PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES 



101 



but can be easily harvested. It may be bound, cured in shocks, and threshed 

 as in case of common oats. There are 159,000 seeds to the pound. About 

 50 pounds of seed with a germinating power of 70 per cent, are required 

 to sow an acre. 



107. VELVET GRASS (Holcus lanatus L.) is an early flowering grass, growing 

 18 to 30 inches high. It is characterized by the downy character of the 



Velvet grass taken at Cornell Station June 15. 

 Spray on the left in full bloom; in the middle in 

 bloom at top; on right not in bloom. One-third 

 natural'size . 



Sweet vernal grass taken 

 at Cornell Station June 1 6. 

 Lower spikelets in bloom. 

 Slightly reduced 



leaves, from which it takes its name and which makes it of little value, since 

 this character makes it unpalatable to live stock. It grows rather readily, 

 and is said to be especially adapted to soil high in organic matter and 

 moisture. It is distinguished from other commonly cultivated grasses by the 

 soft woolly appearance of its rather large panicles. In Scotland this plant 

 commonly occurs in perennial rye grass, and commercial seed is obtained in 

 cleaning the latter seed. The commercial seed usually consists of the two- 

 flowered spikelets. The germination is low 50 per cent, or less. About 20 

 pounds of seed are required per acre. 



108. SWEET VERNAL GRASS (Antho.ranthum odoratum L.) is a fibrous-rooted 

 grass, growing 12 to 18 inches high. It is characterized by its agreeable 



