GRASS AND HAY 119 



amount by any of the grasses ordinarily cultivated for hay. Teff 

 (Eragrostis abyssinica). A branching, leafy annual, 2 to 4 feet 

 high, with widely spreading capillary panicles of many spikelets. Thig 

 grass grows readily from seed, which is produced abundantly, and it 

 may be of some value for hay in parts of the South or Southwest. 

 Teosinte (Euchlasna mexicana). A stout, leafy, annual grass, 8 to 

 10 or 12 feet high, resembling Indian corn, to which it is botanically 

 closely related. It has been cultivated in various parts of the South 

 and West, has a habit of tillering, or sending up many 20 to 50 

 stalks from the same root. From this habit the bulk of fodder pro- 

 duced to the acre is very large, probably unequaled by any other 

 grass. Tall, or Meadow Fescue (Festuca elatior). This grass has 

 been widely cultivated in this country, having been introduced from 

 Europe, and has become thoroughly naturalized. It is an exceedingly 

 valuable grass either for mowing or pasture. It is productive on soils 

 which are not too dry, and, being of long duration, is especially valu- 

 able for permanent pastures. It thrives best on moist soils rich in 

 humus, whether marls or clays. Barley (Hordeum sativum). Cul- 

 tivated barley presents many varieties, primarily divided into two- 

 rowed, four-rowed, and six-rowed races. The varieties under these 

 races are based upon the varied characters presented by the head, 

 beards, or grain. (See cereals.) Italian Rye-grass (Lolium italicum). 

 A well-known and excellent grass for rich and rather moist lands, 

 particularly for the Eastern States. It is a very rapid grower, forma 

 a dense turf, and in Europe, whence the grass was introduced into 

 this country, it is regarded as one of the best hay grasses. Perennial 

 Rye-grass (Lolium perenne). Perennial Rye-grass has been culti- 

 vated Tn England for more than 200 years, and is therefore one of 

 the oldest if not the very first grass gathered and cultivated separately 

 for agricultural purposes. It is indigenous to Europe, North Africa, 

 and western Asia, and was many years ago introduced into this 

 country from England. lRice_(0n/za sativa). A tropical or sub- 

 tropical semiaquatic grass, the grain of whicn is the staple food of 

 one-third of the human race. (See cereals.) Barnyard-grass (Pani- 

 cum crus-galli). This well-known annual of rank growth is com- 

 mon in rich, cultivated ground, especially around dwellings. There 

 are several forms presented by this species. That growing as a weed 

 around barnyards and dwellings, in cultivated grounds in the At- 

 lantic States, was probably introduced from Europe. There are, 

 however, several native varieties, or possibly good species. A tall, 

 smooth form occurs in New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mohave desert 

 region, springing up after the summer rains in all swampy places 

 or lowlands. "When sown for silage or for soiling at the rate of one 

 peck of seed to the acre, the yield was at the rate of from 15 to 18 

 tons per acre. A field sown July 26, after a crop of hay was removed, 

 yielded 12 tons per acre. Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) . This 

 grass was long ago introduced into America, presumably from tropi- 

 cal Africa, and has for many years been cultivated in tropical South 

 America and the West Indies. In these regions it is spoken of as be- 

 ing a splendid pasture grass, growing to the height of 12 feet, forming 



