i] 



1 



53 



structure of tbe Mowers is Himiliir in fh:ii of common <.;ils, 1ml dill'm-nt in scvn;ii 

 pjvrtic.uhirs. Tin- spikelr.t consists of l\vo (lowers, the lower of whirh is >l animate 

 only, the upper one both staminate and pistillate; the outn- ul mil< -s an- thin and 

 transparent, the upper ones about 4 lines long and three-nerved, the lower on.- m-aily 

 3 lines long and one-nerved. The flowering glume is about 4 lines long, gr< n. 

 strongly seven-nerved, lanceolate, acute, hairy at base, ronghish, and in the lowrr 

 flower gives rise on the back below the middle to a long, twisted, and bent awn ; in 

 the upper flower the glume is merely bristle-pointed near the apex. The palet is thin 

 and transparent, linear and two-toothed. 



This grass is much valued on the continent of Europe. The herbage 

 is very productive and its growth rapid. When growing with other 

 grasses, cattle and sheep eat it very well, but do not like to be confined 

 to it exclusively. It is a perennial grass of strong, vigorous growth, in- 

 troiluced from Europe and sparingly cultivated. 



Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says : 



It is widely naturalized and well adapted to a great variety of soils. On sandy or 

 gravelly soils it succeeds admirably, growing 2 to 3 feet high. On rich, dry upland it 

 grows from 5 to 7 feet high. It has an abundance of perennial, long, fibrous roots 

 penetrating deeply in the soil, being therefore less affected by drought or cold, and 

 enabled to yield a large quantity of foliage, winter and summer. These advantages 

 render it one of the very best grasses for the South, both for grazing, being evergreen, 

 and for hay, admitting of being cut twice a year. It is probably the best winter 

 grass that can be obtained. It will make twice as much hay as Timothy. To make 

 good hay it must be cut as soon as it blooms, and after it is cut must not be wet by dew 

 or rain, which damages it greatly in quality and appearance. For green soiling it may 

 be cut four or five times, with favorable seasons.* In from six to ten days after bloom- 

 ing the seeds begin to ripen and fall, the upper ones first. It is therefore a little 

 troublesome to save the seed. As soon as those at the top of the panicle ripen suffi- 

 ciently to begin to drop, the panicle should be cut off and dried, when the seeds will 

 all thrash out readily and be matured. 



After the seeds are ripe and taken off, the long, abundant leaves and stems are still 

 green, and being mowed make good hay. It may be sown in March or April and 

 mowed the same season ; but for heavier yield it is better to sow in September or Octo- 

 ber. Not less than 2 bushels (14 pounds) per acre should be sown. The average an- 

 nual nutriment yielded by this grass in the Southern belt is probably twice as great 

 as in Pennslyvania and other Northern States. 



A. P. Bowe, Fredericksburgh, Va. : 



Tall oat grass has .been seeded here and does well. It eomes in with orchard 

 grass for hay, and the two might be seeded together with the best results. 



T. W. Wood & Sons, Eichmond, Va. : 



It is cultivated very generally for pasture and hay ; and is the best grass we know 

 for thin soils. It is hardy, stands drought moderately well, is easily subdued, and 

 lasts five or six years. 



Dr. W. J. Beal, Agricultural College, Michigan : 



It is cultivated in a few places in the State, proving perfectly hardy, and doing best 

 on deep, porous soils where it stands drought very well, yielding perhaps 3 tons 

 per acre. It makes good pasture, and lasts a long time. 



J. J. Dotson, Cedarton, Tex. 



It is very fair for early spring pastures, and to cut for green feed when it first heads, 

 in March, but it is not liked as hay. It is too light and the seeds fall off too easily, 

 have never known it cultivated. Thrives only on low bottom-land. 



(Plate 58.) 



