TREATMENT OF SALT MARSHES. 70 



wet, when it is partially cured, materially injures the 

 black grass. 



We may judge of the properties of goose grass from 

 the fact that in several instances within my own knowl- 

 edge cattle have died of hoove from eating it early in 

 the spring, as is not unfrequently the case with clover. 



It resembles in the shape of its leaves, and somewhat 

 in its cluster-like growth, that species of garlic \vhich 

 used formerly to be grown in kitchen gardens, called 

 elves, or more properly chives. Its seed-stalks and seeds 

 are almost precisely like the spikelets and seeds of the 

 common plantain. 



It grows both on high and low marshes, but is very 

 seldom worth cutting on those tracts where it grows 

 by itself, and without the admixture of other grasses. 



It is proper to state, in this connection, that experi- 

 ments have been made to introduce this valuable grass 

 into our fresh wet meadows, and with good success. 



Most of the superior salt-marsh grasses are greatly 

 improved by ditching, while the poorer and compara- 

 tively worthless plants found there very soon die out 

 after this operation, and give place to more valuable 

 species. It may be safely asserted that, on an average, 

 the value of the marsh is nearly doubled by it, while 

 the vegetable, peaty matter taken from it is sufficient, 

 if properly used, to pay a considerable portion of the 

 outlay. 



CLUSTERED SPEAR or REFLEXED MEADOW GRASS ( Gly- 

 ceria distans) is found also in salt marshes along the 

 coast. It appears to be closely allied to goose grass. 

 Stems ascending, destitute of running shoots ; branches 

 of the panicle three to five in a half whorl, and spread- 

 ing. Leaves flat. It is of less value than the pre- 

 ceding species. 



