PERENNIAL li\'K Oil RAY (JRASS, DARNEL. 150 



L. pereniio, h, reroniilal Rye or lliiy Orass, Duriiel.- 



An iTccI or slightly (U'ciiiiibL'nt i)erc'imiul, 1-3 ft. hi., Hinootli, 

 t'uliii sliglitly c()m])re8secl. Li'iives Hut, Hliiniiig; ligiik'8 tsliort. 

 Spiko 4-10 in., sloiulcr. Spikcluts 8-10, obtuso or jtoiiited, riircly 

 iiwiiud, ^-^ in. long. Empty glnnica strongl / riltbod, liiuiii'- 

 liincooliitc, llonil glunio liiu'ur-oblong. In the toruiiuul spikolot 

 tho second glnnio is usually empty. 



In numy portions of moist, tcmporuto Europe, this gniss has 

 for over 200 years tiikcn tho rank among the farmers that ' 'imothy 

 luis in tho United States. Ikvo grass is termed u perennial, 

 though it can hardlv be relied on to last for more tlmn two to 

 fivo years, and especially after one seeding, tlie jjbnits mostly 

 soon perish. 8olf-sown seed, ripening on the ground, help supply 

 tt continuous crop of jdants. 



It seeds bountifully, frequently producing forty bushels or more 

 to tho aero; these uro of a largo size and make strong jdants on 

 a great variety of soils soon after sowing. Tho stems ai'o one to 

 two or ov(>n three feet high, iiu-luding tho straight spiko at tho 

 toj), giving it somewhat tho aspect of <piack grass. Tlio leaves 

 aro abimdant, dark green. Hat, glossy, succulent, and tho whole 

 plant is nutritious. 



This grass, with its simple spike, is easily recognized, and 

 people can soon become acquainted with its jiecullarities. Its 

 short life and vigorous habit make it a grass especially suited to 

 alternate husbandry, and not for ix'rnianent jiasturo or meadow, 

 although, through ignorance and long precedent, it has very 

 generally been recommended for the latter purpose. 



Tho jilants start early, flower early, and repeatedly during the 

 growing season. Seeds aro cheap, easily obtained, always m 

 market, and Avell advertised by tho dealers. Above avo see stated 



Fir,. 7i.—Lnlium percune (Perennial Tiyo Orass). «, Empty Klumo pulled back from 

 the rest of tlie Hpikelet ; /i, tloriil t,'liini(> cut al«)ve the iniMdle; (•,(/, cross sections of 

 tloral Klume and palea; c, sjiikelet with a iiortion of radiis of Jy. penniDC var. JI'iJi- 

 cum ; /, ovary ana styles ; /i, cross section of an anther with a few grains of pollen,— 

 (Sudworth.) 



