PERENNIAL GRASSES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE 235 



The aftermath is only moderate. When sown alone, about 

 30 pounds of ordinary quality of seed is needed to the acre. 

 The seed weighs 5 to 14 pounds a bushel, depending on 

 quality. The average 

 purity is about 70 per 

 cent and the viability 

 63 per cent, but the 

 best heavy seed is 

 guaranteed by some 

 seedsmen to germinate 

 70, or even 80 per cent. 

 One pound of seed con- 

 tains 1,400,000 seeds 

 according to Hunter, 

 and 2,045,000 accord- 

 ing to Stebler. Yellow 

 oat-grass is sometimes 

 used for lawns and, if 

 kept closely cut, makes 

 a good fine turf, but 

 rather pale in color. 



CRESTED DOGSTAIL 



(Cynosurus cristatus) 



FIG. 25. Crested dogstail (Cynosurus 

 cristatus). a, b, fertile spikelets ; c, sterile 

 spikelet. 



277. Crested dogs- 

 tail is a highly appre- 

 ciated grass in Europe 

 as an admixture both 

 for pastures and for meadows. It makes up a portion of 

 the grass upon the best pastures of England, Holland and 

 Switzerland. It is considered very nutritious, but the 

 yield is only moderate. It is adapted primarily to cool, 

 moist regions. 



