73 



sents a pleasing appearauce when in flower, and the panicles are valnod for dry 

 bouquets. It has recently received souie attention by agriculturists on account 

 of its very vigorous rapid growth and productiveness. Experiments made in 

 this country and elsewhere indicate that it possesses much value as a meadow 

 or hay o-rass in mild climates. Three hundred stems have been counted on a 

 single plant. These stems take root wherever they touch the ground, and an 

 acre has been calculated to yield 30 tons of green fodder in the rich valleys of 

 the Macleay Elver, New South Wales. It is easily propagated by seed. 



No. 242. Triodia exigua Kirk. 



A little alpine grass, endemic in New Zealand. It forms even plots of turf, often 

 many square yards in extent ; the leaves are firm, short, and shining ; the com- 

 pact growth of the turf or sward prevents the encroach- 

 ment of other grasses or weeds. It is particularly to be 

 recommended for croquet lawns, never reciuiring mowing 

 (Kirk). In the mountain regions of the West are sev- 

 eral of these small turf-forming grasses, which would, 

 if cultivated, make excellent carpet-like lawns in the 

 region of the Northern and Middle States. 



No. 243. Triodia seslerioides (Michx.) Beuth. Fall Red- 

 top. 

 A stout, erect, native perennial, 3 to 5 feet high, with long, 



flat leaves and an ample, spreading, usually purple pan- 

 icle 6 to 12 inches long, growiug in dry or sandy fields 



from southeru New York southward and westward to 



Missouri, blooming in August and September. It is a 



striking grass, and often covers considerable areas, but 



18 apparently not liked by stock, and is not recognized 



as itossessing any agricultural value. 



Linn. 



Gama-grass. 



No. 244. Tripsacum dactyloides 



(Fig. 88.) 

 A tall, coarse perennial, 3 to 8 feet high, growing in large 

 tufts, and producing a great mass of broad leaves, 

 which when young and succulent are eaten with avidity 

 hy all kinds of stock. When abundant it aflords a large 

 amount of natural forage, and is valuable to this extent. 

 It has very strong, creeping rootstocks, and the quan- 

 tity of forage produced is large and of excellent quality. 

 The grass may be deserving of cultivation for forage 

 under certain conditions, and it makes an interesting 

 and attractive plant for lawn decoration or the garden, 

 moist soil 18 best suited to it. 



Fig. 88. — Gama-grass 

 {Tripsaevm dactyloides) . 



A rich and rather 



No. 245. Trisetum. pratense Pers. Yellow Oat-grass. 



A rather slender, loosely tufted perennial, growing to the height of 2 feet. It is a 

 native of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It occurs along roadsides, 

 in open fields, and on grassy mountain slopes, where its i^iesence is said to indi- 

 cate land of good quality. In Europe, Yellow Oat-grass is classed with the best 

 fodder plants and is highly valued for temporary, but more particularly for per- 

 manent pastures. It can be grown on almost every variety of soil, is fairly pro- 

 ductive, and is readily eaten by stock. This grass has a record of yielding on 

 clayey loam soils 8,167 pounds green grass, 2,858 of hay, and 4,083 of aftermath 

 per acre. In this country it has received little attention. It is quoted in New 

 York seed catalogues, the price ranging from $70 to $115 per 100 pounds. Sown 

 only in mixtures. 



