GRASSES. 149 



suggest a few topics for research, almost any one of which would 

 afford an hour's entertainment or profitable discussion. The in- 

 vestigation of grasses has engaged the attention of the ablest men 

 of science, and the study of their development, their classifica- 

 tion, their inter-relationships, and their relation to other plants 

 and to man opens a field to philosophy. They constitute the 

 wealth of nations ; they feed the world ; they minister to the 

 higher esthetic tastes of mankind by their graceful and varied 

 beauty ; they heal the sick, and make glad the well. 



Discussioisr. 



The lecture was illustrated by means of the stereopticon ; 

 views were given of the gardens of the Division of Agrostology 

 in Washington, where the experiments in propagation and cul- 

 tivation of grasses are carried on ; also views of the numerous 

 species of grasses of which the lecturer spoke, some of which 

 showed the type of the illustrations to be expected in ''The 

 Handbook of North American Grasses," now in preparation. 

 Bundles of numerous species of grasses were laid out on the 

 tables for examination, each bundle being carefully prepared and 

 labeled with both botanical and common names. 



Mrs. Wright said that reference had been made to the 



Buffalo grass of the plains, and asked whether this grass can be 

 removed to other localities, and if so, whether its nutritious 

 qualities will be the same. 



Professor Scribner replied that Buffalo grass was cultivated 

 successfully in the grass garden at Washington, but he could 

 not say whether it became less nutritious. 



In reply to another question Professor Scribner said that the 

 best English lawns are composed of single varieties of grasses. 

 When asked if Alfalfa was included among the grasses, he said 

 that Alfalfa does not belong to the family of true grasses, but to 

 the clover family ; it is one of the most important forage plants 

 of tlie country. 



On being asked whether a lawn could be made of white clover 

 Professor Scribner answered that such a lawn would be unique ; 

 he would prefer grasses, but white clover is often used with grass, 

 and in this way will make a very pretty lawn. The color of its 

 leaves is the same as that of some species of grasses. There is 

 an astonishing variety of color in grass leaves ; different tints 



