206 MARKET GARDENING. 



among annual varieties every shoot will contain an 

 embryo flower. 



It is equally easy to recognize the leading varieties, 

 even if closely eaten down, by examination of their base 

 sheaths and general lower developments. For example : 

 Perennial Rye grass possesses a flat sheath, very red, and 

 leaves strongly ribbed, with ears at the base ; veins just 

 discernible, even when held up between the eye and the 

 light. Meadowy Fescue has a round sheath, decidedly 

 red, leaves strongly ribbed, veins on leaves clearly 

 marked as white lines, upon examination by transmitted 

 light. Crested Dogtail possesses a half flat sheath, 

 quite yellow, leaves never eared. At base of leaves a 

 collar-like growth, peaked into two ear-like terminals. 

 Foxtail, a flat sheath of deep violet color, almost black, 

 leaf ribs flat. 



Timothy has the base enlarged to a green, bulb-like 

 growth, similar to a small, very hard onion. At the 

 junction of the sheath and blade there is found a thin 

 white membrane, with sharp white teeth on the top. 

 Blue grass has a flat, elliptical sheath, light colored 

 leaves, with round ends, parallel sides and rounded base, 

 fleshy, hard and ribless, of a dark color under trans- 

 mitted light. Orchard grass has the sheath broad and 

 flat, leaves ribbed, with prominent keel on the under 

 surface ; conspicuous thin white membrane at top of 

 sheath. Red Top is more variable than any of the pre- 

 ceding. The sheath is without color, leaves rolled thin 

 and dry, rough on both sides, ribs prominent, margin of 

 leaves converged at base, never eared. 



Regarding compounded mixtures of grass seeds, it 

 has been frequently stated that seedsmen advocate mixed 

 grasses for lawn and pasturage, that they may have an 

 opportunity to run up the price. This is a mistake, for 

 no pasture grass mixture is so costly as the same meas- 

 ure of pure Blue grass, the basis of all good grazing 



