LEDER OF TRA NSi ITA: 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
BUREAU OF PLanT INDUSTRY, 
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, 
Washington, D. C., July 15, 1905. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith and to recommend for 
publication as Bulletin No. 84 of the series of this Bureau the accom- 
panying technical paper entitled ‘*‘ The Seeds of the Bluegrasses.” 
This paper was prepared by Mr. Edgar Brown, Botanist in Charge 
of the Seed Laboratory, and Mr. F. H. Hillman, Assistant Botanist, 
Seed Laboratory, and has been submitted with a view to publication. 
The bluegrasses are among the most important forage plants in 
many sections of the United States and Europe, and large quantities 
of seed are harvested annually for use in this country and for expor- 
tation. 
The process of cleaning the seed of the bluegrasses for market is 
such that many of the distinguishing characters are lost, and separate 
descriptions are necessary for the hand-picked and commercial seed of 
the same species. 
The seeds of the different commercial species are so nearly alike in 
general appearance that at present none but the trained observer can 
distinguish between them. ‘This similarity of appearance has encour- 
aged the use of the cheaper and less desirable species, especially 
Canada bluegrass, for the adulteration of or substitution for the more 
expensive species. 
The descriptions and illustrations herewith given of the bluegrasses 
and of their impurities will be of great value in furnishing seedsmen 
the necessary information to enable them to distinguish the different 
species. 
The accompanying illustrations are necessary for a complete under- 
standing of the text. 
Respectfully, B. T. GaLLoway, 
Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. JAMES WILSON, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
