220 



UNITE© STATES. 



westward. Large quantities of hay are made from 

 this gr iss on farms, where ten or fifteen years ago it 

 was unknown. It grows alike on upland or low 

 marsh, but thrives best on land that is overflowed 

 once a year at least, with salt water. It appears 

 early, and yields two tons of hay to the acre. No 

 ploughing or harrowing, or other preparation of the 

 land is necessary, as the seeds only require to be 

 sprinkled over the soil in the Autumn, or early in 

 March. For the following botanical description of 

 this grass we are indebted to Dr. Cutler of Mas- 

 sachusetts. 



Juncus bulbosus^ black grass. Roots enlarged 

 at the base of the culm ; creeping. Culms thread- 

 shaped ; somewhat compressed ; longer than the 

 leaves ; from three to twelve inches high. Leaves 

 linear and channelled ; striated, smooth. Points of 

 the leaves generally dead at the time of flowering. 

 CafiHules obtuse, ovate, brownish and glossy ; three 

 cells, many seeds.* 



The fowl vieadow grass of New England, is also 

 in great estimation. Fhe story respecting its intro- 

 duction, according to Mr. Meigs, is, that it first ap- 

 peared on the river Agawan, which unites with the 

 east branch of Connecticut, near Springfield, on the 

 spot where an uncommon ])ird had perished ; but 

 this account h:^s n 4 been authenticated, and until we 

 know the botanical characters r>f the plant, the truth 

 respecting it cannot be ascertained. It is probable, 

 howev^er, chat it is the herd gv?iss or agrostis stricta* 

 " It abounds on Neponsit river, between Dedham 



* Med. Repos. HeXade 2. vol, 2. 



