ThK (ikASSKS OF Tl NNKSSKK. 59 



and amon^ hued crops, but in ^rain liclds, after harvestinj^, it fre- 

 quently springs up in such quantity as to yield one, or even two, 

 good cuttings of hay. This spontaneous growth affords excellent 

 pasturage, as well as hay of the first quality if properly cured. 

 Chemical analyses show that crab-grass is richer in albuminoids 

 and carbohydrates than either timothy or orchard-grass, and, 

 assuming timothy hay to be worth $io per ton, crab-grass hay 

 would be worth $11.40. This is based on chemical analyses 

 made here in 1S90. 



Panicum Texanum, Buckl. — Texas Millet, Bottom-grass, Colorado- 

 grass, River-grass, Goose-grass, Buffalo-grass, Austin-grass, 

 An annual grass, common in certain parts of Texas, where it 

 is apparently indigenous, and where, too, it is highly valued for 

 hay, and its cultivation forms a profitable industry. It is a rapid 

 grower, and on rich sandy soils will yield three tons per acre, 

 and in favorable seasons may be cut three times. It is similar 

 in its habits to crab-grass, and ground that has once become 

 seeded with it will yield crops year after year, these springing 

 lip after the removal of the regular crops of corn or grain. It 

 has been grown here at the station successfully, the summer 

 heat and drought having no effect upon it. The stems are 

 branching, leafy, two to four or five feet long (sometimes reach- 

 ing a length of ten feet), and the production of seed, which 

 affords excellent food for poultry, is abundant. 



Panicum virgatum, Linn. — Switch-gaass, Wild Red-top, Black Bent. 

 A tall perennial species, usually growing in clumps three to 

 five feet high. Gattinger records it as occurring in moist, sandy 

 soil along the Cumberland river and on the highlands and bar- 

 rens at Tullahoma. The young plants furnish good grazing for 

 stock, but by the time it blooms the stems become hard, and use- 

 less for fodder. We do not regard it as worthy of cultivation. 



Para-grass. — Panicum molle [P. barhinode.^ 



Paspalum dilatatum, Poir. — Hairy-flowered Paspalum. 



This grass occurs in the Middle and Western part of the 

 State, and where abundant, affords excellent pasturage. It is 

 a perennial, and is particularly valuable as yielding late sum- 

 mer and autumn feed, during which period it makes its princi- 

 pal growth. 



Paspalum distichum, Linn. — Knot-grass, Joint-grass. 



Alow, creeping grass, closely resembling Bermuda-grass in its 

 habit and appearance. It frequents sandy soil along the mar- 

 gins of ponds and river banks, and often does good service in 

 binding the sands liable to wash. It is recommended as a good 

 grass for covering the soils of "sink holes." 



