NOTES ON GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS COLLECTED OR 
OBSERVED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES. 
PART I. 
ECONOMIC NOTES UPON THE GRASSES AND AU. FORAGE PLANTS 
OF THE REGION TRAVERSE 
Very few plants are widely cultivated in the South for hay or pas- 
turage, the farmer relying for the most part upon the wild grasses. 
These may be roughly divided into two classes—the first comprising 
introduced grasses, mostly annuals, which spring up on cultivated land 
after the regular erop has been removed; the second, native grasses, 
the majority perennials, which make the bulk of the pasturage. Of 
the first class by far the most important is crab grass ( Panicum san- 
guinale), whìch forms a great part of the volunteer hay crop of the 
South Atlantic and Gulf States. With it are often associated crow- 
foot or barn grass (Hleusine indica), little crowfoot (Dactyloctenium 
egyptiacum), pigeon grass (Setaria glauca), and, in the far South, spur 
grass (Cenchrus echinatus) and Mexican clover (Richardsonia scabra). 
Of the native, perennial grasses perhaps the most important belong to 
the genus Paspalum, Louisiana grass (Paspalum platycaule) being the 
most common and best known. Panicum serotinum is also a valuable 
pasture grass over extensive areas. The broom sedges (Andropogon 
species), early in the season, make the bulk of the grazing on thin dry 
soils. Three other widely known forage plants, belonging to neither of 
these classes, must be mentioned. Johnson grass, dreaded as a weed 
yet esteemed as a forage plant, is an introduced perennial grass, highly 
valued for hay. Japan clover (Lespedeza striata) is perhaps the most 
valuable pasture maker, for the largest area, in the Southern States, 
while both for hay and for grazing ** Bermuda" is king among grasses 
throughout the South. 
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE GRASSES AND OTHER PLANTS OF THE 3 
VISITED WHICH ARE OR MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE As Fo 
I With i tes] 
3 
t 
AGROSTIS ALBA VULGARIS. (See Redtop.) 
3 PERENNANS.—In northern Alabama this grass remains green nearly all 
winter in damp, sheltered ground, and affords good pasturage. 
ALFALFA. 5 is cultivated with great success near Augusta, Ga. 
