly many-nerved, acute.
Ovary stalked. Flowers diccious, pretty large.
Leaves crowded on the culms, involute, commonly
rigid. -

Name compounded of briza, the quaking grass,
and pyros, wheat.

1. B. Spicatum (Spike Grass). A salt marsh grass,
with creeping rootstocks ; stems from 10 to 18 inches
high, in tufts. Flowers in -\.gust.

170 POA.

34. POA—Linn. Mrsa>>w Grass, SPEAR GRASS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets ovate or lance ovate, laterally compressed,
several (2 to 10-flowered), in an open panicle; glumes
mostly shorter than the flowers, the lower smaller ;
lower palet membranaceo-herbaceous, with a delicate
scarious margin, compressed-keeled, pointless, 5-
nerved (the intermediate nerves more obscure or ob-
solete), the principle nerves commonly clothed at and
towards the base with soft hairs—upper palet mem-
branaceous, 2-toothed, base of the flower often cob-
webby; stamens 2 or 3; stigmas simply plumose ;
grain oblong, free; culms tufted, from perennial
roots, except No. 1; leaves smooth, usually flat and
soft.

Poa, an ancient Greek name for grass or fodder.

1. Poa Annua (Annual Meadow Grass or Low Spear
Grass.
SPECIFIC CILARACTER.

Culms flattened ; panicle often 1-sided ; spikelets
crowded, very short pedicelled, 3 to 7-flowered.
Common.

Poa Annua is not, as its name impiies, permanent,
yet being in flower at different periods during the
whole of the summer, it produces seeds even when
mown or fed, which spring again, and thus it forms
a part of the sward as constantly as if it were peren-
ennial. Cattle of every kind are fond of it, and it is
thought to have a peculiarly good effect in improving
the quality of the butter, though its produce is com-
paratively small.

POA. 171

2.. P. Compressa (Flat Stalked or Creeping Poa—
green grass, blue grass, wire grass). See page 46.

3. P. Alpina (Alpine or Mountain Poa). Isle Royal,
Lake Superior, Maine, and northward.

4, P. Laxa (Wavy Meadow Grass). High, rocky
hills, New York and New England, and northern
latitudes.

5. C. Cesia. Similar to Poa Nemoralis. Wood
meadow grass.

6. P. Serotina (Fowl Meadow Grass, False Red
Top). See page 49.

7. P. Pratensis (Smooth Stalked Poa—green or
common meadow grass, June grass, Kentucky blue
grass). See page 41.

8. P. Trivialis (Rough Stalked Poa, or Rough
Stalked Meadow Grass). See page 47.

9. P. Sylvestris, Gray (Sylvan Spear Grass). Found
in rocky woods and meadows, New York to Penn-
sylvania, and Virginia to Wisconsin.

10. P. Debilis (Weak Meadow Grass). Rocky
Woodlands from New England to Wisconsin.

11. Poa Alsodes, Gray (Wood Spear Grass). Woods
on hillsides, from New England to Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin.

12. P. Flexuosa (Southern Spear Grass). Dry
woods, Virginia, Kentucky, and southward,

ma

172 ERAGROSTIS.

_ 13. P. Brevifolia (Short Leaved Spear Grass). The
root leaves long, nearly equalling the stem. Rocky
or hilly woodlands. Pennsylvania to Virginia, and
westward.

14. P. Nemoralis (Wood Meadow Grass). Has the
peculiar property of flowering under the shade of
trees, which renders it valuable on land which either
contains forest timber, or which is closely fenced by
plantations, which is the case in almost all Gemesnes
in England.

In Mr. Taunton’s experiments the plants were
completely overpowered by other grasses. I found
the same difficulty in raising it this year, although I-
took every pains to clear the ground of weeds and
roots of grasses, and sowed a liberal quantity of seed,
yet the natural grass overpowered it and kept it
down. I have again cleared the ground thoroughly,
and will repeat the experiment by sowing again this
month (August).

35. ERAGROSTIS—Beauv. Eragrostis.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 70-flowered, nearly as in Poa, except
that the lower palet is but 83 (rarely 1) nerved, not
webby-haired at the base and deciduous, and the
upper one persistent on the rhachis after the rest of
the flower has fallen ; culms often branching ; leaves
linear, frequently involute, and the ligule or throat
of the sheath bearded with long villous hairs ; panicle
various. :

ERAGROSTIS. 173

An early name, probably from era, earth, and
agrostis, in allusion to the procumbent habit of the
original species.

1. Eragrostis Repians (Creeping Meadow ‘Grass).
Common, gravelly river borders. Flowers in August.

2. E. Poeoides (Strong Scented Meadow Grass).
Sandy waste places, eastward; scarce. Variety
Megastachya. Similar situations, and more com-
mon. Flowersin August. Emits a sharp, unpleas-
ant. odor.

\

3. E. Pilosa (The Slender Meadow grass). Sandy
or gravelly waste places, New England to Iinois,
and southward.

4. E. Frankii (Short Stalked Meadow). Low or
sandy ground in Ohio, [inois, and southwestward.

5. E. Purshii (Southern Eragrostis). Sandy or sterile
open grounds, New Jersey to Virginia, and south-
ward. m

6. E. Tenuis, Gray (Branching Spear grass).
Sandy soil, Illinois, Virginia, and southward.

7. E. Capillaris (Hair-panicled Meadow grass).
Leaves and sheaths hairy. Common, especially
southward. Flowers August and September.

8. E. Pectinacea (Meadow Comb grass.) Sandy,
dry ground, from Eastern Massachusetts, near the
coast, and from Ohio and Illinois, southward.

174 BRIZA.—FESTUCA.

36. BRIZA—Linn. QvUAKING Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets many-flowered, ovate or heart-shaped,
flattish tumid, the flowers closely imbricated ; glumes
roundish, unequal (purple); lower palet roundish
and entire, flattened parallel with the glumes, ventri-
cose on the back, heart shaped .at the base, papery
membranaceous and becoming dry, scarious mar-
gined, obscurely many-nerved, the upper palet much
smaller, ovate, flat; stamens 3; stigmas branched
plumose ; grain flattened, parallel with the palets,
adhering to the upper one; leaves flat; panicle
loose, diffuse, with the large and showy spikelets.
often drooping on delicate pedicels.

Whence the name, an ancient Greek appellation
for some kind of grain, from brizo, to slumber, or
britho, to bend downwards.

1. B. Media (quaking grass). See page 61.
There are orher species of this grass grown as orna-
mental grasses.

37. FESTUCA—Linn. Frscur Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER..

Spikelets 3-many-flowered, panicled or racemose,
the flowers not webby at the base; glumes unequal
mostly keeled; palets chartaceous or almost coria-
ceous, roundish (not keeled) on the back, more or
less 3 to 5 nerved, acute, pointed, or often bristle-

FESTUCA. 175

awned from the tip, rarely blunt, the upper mostly
adhering at maturity to the enclosed grain; stamens
1to3; flowers, and often the leaves, rather dry
and harsh.

An ancient Latin name. e

1. F. Myurus. Dry fields, New Jersey, Southern
Pennsylvania, and southward.

2. F. Tenella (Small Fescue). Dry sterile soil south-
ward.

3. F. Ovina (Sheep’s Fescue). See page 52.
4. F. Duriuscula (Hard Fescue). See page 53.

5. F. Rubra (The Red Fescue). This is a variety
of Festuca Duriuscula, slightly altered in habit from
growing always on light, dry, sandy soils. It is dis-
tinguished, however, by its creeping roots, broader
and generally darker-colored foliage, and producing
a smaller number of stems. From its creeping-rooted
habit, it is comparatively of little use to the Agricul-
turist, except for sowing on light, sandy sea-coasts
after the shifting sand has been consolidated.

Naturalized eastward ; wild, Lake Superior and
northward.

6. F. Elatior (Taller or Meadow Fescue). See page
55.

7. F. Futans (The Nodding Fescue). Panicle dif-
fuse, composed of several long, slender branches,
generally in pairs, nodding when ripe. Rocky woods
and copses. Culm 2 to 4 feet high, leaves often rather
hairy. Flowersin July.

"176 BROMUS.

38. BROMUS—Linn. Broom Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 5-many-flowered, panicled ; glumes un-
equal, membranaceous, the lower 1 to 5, the upper 3
to 9-nerved ; lower palet either convex on the back
or compressed-keeled, 5 to9-nerved, awned or bristle-
pointed from below the mostly 2-cleft tip, upper
palet at length adhering to the groove of the oblong

or linear grain; stamens 3; styles attached below

the apex of the ovary. Coarse grasses, with large
spikelets, at length drooping on pedicels thickened
at the apex.

An ancient name for the oat, from bromos, food.

1. Bromus Secalinus, (Chess, Cheat, Willard’s
Bromus).
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Panicle spreading, even in fruit, the drooping pen-
duncles little branched ; spikelets oblong-ovate, tur-
gid, smooth, 8 to 10 rather distant flowers ; lower
palet rather longer than the upper, short-awned or
awnless; sheaths nearly glabrous.

In England this plant is called goose grass. It is
a well-known weed in wheat and rye fields, and is
easily distinguished by its large hanging panicles,
lJarge drooping spikelets, and the seeds, when ripe,
somewhat resembling rye. These seeds when ground
amongst flour and made into bread, impart to it a
bitter taste, and are said to produce the same danger-
ous effects as those of the-bearded darnel (Lolium
Temeltum),

Flowers in June and July.

BROMUS. Lid

2. Bromus Racemosus (Smooth Broom or Upright
Chess). Is often mistaken for B. Secalinus ; it is also
eommon in grain fields. Worthless for cultivation,
except for green manuring.

3. B. Mollis (Soft Chess, or Soft Downy Broom
grass).

This is also a common weed in rye grass fields in
England, particularly the B, Racemosus. They both
grow much taller than the rye grass, and have large,
branching, drooping panicles, and are distinguished
from one another by the smoothness and downiness of
their spikelets ; the seeds.of B. Mollis are said to pro.
duce giddiness in the human species and quadrupeds,
and to prove fatal to poultry. In a sample of rye
grass seeds, itis very easy to detect B. Mollis or B.
Racemos, by their being larger, much broader tow-
ards the points, ete.

Flowers in June.

4. B. Kalmi, Gray (Wild Chess). Flowers in June
and July. :

5. B.Ciliatus (Fringed Broom grass). Flowers July
and August.

6. B. Asper.
7. B. Steriles (Sterile Broom grass). Rare.

8. B. Pratensis (Meadow Broom grass). Fibrous
rooted perennial, height two to three feet ; flowers
in July. Said to be a native of some parts-of Eng-

land.
From the softness and gréat length of the foliage

of this grass, it may turn out one of the most useful

178 UNIOLA.

in the genus, but as yet its properties are not suffi-
ciently known. Leaves long, slender, and pendu-
lous.

39. UNIOLA—Linn. SPIKE GRASS.
GENERIC CHARACTER,

_ Spikelets closely many flowered, very flat and 2-
edged, one or more of the lower flowers sterile
(neutral) and consisting of a single palet; glumes.
lanceolate, compressed-keeled. Lower palet coriaceo-
membranaceous, strongly laterally compressed and
keeled, striate-nerved, usually acute or pointed, en-.
tire, enclosing the much smaller compressed 2-keeled.
upper one and the free laterally flattened smooth grain.
Stamens 1 (orin U. Panticulata 3). Upright smooth
perennials, growing in tufts from strong creeping
rootstocks, with broad leaves and large spikelets in
an open or spiked panicle.

_ Anancient name of some plant, a diminutive of
unio, unity. ‘

1. U. Paniculata (Spike grass). Sand _ hills, sea-
shore, 8. Virginia and southward.

2. U. Latifolia (Broad Leaved Spike grass). Shaded
rich hill sides, 8S. Pennsylvania to Illinois, and south-
ward.

3. U. Gracilis (Slender spike grass). Sandy soil
from Long Island to Virginia, near the coast and

southward. Flowers in August; stem three feet
high.

PHRAGMITES.—ARUNDINARIA. 179

40. PHRAGMITES—7yin. Reuxzp.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3 to 7-flowered, the flowers rather distant,
silky villous at their base, and with a conspicuous
silky-bearded rhachis, all perfect and 3-androus, ex-
cept the lowest, which is either neutral or with 1 to
3 stamens, and naked; glumes membranaceous,
shorter than the flowers, lanceolate, keeled, sharp-
pointed, very unequal ; palets membranaceous, slen-
der, the lower narrowly awl-shaped, thrice the length
of the upper; squamule 2, large ;-styles long ; grain
‘free. Tall and stout perennials, with numerous
broad leaves and a large terminal panicle.

Phragmites, a Greek word, i.e., growing in
hedges, which this aquatic grass does not.

1. P. Communis (The Common Reed grass). A very
tall, broad-leaved grass. It looks at a little distance
like broom corn. Stem 5 to 12 feet high; leaves 2
inches wide; grows on the edges of ponds. This is
one of the largest grasses in the United States.

41. ARUNDINARIA—Mich. Cane.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Spikelets flattened, 5 to 14-flowered, the flowers
somewhat separated on the jointed rhachis ; glumes
very small, membranaceous, the upper one larger ;
palets herbaceous or somewhat membranaceous, the

180 LEPTURUS.

lower convex on the back, many-nerved, tapering

into a mucronate point or bristle; squamule 3, longer

than the ovary ; stamens 3; grain oblong, free. <Ar-

borescent or shrubbery grasses, simple or with fas-

cicled branches, and with large spikelets in panicles

or racemes, the flowers polygamous. .
Name from arundo, a reed.

1. Arundinaria Macrospirma (Large Cane). River
banks, 8. Virginia, Kentucky, and southward, for-
ming cane-brakes; the stems are extensively used
for fishing rods.

2. A. Tecta (Small Cane). Swamps and moist
soil, Virginia, Illinois, and southward.

42. LEPTURUS—R. Br. Leprurus.
GENERIC CHARACTER,

Spikelets solitary on each joint of the filiform rha-
chis, and partly immersed in the excavation, 1 to 2-
flowered ; glumes 1 to 2, including the 2 thin point-
less palets; stamens 3; grain free, oblong-linear,
cylindrical. Low and branching, often procumbent
grasses, chiefly annuals, with narrow leaves and
slender spikes.

Whence the name, from lepfos, slender, and oyTa,
a tail.

1. L. Paniculatus (Slender Tail grass). Open
grounds and salt licks, Illinois and westward. Rare.

LOLIUM. 181

43. LOLIUM—Linn. DaArRnet,
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets many-flowered, solitary on each joint of
the continuous rhachis, placed edgewise ; the glume,
except in the terminal spikelet, only 1 (the upper)
and external, otherwise nearly as in Triticum.

Ancient Latin name.

1. Lolium Perenne (Perennial Rye grass).See p. 80.
2. L. Italicum (Italian rye grass). See page 32.

3. L. Annum (Annual Rye grass). See page 34.
4, L. Temulentum (Bearded Darnel).«

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Root annual; culm taller, glume fully equalling
the 6 to 7-flowered spikelet; awn longer than the
flower (one-half inch long). Grain fields, rare. Grain
noxious, almost the only instance of the kind among

grasses.
Gray.

5. L. Multiforum (the Many-flowered Darnel). The
most showy of the rye grasses.

Cultivated to some extent in France; introduced
into England, but not much attention given its culti-
vation. Very rare in this country.

There are many varieties of the perennial rye grass
grown in England, amongst the best of which may
be enumerated Russell’s, Whitworth’s, Pacey’s,
Ruck’s, and many others of considerable merit.

182 TRITICUM.

44, TRITICUM—Linn. Waueart.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3-several-flowered, single at each joint,
and placed with the side against the rhachis; glumes
transverse (i. e., right and left), nearly equal and
opposite, herbaceous, nerved ; lower palet very like
the glumes, convex on the back, pointed or awned
trom the tip, the upper flattened, bristly-ciliate on
the nerves, free or adherent to the groove of the grain;
stamens 3.

The classical name, probably from ¢tritws, beaten,
‘because the grain is beaten out of the spikes.

The true species are annuals, with the glumes
ovate-oblong, turgid, and boat-shaped, as in common
wheat. Others are perennial, with nearly lanceolate

_ glumes, and 2-ranked spikes, never furnishing bread
corn.

(§ Agropyron, Geertn., to which the following be-
long.)

Flowers in summer.

1. Triticdm Repens, Zinn. (Couch, Quitch, or Quick
grass, Twitch grass, Dogs’ grass, Chandler grass,
etc.)

This well-known troublesome grass, of which there
‘are many varieties, is relished by cattle, both in a
green and dried state, but from its coarse nature is.
rather difficult to be cured for hay at the late season
of the year when it is fit for cutting for that purpose.
I have experimented with the large variety this year,
and am so well satisfied with the results, that I in-

HORDEUM. 183

s

tend sowing an acre of good land with it for summer
pasturage.

The single plants met with in gardens and amongst
field crops are certainly objectionable, on account of
their “‘long, creeping roots, branching in every di-
rection, taking complete possession of the soil, and
impoverishing it ;’ but when grown in a body this
is very much obviated, and very likely to counteract,
to a great extent, its scourging habits.

2. T. Dasytachyum, Gray. Sandy shores of Lakes
Huron and Superior, and northward.

3. T. Caninum (Awned Wheat grass). It has no
creeping rootstalks, like Couch grass. Is found in
woods and banks of streams, from New York to
Wisconsin, and northward.

45. HORDEUM—Linn, Barley.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 1-flowered, with an awl-shaped rudiment
on the inner side, three at each joint of the rhachis,
but the lateral ones usually imperfect or abortive,
and short-stalked ; glumes side by side in front of
the spikelets, six in number, forming a kind of invo-
lucre, slender, and awn-pointed or bristle form ;
palets herbaceous, the lower (anterior) convex, long-
awned from the apex; stamens 3; grain oblong,
commonly adhering to the palets ; spike often separ-
ating into joints. Ours are annuals or biennials, or

scarcely perennials.
Gray.
An ancient Latin name.

184 ELYMUS.

1. Hordeum Jubatum (Squirrel Tail grass). Com-
mon on moist sands and marshy places near sea
shore and northern lakes in Wisconsin, Iowa, and
Minnesota.

Flowers in June.

2. H. Pratense. Plains, especially in saline soil,
Ohio to Illinois, and westward.
Flowers in May and June.

3. H. Pussilum (Barley grass). Annual. Relished
by cattle.

46. ELYMUS—Linn. Lyme Grass, Witp Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2to4at each joint of the rhachis, all
fertile and alike, sessile, each 1 to 7-flowered; glumes
conspicuous, nearly side by side in front of the spike-
lets,'2 for each spikelet, forming an involucre to the
cluster. Palets coriaceous, the lower rounded on
the back, acute or awned at the apex ; grain adherent
to the involving palets.

‘Whence its name, an ancient one for some grain,
from elyo, to roll up.

1, K. Virginicus (Lyme grass, Wild Rye). River
banks, from New England to Illinois, and Wiscon-.
sin.

2. H. Canadensis (Canadian Lyme grass). Common
on river banks; also Var. Glaucifolias, same.

* GYMNOSTICHUM. 185

3. E. Sibericus (Siberian Lyme grass). See page
74.

4, KE. Striatus (Slender, Hairy Lyme grass). Of no
agricultural value.

5. E. Mollis (Soft Lyme grass). Shore of the Great
Lakes, Maine and northward,

6. E. Arenarius (Upright Sea Lyme grass). See
page 75.

47. GYMNOSTICHUM~—Screb. BottrLe Brusu
-GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 3 or sometimes solitary on each joint
of the rhachis, raised on a very short callous pedi-
cel, loosely to to 4-flowered (when solitary flatwise on
‘the rhachis); glumes none, or small, awnlike, and
deciduous.

Whence the name, gymnos, naked, and stichos,
rank. Otherwise nearly as in Elymus.

1. G. Hystrix (Bottle Brush grass). The spike
has the appearance of a bottle brush, when ripe.
Moist woodlands. ‘Flowers in July.

186 DANTHONIA.—AVENA.

48. DANTHONIA—De Candolle. Wuip Oat
= GRASS.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Lower palet (oblong or ovate, rounded, cylindra-
ceous, 7 to 9-nerved) bearing between the sharp-
pointed or awn-like teeth of the tip an awn composed
of the 3 middle nerves, which is flattish and spirally
twisting at the base, otherwise nearly asin Avena;
glumes longer than the imbricated flowers. Ours
perennials, 1 to 2 feet high, with narrow and soon
involute leaves, hairy sheaths bearded at the throat,
and a small, simple panicle or raceme of about 7-flow-
ered spikelets.

Named from Danthoine, a French botanist.

1. D. Spicata (Wild Oat grass, White Top, Old.
Fog). Is common in dry, sunny pastures. Flowers
in June.

2. D. Sericea (Taller Wild OatGrass). Taller than
D. Spicata, and not tufted; 1 to 3 feet high. Dry
or moist sandy soils, Southern Massachusetts, New
Jersey, and southward. Flowers in June.

~

49. AVENA—Linn. Oat,
GENERIC CHARACTER.

e
Spikelets 2 to many-flowered, panicled, the flowers
. herbaceo-chartaceous,or be coming harder, of firmer
texture than the large and mostly unequal glumes,

TRISETUM. 187

the uppermost imperfect ; lower palet rounded on
the back, mostly 5 to 11-nerved, bearing a long, usu-
ally-bent twisted awn on the back or below the
acutely 2-cleft tip proceeding from the mid-nerve
only; stamens 3; grain oblong, linear, grooved on
one side usually hairy, at least at the top, free but
invested by the upper palet.

The classical Latin name.

The common oat. Avena Sativa represents the
large-flowered annual species of the Old World. The
following are smaller-flowered, indigenous peren-
nials :

1, A. Striata (Purple Wild Oat). Rocky, shaded
hills, New England, New York, and northward.

2. A. Smithii (Smith’s Oat Grass). Grows from
two and a half to four and a half feet high. Woods
near Sault Ste. Maine.

3. A. Flavescens (Yellow Oat grass). See page 58).

4. A. Pratensis (Meadow Oat grass). Native of the
pastures of Great Britain. Flourishes best on dry
soils, and furnishes a medium quality of hay.

50. TRISETUM—Persoon. TRISETUM.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to several-flowered, often ina contracted
panicle,the lower palet compressed-keeled, ofabout the
same membranaceous texture as the glumes, bearing

188 AIRA.

a bent or flexuous (rarely twisted) awn below the
sharply 2-toothed or two pointed apex.
Whence the name, from ¢ris, three, and seta, a
bristle.
Otherwise nearly as in Avena. Ours are perennials.
: Gray.

1. T. Subspicatum, Beauv. Var. molle (Downy
Persoon). Found on rocky river banks, from New
England to Wisconsin, and northward. Flowers in
July. About 1 foot high ; leaves fiat, short.

2. T. Palustre (Marsh Oat grass). Low grounds
Southern New York to Illinois and northward.

3. T. Pubescens (the Downy Oat grass), See
page 60.

1

51. AIRA—Linn. Harr Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets small in an open diffuse panicle, of 2 per-
fect flowers and often with the pedicel or rudiment of
a third, all usually shorter than the membranaceous-
keeled glumes, and hairy at the base, the upper re-
motish ; lower palet thin and scarious, 2-cleft or else
truncate, and mostly denticular or eroded at the sum-
mit, bearing a slender bent or straight awn on its
back, commonly near its base; stamens 3; styles
plumose to the base; ovary glabrous; grain oblong.

An ancient Greek name for Darnel.

AIRA. 189

1, A. Flexuosa, (Wood Hair Grass, or common
Hair Grass.)

Remarks. This Grass is also called Zigzag Hair
Grass. Height one and a half to two feet ; flowers in
June and July. Grows naturally on healthy soits in
England, and has been recommended for sowing on
such, but as its chief produce consists in culms or
stems with very little foliage, and few joints, and as
cattle do not seem to relish the former, it is scarcely
deserving of culture, except perhaps, in small quan-
tities as a mixture on moorish soils, This is a com-
mon Grass in this country on dry and rocky hills
and roadsides. Itis sometimes found ata high alti-
‘tude on mountains ana hills above the level of the
sea. Sheep eat it readily.

2. A. Cespitosa. Tufted Hair Grass.
SPECIFIC CILARACTER.

Culm tufted, 2 to4 feet high, leaves flat, linear,
panicle pyramidal or oblong, 6 inches long, awn
straight, barely equaling the palet. Shores of lakes
and streams ; common Northward. Flowers in June-
and July.

Flowers in latter end of July in England. Grows
naturally on rather superior marsh or damp soils,
forming large tufts or hassocks, as they are some-
times termed ; and asthe grass is scarcely eaten by
domestic animals, it becomes the business of the
farmer to extirpate these as soon as possible, not
only on account of their unsightly appearance, but
because they occupy aconsiderable portion of the
soil which would otherwise be capable of producing
more valuable grasses, particularly as these tufts or

190 ARRENATHERUM AVENACEUM.

hassocks are generally the most predominant on the,
best.of soils. The most effectual manner of accom-
plishing this is to root them fairly out with a large
hoe, afterwards stirring the soil and scattering in a
few seeds of any of the strong or superior fast grow-
ing grasses, such as the orchard grass, or agrostis,
stolonfera, &c.

8. Aira Praecox. Sandfields—New Jersey to Vir-
ginia, rare. Naturalized from Europe.

4. A. Caryophyllea. Dry fields, Nantucket ; also
New Castle, Delaware.

5. A. Atropurpurea. “(Purple Alpine Hair Grass.)
Alpine tops of the White Mountains, and those of
Northern New York.

6. A. Aquatica. (Water Hair Grass.) This is an
aquatic grass but can be cultivated on marshy
grounds. It is one of the sweetest of British grasses,
and cattle are very partial to it. Water fowl feed on
the seeds of this grass.

52. ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM. Beauv.
Oat GRass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets open panicled, 2-flowered with the rudi-
ments of a third flower; the middle flower perfect
its lower palet barely bristle-pointed from near the
tip ; the lowest flower staminate, only bearing a long
bent awn below the middle of the back.

HOLCUS.—HIEROCHLOA. 191

Whence the name, from arren, masculine, and
ather, awn, otherwise as in Avena. of which it is
only a peculiar modification.

1. A. Avenaceum (Tall Meadow Oat Grass,) or
tall Oat Grass. See page 37.

58. HOLCUS. Linn. Mrapow Sorr Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets crowded in an open panicle, 2-flowered,
jointed with the pedicils ; the boat-shaped membran-
acious glumes enclosing and much exceeding the
remotish flowers. Lower flower perfect ; its papery
or thin coriacious lower palet awnless and pointless ;
the upper flower staminate, otherwise similar, but
bearing a stout. bent awn below the apex. Stamens
3, styles plumose to the base, grain free.

An ancient name, from olkos, attractive, of obscure
application.

1. H. Lanatus (Woolly Soft grass, or Meadow Soft
grass, Velvet grass). See page 62.

2. H. Mollis (the Creeping Soft grass). See page 64.

54, HIEROCHLOA—Gamelin. Hoty Grass.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 3-flowered, open panicled, the flowers all
with 2 palets, the two lower (lateral) flowers stamin-

192 ANTHOXANTHUUM ODORATUM.

ate only, 3-androus, sessile, often awned on the mid-
dle of the back or near the tip, the uppermost
(middle) one perfect, short pedicelled, scarcely as
long as the others, 2-androus, awnless; glumes equal-
ling or éxceeding the spikelet ; scarious—palets char-
tazeous. Perennials; leaves flat.

Name composed of zeros, sacred, and chloa, grass,
these sweet-scented grasses being strewn before the
church doors on saints’ days, in the north of
Europe.

1. H. Borealis (Vanilla or Seneca grass). Moist
meadows ; of little value for cultivation. Flowers in
May.

2. H. Alpina (Alpine Holy grass) Is found on
mountain tops in New England and New York, and
northward.

55. ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM—Linn.
SWEET VERNAL GRASs.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets spiked panicled, really 3-flowered, but
the lateral flowers neutral, consisting merely of one

palet, which is hairy on the outside and awned on the
back, the central (terminal) flower perfect, small, or

2 awnless chartaceous palets, 2 androus; glumes
very thin, acute, keeled, the upper about as long as
the flowers, twice the length of the lower ; squamu-
lee none ; grain ovate, adherent.

PHALARIS. 193

Name compounded of anthos, flower, and anthon,
of flowers. L.

1, A, Odoratum (Sweet Scented Vernal). See
page 57.

S06 PHALARIS—iim, Caxae Guxcs.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets crowded in a clustered or spiked panicle,
with 2 neutral mere rudiments (a scale or pedicel) in
place of lateral flowers, one‘on each side, at the base
of the pereect one, which is flattish, awnless, of 2
shining palets, shorter than the equal boat-shaped
and keeled glumes, finally coriaceous or cartilagin-
ous, and closely enclosing the flattened, free, and
smooth grain ; stamens 3; leaves broad, mostly flat.

The ancient name, from phalos, shining, alluding |
either to the palets or grain.

1. P. Canariensis (The Common Canary grass).
This grass is cultivated for the sake of its seed for
the canary bird. Flowers in Tuly and August.

Waste places and roadsides, from Massachusetts to
Pennsylvania.

2. P. Arundinacea (Reed-like Canary grass).

Remarks.—A dark, reddish-color seed, long,smooth
and shining root, creeping height 4 to 6 feet ; flowers
in July. Grows naturally on alluvial soils by the
sides of rivers, lakes, pools, etc. According to the
experiments of Sir H. Davy, this grass contains a-
considerable portion of nutritious matter, but from

194 MILIUM.— AMPHICARP UM.

its coarseness, cattle in general refuse to eat it, but
are said to, eat it if cut into chaff and mixed with
other food. It yields a vast bulk of hay, which in
some parts is found very convenient for littering
cattle.

The common Gardener’s Gaiter is a variety of this
grass.

57. MILIUM. MILLET GRaAss.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

‘Spikelets diffusely panicled, not jointed with their
pedicels, apparently consisting of 2 equal membran-
aceous convex and awnless glumes, including a single
coriaceous awnless flower, but theoretically the lower
glume is wanting, while an empty single palet of the
lower (neutral) flower, resembling the upper glume,
fulfils its office, and stands opposite the narrow up-
per palet of the terete fertile flower ; stamens 3 ; stig-
mas branched, plumose ; grain not grooved, enclosed.
in the palets, all deciduous together.

The ancient Latin name of the Millet, which—how-
ever, belongs to a different genus—probably from

mille, a thousand, because of its fertility.
Gray.

1. M. Effusium (Millet grass). Of very little agri-
cultural value.

58. AMPHICARPUM.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets joined with the apex of the pedicels, ap-
parently 1-flowered, of two kinds; one kind in a ter-

PASPALUM. 195

minal panicle, like those of milium, except that the
rudiment of the lowest glume is ordinarily discerni-
ble, and deciduous from the joint, without ripening
fruit, although the flower is perfect; the other kind
solitary at the extremity of slender, runner-like radi-
cal peduncles (which are more or less sheathed
towards the base) much larger than the others, per-
fect and fertile, subterranean, fertilized in the bud ;
the enwrapping glume and similar empty palet many-
nerved. Flower oblong or ovoid, pointed. Stamens
3—small in the radical flowers, Stigmas plumose,
deep purple. Grain not grooved, in the radical flow-
ers very large, the embryo next the lower palet.
Neutral palet somewhat exceeding the glume and the
fertile flower.

Name from amphikarpos, a Greek word, signifying
doubly fruft-bearing.

1. Amphicarpum (Double-bearing Amphicarpum),.
Moist, sandy pine barrens New Jersey and in the
Southern States. Flowers in September.

59. PASPALUM. PASPALUM.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Spikelets spiked or’ somewhat racemed in 2 to 4
rows, on one side of a flattened or filiform continu-
ous rhachis, jointed with their very short pedicels,
plano- convex, awnless, apparently only 1-flowered,
as in Milium, but on the other hand differing from
Panicum merely in the want of the lower glume,

196 PANICUM.

which, however, is occasionally present in some spe-
cies, as a small scale; glume and empty palet-few-
nerved ; flower coriaceous, mostly orbicular or ovate,
flat on the inner sidé, convex on the outer; sta-
mens 3.

Said to have been an ancient Greek name for
Millet.

1. Paspalum Fluitans (Floating Paspalum). River
swamps, Virginia, Southern Ohio, Illinois, and south-
‘ward. Flowers in September and October.

2. P. Watterianum. Low and wet grounds New
Jersey and southward.

3. P. Setaceum (Hairy Slender Paspalum). Sandy
fields, from Massachusetts, [linois, and southward.
Flowers in August.

4. P. Leve (Smooth Erect Paspalum) Moist soil,
New England to Kentucky, and southward. Flowers
in August.

5. P. Distichum (Joint grass). Wet fields, Vir-
ginia and southward. Flowers in July and Sep-
tember.

6. P. Digitaria (Finger Shaped Paspalum). Slen-
der and sparsely flowered. Virginia and southward.

60. PANICUM. Pantc GRASS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets panicled, racemed, or sometimes spiked,
not involucrate, 14 to 2-flowered; glumes 2, but the

PANICUM. 197

lower one usually short or minute (rarely ever want-
ing), membranaceo-herbaceous, the upper as long as
the fertile flower; lower flower either neutral or stam-.
inate, of one palet, which closely resembles the upper
glume, and sometimes with a second thin one; upper
flower perfect, closed, coriaceous or cartilaginous,
usually flattish, parallel with the glumes, awnless,
except in Digitaria, enclosing the free and grooveless
grain; stamens 3; stigmas plumose, usually
purple.

An ancient Latin name of the Italian millet, P. Ital-
icum, now Setaria Italica. Thought to come from
panis, bread—some apecies furnishing a kind of
bread corn.

1. P. Filiforme (Slender Crab grass). Somewhat
resembling paspalum digitaria. Sandy soils near
the coast. Flowers in August.

2. P. Glabrum (Smooth Crab grass). Common in
cultivated grounds. A troublesome weed. Flowers
in August.

3. P. Sangninale (Common Crab or Finger grass).
In cultivated and waste grounds, a troublesome
weed. Flowers trom August to October.

4, P. Anceps (Double-headed Panic). Wet, sandy
soil, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to Virginia
and southward. Flowers in July and August.

5. P. Agrostoides (Agrostis-like Panic grass). Wet
meadows and borders of rivers, from Massachusetts
to Virginia, Illinois and southward. Flowers in July

and August.

198 PANICUM.

6. P. Proliferum (Prolific Panic grass). Grows on
brackish marshes, river banks and shores.
Cattle are fond of this grass. Flower in August.

7. P. Capillare (Hafr Stalked Panic grass, Old
Witch grass). Sandy soils and cultivated fields,
everywhere. Flowers in August.

8. P. Autumnale (Autumn Panic). Sand hills, Ma-
son county, Illinois, and southward.

9. P. Virgatum (Tall Smooth Panic grass). Moist
sandy soil; common—especially southward.

10. P. Amarum (Bitter, Panic). Sandy shores of
Connecticut, and southward. Flowers in August and
September.

11. P. Latifolium (Broad-leaved Panic grass).
Moist thickets; common, Flowers in June and
August.

12. P. Clandlistinum (The Hidden-flowered Panic
grass). Low thickets and river banks; common.
Flowers from June to September.

18. P. Microcarpan. Dry, moist thickets, Penn-
sylvania and Michigan to Dlinois, and southward.
Flowers in July and September.

14. P. Xanthophysum (Yellow Panic grass).
Plant yellowish green. Sandy soil. Maine to Wis-
consin, and northward. Rare. Flowers in June.

15. P. Viscidum (Sticky Panic grass). Densely
velvety, downy all over, including the sheath. Damp

PANICUM. 199

soil, New Jersey to Nirginia, and southward. Flow-
ers in August.

16. P. Pauciflorum (Few-flowered Panic). Is found
in wet meadows and copses, Massachusetts. to Wis-
consin, and southward. Flowers in June and
July.

17, P. Dichotomum (Polymorphus Panic). Is com-
mon in all parts of the country on dry and low
grounds. Flowers in June and August.

18. P. Depauperatum (Worthless Panic). Stems
simple, forming close tufts. Dry woods and hills.
Rather common. Flowers in June.

19. P. Verrucosum (Warty Panic). Spikelets oval,
roughish, with warts, dark green.

New England to Virginia, and southward, in sandy
swamps near the coast. Flowers in August.

20. P. Crus Galli (Barn Yard Grass). This grass
is relished by stock, and is deserving cultivation. It
grows on moist, rich, or manured soils, and ‘along
the coast in ditehies, Flowers in September and Oc-
tober.

if

21. P. Millaceum (Common Millet).
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Flowers in large, open, nodding panicles; leaves
lJance-shaped, broad; stem 1 to 2 feet high. Native
of Turkey.

Flint.

200 SEPTARIA.

This grass has long been cultivated in this country,
but has often been confounded with other varieties.
Common millet, p. millaceum, grows in a panicle,
and has something the appearance of dwarf broom
corn. It grows about three feet high, and has a dense
mass of leaves and stalks, furnishing a large amount
ot forage for cattle. It bears a good crop of seed, but
as this does not ripen together, it is more valuable
as afodder crop. It is generally conceded that it re-
quires a dry, rich soil, with any fertilizer, and may.
be sown any time in the spring, from the middle_of
April to the end of June. If for fodder, broadcast,
at the rate of one to one rnd a half bushels of seed
per acre. If sown in drills, twelve quarts will be
be sufficient. It is necessary to have the land smooth,
and cover evenly, not too deep,, and roll afterwards.
Harvest when the seed is swelling, and cure same as
Timothy. The seeds weigh 40 lbs. to the bushel.

61. SETARIA—Beauv. Bristiy Foxrarit Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Spikelets altogether as in Panicum proper, and
awnless, but with the short peduncles produced be-
yond them into solitary or clustered bristles resem--
bling awns, but not forming an involucre; inflores.
cence a dense spiked panicle, or apparently a
cylindrical spike. Annuals, in cultivated or manured
grounds, with linear or lanceolate flat leaves, prop-
erly to be regarded as merely a sub-genus of Pan-
icum.

Name from seta, a bristle.

1. 8. Verticillata (The Bristly Foxtail).

SETARIA. , 201
SPECIFIC CHARACTER,

Spike cylindrical (2 to 3 inches long, pale green),
composed of apparently whorled short clusters;
bristles short, adhesive. Found near dwellings,
though rarely.

2. §. Glauca (Bottle grass—sometimes called Fox-
tail),

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Spike cylindrical, dense, tawny yellow (2 to 4 in.
long) ; bristles 6 to 11 in a cluster, much longer than
the spikelets, perfect flower, transversely wrinkled ;
stem from 1 to 3 feet high ; very common in stubble.
Flowers in July.

3. 8. Viridis (The Green Foxtail ; also called Bottle
grass). 4

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Spike nearly cylindrical, more or less: compound,
green ; bristles few, longer than the spikelets; per-
fect flower, striate lengthwise and dotted ; common
in cultivated ground.

4. §. Italica (Italian Millet or Bengal grass).

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

. Spike compound, interrupted at the base, thick,
nodding (6 to 8 in. long), yellowish or purplish) ;
2 or 3, in a cluster, either much longer, or else shorter
than the spikelets.

202 CENCHRUS

Bengal grass is a native of India, where it bears the
name of Congue. It has been introduced into, and
acclimated in this country many years ago. It differs
from Setaria Germanica, by having a stronger spike,
larger seed, and requiring a warmer climate to bring
it to maturity. Otherwise it is nearly the seme. The
method of cultivation observed and practiced with
Millet and Hungarian grass will apply to’ Setaria
Italica. The three grasses have done remarkably
well with me this season. The drought did not affect
them.

5. 8. Germanicum (Hungarian Grass, Bristly Fox-
tail Grass). This grass has been cut and housed with
me this season, inside of seventy days, and has fully
borne out the Prairie Farmer’ s recommendations of
it, for which, and directions for its cultivation, see
page 76.

s

62. CENCHRUS—L. HepGeEnoc or Bur Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets as in Panicum, awnless, but enclosed 1
to 5 together in a globular and bristly or spiny invo-
lucre, which becomes coriaceous and forms a decid-
uous hard and rigid bur, the involucre sessile in a
terminal spike. Styles united below.

An ancient Greek name of Setaria Italica.

1, C. Tribuloides (Bur grass or Hedgehog grass).
Grows in sandy soils near the salt water, where the

TRIPSACUM. “ 203

spikes assume a whitish appearance; and around the

great lakes and larger rivers. A vileand troublesome
weed.

63. TRIPSACUM—L. Gama Grass, SESAME GRASS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets-moncecious, in jointed spikes, which are
staminate above, and fertile below; staminate spike-
lets 2, sessile at each triangular joint of the narrow
rhachis, forming a 1-sided and 2-ranked spike longer
than the joints, both alike, 2-flowered ; glumes cori-
aceous, the lower (outer), 1-nerved, the inner one
boat-shaped ; palets very thin and membranaceous,
awnless ; anthers—turning orange or reddish brown
—opening by 2 pores at the apex; pistillate spikelets
single, and deeply imbedded in each oblong joint of
the cartilaginous thickened rhachis, occupying a
boat-shaped recess, which is closed by the polished
and cartilaginous ovate outer glume, the inner glume
much thinner and pointed, 2-flowered—the lower
flower neutral, palets very thin and scarious, point-
less; styles united ; stigmas very long (purple) his-
pid ; grain ovoid, free; culms stout and tall, solid,
from very thick creeping rootstocks; leaves broad
and flat. Spikes axillary and terminal, separating
spontaneously into joints at maturity.
~ Name from ¢rido, to rub, perhaps in allusion to the
polished fertile spot.

1. T. Dactyloides (Gama grass or Sesame grass).
Stout, coarse, and hardy, although not considered of

ve

204 ERIANTHUS.

much value where better could be grown. Grows on
moist soils near the coast, New England to Pennsyl-
vania and Illinois, and common in Louisania.

64. ERIANTHUS. Woortty BEARD GRass.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets spiked in pairs upon each -joint of the
slender rhachis—one of them sessile, the other pedi-
celled—otherwise both alike, with the lower flower
neutral, of one‘ membranaceous palet, the upper per-
fect, of 2 hyaline palets, which are thinner and shorter
than the nearly equal membranaceous glumes, the
palet awned from the tip ; stamens 1 to3; grain free.
Tall and stout reed-like perennials, with the spikes
crowded in a panicle, and clothed with long, silky
hairs, especialy in a tuft around the base of each
spikelet.

Whence the name, from erion,-wool, and anthos,
flower.

1, E, Alopecuroides (Woolly Beard grass).
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Culm 4 to 6 feet high, woolly bearded at the joints;
panicle contracted, the silky hairs longer than the
spikelets, shorter than the awn ; stamens 2. “

Wet pine barrens, New Jersey and southward ;
rare. Flowers in September and October.

2.-E. Brevibarbis (Short-awned Woolly Beard.)

ANDROPOGON. 205

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Culm 2 to 5 feet high, somewhat bearded. at the
upper joints ; panicle rather open ; silky hairs shorter
than the spikelets.

Low grounds, Virginia and southward.

65, ANDROPOGON. Bearp Grass.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Spikelets in pairs upon each joint of the slender
rhachis, spiked or racemed, one of them pedicelled
and sterile, often a mere vestige, the other sessile,
with the lower flower neutral, and of a single palet,
the upper perfect and fertile, of 2 thin and hyaline
‘palets, shorter than. the herbaceous or chartaceous
‘glumes, the lower awned from the tip, ; stamens 1 to
3; grain free. Coarse, mostly rigid perennials, mostly
in sterile or sandy soil, with lateral or terminal
spikes, commonly clustered or digitate ; the rhachis
hairy or plumose-bearded, and often the sterile or
staminate flowers also.

Whence the name, composed of aner, andvos, man,
and pogon, beard.

1. A. Furcatus (Finger Spiked Wood grass). This
grass grows about 4 feet high, leaves nearly smooth,
spikelets roughish, downy ; the awn bent. Flowers
in September.

Common on sterile soils, rocky banks, and hill-
sides.

206 SORGHUM.

2. A. Scoparius (Purple Wood grass, Broom
grass). This grass grows from one to three feet high;
is found on sterile sandy soils. Flowers from July
to September.

3. A. Argenteus (Silver Beard grass). Stems rather
slender, 1 to 3 feet high; spikes in pairs, on pedun-
cles, exceeding the sheaths, dense, and very silky.

-Common on sterile soils in Virginia, and south-
ward.

Flowers in September and October.

4. A. Virginicus (Virginia Beard grass). Stem,
flattish below, slender, 2 to 3 feet high. Sandy soil,
Massachusetts to Virginia, Illinois and southward.
Flowers from September to October.

5. A. Macrorus (Cluster-flowered Beard. grass).
Stem stout, 2 to 3 feet high, bushy, branched at the
summit; numerous spikes, forming thick, leafy clus-
ters. Low and sandy grounds, New York to Virginia,
near the coast, and southward. Flowers from Sep-
tember to October.

66. SORGHUM. Broom Corn.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2 to 3 together on the ramifications of an
open panicle, the lateral ones sterile or often reduced
merely to their pedicels, only the middle or terminal
one fertile, its glumes coriaceous or indurated, some-

SORGHUM. 207

times awnless, otherwise nearly as Andropogon ;
stamens 38.

The Asiatic name of S.Vulgare, the Indian Millet,
to which species belongs Guinea Corn, Broom Corn,
the Sweet Sorghum, and other cultivated races.

1. S. Nutans (Indian grass, Wood grass). Stem
from 3 to 5 feet high ; leaves linear, lanceolate-glau-
cous, sheaths smooth, the perfect spikelets at length
drooping (yellowish or russet brown and shining),
hairy at the base, awn twisted.

Dry soil. Common, especially southward.

Flowers in August and September.

2. S. Vulgare (Indian Millet Guinea Corn). In 1824
the seeds of the genuine Guinea grass was introduced
into Cuba, and in a few years changed the economy
of agricultural operations in the interior of the
Island.

From Cuba it was introduced into Florida,
and soon established its superiority over sev-
eral other grasses that went by that name. Its
cultivation has been principally confined to the
Southern States ever since, where it is considered a
necessary and valuable crop. It is sown either in
drills or broadcast, same as sorghum or corn.

3. Sorghum Saccharatum (Broom Corn).

* SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Leaves linear, ligules short and hairy; panicle with
long, loose, expanding branches ; annual.

Flowers in August, growing from six to nine feet
high.

208 SORGHUM:

This well-known plant is a native of India. Its
panicles are used for brooms, and the seeds for poul-
try, swine, etc. :

The immense quantities of brush, as the panicle of
broom corn is called, which is manufactured into
brushes and brooms, may easily be imagined, from
the large number of those useful articles in daily
use throughout the land.

The culture of broom corn is similar to that of
Maize or Indian Corn. Early planting and careful
tending. The cultivator should be kept going, close
up to the rows, till the advance of the plants renders
further work rather difficult. In the Mohawk Val-
ley, where it has been successfully cultivated for
many years, Gray’s broom corn drill is used for
drilling it in. The apparatus is gauged so as to
drop four or five seeds at a time, the droppings or hills
nine inches apart, the rows two feet nine inches wide,
thus bringing it closer than the common corn. The
stalk, in consequence, is slender, making a finer
brush. This machine marks the rows, and , plants
and covers at the same time. A man and horse will
work it.

There are two kinds of Broom Corn usually grown
—the Mohawk and theEvergreen. This latter is con-
sidered the most profitable to grow, yielding about
eight hundred pounds of brush per acre, while the
common or Mohawk kind yields about six hundred.
[Helmus Pier, Shaker agent, in 1871, planted three
acres of Shaker Dwarf Broom corn on Mohawk Flats,
and the produce, after cleaning, weighed 4,500
pounds, or at the rate of 1,500 lbs of clean brush per
acre. |

SORGHUM. 209

The common Mohawk kind is fit to cut when the
tops begin to redden. The Evergreen is cut as late
as the season. will admit, avoiding, if possible, the
frost. The frost hurts it, bleaching it, and reducing.
the weight. If pretty well matured, and gathered
before the frost, this variety makes a very fine arti-
cle, green and elastic. The color enhances the price.
The best brush is green and bright, and spongy,
without brittleness. The evergreen is of this kind,
and commands two or three cents per pound more
in market.

When the season arrives for gathering, the brush
is cut, leaving a butt or handle of about six inches
in length, and is laid in small heaps, followed by the
wagon, which carries it to the drying place, a barn
or building, the size agreeing to the amount
to be dried. It is cleared of its seed as it is
brought in, by a machine made for that purpose.
When relieved of its seed the brush is placed on
laths or narow boards, ranged a few inches apart, so
as to hold the brush, which is laid on crosswise. The
entire floor of the building (ifa barn, bays, and sheds
included), is thus covered with laths and brush—the
brush two or three thicknesses. If laid too thick, it
will not readily dry, and it is necessary to have it
as light as possible, and free from mould. Another
tier is laid about ten or twelve inches above this, and
so on to the roof. Ventilation is then given by re-
moving boards at proper distances out of the sides of
of the building. The circulation of air wants to be
free and full. It takes about thirty days thus to
dry the brush, which must be seen to and turned oc-
casionally. When dry it is pressed—a hay press
answering the purpose—two rows of brush, butts

210 SORGHUM.

outside, puttogether. It is pressed down hard, a
bale weighing about three hundred pounds. It is
then ready for market.

4, Sorghum Nigrum (Chinese Sugar Cane, Sorgho,
or Sorgho Sucre.)

This plant is well known throughout the United
States. It often attains the height of fifteen feet, ac-
cording to the soil on which it grows.- Erect at first,
jt appears like grass ; as it advances in growth, it re-
sembles Indian corn, and towards maturity Broom
corn, to which it is nearly allied.

Flowers in a panicle at the top, at first green,
changing through the shades of violet to purple when
more advanced.

Perhaps no plant has ever been introduced into the
Northern and Western States, which was better re-
ceived, and had more attention paid to its cultiva-
tion for two or three years than the Chinese sugar
cane. Its yield on favorable soils was in excess of
any crop hitherto cultivated ; and for soiling pur-
poses it was admirably adapted to the tastes of all
domestic animals. When allowed to mature: for
manufacturing purposes, the quality, more than the
quantity, was the principal object to obtain.

It has been satisfactorily ascertained, in the numer-
ous experiences in the reducing by evaporation of the
green juices of different lots of the cane, that that which
was grown on rich upland, or gravelly soils mixed
with a portion of loam, always yielded the richest
juice. 7

A three years’ experience of its cultivation and
manufacture convinces me of its superior worth and
excellence, as one of the finest and most useful crops

SORGHUM. 211

a farmer can grow on his land, whether for the man-
ufactured article, so healthy, palatable, and useful
for family use, or the plant for soiling or fodder for
stock of all kinds, which seem to relish it so much.
That a plant -so valuable should be laid aside so
quickly, can only be accounted for on the main
ground of its acquiring so much extra labor from the
already overburdened (with work) farmers every-
where ; that its cultivation for manufacturing pur-
poses, under the existing state of high-priced labor,
has to be abandoned; but for the use of cattle, it
can be as cheaply thisod as Indian corn grown for
the same purposes. I have cultivated it in various
ways, but have found sowing or dropping five or six
seeds in a hill, one foot apart in the row, cultivated
one way, to be the most satisfactory and profitable
method. -

The ground should be well prepared for it, by
ploughing in well-rotted manure, and, before harrow-
ing, sow fertilizers of some description, open drills,
three and a half or four feet apart ; drop seed, as al-
ready stated, five or six in a hill, one foot apart, and
cover lightly. Afterwards keep the cultivator going,
and one or two hand hoeings will, in most cases, be
sufficient.

Cut before being caught by the frost. A few forked
sticks, with rails stretched along them, will be found
a very expeditious and convenient method for stack-
ing, or rather placing the Sorghum against as it is
cut. Stand it well up on both sides. Ina day or so
it may be stripped, and, as soon as possible after-
wards, pressed, and boiled on the evaporator. This
latter mustbe done by an experienced hand, as many
a fine lot of sorghum has been spoiled by inexperi-

212 ZEA, MAIZE.

enced or careless operators. It will take from seven
to ten gallons gallons of green juice to make one of
salable syrups.

A few quarts of seed will be sufficient for an acre
in drills as above.

67. ZEA, MAIZE. Inp1an Corn.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Spikelets 2-flowered; flowers moneecious, the stam-
inate in terminal panicles ; glumes 2; pales awnless,
obtuse; the pistillate or fertile spikelets 2-flowered,
with the lower one abortive ; glumes 2, obtuse; pale
awnless; fruit compressed.

For an extended notice of this plant, see page 121.

CHAPTER IV.
Laying Lanps Down To Grass.

In order that the roots of the grass plants may
penetrate to such a depth below the surface as to be
out of danger from the effects of heat and evaporation
during the summer, a good depth of mould is requis-
ite ; and, on this account, it is better that the lands
designed for grass, especially where they are to be
preserved in a permanent state of sward, should in-

cline in some degree to moisture, or be rather reten-

tive of it, so as to keep that humidity which is
essential to the healthy and vigorous growth of
plants, without running the risk of being destroyed
by putrefying at the roots, from too much stagnant.
water enveloping them. On this principle, it is chiefly
that the more light and dry descriptions of soil are
better adapted to the production of grain than for
that of permanent grags.

In the laying down of lands to grass, the plants
must be suited to the quality of the soil, as some de-
light more in moisture than others; some succeed the
best in clayey soils, others in those of a loamy kind ;
some on such as partake of the nature of peat, and a
few in the calcareous sort.

214 LAYING DOWN LANDS TO GRASS.

As grasses vary materially in their manner of
growth, there should be a combination of those cir-
cumstances, in order to constitute good meadows,
_and also to contribute as much as possible to the sup-
port of live stock.

The different grasses which compose the produce
of the richest natural pastures in England are from
from twenty-six to thirty in number, and are fully
described in the first part of this work. From the
spring till the end of Autumn there is not a month
but what constitutes the particular season of lux-
uriance of one or more of these grasses; hence”
proceeds the constant supply of rich, succulent herb-
age throughout the whole of the season, a circum-
stance which but seldom or never happens in artificial
pastures, where the herbage consists of two or three
plants only.

If the best natural pastures be examined with care
during various periods of the season, the produce
will be found to consist of the following plants :

1. Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus Pratensis), May.

2. Tall Oat Grass (Arrhenatherum Avenaceum),
May.

3. Sweet Scented Vernal (Anthoxanthum Odora-
tum), May.

4. Annual Spear Grass (Poa Annua), May.

5. Orchard Grass (Dactylis Glomerata), beginning
of June.

6. Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium Perenne), begin-
ning of June.

7. Italian Rye Grass (Lolium Italicum), beginning
of June.

LAYING DOWN LANDS TO GRASS. 215

8. Sheep’s Fescue (Festuca Ovina), beginning of
June.

9. Hard Fescue (Festuca Duriuscula), beginning of
June.

10. Meadow Feats (Festuca Pratensis), beginning
of June.

11. Quaking Grass (Briza Media), beginning of
June. ;

12. Woolly Soft Grass (Holcus Lanatus), beginning
of June.

138. Wood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis), begin-
ning of June.

14. Floating Glyceria (Glyceria Fluitans), beste
ning of June.

White Clover (Trifolium Repens), beginning of

June.

The above grasses afford the principal herbage i in
the spring, and also a great part of the summer pro-
duce.

15. Timothy Catstail (Phleum Pratense), July.

16. Kentucky Blue Grass (Poa Pratensis), July.
17. Rough Stalked Meadow (Poa Trivialis), July.
18. Fowl Meadow (Poa Serotina), July.

19. Red Top (Agrostis Vulgaris), July.

20. Crested Dogstail (Cynosurus Cristatis), July.
21. Meadow Oat Grass (Avina Pratensis), July.
22. Yellow Oat Grass (Avina Flavescens), July.
23. Downy Oat Grass (Trisetum Pubescens), July.
24. Tall Fesctie (Festuca Elatior), July.

25. Nerved Manna Grass (Glyceria Nervata), July.

Which yield produce principally in summer and
autumn.

216 GRASS SEEDS.

Flat Stalked Poa (Poa Compressa), August.

Fiorin Broad Leaved Bent (Agrostis Stolonifeva),
August.

Yarrow (Achillea Milleafolium), August.

Which vegetate with most vigor in Autumn.

The preparation of land for'e grass seeds is of mate-
rial importance to the success of forming good grass
lands. From the fibrous nature of the roots of the
grass plants in most cases, and the diminutiveness
of the seeds, it is necessary that lands which are in-
tended to be laid down to a state of sward should be
always brought into as fine a state of pulverization
and mellowness as possible, before the seeds are
sown ; for the seeds can neither be sown with so
much regularity, nor vegetate in so equal a manner,
nor extend their roots and establish themselves at
_ first so effectually in the land, when the surface
mould is in a clotted, lumpy state. Besides, a rough,
uneven surface will require a much greater quantity
of seed than land witha dry finely pulverized,smooth
surface. é

A chain harrow, or.a grass one, should be used
when seeds are not drilled in. And if any doubts
exist about the quality of the seed, a much greater
quantity than is recommended should be sown.

CHAPTER V.
Grass SrEDs.—Selection, Mixture and Sowing of.

For want of distinguishing and selecting grasses
for seed, the Farmer in many instances, fills his pas-

GRASS BEEDS 217

tures with weeds, or bad and improper grasses, when
by making a right choice, after some trials, he might
be sure of the best grass, and in the greatest abund-
ance that his land ‘admits of.

Whether raising seeds for his own use or for sale
to seedsmen, too much particularity cannot be ob-
served by the Farmer. How often have farmers taken
seeds indiscriminately from their own hay lofts and
barn floors, or sent to their neighbors fora supply,
by which means, besides a certain mixture of all sorts
of rubbish (which must necessarily happen,) if
he chance to have a large proportion of good
seeds, it is not unlikely but that which he intends for
dry land may come from moist, where it grew natu-
rally, and the contrary.

The principal seedsmen of our large cities who
purchase their supplies from farmers, have too much
respect for their own and the characters of their res-
pective establishments, to sell, knowingly, worthless
or defective seeds, consequently the blame must rest
on the seed grower who furnishes other than the
choicest and most valuable seeds to them.

Grasses of the best kind cannot be collected at too
great an expense. If a farmer would be at the pains
of separating a pint of the different kinds of grass
seeds, and take care to sow them separately he would
have wherewith in a very little time .to stock his
farm properly, according to the nature of each
soil, and might at the same time, spread these seeds
distinctly over the country by supplying the seeds.
men.

As a mixture tor rich and superior soils, I have se-
lected the following grasses as being superior to all
others in nutritive qualities, early growth, produce,

218 GRASS SEEDS.

reproductive powers, permanency in the soil, and the
facilities they offer for their propagation by seed-
The proportions in which the seeds of the different
species should be mixed for permanent pasture :

Orchard Grass (Dactylis Glomerata)...... Sayed 24
Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus Pratensis)......... 10
Meadow Fescue (Festuca Pratensis)............ 28
Sweet Scented Vernal (Anthoxanthum Odoratum) 5
Rough Stalked Meadow (Poa Trivialis).......... 30
Timothy (Phieam. Pratense) s<:.vascccrseeys ees 15
Tall Oat Grass (Arrhenatherum Avenaceum) .... 5
Hard Fescue (Festuca Duriuscula).............. 20
Crested Dogs Tail (Cynosurus Cristatus)......... 26
Nerved Meadow Grass (Glyceria Nervata) .?..... 10
Wood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis).......... 15
Fiorin (Agrostis Stolonifera)................ 0565 5
Rye Grass (Lolium Perenne) .vess.sxexexyxny eas 25
Italian Rye Grass (Lolium Italicum)............ 20
White Clover (Trifolium Repens)............... 15
Alsyke Clover (Trifolium Hybridum) ........... 5
Red Clover (Trifolium Perenne) ................ 12
Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)...... ee ee . 4

The proper quantity of grass seeds to sow per acre
isa point of the greatest importance as regards to
the expense of the seed and the speedy formation of
the most valuable sward. Thecircumstances of soil,
tilth and weather, at the time of sowing, all influence
in a great degree the successful vegetation of the seed.
Should less seed be sown than is sufficient to furnish
every part of the soil with plants of grass, a propor-
tionate loss of time, labor and land will be suffered.
Minute vacancies of plants in a recently made past-

GRASS SEEDS. 219

ure, orin a field of seedling grasses may to general
observation, appear insignificant or escape observa-
tion altogether, but if these apparently minute de-
ficiencies which occur over the surface of an acre
be calculated, a difference perhaps of from ten to tif-
teen per cent in the produce will be found to exist
between a perfectly furnished surface of land, and
one where the deficiencies of plants are so minute as
scarcely to be perceived. :

In the most productive natural pastures no de
ficiencies of plants are to to be found, every part of
the surface is closely interwoven with plants and not
asin pastures artificially formed, of one or two
species of grass only, where the surface is merely
shaded or covered by the foliage of the comparative
thinly growing plants.

As already stated in the preceeding chapter, a
rough, uneven surface will require a much greater
quantity of seed than land with a dry, finely pulver- |
jzed, smooth consolidated surface. a

If the surface is wet at the time.of sowing, a great-
er quantity of seed will be required than otherwise
would be neccesary.

The seeds of most of the essential permanent past-
ure grasses are so small and light as to be readily
taken up in clumps by the harrow or roller passing
overa damp surface. It has been ascertained by carefu
experiments made by George Sinclair, that the small
er the number of different species of grasses that are
combined together ina pasture, the greater is the de-

‘ficiency of plants on any given space of land; this
is animportant fact to be considered in coming to
a just conclusion respecting the proper quantity of
grass seeds which should be sown on a given space

220 GRASS SEEDS.

of ground so as to furnish the surface of it at once
with the just sufficiency of plants.

When an excess of grass seeds is sown, the seeds
in general all vegetate, but the plants make little if
any progress until, from the want of nourishment to
the roots and the confined space for the growth of
the foliage, a certain number decay and give the re-
quisite room to the proper uumber of plants, and
that will be according as there are a greater or less
variety of different species combined in the sward.

Having ascertained the number of grass seed con-
tained in a given measure or weight of such seed and
comparing these with the number of square feet or
inches on the surface of an acre of ground the re-
sults will show the degree of closeness in which the
plants or grasses will stand from the use of any
given measure or weight of seed.

According to calculatious made by George Sinclair
with the seeds of most of the above grasses and plants
mixed in the different proportions, before stated, he
ascertained that one bushel of such mixtures of seeds
sown on an acre of land would afford but two seeds to
every square inch, while the most productive natural
pastures examined by him had seven plants to every
square inch.

Assuming that this statement isin the main cor-
rect, it would take at least three bushels of the mix-
ture to seed an acre of land without a grain crop.
Approximating this seeding, I will give it a more
comprehensive and practical form, by giving the
number of pounds of the seed of each grass requiréd
per acre, viz.:

Orchard Grass (Dactylis Glomerata)..... ....... 6

GRASS SEEDS. 221

Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurns Pratensis)......... 2
Meadow Fescue (Festuca Pratensis)............. 2
Sweet Scented Vernal (Anthoxanthum Odoratum) 1
Rough Stalked Meadow (Poa Trivialis)......... 2
Timothy (Phleum Pratense).:.................. 3
Tall Oat Grass (Arrhenathrum Avenaceum)..... 1
Hard Fescue (Festuca Duriuscula)............. 2
Crested Dogstail (Cynosurus Cristatis).......... 4
Nerved Meadow Grass (Glyceria Nervata)....... 2
Wood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis).......... 2
Fiortn (Agrostis ShOlOUMGTa) ase ss2scaxedewesene 1
Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium Perenne)......... 5
Italian Rye Grass (Lolium Italicum)............ 5
White Clover (Trifolium Repens)............... 4
Red Clover (Trifolium Perenne), 050s seiw woe nws 3
Alsvke Clover (Trifolium Hybridum)............ iL
Yarrow (Achillea Millefoliom,,....,.-005029ss0%0% i

47

This will give 47 pounds per acre, which is a lib-
eral seeding, and leaves a margin for worthless seeds,
imperfect sowing, etc.

Keeping in mind the importance of selecting such
species as blossom at different periods from May to
September. .For rich, loamy soils, the following
mixture is a suitable one:

LBS.
Orchard Grass... 2.00.26 cee ee ee ae 8
Meadow: MOxtailae orsaregegie taoucenivaisnnnswtiveleag 3
Sweet Scented Vernal.........---+ esse eeeeeeeeee 2
Meadow FOsCll@s ccc ence ncae setae eae oe manned eas 2

NIa (Git Paaia: cade war wand nH nanealedmetice 2

222 GRASS SEEDS.

Kentucky Blue Grass.......... ou Sinkeahenccenauad 4
Pevennial Wye QIASss ox ac cenmccnnGiiet casiecn 5
Ttalian Rye Grass. ...-.-. esse cece eee erences 4
Red Top, or R. I. Bent........ Ante emer comN eines ae
TMG NYS osunsanedcnn sow salen Ao nwnwinis eae eee @
Rough Stalked Meadow................eee eee 2
: Perennial -Clover.....<s2s4 esses sciaeenereenie ees 3
White Clover........ ssi ness bi aU NR RRA paella i)

45

This quantity is for an acre sown separately
When sown with a grain crop, 30 pounds of the mix
ture may be used.

Third mixture for permanent pasture :

LBS.
‘Orchard Grass............ eee lnc kastanet aay ctausaseesnmancniais 6
“Meadow FOxtail.... cosa. see scacee camank eeeen ia 4
Ward: Festu@ic2cvesne sesy oreo buen sarees 3
Meadow Fescue......... ce cece eee eee tienes 2
PINS GTASS ao tuh chee breath ean Balas pice ey Bien 3
Perennial, Rye Grass, «x.<e:veveraxecnusssnecens 6
Italian Rye Grass..:............6. srt eon OAc tics 4
TMG pe ynecuen nim owkuaatengoige ees eae ammiges 2
Yellow Oat Grags..............2.0005 intscccanda Wasans tes 2
US BE AIR 8 4 rl Gr 2 sce oC Ur 2
Rough Stalked MeadOwy cnc sex suaw sons cxneynes 2
Sweet Scented Vernal.............. 00. .0.0005 ae, He
Crested: Doestatl ....0 sian oaietg oeemenadoe das sees 2
‘Perennial Cloves asics cdiciacsie sas ee axa peas eae 2
White Clover.............. ish tie cha scteodanlned cadninemcreencoaes 4

GRASS SEEDS. 223

This is an excellent mixture for rich, loamy soils.

Fourth mixture for permanent pasture :

LBS.
Med Lope ceniewisneww ceeceoiwararineawarewswos 10
‘Yellow Oat Grass........ RAE an eioainan eeed 4
Downy Oat Grass........ ccc cece ee cee eens 4
Sweet Scented Vernal.......... ccc cee eee eee ee 1
June Grass scssanscwimersnseer cose er sceeen anes 4
Ward MOS CU). 2:4 sic csennlecnlaistaicse seuss otced 2 ogounbaeaadaaneas gadis 3
CHESEEM, DO SSA iissce dig acasing etree ae eerie tee nea agra ane gio 4
(QAR OTASS, « cenevey eeroniwesereniev raseeces 2
Aileglse (ere aco week eesees Reaseehe ames 4
Shamrock: Cloverin tc <ccica chia wis wid olla al gears aes 3
SUCKING COVER, «sce wgcg epee aio giegayerane gene be 3
Ribi GLrassio:as seus cerasies caver ves same neesewes 4
Warr Wisc cesscoiers 2 dada eG OTe Ame Me he 1

47

Nearly all those grasses are natural or indigenous
+o light, sandy or gravelly soils, and are the most
suitable ones for sowing on such.

Fifth mixture for permanent pastures much shaded

with trees: :

LBS.

Orchard Grass......5. 00sec ee cece e rece ennees 10
Wood Meadow Grass........0 cece cece ceee ewes 6
Rough Stalked Meadow......-....eseeeeeee eves 4
‘Sweet Scented Vernal......... 2.2. cece eee n eens 2
Trin” GQTASSi- ens cours oc MH ee TBE WER ee heed nce 6

Hard Fescue.......-.-++05: Be cbaatsl RRO Rae San anes 3

294. GRASS SEEDS.

Timothy. .scksar asec oier sore e see ners etee ens 3
Perennial Red Clover..........ce eet e eee eee eee 3
Wohite Gloverc:i cack nou wera eee ae ee eee RY 4
41
Mixture for permanent lawns:
LBS...
Keniwicy Bine Grats jar ep ieriesvetascassecan. 6
Sweet Scented Vernal............ cece cee eee eee 2
Red Top,.60 By TBO cnc: caw nase canis 1
NiondGar Moxtaty occa cvewiai vere rnseuegarei ies it
Hard Fescue....... peered ie ta aaea ender eed Reap mateas rs i
Meadow Fescue....... ccc cece cece eee n enc eee eens 2
Orcard: Grass: o.3 aaceos aeswidaan jaiae ce Ue ous 2
TinGtlicesnresvecsaxeke esbanetehaee see tae 1
Yellow: Oat Grasses sss. casera aeie ened ease eres, 2
Perennial Moye Grass yc os casein sa asa wea ewan 3
Halon: Rye Grigi.y:cvret<wsse ee ewes yrntensean 5
allt Oto peace a eees melee oe uetaeoeee 4
Perennial Red Clover........ 0.6000 cece eee e eens 4
Wihite Cloveriusiswasd china Sole een Be
Varrow .. cece cece ccaee Sy steers Cea elnaprad toe monGune aa 1
40

In lawn mixtures as in permanent pasture ones,
it is necessary to have the spring and summer flow-
ering grasses in order to preserve aluxuriant and fine
appearance throughout the season of verdure.

Mixture for marshy grounds:

GRASS SEEDS. 22%)

OCR Wiis 2:2 ake Sak dniwamsiuieoowawed bio weklw edad 4
POW Mead Ow oe ccdsde vues oesinedsee um aevaexeve 6
Hiloaeiug GiyCem a vas acca nineincveesencee red céve 4
Beed Canary Grage.....0..9.ceieecewsesa eee naenec 2
Rough Stalked Meadow.............cccc cece ees si
MEUINOTN Gc void ecmeenndasunrcaisasrapiaueres Moiorkie 5
WA PAGO agin tgok vwweayc hes era mated 4

41

The foregoing mixtures will serve as a basis, in
n connection with the study of the character, &., of
the grasses, for the making up of any desired mixture
which a farmer may require.

The advantages derived from sowing a number of
species of grasses, compared with sowing only one
or two in mixture, is so self evident from reasons al-
ready given, that it should be supposed few farmers
could be found to advocate the latter practice. But
unfortunately for the advancement of grass culture,
there are those and their name is legion who
still maintain the sufficiency of one or two species.

At the present time in England, half of the arable
land.in the Kingdom is supposed to be under mead-
ow and pasturage. The greater part of this land is
rented to farmers at extravagant prices.

Notwithstanding which their system of Grass cul-
ture embraces the circle of the useful grasses, from
the towering Timothy to the modest little Poa An-
nua all (nearly) alike receive the fostering care of
the husbandman, who is well repaid by this imita.
tion of nature in the speedy formation of a thick and
beautiful sward, producing a sweet and varied her-
bage grateful to the tastes of his animals, permanent

226 GRASS SEEDS.

in its duration and the admiration of every tourist
who travels through that well cultivated and beau-
tiful country.

As C. L. Flint in his valuable treatise remarks :

“The range of climate of the United States is so-
extensive, embracing, we may almost say the tropi-
cal heat on the one hand and the short summer and
severe winters of the Canadas on the other, that the
grasses adapted to one region would not even suc- -
ceed in another. Some grasses which are eminently
adapted to sandy soils of a moist climate’ will not
grow on similar arid soils in a drier climate and un-
der a hotter sun.”’ '

Every allowance therefore~ must be made
in favor of this country as regards the general ap-
pearance of both in the show of artificial meadow
and pasture lands. But I fail to perceive the advan-
tages Enelish farmers have over those of New York
state in either soil or climate in the cultivation of
grasses, notwithstanding the extremes of heat and
cold experienced here compared with England. In
general the weather experienced here during the
spring and fall seasons is superior to what prevails
during the same seasons in that country: Vegeta-
tion here is more rapid. The land here is more
easily cultivated and brought quicker into a proper
condition for the reception of seeds than the heavy
clay lands of England.

Several of the finest grasses now being cultivated
extensively in both countries are natives of this.

Timothy and Orchard grass both flourish here, un-
der circumstances that would be attended with only
partial success there. In general the crops of
Timothy, Orchard grass and Red clover raised in

GRASS SEEDs, 227

this state (N. Y.) are not excelled in any part of the
United Kingdom. G+

Iam satisfied from experience that others of the
valuable grasses will thrive under ‘proper manage.
ment equally as well here as in England. Itis also
an admitted fact that though grasses grown in a
moist and equable climate may appear more rich
and luxuriant, the nutritive -qualities of grasses
grown under greater heat and a drier climate are un-
doubtedly superior. It is therefore evident that we
must attribute the attractive appearance of the
artificial meadows and pastures of England over
those of New York state to other causes than that
of soil and climate.

In conclusion I will remark that the subject of
grass culture being one of national importance, and
regarded as the true basis of agricultural wealth and
prosperity to the country, has always been strongly
advocated by the foremost men of all classes. The.
illustrious Jefferson, who aided both by example and
writings; the venerable and philantrophic Judge
Peters, of Pensylvania; by the writings of that ex-
cellent and distinguished pioneer of agricultural
weeklies, J. S. Skinner, of Baltimore; Judge Bue
and his worthy successors, L. Tucker and son of
Albany; the indefatigable C. Flint, of Massachusetts,
whose writings are invaluable; and by the examples
and writings of the noblest men in the country of
the present day, whose efforts to beautify and er-
rich the most favored country in the universe will
alwaysreceive my humble but sincere and hearty
o-operation.

BOTANICAL OR SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

PAGE
Alopecurus Pratersis........ oeeee 05, 187
cx, ¢ Geniculatus............006 187.
ee A GROBIES 25 soscnetels ii5.56. 080 «..188
oe Aristulatus.........0.0+5..188
te Achillea Millefolium......120
Agroslis Elata..........sescoeee 14h
6 Perrennans. 142
« Scabra....
fe
“
ss Stolonifera..........,.,..67, 148
as DisSparsescecsecs veeceseveee oL4B
Aristida Ramoasissima........... eee BL
se Dichotoma.... 152
ug Gracilis . «152
eS Stricta .. .152
ae Oligantha. cision +152
ee Purpurascens.... +152
ue Lanata........... 152

te Tuberculosa ....,.. 162
#rundinaria Macrospirma..... -180
te BOCA. ssciweireraris tears «180
Avena Btriata..... alyeevaceverersiaarae wieheieneeas 187
*¢ Smithii....... sie Seis inivnesl OT
« Plavescens ........- ieieayaie nas 58, 187
* Pratensis, dale wiareieinayeroreats 5 187

Aira Flexuosa..
“© Caespitosa’.
** Praecox....
*« Caryophyliea.

‘© Atropurpurea. - 190
** Aquatica ...... «190
Arrhenatherum avenasum +87, 191
Amphicarpum.......... wee 195

Andropogon Furcatus.......--+-+ese
ee Scoparius...
f Argenteus...
se Virginicus.....es.eeeeee « 26
te MacrouruS ...+..seesevees 246
Brachyelytrum Aristatum... - AT

Curtipendula ..
Bryzopyrum Spicatum...
Briza Media
Bromus fecalinus .

© -PASCHICSUE a weeesoss sigiaterercioll TY
ee Molilis..... eeee
Cc alii t, ss arenes .
B68 Ciliatys, ..ciciese. 177
“ Asper... Alt
“ $teriles. ViT
“ Pratensis. Wit
Cynosurus Cristatus. seneneees 50
Cichorrum Intybus. ican 1S
Crypsis Schoenoides.......eeeeeeeeees 139
Cinna Arundinacea.... esses seeee vee dd
“ Pendula........e0ee sietacncares asad 2B
Calamagrostis Canadensis............
a Langsdorfffi .
se Stricta.......c000
as Confinis or Inexpansa.148
ed Nutta iana or Coaractata.148
« Porteri,........ veces eee 14S
Bs Pickeringii 148
a Brevipilis 148
Longifolia 148
*e Arenatia.. ... 149
Anthoxanthum, Odoratum.. 57, 193
Ctenium Americanum...... wee LE

BOTANICAL OR SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Pack.
Cynodon Dactylon...........0..ccc eee 15T
Cenchrus Tribuloides. ates - 202
Dactyloctenium Egypt:acum.
Diarrhena Americana

Dactylis Glomerata,...... 7 +24, 165
Danthonia Spicata........... meeieieae, 186
sf Betletticecceswcesanaa wan 186

Eleusine Indica ...,

Eatonia Obtusata
“ce

Pensylvanica.
Erazrostis Reptans....
bh

Poaeoides. . 173

EW Plo saieccicerenevas 173

8 Prankil coe 178

SSeS DURSH lewesie sc ca vetiabateiictar 173

OE POM MABE sd veccrsahvanincceateneeed 173

sf Capillarigicis sossccccepeaeercal TB

th | Pachinia ceainiascesnynircnmaerccn 173
Elymus Canadensis 184
‘+ Sibericus.. 74, 185

( Striatus.. + 185

‘«« Mollis ... .. 185

‘* Arenarius..... + 75, 185
Erianthus Alopecuroides......... one 204
We Brevibarbis wsnaascanerceac 204

Festuca Myurus
“ ‘Tenella’

BE (OVINE) ais oe
“ Duriuseula..
«Rubra

h a

Gymnopogon Racemosus.............
te BLOVILOMUB . euiseiescisie siincenevs.o.2.04e 156

Hf Nervata..
“* Pallida..
‘s Aquatica..
we Fluitans...

ee ACUIIAOTA ..- cee eee e nce eee 168

oe Maratimia .....0.-saceeeeess 169

se Distans .......+ andr ocevaseraiabat «169
Gymnostichum Hystrix ......-....+.
Hordeum Jubatum ........

of Pratense .......-

“ Pusillum ..

PaGE

Holeus Lanatie oie ccsccsxeve «.++.62, 191
ce MCMIS) secvecipeecss,.

Hierochloa Borealis ........... srstenieue OD

BE PIPING es ccsiecresvrcrnnion sroseiaioeatees 192

Koeleria Cristata ...... sibihiiiaivsdorctereiate 165

Lotus Coniculatus, P, 102, L. Major. .163
Leersia Virginica ....
sl Oryzoides
Lenticularis
Leptochloa Mucronata
es Fascicularis ....-.
Lepturus Paniculatus.,........... 5
Lolium Perenne............55- +++ BO, 181
ae Italicum..
ee Annum...
ee Temulentum.
ts Multiflorum .....

“ce

Medicago Sativa..........
Medicago Lupulina..... .
Muhlenbergia Sobolifera ..
me Glomerata...... Pe Ci

a Mexican....

Ca Sylvatica . 146
ts Wildenovii ......-..ssseenee 146
we Diffuse. cs cacasccecccensesene 146

as Capiliaris ..
Melica Mutica ..
Milium Effusium..
Onobrychis Sativa. .

Oryzopsis Melanocarpa 150
ios Asperifolio .......... secon LEO
ee Canadensig......2..eeeneee a
Poterium Sauguisorba

Plantago Lanceolata...........

Phleum Pratense...
oe Alpinum ........-

Polypogon Monspeliensie . a

P02 ADDU oo cece rccereeeereraeereces 170
BS Compressa . «46, 171
ee Alpine ccccorecsone vos teinceraro GAS
ee VAXa ices cisicaieuescweeas ayesars Ld
es Caesia ... .171
a Serotina.... » 49,171
ee Pratensis... 2-41, 171
ts Trivialis .. 047, 171
ee Sylvestris .. Pe va
fe PeObLG psc caccecceceeeeeeees ATL
es Als0deS... seers eeeseceneres +171
ve FlexU084 ..cceseecceesreoeeoe LL
se Brevitolia ......cesceeeeeees LIZ

230

PAGE.

$6 Nemcralia ....cccseseecceee el ZZ
Phraogmites Communis., seve el
Phalaris Canariensis...... soe LIB
fe Arundinacea ....+e.seeeeeeee 193

Paspalum Fluitans ....cceccsseeseees 196
Watterianum .
ne Setaceum ...
Laeve ....05-
Distichum ..
Digitaria ....

Panicum Filiforme .........seseeeeee 197
Be GIADIUDIsiceseamaeseneas . 197
ee Sanguinale ...

“f ANCEPS. 26006

ae Agrostoides

at Proliferum .

“ Capillare ...

“ Autummale..........54 oo ee 198
ne Virgatum ....cceececcaneees 198
ee Amarum .... +» 198
‘ Latifolium .. ane L 98
as Clandestinum .. « 198
ae Mecrocarpan ,.. - 198

Xanthophysum ..
Viscidum ....

1 ichotomum.....
D panperatum ...
Verrucosum ...
Crus Galli «ee
Millaceum ...
Eporobulus Junceus...
ae Heterolepis .. s
Cryptandrus .....2.ccseceeee 141
COMPpYresBuS...eees.s score eel 4l
Serotinus ......
Stipa Richardsonii.
Avenacea.
Spartea ..
ie Pennata...
Spartina Cynosuroidcs..
as Polystachya ...
fs JuUNCEA ...4,....

&
oe

&e

“

BOTANICAL OR SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Pace.
et Stricta...... a evcereececscses 153
Ss Glabra.. 153

a Alterniflora
Setaria Verticillata........05
(CoE) (cc: a no
Viridis .........
Ttalicatiectnious
Germanicum..
Sorghum Nutans .......

ee Vulgare.....0.

*6 Saccharatum ...

ss NRL UND scenes steve
Trifolium Pratense

“

ecco v eens BS
Pratense Perenne.. ....++++.86

“¢ Medium..... ee +0 89
‘ “& — Repens..... . 91
46

Hybridum .....

Trifolium Procumbens.. 00 OT
“© Filiforme ...... ans 99
* Teena wcnnererenewsesd9
“és

AlexandrinuM......sssee.-- 101

Tricuspis Sesleriodies.. «0 162
‘6 Purpurea, +2 00168
“© Cornuta .. «163

Tritioum Repens..

sg Dasy Stachyum..
Caninum .......cesecsenee
Trisetum Subspicatum ....

ss Palustre .....
Pubescens ....
Tripsacum Dactyloides .
Uniola Paniculata ...
Latifolia .

&s

be

Vilfa Aspera ......
“ Vaginaeflora.........eeeeeee 140
se Cuspidata...ceceeresecaceee 140
Virginica ... .. 140

Zizania Aquatica...... sanesccccceees ss 1BO
M © Milacea..... edieitedlanbecoks AAD
Zea, Maize ........-

sineeec veeee 121, 212

GENERAL INDEX.

Analysis of the grasses,......0.-.2002005 19, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 4,
7 Be ho fooaulonesetydddane 50, 53, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 83, £7,
rad se 90, 92, 98, 100, 104, 108, 110, 115.
Aftermath, growth and use of the, ...-.....----- 24, 36, 38, 40, 42, 58, 97
PIS VIIE CLOW Oro 3 o35 scp ars ope ciate eminem apenas cio anole 23. 3
Ammonia importance of 85
Annual Rye Grass, .

“Beard Pe hy Site Seay nedh Shui heh ylan ye ieas Easy ah gta ain ropa
Awnless Mublenbergia
Awned Brachyelytrum ....2..22--0 --- 2-2 ceeeee eee eee eeeee
Annual Meadow grass or Low Spear grass
Alpine or Mouniain Poa
Awned Wheat Grass
A Plie Oliv: Grass eserstemesraccaciercesnes ceevctia aramid ysaremnetensie amen oie
Aprostisilike Panic: Grassijccca:cues sernaceeseawieweuwanees. faissier wewetiats
Autumn Panic
Black Medick
PI TaN TC Bsa) ow cece apes eye Havent aac eopears estar as OVEN NES
TBATICY: AS TASB) car /cby ov itvancieieres sia ele io ora eraisteumuetarertesnls

Beard Grasses, Natural History of...--..--..-----2. 2-22 -2--2200-+ ee
Bearded Darnel, seeds of Pvisinous
Blue Joint: Grass oa a cciesacc cites eicaucaice Sad eines emer cenaues SORT ORE SENS

bristly Muskit Grass...-.... cqiieraaex ba abeeremmee mance ce em eeeiies 155
Branching Spear Grass -.-.-.----
Bengali Grass a..o<scccscewseses
Bottle Brush Grass.--.---.------
Bottle:Grase isc ctemimersit yee ae arse ars vine semaanciniselas! os ecemine rate aieedetowe
Bristly Fox Tail Grass ......-.--.-- sinleviiataveiatalaiaieie erbioaty viata e/ahsibision
Broom Corn, Description and Cultivation of
Brown Bent, Natural History ot .--.-.-.---.--------

Bur Grass Description Of ies to ccacte seis awisiwiarwiniaveteiniaieinin) visio nie wicicineisicie (
Canadian Lyme Grass, Natural Place of Growth.--.-.------------+-- 184
‘Chicory or Succory, Description ot.....-..-.-----------+-+- leweeeeee 118

232 GENERAL INDEX.

Canadian Rice....- pate ciate cdyatrapevevmcthdays icra rarcorencta mtr staciaceteh Paraiereeie
Cane, Natural History of
Catch Fly Grass -.-.----
Chess, Natural History of
OMS SNS CAN Gi sah ho facta fapasnrsyavavastwnicidvaheiveceiciangyniorcvctel nave reiaveresaisine
Clover, Period of its Fir st Introduction; ‘into England.--.-.----..----+- 79
‘America ...-20s-02sseeceee 70
“Species and Varieties of Gaeencts in England ......---------- 81
‘Substitutes for, Grown in both Countries......-.-.--.---------- 81
i Ttevetectom thie: land cesses coe tuacncesthe MERE RISSEES CMOS 84, 85
“Soils best adapted for its growth .........---------+----+- 81, 85
* —“Seed,time 0b SOWING wecescaesemosecceues Seeeeees siapereicih waa aate 86
Clustered Spear Gras assem igircenenigigs One nias ces aeleeermaeciseaee 169
(Clustering: Maillon ber ga crrascfapetenas atoinomtsustorncs sterennae arsisrausraersrctoaietee 145
Slender Gr rass, Natural Places of Growth.........-..-----------e-e-= 162
Cot OM IRE CCG ce Pece 2 cise lecsnececrcyancectveteitctwiy ati re er arave peyote awcbapescessnatoreverercacie 83
Common © ATA S GPA EB cosesnsade Spciaees Seas 4 ounce toa yl tuadt ma oobanrs RE Geo eemiseeiiat 193
Manna Grass, Description of......---.....-.-- Teeoaysieiee 72, 168
Bs Be ha pia se aetna shciivdaodonre Moaanbendese sh awaceaccimonbeee 199
‘Reed Grass Description of....-... 2-22.22. 022022 cere ee oes :
HES Rpt Grasse cie.c cs crore Bion a a ee ce Mieik enema SEE MEROE 41, 171
“Birds Fuot Trefoil 1 102
SE Weteliicawmnneine seme aoa ee man renee eemeantaidien enses eaters 115
Corn Fodder, Cultivation and Curing of : 121
GouchiG leslie eae cetacean ne nee 182
Cow Grass, Des crip tlondo bss crc crotattag remains: sia serwiaeaosiinlete spivsjomnisialaivee
Creeps Be MendowAG bass’ oie cu: c6 sce nacaiwiniedenisiascte arertiaracchaveeictave.are aia beinionnetoee
“Soft “Description of 5
Crested DIOS TAI jo.c ecsosmiesetcrciciarc Sueforastersvecardeece maniacs
Gia GRASS omic iusicpecsesneatisee ec EE eI Rt etene Pinane tape CENTER Teed FTI IER EON TES
Crow ded (6 ALANIAGROSTIS ie oe hisstaie oin.d a.m sioiaiencetnnancicemreimas mare nisin sikiSinad 143
UTE GRAS Si essere dh pcteapse csc tes ccs auksnin kin nla buerSlevimsmscheseicveantci crane teen DONS 136
Cutting Grass, Proper Time for ........--..----. 23, 30, 32, 39, 40, 44, ae
AD le lt oeectae ects ce ee eeu ere oerne bel ieee ieee eee
Dupontia. Grissence.s cus o2 seeeeeem seman ane nee aoe see 163
Downy ariple Aswaniscscssenpe mane onusienccsag nassau eseiceie ees 152
e Oat Citas 8) osnccekaraeecisi sere vateceemacin qewaunsme etree 60, 18s
as TRUTS O01 Saieacierctoest atin hereto eG acid shales rie che acne vapor NES pA 183
Fey Ptian Spe Ea cscs yoeetscactaesctapayav Ree in tSgalnierevhcvarsi stax ciate iarchars eared sycreuianeiolets 101
fs GEARS oo cies say cotna te ree aye weeenrenniew ee Say teen Ha es ieeaemeen ee 160
FCAT SCO cc) cis, 001s, 2 baa cardi suru ee ueatvoos exe aie huaers nares SeteneeidcercdDve 23, 29, 32, 39
False Red Top: BRIE eee enPicd Oke negroes teak Tete MRA ever ee eens ‘49, ‘U1
SY NC a salsa SAEs Bice de dps Spa ceys bed lectins eyerovevbud rey enLucvcnta saa aimedianecaeseisays 136
Pent Wer Grae) sepcyeen so cinis ciesescisanene ic was sai sacitic haste sew ener 151
Fertilization, Process in plants.-...----.---------- +2222 -ee eee 132, 133
Jn get Grassiae esas 5 aun eremee ee cete cake GE Simro ia ieee nme iieusitiess 197
" Shaped Paspalum sien wawccwcass ae eae y enema aedincccichenetesae 196
ef -Bpilked Wood! Grass nnceneuse rere wees eek ess ares 205.
Plesh: Colored, Cloverisccacseceuaseuacascexwecke sarmmeeew eens seats ener 99
Floating Meadow Grassvc<csnexess 22cncceuy semexeewemeseme eee: 72, 168
nf Boxtallll eis sa2nie sem erieisaeianitvenanini cence noseetes seaees 137
= Paspalum suse owen pons sees oesepeiieecusemvamreeneswesses 193
Flowers of the Grasses .......----..---------0020- 128, 130, 131, 132, i
Bly way: Grass wsicessiicovicicsnicctccsivenascwnn vay aeesies. “cesses 142

GENERAL INDEX. 233

lO wy) Moadony: Giese afaielscs cad)aidsaseedioroauearciacene-suveiciseeamoerws 49,171
F fresh: Water Cord Grease... o1e.c:ni.oicic.ecewinieieiasesaiennopeisvevsieinioie ancisveintenw 153:
Pinged: Broom Grass wiv. <:s ianinnisie einicin-o:aie:einioabemrorerdinie we eceivm cicninn 177
Gama) Grass ce miswsainenae Cees eis So scseyeienichinsnisiei sioie Sedvzncimmia scncrera oeeperegecinscicnd 263
Geius and Species, distinction paneean, SO nih aeenreieeeele 129, 130, 131.
Goose Grassi. cranes ecuc see isiaerec ati mee whens ot ei Fticige la cnc See ee
Grains and Grasses sown together ...... 23, 30, 32, 39, 86, &7, 91, 97, 114
Gramints, ithe: ord enc /avranencurmepenienuacad-en weeeeceere ol Q7, 130, 135
Grasses, Classification of... 2... 02220200 e0ee-e eee cece 80, 127, 129° 130
+26 Ita ONO ENO) -/secxs Sic rarsrctontem ecenlewmiecerneneee caves 79, £0, 81
“ Description of the oe + +++ 12R, 129, 180, 131, 132, 133.
Grasses Flowers of the .......----------+ 2-22-20: 128, 129) 130, 231, 132
AE RGIS EOL Cit GEO, jas cia cre iorara re tevareivarcinteicrntasciciatrsictercidatnetaarcielones 24
SE” Tinta G6 OLA He ose scrcsesbiavercveyn cic. nitecje vera veiecha cance dorarersinvetencte 18, 127
eo WEI SCRTIOS 5 Ob GC aia (a5 05 2.2 5x n jor eeiccicuacaci-yacpeaienicesaimja re eisreacuersietes 218 ©
ee AEG, PAU CL Al so pcicrsjua nies ea cioies eo yrielS wheats sarees eect 79
“« “Time of Sowitig the :oa0.0cs0sesecec as secdes23, 29,32, 36,76, 77
me £8 OF CULO the mec cere eee emerevneeren eerie 24, 30, 32, 77
< Climatic: Ranpe ofmcccesncssseeerecoscese ceneewssearsees 226
Grass Seed, Depth of Covering ssa. eins as cissssnceeesn sasesie cane ee's 213
poy SE Ealecilpu Ol mca caets Suns eee Eckemi EWA =iee eee 214
ae a Timerof Sowing scisiccicicce's: cesiewe'sienis 23, 29, 32, 39, 76, 77
zit i Willig ht: :0f sercieie ceinje nisiaseeie 30, 32, 37, 40, 46, 49, BL, 52, 54
ae tr. Se ciiaenlictosate 55, 56, 58, 59, 63, 67, 72, 86, 89, 91, 93, 107, 112
Green Meadow Grass. ... 222-2. 2220 cece ee cnn n ne cone cece een ance
Greater Bird’s Fuot Trefoil.... 2... 2-20. cea cece ne cece eee cece 0
GUTOR GASES ao se mimenpopencicuepeasioisiaiesescin Sm.nies SRIRAM OR SOE Sisscisicieicieseis
Gypsum, Introduction of as a Fertilizer
Hair Panicled Meadow Grass.......--.------ +--+ eee eee ee eee eee
(GraSSicce ocanceeeseanmeese neue vee eeceeicemeeseEee emcees
Hairy Muskit.-....-...-

‘¢ Slender Paspalum
Hard Fescue Grass, Description of
Holy Grass, Description ot--.---..--------++ ----- 222s cess scene eee 9
Horned: Sands Grass wicriteraacorietarcsetntarurtisie-areserevwisnnininvain Biausscidinie aseipincasanfeicin

Hungarian Grass --.------
Trish Bent Grass (Faureen).-
‘Imitation of Nature.-.--.---.---------
Indian Corn, Culture of for Fodder
eo Stooking of and Curing...------------------
oe Grass, Description of ----..---- +--+ ---+-0 2222 cere een eee 7
i Millet, Natural History of......-.--------+--------+--
se Rice, Description of... .--- -----2--+- eee eee eee cee een ee :
Italian Rye Grass... 222. cee. cee cece cece teen eee ere eer eee
a Clove fissescaes wase ways secs ce see etarneminicice eeiecar
Joint Grassi... 22.2 cee ee eee cece et ee eee eceenee Eieisjelevameimisineyce 7
June Grass ..-. - 22+ cone ene ccc eee eee cen cnn cee ene cone mene aoa
Kentucky Blue Grass..-.----s2-- 22-2 eee eee ee cere eee ee eee 41,171
«qualities of -- sesseatete
Large Panicled Vilfa..--..---.--- Pere
Late Drop Seed....-..----.---- +2222 eee cree 4
Lawn Grasses, Mixture of...-..---------+-- Gia SSE eR eterna wes 924
Lime as a top Dressing .... 1... -22- 22.2 eee eee cee cee nee cee oe DD

Long Awned Poverty Grass-.-----.---+---- SGN eee maReeiseen erred 152

234 GENERAL INDEX.

‘Long Panicled Mauna “ .. sapevieteavats al 163
‘Lacerne Culture of....-...--
Lyme Grass ...--..--
‘Many Flowered Darnel.
Marsh Oat Grass...-..-----0---------
Meadow Broom Grass.-...--.-------

ve Fescue.....- ceeSS. orca,

KK POXtall snows oe cemeeedyeess i

a Oat’ GRASS onc enw asccseecemesuernoee aire mes seeewarenineis 37, 191

bis Soft “ . eine jeeleeentnroicisiayannew Oey, LOL:

fe Spear 8° cemesweesepe eee eeesis wisiwierbisisiemaemersyaemd 70, 168
MeliG Grate ccna cjemonacasersaemindlceealics eet ieanarspshrsencen ete 167
Millet, Description and Culture of......-....- geitinlanatnevcecrenenai Vase 199, 200
Millet Grass, Natural History of.......2--..2---- eee eee eee eee ee ..194
‘Mixtures of Grass Seeds..---2 2.000. 2e eee ee eee eee ee ee eee 221
MouiitaineG atercDa tls cts 6 sessinleesciccen sterner cercienrda Seiten le tisrannynconesetna a 139
Mowing, Height of -.-.-....-- Fi sciataliciavetiatevsiancketossuevors GE sisuajoiaiasnissinie n.aicie BE 24
Muskit or Gramma Grasses...-... 2-20 - e220 concen ween concen ences 154
Naked. Beard Grass ec< --.o 2 cecwiecieeeeinceeeesaee eee « Hae ereeer 156
Nimble Will, Description of . ‘< 146
Nodding: Westies. .<oncsuscnenorie sccm es wave cee 175
Obrise Spear Grass assess peecce av arceaee nes eremeaeweweeseeaueme sce 168
‘Orchard Grusineswssuveaies aeeeaiowreoear axe Sane sees esere es 24, 164
Pale Manna Grass. -. 168
Permanent Pasture Grasses ...... 0.0226 0222 ee cece ce eee cece ee enee 218
Perennial yer Grans':cicteruis cmrsicncsvarevtusrejensreveverataimaisraiale teieiaiariteletinreless 30, 181
Re OV MOT occas vcyeeess ia ee vesedponeuteeinuare sna level needaeandee te fata ed Deeasdetevavetanersisione 86
Penns ylWaniia Aton iyjn sao: -:eveceseieiasernioisieiaisjaneyeiassivisiieiwisie wimimiecsiajejeimeieancioals 166
Plants, Numbeeor in the LUPE, n.0.< ac :nece:e: eis csesccesmsecb niece wee nieces 220
GEC PING RASS: oie 3 2i< nia wise SepcialtGiniicie a inpeinid: Laniels ese aieioee/siainie SOE 151
Poveity Grass: oc ccne asses cepa eee eseee ss eee eins Heese ees 152
Prairie Tripié Awtisess ccs. coseeee ees ii ea sr re Aeeweweweoesmes 152
Prolific: Rice: sow nevosercnsces saree R EEA S tN SEReE es Meee 136
Pungent Meadow Grass, Var. Megastachya....-..-.--------------++- 173
Purple Alpine Hair Grass........---. SWigetaD yes le-s URES S ESiss ee DERE 190

WOO GRAS Braces rate larrareterad avarercteraranetaresterarata-a rare ctcialcitatavarayanaraneveveiavaiatahs 206

Purple Wild Oat Grass
Qian gxG rasa wae sc-wenicperare rtpaietanvtessiasateia ceinjatte wiatatetadetahetenais saturataaistatete
Agate Sn gh exGrases.j.ove: aacscuxcvcycvacerencnarcre sores Score Gizayeercaticiarm oreroireeen amie é
Mes LOD ses zie sgecenctoca reseces cst eosdunia teach aiavare advayaiassravtvgieded Sumeyeveatnstouniaverajore
Red Clonee Natural History of ..--.....----. 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Reed Candis? rast. ese ennie veins sneisiaslecdinarcicimniniencisenaies mines 193

Red: Wescie; Descniption Of. .csremwes «cies ce necmerae yess eee meee
Wide Ly Beit: eseemewereensrerrme se wea Be eis a wieseedsciciendieiniadic'd:ieneed
Rib! Grass! sconces ceneseceeense

Richardson's Feather Grass -.
Rough Leaved Vilfa
Rough Marsh Grass

co Stalked. Meadow Grassi veccscesececeeracseue come seein 47, 171
Reishi Salts TaS8s ou car-atcterencie eee leeinenin Seeneerer emer a aaerieeeieere 153
Salt; Marsly Guaseisiscacrccnciacstewsteunwiaaias commana sammie wisiels 153
SalteReedsGvasss-cinicccine sehe goes doduniintueactckne gers

Sainfuin, History and Culture of
Sand Gr aesicerscereie. svcitscvaieveiniwreiieicione: wiaiaia vimereruis/iaiusaranlaietevseiouctareretngrenienatare

GENERAL INDEX. 235

Sea. Spear Grass: o<.c0.0cc esse soxeaseesaweeinistaeeeen’s ceam aeneemeens
Seed, Selection Of -xs asecmessmwpscescomeae’s tenes eeecmereecemeenwe ae
Quantity to be Sownss sacsscceweceessw scce seescreeeeccayes IB
Shamruck ‘Clover iw.cciccweccveaveiniiangewcceswessse cesses veceeesene Ol
MOTECA. GIARB Hr sse ciieicintaei Akicicteravotireie ole 60 atesareia: Velerciarernuicienns weloniosweteg ll OZ
Sheep's: Fescue\. 0-0: <atvae winnie cite ae weaweeen eovece OR, 1715
Short Leaved Beard Grass.......----.-.--22 2-222 eee ee ee eee gids Sects "156

“c “c

i 6a aici elas laeieh acoso pts mites asada cents
Stalked Meadow Grass......---.-. 22-0 -- eee eee e ee ee eee L738

“

*: oxtail, Descriptions .--.-.-------- +--+ ---- eee eee ee eee ee 188
% (Crab- Grassscoscsewsswus ercteeesm pi eens cena emcmeggic 187
« Hairy Lyme Grass sn.c- ese. 30 eee eee te eee eee see LBS
Sma Fescue....-.-.----+------- : .-175
Smo oth Marsh Grass..-.-------- acai 2 .-- 153
«Erect Paspalum... -...-.-- 220+ en een e ee eee eet eee en ne = 196

BG Sra i GMa SS ies saiu saseayaps exeie oie, Secisetscie 1a tS SIs RinotenssRlaia ve cisigie Reems 197
Soft Broom Grass, Natural History of.....-...---.-.---.------+.----177
“Lyme ‘¢ Description of.--..-------------------+-----------185
Sorgho Sucre, Description and Cultivation of... ...-...-------.--+--- 210
Southern Eragrostis... ....-------- ----+ 20-2 e222 ee cere ee eee ee ee eee 173
Squirre) Tail Grass :
Spike Grass -.----- ------------22 eee eee eee
Sterile Broome Grass -----.---------------+--+-
Strong Scented Vilfa.--.-.---------- 220 sence eee ce cee ee cece eee LAL
ee f Meadow Grass... -..----- ---- 22+ += eee eee ee nee ee ee 173
Sweet Scented Vernal ...-.-.---------------- 2c cece eee e eee ee ee 57, 193
Sylvan Mublenbergia....---.-----------+ 202-2 ce eter ee cece ee e146
“Spear Grass..--------------- 22-22 eee ee sue meperecosecd TL
Tall Fescue Grass..-.----- 2-2 -- ee ee ee eee ee ee eee eee ee nee e 2 DB, 179
SE MS osname ara nee id ng oedavestietatciestoh 37, 191
‘© Red Top, Description of..--.--.--------- :
“© Thin Grass .- 2 -- eee ee ee eee ee ee nn cte ete cence cee 141
Technical Terms, use of..--.------------+ 22-22 ere e ree ee eee eee 131, 132
Three Awned Grass. ------------ 22-2222 cere cr errr ee reece 151
Tickle Grass..-.-------- eee cece cee entre entre eee 142
Time of Sowing Grass Seed-.-..-----------+-+-++-- 23, 29, 32, 39, 76, 77
0)

“

“

Time of Cutting..-------- ++ +22 2c eee ce cee eect ee ee ee ee nee 24
Toothache Grass... -----+ cece cee te cere cee cee ee enter ee cence ee LOE
Top Dressing of Meadow TGA -excctanvacess(extrernrcv ieee cision ere emia 04
Tutted Hair Grass..---.----ee cence eee ener cree ee erence ceecee 1x8
"Pwin Grass..---e cece cence cee cece ee nee ees cee eee cence seer cence neee 164
Twitch ilec cece ence e ee cece ne cen e terres teen re ence ee ner nene 1e2
Upright Sea Lyme Grass ...--+----+++-r eee ceecre rere ec eter cess 75, 185
Vanilla Grass. .--- 2-02 sence eens renee etre ners cree cree nese 192
Velvet Grass..---------------+°- noybnueideinde TeeeewesanseeneysO2) 191.
Vetch or Tare -------------2--- 115
Vilta Rough Leaved....--------+--++-+00 0-07" :

“ Flidden Flowered..--------- 2222 creer ce crete eee cece cece ee ee 140

256 GENERAL INDEX.

Virgina Cut Grass. 2... 2-2. - +22 eee ee ee ee eet eee momiwmmes LO
Water Hair Grass é
Nes Spear 8 ssccecuuecaseeiatessiene 2 Zussss) seastellioscroitkie siSiiae Seine
ater Bats isyavas aren dedicatiovensyend Pad cs ensasnM I See eee os casei pekeeaee 5
Beng Pe baeeniaion: sinnits ies ERAGE SW Se ee ee ota
Weak id rer p : 3
White Clover--.-.--.. -
ee
«Top White Bent : ~ : iS
(© Mountain Rices sa. <:s0c0s0c0 gienrcneinisne ais ekeetone Saplissor Aoxomsiavomee 150
Wild Water Foxtai] Fs
O28 (QBS sav cicsacersverarcioen "pda
EE (Oat MG RASB ec catesa-nternunce seo vancaoa8 by SEE a
RO: Or aS hk clans creasasieucess caer ar aves ica bishaie erenciasac iaiaaevesesde bic eer eee 46, 171
Wille RI CO ssi aicig opacveinnnsicccarstncloseiacdeueied ine sa iano oe cities 136.
Woburn Experiments...-...------ Se i RS uA cc cs INS 21
Wood Hair Grass . 189
Peod a. Kaewew Hee een eer” charted Sere aie easement

“ Meadow ‘f
Wood Spear Grass.
Wooly Beard “
Yellow Oat ne

« CONE wee eos fatireseteseiwitsesoyse ccc yore, Secs eins ravens lninnere Boeeeiee sie IO o neteaie

a Flowered Clover

ERRATA.,

By an oversight, this latter portion of the article
on Italian Rye Grass was omitted on page 34. It
will be seen by a comparison of the analysis of this
grass with that of Timothy in a dried state, that they
are nearly equal in every respect. An important
facty and one which highly recommends it to the
notice of American farmers. Although moist, fertile
loams are best adapted to this grass, it will grow on
various soils equally as well as Timothy. It has far
exceeded Timothy with me this season, both grown
on the same plot. The Perennial Rye grass has fully
equalled Timothy in every respect, both fairly tested
by me this season. For a separate seeding from 21
to 28 Ibs. of seed per acre, of Italian Rye grass will
be required, less if sown with a graincrop. It is not

advisable to sow red clover with it, although 2 or8
lbs. per acre of either wheat or clover would not be

objectionable. ‘The seeds of this last weigh 15 lbs.
per bushel. ;

On fourth line from the bottom for flower read
flourish, page 27. Eighth line from the top for
on read an, on page 43. Fourth line from the foot
for came read come, ou page 43. Second line from
the top for fellow read fallow, on page 44. Last line

238° ‘ ERRATA.

foot of page for Compassa read Compressa, on page
45. Twelfth line from the top for Trivalis read Triv-
ialis, on page 49. Tenth line from. bottom for Tan-
on read Taunton, on page 59. For wooly (running
Title) read Woolly, on page 62 and 63. On first line
at top for irriagated read irrigated, on page 70. For
running Title Glaceria read Glyceria, on page 72.
On the 16th and 17th lines from the top read for a
separate sowing 20 to 25 lbs per acre will be required,
on page 86. For running Title Alaskye clover read
Alsyke, on page 93, 94, and 95. For running Title
Btrnet, read Burnet, on page 114. For 11 Brach-
yelytrum read 12, on page 146. For No. 6, Species
Atterniflora read Alterniflora, on page 152. For No.
2 Species Trefolius read Brevifolius. On fourth line
from foot for Pensylvana read Pensylvanica, on page
166. On fourth line from top for Repians read Rep-
ans, on page 173. On fifth line from foot for Futanst
read Nutans, on page 175. On first page from top
for Avena read Ovina.