48 



No. 139. Miihlenbergia mexicana (Linn.) Trin. Knot-root grass. (Fig. 56.) 



A mnch-liiaucbed, leafy iieremiial, 2 to 3 feet higli, with strong, scaly, creeping root- 

 stocks, which often do good service in binding river banks, along which this 

 grass frequently grows. In the Northeastern States this grass is common in low 

 meadows, where it occasionally forms a considerable proportion of the native 

 hay of snch places. If cut before the stems have become woody, which they do 

 after Howering, the hay produced is of good quality. It ranges from New Eng- 

 land southward to the Gulf and westward to the Rocky Mountains. In the 

 Eastern States it blooms in August. 



No. 140. Muhlenbergia porteri Scrlbn. Wire grama. 



This grass is a native of New Mexico and Arizona, erowins 

 on the dry mesas and table-lands. It has a strasrirlino' 

 habit of growth. The stems are 1 to 2 feet long, much 

 branched, and often matted together. It furnishes ex- 

 cellent feed for cattle in the regions where it srows, 

 and yields good hay, which is harvested in considerable 

 abundance by the ranchmen. It withstands drought 

 .very Mell, but is soon run out under the continued 

 trampling of cattle. 



No. 141. Muhlenbergia pungens Thurb. Blow-out grass. 



A rather rigid perennial, 12 to 18 inches high, vrith firm 

 sharp-pointed leaves and open panicles. It has strong, 

 creeping roots, and often does good service as a sand 

 binder. In the sand-hills region of Nebraska it grows 

 abundantly around the borders of the so-called "blow- 

 outs," preventing their extension and assisting mate- 

 rially in restoring the turf. In some parts of Arizona 

 where it occurs it is esteemed a valuable forage plant. 

 It grows from Nebraska southward to New Mexico and 

 Arizona, and along the Colorado River above Fort Yuma. 



No. 142. Muhlenbergia racemosa (Michx.) B. S. P. Wild 

 Timothy. (Fig. .57.) 



An upright, usually 8])aringly branched perennial, 2 to 3 

 feet high, with densely llowered, narrow panicles 2 to 

 4 inches long, often resembling those of timothy. The 

 rootstocks are very tough, and closely covered with 

 thickened scales. It frequents bogs and low grounds 

 from New England westward to the Rocky Mountains, 

 extending southward to Tennessee, New Mexico, and 



Texas. It is little prized in the E.ast, but in the Northwestern States is recom- 



nn'ndcfl as an excellent grass for hay. 



No. 143. Opizia stolonifera Presl, Mexican Lawn-grass. 



An extensively creeping, dio-cious grass, the very slender, ]u-ostrate stems sending 

 uji leafy tufts 1 to 4 inches high. Similar in habit to Bermuda, but mor<' deli- 

 cate. According to Dr. E. Palmer, this is one of the most important grasses of 

 Mexico. Growing dose to the ground, it forms a tliick sod over all exposed snr- 

 faci's, even ov(!r the cobblestones in the streets of towns, it is used in the public 

 squares with good effect. By regular watering it is easily kept green, and but 

 little cutting is necessary. The seed is diOicult to obtain, owing to the constant 

 nibbling of domestic animals. Proj>agation by cuttings of the rooting, pros- 

 trate stems is probably the best mcth<id. Trials with this grass ought to bo 

 undertaken in the Southern States, both lor lawns and iiastures. 



Fic 

 (J/ 



57. — Wild Timothy 

 uhlenberjia racemosa.) 



