ARRHENATHERUM, TALL OAT-GRASS. 131 



ARRHENAXnERUM, BEAUV. 



Spikelets subterete, jj-llowered, paiiicled ; rachilhi jointed 

 ubove tlio empty glumes, extending above the upper flower; the 

 lower flower staminatc, the upper perfect or pistillate. Empty 

 glumes persistent, membranous, unequal, mueronate; the floral 

 glumes firm, 5-7-nerved, the lower one bearing a long, bent 

 awn below the middle, the upper one bristle-pointed near the tip 

 or awnless, or rarely bearing a stout, bent awn. Palea narrow, 

 hyaline, :i-nerved. Lodicules ^-fid. Stamens 15. Stylos sliort, 

 distinct, stigmas feathery. Caryopsis ovoid, free. Perennials, 

 leaves flat or convolute when dry. Three species, found in 

 Europe, v ^hern Africa, and western Asia. 



A. aveiiaeeum, Beaiiv, Tall Osit-Grass, False Oat-Orass, 

 French Rye-Grass, Evergreen Grass [at the south]. — {Arena 

 clatior, L.) Panicle narrow, long, nodding. 8})ikclets ^-'\n., 

 floral glume, with bristly hairs at the base, palea shining; intro- 

 duced. 



Within the past few years this gi-ass has become somewhat 

 prominent, and has won many notes of praise from the farmers, 

 esjjecially from those living in the south and west. It has long 

 been grown in some portions of Virginia. 



Tall oat-grass is a hardy perennial, growing from three to six 

 feet high and l)earing a loose panicle somewhat resembling one of 

 the common oats, only more slender in every way. It is common 

 in Europe and western Asia, and has some peculiarities which 

 ought to be well understood by those attempting to grow it for 

 meadow or pasture. 



In place of much experience by our best farmers, the writer 

 will quote the somewhat conflicting views of several eminent 

 authorities. 



Dr. Lindley, of England, said: "It is bitter and ungrateful 



¥ii!.. H- Arrhcualherum (ti't/mccioii, Befiuv. ( Tall <)at-(ira.ss) : a, plant; c, siiikelet 

 nearly dosed; /(, rather more enlarged and the outer flumes removed.— (Details by 

 Sevihiier.) 



16 



