ORCHARD GRASS. 25 



spikelets 3 to 4, flowered. Koot perrennial. Flowers 

 in June and seeds ripens in July. Common in fields, 

 especially shade. 



Way's Analysis. 



From 100 parts, as taken from the field June 13th. 



Water 70.00 



Albuminous or flesh forming principles 4.06 



Fatty matter 94 



Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c. . . 13.30 



Woody fibre lO.ll 



Mineral matter or Ash 1«59 



100.00 



100 parts of the grass dried at 212° Fahr. 



Albuminous or flesh forming principles 13.53 



Fatty matter 3.14 



Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, &c . . . 44 32 



Woody fibre 83.70 



Mineral matter or Ash 5.31 



100.00 



This valuable (though much neglected) grass is in- 

 digenous to the soil of America, and from its adapt- 

 ability to various soils, its early and late growth, 

 luxuriant foilage and nutritive qualities, is well en- 

 titled to an equality with any grass, either native or 

 foreign, which is being cultivated in this country. 



It appears that this grass was introduced into Eng- 

 land previous to 1760. It forms one of the most 

 common grasses in English pastures, and enters either 

 more or less into all mixtures for meadow or pasture, 

 but is used very sparingly in mixtures for lawns. It 

 has been found highly useful as an early sheep feed, 

 and it grows well in winter. It grows in mid-sum, 



