40 ( 



GRASSES OF IOWA 



into flower the leaves are usually dead on the stem and the 

 plant is harsh. 



Professor Lamson-Scribner* says: 



' This grass has the appearance of possessing some agricul- 

 tural value. It forms an inferior turf, and by the time it blooms 

 all the lower leaves are usually dead. When young it doubt- 

 less possesses some value as a native pasture grass. la Kan- 

 sas, South Dakota and Nebraska it is regarded a valuable 

 grass for woodland pastures. " 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



Two samples of Elymiis virginicus were analyzed, ar.d the 

 results are shown in the following: 



Sample 1. Collected June 22, 37 to 'Si inches high. 

 Sample 2. Collected June 29, 37 to 38 laches high. 



NATURAL CONDITION. 



Sample 1 

 Sample 



tuog 

 h « 



15.52 

 19 81 



The difference of one week in collecting the two samples 

 shows that there is a decrease of 3.41 per cent in thewa'er 

 present, and in the water free substance we find that there is a 

 change in fat from 4.44 per cent to 3.50 per cent; in protein 

 from 12.09 per cent to 9.47 cent, and in the albuminoids from 

 10.19 per cent to 6.35 per cent; in crude fiber from 31.24 per 

 cent to 34.73 per cent, and nitrogen free extract from 39.36 per 

 cant to 49.07 per cent; in the ash from 9.38 per cent to 6.72 

 per cent. As a whole, both samples being of the same height, 

 the first sample would show that it was most suitable for 

 cutting. 



The following samples wer3 selected for comparison with 

 the work done here: 



*3uU. U. S. Dept. Agrl. Div. Agros. 14 :3). 



