18 THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 



sheath. Spike cylindrical, obtuse, and of a yellowish green color ; 

 glumes acute, somewhat hairy ; flowering glume about the same 

 length as the outer glumes, with an awn about twice the length of 

 the flower, arising from below the middle of the back. 



This species was introduced from Europe and flowers in June 

 and July. 



This grass is rarely cultivated in this State, and perhaps for field 

 culture will never prove as desirable as some other species, for the 

 reason that it seldom grows more than two feet high and would not 

 yield more than a ton to the acre, and also that it flowers so early 

 that other grasses growing with it would not be ready to cut when 

 this is in the best condition for hay. There is little doubt, however, 

 that it is one of our best grasses for pastures because it endures the 

 cropping of cattle and sheep remarkably well, and also yields a 

 good second crop. It does not thrive well on dry, sandy soils, but 

 is best adapted to moist, rich lands, and requires three or four years 

 to become established and reach full perfection. In PLngland it is 

 regarded one of the most valuable pasture grasses, both on account 

 of the earliness and abundance of its leafy produce, as well as 

 from the rapid reproduction of the same when continuously eaten or 

 cut down, and the avidity with which it is eaten by all herbivorous 

 animals. 



A chemical analysis of this grass made at the Department of Ag- 

 riculture in Washington gave the following percentages: ash 7.75, 

 fat 3.36, nitrogen-free extract 54.30, crude fibre 23.78, albumi- 

 noids 10.81. This analysis was made from grass grown in Wash- 

 ington and cut when it was in bloom. 



3. Alopecurus geniculatus, Linneus. 

 Al-o-pe-cu' -rus gen-i-cu-la'-tus. 



Common Names. Floating Foxtail, Water Foxtail Grass. 



Perennial. Stems from twelve to eighteen inches high, ascend- 

 ing, bent at the lower joints ; leaves smooth and flat, the upper one 

 as long as its sheath. Spike slender ; glumes obtuse, flowering 

 glumes rather shorter than the outer glumes, awn extending half its 

 length outside of the flower. 



This species, which does not appear to be very common in this 

 State, is found along the margins of pools and in wet places, often 

 standing in the water, and flowers in June. Flint, in his Grasses 



