49 



No. 144. Oplismentis setarius R. & S. Creeping Beard-grass. 



A slender perennial of the Gulf States, with decumbent or creeping stems, and short 

 and rather broad leaves. It possesses no recognized agricultural value, but as it 

 grows naturally under the dense shade of trees it might be used for covering the 

 ground in shady places where other grasses will not thrive. It can be propagated 

 by pieces of the stem, which root at the joints, and if cared for, will in a short 

 time make a good turf. A closely allied grass of similar habit of growth, with 

 variegated leaves, is often grown in greenhouses for its ornamental appearance. 



No. 145. Oryza sativa Linn. Rice. 



A tropical or subtropical, semiaquatic grass, the grain of which is the staple food of 

 one-third of the human race. It is most extensively cultivated in southern Asia, 

 China, and Japan. The annual produce of these countries is estimated at 

 100,000,000 tons. The rice-growing districts of China support the densest popu- 

 lation in the world. In this counti-y rice is cultivated iu the States of South 

 Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. The estimate of the crop of cleaned 

 rice produced in Louisiana in 1895 was 82,436,832 pounds. " Paddy " is the grain 

 in the husk. There are many varieties of rice, distinguished by color or size of 

 the grain, absence or presence of beards, etc. There are two classes known as 

 "lowland rice" and "upland rice." The latter is cultivated to some extent in 

 western Tennessee. Rice straw is used for making paper. 



No. 146. Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx. Mountain Rice. 



A perennial, 6 to 18 inches high, with very long basal leaves overtopping the stems. 

 Thisgrowsinrich, open woods, upon hillsides, from New England to Minnesota and 

 northward. It is one of the early blooming species, flowering in May and ripen- 

 ing its seed in .June and July. The leaves remain green throughout the winter. 



No. 147. Oryzopsis melaiiocarpa Muhl. Black-fruited Mountain Rice. 



A rather stout, long- aud broad-leafed grass, 2 to 3 feet high, with a simple panicle 

 of a few rather large spikelets. Grows in rich, rocky woods from New England 

 southward to Pennsylvania and westward to the Rockv Mountains, bloomiuirin 

 July and August. These species of Oryzopsis have no recognized agricultural 

 value, but they are very hardy perennials and might be propagated .o advantage 

 in woodland parks. 



No. 148. Oryzopsis micrantha Thurb. Small Indian Millet. 



A perennial, quite widely distributed throughout the central and western counties 

 of the Dakotas and in eastern Montana. It grows in dry, sandy soil, and though 

 tough and wiry, is nutritious and is considered a valuable grass. 



No. 149. Oryzopsis miliacea (Linn.) Hack. Many-flowered Millet-grass. 



A perennial, 2 to 3 or 4 feet high, with a many- and small-flowered nodding panicle, 

 6 to 12 inches long. It is a native of central and southern Europe, growing iu 

 dry, open woods and thickets. Was introduced into California in 1879, and has 

 been cultivated experimentally with varying success at a number of points in 

 that State. On the granitic soil of San Diego, California, it has grown 3 feet high 

 without irrigation, and remained green throughout the year. Horses and cattle 

 are said to eat it greedily. In Europe it is not regarded as possessing much, if 

 any, agricultural value. 



No. 150. Panicularia americana (Torr.) MacM. Reed Meadow-grass. 



A stout, erect, leafy perennial, 3 to 4 feet high, with long, rather broad leaves, and a 

 large, nodding panicle. It is common iu the northern Middle States and south- 

 ward along the mountains to Tennessee and North Carolina, extending westward 

 to the Rocky Mountain region. It grows along streams and in moist meadows, 

 and in such places often forms a considerable portion of the native hay. It is 

 liked by cattle and is a good pasture grass for wet lands. 

 4393— No. 14 4 



