

PREFACE. 



To some extent this volmiie sujaplements the first, though in 

 most respects it is an independent work. The first volume is in- 

 tended more particiihirly for farmers and students, and comprises 

 chapters on the physiology, composition, selection, improving, and 

 cultivation of grasses and clovers. A few of the illustrations in tlie 

 first apply also to species described in the second. 



It is ten years, lacking less than five months, since the first vol- 

 wme was published. During this period many collections have been 

 added to the herbarium and new joublications have appeared, mak- 

 ing it often necessary to change and add to the text. Owing to the 

 nature of tlie work, it seemed necessary to have many specimens 

 well in mind at one time ; to do this it was necessary to limit the 

 time for study to a few weeks each year. Little opportunity could 

 be found for this Avork while college classes were to be instructed ; 

 besides a considerable jiortion of the long vacation was claimed for 

 2mrticij)ating in farmei's' institutes. 



It has required some courage and persistence to adhere to the 

 work so long, realizing fully that it must contain many defects, and 

 tliat 2>erluips its chief use would be to serve as the basis for otliers 

 in the future to enlarge, correct, and otherwise improve. 



Originally it was the intention that Prof. F. L. Scribner should 

 furnish all the drawings and share as author of tliis volume, but to 

 my regret he appeared to be unable to complete his part of tlie 

 work. As will be seen, he furnished many of the drawings and 

 Mrs. D. M. Richardson the others, with a single exception which 

 was made by B. 0. Longyear. Prof. Scribner furnished hints 

 for some of the artificial keys. 



