64 



rich and nutritions porridge, for which purpose it is chiefly used in the eastern 

 couiitrits where the grass is grown. In uortiiern India, where the grain is 

 hirgely used, a preparation of it constitutes a favorite food at marriage cere- 

 monies. Owing to its rapid and somewhat succulent growth, it is an excellent 

 soiling plant. It has, however, l>een little cultivated in this country, lint is occa- 

 sionally found in the older settlements in cultivated liclds and waste grounds 

 about dwellings. The number of grasses termed millets in various i)arts of the 

 world is large, and includes many very ditt'erent species, whose grain, however, 

 is used for human food. Most of the so-called millets belong to the genera 

 Chdlochloa, I'anicum, and I'aspalum. They form the principal food grains of the 

 natives of many parts of Africa and Asia. It has been estimated that the 

 millets feed one-third of the human race. 



No. 166. Panicum molle Sw. Para-grass. 



A rather coarse, reed-like perennial, 1 to (> feet high, with hairy nodes, and narrow, 

 lax i)anicles, 6 to 8 inches long. It is cultivated in .South America, and in the 

 West Indies and Mexico, and has been introduced into some of the Gulf States. 

 It is grown with success on the high ]»ine ridges of I'lorida, and wherever culti- 

 vated it is most highly esteemed ami regarded as a very fattening pasture grass. 

 How far to the north this grass may be grown successfully does not ajjpear to 

 have been determined, but it is hardy at the Cape of Good Hope and other far 

 extra tropical regions (Baron von Mueller). It is propagated either by seeds or 

 root cuttings. 



No. 167. Panicum obtusum H. li. K. ^'ine Mesquit. 



A stolouifcrous grass, the runners attaining a length of 8 to 10 feet, the upright 

 dowering culms 12 to 24 inches high. This grass ranges from Colorado to Texas, 

 New ilexico, Arizona, and southward into Mexico. It is usually found in irri- 

 gated lands or in the low, damp soil of the valleys, most frequently under the 

 shade of trees and shrubs. No attempts have been made to cultivate this grass, 

 l)ut its appearance and habit of growth indicate an agricultural value of suflS- 

 cient importance- to call for experiments in its cultivation. In New Mexico this 

 species is called "Wire-grass." 



No. 168. Panicum plicatum Lam. Palm-leafed Grass. 



A broad-leafed perennial, 3 to 4 feet high or more, native of India. The leaves are 

 elegantly striate and usually i)licate, giving to the grass an unusual and at the 

 same time attractive apjiearance. It is a favorite ornamental for greenhouse 

 culture. 



No. 169. Panicum proliferum Lam. Sprouting Crab-grass. 



A smooth and usually much-branched native annual, with rather coarse, spreading or 

 ascen<ling stems 2 to 6 feet long, tlat leaves, and difluse terminal and lateral 

 panicles. It grows naturally in moist, rich soil along the banks of streams and 

 rivers, around the shores of ]ionds and lakes, and in the South is often abundant 

 in rich, cultivated liebls, growing willi Crab-grass. The stout, succulent stems 

 are Hweetisb and niucii liked by horses and cattle. Its range is from Maine to 

 Nebraska, and southward to the Gulf, blo.ssomiug in the latter part of summer (»r 

 eiirly autumn. The HiMiiitaneous growth of this gr.iss in cultivated lields after 

 the removal of croj)S is ol some value tor hay or pasturage, but its cultivation can 

 not bo recommended in view of the fact that we hav'e many annual gnisses much 

 superior to it. In the Northern and Middle States it is classed with the weeds. 



No. 170. Panicum repeus Linn. Creejjiiig Panic. 



An extensively creeping grsiss, with rather stiff upright stems, 1 to 2 feet high or 

 less. It is common in the maritime districts in southern Asia, northern Africa, 



