45 



known fields of this grass to be highly productive for thirteen years in 

 succession. Farmers should not lose sight of the fact that the roots do 

 not extend widely, and that much of its vitality depends on the thick- 

 ened bulb-like base of the stem ; therefore there is danger that, if mowed 

 too late in the season so that the bulbs and roots are left unprotected 

 from the weather, they may suffer from the action of frost ; being some- 

 times lifted out of the ground from this cause. 



A well-informed farmer, writing in the Prairie Farmer, says that 

 Timothy is an exhaustive crop, the roots not penetrating deeply enough 

 to obtain nourishment from the subsoil. Feeding off with stock lays 

 the crown of the plants bare, which, being of a bulbous nature, are 

 easily injured by exposure. When, however, the aftermath is very 

 abundant, Timothy meadows may be pastured sparingly in the fall to 

 reduce the heavy growth of rowan that sometimes accumulates so as to 

 interfere with the mower; but in no case should sheep be allowed upon 

 it, as they are very apt to nip off the crown of the plant and thus destroy 

 it. In order to keep up the productiveness of a Timothy meadow, a good 

 top-dressing of s able manure should be applied and evenly spread in 

 the fall. This will protect the roots and cause a much thicker and 

 stronger growth. Timothy is often sown with clover in different pro- 

 portions, and under some circumstances this is a judicious practice. 

 But the more general practice is to have the Timothy meadows free 

 from other plants, and to sow about 12 pounds of seed to the acre. 



When this grass is grown for the crop of seed, it should be allowed to 

 stand until the heads are ripe; 30 bushels to the acre have been pro- 

 duced. Of course the hay left after thrashing out the seed is coarse 

 and of inferior value. The clean seed weighs about 45 pounds to the 

 bushel. (Plate 45.) 



SPOROBOLUS. 



Spikelets one, rarely two-flowered, in a contracted or open panicle ; outer glumes 

 unequal, the lower one shorter, often acute, uuawued, one to three-nerved, nu'in- 

 brauaceous; flowering glume mostly longer, unawued; palet about equaling the 

 flowering glurne and of the same texture, prominently two-nerved. Seed mostly 

 loose in a hyaline or rarely coriaceous pericarp. 



Sporobolus cryptandrus. 



This species has an extensive range. It is common in sandy fields in 

 the Northern and Southern States, as well as over all the dry plains 

 west of the Mississippi, extending from British America to Mexico, fur- 

 nishing a considerable share of the wild pasturage of that region. 

 (Plate 46.) 



Sporobolus Indicus. 



This grass is a native of India, but has spread over most tropical and 

 warm climates. It occurs more or less abundantly in all the Southern 

 States, and is called smut grass, from the fact that after flowering tl 

 heads become affected with a black smut, it grows in tufts or loose 



