182 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS. 



or A. alba, known as creeping bent or fiorin. It is excellent for marsh lands, 

 whether needed for pasture or for hay, and is very suitable for lawns sown alone 

 or with June grass. 



A. CANINA. KHODE ISLAND BENT 



is smaller than the former, which it much resembles in many respects. The 

 seeds of these are much mixed. The latter is a favorite for lawns. 

 Inquiries about the species of Agrosfis are common. 



DEYEUXIA (CALAMAGEOSTIS) CANADENSIS. BLUE JOINT. 



This tall, native marsh grass is usually called blue' joint by people in Mich- 

 igan and eastward, though half a dozen or more distinct sorts pass by this 

 name as we go westward. This one flowers by the middle of July, when it will 

 cut a heavy crop of very good hay. It is suitable to mix with red top and fowl 

 meadow grasses for low lands, 



PHALAKIS ARUNDINACEA. REED CANARY GRASS. 



This is a native in wet places and somewhat resembles the preceding. The 

 top is six inches long and quite narrow, the stems are firm and the leaves harsh, 

 the whole making rather poor hay. It is the original of our striped or ribbon 

 grass found in cultivation. 



MUHLENBERGIA GLOMERA.TA. 



Frequent inquiries are made in regard to this native grass, which is found on 

 marshes, where it flowers in August. The stems are about two feet high, wiry, 

 erect, leaves thin, top about one-half by three inches, and usually tinged with 

 purple. In various sections of the United States farmers have given it different 

 common names. Where it is found in abundance, the hay bears a high prize for 

 feeding horses. There are four other species of Muhlenbergia with a more 

 branching habit, common in Michigan, some of them found on dry land and 

 all flowering late. 



VANILLA GRASS. (Hierochloa.) 



Comes occasionally for a name on account of its fragrance, much resem- 

 bling that of sweet vernal grass. It is apparently of little value for pasture or 

 hay. The panicle is of a brown color. 



RICE CUT GRASS. {Leersia.} 



Grows in ditches, and cuts the fingers with its stiff, hooked prickles, which 

 also serve to help to hold up the tall stems by hooking on to other plants. The 

 leaves are sensitive, and close up when rubbed between the thuml) and finger. 

 An interesting grass, but of no agricultural value. 



ANDROPOGON FURCATUS. FINGER GRASS. 



This native is sometimes called blue stevt. It grows four to six feet high, 

 has a woody stem, and flowers late. In the east it is not considered of much 

 account, but on the dry plains of the west it is valued for hay. 



Other grasses of less importance are sent for name or other information, 

 such as burr grass, wild barley, some of the weeds of the grass family, the small 

 annual variety of sweet vernal grass, ivilcl oats, etc. 



A western professor sends one hundred and fifty bunches of grass for name ; 



