326 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



opposite of what usually follows such applications on 

 inferior grasses where these may happen to be growing. 



Securing Seed. — Velvet grass seeds freely and is 

 therefore quite productive of seed. Several bushels 

 are obtained from an acre. The seed is light, weigh- 

 ing not more than 6 to 7 pounds per bushel, under the 

 methods of cleaning that have prevailed. The demand 

 for the seed is not brisk, consequently not much atten- 

 tion is given to the production of the same. The crop 

 may be harvested much in the same way as meadow 

 fescue. (See p. 204.) 



Renewing. — Velvet grass will renew itself, if some 

 of the plants are allowed to go to seed in the pastures. 

 This would mean of course, that grazing should not be 

 close when such a result is desired. Velvet grass pas- 

 tures may be thus maintained for many years. 



AUSTRALIAN SALTBUSH. 



The Saltbush is essentially a product of the semi- 

 arid country, although it will grow even more readily 

 under favorable conditions. It is of several species. 

 The variety which seems to meet with most favor in 

 this country is that known as the Australian (Atriplex 

 Semmihaccata). It is so named, doubtless, from the 

 fact that it was introduced from Australia. 



In its essential characteristics and habits of growth 

 it is more like a bush or shrub than like a grass. The 

 plants are spreading and drooping rather than erect. 

 Stems rise up numerously from the crown of the plants. 

 They are slender and covered with many branchlets, 

 and these in turn are thickly covered with long rather 



