THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



143 



and are eaten greedily not only from necessity at times but also 

 for the very desirable variety that is thus added to the rations 

 of our stock. In some swales and marshes where hay can be 

 cut in the drier years, they outbulk the grasses ten to one, and 

 the hay passes uncjuestioned in the market with no detriment to 

 either horses or cattle. 



After studying the sedges for twenty-five years, I can say 

 that while they are undoubtedly as difficult as any of the flower- 

 ing plants there are none that give greater pleasure to the 

 earnest student of systematic botany, for it is the difficult things 

 in life that call out our resources and develop our powers. Yet 

 I observe that few college or university students have shown an 

 interest in them, and fear it is because the sedges bear a bad 

 reputation. I imagine also that this is partly because the col- 

 lector finds that he can do little with them in bloom beyond 

 settling the genus, and he does not always have the opportunity 

 to follow up the same set of plants into fruiting time and so 

 complete his work. 



As I wish to increase the number of sedge students, es- 

 pecially among high school teachers, I venture to insert some 

 practical suggestions that will facilitate the work. Collect only 

 when in fairly mature fruit, one or two months after blooming. 

 If over-ripe, save achenes in packets labelled exactly as is the 

 plant. If scales are dropping, include them in good quantity 

 with the achenes. Use Gray's seventh edition Manual because 

 it has the most scientific and practical keys that have so far been 

 given tO' American students. It is a delight to use them. Pro- 

 ceed slowly; exercise great patience with your own success for 

 a time. If you get a name from one whom you trust, go 

 through all the steps as if you knew nothing about the name 

 and prove him right or wrong as the case may be. — /. M. 

 Bates ill ''Sedges of Nebraska:' 



