12 



No. 19. Andropogon contortus Linn. Twisted Beard-grass. 



A stout, leafy perennial, 1 to 3 feet liigb, aifording excellent grazing when young, 

 but the mature seeds are much dreaded by sheep owners, as by their peculiar 

 structure they not only become attached to and injure the wool, but often pene- 

 trate the skin and even the intestines of these animals. The strong rhizomes and 

 tough fibrous roots which this grass has, commend it as a soil binder for river 

 banks, dams, etc. The awns indicate by their twisting the amount of moisture 

 iu the air, and may be used as rain or fair weather indicators. In India this grass 

 is used for thatching. It is a native of tropical and subtropical regions of both 

 hemispheres, extending northward into western Tc^xas, Now Mixico, and Arizona. 



No. 20. Andropogon glomeratus 



(Walt.) 15. S. r. lirook-grass. 

 A stout perennial, 2 to 4 feet high, 



with dense, more or less elon- , ^^^^^^^ ^.^ ,, ^^ ^^, 



/ 



Fia.6. — Johnson-graaa (Andropogon hale- 

 peiisix). 



Flo. 7. — ISiishy liliip-slein {Antlropnffvii nntans): a to/, 

 details of tlio spikelet. 



gated, broom-like panicles. It grows in low grounds and marshes from southern 

 New York to I'lorida, also occurring in Mexico and liower CaliCnrnia. This 

 species is esteemed a valual)lc pasture gra.ss in the South. Its stems and 

 leaves when young, are tender and .juicy and are relished by sto(;k of all kinds. 

 Later the stems become tough and woody and are of less value. 



No. 21. Andropogon halepensis (L.) Brot. .Johnson-grass. (Tig. 6.) 

 A stout ])ereiinial, witli smooth, (Mcc^t culms, 3 to H feet high, .mil strong, creeping 

 rootstocks. The jtanicles are expanded during llowering and arc from (> to 12 

 inches long. It is a native of southern Europe and the warmer parts of Asia and 

 northern Africa. It was introduced into this country about sixty years ago, ;ind 

 h.iH now become widely distributed and well known throughout the Southern 



