REPORT ON GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 167 
DACTYLOCTENIUM ALGYPTIACUM—Crow-foot grass. 
Deseription.—This is an annual grass somewhat resembling the pre- 
ceding (Hleusine), but coarser and. stiffer, and of less value. The stems 
are often rooting at the base, with commonly four acutely pointed stiff 
spikes at the top of the culm, which are shorter than those of the Eleu- 
sine Indica. Itis not cultivated, but occurs abundantly in some locali- 
ties in waste or neglected grounds. 
Proximate analysis of Dactyloctenium Lgyptiacum, frem Georgia (Crow-foot grass). 
Per cenf. 
Ree 5 oo ere re hale, Ses Saimin os wc ams emeace ae tac cece ccuass there 1. 64 
I Oe Ss Sic coo CE Re Oe ee eae ee ee) ee beer en ee Oe 
SIMA sce Soh ot 260 SEONG O EIEIO: ODE Cee tera SIRI Ar Ar ean Semele 10. 96 
GuimMpeinet ox hhibeieme. Stan el. xe sjanedn ea aed oa Yed cae tye 2s ce cela sess oe See 5. 60 
Ca eet oe cee Soe onc Sos, Sh AS Alain oiae's cas eal aateene eae eo awe cers 17. 48 
REICH OMSTCEMMOSON = mes s.2 5 Sd a oo a5 5 Soba ck ceca ceca ea GA ROS eee aera 31. 63 
AU GEC cose Boe ee ee ne Semen oe Ae eee 16. 46 
OUD) GIT) Wot di RSet SES ee eo nN er a ga bei ot SB Pee 9. OL 
PASI ce was Be Ce ee ae mn GIRS ee ena a cS er ann eras eee ene Bae 6. 90 
160, 00 
Analysis of ash of Dactyloctenium Lgyptiacum (Crow-fool grass). 
Per cent. 
FRSeR RDA CEERI oe foe eer aes eee are eT IN, SI 20a aS nS 2 Sic 5 ct ciarein apace cee ata 7 50 
Potassium oxide ..... BF et oare sine ae Whe Re aac tte ile net 6, ono RE ee ee 21.20 
SIDED Sos eee Bee aie eS Se ee er ener fe, eee net sree eae Oe 
(EVOL SED GBETIG) GARRSS eisai oe Bee age SENS aN eS es Aes a ey I a 
CED ETERTIC, ONSTUOE Gee ia Ie A ae oe ee pe pete es 20. 67 
NMA SMESTIMROMIOC 5555 on tataeeiccsmee eeaeinacs Ae ee ee ere eee 6. 91 
MRE MCLO eas ete aca eae Soak on as oc Ga ce cane he anon tote asian eee wees 4,42 
[PEGs DSTO) OMDSETI GIG Egat ee I a SR ape ko ees eae rapa Soe Ae et Sc 8.37 
SETGE UTC Ie En ee ee ep ed Pe ae Re PE Ce gee Meee ee re Bay 
Gay spt oe a eee te Ly SE ere a eR Oe A En ee, Be oe ee 6.76 
109, 00 
TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES—Gama grass. 
Description —A. tall perennial grass, with solid culms, broad and fiat 
leaves, and with flower-spikes from 4 to 8 inches long, produced from 
the side joints or from the top, either singly or 2 or 3 together. The 
upper portion of these spikes is staminate or male, and the lower portion 
pistillate and producing the seeds. It grows from 3 to 6 feet high, with 
large broad leaves resembling those of Indian corn. The upper or male 
portion of the flower-spikes drops off after flowering, and the fertile 
portion easily breaks up into short joints. These joints are thick and 
polished, and the flowers and seeds are deeply imbedded in them. 
Uses.—Mr. Howard in his Manual of Grasses, says: 
This is a native of the South, from the mountains to the coast. The seed stem runs 
up to the height of five to seven feet. The seeds break off from the stem as if in a 
joint, a single seed at atime. The leaves resemble those of corn. When cut before 
the seed stems shoot up they make a coarse but nutritious hay. It may be cut three 
or four times during the season. The quantity of forage which can be made from it 
is enormous. Both cattle and horses are fond of the hay. The roots are almost as 
large and strong as cane roots. It would require a team of four to six oxen to plough 
itup. Ii can, however, be easily killed by close grazing, and the mass of dead roots 
would certainly greatly enrich the land. As the seeds of this grass vegetate with 
uncertainty, it is usually propagated by setting out slips of the roots about 2 feet apart 
each way. On rich land the tussocks will soon meet. In the absence of the finer hay 
grasses this grass will be found an abundant and excellent substitute. The hay made 
from it is very like corn fodder, is quite equal to it in value, and may be saved at @ 
tithe of the expense. 
