118 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



erect grass, with flat leaves and densely flowered terminal spikes or 

 heads. It is regarded by stockmen as one of the best grasses, both for 

 its drought-enduring qualities and for its fattening properties. If 

 cut just when coming into bloom, it makes excellent hay. The seed 

 is produced in abundance, and is easily collected. Oats (A vena 

 saliva) . A well-known erect annual, 2 to 4 feet high, with flat leaves 

 and expanded panicles of rather large pendulous spikelets. (See 

 cereals.) Side Oats (Bouteloua curtipendula) . This has tough, per- 

 ennial, fibrous roots, flat, long-pointed leaves, and many short spikes. 

 Its range extends from New Jersey westward to the Rocky Mountains 

 and southward through Texas into Mexico. Where abundant, it is 

 said to make fair hay, and the numerous root leaves afford good pas- 

 turage. Japanese Wheat-grass (Brachypodium japonicum). A 

 promising perennial, closely resembling Bearded Wheat-grass, but of 

 rather stronger growth. It was introduced into California from New 

 Zealand, in 1886, and the first seed was distributed there in 1889. It 

 has been cultivated with success. In the Southern States it is re- 

 garded as a valuable grass for winter grazing, as it makes its best 

 growth during the cooler months. Smooth Brome-grass (Bromus 

 inermis). A "native of Europe introduced into this country about 

 1880, which gives considerable promise of value both for hay and 

 pasturage. Millet; Hungarian-grass (Chsetochloa italica). This 

 grass, in some of its varieties, has been cultivated in the East for 

 many centuries, and in some parts of India and Trans-Caucasia it 

 still forms an important article of food. (See Millets.) Bermuda- 

 grass (Cynodon dactylon Pers). A grass widely dispersed over the 

 tropical regions and warmer countries of the globe. It has a creeping 

 habit of growth, extending over the surface of the ground and root- 

 ing at the joints. In poor soils the leaves are short and the upright 

 flowering stems are only a few inches high, but on good land it grows 

 to the height of 1 to 2 feet and yields a large amount of excellent hay. 

 It may be cut three or four times during the season. In the Northern 

 States it does not afford a profitable crop and is of little value for pas- 

 turage north of Virginia. Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus} . 

 This is a native of Europe and is adapted to cultivation in moist, tem- 

 perate regions, and has been sparingly introduced into this country. 

 On moist, rich land it is fairly productive, but is rarely sown alone, 

 excepting for seed or the formation of lawns, for which latter purpose 

 it is well adapted, as it forms an even and compact sward when 

 thickly sown. Orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata). This is one of 

 the best known and most popular of our cultivated grasses. It will 

 grow well on any soil containing a reasonable amount of fertility, 

 excepting that which is very wet, anywhere in the United States, 

 except in the extreme South and in the arid regions of the West. It 

 yields an abundant crop of excellent hay, and may be sown alone for 

 this purpose, but owing to its habit of forming tufts, or tussocks, the 

 land should be seeded heavily or the seeds should be mixed with other 

 kinds, to act as fillers or bottom grasses. It is a good pasture grass, 

 especially for open woodlands, and affords excellent grazing earlier 

 than almost any other species. The aftermath is unequaled in 



