144 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



unaltered by circumstances, by means of which the particular genus and species may be identified 

 with ease and certainty. It is evident that these characteristics could not be simply in the 

 leaves, or the steins, or the size of the plant, because there will be a great difference between 

 plants growing in a poor, thin, sandy soil, and others of the same species on a deep, rich 

 loam. Botanists have, therefore, been compelled to resort to other peculiarities to distin 

 guish between different species; and the terms used to express these, like the terms used in 

 other departments of natural history, are technical; and hence, in detailing the natural history 

 of the grasses, the use of technical language to a greater or less extent, cannot be avoided. 



The flowers of the grasses are arranged on the stem hi spikes, as where they are set on 

 a common stalk without small stalks or branches for each separate flower, as in herds-grass 

 (Phleum pratense), or in panicles, or loose subdivided clusters, as in orchard grass (Dactylis 

 glomerata). A panicle is said to be loose or spreading, as in redtop (Agrostis vulgaris\ when 

 the small branches on which the flowers are set, are open, or extended out freely in different 

 directions; it is said to be dense, or crowded or compressed, when the branches are so short 

 as to give it more or less of the spike form. 



In different parts of the country a great variety of grasses are known by different com 

 mon names, the same name being frequently applied to grasses entirely different from each 

 other; or, a single plant may be known by several different names, which occasions no little 

 confusion where the common or local name is wholly depended upon to distinguish one vari 

 ety from the other; for instance, the grass that is commonly called &quot;cat s tail&quot; in England, 

 is known as timothy in some sections of this country, and herds-grass in others; and that 

 which is called red-top in one locality, is known as herds-grass in another, and by the various 

 terms of Burdin s grass, red bent grass, summer dew grass, small red-top, fine red-top, and 

 fowl meadow grass in others. What is commonly called blue grass in one locality, is known 

 as green grass in another, etc.; so that it is evident that were the common name to be 

 depended upon alone, in distinguishing one variety from another, considerable difficulty would 

 be involved in arriving at a correct understanding as to which species is meant. And when 

 we take into further consideration the fact of the close resemblance of many of the different 

 species of grasses, especially to a person inexperienced in distinguishing one from another, 

 the subject becomes a more puzzling one still, and it could hardly be expected that a correct 

 understanding could be arrived at, when depending entirely upon the common or local name. 

 We therefore see the necessity of the use of the Latin name of the species, and when this is 

 once known, there is no further difficulty in this respect, since the same Latin or scientific 

 name is never applied to but one of a species. 



The description of the obnoxious or worthless grasses here given, will also be of use to 

 the farmer in enabling him to recognize them when found, and hence, to take measures for 

 their extermination. 



Timothy, or Herds-Grass (PMewn pratense). Generic characters: Panicle spiked, 

 spikelets compressed, palea shorter than the awned glumes, the lower one truncate, usually awn- 

 less; styles distinct, filaments hairy, spike dense, rough, or harsh. So called from an ancient 

 Greek term signifying cat s tail, the name by which it is still most frequently known in Great 

 Britain. 



Specific characteristics: Spikes cylindrical or elongated; glumes hairy on the back, 

 tipped with a bristle less than half their length; leaves long, flat, rough, with long sheaths; 

 root fibrous, often bulbous perennial. Grows best on moist, peaty soils. This grass is uni 

 versally known and highly valued. It is, in fact, generally considered in this country as the 

 best grass for hay that can be produced. It is commonly grown throughout the entire North, 

 and flourishes well on the drained lowlands of the South. It is said to have received its 

 name more than a century and a half ago from one Herd, of Piscataqua, who found it grow 

 ing in a swamp there. 



