GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 167 



almost as large and strong as cane roots. It would require a team of four to six oxen to 

 plow it up. It can, however, be easily killed by close grazing, and the mass of dead roots 

 would certainly greatly enrich the land. As the seeds of this grass vegetate with uncertainty, 

 it is usually propagated by setting out slips of the roots about two feet apart each way. On 

 rich land.the tussocks will soon meet. In the absence of the finer hay grasses this grass will 

 be found an abundant and excellent substitute. The hay made from it is very like corn 

 fodder, is quite equal to it in value, and may be saved at a tithe of the expense.&quot; 



Rattlesnake Grass, ( Glyceria eanadensis.) The generic characteristics of glyceria are, 

 many-flowered spikes; mostly flattish; glumes two-pointed, nearly equal, awnless, the lower 

 one obtuse, seven-nerved; roots creeping. Perennial. Wet places and standing water. The 

 name of the genus is from a Greek word signifying sweet. 



Rattlesnake grass has an oblong, pyramidal, spreading panicle, with beautifully-drooping 

 spikelets, six or eight flowered, and long, roughish leaves, which together make it an object 

 of interest and search for bouquets and vases. It is very common in wet, boggy places, grow 

 ing from two to three feet high, but possesses little or no agricultural value. Flowers 

 in July. 



The Obtuse Spear Grass, (Glyceria oltusa,) has a dense, narrowly-oblong panicle; 

 spikelets six or seven flowered, erect, swelling; lower palea obtuse, leaves smooth, as long as 

 the stem. This is an aquatic grass, found occasionally on the borders of ponds. Flowers in 

 August. Of no agricultural value. 



Long Panicled Manna Grass, (Glyceria elongate,,) is a very distinct species; stems 

 one to three feet high, panicle branching, narrowly-elongated, recurving, the branches 

 appressed, spikelets pale, erect, three to four flowered, lower palea obtuse, rather longer than 

 the upper; stamens two, stigmas compound, leaves very long and rough. Flourishes in wet 

 woods and swamps. Flowers in June and July. Perennial. Of no special agricultural 

 value. 



Mountain Rice, (Oryzopsis melanocarpa,) is a grass common in rocky woods; the large 

 white-grained mountain rice, ( Oryzopsis asperifolia^) common on steep and rocky hill-sides and 

 dry woods, and the Smallest Oryzopsis, (Oryzopsis canadensis,) are sometimes found. These 

 grasses are easily distinguished from each other. The first has an awn thrice the length of 

 the blackish palea; the second, an awn two or three times the length of the whitish palea; the 

 third, an awn short, deciduous or wanting. The first grows from two to three feet high, the 

 second from ten to eighteen inches. 



Feather Grass, Or Black Oat Grass, (Stipa avenacea,) is sometimes met with in 

 dry, sandy woods, and is collected for vases and ornaments, but is of no agricultural value. 

 It rises from one to two feet; its panicle is open, leaves almost bristle form, palea blackish, 

 nearly as long as the almost equal glumes, awn bent above, twisted below. Flowers in July. 



POYerty Grass, Or Three Awned Grass, (Aristida dichotoma,) and Slender Three 

 Awned Grass, (Aristida gracilis,) are found in old, sandy fields^ dry, sterile hill-sides and 

 pine barrens, but are of no value for cultivation. One or two other species of three-awned 

 plants also occur on similar soils, as the Aristida purpurascens and the Aristida tuberculosa. 

 None of these species are of importance in agriculture. 



Fresh water Cord Grass, (Spartina cynosuroides.) This is found on the banks of 

 streams and lakes, rising to the height of from two to four feet, with slender clum, narrow 

 leaves two to four feet long, tapering to a point, and spikes of a straw color. Flowers in 

 August. 



The Salt Reed Grass, (Spartina polystachya,) has a stout culm from four to nine feet 

 high, broad leaves, roughish underneath and on the margins; spikes 20 to 50 in number, 

 forming a dense, oblong, purplish cluster. It is found on the salt marshes. 



