tons of salt hay annually — a trifle less than one ton per acre — with a 

 valuation of Sl!)3,0i)0. PLssex Co. has 11,10/) acres, Barnstable Co. 

 4,003 acres, Norfolk Co. 1,289 acres, and Plymouth Co. 1,818 acres. 

 Four of the most valuable tracts for the production of salt hay are 

 those in the vicinity of Newbury, the marsh between Lynn and Bos- 

 ton the one at Marshfield, and the "great marshes" of P)arnstable 

 Co. Considerable areas of inferior salt grasses are not cut. Large 

 quantities of salt hay are used for litter, and for packing, while large 

 ami)UMts of the best grades are fed to horses and neat cattle. 



Character of salt grasses. Although a considerable variety of 

 grasses, sedges, etc. may be found growing upon the salt marshes 

 at different times during the summer season, but five grasses pre- 

 d(^minate, and are of economic importance. 



I. Jtincus GerSrdi=B[iHik grass. 



Although po|)ularly classed with grasses, it is not a true grass, but 

 a rush. The slender stems are scarcely flattened, rigid and leafy 

 below. It grows from 6 inches to 2 feet high, and is usually 

 noticed along the edge of the marshes, where they join the main land. 

 Evans* states that at the present time nearly one-half of the marshes 

 in the vicinity of Newbury are covered with this grass. It blossoms 

 the latter part of .June, or early in July, and is then at its best for 

 feeding. See Plate I. 



leport State Board of Agriculture, 1894, p. 50. 



