5. The Character of the Natural or Spontaneous 

 Vegetation. 



To the practiced eye the vegetation which grows spontaneously 

 in any given locaUty affords clear indications as to the character 

 and general agricultural value of the soil. In attempting to give 

 a basis for judgment, dependent upon observation of the natural 

 vegetation, it seems best to speak of the plants which should be 

 observed under the following classes : 



Grasses and clover, sedges and rushes, miscellaneous herbaceous 

 plants, weeds, and trees. 



Grasses and Clovers : Among the commonest grasses which 

 indicate a soil of very low agricultural value are the beard or 

 poverty grasses (Andropogon scoparius and furcatus). Where 

 these grasses are almost the only herbaceous vegetation it is cer- 

 tain that the soil is very low in capacity to retain moisture, and 

 its productive value will be very small. Among other grasses 

 which indicate relatively light and dry soils are : Sweet vernal, 

 (in some localities known as June grass) (Anthoxanthum odoratum) , 

 and meadow soft grass (Holcus lanatus). The soils, however, where 

 these grasses predominate is likely to be of consfderably better 

 qualit}^ than those where the beard grasses occupy most of the 

 ground. 



Among grasses which indicate a much better and moister soil 

 may be mentioned Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) and 

 meadow fescue (Festuca elatior). Orchard grass {Dactylis 

 glomerata) while it will thrive upon lighter soils than the two last 

 named, indicates a fairly good soil. 



Among grasses which indicate soils rich in organic matter and 

 inclined to be wet, blue-joint {Calamagrostic canadensis) and foul 

 meadow {Poa triflora) are among the most common. The pres- 

 ence of a large proportion of white clover (Trifolinm repens) in the 

 turf is an indication of soil of good quality and fairly retentive of 

 moisture. 



On the other hand, rabbit-foot clover and yellow clovers {Tri- 

 foUum arvense and TnfoHum agrarium) indicate light and rela- 

 tively dry and poor soils. 



The presence of sweet clover {Melilotus alba) indicates a soil of 

 good quality and usually one which is relatively rich in lime. 



Sedges and Rushes : The sedges are plants which to the ordi- 

 nary observer closely resemble grasses. They can, however, 

 readily be distinguished from grasses, The latter have joined, 

 round, hollow stems and leaves in two ranks. Sedges have three 

 sided stems, usually solid, and the stem leaves are arranged in three 

 ranks. Most of the sedges thrive best in moist soils and where 

 they are abundant it is certain that artificial drainage will improve 



