THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 11 



the species now occupying the ground, and a very important aid to the 

 acquisition of this knowledge will be found in the present work, with 

 its descriptions and figures of a large number of the common grasses 

 now prevailing in different parts of the country. A careful study of 

 these and comparison with the living plants will enable an ordinary ob- 

 server to identify the grasses which may come under his observation. 



A chapter is also presented on the structure and characteristics of 

 grasses in general, their various organs and parts, and the technical 

 terms by which they are distinguished. 



Where tbe species of a genus or order of i)lants are so numerous and 

 so closely related as they are in the case of the grasses it is imi^ossible, 

 without an immense repetition of words, to describe accurately the dif- 

 ferences between different kinds by the use of popular language. Any 

 one, therefore, who may wish to obtain an accurate acquaintance with 

 them will find it necessarj^ to learn something of the botanical terms used 

 in describing lolants. We hope, therefore, that the reader will not be dis- 

 mayed by the use of the technical descriptions, but will consult the 

 glossary, where the terms are explained. 



Among the younger readers, and especially, we may hope, among 

 agricultural students, there are many who will be glad to have precise 

 and scientific descriptions, for this is an age of i^rogress, and an age 

 when even the labor of the farm may be enlivened and beautified by 

 mental improvement and by a scientific knowledge of the common ob- 

 jects of life. 



For a close study of the flowers of grasses a small magnifier or lens, 

 single or double, will be needed. One magnifying five to ten diameters 

 will be sufficient, and such a one can generally be purchased at a jewel- 

 er's for a dollar or two. 



Within the limits of the United States there are about six hundred 

 species of grasses, mostly native, a few naturalized from other coun- 

 tries. Many of these species are either too small, too coarse, too sparse,^ 

 or in some other way wanting in the character needed for a good agri- 

 cultural grass. But it is certain that among this great number there 

 are some which will be found suitable for cultivation at least in special 

 districts. We have here selected from all parts of the country about 

 one hundred and twenty species for description and illustration. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON GRASSES. 



The name grass in popular usage is hj no means a definite term, as 

 it is often applied to i)lants which have no botanical relationship. In 

 a popular sense it includes the sedges, rushes, various plants with grass- 

 like leaves, and sometimes such widely different plants as clover. On 

 the other hand, many persons will be surprised on being informed that 

 all the cereals, as wheat, barley, rye, oats, sugar-cane, sorghum, Indian 

 corn, rice, and bamboo are true grasses. In this paper, however, we 

 consider mainly such grasses as are used for pastures, meadows, or fod- 

 der purposes, or which have some importance in that direction. 



