350 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



and narrower, and the lower glume is longer and more pointed. The 

 I)erfect flower is said to be bearded at the apex, bat this will be ob- 

 served only v/ith the aid of a good magnifier, and I find P. Anccps not 

 to differ in this respect. The panicle usually has a reddish color, and 

 somewhat resembles that of Eed-top [Agrostis vulgaris)^ hence the spe- 

 cific name. 



This grass grows commonly in large clumps in wet meadows, or on 

 the muddy margins of rivers and lakes. It grows from four to six feet 

 high, and i)roduces a l:).rge amount of foliage which makes faij' hay if 

 cut before flowering time ; if left later it contains too many wiry stalks. 

 (See Plate II.) 



PANicinvi PKOLiFERUivi — Crab-grass, Sprouting Crab-grass. 



This is an annual sj>eci6S growing usually in low, moist ground, and 

 also in cultivated fields, especially in corn-fields, appearing and accom- 

 plishing most of its growth late in the season. The stems are seldom 

 erect except in small or young specimens ; in thrifty plants the stems 

 become decumbent, spreading widely and rooting at many of the lower 

 joints. The stems are usually only two or three feet long, but we have 

 specimens from Mr. S. Corley, of Lexington, S. C, that are seven feet 

 long. The culms are thick and juicy, and generally flattened and bent 

 at the joints, especially below. The leaves are 8 inches to 2 feet long, 

 and half an inch or more wide. 



The whole plant is smooth, except some rouglmess about the branches 

 of the lianicle. The lower joints give out numerous branches which 

 develop flowering panicles that are partly inclosed in the large leaf 

 sheaths. These panicles vary in size from a few inches to 2 feet in 

 length. Largo specimens have a very diffuse and handsome appear- 

 ance. The spikelets are pale green, rarely purplish, about 1 line long, 

 and formed of the perfect flower, a neutral flower, which sometimes has 

 one and sometimes two palets, and the two glumes. The neutral flower 

 is a little longer than the perfect one ; the lower glume broad and short, 

 the upper acute and strongly 7-nerved. 



This grass has a very wide range, being fouftid in the Northern and 

 Western as well as in the Southern States, groA\ing abundantly in low 

 waste grounds, as also, late in the season, in cultivated grounds. 



Mr. Charles l^lohr, of Mobile, says of it : 



In damp, grassy places it prefers rich ground, throngliout the coast region. It 

 commencea to vegetate vigorously in the hottest part of the summer months, throw- 

 ing out numerous shoots from the joints, forming large It ranched bushes. The foliage 

 is rich and tender, and the succulent, rather thick, stem.s are sweet and jnicy. Aftei 

 cutting, it throws out numerous sprouts from the lower joints, which grow rapidly 90 

 as to allow repeated cuttings until frost. It is, through all stages of its growth, much 

 relished by horses and cattle. (See Plate III.) 



Panicum capillare — Witch grass. 



This is an annual grass, varying in height from 6 inches to 2 feet. It 

 has I large terminal panicle which, when mature, is very difl'use, with 

 long capillary branches. The leaves and sheaths are usually covered 

 with long spreading hairs. It is very common in cultivated grounds, 

 making its growth late in the summer, and after maturity the tops fre- 

 quently break off and are blown about, and often accumulate in quanti- 

 ties in fence corners. It is mostly rejected by cattle, especially the very 

 hairy forms. There is a smootliish form growing in Texas and the 



