94 THE GRASSES— FLAT-STEMMED GRASS. 



Flat-Stemmed Meadow Grass. 



(Poos compressa.) 



Creeping-rooted; florets obtuse, the lower ones webbed. 

 Lower palea with three hairy or silky veins. 



Charles Johnson is inclined to believe that this is 

 only a variety of Poa pratensis. Indeed, he believes the 

 latter to be not alone the type but the origin of all the 

 stoloniferous forms of the genus. He adds that it is 

 said to be liked by cattle, and produces its foliage early 

 in spring ; but the yield is too scanty to prove of much 

 service. 



Dr. Paenell says that, were it not for the small 

 quantity of foliage this grass produces, it would rank as 

 one of the most valuable, as it shoots its leaves early in 

 spring, and possesses a large share of nutritive properties. 



Dr. Vasey (of the U.S.A. Agricultural Department) 

 says, " This grass has been sometimes confounded with 

 Poa pratensis, from which it differs in its flattened, 

 decumbent, wiry stems — its shorter leaves, and shorter, 

 narrower, and more scanty panicle. Very contradictory 

 accounts have been given as to its agricultural value — 

 some denouncing it as worthless, and others entertain- 

 ing a good opinion of it. It thrives well on clay, or 

 hard-trodden and poor soils." One report says : " It is 

 certain that cows fed upon it both in pasture and in hay 

 give more milk and keep in better condition than virhen 

 fed on any other grass. Horses fed on this hay will do as 

 well as when fed on Timothy hay and oats combined." 



These discrepant opinions may be due in part to 

 having mistaken the Poa pratensis for this grass. It is 

 probably a nutritious grass ; but, from its spare yield, 

 can hardly attain much favour for a hay crop. 



