170 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



palum, it grows in tufts and often occurs covering considerable areas 

 to the exclusion of other grasses. It yields a good bulk of sweet hay, 

 but is rather slow in drying. 



Rattlesnake-grass (Panicularia canadensis) . A grass growing 

 in the Northern States, extending southward to Pennsylvania and 

 westward to Kansas. It has received no attention from the agricul- 

 turist. The nodding panicles of rather large spikelets are sometimes 

 gathered for dry bouquets. 



Sand-bur (Cenchrus tribuloides) . A widely distributed grass 

 growing in sandy soils along river banks, the seashore and more or 

 less scattered throughout the interior of the country in sandy dis- 

 tricts. It is one of the worst of annual weeds wherever it becomes 

 abundant. The prostrate branching stems are 1 to 2 feet long ; the 

 spikes are composed of 10 to 15 strongly spiny burs, which readily 

 become detached and adhere to passing objects. No pains should be 

 spared in efforts to exterminate this grass wherever it makes its ap- 

 pearance. Sea Spear-grass (Puccinelha maritima) . A slender grass, 

 with creeping rhizomes. It occurs in the marshes along the sea- 

 coasts of New England and the Middle States, and generally forms 

 a valuable element of the hay of all tidewater marshes. Slender 

 Fescue (Festuca tenuifolia). This is a low and fine-leafed grass, 

 in habit of growth resembling Festuca ovina, of which 

 it is regarded as only a variety by most authors. Slender Meadow- 

 grass (Eragrostis pilosa). A slender branching annual, of some 

 value for woodland pastures, as it will grow very well in the shade. 

 It extends southward along the mountains into North Carolina and 

 Tennessee. Its range westward is limited. It has a record of pro- 

 ducing 12,209 pounds of rowen and 3,318 of dry hay per acre. 

 Smooth Paspalum (Paspalum l&ve). Common in the Middle and 

 Southern States, growing in open fields, meadows, etc., usually 

 where the ground is somewhat moist. It is a late summer grass, 

 blossoming from July to October. Well liked by all kinds of stock. 

 Spear-Grass (Poa subaristata) . A perennial, from central Montana, 

 where it is common on dry hills and mountain slopes, forming a 

 large percentage of the grass and supplying good pasturage. It is 

 an excellent species for cultivation in Northern pastures. Smut- 

 grass (Sporobolus indieus). This grass is widely distributed 

 throughout the warmer temperate regions of the world, and has be- 

 come quite common in many parts of the Southern States, growing 

 in scattered tufts or patches about dwellings and in dry, open fields. 

 By some it is looked upon as valuable for forage, but the stems soon 

 become too tough and wiry to be readily eaten by stock, and in fields 

 where this grass occurs it is usually avoided by cattle when other 

 food can be had. Stink-grass (Eragrostis major) . A rather showy 

 much-branched annual, a native of Europe, has become widely dis- 

 tributed in this country, growing chiefly in cultivated or waste 

 grounds, especially in light soils. When fresh it emits a strong, un- 

 pleasant odor. Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). A 

 perennial, early-flowering, sweet-scented grass, introduced into this 

 country from Europe, and now widely distributed over the Eastern 



