AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 101 



(I,) Anthoxantham odoratum. Sweet-scented Vernal Grass. 



(in,) Alopecurus pratensis. Meadow Fox-Tail. 



(n,) Cynosurus cristatus. Crested DogVTail. 



(o,) Avena Jlavescens. Yellow Oat Grass. 



(Pi) Triticum dasystachyum. Michigan Coucli Grass. 



(q,) Phalaris Americana. Ribbon Grass. 



(&amp;gt;J Festuca elatior. Tall Fescue Grass. 



(sj Festuca pratensis. Meadow do. 



(t,) Tripsacum dactyloides. Gama Grass.* 



(uj Sorghum halpense. Gained or Egyptian Grass.* 



(v,J Cynodon dactylon. Bermuda Grass.* 



(w,) Grama.* 



Besides these there are several species of Poa and Festuca 

 that are valuable for pasture. When the subject is better in 

 vestigated, undoubtedly many indigenous grasses will be added 

 to the list, especially from California. 



384. We will notice, in as small a space as possible, the peculiarities 

 of these grasses : (a,) is a native of both Europe and the United 

 States. It may be found growing wild in the counties of Ingham, 

 Clinton, Shiawassee, &2., in Michigan, upon certain loamy clay soils, in 

 great luxuriance, and it is known to spring up, without sowing, on 

 clearing off the woods, and plowing. It is the most generally cultiva 

 ted grass for dry soils in the United States, affording 1&amp;gt; to 2J tons of 

 dry hay per acre ; and in favorable situations remains permanently 

 for very many years. It abounds in seed, which is easily saved, yield 

 ing from 10 to 34 bushels per acre. ( Wiggins) To save the seed, al 

 low it nearly to ripen ; mow ; bind and shock like wheat, and thrash 

 with horses. With a proper fanning mill, the seed can be perfectly 

 cleaned, as readily as that of any of the cereals. According to Mr. Sin 

 clair,* the nutritive value is double when ripe compared with the period 



*A few years since a very extensive examination of the nutritive value of the Eng- 

 lish grasses was made by George Sinclair, uncL&amp;gt;r the direction of the Duke of Bed 

 ford at his estate of Woburn; and the results were published in an oct tvo volume, 

 wiih colored copperplate engravings of most of the grasses, under the name of Hortuj 

 Gramineus Woburnensis. The work is now very difficult to obtain. Th only copv 

 we have seen in America is in the library of the Patent Office, Washington. Much 

 interesting information was collected by Mr. S., but his labors are of less value than 

 they ought to have beeu from his want of skill as an analyst, and his ignorance of the 

 principles of nutrition. As, however, no one has gone over the same ground, his 

 book is often quoted and referred to. The chief results will bs fouud tabulated in 

 Mlsris Amcr. Firm Book, p. 110. 



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