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4. P. intermedia, Bose. (P. Calif ornica, H. & A.) 



P. intermedia, var. angusta, Chap. (P. angusta, JVees.) 

 (Southern reed Canary grass, Gilbert's Relief grass, Stewart's 

 Canary grass, California Timothy grass.) 



This species resembles the foreign Canary grass, (Phalaris Cana- 

 riensis,) which produces the seed commonly sold as food for Canary 

 birds. It is, however, a taller and more robust species, growing 2 

 to 3 feet high, with a stout, erect culm and broad linear leaves, 

 which are from 4 to 10 inches long. The spike is oblong and com- 

 pact, 1 or 2 inches long. There is a variety called var. angastata y 

 in which the spike is 3 or 4 inches long. The spikelets are much 

 like those of the preceding species, (P. arundinacea,) having one 

 perfect flower and two abortive ones. The outer glumes in P. in- 

 termedia are lanceolate and nearly alike and have a narrow wing 

 extending down the keel. The glumes of the fertile flower are 

 nearly like those of P. arundinacea already described. 



This species grows in South Carolina and the Gulf States, extend- 

 ing to Texas, then stretching across to the Pacific coast and occur- 

 ring through California and Oregon. It has frequently been sent 

 to the Department from the Southern States as a valuable winter 

 grass. 



Mr. Thomas W. Beaty, of Conway, S. C, writes as follows : 



The grass I send you was planted last September, and the specimens were out on 

 the 9th of March (following.) You will notice that it is heading out and is just 

 now in a right condition for mowing. It is wholly a winter grass, dying down in 

 the latter part of April and first of May, and it seems to me should be a great thing 

 for the South if properly introduced and cultivated, or rather the ground properly 

 prepared and the seed sown at the right time. It would afford the best of green 

 pasturage for sheep and cattle all winter. It is what we call Gilbert's relief grass. 



Many years ago Dr. Lincecum, of Texas, experimented with this 

 grass and recommended it very highly. In California it is called 

 California timothy, and is said to have little or no agricultural value. 

 It is an annual or biennial. Professor Phares says : 



The variety angustata is much larger and more valuable. It grows 2 to 3 feet 

 high, and in swamps 5 feet, with many leaves 4 to 10 inches long, the spike some- 

 what resembling the head of timothy; stock like it well, especially as hay. Mr. D. 

 Stewart, of Louisiana, having tested other grasses, prefers this for quantity and 

 quality for winter and spring grazing, and for soiling for milk cows. There is much 

 testimony from many parts of the South of the same import, and this grass is 

 doubtless worthy of extended, careful testing. 



5. P. Lemmoni, Vasey. Arizona. 



