69 
Panicum proliferum Lam. Sprouting Crab-grass; Sprouting Millet. 
À smooth inis usually much-branched native annual, with rather coarse, spreading or 
ascending stems 2 to 6 feet long, flat leaves, and diffuse terminal and lateral 
vmm It grows naturally in moist, rich soil along the banks of streams and 
rivers, around the shores of ponds and lakes, and in the South is often abundant 
in rich, cultivated fields, growing with Crab-grass. The stout, sueculent stems 
are sweetish and much liked by horses and cattle. Its range is from Maine to 
[owa, and southward to the Gulf, blossoming in the latter part of summer or 
earlyautumn. A spontaneous growth of this grass in cultivated fields after the 
removal of crops is of some value for hay or pasturage, but its cultivation can 
not be recommended in view of the fact that we have many annual grasses much 
superior to it. In the Northern and Middle States 
it is classed with the weeds. 
Panicum prostratum Lam. 
A low, creeping grass of the tropical regions of both 
hemispheres. It is common on the plains of north- 
ern India, where it is regarded as a good fodder 
plant, and in times of famine the grain is used for 
food. 
Panicum repens Berg. Creeping Panic. 
Àn extensively ereeping grass, with rather stiff upright 
dunes, protecting them from the action of the winds ; 
waves. FIG. 63.—Crab-grass. (Panicum 
sanguinale.) 
Panicum roseum. (See Tricholena rosea.) 
Panicum sanguinale Linn. Crab-grass; Finger-grass; Hairy Finger-grass; Manne- 
grass; Polish Millet; Red Millet. (Fig. 63. 
A well-known annual, common in nearly all parts of the United States, growing in 
cultivated fields and about dwellings. It is a weed in gardens and among hoed 
erops. In grain fields after harvest it frequently springs up in such quantity, 
particularly in the Southern States, as to yield one or even two good cuttings of 
hay. This spontaneous growth affords excellent pasturage, as well as hay of first 
quality if properly cured. The stems are much branched, and in good soil attain 
a length of 3 to 4 feet. This grass contains little fiber, and dries quickly when 
eut, but if after cutting it is wet by rains or heavy dews its value for hay is almost 
wholly destroyed. In Bohemia, Crab-grass is cultivated upon sandy soils and 
he grain is used for food in the form of mush or porridge. 
Panicum serotinum Trin. Little Crab-grass; Creeping Crab-grass. (Fig. 64.) 
A species related to Crab-grass (Panicum sanguinale), common in the Southern States 
near the Gulf, disputing with Louisiana-grass the claim of being the most valu- 
able midi pasture grass of tha t section. Ri is probably a biennial, Itis much 
like 3 li f t every joint, bnt is smaller 
in seas way, with i shorter and more hairy leaves of a lighter green color. It is 
invaluable for pasturage, forming a close turf, and driving out nearly all other 
plants. It grows best in sandy soil where there is a little moisture, 
