33 



the largest productive capacity, when grown upon highly manured lands, 

 of any forage crop now grown. While the fodder is coarse it is highly 

 nutritious. The only difficulty is to cure it sufficiently td prevent it from 

 fermenting and moulding. It will grow and flourish wherever Indian 

 corn may be grown. The weight of the seed is fifty pounds per bushel. 



MEADOW OAT GRASS OR EVERGREEN (Arrhenatherum 



elatius.} (Meadow and Pasture.) 



This grass is equally valuable for making hay, for pasturage and for 

 soiling. It produces an immense amount of foliage and its aftermath 

 is about as heavy as the first crop. Having characteristics and adapta- 

 bility similar to those of the oat, it has been widely distributed in the 

 United States from New England to Georgia. It was introduced into 

 this country from England where it is highly prized for its good quali- 

 ties. It is a favorite grass in 

 France and the south of Europe 

 generally. It is an object of ad- 

 miration to all lovers of the 

 grasses, by reason of its great 

 height, its gracefully bending 

 panicles, its purplish anthers, its 

 flag-like leaves hanging in grace- 

 ful arches beneath the panicle, 

 the green of which contrasts 

 with the purple of the anthers 

 and the violet of the flowering 

 glumes making altogether a rare 

 picture of grace and beauty. 



SOILS This is one of the 

 grasses that will grow best on 

 dry sandy soils, and is a great 

 acquisition therefore to those 

 sections of Tennessee where 

 sandstone soils predominate. It 

 may be grown on the Cumber- 

 land table-land with success. Al- 

 though it prefers sandy soils it 

 will thrive upon any rich, dry, 

 well-drained land. It is a very 

 hardy perennial and will resist equally the heat of summer and the cold 

 of winter. In Southern latitudes it is green throughout the year and 

 hence the name evergreen. In a favorable season two crops of hay may 

 be harvested from the same sowing in one }ear. 



The best time for sowing in the latitude of Tennessee is in March or 

 April, or it may be sown in the fall from the middle of September to the 

 last of October. As this grass has a tendency to grow in tussocks like 

 orchard grass plenty of seed, not less than two bushels, should be sown 

 to the acre. 



Mr. Edwin Montgomery, of Mississippi, writes to the American 



Meadow Oat Grass or Evergreen Arrhena- 

 therum elatius. 



1. Panicle. 2. Spikelet, with the empty 



glumes removed. 3. Empty glumes. 



4. Awned floral glume. 



