AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 57 



11. P. SYLVESTRIS, Sylvan Meadow or Spear Grass, has a 

 flat, erect stem and short pyramidal panicle with numerous 

 branches in fives or more. It is a light, tender grass and found 

 in rocky woods. 



All these last named grasses grow so scattering as to be of 

 little value. 



A few other species of Poa are found in our northern States, 

 of no value there and not worth introducing any where, except 

 the following one : 



12. P. SEROTINA, Fowl Meadow Grass. 



This* grass belongs to the same genus that the Kentucky 

 blue grass does. Being taller, (culms 2 to 3 feet) it is spec- 

 ially adapted to moist or even wet lands. It makes a large 

 quantity of excellent hay; but it has not been sufficiently culti- 

 vated in in the southern States, so far as I am aware, to know 

 how long a meadow set with it may remain profitable. It is 

 however, worthy of extended trial ; and that its comparative 

 nutritive value may be known, Mr. Collier's analysis is annexed : 



ANALYSIS OF POA SEROTINA. 



Oil, 1.95 Amylaceous cellulose, 25.24 



Wax, 1.53 Alkali extract, 15.19 



Sugars, 9.33 Albuminoids, 8.91 



Gum and dextrin, 7.49 Ash, 7.47 

 Cellulose, 25.62 



100.00 

 ANALYSIS OF ASH. 



Potassium, 2*79 Sulphuric acid, 3.35 



Potassium oxide, 31.71 Phosphoric acid, 10.80 



Sodium, .83 Silicic acid, 37.10 



Sodium oxide, Chlorine, 3.80 



Calcium oxide, 6.70 



Magnesium oxide, 2.92 100.00 



In portions of the western States this grass has for some 

 years been very highly recommended. In the eastern States it 

 has been cultivated for 150 years or longer and valued highly. 

 Jarcd Eliot in 1749, spoke of it as growing tall and thick, ma- 

 king a more soft and pliable hay than timothy and better 

 adapted for pressing and shipping for use of horses on ship- 

 board. He says it makes a thick, abundant growth on land 

 more moist than is adapted to common upland grasses and may 

 be mowed any time from July to October, as it never becomes 

 so coarse and hard but the stalk is sweet and tender and eaten 

 without waste. It is a nutritious grass and easily made into 

 valuable hay. It is superior to other grasses in its property of 

 remaining tender and good for so long a time after first bloom- 



