NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



173 



COCKSFOOT GRASS 



ORCHARD GRASS, DACTYLIS GLOMERATA. 



(Fig. 17.) 



Flowers in --dense tufts or 

 spikelets, crowded in clusters, 

 one-sided, with a dens branch- 

 ing panicle at top. It grows 

 erect and attains a height of 

 three feet ; not perennial ; it 

 is a native of Europe, but has 

 been naturalized in many 

 parts of this country, and El- 

 liott says that it has become 

 naturalized on James Island, 

 near Charleston, South-Caro- 

 lina. This being the case, fur- 

 nishes sufficient evidence that 

 it is an important grass for the 

 South. 



The orchard grass is very 

 widely distributed. It is well 

 known in the north of Africa, 

 Europe, Asia and America. 

 It is said that it was introduced 

 into England from Virginia 

 where it now forms one of the 

 most common grasses of Eng- 

 lish pastures, is highly es- 

 teemed among cattle feeders, 

 being exceedingly palatable 

 to stock of all kinds. 



This grass is worthy of cul- 

 ture from its rapid growth, 

 luxuriant aftermath, and its 

 endurance of close cropping, 

 and when fed down closely it 

 recovers in a shorter time than 

 any other grass under culti- 

 !7.) vatioik It forms an excellent 



