248 EXTRACTS FR03I 



6. Panicum amiliaceum, L. — Wild Wheat. 



This grass is found in woods and thickets. Its seeds are 

 black, shining, and ponderous. Horses and cattle eat it greedi- 

 ly, and it would seem that the seeds might be useful in rais- 

 ing poultry. 



7- PHARUS LATIF0L1US, L. — Wild Odl.s. 



A plant, known by the name of Wild Oats, grows plentifully 

 in the woodlands of Jamaica. The leaves are broad, ribbed, 

 and of a shining green. The blossoms are small and green. 

 The seeds are long, small and bearded, and stick to a person's 

 clothes, when walking in the woods. 



8. Panicum polygamuji, Sav. — Guinea Grass. 



Guinea grass was introduced into Jamaica, by mere acci- 

 dent, about forty years ago. A gentleman got some birds 

 from the captain of a Guinea ship, and with them some seeds 

 for their support. The birds soon afterwards dying, the 

 seeds were cast out. In a short time a fine luxuriant grass 

 sprung up, which was greedily eaten, by horses and cattle. 

 Since that time it has been cultivated for cattle and horses 

 food, and is in general use. 



A small root, superficially planted, produces a large stalk 

 or tuft of grass, which in two months runs into seeds. They 

 ought to be planted four feet asunder, and carefully kept 

 clean from weeds or slips. 



When the seeds are ripe, cattle and horses are suffered to 

 eat it down. The stalks are then cut close to the earth, or 

 entirely dug out, and when dry burned off. In a short time 

 the seeds spring up into a thick sward of grass, so that in 

 future little care is necessary ; the weeds have little room to 

 grow. 



