74 KAKMKR'S BOOK OF GEASSES 



ed as soon as may be, spread in airy rooms and frequently stir- 

 red till fully dry. In threshing the machine should be run 

 slow and the pins not so close as for wheat. This is to avoid 

 breaking off the germ, (which is very easily done,) as this would 

 render the grain worthless either for seed or for brewing. It is 

 altogether safer for these purposes to thresh by hand. Seed 

 wheat also should be threshed by hand as the machine breaks 

 a large per centage of the grains, destroying the germs. 



' ' '' " 



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1. F. VIRGINICUS, Wild. Eye, Terrell Grass, Virginia Lymv 

 Grass. 



This perennial grass is a native of the southern States. As 

 all farm stock except hogs are fond of it and it is green through 

 the winter and spring, it has been destroyed when grazing ani- 

 mals have access to it at all times. It is, however, found in 

 many of our States along the banks of wooded streams, of ditch- 

 es, and in fence corners, among briers and thickets. It is read- 

 ily propagated by sowing the seed, (two bushels per acre,) or by 

 separating and setting out the plants from November till April. 

 It will grow on thin clay, gravelly, or sandy soil ; but much 

 better on rich lands hills, bottoms or alluvials dry or rather 

 mo ist on a great variety of soils; in open or wooded land, and 

 will thrive ten, twenty or more years on the same land. It 

 grows two to four feet high and matures seeds in July and Au- 

 gust, the spikes being erect, rigid, dense, three inches long. 

 2. E. STRIATUS, Dennett Grass, Slender Hairy Lyrne Grass. 

 This also is perennial and a native of the southern States. 

 Every thing said of the preceding applies with equal force to 

 this, except the spikes of this are three to seven inches long and 

 often slightly nodding. In the eastern States it is small and of 

 little value.. But in the extreme south it is larger and more 

 valuable. During the last month I have found it in seed in its 

 native haunts in many localities nowhere less than three or 

 four feet high. Cultivation improves both this and the prece- 

 ding so that they sometimes grow five feet high. 



The spike of the Dennett grass is raised by its long peduncle 

 far above the sheath of the upper leaf, while the spike of the 

 Terrell grass is partly included in the upper sheath. The latter 

 is the better of the tAvo. 



They may be graced or mown repeatedly during spring and ear- 

 ly summer, and grow rapidly after each mowing. Where culti- 

 vated if not mowed or grazed, they bloom and mature seed ear- 

 lier, than in the wild state. Many acres have been planted in 

 the last few years; generally those who have tried a little have 

 been encouraged to extend it to a few acres and some to many 

 acres. 



