AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



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usually described by botanists. Most of the plants 

 of special interest to farmers may be included in eight 

 families whose characteristics may be very easily learned. 

 The general classification of the vegetable kingdom, as 

 far as given, is graphically represented below : 



I. Thallophytes.j Algae 

 or thallus plants (Fungi 



II. Bryophytes.J Liverworts 

 or moss plants j Mosses 



III. Pterido- [ Ferns 

 phytes, or fern j Horsetails 

 plants ( Club mosses 



Gramineae, or Grass Family. --This is a very large 

 family, the only one in the endogenous class that is of 

 great importance to the farmer. It includes not only 

 all the grasses, but also all the cereals, which make up 

 such a large part of the farm crops. Sorghum, broom 

 corn, Kaffir corn, and the millets are also included in 

 this family. 



The June grass, or Kentucky blue grass (Fig. 85), 

 may be taken as typical of the family. Its roots are 

 fibrous and spreading. Its stem, called a culm, is 

 hollow, jointed, and enlarged at the joints. The leaves 



