64 CREEPI^^G SOFT GRASS. 



CHAPTER XXIL 



CEEEPIXG SOFT GRASS. 



Holcus Mollis. 



Tins grass is easily distinguislied from holcus laiia- 

 by its producing fewer culms, having more loose 

 panicles,, longer awns (hence it is sometimes termed 

 Eearded soft grass) broader foilage and powerfully 

 creeping roots, grows naturally in a great variety of 

 soils. These two species of Holcus are distinguished 

 from all the rest of our common grasses by the soft 

 and wooly appearance of their panicles, those of 

 Holcus Lanatus assume a great varieiy of shades in 

 color, from a white to a beautiful red, but generally 

 on a whitish like ground. These grasses are chiefly 

 used on sheep w^alks in England and are said to 

 answer w^ell for that purpose. Flowers in July and 

 ripens seeds in August. 



CHAPTER XXIIl. 



FIXE BEXT GRASS, RED TOP, FIXE TOP, BURDET^ 

 GRASS, heed's grass OF PEXIn'SYLVATs'IA AXD 



souTiiERX States. 



{Agrostis VidgaTis)—Specifio Character. - 



Rootstocks creeping ; culm mostly upright (1 to 

 2 feet high) ; panicle oblong wdth spreading slightly 

 rough short branches, (purple) ; leaves linear, flat ; 

 ligule very short, truncate ; lower palet nearly 



