52 



No. 158. Paniciim colonum Linu. Shama Millet. 



A native of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the Old World. In 

 northern India it is considered one of the best fodder grasses. Introduced into 

 the Southern and Southwestern States, where it is occasionallj^ found in waste 

 grounds about dwellings. It is closely related to Panicum critH-galli, differing 

 from that grass iu its smaller size and more simple iuHorescence. The stems 

 and leaves are tender and readily eaten by stock. In India the grain, which 

 is produced abundantly, is sold in the markets and used for food. 



No. 159. Pauicum crus-galli Linu. Barnyard-grass. (Fig. 63.) 

 This well-known annual of rank growth is common in rich, cultivated ground, espe- 

 cially around dwellings. There are stsveral forms presented by this species. 



That growing as a weed around barn- 

 yards and dwellings, in cnlti Abated 

 grounds in the Atlantic States, was 

 probably introduced from Europe. 

 There are, however, several native varie- 

 ties, or possibly good species. One of 

 these occurring in the brackish marshes 

 or meadows along tiie seaco.ist, grows to 

 tile height of 3 to 5 feet, with the lower 

 leaf sheaths verj' hirsute, and the spike- 

 lets loug-awned. A tall, smooth form 

 occurs in New Mexico, Arizona, and the 

 Mohave desert region, springing up after 

 the summer rains in all swampy places 

 or lowlands. It grows to the height of t> 

 or 7 feet, and its seeds, which it produces 

 abundantly, are collected by the Mohave 

 Indians, ground into Hour, and cooked 

 for food. The poorer classes of India 

 also use the grain for food. A variety 

 introduced from .Japan has been culti- 

 vated at some of tlie ex})eriment stations 

 and treated as a millet. At the Hatch 

 Experiment Station, iu Massachusetts, 

 the crop produced was very uniform, 

 averaging 7 feet in height. The yield 

 was at the rate of 11,207 i)oun<i8 of straw 

 per acie and 6(i.7 bushels of seed. When 

 sown ibr silage or for soiling at the rate 

 of on(! peck of seed to the acre, the yield 

 was at the rate of front 15 to 18 tons ])er acre. A Held sown July 26, alter a crop 

 •^ of hay was removed, yielded 12 tons ])er acre. It is very much liked by stock, 

 and is a valuable forage plant for feeding green or (or tlie silo. It is n«)t so well 

 adapted lor hay, as it is a coarse, succulent grass, and rather dillicult to dry. 



No. 160. Pauicum digitarioides Carpenter. Maiden Cane. 



A rathei- coarse gra.ss, 2 to 1 feet high, growing along ditches, in swaini)s, and in 

 moist sands from Delaware soiitliward to Florida and along the (inlf near the 

 coast. It has strong and widely spreading or cree])ing rootstocks, which are 

 useful in binding sandy railroad embankments in the Southern and Gulf States. 



No. 161. Panicum fa.sciculatum S\v. lirown-top. 



A rather coarse and much-l)ranched leafy aumuil, growing iu clumps to the height 

 of 2 to 3 feet. The leaves are Hat, one-fourth to one-half an inch wide, and 2 to 

 6 inches long. It is a native of Texas and Florida. Similar m character and 

 closely allied botanically to I'ai^cum texanum. 



Flo. 63. — Barnyard- (frn-ss (Panicum cruii-<jalli). 



