280 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



very abundant in wet meadows ; the stems are about two feet 

 hig-h ; the ovate oblong spikes are about three inches in length. 

 Second, the long-pointed sedge ( Garex tantaculata,) common in low 

 wet meadows and swamps. It grows to the height of from twelve 

 to eighteen jnches ; whole plant somewhat yellowish ; spikes 

 usually three in number, oblong-cylindrical, about two inches 

 long and a half an inch in diameter. Third, Tussock sedge, the 

 most troublesome and most common of all. Darlington, in speak- 

 ing of this sedge, says : " It is true that a pedestrian, in crossing 

 neglected boggy meadows, finds its dense tufts quite a con- 

 venience to step on, yet it is decidedly more farmer-like to provide 

 good walking in such places by ditching and draining. The tus- 

 socks formed by the matted fibrous roots of this species of Carex, 

 are often very large and very durable. I once hauled a quantity 

 of them into the barnyard, with a hope that they might decompose 

 and make manure ; but they effectually resisted decomposition, 

 and were tossed about the yard for years, as large, and almost as 

 indestructible, as so many hatters' blocks. The best way to dis- 

 pose of them, is to collect them, when cut out and dried, into a 

 heap, and burn them, taking care aftei'wards, by appropriate 

 draining, to prevent the growth of others." The prevalence of 

 sedges in meadows is a pretty sure indication that the land is 

 insufficiently drained, or that its agriculture has been sadly 

 neglected. 



Order 40. GRASSES— Gramine^. 



Roots annual or perennial, fibrous. Stemx hollow, round and jointed, joints closed. 

 Leaves alternate with split sheaths. Flowers held in two-rowed bracts or glumes, the 

 inner bracts are called palets, arranged in spikes or panicles. 



This vast order comprises about 230 genera and 3000 species, 

 distributed throughout the whole world. It is by far the most 

 important family in the vegetable kingdom both to man and beast, 

 for their nutriment is largely drawn from it — from the herbage as 

 well as the seeds. From the Sugar Cane we obtain the most of our 

 sugar. Rye, Oats, Barley, Wheat, Corn and the like supply us 

 with flour and meal. Rice is grown in the the warmer climates, 

 where it is almost the sole food of whole races of men. Among 

 the most important grasses cultivated for fodder are the Timothy 

 or Herds-grass, Bent-grass, Red-top, Orchard-grass, Goose-grass, 

 June-grass and Meadow Foxtail. Besides the many valuable plants 

 which this order affords to man, there are several species which 



