158 



NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



The oat is an exhausting crop to soil, but for that reason it 

 should be widely cultivated where the climate suits it. It is 

 for this reason that it is BO valuable for food, both for man 

 and beast. 



In this family we find the 



A VENA (DANTHONIA) SPICATA. WILD OAT GRASS. (fig. 8.) 



It has an erect pubescent 

 stem, and tubular pubescent 

 leaves, with sheaths bearded at 

 the throat. Glume usually six 

 flowered, longer than the spike 

 margins mernbranaceous. Pa- 

 leae two ; exterior one lanceo 

 late villous, the sides terminat 

 ing in two awns, with the spi 

 ral one upon the back. Com 

 mon in the middle country 

 from Carolina to Georgia. 



It grows in dry sunny pas 

 tures, aud attains a height of 

 twelve to eighteen inches. It 

 is of but little value for pas 

 turage or hay. 



(no. 8.) 



