CHAPTER III. 



TIMOTHY. 



Timothy (Phleum pratense), has also been known 

 by the name Herd's grass and in some instances by that 

 of Meadow Cat's Tail. It is said to have been found 

 growing wild in a swamp in Piscataqua, N. H., prior to 

 the middle of the eighteenth century by one Timothy 

 Herd; hence the origin of the name Timothy and possi- 

 bly also Herd's grass, although some authorities lean to 

 the view that the latter name was given because of its use 

 in providing grazing for the herd. It was known chiefly 

 by the name Herd's grass for several decades in 'New 

 England ; others claim that it was named Timothy from 

 Timothy Hanson of Maryland, who, it is said, and with 

 much probability, introduced it from England about 

 the year 1720; Other authorities state that in that 

 year Timothy Hanson took the seed from ISTew York to 

 the Carolinas and thence to England, but there can be 

 no doubt that it is also indigenous to England. Yet 

 again it has been claimed that the seed was taken from 

 Virginia to England by one Peter Wynch in 1760 or 

 1761. It is quite possible, therefore, and highly prob- 

 able, that the seed was derived from the two sources; 

 that is, from England and America. 



The plants tiller considerably, and when not crowded 

 will each produce several steins. The stems grow up- 

 Grasses — 4. 



