54 



rich and nutritions porridge, for which purpose it is chielly used in tho eastern 

 • •ountries where the grass is grown. In northern India, where the grain is 

 hirgelv nsed, a prei)aratioii of it constitutes a favorite food at iiiarriage cere- 

 monies. Owing to its rapid iiiid sonn-what succulent growth, it is an excellent 

 soiling plant. It has, however, been little cultivated in this country, hut is occa- 

 sionally found in the older settlements in cultivated fields and waste grounds 

 about dwellings. The number of grasses termed millets in various ]>arts of the 

 world is large, and includes many very different species, whose grain, however, 

 is used for human food. Most of the so-called millets belong to the genera 

 Chatochloa, ratiicum, and Paspahim. They form the princij»al food grains of the 

 natives of many parts of Africa and Asia. It has been estimated that the 

 millets feed one-third of the human race. 



No. 166. Pauicum molle 8w. I'ara-grass. 



A rather coarse, reed-like perennial, 4 to 6 feet high, with hairy nodes, and narrow, 

 lax i»auicles. fi to 8 inches long. It is cultivated in ."^outli America, and in the 

 West Indies and Mexico, and has been introduced into some of the Gulf States. 

 It is grown with success on the high pine ridges of Florida, and wherever culti- 

 vated it is most highly esteemed and regarded as a very fattening pasture gra.ss. 

 How far to the north this grass may be grown successfully does not appear to 

 have been determined, but it is hardy at the Cai)e of Good Hope and other far 

 extra troi)ical regions (Barou von Mueller). It is ]>ropagated either by seeds or 

 root cuttings. 



No. 167. Panicuni obtusum II. r>. K. Vine Mesqnit. 



A stiilonifcroMS grass, the runners attaining a length of 8 to 10 feet, the upright 

 llowering culms 12 to 24 inches high. This grass ranges from Colorado to Texas, 

 New Mexico, Arizona, and southward into Mexico. It is usually found in irri- 

 gated lands or in the low, damp soil of the valleys, most frequently under the 

 shade of trees and shrubs. No attempts have l>een made to cultivate this grass, 

 but its appearance and habit of growth indicate an agricultural value of suffi- 

 cient importance to call for experiments in its cultivation. In New Mexico this 

 species is calhd "Wire-grass.'" 



No. 168. Panicum plicatiim Lam. Palm-leafed Grass. 



A broad-leafed perennial, 3 to 4 feet high or more, native of India. The leaves are 

 elegantly striate and nsualiy ]dicate, giving to the grass an unusual and at the 

 sanu^ time attractive appearance. It is a favorite ornamental for greeidiouse 

 culture. 



No. 169. Pauicum proliferum T>am. Sprouting Crab-grass. 



A smooth and usually unn h-branched native annual, with rather coarse, spreading or 

 ascending stems 2 to (5 feet long, flat leaves, and diffuse terminal and lateral 

 panicles. It grows naturally in moist, rich soil along the banks of streams and 

 rivers, around the shores of ]»onds jind lakes, and in the South is often abundant 

 in rich, cultivated tields, growing with Crab-grass. The stout, succulent stems 

 .•lie sweetisli and much liked by h<>r>es and cattle. Its r.inge is from Maine to 

 -Nebraska, and southward to the (Julf, blossuming in tin* latter part of summer or 

 early autumn. The spontaneous growth of this grass in cultivated tields after 

 the reniov.d of crops is of some value for hay or pasturage, but its cultivation can 

 not l»e recommended in view of the fact that we ha^e many .inuual grasses much 

 sui)erior to it. In the Northern and Middle States it is da.ssed with the weeds. 



No. 170. Panicum repens Linn. Creeping Panic. 



An oxten.sively creeping grass, with rather stilV upright stems, 1 to 2 feet high or 

 less. It is common in the maritime districts in southern Asia, northern Africa, 



