and Agrostifi stoUnifera, and many Englisli or local names; that most generally 

 applied in the Middle and Eastern States heing llerd's-grass, and in the South 

 and West, Redtop. The great variability of this grass has led to much diversity 

 of opinion in regard to its value. The taller forms are largely cultivated for 

 hay, being usually mixed with timothy and clover. This grass requires con- 

 siderable moisture in the soil, and is one of the best for permanent pastures in 

 the New England and Middle States. It makes a very resistant and leafy turf, 

 which Avell withstands the trampling of stock. It grows well, also, as far 

 south as Tennessee. Among the forms of low growtli are two varieties which 

 are unsurpassed, either in fineness or richness of color, for making lawns. 



No. 8. Agrostis asperifolia Trin. Rough-leafed Bent. 



This grass is common in the Rocky Mountain regions and on the Pacific Slope, grow- 

 ing chiefly in the mountain parks and along water courses. Its slender leafy 

 culms are 2 to 3 feet high, and the narrow, pale-green, and densely flowered 

 panicles 4 to 6 inches long. .Judging from the appearance of this grass, it is 

 likely to prove, under cultivation, superior to the Herd's-grass or Redtop of the 

 East, at least for hay. 



No. 9. Agrostis canina Linn. Rhode Island Bent. 



This species of bent has been introduced into this country from Europe, and ia 

 cultivated to some extent in the Eastern States. It resembles Herd's-grass (Red- 

 top) somewhat, but has shorter and narrower leaves. It makes a close sod, 

 and is considered valuable for permanent meadows and pastures. It is one of 

 the best grasses for lawns, and for this purpose should be sown at the rate 

 of 3 to 4 bushels per acre. Retail price of seed quoted in New York catalogues, 

 $2.75 per bushel. 



No. 10. Agrostis coarctata (Reicbb.) Ehrh. Sea-coast Bent. 



A creeping perennial with sleuder culms, the upright branches 1 foot high, short and 

 narrow flat leaves, and densely flowered panicles 2 to 4 inches long. It grows 

 in damp soils and sands along the sea coast from Newfoundland to New Jersey, 

 often occurring where constantly drenched by the flying salt spray. It is a fine- 

 leafed, excellent turf-forming species, valuable for lawns. A similar if not 

 identical species is common in western Oregon and Washington. 



No. 11. Agrostis exarata Trin. Northern Redtop. 



The grass upon which this species was founded is a native of Alaska, but a number 

 of forms which occur in the Rocky Mountain regions and on the Pacific Slope 

 have been referred to it. Some of these have been characterized as distinct 

 species, and there are several among them which, from their tall, leafy habit 

 and vigorous growth, indicate the possession of considerable agricultural value, 

 although none of them have as yet been introduced into cultivation. They are 

 deserving of the attention of the agriculturist, and their culture is recommended, 

 particularly on the Pacific Slope. They would doubtless thrive in the Eastern 

 and Middle States, and possibly supplant, by their greater luxuriance and better 

 qualities, some of the species now cultivated. 



No. 12. Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough Bent. 



A slender, erect, tufted annual, with numerous very narrow basal leaves, and deli- 

 cate, widely spreading capillary panicles, which at maturity break away from 

 the culm, and are blown about by the wind, hence one of the common names, 

 "fly-away-grass." Before the panicle has fully expanded, this grass is some- 

 times gathered and sold under the name of "silk-grass " for dry bou(iuet8. It is 

 widely distributed throughout the United States, but is of little or no agricul- 

 tural value. In irrigated meadows of the Northwest this species, or a form of 

 it, is occasionally sufficiently abundant to furnish a large amount of hay which 

 is regarded of good quality. 



