56 



No. 174. Panicum sulcatum Aubl. Palm-T.eafed-yrass. 



A South Amoricau perennial, 4 to 6 iect high, with pahu-like leaves 1 to 2 inches 

 broad and 16 to 20 inches long, and long, terminal, narrow panicles which taper 

 above and below. The leaves of this grass are deeply sulcate or plicate, like 

 those of the Indian /*. jjJicatum. Sometimes cultivated for ornament in green- 

 houses or upon lawns. 



No. 175. Panicum texanum Buckl. Colorado-grass. (Fig. (i7.) 



A branching, leafy annual, 2 to 4 feet high, with a narrow panicle 6 to 8 inches long 

 terminating the main stem and branches. It is nutritious, of rapid growth, and 

 upon good soil yields a large amount of excellent hay, and may be cut twice or 

 even three times during the season. It reseeds itself readily. It prefers ricli, 



i'lu. 07.— Colorailo-;rra88 (Panicum 

 lexanvm). 



Fig. 08. — Switch grass {Panicum 

 virgattnn). 



alluvial soil along river bottoms, etc., and upon such land withstands drought 

 well. In certain parts of Texas, particularly in the counties along the Colorado 

 Kiver, in the; central part of the State, where it appears to be native and where 

 it often comes up in cultivated fields after the removal of corn or other grain 

 croi>8, it is s])oken of in the highest terms as a hay-producing grass. 



No. 176. Panicum virgatum Linn. Switch-grass. (Fig. 68.) 



A tall, native perennial, 3 to 5 feet high, with strong, creeping rootstocks, long, Hat 

 leaves, and ami)le, spreading )ianiclt's. When young this affords good grazing, 

 but .-it maturity the stems become hard and practitally worthless for fodder. It 

 ranges from Maine southward to tlits Gulf and westward to the Rocky Mountains. 

 It is particularly common near tlu^ coast in sandy soil bordering the marshes, 

 and oftentimes plays an important parttliere, in preveutiug the drifting of sands 



