CHAPTER IV. 



THE GRASS-LIKE RUSHES, CARICES, AND SEDGES 

 COMMONLY CALLED GRASSES. 



THERE is a large class of plants belonging to different 

 families, which, though of comparatively little value 

 when their nutritive qualities are considered, are nev- 

 ertheless used as forage crops to a very considerable 

 extent in different sections of the country, and demand 

 at least a passing notice, particularly as they are called 

 grasses, though improperly, in popular language. 



The first of these are the arrow grasses, which form a 

 limited family, consisting of only three species, known 

 as the MARSH ARROW GRASS (Triglochin palustre), the 

 SEA-SIDE ARROW GRASS (Triglochin maritimum), flower- 

 ing in July and August, in salt marshes, and the TALL 

 ARROW GRASS (Triglochin datum). The second of these, 

 having rush-like leaves, sweetish to the taste, is relished 

 by cattle, and forms a pretty good fodder when well 

 cured. It is common along the coast from New Eng- 

 land south. 



Many of the rushes or grass-like plants so common 

 along the borders of our ponds, and called grasses in 

 popular language, are readily eaten in the spring while 

 green and full of juice, more on account of their suc- 

 cnlency than of any nutritive qualities which they pos- 

 sess, which, with few exceptions, are very slight. They 

 are arranged in the following table : 



17* (197) 



