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the plants growing thereon be studied, it will be found that many 
species of plants are crowding each other, and that through a kind of 
natural selection the plants are so arranged that the various areas of 
the soil are nearly equally filled with the various roots. ‘To define the 
areas of soil occupied by the roots of the various species must receive 
the attention of observers before the proper mixture of grass seed for 
varied uses can be recommended. With this explanation we offer the 
following notes, using the names under which the grass seed was 
obtained. | 
Agrostis canina.— Brown Bent or Dogs Bent grass. Planted April 
10, 1882. In bloom June 28, 1883 ; seeds ripe July 31. It seems to 
have no especial agricultural value. 
Agrostis vulgaris—— Redtop. Planted April 10, 1882. In bloom 
June 29, 1883 ; seeds ripe July 31. Thisisa very valuable grass, much 
grown in the Hastern States, but has not done well upon our plats. 
Aira caespitosa.— Planted April 18, 1883. Vegetated May 19. Does 
not offer promise of being of agricultural value. 
Alopecurus pratensis.— Meadow Foxtail. Planted April 10, 1882, 
vegetated in twenty-two days, and was in bloom July 7.. It grew with 
but moderate vigor. It survived the winter well, and gave the earliest 
growth of any of our grasses in 1883, on April 18, being ahead of the 
other varieties, and on May 4, a few bunches coming to head, but in 
bloom only on June 11. Seeds ripe June 29. Although tall and 
_ moderately leafy, it yet seems light in proportion to its bulk, It would 
seem to be a valuable grass for early pasture, while its aftermath being 
superior to its spring growth, recommends it still more highly. 
Anthoxanthum Puelii.— Planted April 18; 1883. Vegetated May 
11, in bloom July 20. A small grass resembling A. odoratum, and may 
~ perhaps find place in lawn mixtures, as it is of vigorous growth. 
Avena elatior.— 'Tall Meadow Oat Grass. Sown April 10, 1882, in 
drills, vegetated in twenty-four days, headed June 28, and bloomed a 
- few days later. ‘The first year a rather coarse grass with scant foliage. 
After being cut the aftermath superior to the first growth. Survived 
-the winter, and started medium early this spring. Its adaptations seem 
rather for use in pasture mixtures than as a cultivated grass. 
Avena flavescens.— Yellow oat grass. Planted April 12, 1882, vege- 
tated May 10, in bloom July 20. As planted in drills 7+ offers little 
promise of value. 
Bromus Schraderii.— Rescue Grass. Planted April 10, 1882, in 
drills, vegetated May 3, headed June 28, and seeds ripe July 29, when 
the seeds were gathered and the plant cut down to the ground August -~ 
20; a second growth, larger than the first of many other grasses. On 
September 4, headed for the second time, and the seeds ripened before 
winter. A coarse, vigorous grass, not prepossessing in appearance as — 
compared with other grasses, but furnishing considerable fodder. It 
is an annual. In 1883 the plant was found re-seeded from the drop- 
pings of the late seeds, but the growth this year has been slow. ° It 
seems to possess but little usefulness in the presence of our better vari- 
eties of grasses. This year in head June 21, and seed ripe July 31. 
Cynosurus cristatus.— Orested Dog’s Tail. Planted April 18, 1883 ; 
vegetated May 17. 
Dactylis glomerata,— Orchard Grass. This was sown April 10, 1882, 
and vegetated in twenty-two days. It grew vigorously and well 

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