60 KAKAIKK'H BOOK OF GRASSES 



lets about three- or four-flowered, in densely crowded, one-sided 

 clusters; both glumes and lower palet awn-pointed; stamens 

 three ; seed oblong, acute, free ; roots perennial, fibrous, long, 

 penetrating the soil deeply ; stem three feet high and on good 

 soil often five feet; flowering in the southern States from the 

 last of April till July first, according to latitude, character of 

 season and treatment. 



Of all grasses, this is one of the most widely diffused, grow- 

 ing in Africa, Asia, every country of Europe and all our States. 

 It is more highly esteemed and commended than any other 

 grass, by a larger number of farmers in most countries a most 

 decided proof of its great value and wonderful adaptations to 

 many soils, climates and treatments. Yet, strange to say, though 

 growing in England for many centuries, it was not appreciated 

 in that country till carried there from Virginia in 1764. But, 

 as in the case of timothy, soon after its. introduction from Amer- 

 ica, it came into high favor among farmers and still retains its 

 hold on their estimation as a grazing and hay crop. 



Nor is this strange when its many advantages and points of 

 excellence are considered. It will grow well on any soil con- 

 taining sufficient clay and not holding too much water. If the 

 land be too tenaceous, drainage will remedy the soil; if worn 

 out, a top dressing of stable manure will give it a good send off 

 and it will furnish several good mowings the first year. It 

 grows well between 29 and 48 latitude. It maybe mowed 

 from two to four times a year according to latitude, season and 

 treatment ; yielding from one to three tons of excellent hay per 

 acre on poor to medium land. In grazing and as hay most an- 

 imals select it in preference among mixtures with other grasses. 

 In lower latitudes it furnishes good winter grazing, as well as 

 for spring, summer|and fall. After grazing or mowing, lew 

 grasses grow so rapidly, (three or six inches per week), and are 

 so soon ready again for tooth or blade. It is easily cured and 

 handled. It is readily seeded and catches with certainty. Its 

 long, deeply penetrating, fibrous roots enable it to sustain it- 

 self and grow vigorously during droughts, that dry up other 

 grasses, except tall oat grass, which has similar roots and char- 

 acters. It grows well in open lands and in forests of large trees, 

 the under brush being all cleared off. I have had it grow lux- 

 uriantly even in beech woods where the roots are superficial, in 

 the crotches of roots and close to the trunks of trees. The hay 

 is of high quality, and the young grass contains a larger per cent 

 of nutritive digestible matter than any other grass. It thrives 

 well without renewal on the same ground for thirty-five, nay 

 forty years ; how much longer I am not able to say. It is easi- 

 ly exterminated when the land is desired for other crops. Is 

 there any other grass for which so much can be said ? 



