44 



culture, but in its native, situations it fills an important place among 

 natural grasses. (Plate 43.) 



Muhlenbergia sylvatica. 



This species has much the appearance and habit of Mulileribergici Mex- 

 icana. The panicle is looser, the spikelets not so densely clustered, and 

 the flowering glume bears an awn two or three times as long as itself. 

 It is found in dry, open, or rocky woods and fence corners. In agricult- 

 ural value it corresponds to that species. (Plate 44.) 



PHLEUM. 



Phleum pratense (Herd's Grass [of New England and New York]). 



This is one of the commonest and best-known grasses. For a hay 

 crop it is extensively cultivated, especially in the Northern and West- 

 ern States. The height of the grass depends on the soil and cultiva- 

 tion. In poor ground it may be reduced to 1 foot, while in good soil 

 and with good culture it readily attains 3 feet, and occasionally has 

 been found twice that height. It is a perennial grass, with fibrous roots. 



The base of the culm is sometimes thickened and inclined to be bulbous. The culm 

 is erect and firm, with four or five leaves, which are erect, and usually 4 to 6 inches 

 long. The flower spike is cylindrical and very densely flowered, and varies from 2 to 

 6 inches in length. The spikelets are sessile, single-flowered, and cylindrical or ob- 

 long in outline. The outer glumes are rather wedge-form, with a mucronate point or 

 short bristle. The main nerve on the back is fringed with a few short hairs. 



This grass, as known in cultivation, is supposed to have been intro- 

 duced from Europe, but the earliest account that we have of its culture 

 is that given by Jared Elliot, who says it was found by a Mr. Timothy 

 Herd in a swamp in New Hampshire, and that he began its cultivation. 

 As it was found to be a valuable grass, its cultivation soon spread, and 

 it was known as Herd's grass. 



It was not introduced into cultivation in England until some fifty 

 years later. I consider it very probable that the specimens found by 

 Mr. Herd were of native growth, for it is believed to be native in the 

 White Mountains, in the Rocky Mountains, in Alaska, and in Labrador. 

 It is also a native of Europe. But, however the question of its nativity 

 may be settled, the thanks of this country are due to Mr. Herd for the 

 introduction into agriculture of one of the most valuable of grasses. It 

 is now a favorite meadow grass over a large part of the country, and its 

 hay is a staple, and more sought after in the markets than any other 

 kind. 



Timothy thrives best on moist, loamy soil of medium tenacity, and is 

 not suited to light, sandy, or gravelly soils. Under favorable circum- 

 stances and with good treatment it yields very large crops, often four 

 tons to the acre. One writer states that he has known whole fields 

 in Missouri grow to the height of 5 or feet, the soil, a pulverized 

 clay, being particularly suited to this grass. He also states that he has 



