30 FARMER'S BOOK OP GRASSES 



It yields in its broad leaves an immense quantity of foliage 

 much relished by cattle ; and a few persons who could not other- 

 wise utilize it, fed to their cows. I have no doubt it is very 

 valuable as a forage plant and deserves special study as to its nu- 

 tritive qualities. It is easily mowed with a machine. 



2. Of the Buckwheat family, we have several native and exotic 

 genera and many species ; mostly noxious weeds, some ornamen- 

 tal and but few useful. The docks are pests as also some of the 

 smart weeds; though some of the latter are eaten by sheep. Of 

 Fagopyrum, Buckwheat there are two cultivated species and sev- 

 eral varieties. It is commended much as forage in some coun- 

 tries. Three crops a year may be grown in the southern States. 

 The seeds are good for poultry and pigs and when well cleaned, 

 ground and prepared for the table, by many people much relish- 

 ed as Buckwheat cakes. I have planted Kick wheat several 

 years at intervals. But as a forage crop, or for plowing under 

 as a fertilizer, I think we have many other plants much more 

 profitable for the use of the southern farmer. 



3. Of the Pine- Apple family, we have but one plant to mention 

 in this connection. Tillandsia usneM.es, Black moss, Spanish 

 moss, long moss is an air plant found growing luxuriantly on 

 trees in large districts in many southern States. The flesh v 

 leaves and epidermis contain considerable sugar and other nu- 

 tritious matters, and are used in some countries in times of scar- 

 city of other food for cattle. Some horses also are fond of it. 

 The uses of the long, black, tough, fibrous central thread in va- 

 rious manufactures are well known every where. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 The Sedge Family. 



This family is represented in the southern States by over 20 

 genera and about 250 species, mostly worthless, a few great pests, 

 and a few useful. They are rush-like, or grass-like plants Avith 

 the solid stems mostly 3 angled, the grass-like leaves when present 

 commonly three ranked, the sheath a closed tube, and the invo- 

 lucre at the top of the stem consisting of grass-like leaves, often 

 very long. These plants contain little nutritious matter and 

 are not much relished by cattle. When hungry, however, they 

 may eat bog or swale hay, which is made up largely of the 

 sedges. 



1. CYPERUS REPENS, the common grass nut is generally 

 known and sometimes cultivated for its sweet little nut-like tu- 

 bers, much relished by all live stock, children and older people. 

 They are sometimes found in the markets. 



