31 



species whicli are really wortli cultivating. They are tlift natural grasses of tbe 

 wild lands, and few of tlieni flourish under the changed conditions brought about 

 by cultivation. The following are among the more important 8})ecic8. 



Autumn Panic {Panicum autumnaJe). — Perennial; stems numerous, often in clumps 

 of considerable size, spreading, 6 to 12 inches; leaves very numerous, short; pan- 

 icle large and diffuse, about as long as the stem; branches very slender. 



It grows on thin and dry upland soil, where it often forms a large part of the late 

 summer and fall grazing. The var. pnhifloritm is the more common form in central 

 Alabama and Georgia, and stock 

 graze it freely, but it is not worth 

 cultivating. 



Barxyaud Grass {I'anicum crm- 

 galli). — Annual; stems single or in 

 clumps, erect, sparingly branched, 

 3 to 6 feet high; leaves very long 

 and abundant; panicles heavy and 

 compact; si)ikelets awned or awn- 

 less. 



This requires a rich and some- 

 what moist soil, its name, "barn- 

 yard" grass, indicating the locality 

 which it prefers. It is a coarse and 

 succulent grass, which is not easily 

 cured into hay, but it is (juite valu- 

 able for soiling and for the silo, as 

 it yields heavily and produces an 

 unusual amount of seed. In some 

 sections of Mississippi and Florida 

 it makes a good part of the volun- 

 teer growth which is used for hay. 

 Dr. Phares, of Mississippi, says that 

 "hundreds of acres are annually 

 mowed, and farmer's who have 

 tested it thoroughly for many years 

 prefer it to the best corn fodder." 

 Several varieties of this, under the 

 name of "Japanese barnyard mil- 

 let," have been recently introduced 

 and promise to be of great value. No 

 reports of the value of these millets 

 have been published from the Gulf 

 States, but they have made such 

 good yields in the north that they 

 should be carefully tested there. 



Bitter Pank; (Panicmn nmarum). — Perennial, from long, creeping, and Ijranching 

 rootstocks; stems erect or decumbent, not branched, 2 to 5 feet tall; leaves long 

 and numerous; panicle erect, slender, often partly inclosed by the sheath of the 

 upper leaf; whole plant very smooth and blue-glaucous. 



This grass is confined to sandy beaches, and is one of the more prominent sorts on 

 the coastal islands, where it furnishes grazing for hundreds of cattle. Its long and 

 tough rootstocks and its ability to grow in the sandiest soils make it a valuable 

 sand-bind«r. 



Colorado Grass, or Texas Millet {Panicum texanum) (lig. 8). — Annual; stems 

 few, branching or erect, often rooting at the base, 2 to 4 feet; leaves very numerous, 

 large, nearly smooth; panicle 4 to 8 inches long, slender, branches closely flowered. 



This has Aery much the same habit of growth as crab-grass, but is larger and 

 coarser. It prefers low, damp soils, and in suitable locations will make two or 



Fig. 8. — Colorado jirass, or Texas millet (I'atiiciim, 

 iexanuin). 



