112 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



for being as long as the stalk, and bending over gracefully until 

 the tips touch the ground. It has a great tendency to produce 

 stools. The stalk is naked above, bearing a small loose panicle 

 whose sharp-pointed spikelets bear round seeds. The seeds, when 

 bruised, give out a strong odor, which is offensive to some olfactories. 

 It does not fruit in some dry seasons. 



Spartina cynosuroides, Wild. This grass is abundant in some 

 places, but unfortunately, it is worthless. It is known as cord, and 

 fresh water grass. It makes a poor article of hay, but its very 

 abundance tempts many to use it for this purpose. Only extreme 

 hunger will induce animals to eat it. It can be recognized by its- 

 slender stem, which grows from two to six feet high, and its narrow 

 leaves, which are sometimes three and four feet long, and half slen- 

 der points. The entire leaf, except the margins, is smooth. The 

 straw-colored spikes are from two to three inches long, and from 

 five to fourteen in number. They are scattered and spreading. A 

 wide berth should be given to it. 



Triticum It sometimes happens that grasses which are compar- 

 atively worthless in one regard are valuable in another. This may 

 come from the improved quality that soil, climate and situation give. 

 Several species of Triticum which are everywhere regarded as 

 almost worthless, in Central and Western Nebraska afford, in the 

 early part of the season, good pasturage. It can be recognized by the 

 character of the glumes, among which are the single spikelets at each 

 joint, and placed with the side against the axis of inflorescence. 

 Several species of Festuca abound in portions of the State, and 

 make valuable forage. 



Festuca ovina, L., is the most valuable. The culms and leaves 

 are hard and wire-like, but exceedingly nutritious. The panicle is 

 small and narrow, and the spikelets flat, numerous, and from two 

 to six flowered. This grass has a tendency to grow in dense tufts, 

 and is sometimes of a purple color. The stalks grow from ten to 

 twenty-four inches high. 



Bromus kalmii, Gray. This grass is only abundant in the west- 

 ern part of the State, although it is occasionally met as far east as 

 the Missouri. It is a perennial, producing a simple panicle, with 

 spikelets drooping from simple capillary stems, and densely covered 

 with silky hairs. These are sometimes flat and sometimes round, 

 w T hen matured. It grows from one to three feet high, and affords 

 good forage. Some species of Poa abound in Nebraska. They 



