62 



and involute, sharp-pointed, varying greatly in length on different specimens. The 

 plants are dicecious, some being entirely male and some female. The panicle is 

 generally short and spike-like, sometimes, especially in the males, rather loose, with 

 longer, erect branches, and sometimes reduced to a few spikelets. The spikelets are 

 from 4 to 6 inches long and five to ten-flowered, the flowers being usually much 

 compressed. The outer glumes are smooth, narrow, and keeled ; the flowering ones 

 are broader, keeled, acute, rather rigid, and faintly many-nerved. The palets have 

 an infolded margin, the keels prominent or narrowly winged. The pistillate spike- 

 lets are more condensed and more rigid than the staminate. 



This is described in most botanical works as Bryzopyrum spicatum, but 

 recently the name given by Eafinesque has been accepted and restored 

 to it by Mr. Bentham. It is a perennial grass, growing in marshes 

 near the sea-coast on both sides of the continent and also abundantly 

 in alkaline soil throughout the arid districts of the Rocky Mountains. 



Although this can not be considered a first- rate grass for agricultural 

 purposes, it is freely cut with other marsh grasses, and on the alkaline 

 plains of the Rocky Mountains it affords an inferior pasturage. (Plate 

 71.) 



DACTYLIS. 



Dactylis glomerata (Orchard Grass). 



The culm and leaves roughish, the leaves broadly linear, light green, and five to 

 six on the culm. The panicle is generally but 2 or 3 inches long, the upper 

 part dense from the shortness of the branches ; the lower branches are longer and 

 spreading, but with the spikelets glomerated or closely tufted. The spikelets are 

 usually three to four-flowered, one-sided, and on short, rough pedicels. The glumes 

 are pointed and somewhat unequal, the upper one being smaller and thinner than the 

 lower. The flowering glumes are ovate-lanceolate, roughish, and ending in a sharp 

 point or short awn, and are rather longer than the outer glumes. 



This is one of the most popular meadow grasses of Europe, and is 

 well known to most farmers in the Northern and Eastern States. It is a 

 perennial of strong, rank growth, about 3 feet high. 



Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says : 



Of all grasses this is one of the most widely diffused, growing in Africa, Asia, every 

 country of Europe, and all our States. 



It is more highly esteemed and commended than any other grass, by a large num- 

 ber of farmers in most countries, a most decided proof of its great value and wonder- 

 ful adaption to many soils, climates, and treatments. Yet, strange to say, though 

 growing in England for many centuries, it was not appreciated in that country till 

 carried there from Virginia in 1764. But, as in the case of Timothy grass, soon after 

 its introduction from America, it came into high favor among farmers, and still re- 

 tains its hold on their estimation as a grazing and hay crop. It will grow well on 

 any soil containing sufficient clay and not holding too much water. If the land be 

 too tenacious, drainage will remedy the soil; if worn out, a top dressing of stable 

 manure will give it a good send-off, and it will furnish several mowings the first year. 

 It grows well between 29 degrees and 48 degrees latitude. It may be mowed from 

 two to four times a year, according to latitude, season, and treatment, yielding from 

 1 to 3 tons of excellent hay per acre on poor to medium land. It is easily cured 

 and handled. It is readily seeded and catches with certainty. It grows well in open 

 lands and in forests of large trees, the underbrush being all cleared off. I know but 

 one objection to it. Like tall oat grass it is disposed to grow in clumps and leave 



