fj4 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The well-known ribbon grass of the garden is a variety of this grass, 

 and will, it is said, easily revert to the normal type. In monntainous 

 regions it may be worth trial for meadows. (Plate 30.) 



Phalaris intermedia. (Southern reed Canary grass, Gilbert's Relief 

 grass, Stewart's Canary grass, California Timothy grass.) 



This species resembles the foreign Canary grass {Plialaris Canarien- 

 sis), which produces the seed commonly sold as food for Canary birds. 

 It is, however, a taller and more robust species, growing 2 to 3 feet 

 high, with a stout, erect culm and broad linear leaves, which are from 

 4 to 10 inches long. The spike is oblong and compact, 1 or 2 inches 

 long. There is a variety called var. angustata, in whicli the spike is 3 or 

 4 inches long. The spikelets are much like those of the preceding spe- 

 cies (P. arundinacea), having one perfect flower and two abortive ones. 

 The outer glumes in P. intermedia are lanceolate and nearly alike and 

 have a narrow wing extending down the keel. The glumes of the fer- 

 tile flower are nearly like those of P. armidinacea already described. 



This species grows in South Carolina and the Gulf States, extending 

 to Texas, then stretching across to the Pacific coast and occurring through 

 California and Oregon. It has frequently been sent to the Department 

 from the Southern States as a valuable winter grass. 



Mr. Thomas W. Beaty, of Conway, S. C, writes as follows : 



The grass I send you was planted last September, and tlie specimens were cut on 

 tlie 9th of March (following). You will notice that it is heading out and is just now 

 in a right condition for mowing. It is wholly a winter grass, dying down in the lat- 

 ter part of April and first of May, and it seems to me should be a great thing for the 

 South if properly introduced and cultivated, or rather the ground properly prepared, 

 and the seed sown at the right time. It would afford the best of green pasturage for 

 sheep and cattle all winter. It is what we call Gilbert's relief grass. 



Many years ago Dr. Lincecum, of Texas, experimented with this grass 

 and recommended it very highly. In California it is called California 

 timothy, and is said to have little or no agricultural value. It is an an- 

 nual or biennial. Professor Phares says : 



The variety angustata is much larger and more valuable. It grows 2 to 3 feet 

 high, and in swamps 5 feet, wdth mauy leaves 4 to 10 inches long, the spike some- 

 what resambling the head of timothy ; stock like it well, especially as hay. Mr. D. 

 Stewart, of Louisiana, having tested other grasses, prefers this for quantity and quality 

 for winter and spring grazing, and for soiling for milk cows. There is much testimony 

 fi-om many parts of the South of the same import, and this grass is doubtless worthy 

 of extended, careful testing. 



(Plate 31.) 

 Anthoxanthum odoratum. (Sweet vernal grass.) 



A perennial grass, native of Europe, much emi^loyed as a part of 

 mixed lawn grasses, and also frequently found in meadows. It grows 

 thinly on the ground, with slender culms, seldom more than 1 foot to 

 18 inches in height, and scanty in foliage. The panicle is 2 to 3 inches 

 long, narrow and close, but expands considerably during flowering time. 



