OF TENNESSEE. 11 



the breeze, while the tall plumes of the maize keep watch 

 and ward over the plains, all contribute to the joy and hap- 

 piness around. 



Fat cattle and bunchy sheep fitly adorn the deep green 

 of the meadows, and is one of the highest evidences of a 

 high civilization. 



There are many kinds of grasses, and they seem to be so 

 far apart in appearance, habits, etc., that they would 

 scarcely be considered as being allied; yet the necessary 

 classification, depending upon the flowers, leaves, stems and 

 roots botanically connects them. 



They are divided into two general classes, natural and 

 artificial. The former includes those grasses with long, 

 simple, narrow leaves, with a prominent mid-rib or vein in 

 the center, and smaller ones running parallel to it, and at 

 the base, the leaf divides and clasps the stem in such a way 

 that the stem seems to pass through it. As a rule the stem 

 is hollow and closed at the joints, though a few are solid 

 stemmed. The classification of grasses would be impossible 

 were their general appearance only considered. So great 

 are the changes produced by modes of culture, by soil and 

 climate, botanists, to arrive at the precise plant, therefore, 

 have adopted characteristics that undergo no change, such 

 as flowers, etc. From the rule of botanists in giving all 

 plants technical names, it would be a difficult matter to 

 recognize an old familiar friend under the new guise of a 

 generic term, but we will endeavor, by giving also the 

 name in common use, to remove this difficulty and bring 

 them within the comprehension of any one who will take 

 pains to properly read the descriptions. 



Artificial grass includes all leguminous plants, such as 

 clover, peas, beans, etc., while cereals, such as maize, 

 wheat, oats, barley, rye, rice, sorghum, dhouro, chocolate, 

 corn and broom-corn, though really true grasses, are gen- 

 erally classed with the artificials. 



