the flowering glume bears an awn two or three times as long as itself. 
‘Phieum pratense (Herd’s Grass [of New England and New York)). 
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culture, but in its native situations it fills an important place among = 
natural grasses. (Plate 43.) 
Muhlenbergia sylvatica. 
This species has much the appearance and habit of Muhlenbergia Mex- 
icana. The panicle is looser, the spikelets not so densely clustered, and 
It is found in dry, open, or rocky woods and fence corners. In agricult- 
ural value it corresponds to that species. (Plate 44.) 
PHLEUM. 
This is one of the commonest and best-known grasses. For a hay 
crop it is extensively cultivated, especially in the Northern and West- 
ern States. The height of the grass depends on the soil and cultiva- 
tion. In poor ground it may be reduced to 1 foot, while in good soil 
and with good culture it readily attains 3 feet, and occasionally has 
been found twice that height. Itis a perennial grass, with fibrous roots. 
The base of the culm is sometimes thickened and inclined to be bulbous. The culm 
is erect and firm, with four or five leaves, which are erect, and usually 4 to 6 inches 
long. The flower spike is cylindrical and very densely flowered, and varies from 2 to 
6 inches in length. The spikelets are sessile, single-flowered, and cylindrical or ob- 
longin outline. The outer glumes are rather wedge-form, with a mucronate point or 
short bristle. The main nerve on the back is fringed with a few short hairs. 
This grass, as known in cultivation, is supposed to have been intro- 
duced from Europe, but the earliest account that we have of its culture 
is that given by Jared Elliot, who says it was found by a Mr. Timothy 
Herd in a swamp in New Hampshire, and that he began its cultivation. 
As it was found to be a valuable grass, its cultivation soon spread, and 
it was known as Herd’s grass. 
It was not introduced into cultivation in England until some fifty 
years later. I consider it very probable that the specimens found by 
Mr. Herd were of native growth, for it is believed to be native in the 
White Mountains, in the Rocky Mountains, in Alaska, and in Labrador. 
Itisalso a native of Europe. But, however the question of its nativity 
may be settled, the thanks of this country are due to Mr. Herd for the 
introduction into agriculture of one of the most valuable of grasses. It 
is now a favorite meadow grass over a large part of the country, and its 
hay is a staple, and more sought after in the markets than any other . 
kind. - 
Timothy thrives best on moist, loamy soil of medium tenacity, and is - 
not suited to light, sandy, or gravelly soils. Under favorable circum. 
stances and with good treatment it yields very large crops, often four 
tons to the acre. One writer states that he has known whole fields 
in Missouri grow to the height of 5 or 6 feet, the soil, a pulverized 
clay, being particularly suited to this grass. ide also states that he has 
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