55 



sonthcrn Euroi)o, and Australia. It is also found along tbo shores of tlic South- 

 ern States bordering tlw Oiilf, extending westward to Mexieo. It has no iigri- 

 cultnral value, but is a natural sand binder. Upon the sandy islands lying off 

 the Gulf Coast it grows abundantly nyjon the outside of dunes, protecting them 

 from the action of the winds and waves. 



No. 171. Panicum sanguinale Linn. Crab-grass. 



(Fig. 65.) 

 A well-known annual, coninion in nearly all parts of the 

 United States, growing in cultivated fields and 

 about dwellings. It is a weed in gardens and among 

 hoed crops. In grain lields after harvest it fre- 

 quently springs up in such quantity, particularly 

 in the Southern States, as to yield one or even two 

 good cuttings of hay. This spontaneous growth 

 affords excellent pasturage, as well as hay of first 

 quality if properly cured. The stems are much 

 branched, and in good soil attain a length of .3 to 4 

 feet. This grass contains little fiber, and dries 

 ([uickly when cut, but if iifter cutting it is wet liy 

 rains or heavy dews its value for hay is almost 

 wholly destroyed. In Bohemia, Crab-grass is 



cultivated upon 



sandy soils and the 



grain is used for 



food in the form of 



nnish or poiridge. 



No. 172. Panicum sero- 

 tinum (Michx.) Trin 



A species related to Vrah-grai^^ (ranicum sangiiitialr), 

 common in the Southern States near the (inlf, dis- 

 puting with Louisiana-grass the claim of being 

 the most valuable native pasture grass of that 

 section. It is ])robably a bienniaL It is much 

 like Crab-grass, sending out leafy, creeping shoots 

 at every joint, but is snuiller in every way, with 

 shorter and more hairy leaves of a lighter green 

 color. It is invaluabh^ for pasturage, forn\ing a 

 close turf, and driving out nearly all other i)lants. 

 It grows best in sandy soil where there is a little 

 moisture. 



No. 173. Panicum spectabile Nees. Angola-grass. 



A stout grass, 3 to 5 feet high, with rather broad and 



long (I to 2 feet) leaves, an<l a terminal, densely 



Howercd, compound and narrow spike H to 10 



inches long. Imported into South America many 



years ago from the west coast of Africa (the region 



of Angola). It is cultivated oii the low laiuls in 



the eastern part of I'.razil, particularly in the 



region of Rio de .Faneiro, where it is called 



"Capim d'Angola." This Panicum is closely related to and resembles some 



forms of I'.arnyard-grass (/'. crus-yalli). It. is sp.oken of as an extremely 



productive and nutritious fodder-grass, and may prove valuable for the low 



regions along the Gulf coast. 



Fig. G5. — Crab-grass (Panicum 

 xangiiinale). 



Little Crab-grass. (Fig. 66.) 



Flo. 66. — Creeping Crab-grass 

 {Panicum serotinum). 



