46 



once distinguished from any of the forms of perennial Rye-grass hy its awned 

 or bearded spikelets. Adulterations of the seed of Italian Rye-grass are rare, 

 owing to its relative cheapness. The average purity of commercial seed is 95 per 

 cent, while the germinative power is 70 per cent. The germinative power dimin- 

 ishes rapidly with the age of the seed. One pound of seed contains on an average 

 285,000 grains, and the weight jier bushel varies, according to the quality, from 16 

 to 24 pounds. Thiee l)U8hel8 of seed of average quality are reijuired for sowing 

 an acre of land. The current price in the New York market is $10 jier 100 pounds. 



No. 133. LoUum pereniie Linn. Perennial Rye-grass. 



Perennial Kye-grass has l)een cultivated iu England for more than 200 years, and is 

 therefore one of the oldest if not the very lirst grass gathered and cultivated 



separately for agricultural purposes. It is indig- 

 enous to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, 

 and was many years ago introduced into this 

 country from England. Here it has never been 

 so highly esteemed as in England, where the soil 

 and climate appear to be especially well adapted 

 to its growth. Moist and rich loams or clays are 

 the soils best suited to it, as with Italian Rye- 

 grass, it responds promptly to the application of 

 quick manures. For pastures on hea\y soils in 

 moist climates it is especially valuable, and under 

 such conditions is largely used iu mixtures for 

 permanent pastures. It is a good hay grass where 

 the conditions are favorable, l)ut in this country 

 will never be so highly esteemed as Timothy. 

 There are several Aarieties of jierennial Rye-grass 

 recognized by agriculturists. Pacey's Perennial, 

 a vigoious form, is one of these. The average pu- 

 rity of ])erennial Kye-grass seed is given at 95 per 

 cent, and the germinative power at 75 per cent. 

 Good commercial seed should grade higher tiiau 

 this. One pound of pure seed contains on an aver- 

 age 33(5,800 grains. Of course, where the seeds are 

 larger and heavier, this number would be consid- 

 erably less. The best seed weighs from 25 to 35 

 pounds per bushel, and 2 to 3 bushels of seed are 

 re(|uired per acre. The current retail price of 

 good seed is tS i)er 100 pounds. 



No. 134. Lolium temulentuni Linn. L>arnel. 



An annual grass, 2 to 3 feet higii, having a general re- 

 semblance to Italian Rye-grass, but usually stouter, more strictly erect, with 

 longer glumes and larger seeds. It has been introduced into tills country with 

 the seeds of other grasses, and is occasionally met with in grain lields and 

 about dwellings. The grain contains a narcotic or jiolsonous principle, whi<h 

 causes eruptions, trembling, and vertigo In man and llesh-eatiug animals. If 

 the seeds are malted with barley, the ale causes intoxication very suddenly. It 

 is contemled by some that perfectly healthy Darnel .seeds are innocuous — that 

 only grains which are crgotized or otherwise diseased arc injurious. 



No. 135. Mauisuris. Rat-tail-grass. 



The native species oiWaniauria are branching, leafy perennials, with slender, cylin- 

 drical, many-jointed H])lkes, which readily bn'ak up. They are I'oninl cliiclly in 

 tiie pine-barren swamps of the (Julf States. They are of little agricultural value 

 iu this country. Manisuris conqireasa, a native of southern Asia, south Africa, 



Fig. 54. — I'erennial Rye-grans 

 ( Lidlmti jxrennc). 



