214 Rhodora [NOVEMBER 
Carex tribuloides Wahlenb. Borders of the river. 
Carex hormathodes Fernald. Abundant at the north end by the 
river, and on the west border; occurring sparingly at the south end. 
Carex hormathodes Fernald, var. invisa (W. Boott) Fernald. Margin 
of the river, north bank. 
Carex vulpinoidea Michx. Several clumps scattered along the 
river and inland borders of the marsh. ) 
Carex stipata Muhl. Several clumps along the border of a ditch on 
the west side. 
Lemna minor L. Abundant along the river border at the north end 
and in ditches at the south end. 
Pontederia cordata L. A single plant in the river near the shore at 
the north end, and another in similar situation at the south end. 
Juncus Gerardi Loisel. The Black Grass still occupies a large area 
of the vegetation and covers, certainly, half of the marsh. It occurs 
in large, scattered, compact areas. See note under Spartina patens. ` 
The Black Grass here grows to the height of 15 inches and then lies 
prostrate. I had noticed that in the latter part of July some of the 
areas had been mowed down, while in other areas it was lying flat. I 
was puzzled till one day I saw a man resting near by with scythe beside 
him, and from him I learned the story. The owners of Coolidge Farm 
very close to the marsh, cut all the Juncus Gerardi, and use it for pack- 
ing on their celery beds in the fall to keep the stocks from freezing 
during the winter. The best time to cut the Juncus for this purpose 
is after the plants have dried up, when they lie prostrate. Of course, 
they are harder to cut at that time. This solved the mystery. The 
cutting is done between the middle of July and the middle of August. 
Juncus tenuis Willd. On the river bank close to the water, where 
sometimes abundant, and in the middle of the marsh. 
Juncus acuminatus Michx. Occasional in the northern portion. 
Asparagus officinalis L. Two plants at the southern end. 
Salix babylonica L. Three shrubs, one, sterile, by a ditch in the 
northern portion, and two male and female, 7 to 9 feet in height, near 
together by a ditch in the western portion. 
Populus tremuloides Michx. Several small trees in the northern 
portion, the largest 2.5 inches in diameter, 2.5 feet up. 
Populus grandidentata Michx. A single tree some 10 to 15 feet high 
on the west border. 
Betula populifolia Marsh. The Gray Birch grows abundantly over 
