DACTYLIS GLOMERATA, L., ORCHARD GRASS. 109 



acutely toothed. Stamens 3. Styles distinct, stigmas feathery. 

 Caryopsis compressed, loosely inclosed in the floral glume, and 

 palea free. A perennial grass with broad leaves. One species, 

 found in cold and temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and 

 Africa. 



D. ^lomerata, L. Orchard Grass, Cock's-Foot. — Leaves 

 long, keeled, conduplicate when dry, culms stout, rough, 3-5 

 feet. Ligule long, panicle 2-6 inches, often tinged with violet 

 spikelets o-5-fld., Yui. long. 



For the past fifteen years or more the writer has been accumu- 

 lating notes and making observations and experiments in refer- 

 ence to our most noted grasses, and concerning none of the true 

 grasses has there been more said or written or more inquiries 

 made than about the one above named. Like every question 

 capable of dispute, this one has two sides, and shrewd men of 

 the same neighborhood often differ very much in their estimation 

 'of orchard grass. 



The grass is perennial, lasting for many years, two to three, or 

 even five feet or more in height, rather large, coarse, rough, of 

 a light green color, and grows in dense tufts unless crowded by 

 thick seeding. The lower leaves are sometimes two feet or more 

 in length. Tlie clustered spikelets make dense masses on the 

 small sjareading panicle ; tlie flowers appear with those of early 

 red clover. 



It is a native of Europe, and is also now found in North Africa, 

 India, and North America, and perhaps in other countries. Al- 

 though it came to this country from Europe, it did not attract 

 much attention in England until sent back there in 1764 from 

 Virginia. 



So far as quality is concerned, if cut in season or pastured 

 when voung it stands well the test of cattle and the chemist. 



Fig. G3.—Dactylis glnmcrata, L. (Orchard grass);. 1, entire plant ; 2 and 4, spikelets; 

 5 and 3. florets; 6, young pistil ; 7. a lodicule.— (Spikelets by Seribner.) 



