58 
of 2 to 4 feet, has rather broad leaves and long terminal, somewhat plume- or 
feather-like panicles. 
Lepturus paniculatus. (See Schedonnardus texanus.) 
Lolium italicum A. Br. Italian Rye-grass. 
A 5 and excellent grass for rich and rather moist lands, particularly 
he Eastern States. It is a very es grower, forms a dense turf, and in 
ENS. whence the pem was introduced into this country, it is regarded as one 
of the best hay grasses. On stiff, heavy Sic or on very dry soil it does not do 
well; but on good, calcareous loams or marls or on moist, loamy sands, where the 
soil is in good condition, it is very productive and no other grass repays manur- 
ingso well. It is not recommended oa pS open: as its duration is 
55 two or Tw years, butitis a rary meadows 
w grasses develop more rapidly than this, and where the alta is adi and ita 
peia 5 by applications of liquid manure, euttings may be obtained 
within three or four weeks from seeding, and at intervals of a month or six 
weeks successive crops may be harvested. Owing to its succulent ca and 
rapid growth, this makes one of the best = Ske T soiling. Italian Rye-grass is 
at once distinguished from any of the forms of perennial Rye-grass by its awned 
or bearded spikelets. Adulterations of the seed of Italian Rye-grass are rare, 
owing to its relative cheapness. The average purity of commercial seed i; 95 
diminishes rapidly with the age of the seed. One pound of seed contains on an 
average 285,000 grains, and the weight per bushel varies, according to the quality, 
from 16 to 24 pounds. Three bushels of seed of average quality are required for 
seeding an acre of land. Current price in the New York market is $10 per 100 
pounds. 2 
- 
Lolium perenne Linn. Perennial Rye-grass; Ray- or Rye-grass; Darnel; English 
Rye-grass. (Fig.53.) 
Perennial Rye-grass has been eultivated in England for more than 200 years, and is 
therefore one of the oldest if not the very first grass gathered and cultivated 
separately for agricultural purposes. It is indigenous to Europe, North Africa, 
and western Asia, and was many years ago introduced into this country from 
rich loams or clays are the soils best suited to it, and, as with Italian Rye-grass, 
it responds promptly to the application of quiek manures. For pastures on 
heavy soils in moist climates it is especially pea and under such conditions 
is largely used in mixtures for permanent pastures. It isa good hay grass where 
the eonditions are favorable, but in this eder will never be so highly esteemed 
as Tim othy. There are dee gas of perennial Rye-grass recognized by 
agrieulturists. Pacey’s Perennial, a vigorous form, is one of these. The 
germinative power at 75 per cent. Good commercial seed should grade higher 
than this. One pound of pure seed contains on an average 336,800 grains. Of 
eourse, where the seeds are larger and heavier, this number would be consid- 
| sub. less. The best seed weighs from 25 to 35 pounds per bushel, and 2 to 3 
E bushels of seed are "rna. per acre. The current retail price of good seed is 
E $9 per 100 pound 
Lolium temulentum Linn. Darnel; Poison Rye-grass; Bearded Darnel. (Fig.54.) 
An annual grass, 2 to 3 feet high, having a general resemblance to Italian Rye-grass, 
but usually stouter, more strictly erect, with longer glumes and larger seeds 
It has been introduced into this country with the seeds of other 
oecasionally met with in grain fields and about e The grain contains 
a narcotic or poisonous principle, which bling, and vertigo 
