poLrpOGON. 143 



extiipatp, when once in possession of tenacious 

 clays. 



This plant does not produce stolones or runners, 

 like the varieties of the Agrostis Stolonifera ; some- 

 times, indeed,' a few slender runners are found, but 

 they seldom strike out at the joints. The creeping 

 roots abundantly supply this defect in the plant for 

 its propagation, as they creep under the surface, and 

 send up at intervals numerous young shoots. This 

 property of the roots is the best character of distinc- 

 tion for the purpose of the agriculturist, as it may 

 be found at any season or stage of growth of the 

 plant. Flowers early in August, and seeds are ripe 

 in beginning of September. 



7. A. Stolonifera (Creeping Bent Grass or Florin). 

 See page 67. 



8. A. DisPAR (The Southern' Bent) This is a use- 

 ful grass. It is similar in appearance to some of the 

 broad-leaved varieties of red top. It has stronger 

 and more numerous creeping roots, broader leaves, 

 and more upright leafy stems. It is met with in the 

 Southern States, but is not cultivated in the Northern 

 States that I am aware of. When once rooted it is 

 almost as bad as Triticum Repens to extirpate. It 

 has been tried and discarded in England. 



9. POLYPOGON— Desfontains. Beard Grass. 



GEHTERIC CHARACTER. 



Spikelets 1-flowered, in a contracted, mostly spike- 

 like panicle ; glumes nearly equal-, long-awned, mueh 



