

39 



the mountainous parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, It is common 

 also in the north of Europe. The culm is stout, smooth, and leaiv: 

 the leaves are mostly from 6 to 10 iuehes long and about half an inch 

 wide, the upper ones shorter. 



The well-known ribbon grass of the garden is a variety of this grass, 

 and will, it is said, easily revert to the normal type. In mountainous 

 regions it may be worth trial for meadows. (Plate 32.) 



Phalaris intermedia (Southern Reed Canary Grass; Gilbert's Relief Grass; Stew- 

 art's Canary Grass; California Timothy Grass). 



This species resembles the foreign Canary grass (Phalaris Canariemis) which pro- 

 duces the seed commouly sold as food for Canary birds. It is, however, a taller and 

 more robust species, growing 2 or 3 feet high, with a stout, erect culm and broad, 

 linear leaves, which are from 4 to 10 inches long. The spike is oblong and compact, 

 1 or 2 inches long. There is a variety called var. angusta, in which the spike is 3 or 

 4 inches long. The spikelets are much like those of the preceding species (Phalaris 

 arundinacca), having one perfect flower and two abortive ones. The outer glumes 

 are lanceolate and nearly alike and have a narrow wing extending down the keel. 

 The glumes of the fertile flower are nearly like those of Phalaris arundinacea already 

 described. 



This species grows in South Carolina and the Gulf States, extending 

 to Texas, then stretching across to the Pacific coast and occurring 

 through California and Oregon. It has frequently been sent to the De- 

 partment from the Southern States as a valuable winter grass. 



Mr. Thomas W. Beaty, of Conway, S. C., writes as follows: 



The grass I send yon was planted last September, and the specimens were cut on 

 the 9th of March, following. You will notice that it is heading out and is just now 

 in a right condition for mowing. It is wholly a winter grass, dying down in the latter 

 part of April and first of May ; and it seems to me should be a great thing for the 

 South if properly introduced and cultivated, or rather the ground properly prepared 

 and the seed sown at the right time. It would afford the best of green pasturage for 

 sheep and cattle all winter. It is what we call Gilbert's relief grass. 



Many years ago Dr. Lincecum, of Texas, experimented with this grass 

 and recommended it very highly. In California it is called California 

 Timothy, and is said to have little or no agricultural value. It is an 

 annual or biennial. Professor Phares says: 



The variety angusla is much larger and more valuable. It grows 2 to 3 feet high 

 and in swamps 5 feet, with many leaves 4 to 10 inches long, the spike somewhat re- 

 sembling the head of Timothy ; stock like it well, especially as hay. Mr. D. Stewart, 

 of Louisiana, having tested other grasses, prefers this for quantity and quality for 

 winter and spring grazing, and for soiling for milk cows. There is much testimony 

 from many parts of the South of the same import, and this grass is doubtless worthy 

 of extended, careful testing. . 



(Plate 33.) 



ANTHOXANTHUM. 



Panicle somewhat spike-like. Spikelets apparently three-flowered, 

 but only the terminal one perfect; the lower pair of glumes are equal, 

 the lower one much smaller than the upper one ; above these and be- 

 low the perfect flower are two short, thin, two-lobed pubescent glumes, 



