rilLKUM I'UATKNHE, K. TIMOTHY. 108 



Eroet aiiimuiKs «»r ]>i'rt'iiniulri witli Hal. InivoM. 'J'cii sikm-u-s in X. 

 und S. tfiniHTiito aiul arctic regions. 



P. pratensp, L., Tinioth}, Henrs-Urass, Meadow <'at'« 

 Tall. — I'aniclo cylindrical. Kiiipty ^'lunics truncate with it 

 Hcarious tip, and a hispid kod. 



This is the best known, most extonsively sown, and one of thw 

 most i>rofital)lo grasses of any in the United States. Tn Pennsyl- 

 vania and Bonio other States, Af/rosfis alba is called "herd's 

 grass," while at the north this is known as "rod top." Thoro 

 are several other grasses called "cat's tail" in difTeront portions 

 of our country. The first common mime comes from Timothy 

 Hanson of ^faryland, who introduced tlie grass from England 

 about 1T20. The next name comes from a man l»y the muno of 

 Herd, who found it growing in New Hampshire and b:'gan its 

 cultivation. 



In I'dO or 'Gl, Peter Wynch took seeds of it from Virginia to 

 England. It is a native of Europe, and very likely also 

 indigenous to some portions of the ^'nited States. It is widely 

 distributed in north Africa, western Asia, and other portions of 

 the world. Timothy is a perennial not likely to be mistaken for 

 any other grass, and in fact this is about the only one tliat is 

 generally known by all farmers. 



The leaves are short and flat, and on good soil the stem is from 

 two to four or more feet high, each bearing one stiff, erect, rough 

 spike as long and as thick as a lead i)encil. The plant is rather 

 coarse to the touch ajid sight. 



Having a largo bulk of stems, with few leaves, the hay wastes 

 but little in transportation. The grass stands up well, the hay 

 is easily cured, heavy for its bulk, presents a good appearance, 

 and suffers less than many other grasses when allowed to go to 

 seed before cutting. 



Fis. 02.— 7. Plant of Phleum prateme, L.; 2, Hpikelct ; 5, floral glume uiul palea; 

 4, spikeletof P. alpinum; S, splkelet of P. areiiarium ; 6, floral glurm- ; 7, base of 

 cnim of P. prntenae, showing one enlarged solid internode, tulx'r, or corm, improiHjrlv 

 called a " bulb."— (Trlnius and Scribner.) 



