GRASS AND HAY 127 



cutting is necessary. The seed is difficult to obtain, owing to the con- 

 stant nibbling of domestic animals. Propagation by cuttings of the 

 rooting, prostrate stems is probably the best method. Japanese Lawn- 

 grass (Zoysia pungens). A creeping maritime grass growing on 

 the sandy shores of tropical and eastern Asia, Australia, and New 

 Zealand. In Australia it is considered an excellent sand-binder, and, 

 while valuable for this purpose, it is at the same time an excellent for- 

 age plant. Also: Creeping bent, Buffalo g., Bermuda g., red fescue, 

 carpet g. and St. Augustine g., mentioned before. 



Grasses for Wet Lands. Cane (Arundinaria macrosperma) . 

 This is the bamboo which forms the well-known canebrakes of the 

 South. It is perennial, with woody stems 10 to 30 feet high, and 

 evergreen leaves, which furnish a valuable supplement to the winter 

 pastures. The plant blooms but once, and when the seeds mature the 

 cane dies. The canes are used for many purposes, such as fishing 

 rods, scaffolds for drying cotton, splints for baskets, mats, etc. 

 Attempts made to cultivate this grass have not been successful. Reed 

 (Arundo donax Linn). A tall, leafy perennial, attaining the height 

 of 10 to 15 feet, or in very favorable locations even 30 feet. The 

 leaves are broad and widely spreading and the stems are leafy to 

 near the top. The panicle has some resemblance to that of pampas 

 grass, but is not so large. This grass is grown for lawn decoration 

 and to conceal unsightly objects. It is a native of southern Europe, 

 "northern Africa and western Asia, and is said to be spontaneous 

 along the Rio Grande. In some countries the stout stems are used 

 for laths and, when split, for woven work; the leaves are used for 

 thatch or roofing, and the stout rhizomes are employed as a diuretic. 

 A cultivated variety has its broad leaves striped with longitudinal 

 white bands. ' It presents a very striking appearance. This grass is 

 propagated by transplanting the roots, which work may be done at 

 any time during the season. Blue-joint (Calamagrostis canadensis) . 

 A native grass common in the Northern and Northwestern States, 

 extending clear across the continent, usually growing in moist 

 meadows. The leafy stems are 3 to 5 feet high, and the open brown 

 or purplish panicles have some resemblance to those of Redtop. Occa- 

 sionally it is found occupying considerable areas to the exclusion of 

 other grasses, and under such conditions it yields a large amount of 

 excellent hay, highly prized by farmers and eaten with avidity by 

 all farm stock. This grass grows naturally on low, moist meadows, 

 and has succeeded well under cultivation. In the northern portion 

 of the United States its more extended culture for hay is recom- 

 mended. Yellow Foxtail (Chsetochloa glauca). An erect annual, 

 1 to 2 feet high, with flat leaves and a bristly, cylindrical, spike-like, 

 densely-flowered panicle 1 to 3 inches long. This grass is widely dis- 

 tributed throughout the tropical and warmer temperate regions of 

 the world, growing best on the lands along the coast. Salt-grass 

 (Distichlis spicata). An upright, wiry grass, 10 to 20 inches high, 

 with strong, extensively creeping rootstocks. Common along the 

 coast on both sides of the continent, and abundant in the alkaline 

 regions of the interior, where it is often found covering considerable 



