LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS HENDERSON'S HAND-BOOK THE GRASSES or GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. Their Generic and Specific Character; Comparative Nut -hive Value ; Soils Best Adapted for their Cultivation ; Proper Times and Methods of Sowing ; Approved Mixtures and Quantities « Usually Sown ; After Management, etc. JOHN HENDERSON, PRACTICAL AGRICULTURIST. NORTHPORT, L. I. JOURNAL. PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1 875. LIBRARY OF CALIFORNIA BAMS 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. SUFFOLK Ccuwiy JGUENAL ASD IrruJHiKG CCMFAKY, Ncrtbport, L. I. PKEFACE. THE design or plan of this work is simply the illus- tration of an idea which I have long entertained of the 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 Koyal 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 is a 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 HENDERS01 Nortftport, L. /., June, 1875. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page INTRODUCTION 15 CHAPTEK I. TIMOTHY, MEADOW CAT'S TAIL (PHLEUM PRATENSE) 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, etc. , for its succesful cultivation ; quantity sown per acre. CHAPTEB II. ORCHARD GRASS, BOUGH COCKSFOOT (DACTYLIS GLOMERATA) . . 24 Specific character, Analysis — Indigenous to the . soil of America — When introduced into England ; opinions of it by English farmers — Forty years' experience in the cnlti- vation oi' 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 teeds per bushel. CHAPTEK III. PERENNIAL BYE GRASS (LOLIUM PERENNE) 30 Specific Character, Ana>ysis — Early period of its cultiva- tion in England ; varieties very extensively grown in that country — Its cultivation in this country; directions for sowing, etc.; weight of seeds per bushel. CHAPTEB IV. ITALIAN BYE GRASS (LOLIUM ITALICUM) 22 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. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Page EYE GBASS (LOLIUM ANNUM) 34 Analysis — Difference between this and the other varieties of rye grass — Not considered equal to the Perennial sorts. CHAPTER VI. MEADOW FOXTAIL (ALOPECUKUS PKATENSIS) 35 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. CHAPTER VII. TALL OAT GKASS (ABBHENATHEBUM AVENACEUM) 37 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, SMOOTHED STALKED POA, OB MEADOW GBASS, JUNE GBASS, KENTUCKY BLUE GBASS, COMMON SPEAB GBASS (PoA PBATENSIS) 41 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 Poa species set right by the Editors of Country Gertleman — Description of seeds of Poa Pratensis ; mixtures, and weight of seeds per bushel. CHAPTER IX. FLAT STALKED or CBEEPING POA, POA COMPBESSA 4£ Specific character — Opinion of its agricultural value by Eng- lish farmers — Ifcs cultivation in this country principally confined to the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware. CHAPTER X. ROUGH STALKED POA or ROUGH STALKED MEADOW GBASS (Poa Trivialis) 47 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. TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii CHAPTEK XI. Page FOWL MEADOW, FALSE KED TOP (Poa Serotina) 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. CRESTED DOGSTAIL (Cynosurus Cristatus) 50 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. CHAPTEK XIII. SHEEPS' FESCUE (Festuca Ovina) 52 Specific character- ; how it may be distinguished from the other fescues — Admirably adapted for sheep lands ; not suitable for sowing on lawns ; quantity sown per acre ; weight of seeds per bushel. CHAPTER XIV. HARD FESCUE GRASS (Festuca Duriuscula) 53 Specific character, analysis — Thrives on a great variety of soils, and produoes 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 XV. MEADOW FESCUE (Festuca Pratensis) 54 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. TALLER or MEADOW FESCUE (Festuca Elatior) 55 Specific charaater — Larger [nearly double] than Festuca Pratensis ; yields well, and is relished by cattle ; valuable to sow on moist lands ; of rapid growth, keeping down inferior kinds and weeds , quantity seeds sown per acre ; weight of seeds per bushel. Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTEK XVII. Page. SWEET SCENTED VERNAL (Anthoxanthum Odoraturo) 57 Sp3ciiic 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, YELLOW OAT GRASS (Avena Flavescens) 58 Specific character, analysis — Arrives early at maturity ; the most useful of $13 genus Avena ; forms a permanent 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 .' 60 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 Fla,ves- cens — Very little grown in this country. CHAPTEK XX. QUAKING GRASS (Briza Media) 61 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. WOOLLY SOFT GRASS or YORKSHIRE WHITE, MEADOW SOFT GRASS, VELVET GRASS (Holcus Lanatus 62 Specific character, analysis — A common grass in almost all soils in England — Cattle not fond of it ; injurious to horses — Called Salem Grass and White Timothy in the Eastern States. CHAPTER XXII. CHEEPING SOFT GRASS (Holcus Mollis) 64 Easily distinguished from Holcus Lanatus, and these two species distinguished from all o'her grasses by the woolly appearance of their panicles — These two species used on sheep walks. TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER XXIII. Page FINE BENT GRASS, BED TOP, FINE TOP, BURDEN GRASS, HERD GKASS of Pennsylvania and Southern States ( Vgrostis Vulgaris) §± Si><>cific 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. LARGE LEAVED CREEPING BENT GRASS or FiorviN (Agrostis btolonifera Var, Latifolia * 67 Peculiar value of Fiorin and other grasses of the Agrostis family— First introduction of Fiorin to the notice of the British public ; still held in high estimation by the north of Ireland farmers— Special directions for its cultivation; propagation by quttings and raised from seed. CHAPTER XXV. MEADOW SPEAR GRASS, NERVED MANNA GRASS (Glyceria Ner- vata 7Q Specific character— High opinion of G. Sinclair of its hardy qualities— Fowl meadow crass of many farmers in Eastern States. CHAPTER XXVI. FLOATING GLYCERIA, MANNA GRASS (Glyceria Fluitans 72 Specific character— Natural place of growth— Eaten with avidity by stock of all kinds ; its seeds very nourishing, but very difficult to collect ; weight of seeds per bushel. CHAPTER XXVII. REED MEADOW GRASS (Glyceria Aquatica) 72 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. SIBERIAN LYME GRASS (Elymus Sibericus) 74 Specific character — A growth once started in spring it grows rapidly afterwards— Much relished by cattle, either m a green or dried state— Soils best adapted for its growth. ,^ ^ X TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIX. Page UPRIGHT SEA LYME GRASS (Elymus Arenarius) 75 Specific character — Termed the surgar-cane of Britain — Pur- poses for which it is generally employed — Introduced and cultivated CHAPTER XXX. HUNGARIAN GRASS (Setaria Germanica , 76 Specific character — Direction for its successful cultivation ; a highly satisfactory experiment made with it this season, 1875. . PART SECOND. CHAPTER I, . Page INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL GRASSES 79- The artificial grasses mostly belonging 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 country — 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 successfully cultivated in America. CHAPTER II. COMMON RED CLOVER, MARL GRASS (Trifolium Pratense 83 Specific character, analysis — Red clover in all parts of Eu- rope and Siberia — Special directions for its successful cultivation — Ireland produce? 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 III. PERENNIAL RED CLOVER (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 — Quantity of seed sown per acre. TABLE OF CONTENTS, XI CHAPTER IV. , Page ZIG ZAG CLOVER, Cow GRASS (Trifolium Medium 89 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 CLOVER, DUTCH CLOVER (Trifolium Repens) 91 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 S3ed to be sown per acre ; weight of seed per bushel. CHAPTER VI. ALSYKE or PERENNIAL HYBRID CLOVER (Trifolium Hybridum). 93 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. YELLOW CLOVER, HOP TREFOIL, or SHAMROCK CLOVER (Trifo- linm Procumbens) 97 Specific character, analysis— Natural places of growth ; soils on which it is recommended to be grown ; its value as a pasture grass. CHAPTER VIII. YELLOW FLOWERED CLOVER, COMMON SUCKLING CLOVER, or SLENDER YELLOW TREFOIL (Trifolinni Filiforme) 99 Natural places of growth — Useful for growing on dry places. CHAPTER IX. ITALIAN CLOVER (Trifolium Incarnatumj 99 Observation, analysis — Yields well — Cultivated in Eogland and Scotland as a field crop — Its introduction into this country, and experiment with it. CHAPTER X. EGYPTIAN TREFOIL (Trifolium Alexandrinum) 101 Remarks — Of a more recent introduction into* England than Italian clover ; the habits of both compared — Preparation of ground, and time of sowing. Xll TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. Page COMMON BIRDSFOOT TEEFOIL (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. THE GBEATEK BIKDSFOOT TEEFOIL (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 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. BLACK MEPICK, NONESUCH, LUCERNE, resembling Hop Tre- foil (Medicago Lupulina) 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. SAINFOIN or COCKSHEAD (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 XYI. BUENET (Poterium Sauguisorba) 113 Specific characters-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. Xlll CHAPTER XVII. Page COMMON VETCH or TARE (Vicia Sativa) 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. CHAPTEK XVIII. CHICORY or WILD SUCCORY (Ciclioriam Intybus) 118 Specific character — Natural place of gro ,th in England; purposes for which it is grown — Time of sowing seed ; heed per acre. CHAPTEK XIX. BIB GRASS (Plantago Lanceolata) 120 Specific character — Vegetates early in the season — Suitable for sowing on dry" soils — Cattle of all kinds fond of it. CHAPTEK XX, YARROW (Achillea Millefolium) 120 Specific character — A very common aud valuable grass in English and American pasture lands— Seeds sown per acre, etc. CHAPTER XXI. INDIAN CORN (Zea, Maize) 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— s^eed per acre, etc. PART THIRD. CHAPTEK I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORDER OF GRAMIN^: 128 The Order of Graminere, 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. Page- REMARKS ON THE NATURAL SYSTEM OF BOTANY 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 plants, terms used, and definitions given — The principal parts which belong to any flower. CHAPTER III. NATURAL ORDER GRAMINE^E 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.. XAYING DOWN LANDS TO GRASS ' 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. SELECTION, MIXTURE, AND SOWING 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 — 1st 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 228 GENERAL INDEX 231 ERATA . . 237 GRASSES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. , INTKODUCTION. THE 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 tlie best mode" of cultivating them, is very much be- hind that of the other branches of practical agricul- tire. Timothy (PTileum Pratense) has 'received more attention than all the other grasses combined ; it is indebted, most probably, for this distinction, to its value as a hay crop and the preference given it in t'ie 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 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 I have 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 in the concluding chapters of this work. CHAPTER I. MEADOW CAT'S-TAIL OR TIMOTHY. Phleum Pratense — Specific 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 ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field, June 13th. Water. 57.21 Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 486 Fatty matters 1.50 Heat prpducing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc.. . . 22.85 Woody Fibre 11.32 Mineral matter or ash 2.26 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 11.36 Fatty matter 3.55 Heat producing principles, starch, sugp-r, gum, etc. . . 53. 35 Woody Fibre 26.46 Mineral matter or ash . . 5.28 100.00 Herds Grass, as it was then called in the Eastern States, was first introduced and brought into cultiva- 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 forpiing a part of the city of Baltimore, about the year 1720. When 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 that it did if cut 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 Eye grasses. Yet I 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 Timothy 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 by 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, arid the Timothy disappears. A late writer in the Country Gentleman, W. J. F., Monroe Co., N. Y., remarks? uThe roots of Timothy grass are fine and near the surface, often in Hie 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 as 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, Kew York State, where the land is moist with a rich surface underlaid with a compact subsoil, Timothy can be 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. : 1st. The anatysis 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 if cut when in flowers. 2nd. That about the time the seed begins to ripen, the rains of August are drawing neas. And 3rd. That the stubble roots of a matured perrennial plant will suffer less from the heated rays of a July sun thau those of animmatured one. And lastly, the ripe seeds falling from the hay TIMOTHY. 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 fail- 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 land. 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 ; it is 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 se.ed, 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 21 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 ; OECHAED GEASS. 25 spikelets 3 to 4, flowered. Root perrennial. Flowers in June and seeds ripens in July. Common in fields, especially shade. WAY'S ANALYSIS. From 100 parts, as taken from the field June 13th. Water 70.00 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 4.06 Fatty matter . .94 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c. . . 13.30 Woody fibre 10.11 Mineral matter or Ash . . , , 1.59 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 13.53 Fatty matter 3.14 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c . . . 44 32 Woody fibre 83.70 Mineral matter or Ash 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, l>ut 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 in a 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 for a trial. 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 pasture and 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 to turn. For seeds it must be ripe, but some let it stand too long for that purpose. It is 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 makes a highly nutritious hay and is much relished by stock of all kinds. Clover hay, (so called) that is hay ORCHAED 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, nnless 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 grass, also, by Us great amount of fibrous roots, tends to improve instead of impoverish the soil, and we have observed that an Orchard grass sod generally turns up a good dark color on being- plowed. It is 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 clover is supported from falling by the un- common strength of the Orchard grass." 28 OECIIAED GEASS. 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 our Timothy 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 Orchard 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 all kinds. It does not run to ORCHARD GRASS, 2 seed the second time, but makes a fine growth of grass. It does 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 ot April, was making a line appearance, the Orchard grass being then several inches high, and coming up very evenly all over the field. There is no doubt but that his success is, in a great measure, owing to the excellent system he adopts. 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 EYE 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. CHAPTER III. PEKKEINTNTAL EYE GRASS. Lolium Perrenne — Specific 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. WAY'S ANALYSIS. Of 100 parts as taken green from the field, June 8fch. Water. . . . 71.43 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.37 Fatty matter 91 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, &c. ... 12.08 Woody fibre 10 06 Mineral matter or ash. . 2.15 100.00 In 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 11.85 Fatty matters 3.17 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, &c . . .. 42.24 Woody fibre 35.20 Mineral matter or ash 7.54 100.00 Perrennial Rye Grass (Lolium Perrenne} contains upwards of sixty varieties some of which are annual. PEBEENNIAL BYE GBASS. 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 Kussell's, Pacey's, Whitworth's, Stickney'sand Buck's, which .are all considered perrennial. It is found to flourish on most kinds of soil, and ^rows under circumstances of diiferent 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 Eye 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 Eye .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 K ormanstone, near Georgetown, D. C,, in the year 1823, and succeeded very well. ' fcRuck' s' ' Perrennial Rye Grass, as it was called, was imported and grown by agriculturists in the neighborhood of 32 ITALIAN RYE GEASS. Baltimore, in 1824, and succeeding years; it was then in high repute both sides of the Atlantic. Mr. Crozier, of Beacon Farm, L. L, 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 EYE GEASS. Lolium Italicum — Specific 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 and ripens seeds in July. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field, June 13th. "Water . 75.01 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 2.45 Fatty matters 80 Heat producing pinciples, starch, sugar, gum, etc. ... 14.11 Woody fibre 4.82 Mineral matter or ash , 2.21 100.00* ITALIAN BYE GEASS. 33 t In 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 10.10 Fatter matters. 3.27 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. . . 57.82 Woody fibre 19 76 Mineral matter or ash , 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 Prance 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 if sown with clover or lucerne, 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 foot in 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 BYE 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 fields 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, there is about two acres which was sown exclusively with Italian Rye grass, and its superior appearance is quite noticeable. CHAPTER V. ANNUAL EYE GTCASS. Lolium Annum. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field, Juue 8th. Water 69.00 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 2.96 Fatty matter -69 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. . . 12.89 Woody fibre 12.47 Mineral matter or ash 100.00 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 stalks which are rather longer and furnished with a smaller MEADOW FOX -TAIL. 35 proportion of foliage 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 Eye Grass, CHAPTER VI. MEADOW FOX- TAIL. Alopecurus Pratensis — Specific Character. Culm, upright, smooth, 2 to 3 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 xipens seeds in July. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field, June 1st . Water 80.20 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 2.44 Fatty matters 52 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc ... 8.59 Woody fibre 0.70 Mineral matter or ash 1.55 100.00 36 MEADOW FOX-TAIL. 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 12 321 Fatty matter 2 92 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. . . 43.12 Woody fibre 33.83 Mineral matter or ash 7.81 100.00 This well known English grass is one of the earliest and most valuable grasses produced in England. It vegetates with extraordinary luxuriance and is therefore both as a first crop and as 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 tojbeless 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 wrhich 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 is much 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 TALL OAT GKASS. 37 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 of its seeds. A bushel jofjseed 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. ArrTienatherum Avenaceum — Specific 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. Water : 72. 6,> Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.54 Fatty matter 87 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 11.21 Woody fibre 9.37 Mineral matter or ash 2.3(> 100.00 38 TALL OAT GRASS. 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 12.95 Fatty matter 3.19 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar,gum, etc.... 38.03 Woody fibre 34.24 Mineral matter or ash 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 meadows in England. And on the continent of Europe it is cultivated with ad- vantage. It is found most beneficial when retained in a close state of feeding. It makes good hay, is natural to sandy loams but thrives best on strong, tenacious clays in England. Tall Oat Grass was in- troduced into this country about the begining of the present century. 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 sown it 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 it is called here in Virginia, Peruvian grass,) is a 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 fail 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, it is not as valuable a grass, it never forms as thick and compact a sod as orchard grass. It is more liable to injury from drought. It must never be lelt one day after it blooms, if you want first class hay, and a 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. If cut 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, I have cropped it for seed and mowed the stubble for hay. The stubble mak^s superior hay, because of the numerous green blades about a foot long growing from the roots of the grass while the seed is ripening.. I have now about 100 acres of land seeded with this grass and orchard grass mixed. The grass matures for hay about the 5th of June and for seed about the 10th to 15th. The seed is very difficult to save, the moment almost that it is ripa 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 I am acquainted. Cattle, horses and sheep prefer it to any other grass I 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 that is 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 GRASS. 41 CHAPTER VIII. SMOOTH STALKED POA OK 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 leaves 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 llth. Water ..„ 07.14 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.41 Fatty matters. . • • • Sfr Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc. . . 14.15 Woody fibre 12.49 Mineral matter or ash 1.95 100.00 . 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 10.35 Fatty matter 2.63 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. .. 43.0& 42 KENTUCKY BLUE GEASS. Woody fibre 38.02 Mineral matter or ash 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 it is 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 youtfg 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, in his Hortus 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 on 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 does in 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 KKNTl CKY BLUK 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: si/,e a ad 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 in a variety of soils, from the dryest knolls to a wet meadow. It does not 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 yeais, 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. • It is the first plant that puts forth its leaves and remains green if tho 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. It should be cut as the seeds begins to rijlen, 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 Blue grass. In Pennsylvania and Dele ware, however, this same grass is popularly called "green grass," while the variety botamcally 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 grass is so highly esteemed. Let it be remembered then whatever may be the botanical name of Blue grass in other states, Kentucky Blue grass is Poa Pratensis and nothing else. It will do no harm, moreover, to recollect that the green grass that grows on the banks ol the Brandy wine, 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 into a 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 OK CREEPING POA. Poa Compress a — Specific CJiaracter. 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; root creeping. Observation: culms from a foot to a foot and a half high, compressed decum- bent at the base, oblique afterwards, and erect to- wards the top, striated smooth, sometimes sending forth culms at the joints; leaves short linear, acute BOUGH STALKED POA. 47 flat, somewhat glaucous, bluntish condensed; florets from three to nine, according to the age and strength of the plant ; closely imbricated, oval angular, 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 turf of the 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, OK ROUGH STALKED MEADOW GRASS. Poa Trimalis — Specific 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 KOUGH 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 73.60 Albuminons or flesh forming principles 2.58 Patty matters • 97 Heat producing principles, starch, sugars, gum, etc. . 10.54 Woody fibre 10.11 Mineral matter or ash 2.20 100.00 100 parts of the gaass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 9.80 Patty matters 3.67 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc.. . 40.17 Woody fibre 38.03 Mineral matter or ash 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. CHAPTEE XI. , MEADOW.— FALoE RED TOP. Poa Serotina — Specific 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 England 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 Crutatus — Specific Character. Its spikes are simple, linear ; spikelets awnless ; steifis one foot high, stiff, smooth ; root perrennial, fibrous and tufted. Flowers beginning of July and ripens seeds end of July. WAT'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 21st. Water 62.73 Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 4.13 Patty matters 1.32 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc. . . 19.64 Woody Fibre 9.80 CRESTED DOGS' TAIL. 51 Mineral matter or asb 2.38 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 11.08 Fatty matters. 3.54 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc.. .. 52.64 Woody Fibre 20 36 Mineral matter or asb G.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 diy 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 Ibs. 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 Ibs. This grass has been introduced into this country and the seed may be had at the principal seed stores in Kew York city. I have sown it both as a mixture with other grasses and separately, for experiment, this spring. 52 SHEEPS' FESCUE* CHAPTER XIFL Festuca Ovina — Specific Character. Panicle somewhat one-sided, short, usually more or less compound, open in flowering ; spikelets 3 to. 8 flowered ; awn not more than half the length of the flower, often much shorter or almost wanting. Indigenous in Northern New England, Lake Supe- rior and Northward : naturalized farther south as a pasture, grass. Flowers in June and ripens seeds in July. The Sheeps' Fescue is easily distinguished from the festuca duriuscula, by its dwarf and more tufted habit of growth ; its short, stiff, upright leaves and above all by its square like culms or stalks ; its quality of produce is much inferior to that of the other cultivated Fescues, but it is admirably adapted for growing on elevated, moorish sheep-pastures, and is so well liked by these animals that it has been said they have no relish for pasture except where it exists. Although its foilage is fine, yet it is not adapted for sowing on lawns, etc., on account of its small, tufted habit of growth and the difficulty experienced in cutting it with the scythe, like most of the common fescues. Only 1 or 2 Ibs. of seed should enter a mix- ture of other seeds for permanent pasture. A bushel of this weighs 14 Ibs. I am cultivating this grass this season, both separately and mixed with other grasses. HARD FESCUE. 53 CHAPTER XIV. HARD FESCILE GRASS.' Festuca Duriuscula— Specific Character. Taller than tlie sheep's fescue, with spikelets rather larger usually in a more compound panicle ; €ulm leaves often flat or less convulate, and the lower with their sheaths either smooth or hairy. New England and Virginia, natural and indigenous ; Northward, Gray. Flowers in June and ripens seeds in July. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 13th. Water G9.33 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.70 Tatty matters. .. 1.02 Heat producing manciples, starch, sugar, gum, etc.. .. 12.40 Woody Fibre....? 11.83 Mineral matter or Ash .. 1.66 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 12.10 Fatty matters 3.31 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc... 40.43 Woody Fibre 38.71 Mineral matter or Ash 5.42 100.00 The hard fescue may be classed amongst the best native grasses for general purposes ; it will thrive on a great variety of soils, and produce a greater weight of fodder than might be expected from its dwarf habit of growth compared with some of the others ; and is found to resist the effects of severe drought in 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 Ibs. with a mixture of other seeds. A bushel of the seeds of Festuca Duriuscula weigh 10 Ibs. 1 have sown it 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 highr roots creeping, perrennial. Its radical or root leaves are broader than those of the stem, while in most other species of fescue fthe 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 the best 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 Ibs. of seed as a propor- tion in a mixture with other seeds. A bushel of this seed weighs 14 Ibs. I have sown this grass in a mixture, also seperately, for experiment. » CHAPTER XYI. TALLER, OR MEADOW FESCUE. Festuca Elatlor — Specific Character Panicle narrow, contracted before and after flower- ing, erect, with short branches ; spikelets crowded, 56 TALLEK, OK MEADOW FESCUE. 5 to 10 flowered, the flowers 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 an inch long, in an ample and compound panicle ; root perrennial, fibrous, somewhat creeping and forming large tufts. Flowers in June and ripens 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 fibt 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. For a separate seeding from 20 to 28 Ibs. 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 SCEXTED YEENAL. 57 CHAPTER XVII. SWEET SCENTED VERNAL. Anthcxanthum Odoratum — Specific Character. Spikelets (brownish or tinned 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 gr^en. from the field May 26th. Water 80.35 Albuminous or iiesh forming' principles .,. , 2.05 Fatty matters . - .67 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 8.54 Woody fibre , 7.15 Mineral matter or Ash.. 1.24 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212C> Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 10.43 Fatty matters. 3.41 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 43.48 Woody fibre...... _.. 36.38 Mineral matter or Ash... 6.32 100.00 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 8 YELLOW OAT OB ASS. 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 tfre 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 Ibs. of seed is sufficient to enter a mixture with other grasses. Its seeds weigh only 6 Ibs. per bushel. I am growing this grass. CHAPTER XVIII. YELLOW OAT GEASS. Avena Flavescens— Generic Character. Spikelets three to many, flowered, with an open, large, diffuse 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. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 29th, Water. , 60.40 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 2.96 Fatty matters 1.04 YELLOW OAT GRASS. 59 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc 18.66 Woody fibre 14.22 Mineral matter, or Ash 2.72 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212 Q Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 7.48 Fatty matters 2.61 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 47.08 "Woody fibre 35.95 Mineral matter, or Ash 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 perrermial, 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 jseeded 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 Ibs. make a bushel of the seeds of Avena Flavescens. 63 DOWNY OAT GRASS. CHAPTER XIX. DOW]NTY OAT GRASS. Trisetum Puhescens — 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. Flowers in June, and ripens seeds in July. WAY'S ANALYSIS 100 parts taken green from the field July llth. Water 61.50^ Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 3.07; Fatty matters '. 92. Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 19.16 Woody Fibre 13.34 Mineral matter, or Ash 2.01 100. OO' 100 parts of the grass dried at 212Q Fahr Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 7.97 Fatty matters 2.39 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 49.78 Woody Fibre 34 64 Mineral matter, or Ash 5.22 Downy Oat grass, Trisetum Pubescens, better knowrn as Avena Pubescens, A Yel. Trisetum Pub- escens. Is generally found growing on dry, rocky soils, also on chalky ones 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 audits being but a slight impoverisher of the soil. It QUAKING GRASS. 61 will be seen by a comparison of tlie analysis of Avena Plavescens with that of this grass that one is equally as good as the other. I am not aware of this grass being cultivated to any extent in this country. CHAPTER XX. QUAKING GRASS. Briza Media — Specific C7iaracter. 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. ;\Yater .......... 51.85 Albuminous, or iiesli forming principles 2.93 Fatty matt* rs 1.45 Heat producing principles, starch, sugai?, gum, etc 22.60 Woody Fibre 17-00 .Mineral matter, or Ash 4.17 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. .Albuminous, or flesh forming principles B,08 Fatty matters . , . 3.01 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 46.95 Woody Fibre ' 35 30 Mineral matter, or Ash 8.66 100.00 Briza Media (Quaking grasss.) Grows naturally in light inferior or rather dry soils, and from d given weight yielding more nutritious matter than any other grass indigenous to such soils. Owiug, 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 in being of a much more light and yellowish green color, but in other respects 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 is found growing naturally in pastures in the middle and Eastern States. CHAPTER XXI. WOOLLY SOJT GEASS ; OK, YORKSHIEE WHITE. MEA- DOW SOFT GEASS. VELVET GEASS. Holcus Lanatus — Specific Character. Perrennial, soft, downy and pale ; panicle oblong;; upper glume mucronate, awned under the apex ?. awn of the staminate flower curved. Flowers m July, and ripens seeds in July. WAT'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts 843 taken green from the field June 29th Water 69.70 Albuminous, or flesh forming principles . . 3.49 Fatty matters 1 02: Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 11.92: Woody Fibre 11.9*= WOOLY BOFT GRASS. 6$ Mineral matter, or Ash 1.93 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous, or flesh forming principles. 11.52 Fatty matters T 3.56 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 39.25 Woody Fibre 11.30* Mineral matter, or Ash 6.37 100.00 This is a very common grass in England and grows on all soils, from the richest to the poorest. It at- tains to the greatest degree of luxuriance on light moist soils; particularly on those of a peaty nature. Cattle are not fond of this grass. It is chiefly used on sheep walks and answers well for that purpose. [t is said to occasion a voilent discharge of urine? and general weakness, if given to horses. There be- ng so many grasses superior to this, in many re- spects, it cannot support a good claim to a place in the 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- .ng light is easily dispersed by the winds and though a late flowering grass the seeds ripens sooner :han that of most others and before hay harvest be- gins, is generally perfected. This grass has long 3een introduced into this country. It is known by ;he names of Salem grass and White Timothy in the Eastern States. Its seed* weigh 7 pounds per bushel, f am growing this grass. 64 CREEPING SOFT GRASS. CHAPTER XXIT. CREEPING SOFT GRASS. Holcus Mollis. 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 foliage 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 Holcus 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 SOUTHERN STATES. (Agrostis Vulgaris} — Specific Character. Rootstocks creeping ; culm 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 BE]NTT GRASS. -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 as a useless grass to be got quit of as soon as possible, more particularly as its creeping roots prove highly injurious to the 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. It is 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 America .as it is 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 fewjneadows of three or four years standing in which Eed 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. As a consequence improved breeds of cattle or sheep are rare upon the sland, except on the lands of progressive farmers, whose system of grass culture embrace a mixture cf Ob FINE BENT GRASS. useful species which afford a sweet and varied herb- age so grateful to stock of all kinds. Red Top 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, k 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 exempli- 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 "beera sufficiently proved that Agrostis vmlgaris, (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 the soil 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 Ibs. of seed per acre on such soils should be sown. About 2 or 3 Ibs. of the seed of this grass should enter into a mixture with the seeds of other grasses for permanent pasture. 12 Ibs. of Ked Top seed make a bushel. CHAPTER XXIV LARGE LEAVED, CREEPING BENT GRASS OR FIORINA Agrostis Stolinifera Var 1 Latifolia— Specific Character. 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 soilr 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 Faureen, was first intro- duced to the 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 a& €8 BKOAD LEAVED, OR CREEPING BEISTT. putting forth a great profusion of strings (lateral) like the side -shoots by which strawberries increases and by which it is propagated. The roots penetrate but a short distance into the soil, thus denoting that its chief sustenance is drawn from the atmosphere and it is represented, 1st, to grow luxuriantly in low and swamp grounds which but for the cultivation of it would be of little or no value. 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. 3rd, 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, Scot- land, raised it with great vsuccess. His product was from live to seven tons per acre. Sir James Stewart cultivated it on a spongy mass, and obtained from live 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 thirtieth, crops without any falling off in 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, OB CREEPING BENT. 69s 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 lit tie 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 grass as recommended by Dr. Richardson under the name of Piorin, whereas though they agree in the general habit of Drf Richardson's variety and 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 various1 soils arid 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 cuttings are prepared in the simplest manner by twisting the strings into loose rope about the thickness of the arm, and then cutting them with an axe or hedge-bill (bill hook) upon a plank into lengths 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 ol 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 GRAS3. (Glyceria Nervatd) — 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 half a foot and more in MEADOW SPEAR GRASS. 71 length, 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. Hoot, perrermial. Native of America. Sinclair had a high opinion, of the hardy qualities of this grass ; he states that in February 1814, after .tin; severe winter preceding, this grass was perfectly green and succulent, while not 01:0 species of irrass out of nearly 300 different species that grew around it remained in a healthy state, but were inferior and more o;- 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 very 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 appear that any attention is paid to its cultivation. It is useful as a ^mixture on wet or moist pastures. 72 FLOATING GLACERIA. CHAPTER XXVI. FLOATING GLYCERIA, MANXA GRASS. (Olyceria 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. Boot 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 iorm the manna 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. REEIT MEADOW GRASS. Glyceria Aquatica — Specific 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 3-12 inches long): Lower palet entire ; leaves large, 1 to 2 feet long 1-3 to 1-2 inch wide. Wet grounds, common Northward. Flowers in 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 thereto 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 XXYIII SIBERIAN LYME GRASS. Elymus Sibericus — Specific C7iaracter. Glabrous: spike wand like 2 to 6 inches long, about 3-12 in thick, often somewhat nodding; spikelets in pairs 3 to 6 flowered: glumes linear lanceolate 3 to 5 iierved, short awned, shorter than the florets, which are rather sfiort 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 aperrennial, it is not so perm- anent in its duration 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 Siberian Lyrae 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 — Specific Character. This grass, which much resembles beach grass, grows from two to five feet high, with a perrennial long, creeping root. Stem erect, round, smooth ; leaves long narrow, hard, grayish, pointed, grooved, rolled in, smooth behind and rough on the inner surface. It flowers in 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- duced 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 C7iaracter. Spikelets altogether as in Panicum proper, and awriless, 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 subgenns of panicum. Name from Seta, a bristle. Gray. This grass has been introduced into this country through the instrumentality of the U. S. Patent offlce 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. Cut it when in bloom, before any seed is formed ; wilt in the swath the same as HUNGARIAN GKASS. > 77 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. 1 only, feed grain in the spring when doing heavy plowing. Grive your horses 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 advantage 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 deliciency. 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 seventy 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 v 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. PAET SECOND. CHAPTER I. The Artificial grasses, belonging mostly to the Leg- uminosa or Pulse Family of plants cultivated and nsed both in a green and dried state as food Jfor 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 reached 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 unfit lor use. This unfortunate circumstance delayed his projected '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-live acres of ~ wheat braird, an account of the success of which he sent to tlie 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 marie grass, is believed to be the kind first introduced. In the .course 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 Timotliy, 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 tins" pencil! 1^er"aiFe^rpFe"senT, three distinct species pf^j^L, clover, inJBngland, which are culti- valiecMby agriculturists, viz : Trifolium PraJenseT Trifolium Perrenne'lind Trifolium Medium, It will be seen by a comparison of tteir analyses, that there is not much difference in their nutritive values. There is however, in their perrennial ^ropgrties, the In this country allhe^presant time it may be said 'that red clover is simply divided into two classes, the large ^Qii^^mmothjfe-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. i~ Sainfoin I have found to grow well here this spring when other grasses made very little progress. Sainfoinvhas been cultivated in England since 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 on a 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 EED CLOVER, MAFvLE GEASS. Trifolium Pratense — Specific 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 . Water 81.01 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 4.27 Fatty matters *~*-> plant may be taken up and divided into ten or more . fibrous^roots, j ust 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 Ibs. of seed is used per acre, if sown as a separate crop. The Canada Farmer says of Alsyke Clover : It should be sown in jthe spring, with wheat^or barley, in preciseljTTie^ame 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 line 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. 95 riety are, that it does not heavej^j^f jthe^gr^onandMii spring wifo jEEe^^^ 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 a^ 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 lind 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^eavj^joila^ clay s, or heavy clay loams (as well as sandy soils), not_being,^ojjable to heave out by frosts in winter and spring as red clo- verpbemg We product of a cross between the red and white clovers originated in Germany, 5th. To all farmers who keep bees largely the crop would be_ of great value in its season of flowering, which lasts about six weeks ; the bees are continually on it, " from dewy morn until dusky eve." 6th. To those farmers raising clovef 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 CLOVEE. T. ~\V. 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 is in bloom eaiiy^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 rose, and the root, in our loamy soils^ene- trates to the depth of 18 or 20 inches, and is a tap root, like that of the recTclover — hence it may be in- ferrecrilis 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. JJJQ4 Ibs. of seed is sufficient to seed an acre, with the usual quantity of Timothy, if properly distributed. The Southern Planter says : In early spring sowed 1 11) 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 up orr 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 — seed 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 CLOVEE. 97 the purposes of feeding cattle, sheep, and horses ; and I believe it to be equal to the red clover as a fer- 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 oiTJusFas 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 3^ to 4 Ibj3.j3erjicre, when sown with wheat, rye, oats, or barley, is sufficient. It generally yields from 3 to 8 bushels of seed per acre. CHAPTER VII. YELLOW CLOVER, HOP TREFOIL OR SHAMROCK CLOVER. Trifolium Procuinbens — Specific C7iaracter. 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 ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 13lh. Water 83.48 Albuminous, or flesh forming principles 3 .9 Fatty matters 77 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc. . . 7.25 Woody Fibre 3.74 Mineral matter or ash 1.37 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 20.48 Fatty matters 4.67 Heat producing principles, starch, gum, sugar, etc.. .. 43.86 Woody Fibre 22 66 Mineral matter or ash. 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, irom 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 they can procure more nutritious food. Although generally termed an annual, Trifolium Filifonne is found of biennial duration, especially when grown in medium good soil, or when eaten down bv Battle 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, June 4th. Water 82.14 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 2.96 Fatty matter 67 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. . . G.70 Woody fibre 5.78 Mineral matter or ash 175 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 16 60 Fatty matter 3.73 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc.. . 37.50 Woody fibre 32.39 Mineral matter or ash 9.78- 100.00 The Trifolium Incarnattim has long been known in England amongst horticulturists as a beautiful border annual. But is is 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 TKEFOIL. 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 TEEFOIL. of the Trifolium Incarnatum, compared with which it is 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, instead 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 TREFOIL. Lotus Corniculatus. Eemarks. 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 TREEOIL. 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. Water 69.65 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.83 Fatty matters - .82 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 13.62 Woody fibre 8.74 Mineral matter or Ash 3.04 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 12.96 Fatty matters 2.76 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 40.16 Woody fibre.. 34.21 Mineral matter or Ash. 10.11 100.00 Lucerne was introduced into British husbandry about the middle of the ] 7th 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 Ibs 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 August, perceiving that some of the rye was push- ing up seed stalks, he mowed it and fed it green to Ms 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 LUCEBNE. 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 difficulty 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 pushes 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 Ibs. per acre, with half a bushel of rye, oats, or barley. As a rule, cut when in flower for soiling. It may be drilled to ad- vantage, in drills twelve inches apart ; 15 Ibs. of seed per acre, if drilled ; 25 Ibs. 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, ISTO^ESIJCH, LUCEERNE, RESEMBLING- HOP TEEFOIL. Medicago Lupulina — Specific 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 proper 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 76.80 Albuminous or flesh forming principles 5. 70 Fatty matters. 94 Heat producing Drinciples, starch, sugar, gum, etc.. .. 7.73 Woody Fibre... .T 6.32 Mineral matter or Ash . . 2.51 100.00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 24.60 Fatty matters 4.06 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. . . 33.31 Woody Fibre 27.19 Mineral matter or Ash.. . 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 introduced into this country from England many years ago, although little attention has been paid to its cultivation. From 4 to 6 Ibs. of Nonesuch or Yellow Clover seed, with the usual quantity of red clover seed, should be sown per acre. CHAPTER XV. SAINFOIN OB COCKSHEAD. Oinobrycliis Sativa — Generic Character. Keel transversely obtuse ; legume jointed, with one seed joint. Specific Character. Legume one-seeded, prickly ; wings of the coriolla, 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 June and July. 110 SAINFOIN. WAY'S ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 8th. Water 76. Gi Albuminous or flesh forming principles • 4.32 Fatty matter 70 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 10.73 Woody fibre 5.77 Mineral matter or ash 1.84 100,00 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 1S.45> Fatty matter 3.01 Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc . . . 45.06 Woody Fibre 24.71 Mineral Water, or Ash 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- zerland 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 : " It is 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. He says : " In Wiltshire, in several places, there are precedents of Sainfoin that has been there twenty years, growing on poor land, and 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." SAINFOIN. Ill 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 stiif 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 and a 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 salely 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. It should 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 periods 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 ; it is 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 require 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 26 Ibs. to the bushel. BUKNET, 113 CHAPTER XVI. BURKET. Poterium Sanguisorba— Specific 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- land. Flowers end of June, and ripens seed end of July. Burnet abounds much on all chalky dowrns in England, but will flourish on any soil, whether, sand, clay, peat, etc. It is 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, ofHolkham, 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 BTRNET. 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 imcombined 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 inva- 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, than if sown alone. On poor, chalky soils it has also been tried with good effect, in combination with cocksfoot, and also with small quantities 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 ; at least 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 harro wings. It may also be sown, with buckwheat in May withjmuch 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, OK TAKE. Vicia Sativa— Specific CJiaracter. 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>re 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 ANALYSIS. 100 parts as taken green from the field June 13th. 82>90 Albuminous or flesh forming principles .............. 4.04 Fatty matters. * . • . ................................ [52 Heat producing principles, starch, guin, sugar, etc. . 6.75 Woody fibre ..................................... 4 68 Mineral matter or ash ............................ l.H 100.00 116 COMMON VETCH. 100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. Albuminous or flesh forming principles 23.61 Fatty matter 3.06 ' Heat producing principles, starch, sugar,gum, etc. . .. 39.45 Woody fibre 27.38 Mineral matter or ash 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 cpnsumption 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 io 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 tares 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 1st 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. CicTiorium 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 tlie sides of the stalks, and are of a fine, blue color. They are succeeded by oblong seeds, covered and enclosed in down. This succulent perrennial plant is cultivated 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 it is evident that the latter will admit of the more early sowing. When sown by itself, any time from 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 Ibs. 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. EIB GRASS. Plantago Lanceolata — Specific Character. Natural o^der, 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 Plaintainv 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 XX. YARROW. AcTiillea Millefolium — Specific Character. Natural order 53. (Composite Family) Genus 53. (Common Yarrow or Milfoil). Stems.simple; leaves CORN. 121 twice pinna tely 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 tiian- 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 Ibs. 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 XXL INDIAN CORIST. ) Maize — Generic Character. Spikelets two-flowered ; flowers monoecious, 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 form 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, purported, 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 ol 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 com fodder are*— lefc Rich, warm, 124 IKDIAK COKN. 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 western 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 mellow a 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. It cures in three or four days enough to bind. Then it is stacked up, putting eight bundles in a bunch, securely tied at top. In this way it becomes well cured wrhen 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 field, and draw as needed. The advantage of drilling is, the stalks are not so large and woody, and are all 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 COKN. 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. PAET THIKD* CHAPTER I. The Order Graminae, 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 caryopsis. 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 description 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, orders, 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 2nd]y. 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 Grraminse. 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, occupy 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 ±he 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. 131 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 person 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, etc. — 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* — 132 INTRODUCTION. FIBROUS. That is, consisting of many small fibres or threads, by which they draw their nourishment from the earth. CREEPING. Larger than fibrous, and extending more (horizontally) in the soil. BULBOUS. 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. LIGULE. 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 palse, 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 is the 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. WHITE GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Flowers crowded in one sided panlcled 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. LEERSIA, Virginica (White Grass), Virginia Cut Grass. Grows in wet woods ; flowers in August and September ; ef no agricultural value. 136 ZIZANIA. 2. LEE RSI A, Oryzoides, (Kice Cut Grass, False Rice, White Grass.) Very wet places; common, flow- ers in August ; possesses no agricultural value. 3. LEEKSIA, Lenticular is, (Fly Catch Grass.) Low grounds, Virginia, Illinois and southward ; peren- nial ; flowers in July; no value. 2. ZIZANIA— Gronovis. WATER OB INDIAN KICE. GENERIC CHARACTER. Flowers monsecious ; the staminate and pistillate both in 3 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. ZIZANIA, Aquatica (Indian Rice, Water Oats). This grass grows wild in the Southern States, also in the JSTorthwestern ; seeds used for food for Indians. Common in swampy borders of streams and in shal- low waters ; flowers in August. 2. ZIZANIA, Miliacea (Prolific Eice). Found in Ohio and South, and grows from six to ten feet high in shallow water ; flowers in August. ALOPECURUS. 137 3, ALOPECURLS— Linnaeus. FOXTAIL 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. ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS, Linnceus (Meadow Foxtail). See page 35. 2. ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS, Linnceus (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 ; flowera 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 bet ween the fens and moister meadow lands in England, for it is found in some of the rich- 133 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 in a nearly horizontal position, the lower joints touching the ground, and it may be propagated by slips. Its seeds are difficult to pro- cure, owing to the small number of culms or seed stalks which it produces, and the remarkable irregu- larity of their opening. 3. ALOPECUEUS 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. ALOPECURTJS ARISTULATUS (the Wild Water Fox Tail). Grows in water and wet places of no agri- cultural value ; flowers in June and August. 4. PHLEUM — Linseus. CATSTAIL 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.) CEYPSIS. — VILFA. 139 1. PHLEUM PEATENSE, Linnceus (Timothy Catstail). See page 19. 2. PHLEUM AI^PTNVM, Linnceus (Mountain Catstail). Alpine tops of the White Mountains, New Hamp- shire3 and high northward. 5. CRYPSIS-Aiton. CEYPSIS. GENEEIC CHAEACTEE. 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 East, 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. 1. CEYPSIS SCHOEISTOIDES, Lam. Waste places, streets of Philadelphia and Vicinity ; also Wilming- ton (Delaware) common. 6. VTLFA — Adanson, Pd' Beauveois. BUSH GEASS. GENEEIC CHAEACTEE. 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. VILFA ASPEEA (Kough-Leaved Vilfa, Rush Grass). Flowers in September; of no agricultural value. 2. YILFA V AGIN^EFLORA (Hidden-Flowered Vilfa). Common on barren, sandy soil?, from Maine to Illin- ois ; nq value. 3. YILFA CUSPIDATA, Torr. Borders of Maine, on St. John' s river, etc. 4. YILFA VIRGIOTCA, Beauv. 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. AGEOSTIS. 141 1. S. JuisrcEUS (Bush-like drop seed). Prairies, Wisconsin and the South. Flowers in August. 2. S. HETEEOLEPIS, Gray (Strong-scented Vilfa). This plant emits a strong odor. Middle and Western States to Illinois ; flowers in August. 3. S. CEYPTANDIUS, Or ay (Large Panicled Vilfa). Panicle lead-colored ; sandy shores, coast of New England and of the Great Lakes ; flowers in August and September. 4. S. COMPEESSUS (Close-flowered drop seed) ; of no value for agricultural purposes. 5. S, SEEOTISTUS, Gray (Late Drop Seed). It is a delicate grass, of no agricultural value ; flowers in September. 8. AGROSTIS, Linn. BENT GEASS. GENEEIC CHAEACTEE. 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, slender ; root commonly perennial. (Name from agros, a field, the place of growth.) » 1. A. ELATA (Taller Thin Grass). Grows from two to three feet high, in swamps, from New Jersey southward. 142 AGBOSTIS. 2. A. PEEEKNA.NS (Thin Grass. Damp, shaded places. 3. A. SCABEA (Hair Grass or Fly- Away Grass, Tickle Grass, Common in old fields and marshy places ; no value. 4. A. CAISTSTA (Brown or Dogs' Bent Grass). SPECIFIC CHAEACTEE. 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. VULGAEIS (Fine Bent Grass, Red Top). See page 64. 6. A. ALBA (White Bent Grass). SPECIFIC CHAEACTEE. Paoicle 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. DISPAE (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 I am aware of. When once rooted it is almost as bad as Triticum Repens to extirpate. It has been tried and discarded in England. 9. POLYPOGOJST— Desfontains. BEAED GEASS. GENEEIC CHAEACTEB. Spikelets 1-flowered, in a contracted, mostly spike- like panicle ; glumes nearly equal, long-awned, mu«k 144 CIXKA. „ longer than the membranaceous palets, the lower or which is commonly short-awned below the apex ; stamens 3 ; 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. WOOD REED 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 value. agricultural 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 Eev. 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. Grlomerata (Cluster* i mon in swamps, low grouii'l August and September. £ Muhlenbergia). Corn- bogs, etc. Flowers in 146 BRACIIYELYTKU3I. 3. M. Mexicana (Mexican Muhlenbergia). Resem- bles fowl meadow grass. Regarded as a troublesome weed. Common in low 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 high. Flowers in August. 6. M. Diffusa (Drop Seed Nimblewill). Is common at tli€ 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. BRACHYELYTEUM— Beauv. BKACHYELY- TllUM. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 1-flowered, with a conspicuous filiform pedicil of an abortive second flower about half its length, nearly terete, few, in a simple appressed 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. REED BENT 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 bearing 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 CALAMGEOSTIS. root-stocks, and mostly tall and simple rigid culms. Name compounded of tlie Greek words Tealamos, a reed, and agrostis, a grass, 1. C. Canadensis (Blue Joint Grass). Wet grounds). Common northward. Flowers in July. A useful grass. 2. C. 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. Porterr, Gray. Found in dry w^oods, Pulpit Eocks and vicinity, Huntington county, Pennsyl- vania. . 7. C. Pickeringii, Gray. Found near Summit of White mountains, 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 OEYZOPSIS. 149 Lakes, from Illinois and Michigan northwestward. Flowers in August. 10. CALAMAGEOTIS, Arenaria (Beach Grass, Sea Sand, Reed, Mat Grass). SPECIFIC CHAEACTER. 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 EICE. GENEEIC CHAEACTEE. 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 <3blong grain. A simple, untwisted and deciduous awn, jointed on its apex. Stamens 3 ; Squamulse 2 150 STIPA. or 3, 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 apsis, likeness, from a fancied resemblance to'that grain.) 1. O. Melanocarpa, (Black Mountain Eice), 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. Ganadensis (Smallest, or Canadian Eice) Eocky hills and dry plains ; rare ; flowers in May. 15. STTPA, Linn. FEATHER 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 flaxen appearance of the feathery awns of the orig- inal species. In our species the awn is naked). Gray. 1. S. RicJiardsonii) Richardson's Feather; no ag- ricultural value. 2. S. Avenacea (Black Oat Grass) is one of the prairie grasses of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, &c. Flowers in July. 3. S. Spartea (Porcupine Grass) this is another prairie grass. 4. S. Pennata (Feather Grass) one of the most beautiful of the Genus Perennial. An ornamental grass in gardens. 16. ARISTLDA, Linn. TRIPLE AWNED GKASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Glumes unequal, often bristle pointed. Lower palet, tipped with three awns, the upper much smaller ; otherv^se much as in stipa. Culms branch- ing ; leaves narrow, often involute. Spikelets in simple or panicied 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. Ramos sis sima (Three Awned Grass). Found on dry prairies of Illinois and in Kentucky. 152 SPARTINA. 2. A. DicJiotoma (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. OligantJia, 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 irom Massachusettes to Illinois and Southward. Not cultivated. 7. A. Lanata. Found in Maryland and South- ward. 8. A. Tuberculosa, (Long Awned Poverty Grass). Sandy soil, East Massachusetts to New Jersey, also Wisconsin, Illinois and Southward. 17. SPARTINA, Schreber. CORD OR MARSH 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- SPAETINA. 153 less palets, of which the upper is longest. Squam- ulse 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. S. Cynosuroides (Fresh Water Cord Grass, or Tall Marsh Grass). Found on banks of rivers and lakes, especially Northward, also in Western States. Mowers in August. 2. S. PolystacJiya (The Salt Reed Grass). Salt or brackish marshes, within tide water, especially Southward. 3. S. Juncea (Rush Salt Grasss). Salt marshes and sea beaches. ^ 4. S. JStricta (Salt Marsh Grass). Salt marshes. Pennsylvania and South. Odor strong and rancid. 5. S. Glabra (Rough Marsh Grass), a variety of the last; common on the coast of New England, Southward. 6. S. AtterniflorcL (Smooth Marsh Grass. This grass has a strong and rancid odor, and is common with the last. Spartina Atterniflora and S. 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. TOOTHACHE 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. Squamulse 2. Stamens 3. Stigmas plum- ose. Name Greek — Tctenion a small comb — from the pec- tinate appearance of the spike. 1. C. Americanum (Tooth-ache grass). Stem 3 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. MUSKIT 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 GYM1STOPOG01S'. 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, Illinois, and southward. 3. B. Curtipendula (Hairy Muskit). This grass is cultivated in many parts of the Southern States. Flowers from July to September. 20. GYMNOPOGON— Beauv. NAKED BEAED 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, ratlier, 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 its base. 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 reduction 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. BERMUDA or SCUTCH 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. CY1STODON. 157 X Name derived from the Greek — Tcjnos a dog, and odontos a tooth. 1. Cynodon Dactylon (Bermuda Grass, Scutch Grass. SPECIFIC CIIAEACTEK. Spikes four or five, crowded together, corolla smooth. StnitJi'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 stipulse ; 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 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 olven more attention to the history and cultivation of this grass than, perhaps, any other man in the country, says of it : UI made my first working acquaintance with this grass in 1842. Prom 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 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 owner and 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 : " If 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 JNew 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 DACTYLOCTEmUM.— ELEUSIKE. 22. D ACT YLOCTENTUM— Wild. GEASS. GEj^EEIC CHAEACTEE. 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- lar and rough- wrinkled seed. Root annual. Culms diffuse, often creeping at the base. Name compounded vidaktylos, finger, an&lctenion, a, little comb, alluding to the digitate and pectinate spikes. 1. D.Egyptiacum (Egyptian Grass). A troublesome weed. 23 ELEUSINE — Gsertn. CEAB GEASS, YAED GEASS. GESTEEIC CHAEACTEE. 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 Eleusin, the town where Ceres, the goddess of harvests, was worshipped. 1. E. Indica (Crab Grass, Wire Grass, Crowsfoot). A useful grass in Mississippi, Alabama, arid adjoin- ing States ; growing luxuriantly, and is plowed down as a fertilizer — also serving as a hay and for pasturage. 24. LEPTOCHLOA— Beau v. OXYDENIA, 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 ripper 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, larger than the upper. Stamens 2 or 3. Seed some- times loose in the pericarp. Ours annuals. Leaves flat. Name composed of leptos, slender, and cJiloa, grass, from the long, attenuated spikes. Gray. 1. L. Mucronata (Pointed Slender Grass). Found in fields from Virginia to Illinois and southward. An 162 TEICUSPIS. annual, growing from two to three fee thigh. 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. TEICUSPIS— Beauv. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 3 to 12-flowered, somewhat terete ; the terminal flower abortive. Glumes unequal. 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 3-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 tricuspis, 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. GRAPHEPIIORUM. 163 2. T. Purpurea, Gray (Sand Grass). Is fonnd 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. GKAPHEPHORUM— Desv. DUPONTIA, R. BE. 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 sea- rious, the lower one convex, scarcely keeled, faintly nerved, entire, pointless, and awnless. Stamens 3. 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 A venae, but awnless ; named from grapTiis, a pencil, and phero, to Ibear, from the tufts of hair at the base of the flowers. 1. G. Melicoides, Beauv. Stem 1 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 3 feet high. Found in Macomb county, Michigan. 164 DIAEEHENA. — DACTYLIS. 27. DIAKBHENA— Eaf. DIABBHENA. GENERIC CHAEACTEE. 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. Squamulse ovate, ciliate. Stamens 2. Grain very large, obliquely ovoid, obtusely pointed, rather longer than the palets, the cartilaginous 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 long) in a very simple panicle. Name composed of dis, two, and arren man, from the two stamens. 1. D. Americana, Beauv. (Twin Grass). Shaded river banks and woods, Ohio to Illinois, and south- ward. 28. DACTYLIS— Linseus. OECLAED GEASS. GENEEIC CHAEACTEE. Spikelets several-flowered, crowded in one-sided clusters, forming a branching dense panicle. Glumes and lower palet herbaceous, keeled, awn-pointed, KOELERIA. 1 65 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. 29. KOELERIA, Pers. KOELERIA. GEXERIC 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. 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— Kaf. REBOULEA, KUJSTTH. 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, 3-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, slender 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, and southward. Flowers in June and July. 2. E. Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Eatonia). Is a common grass in moist woods anrl meadows through- out the Northern States. Flowers in June and July. MELICA. — GLYCERIA. 167 31. MELICA— Linn. MELIC 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 meli, 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. 32. GLYCEKIA— R. Br., Trin. MATSTXA GRASS. GENERIC 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 1 to 3-nerved meinbranaceous glumes behind. Palets naked, of a rather firm texture, nearly equal ; the lower rounded on the back, scarious (and some- 168 GLYCERIA. times obscurely tootlied) 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. Comimn from Pennsylvania, northward. Flowers in July. 2. G. Obtusa (The obtuse Spear Grass). An aquatic grass. 3. G. Elongata (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. 169 flowers twice the length. Wet places, Pennsylvania to Maine. Rather rare. 9. G- Maratima (G-oose 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 Ueflexed Meadow Grass). Similar to goose grass, but of less value. 33. BIUZOPYRUM— 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 dioecious, pretty large. Leaves crowded on the culms, involute, commonly rigid. Name compounded of briza, the quaking grass, andjpym?, wheat. 1. B. Spicatum (Spike Grass). A salt marsh grass, with creeping rootstocks ; stems from 10 to 18 inches high, in tufts. Flowers in An gust. 170 POA. 34 POA — Linn. MEADOW GRASS, SPEAK 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 scarions 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, x2-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. I ; 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 CHARACTER. Culms flattened ; panicle often 1-sided ; spikelets crowded, very short pedicelled, 3 to 7-flowered. Common. Poa Annua is not, as its name implies, 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 w^ere 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 (Plat Stalked or Creeping Poa — green grass, bine 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. Csesia. Similar to Poa Nemoralis. Wood meadow grass. 6. P. gerotina (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 Gra;ss). Rocky Woodlands from New England to Wisconsin. 11. Poa Alsodes, GVa;?/ ( 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. 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. jSTemoralis (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 demesnes 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. EBAGROSTIS— Beauv. ERAGROSTIS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 2 to 70-flowered, nearly as in Poa, except that the lower palet is but 3 (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. EKAOKOSTIS. 173 An early name, probably from era, earth, and ftgrostiS) in allusion to the procumbent habit of the original species. 1. Eragrostis Eepians (Creeping Meadow Grass). Common, gravelly river borders. Flowers in August, 2. E. Poseoides (Strong Scented Meadow Grass). Sandy waste places, eastward ; scarce. Variety Megastachya. Similar situations, and more com- mon. Flowers in August. Emits a sharp, unpleas- ant odor. 3. E. Pilosa (The Slender Meadow grass). Sandy or gravelly waste places, New England to Illinois, and southward. 4. E. Frankii (Short Stalked Meadow). Low or sandy ground in Ohio, Illinois, and southwestward, 5. E. Purshii (Southern Eragrostis). Sandy or sterile open grounds, New Jersey to Virginia, and south- ward. 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 BRIZ A . — FESTUC A . 36. BRIZ A. — Linn. QUAKING GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets many-flowered, ovate or heart-shaped, flattish tumid, the flowers closely imbricated ; glumes roundish, unequal (pnrple) ; 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 IritTio, 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. FESCUE 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, tlie upper mostly adhering at maturity to the enclosed grain ; stamens 1 to 3 ; flowers, and often the leaves, rather dry and harsh. An ancient Latin name. 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. Flowers in 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 to 9-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, large 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. 177 2. Bromus Racemosus (Smooth Broom or Upright Chess). Is often mistaken for B. Secalinus ; it rs also common 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, it is very easy to detect B. Mollis or B. Racemos, by their being larger, much broader tow- ards the points, etc. 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 great 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 (or in 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. An ancient name of some plant, a diminutive of iO) unity. 1. U. Paniculata (Spike grass). Sand hills, sea- shore, S. Virginia and southward. 2. U, Latifolia (Broad Leaved Spike grass). Shaded rich hill sides, S. 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 . — ARUNDINAKIA. 179 40. PHRAGMITES— Trin. REED. 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 ; squamulse 2, large ; styles long ; grain free. Tall and stout perennials, with numerous broad leaves and a large terminal panicle. PTiragmites, 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 gr'ass. 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. ARITNDINARIA— 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 LEPTURIJS. lower convex on the back, many-nerved, tapering into a mucronate point or bristle ; squamulse 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, S. 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. LEPTURUS. 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 leptos, slender, and oyra, a tail. 1. L. Paniculatus (Slender Tail grass). Open grounds and salt licks, Illinois and westward. Rare. LOLIUM. 181 43. LOLIUM— Linn. DARNEL, 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. 30. 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 flowrer (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. WHEAT. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 3-several-flowered, single at each joint, and placed with the side against the rhachis ; glumes transverse (L e., right and left), nearly equal and opposite, herbaceous, nerved ; lower palet very like the glumes, convex on the back, pointed or awned Irom 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 tritus, 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, Gsertn., to which the following be- long.) Flowers in summer. 1. TriticumRepens,Z/m7£. (^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- HOEDEUM. 183 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 CHAEACTEE. 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. Eelished by cattle. 46. ELYMUS— Linn. LYME GRASS. WILD GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 2 to 4 at 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. E. Virginicus (Lyme grass, Wild Rye). River banks, from New England to Illinois, and Wiscon- sin. 2. E. Canadensis (Canadian Lyme grass). Common on river banks ; also Var. Glaucifolias, same. GYMNOSTICHUM. 185 3. E.' Sibericus (Siberian Lyme grass). See page 74. 4. E. 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. BOTTLE BRUSH 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 DANTHOISTIA.— A VENA. 48. DANTHONIA— De Candolle. WILD 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 as in 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 W ild Oat Grass) . 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. 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 Il-nerved5 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. TKISETUM. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 2 to several-flowered, often in a contracted panicle, the lower palet compressed-keeled, of about 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 tris, three, and seta, a bristle. Otherwise nearly as in Avena. Ours are perennials. Gray. 1. T. Subspicatum, JBeauv. Var. molle (Downy Persoon). Found on rocky river banks, from New England to Wisconsin, and northward. Flowers in July. About 1 foot high ; leaves flat, 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. 51. AIRA — Linn. HAIE 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, Heiglit one and a half to two feet ; flowers in June and July. Grows naturally on healthy soitsin 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. It is sometimes found at a high alti- tude on mountains and hills above the level of the sea. Sheep eat it readily. 2. A. Csespitosa. Tufted Hair Grass. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Culm tufted, 2 to 4 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 as the 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 a considerable 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, 3. 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. AKRHENATHEKUM 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 atTier, 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. 53. HOLCUS. Linn. MEADOW SOFT 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. HOLY GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets 3-flowered, open panicled, the flowers all with 2 palets, the two lower (lateral) flowers stamin- 192 ANTHOXANTIIUM 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 exceeding the spikelet ; scarious— paletschar- taceous. Perennials ; leaves flat. Name composed of ieros, 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 tound on mountain tops in New England and New York, and northward. 55. ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM— Linn. SWEET VERBAL 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- Isd none ; grain ovate, adherent. PIIALARIS. 193 Name compounded of antTios, flower, and anthon, of flowers. L. 1. A, Odoratum (Sweet Scented Vernal). See page 57. 56. PHALARIS— Linn. CANARY GRASS. 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 pTialos, 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 G-aiter is a variety of this grass. 57. MILIUM. MILLET GRASS. 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 narroV 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. 68. 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 s rudiment of the lowest glnme 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 ampTiikarpps, 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 CHAEACTEE. 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 side, convex on the outer ; sta- mens 3. Said to have been an Ancient Greek name for Millet. 1. Paspalum Fluitans (Floating Paspalum). Kiver 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, Illinois, and southward. Flowers in August. 4. P. Lseve (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 sparselyflowered. Virginia and southward. 60. PANICUM. PANIC GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets panicled, racemed, or sometimes spiked, not involucrate, 1£ 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 Italics Thought to come from paniS) bread — some species 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 irom 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 (Hair 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. 13. P. Microcarpan. Dry, moist thickets, Penn- sylvania and Michigan to Illinois, 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 Virginia, 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 ditches. Flowers in September and Oc- tober. 21. P. Millaceum (Common Millet). SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Flowers in large, open, nodding panicles ; leaves lance-shaped, broad ; stem 1 to 2 feet high. Native of Turkey. Flint. 200 • SEPTAEIA. This grass lias 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 a fodder 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 Ibs. to the bushel. 61. SETARIA— Beauv. BRISTLY FOXTAIL 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 iormittg 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 brittle. 1. S. Verticillata (The Bristly Foxtail). SETA El A. 201 SPECIFIC CHARACTEE. Spike cylindrical (2 to 3 inches long, pale green), composed of apparently whorled short clusters ; bristles short, adhesive. Found near dwellings, though rarely. 2. S. Glauca (Bottle grass— sometimes called Fox- tail), SPECIFIC CHAEACTER. 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. S. Viridis (The Green Foxtail ; also called Bottle grass). 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. S. Italica (Italian Millet or Bengal grass). SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Spike compound, interrupted at the base, thickr 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 Gfermanica, by having a stronger spike, larger seed, and requiring a warmer climate to bring it to maturity. Otherwise it is nearly the S'eme. 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. S. G-ermanicum (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. 62. CENCHRUS— L. HEDGEHOG or BUB GEASS. 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 vile and troublesome weed. 63. TRIPSACUM— L. GAMA GRASS, SESAME GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets monoecious, 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 tribo, 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 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. WOOLLY 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 palet s, which are thinner and shorter than the nearly equal membranaceous glumes, the palet awned from the tip ; stamens 1 to 3 ; grain free. Tall and stout reed-like perennials, with the spikes crowded in a panicle, and clothed with long, silky hairs, especially 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, A1SIDROPOGOX. BEARD GRASS. GENERIC CHARACTER. Spikelets in pairs upon each joint of the slender liiachis, 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 olaner, 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- SOKGHUM. 207 times awnless, otherwise nearly as Andropogon ; stamens 3. 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 SOEGHUM: 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, jnay 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 the Evergreen. 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 Ibs 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 line 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 ©r 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 (if a 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, put together. 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, it 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. 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 raised 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 hilJ, 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 beinrr 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. In a day or so it may be stripped, and, as soon as possible after- wards, pressed, and boiled on the evaporator. This latter must be done by an experienced hand, as many a fine lot of sorghum has been spoiled by inexperi- 212 ZEA, MAIZE. ene jcl 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, INDIAN CORN. GENERIC CHARACTER. SpikeletsS-flowered; flowers monoecious, 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, LA^DS 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 grass. 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 Eye 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 Fescue (Festuca Pratensis), beginning of June. 11. Quaking Grass (^Briza Media), beginning of June. 12. Woolly Soft Grass (Holcus Lanatus), beginning of June. 13. Wood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis), begin- ning of June. 14. Floating Glyceria (Glyceria Fluitans), begin- ning of June. White Clover (Trifolium Repens), beginning of June. The above grasses afford the principal herbage 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 Fescue (Festuca Elatior), July. 25. Nerved Manna Grass (Glyceria Nerva.ta), July. Which yield produce "principally in summer and autumn. 216 GRASS SEEDS. Flat Stalked Poa (Poa Compressa), August. Florin Broad Leaved Bent (Agrostis Stolonifera), August, Yarrow (Achillea Milleafolium), August. Which vegetate with most vigor in Autumn. The preparation of land for 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 with a dry finely pulverized, smooth surface. 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. G-EASS SEEDS. — Selection, Mixture and Sowing of. For want of distinguishing and selecting grasses for seed, the Farmer in many instances, fills his pas- GKASS SEEDS 217 tares with weeds, or bad and improper grasses, when by making a right choice, after some trials, he might bo 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 for a 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 ior rich and superior soils, I have se- lected the following grasses as being superior to all others in nutritive qualities, early growth, produce, 218 GEASS SEEDS. reproductive powers, permanency in the soil, andth( facilities they offer for their propagation by seed The proportions in which the seeds of the differen species should be mixed for permanent pasture : ll)S. ~ Orchard Grass (Dactylis Glomerata) 2^ — Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus Pratensis) 1( — Meadow Fescue (Festuca Pratensis) 2i Sweet Scented Yernal (Anthoxanthum Odoratum) ! Rough Stalked Meadow (Poa Trivialis) 3( * Timothy (Phleum Pratense) li Tall Oat Grass (Arrhenatherum Avenaceuni) .... { Hard Fescue (Festuca Duriuscula) 2( Crested Dogs Tail (Cynosurus Cristatus) 2( Served Meadow Grass (Glyceria Nervata) 1( \Vood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis) U Fiorin (Agrostis Stolonifera) £ ~ Rye Grass (Lolium Perenne) 2,; Italian Rye Grass (Lolium Italicum) 2( White Clover (Trifolium Repens) 1£ • Alsyke Clover (Trifolium Hybridum) { Red Clover (Trifolium Perenne) IS Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) 4 The proper quantity of grass seeds to sow per acre is a point of the greatest importance as regards tc the expense of the seed and the speedy formation oj the most valuable sward. The circumstances of soi^ tilth and weather, at the time of sowing, all influenc^ in a great degree the successful vegetation of the seed] Should less seed be sown than is sufficient to furnislj every part of the soil with plants of grass, a proporj tionate loss of time, labor and land will be suffered^ Minute vacancies of plants in a recently made GRASS SEEDS. 219 lire, or in 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 fif- 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 do ficiencies of plants are to to be found, every part of the surface is closely interwoven with plants and net as in 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- ized, smooth consolidated surface. 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 over a 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 in a pasture, the greater is the de- ficiency of plants on any given space of land; this is an important 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 GEASS 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 number 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 calculations 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 is in the main cor- rect, it would take at least three bushels of the mix-i 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 required per acre, viz. : LBS.j Orchard Grass (Dactylis Glomerata) 6 GKASS 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 JSTervata) 2 Wood Meadow Grass (Poa Nemoralis) . 2 Fiorin (Agrostis Stolonifera) 1 Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium Perenne) 5 Italian Rye Grass (Lolium Italicum) 5 White Clover (Trifolium Repens) 4 Red Clover (Trifolium Perenne) 3 Alsyke Clover (Trifolium Hybridum) 1 Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium 1 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 8 Meadow Foxtail 3 Sweet Scented Vernal 2 Meadow Fescue 2 Tall Oat Grass. 2 222 GRASS &EEDS. Kentucky Blue Grass .......................... 4 Perennial Eye Grass ........................... 5 Italian Rye Grass .............................. 4 Red Top, or R. I. Bent ......... ................ 1 Timothy ....................................... 4 Rough Stalked Meadow .............. ' ....... ... 2 Perennial Clover ............................... 3 White Clover ................................ . . 5 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 .......... -. ..... ............. ... . . 6 Meadow Foxtail ............................... 4 Hard Fescue ................................... 3 Meadow Fescue ................................ 2 June Grass .................................... 3 Perennial Rye Grass ........ - .......... . ........ 6 Italian Rye Grass ............................. . 4 Timothy .................. .-. . ........ . ......... 2 Yellow Oat Grass .............................. 2 Tall Oat Grass ................................. 2 Rough Stalked Meadow ____ . ................... 2 Sweet Scented Vernal ........................ ... 2 Crested Dogstail .......... . .............. ; ..... 2 Perennial Clover .................. ............. 2 White Clover . . 4 46 GRASS SEEDS. 223 This is an excellent mixture for rich, loamy soils. Fourth mixture for permanent pasture : LBS. Red Top 10 Yellow Oat Grass 4 Downy Oat Grass 4 Sweet Scented Yernal 1 June Grass 4 Hard Fescue 3 Crested Dogstail ~ . 4 Quaking Grass 2 Alsyke 01 over 4 Shamrock Clover. , 3 Suckling Clover 3 Rib Grass 4 Yarrow i 47 Nearly all those grasses are natural or indigenous to 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 10 Wood Meadow Grass 6 Rough Stalked Meadow 4 Sweet Scented Vernal 2 June Grass 0 Hard Fescue 3 224 GRASS SEEDS. Timothy ................... : ................... 3 Perennial Red Clover .......................... 3 White Clover. ...... ................. .......... 4 41 Mixture for permanent lawns : LBS. Kentucky Blue Grass .......................... 6 Sweet Scented Vernal .......................... 2' Red Top, or R. I. Bent ............. . .......... 1 Meadow Foxtail ............ .................... 1 Hard Fescue ................................... 1 Meadow Fescue ................................ 2 Orchard Grass ............................... . . 2 Timothy ....................................... 1 Yellow Oat Grass ............................... 2 Perennial Rye Grass ........................... 3 Italian Rye Grass ............. ....... -. ......... 5 Tall Oat Grass ................ . ............ ____ 4 Perennial Red Clover .......................... 4 White Clover .................................. 5 Yarrow . . , ................... ............ ..... 1 In lawn mixtures as in permanent pasture ones, it is necessary to have the spring and summer flow- ering grasses in order to preserve a luxuriant and fine appearance throughout the season of verdure. Mixture for marshy grounds: LBS. Fiorin ---- . .................................... 6 Tall Fescue ...... 5 GRASS SEEDS. 225 EedTop 4 Fowl Meadow $ Floating Gflyceria 4 Reed Canary Grass 2 Rough Stalked Meadow p Timothy ' g White Clover 4 41 The foregoing mixtures will serve as a basis, in n connection with the study of the character, &c., 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 evidefit 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 itill maintain the sufficiency of one or two species. At the present time in England, half of the arable and in the Kingdom is supposed to be under mead- yw and pasturage. The greater part of this land is ^ented to farmers at extravagant prices. Notwithstanding which their system of Grass cul- ture embraces the circle of the useful grasses, from he towering Timothy to the modest little Poa An- nua all (nearly) alike receive the fostering care of ;he husbandman, who is well repaid by thisimita- ion of nature in the speedy formation of a thick and )eautiful 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 : 'jThe 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 Canada s 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 English farmers have over those of New York etate 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 land s 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 Eed clover raised in GEASS SEEDS. 337 are not excelled in a*y part of tlie I am satisfied from experience (hat others of the Suable grasses will thrive tinder proper manage nt equally as well here as in England. It is also oi8, M Siasses 8'rown a - and _eauable climate may appear more rich and luxuriant, the nutritive qualities of grasses •own under greater heat and a drier climate are un- btedly superior. It is therefore evident that we attribute the attractive appearance of the ificial 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 culture being one of national importance, and 1 as the true basis of agricultural wealth and Asperity to the country, has always been strongly dvocated by the foremost men of all classes. The nous Jefferson, who aided both by example and mgs; the venerable and philantrophic Judge ers, ofPensylvania; by the writings of that ex- tent and distinguished pioneer of agricultural eklies, J. S. Skinner, of Baltimore; Judge Bue - his worthy successors, L. Tucker and son of Ibany; the indefatigable C. Flint, ofMassachusetts, hose writings are invaluable; and by the examples 1 writings of the noblest men in the country of e present day, whose efforts to beautify and er- ch the most favored country in the universe will ilways receive my humble but sincere and hearty •CO-onp-rafirm co-operation. BOTANICAL OR SYSTEMATIC INDEX. PAGE. Alopecurus Prater sis 35, 137 6... " Geniculatue 137 " . Agrestis 138 Aristulatus 1S8 Achillea Millefoliwm 120 Agrostis Elata 141 " PerrenDans 142 " Scabra N. 142 " Canina U2 Vulgaris 64, 142 Alba H2 " Stolonilera 67, 143 '• Dispar 143 Aristida Eainossissima 151 ' ' Dichotoma 1 52 'c Gracilis .152 ' c Stricta 152 * " Oligantha 152 " Purpuraroens 152 'l Lanata 152 " Tuberculosa 152 / rundiEaria Macrospirma 1 80 Tecta... 180 Avena Striats 187 ' ' Smithii i8T " Flavescens 58, 187 •* Pratensis 18? Aira Flexuosa Igg 4< Caespitcsa 189 •4 Praecox 190 " Caryophjllea 190 4< Atropurpurec 190 •« Aquatica 190 Arrhenatherum aTenaaum 37, 191 Amphicarpum 195 PAOS. Andropogon Furcatus 205- tf Scoparius 206 «' Argentaus 206 Virginicua 2t6 *« Macrourus 2;KJ Bracbyelytrtim Aristatum 1 47 Bouteloua OHgostachya 155. " Hirsnta. 155 *' Curtipendula 155 Bryzopyrum Spicatum IP* Bnza Media 61, 174 Bromus Secalinus -...., 176 •' Raceincsus 177 " Mollis Ill " Kalmi ....177 u Ciiiatus 177 " Asper 177 " Steriles 177 " Pratensis 177 Cynosurus Crislatui 50 Cichormm Intybus 1 18 Crypsis Schoenoides 139 Cinna Arundicacea 144 " Pendula 145 Calamagrostia Canadensis 148 '• Larigsdoifffi 148 " Stiicta 148- ** Confinis or Inexpansa.148 " Natta iana or Coaractata.148 " Porteri 143 14 Pickeringii 148 " Brevipilis..... 148 Longifolia 148 •' Arenaria 149 Anthoxanthuin, Odoratum 57, 1§3 Ctenium Americanum 154 BOTANICAL OK SYSTEMATIC JXUEX. 229 PACE. Cynodon Daetylon A 157 CenchniB Tribuloides 2 a2 Dactyloctenium Egyptiacum 160 Diarrfcena Americana 164 Dactylis Glomerata 24, Iti5 Danthonia Spicata 186 ' * Sericea 186 Eleusine ladica 1C1 Eatonia Obtusata li 6 " Pensylranica 1G6 Eragroetis Reptans 173 Poaeoides 173 Pilosa 173 " Frankii 173 44 Purshii 173 u Tenuis 173 Capillaris 1 73 Pectinacea 173" Elymug Canadensis 184 Sibericus 74, 135 " Striatus 185 " Mollis 185 " Arenarius 75, 185 Erianttms Alopecuroides 204 " Brevibarbis 204 Festuca M>urus 175 " Tenella 175 " Ovina 52, 175 '* Duriuscula 53, 175 " Rubra 175 '* Eatior 55,175 " Kutans 175 Gymnopogon Racemosus 159 44 Brevifoliua 1 56 Grapkephorum Melicoides ; . .163 " Major 163 Glyceria Canadonsis 168 44 Obtusa 168 " Elongata 168 " J " Spiked Wood Grass 205 Flesh Colored Clover ^"-^) Floating Meadow Grass 72, 168 Foxtail 1^7 " Paspalum 196 Flowers of the Grasses 128, 130, 131, 132,133 Fly Away Grass 142- GENERAL INDEX. 233 Fowl Meadow Gi ass 49, 171 F resh Water Cord Grass 153- Fr inged Broom Grass 177 Gama Grass 213 Genus and Species, distinction between 1*29, 130, 131 Goose Grass 169 Grains and Grasses sown together 23, 30, 32, 39, 86, 87, 91, 97/114 Graminse, the order 7 127, 130, 135 Grasses, Classification of 80, 127, 129, 130 " Cultivation of the 79, 80,81 " Description of the 12H, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133 Grasses Flowers of the 128, 129; 130, 231, 132 " Height of cutting 24 " Importance of the 18, 127 " Mixtures of the 21* " The Artificial 79 " Time of Sowing the 23,29,32,36,76,77 " of cutting the 24, 30, 32, 77 " Climatic Range of 226 Grass Seed, Depth of Covering 213 " " Selection of ; 214 " " Time of Sowing 23,29, 32, 39,76,77 " " Weight of 30, 32, 37, 40, 46, 49, 51, 52, 54 " " 55, 56, 58, 59, 63; 67, 72, 86, 89, 91, 93, 107, 112 Green Meadow Grass 41, 171 Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil 103 Guinea Grass 3 >7 Gypsum, Introduction of as a Fertilizer 80 Hair Panicled Meadow Grass 173 " Grass 146 Hairy Muskit 155 " Slender Paspalum 196 Hard Fescue Grass, Description of 53, 175 Holy Grass, Description ol - 192 Horned Sand Grass 163 Hungarian Grass 76, 202 Irish Bent Grass (Faureen) 67, 143 Imitation of Nature 214 Indian Corn, Culture of for Fodder 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 Stocking of and Curing 122, 123, 124, 125 " Grass, Description of 207 Millet, Natural History of 299,200 " Rice, Description of 136 Italian Rye Grass .32, 181 Clover * 99 Joint Grass .. 176 June Grass 41, 171 Kentucky Blue Grass , 41, 171 " " qualities of 41,42, 43, 4445,46, Large Panicled Vilfa 141 Late Drop Seed :... .-141 Lawn Grasses, Mixture of — t 224 Lime as a top Dressing 59 Long Awned Poverty Grass - 152 234 GENERAL INDEX. Long Panicled Manna li 163 Lucerne Culture of 104 Lyme Grass , 184 Many Flowered Darnel , 181 Marsh Oat Grass.. 188 Meadow Broom Grass 177 — — — & Fescue. >**-, 55, 175 Foxtail ..::. 35, 137 Oat Grass 37, 191 Soft " 62, 191 " Spear " 70,168 Mel ic Grass , 167 Millet, Desciiption and Culture of ...199, 200 Millet Grass, Natural History of 194 Mixtures of Grass Seeds 221 Mountain Cat's Tail 139 Mowing, Height of 24 Muskit or Gramma Grasses 154 Naked Beard Grass 156 Nimble Will, Description of 146 Nodding Fescue 175 Obtuse Spear Grass 168 Orchard Grass 24, 164 Pale Manna Grass 168 Permanent Pasture Grasses 218 Perennial Rye Grass 30, 181 Red Clover ....86 Pennsylvania Eatonian 166 Plants, Number of in the Turf 220 Porcupine Grass 151 Poverty Grass 152 Prairie Triple A wn 152 Prol ific Rice 136 Pungent Meadow Grass, Var. Megastachya 173 Purple Alpine Hair Grass 190 " Wood Grass 206 Purple Wild Oat Grass 187 Quaking Grass 61, 174 Rattle Snake Grass 168 Red Top 64, 142 Red Clover, Natural History of 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 Reed Canaiy Grass 193 Red Fescue, Description of 175 Rhode I. Bent 66 Rib Grass 120 Richardson's Feather Grass 151 Rough Leaved Vilfa 140 Rough Marsh Grass 165 " Stalked Meadow Grass 47, 171 Rush Salt Grass 153 Salt Marsh Grass 15^ Salt Reed Grass 153 Sainfoin, History and Culture of 81, 109 Sand Grass 163 GENERAL INDEX. 235 Sea Spear Grass 169 Seed, {Selection of 2 l(> " Quantity to be Sown 218 .Shamrock Clover 97 Seneca Grass 192 Sheep's Fescue 52, 175 Chort Leaved Beard Grass 156 " Spear " ,..!"!!~.172 Stalked Meadow Grass 173 •Slender Tail Grass 180 " Spike " 178 '< Meadow " 173 '< Three Awned Grass 153 '< Foxtail, Descriptions 138 '< Crab Grass 197 ' « Hairy Lyme Grass 1K5 Sma Fescue 1 . . 175 Smo oth Marsh Grass K 3 " Erect Paspalum 1(J(5 " Crab Grass 197 Soft Broom Grass, Natural History of. •„ 177 " Lyme " Description of 185 Sorgho Sucre, Description and Cultivation of 210 .Southern Eragrostis 173 Squirrel Tail Grass 184 Spike Grass 169 •Sterile Broom e Grass - 177 Strong Scented Vilfa 141 '* Meadow Grass 173 Sweet Scented Vernal 57, 193 Sylvan Muhlenbergia 146 " Spear Grass 171 Tall Fescue Grass 55, 175 " Out " 37, 191 " lied Top, Description of 64, 142 ' ' Thin Grass 141 Technical Terms, use of 131, 132 Three Awned Grass 151 Tickle Grass 142 Time of Sowing Grass Seed 23,. 29, 32, 39; 76, 77 Timothy History of 20 " Sown with Clover 23 " Time of Cutting 24 Toothache Grass 154 Top Dressing of Meadow Land' 24 Tufted Hair Grass It8 Twin Grass 164 Twitch " It2 U prigh t Sea Lyme Grass 75, 185 Vanilla Grass 192 Velvet Grass 62, 191 Vetch or Tare 115 Vilfa Rough Leaved 140 " Hidden Flowered ,. -.^ 140 230 GENERAL INDEX. Virgina Cut Grass 135 Water Hair Grass 190 " Spear " 72,168 Water Oats 136 Wavy Meadow 171 Weak ' '\ 171 White Clover _ .,91 " Grass 135 " Top Wnite Bent 142 " Mountain Rice : 150 Wild Water Foxtail 138 " Chess 177 " Oat Grass *V 18