52 



No. 158. Panicum colonum Linn. Sliama Millet. 



A native of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the Old World. In 

 northern India it is considered one of the best fodder grasses. Introduced into 

 the Southern and Southwestern States, where it is occasionally found in waste 

 grounds about dwellings. It is closely related to Panicum crus-gaUi, differing 

 from that grass in its smaller size and more simple inflorescence. The stems 

 and leaves are .tender and readily eaten by stock. In India the grain, which 

 is produced abundantly, is sold in the markets and used for food. 

 No. 159. Panicum crus-galli Linn. Barnyard-grass. (Fig. 63.) 

 This well-known annual of rank growth is common in rich, cultivated ground, espe- 

 cially around dwellings. There are several forms presented by this species. 



That growiug as a weed around barn- 

 yards and dwellings, in cultivated 

 grounds in the Atlantic States, was 

 probably introduced from Europe. 

 There are, however, several native varie- 

 ties, or possibly good species. One of 

 these occurring in the brackish marshes 

 or meadows along the seacoast, grows to 

 the height of 3 to 5 feet, with the lower 

 leaf sheaths very hirsute, and the spike- 

 lets long-awned. A tall, smooth form 

 occurs in New Mexico, Arizona, and the 

 Mohave desert region, springing up after 

 the summer rains in all swampy places 

 or lowlands. It grows to the height of 6 

 or 7 feet, and its seeds, which it produces 

 abundantly, are collected by the Mohave 

 Indians, ground into dour, and cooked 

 for food. The poorer classes of India 

 also use the grain for food. A variety 

 introduced from .Japan has been culti- 

 vated at some of the experiment stations 

 and treated as a millet. At the Hatch 

 Experiment Station, in Massachusetts, 

 the crop produced was very uniform, 

 averaging 7 feet in height. The yield 

 was at the rate of 11,207 pounds of straw 

 per acre and 60.7 bushels of seed. When 

 sown for silage or for soiling at the rate 

 of one peck of seed to the acre, the yield 

 was at the rate of from LI to 18 tons per acre. A field sown July 26, after a crop 

 of hay was removed, yielded 12 tons ].(r acre. It is very much liked by stock, 

 and is a valuable forage plant for feeding green or for the silo. It is not so well 

 adapted for liay, as it is a coarse, succulent grass, and rather dififlcult to dry. 

 No. 160. Panicum digitarioides Carpenti^r. Maiden Cane. 



A rathei coarse grass, 2 to 4 feet high, growing along ditches, in swamps, and in 



moist sands from Delaware soiitliward to Florida and along the Gulf near the 



coast. It has strong and widely spreading or creeping rootstocks, which are 



useful in l)in<ling sandy railroad embankments in the Southern and Gulf States. 



No. 161. Panicum fasciculatum S\v. Hrown-top. 



A rather coarse and much-l)ranched leafy auiuial, growing in clumps to the height 

 of 2 to 3 feet. The leaves are flat, one-fourth to one-half an inch wide, and 2 to 

 6 inches long. It is a native of Texas and Florida. Similar m character and 

 closely allied botanically to ranUitm texanum. 



Fig. 63 — Barnyard-grass (.Panicum crus-galli). 



