45 



for planting- on the banks of rivers or dams to protect tlicra from injury l)y heavy 

 rains or floods. The underground stems and roots qniclvly form a perfect mat 

 in the soil, and when once established they make a very firm turf. The grass 

 may be propagated by seeds or pieces of the root. 



No. 130. Koeleria cristata (Linn.) Pers. Prairie June-grass. 



This is a common grass upon the open meadows and plains of the Central and "West- 

 ern States, and extends beyond the Pocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. It is 

 one of the " bunch-grasses " of the plains region, where it is generally associated 

 with the more common Bunch-grass, Foa hucldeyana. On the dry bench lauds 

 it is seldom over a foot high, 

 but in irrigated ground grows 

 to the height of 2 feet or more, 

 and makes excellent hay. Its 

 cultivation is not to be recom- 

 mended where better grasses 

 may be had. However, it pos- 

 sesses some value for furnishing 

 early forage, and might be used 

 in reseediug the native pas- 

 tures. 



No. 131. Lamarckia aurea 

 Moench. Golden-top. 



A low annual, 3 to 12 inches high, 

 with flat leaves and elegant 

 one-sided panicles 2 to 3 inches 

 long. This very attractive and 

 favorite ornamental grass is a 

 native of southern Europe and 

 southwestern Asia. It is fre- 

 quently cultivated in gardens, 

 and is a pleasing grass for edg- 

 ings. It has escaped from cul- 

 tivation in southern California, 

 and has become apparently 

 spontaneous there. 



No. 132. Lolium italicum A. l!r. 

 Italian Rye-grass. (Fig. 53.) 



A well-known and excellent grass 

 for rich and rather moist lands, 

 particularly for the Eastern 

 States. It is a very rapid grow- 

 er, forms a dense turf, and in 

 Eurojje, whence the grass w as 



introduced into this country, it is regarded as one of the best hay grasses. On 

 stifi', heavy clays or on very dry soil it does not do well; but on good, calcare- 

 ous loams or marls, or on moist, loamy sands, where the soil is in good condi- 

 tion, it is very productive, and no other grass repays manuring so well. It is 

 not recommended for permanent pastures, as its duration is only two or three 

 years, but it is a most excellent species for tem])orary meadows. Few grasses 

 develop more rapidly than this, and where the soil is rich and its fertility 

 maintained by applications of liquid manure, cuttings may be obtained within 

 three or four weeks from seeding, and at intervals of a month or six weeks 

 successive crops may be harvested. Owing to its succulent character and rapid 

 growth, this makes one of the best grasses for soiling. Italian Rye-grass is at 



Fi(i. 53.— Italiiiu Kyc-grass (Lolhim italicum): a, spike- 

 let; h, c, florets; rf, e, caryopsis. 



