55 



southern Europe, and Australia. It is also found along the shores of the South- 

 ern States bordering the Gulf, extending westward to Mexico. It has no agri- 

 cultural value, but is a natural sand binder. Upon the sandy islands lying off 

 the Gulf Coast it grows abundantly upon the outside of dunes, protecting tlieni 

 from the action of the winds and waves. 

 No. 171. Panicum sanguinale Linn. Crab-grass. 



(Fig. 65.) 

 A well-known annual, common in nearly all parts of the 

 United States, growing in cultivated fields and 

 about dwellings. It is a weed in gardens and among 

 hoed crops. In grain fields after harvest it fre- 

 quently^ springs up in such quantity, particularly 

 in the Southern States, as to yield one or even two 

 good cuttings of hay. This spontaneous growth 

 affords excellent pasturage, as well as hay of first 

 quality if properly cured. The stems are much 

 branched, and in good soil attain a length of 3 to 4 

 feet. This grass contains little fiber, and dries 

 quickly when cut, but if after cutting it is wet by 

 rains or heavy dews its value for hay is almost 

 wholly destroyed. In Bohemia, Crab-grass is 



cultivated upon 



sandy soils and the 



grain is used for 



food in the form of 



mush or porridge. 



No. 172. Panicum sero- 

 tinum (Michx.) Trin. 



Fig. 65.— Crab-grass (Panicum 

 saiKjiiinale) . 



Little Crab-grass. (Fig. 66.) 



A species related to Crab-grass {Panicum mnguinah), 

 common in the Southern States near the Gulf, dis- 

 puting with Louisiana-grass the claim of being 

 the most valuable native pasture grass of that 

 section. It is probably a biennial. It is much 

 like Crab-grass, sending out leafy, creeping shoots 

 at every joint, but is smaller in every way, with 

 shorter and more hairy leaves of a lighter green 

 color. It is invaluable for pasturage, forming a 

 close turf, and driving out nearly all other plants. 

 It grows best in sandy soil where there is a little 

 moisture. 



No. 173. Panicum spectabile Nees. Angola-grass. 



A stout grass, 3 to 5 feet high, with rather broad and 

 long (1 to 2 feet) leaves, and a terminal, densely 

 dowered, compound and narrow spike 8 to 10 

 inches long. Imported iuto South America many 

 years ago from the west coast of Africa (the region 

 of Angola). It is cultivated ou the low lands in 

 the eastern part of Brazil, particularly in the 

 region of Rio de Janeiro, where it is called 

 "Capim d' Angola." This Panicum is closely related to and resembles some 

 forms of Barnyard-grass (/'. crus-yalli). It is spoken of as an extremely 

 productive and nutritious fodder-grass, and may prove valuable for the low 

 regions along the Gulf coast. 



FiH. 66.— Creeping Crab-grass 

 (Panicum serotinum). 



