138 



CRESTED DOG'S-TAIL. 



introduced and cultivated to some extent by way of 

 experiment. Its spikes are simple, linear ; spikelets 



awnless ; stems one foot high, 

 stiff, smooth ; root perennial, 

 fibrous, and tufted. Flowers 

 in July. It is said to be a 

 valuable permanent pasture 

 grass ; but cattle seldom eat 

 it after it is ripe, on account 

 of its wiry stems. On dry, 

 hard soils and hills, pastured 

 with sheep, it would doubtless 

 be of value for its hardiness. 

 At the time of flowering it 

 is tender and nutritious. A 

 magnified spikelet is shown in 

 Fig. 121. 



The stems of this grass are 

 used for the manufacture of 

 plat for Leghorn hats and 

 bonnets, and have the reputa- 

 tion of being equal or superior 

 to Italian straw. They are 

 gathered green when in blos- 

 som, immersed in boiling 

 water for ten minutes, and 

 then spread out 

 to bleach for 

 eight days. An- 

 other mode of 

 treatment is to 

 keep them in 

 boiling wate-r for 

 an hour, and 

 then spread them out, and keep them moistened 



Fig. 120. Crested Dog's-tail. 



Fig. 121. 



