THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill 



In some localities this is common in low meadows, and is cut with 

 ■other native grasses for hay. If left until maturity it becomes too 

 coarse to he of much value. In some portions of the Southern States 

 1:his grass is known as Terrell grass from having been prominently 

 brought to notice by Dr. Terrell, of Sparta, Ga. Mr. G. W. Howard 

 writes concerning it, as follows: 



This grass will live on thin laud, but the soil, to make it valuable, must be rich — 

 the richer the better. It lasts for years. I have kuowu it to occupy aucl flourish on 

 the same fi-pot for tweuty years. Horses, sheep, and cattle are very fond of it during 

 the winter and spring ; hogs reject it. Orchard, blue, or meadow-oat grass are either 

 of them preferable to it where they thrive. Whatever doubt there may be of their 

 thriving in a given locality, there can be no doubt of the thrift of the Terrell grass in 

 .any part of the South, however hot it may be, if the soil be made rich. The i>lanter 

 living in the flat and somewhat sandy portions of the South who says he cannot get 

 a good winter pasture, has certainly never tried the Terrell grass on rich land. 



(Plate 117.) 



Elymus YiRGiNicus. (Wild Eye grass. Smooth Eye grass, Terrell 



grass.) 



A coarse perennial grass, growing on alluvial river banks or in rich 

 low grounds. The culm is rather stout, 2 to 3 feet high, leafy ; the lower 

 leaves are 10 to 15 inches long, broad and rough. The sheath of the 

 *upper leaf usually incloses the stock, and sometimes the base of the 

 .flower spike. This spike is erect, dense, and rigid, 2 to 4 or 5 inches long 

 and one-half inch thick. The spikelets are two or three together at each 

 joint, all alike and fertile, sessile, two to tive flowered, and each with 

 a pair of empty glumes. These glumes are very thick and coarse^ 

 ■Strongly nerved, lanceolate, and bristle-pointed, about 1 inch long. The 

 flowering glumes are of firm texture, lance-oblong, five-nerved, hair^^ 

 on back, and terminating in a stifl', straight awn, half an inch to nearly 

 an inch long. The lowest one in the spikelet having the longest awn, 

 the others gradually shorter. The palet is oblong, obtuse, and as long 

 .as the flowering glume, excluding the awn. 



This grass frequently forms a considerable portion of native meadow 

 lands and makes a coarse hay. It starts growth early in the spring, 

 .and thus aflbrds a good pasturage. Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, 

 says it is very valuable and ought to be tried in cultivation. 



Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says : 



This perennial grass is a native of the Southern States. As all farm stock except 

 .hogs are fond of it, and it is green through the winter and spring, it has been de- 

 stroyed when grazing animals have access to it at all times. It is, however, found 

 An many of our States along the banks of wooded streams, of ditches, and in fence- 

 corners among briers and thick-ets. It will grow on thin clay, gravelly, or sandy soil, 

 but much better'on rich lands, dry or rather moist, and will thrive ten, tweuty, or 

 »more years on the same land. 



.(Plate 118.,) 



