53 
structure of the flowers is similar to that of common oats, but different in several 
particulars. The spikelet consists of two flowers, the lower of which is staminate 
only, the upper one both staminate and pistillate; the outer glumes are thin and 
transparent, the upper ones about 4 lines long and three-nerved, the lower one nearly 
3 lines long and one-nerved. The flowering glume is about 4 lines long, green, 
strongly seven-nerved, lanceolate, acute, hairy at base, roughish, and in the lower 
flower gives rise on the back below the middle to a long, twisted, and bent awn; in 
the upper flower the glume is merely bristle-pointed near the apex. The paletis thin 
and transparent, linear and two-toothed. 
This grass is much valued on the continent of Europe. The herbage 
is very productive and its growth rapid. When growing with other 
erasses, cattle and sheep eat it very well, but do not like to be confined 
to it exclusively. It is a perennial grass of strong, vigorous growth, in- 
troduced from Europe and sparingly cultivated. 
- Protessor Phares, of Mississippi, says: 
It is widely naturalized and well adapted to a great variety of soils. On sandy or 
gravelly soils it succeeds admirably, growing 2 to3 feet high. On rich, dry upland it 
grows from 5 to7 feet high. It has an abundance of perennial, long, fibrous roots 
penetrating deeply in the soil, being therefore less affected by drought or cold, and 
enabled to yield a large quantity of foliage, winter and summer. These advantages 
render it one of the very best grasses for the South, both for grazing, being evergreen, 
and for hay, admitting of being cut twice a year. It is probably the best winter 
grass that can be obtained. It will make twice as much hay as Timothy. To make 
good hay it must be cut as soon as it blooms, and after it is eut must not be wet by dew 
or rain, which damages it greatly in quality and appearance. For green soiling it may 
be cut four or five times, with favorable seasons. In from six to ten days after bloom- 
ing the seeds begin to ripen and fall, the upper ones first. It is therefore a little 
troublesome to save the_seed. As soon as those at the top of the panicle ripen suffi- 
ciently to begin to drop, the panicle should be cut off and dried, when the seeds will 
all thrash out readily and be matured. 
After the seeds are ripe and taken off, the long, abundant leaves and stems are still ~ 
green, and being mowed make good hay. It may be sown in March or April and 
mowed the same season; but for heavier yieid it is better to sow in September or Octo- 
ber. Not less than 2 bushels (14 pounds) per acre should be sown. ‘The average an- 
nual nutriment yielded by this grass in the Southern belt is probably twice as great 
as in Pennslyvania and other Northern States. 
A. P. Rowe, Fredericksburgh, Va. : 
Tall oat grass has been seeded here and does,well. It eomes in with orchard 
grass for hay, and the two might be seeded together with the best results. 
T. W. Wood & Sons, Richmond, Va.: 
It is cultivated very generally for pasture and hay; and is the best grass we know 
for thin soils. It is hardy, stands drought moderately well, is easily subdued, and 
lasts five or six years. 
Dr. W.J. Beal, Agricultural College, Michigan : 
It is cultivated in a few places in the State, proving perfectly hardy, and doing best 
on deep, porous soils where it stands drought very well, yieldiag perhaps 3 tons 
per acre. It makes good pasture, and lasts a long time. 
J.J. Dotson, Cedarton, Tex. 
itis very fair for early spring pastures, and to cut for green feed when it first heads, 
in March, but it is not liked as hay. It is too light and the seeds fall off too easily. 
I have never known it cultivated. Thrives only on low bottom-land. 
(Plate 58.) 
