156 NOBTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



stocking soils after oats, or corn, the red top forms an excel- 

 lent addition for mixing with clover and timothy. As the 

 timothy diminishes the red top takes its place, and particular- 

 ly does it fill the places left by the red clover as it gradually 

 disappears. 



It forms a close or dense sward, or grows thickly at bottom, 

 and. hence covers and protects the ground when the timothy 

 fails to grow in consequence of a continued drouth. - This 

 grass should also be more extensively cultivated in this State 

 as it is evident on examining moist meadows, it grows very 

 well, spontaneously and without much attention 



AGROSTIS ALBA WHITE TOP. 



It has an erect, round, smooth, polished stem, which is sup- 

 plied with four or five leaves, whose sheaths are roughish and 

 striate ; joints numerous, from which roots are sent off when 

 in contact with the ground. It is distinguishable from red 

 top by its rough sheaths and the large glume toothed only at 

 the upj)er part. It grows in wet places. 



AGROSTIS DISPAR SOUTHER^ BENT. 



The stem is large, erect and smooth, surmounted by a loose 

 many flowered panicle, somewhat verticillate and pyramidal ; 

 exterior glume largest. It is a native of the United States. 

 It has been commended both in England and France, but is 

 now discarded. The hay is rather coarse, but it yields a heavy 

 crop on good sandy bottoms which are overflowed. It tillers 

 out and becomes strongly rooted in the soil, and hence, is a 

 good pasture grass. It grows well in the low country of the 

 South, where it appears to be at home. 



TRIBE VI CHLORIDES. 



111. Spikelets in unilateral spikes from 1 to many flow- 

 ered, digitate or paniculate ; rachis not articulated. It con- 

 tains only wild grasses. 



TRIBE VII AVENACE^E. 



Spikelets two, to many flowered, panicled ; the lower palese 

 bearing upon its back a bent or twisted awn. 



