46 



once (listingnished from any of the forms of perennial Rye-grass by 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 gcrminative power is 70 per cent. The germiuative iiower dimin- 

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

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

 to 24 pounds. Three Ijushels of seed of average quality are required for sowing 

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



No. 133. Lolium perenne Linn. Perennial Rye-grass. 



Perennial Rye-grass has been cultivated in England for more than 200 years, and is 

 therefore one of the oldest if not the very first 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 heavy soils in 

 moist climates it is especially valuable, and under 

 such conditions is largely used in mixtures for 

 permanent pastures. It is a good hay grass where 

 the conditions are favovable, but in this country 

 will never be so highly esteemed as Timothy. 

 Thtre are several varieties of perennial Rye-grass 

 recognized by agriculturists. Pacey's Perennial, 

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

 rity of perennial Rye-grass seed is given at 95 per 

 cent, and the germinative power at 75 per cent. 

 Good commercial seed should grade higher than 

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

 age .336,800 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 

 required per acre. The current retail price of 

 good seed is $8 per 100 pounds. 



No. 134. Lolium temulentum Linn. Darnel. 



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

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

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

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

 about dwellings. The grain contains a narcotic or jjoisonous principle, which 

 causes eruptions, treinbling, and vertigo in man and llesh-eating animals. If 

 the seeds are malted with barley, the ah' causes intoxicition very suddenly. It 

 is contended by some that perfectly liealthy Darnel seeds are innocuous— that 

 only grains which are ergotized or otherwise diseased are injurious. 



No. 135. Manisuris. Rat-tail-grass. 



The native species of Manisuris an? branching, leafy perennials, with slender, cylin- 

 drical, many-jointed spikes, which readily break up. They are found chiclly in 

 the pine-barren swanqis of the Gulf States. They areof little agricultural value 

 in this country. Manisuris compreasa, a native of southern Asia, south Africa, 



Fio. 



54. — Perennial Rye-grass 



( Lolium perenne). 



