108 



MEADOW BEOME GRASS. 



seven to twelve flowered ; flowers tipped with an awn 

 half to three-fourths their length ; stem three to four 

 feet high, with large leaves. Flowers 

 in July and August. Of no value for 

 cultivation. 



The MEADOW BROME GRASS (Bromus 

 pratensis) is a perennial weed in the 

 corn-fields of England, and is only 

 recommended in any part of Europe 

 for dry, arid soils, where nothing bet- 

 ter will grow. Fig. 82 represents this 

 grass, and Fig. 83 a magnified spikelet. 



STERILE BROME GRASS (Bromus ste- 

 rilis) is but rarely met with. Panicle 

 very loose, the slender branches droop- 

 ing; leaves hairy. Flowers 

 in July. 



Not one of the brome 

 grasses is worthy of a mo- 

 ment's attention as a culti- 

 vated agricultural grass, and 

 the cleaner the farmer keeps 

 his fields of them the better. 



38. UNIOLA. Spike Grass. 



S pikelets flat, two-edged, 

 many flowered ; glumes com- 

 pressed, keeled; palea) of 

 fertile flowers, two ; the 

 lower boat-shaped, the up 

 per doubly keeled. Grain 

 free, smooth, enclosed in the 

 pales. 



SPIKE GRASS ( Uniola pa- 

 niculata) is a grass found 



Fig. 82. Meadow Brome Grass. Fig. 83. 



