52 FAKMER'S BOOK OF GRASSES 



in borders of woods. Cattle seem to relish it better than other 

 grasses growing in forests. 



2. E. OBTUSATA. This differs from the preceding in having 

 a dense, spike-like panicle, with two-flowered spikelets much 

 crowded on the short, erect branches. These grasses are of lit- 

 tle agricultural value. In Darby's Botany of the southern 

 States, they are mentioned under the names Aira moUis and A. 

 obtusata respectively, thus classing them with the hair yrames. 



MELIOA. 



M. MUTICA, Melic Grass. 



This perennial grass with stems one or two feet high blooms 

 in April, growing in dry, open woods. Its three- to five-flow- 

 ered spikelets, few, nodding and arranged in a loose, simple- 

 panicle. Though eaten by stock, it is of little value. The M. 

 diffusa and M. Muhknberghia are similar and scarcely worth 

 mentioning. 



GLYCERIA. 



1. G. NERVATA, Meadow spear Grass. This is called nerved 

 manna grass also. In the eastern States, some farmers call it 

 fowl meadow grass. But it must be distinguished from Poa ser- 

 otina, every where else known as true fowl meadow- 

 grass arid described on another page. It has a creeping, peren- 

 nial root; erect stems, two or three feet high ; diffuse panicle, 

 the capillary branches at length drooping; the rachis separating 

 into joints; spikelets rounded, purplish, five- or six-flowered, 

 small; leaves in two rows like a fan. It grows naturally in wet 

 swamps ; but will succeed on good upland soil also. 



Although a native, nutritious grass, it has received little at- 

 tention in this country. Sinclair in the Woburn experiments, 

 however, made some remarkable statements in regard to it and 

 held it in high esteem. He stated that in February, 1814, af- 

 ter the severe preceding winter, this grass was green and succu- 

 lent, while out of nearly three hundred species that grew fc around 

 it not one remained healthy, but all were injured and rendered 

 inferior by the severe weather. 



He found also that the quantity and nutritive quality of this 

 grass was the same or equal whether cut at the time of flower- 

 ing or when the seed were ripe, which was not the case with 

 any other grass tested at that time. The aftermath was also re- 

 markably valuable ; for after the seed mature, it sends up large 

 fan-like shoots which are succulent and even more nutritious 

 than the leaves. It is certainly worth trying on our marshy or 

 moist lands. It blooms in June and July. 

 j2. G. PALLIDA. Pale Manna Grass, grows in shallow water, 



