The Means Grass and its Cnltivation. 31 



liable to run too much, and exhibit self-colored flowers ; and, 

 in the event of such appearing, they should be taken off the 

 plant as soon as they open. 



I would also notice that the plants, on being turned out of 

 the pots, should not be planted too near the surface. No ap- 

 prehension need be entertained that the lower portion of the 

 stem of the plant then surrounded by the soil will rot, for 

 vegetation advances rapidly with the dahlia, and the lower 

 portion of the stem gradually attains a strong woody sub- 

 stance. 



TAKING UP THE ROOTS. 



Let the roots be taken up in November, or as soon as the 

 frost has cut the tops; but dry weather must be chosen, if 

 possible : exposing them to the open air by day, but carefully 

 protecting them from frost at night: when thoroughly dry 

 and free from soil, let them be packed in barrels with sand, 

 or covered with dry soil, sufficient to keep frost from injuring 

 them. This is not written for the benefit of the practical 

 gardener ; but to the amateur, or young grower, these remarks 

 may be of service. 



Staten Island, Nov. 29, 1847. 



Art. VII. The Means Grass, and Us Cultivation. 

 By John Lewis Russell, Prof. Bot. &c. to Mass. Hort. Soc. 



On the 268th page of the 12tli volume of this Magazine, 

 (or Vol. II. New Series,) will be found a notice of this plant, 

 from a southern correspondent, who, dating from Athens, 

 Ga., May, 1846, says, "I send you a package of seed of what 

 is here known as the 'Means grass,' and is celebrated for its 

 extraordinary productiveness and nutritive qualities, when 

 used for ^soiling,'' especially milch cows. * * * * It grows 

 four or five feet high, as strong as the Gama grass, and may 

 be cut in Carolina four or five times a year," &c. &c. 



Being presented with some of the seed from the package 

 referred to, through the courtesy of Mr. C. M. Hovey, I sowed 

 it in September following, and secured two plants from the 

 frost, by preserving them over winter in my study, where, 

 exposed to a sunny window, they made a slow but constant 



