STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 143 



Triticum repeus (L.) — Couch grass; quitch grass; quick grass. 



Ahnost everywhere; generally near or in cultivated fields. It is an 

 exceedingly troublesome weed, multiplying rapidly by its creeping slen- 

 der runners, layers, root stocks. With us, in fields near the Bay, it 

 attains an enormons height, and grows often dense enough to give it the 

 appearance of a rye field. Its long, slender, creeping, straw colored root, 

 is officinal; it is scentless, and of a sweetish, slimy taste. April, May. 



Triticum caninum (L.) — Awned wheat grass. 



Sierras, (Dr. Hillebrand.) This species differs mainly from the pre- 

 ceding bj' not having creeping roots. As far as I know, it is of no agri- 

 cultural value. 



Triticum violaceum (Hornm.) 



Sierras, (Dr. Hillebrand.) This may be only a variety of the former. 



Eli/mus Sihiricus (Lin.) — Siberian \yraQ grass. 

 Common everywhere. April, May; entirely useless. 



Eljjvius condensatus (Presl.) — Giant lyme grass. 



Borders of sloughs (Oakland) and rivers, San Leandro, Carmel Creek, 

 Santa Barbara. This is the largest species of California grasses, three 

 to twelve feet high. Its spike is often from eight to fourteen inches long, 

 and very dense. At a distance these large spikes appear like those of 

 millet, i^Panicum Italicum.) It seems to do excellent service, by fixing 

 the soil on the banks of creeks and rivers. June — September; peren- 

 nial. 



Sitanion eJymoidcs (Rafn.)— Squirrel lyme grass. 



Dry sunny hills, everywhere; easil}' recognized by its very long awns, 

 generally of a reddisii lint. They do not look unlike a squirrel's tail. 

 April — May; perennial. Useless for agricultural purposes. 



Hordeum prateiise (Huds.) 



Quite common in many meadows; in some it makes up a considerable 

 portion of the bulk of hay. It is valueless; April — May. 



Hordeum pusillum (Nutt.) Hordeum juhatum (Lin.) — Squirrel-tail grass. 



This species has come but sparingly under ray observation. Useless; 

 April, May, and June. 



Hordeimi muriimm (Lin.) — Wall barley. 



Spring Valley, Mission Dolores, in roads and lots. If allowed to insinu- 

 ate itself into meadows it injures the hay, and lessens the value of the 

 crops. Its strong beards (awns) hurts the mouths of horses. 



