BROMUS. 177 



2. Bromus Racemosus (Smooth Broom or Upright 

 Chess). Is often mistaken for B. Secalinus ; it rs also 

 common in grain fields. Worthless for cultivation, 

 except for green manuring. 



3. B. Mollis (Soft Chess, or Soft Downy Broom 

 grass). 



This is also a common weed in rye grass fields in 

 England, particularly the B, Racemosus. They both 

 grow much taller than the rye grass, and have large, 

 branching, drooping panicles, and are distinguished 

 from one another by the smoothness and downiness of 

 their spikelets ; the seeds of B. Mollis are said to pro. 

 duce giddiness in the human species and quadrupeds, 

 and to prove fatal to poultry. In a sample of rye 

 grass seeds, it is very easy to detect B. Mollis or B. 

 Racemos, by their being larger, much broader tow- 

 ards the points, etc. 



Flowers in June. 



4. B. Kalmi, Gray (Wild Chess), Flowers in June 

 and July. 



5. B.Ciliatus (Fringed Broom grass). Flowers July 

 and August. 



6. B. Asper. 



7. B. Steriles (Sterile Broom grass). Rare. 



8. B. Pratensis (Meadow Broom grass). Fibrous 

 rooted perennial, height two to three feet ; flowers 

 in July. Said to be a native of some parts of Eng- 

 land. 



From the softness and great length of the foliage 

 of this grass, it may turn out one of the most useful 



