542 



COMMON GRASSES OF THE FARM 



Genus Poa. 

 Panicles spreading ; spikelets compressed, with two to six 

 flowers ; rachilla often with woolly tangled hairs ; empty glumes 

 shorter than the flowering glumes ; flowering glume keeled the 

 whole length, awnless. 



Annual Meadow-Grass {Poa annua L.). — A very common 

 grass on all soils, and especially noticeable when on waste 

 ground. It is annual, and met with in flower during almost 

 every month in the year. Stems about 6 to 1 2 inches long often 

 lying close to the ground. It possesses little agricultural value, 

 although stock eat the early growth with avidity. 



Smooth - stalked Meadow-Grass {Poa fratensis L.). — A 



common perennial grass with well- 

 developed rhizomes and smooth 

 stems above ground from 12 to 15 

 inches high. The ligules of the 

 leaves are short and blunt. It is 

 an excellent bottom grass and 

 especially suited to the lighter and 

 medium soils. This meadow grass 

 commences to grow early in spring, 

 but produces only a moderate 

 aftermath when cut for hay. 



Bough-stalked Meadow-Grass 

 {Poa trivialis L.). — A common 

 perennial much resembling the 

 preceding species. It has, how- 

 ever, no long rhizomes ; the 

 stems are somewhat rough, and 

 its ligules are long and pointed. 

 Its leaves are also narrower than 

 those of smooth-stalked meadow- 

 grass, nevertheless it is one of 

 the best ' bottom ' grasses and is to be preferred before all others 



Fig. 181. — Ay Panicle of Rough-stalked 

 Meadow-Grass (natural size)._ 

 By Spikelet (twice natural size). 



