The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-17
THE EARTH'S CARPET.
Popular Description Of Useful
Grasses Of Washington.
SEEDS THAT FEED THE TROUT.
Busch Grass Grows Almost Up 20 the
SNOW Lins-Ths Poisonous Darnel
Some vile Pests.
SECOND ARTICLE.

lightgreen leaves and . three inches long
psnicle. The spikelets are three or four
lowered, and the giumes pointed and un-
equal It adapts itself to any soil. climate
and treatment, though IL prefers not very
moist, but clayish soil. and can be moved
three or even four times . year. It will
also grow In forests If the underbrush is
cleared of. Sheep prefer this grass to all
others. Its remarkable power OF enduring
drought ought to recommend this grass to
I'll the farmers. IL Is also less exhaustive
70 the soil than timothy, and when sown
thickly 1t forms close and durable turf
The soil Ia the vicinity of Seattle is espe-
cially adapted Tor the growth of the ORCH
ord grass. and on Vancouver island it pro-
duces better pastures than timothy.
The genus po0 Is largely represented in
this state. ROo pyefensis, or Kentucky blue
grass. spear grass. and sometimes also
called june grass. Is used as a pasture grass
and for lawns Its growth depends, how
sver, very much upon the condition OF the
soil. In some states, as, for instance, in
Kentucky. it has met with great success in
cultivation; In some others again st is less
highly esteemed. It starts very early in
the spring, and grows rapidly after being
and bad weather than most of the grasses.
The Kentucky blue grass IL about two feet
high, with numerous soft and long leaves,
and sends many running shoots from the
base. The panicle is from two to four
inches long, and the spikelets are on short
pedicels In the famous blue grass district
Of Kentucky II reaches the height OF three
feet, and then the root throws off numer-
Gus long and creeping rootstocks. forming
thus dense matted TUT. 1t prefers sandy
or graveliy fields, where in short time it
takes complete possession. Besides poa
psrtensis, there grows also in this state poa
serotiMd. or fowl meadow-grass, with culns
three feet high. and with five inches long
leaves. It grows in the Iowlands and in
the mountains. though it prefers rich,
moist soil and wet, swampy places. This
grass thrives best when combined with
other grasses. and adds much to the value
Of sward. II makes more soft and
pliable hay than timothy. Another spe-
cies, po0 tennifotia, Is very common in this.
state. the Indians using its seed for food.
II grows in punches. Pea andina grows in
dry localities. Is about foot and half
tail, and has short. rigid. pointed root
leaves. The empty glumes are large and
broad. Other species growing in WASH
ington are: Poa California;, poa cuspiddta,
poo nevudessis and poa occodentaIis, though
there may be other species to be found.
The fall meadow grass, reed meadow
grass, glyceyia arundin0cco, is found in the
eastern portions Of Washington. Its culm
Il stout, leafy and sometimes two
fest long and the leaves are often
two feet long. The leaves are rough on the
edges and its panicle is sometimes nearly
fifteen inches long. The rattIesnake or
fall quaking grass, glgceriG Cdn0densis, Is
found towards the boundary line, and it is
q very ornamental grass. Glyccria fuitans
or boating mamma grass. is very common
In bitches and muddy places. Its seeds
are very valuable In some countries, and
are considered . great delicacy in soups.
The birds and even fish are also very fond
Of these seeds, and the trout are always
found waiting TO catch every seed that falls
An the water. This grass il about four feet
high, thick and leafy. The nerved meadow
grass, though sometimes wrongly called
fowl meadow grass, 0lyccyid neyvata, is
found In Eastern Washington. 1t Is SINH
lar to the glycerid asundinacca. but It is
smaller, with smaller flowers and lighter
panicle. 1t adapts itself to all kinds OF
soils and possesses very valuable properties
as grass. It can stand q great deal of
frost
OF the genus Jesfuca. the sleeps fescue,
fesfuco ocina, IL found In the eastern coun-
ties, and the bunch grass, .festuea scabrelia,
In all other parts of the state. The first
one Is densely tufted. with numerous short
and narrow leaves. The culms are slender
and little over one foot high, the spike
lets from three to five-f1owered. The Sec
ond one, that is. the bunch grass, is much
taller, and has rigid leaves. 1t can
grow at very high altitude, sometimes to
1000 feet, and 1t is good grass for cattle
and horses, though perhaps too hard for
sheep. 1t grows in strong clumps. and for
this reason Is rather difficult grass to
NOW with machine. Fesfuca oocidentalis
and fssfuoa micyusfachya are also found in
Washington.
The ceus byo,nus, or the bronze grass, is
represented by q few species in this state.
The chess or cheat (byopaus secdlinus) is re-
earded, though wrongly. by some farmers
to be nothing else but degenerated wheat.
1t is, however. not O very good grass. The
spikelets are five TO many Powered. outer
rlumes unequal and shorter than the low
u.
Kaa,.s and bromus hookeirnus are other
species found I'm this state.
The italian rye grass, Lolium parenne, is
introduced from Europe. 1t is tall grass
and very leafy, the culms terminating in
loose. spike-like panicle of about six inches
IN length. The Italian rye grass derives It's
name from the plains of Lombardy. Italy,
where 1t grows in abundance. 1t is es-
htrt. q.
prefers inundated meadows 1t can also
stand great deal OF drought. The poison
darnel, lolium femuteasuns, is found in grain
fields and is worthless as grass, the seeds
enjoying reputation of being poisonous
to stock.
The so-called blue joint OF blue stem.
soyopvrqfm plauc.ims Is very rarely 10 be
met with In this state, though IL is found
here and there in the eastern counties.
This IL very good grass for hay or pas
ture, and IL prefers saline soil. 1t grows
angle. It's culm is erect and rigid. and so
are the leaves. The spike is short, with
large spikelets. The couch grass or qnack
Grass, og,vpysrsm yepeas, is abundant on
the shores OF San Juan de Fuca. Usually
Il forms dense sod and has an abundance
of foliage. It's culm Is three feet high and
its narrow spike OF flowers over five inches
long. II Is not regarded rs good grass,
But there Is diversity OF opinion. The
aq,vpyvum fene,7tm Is found everywhere in
the Columbia valley. especially in moist
meadows. 1t grows In clumps and is q
good grass TOR hay. Another species, dgSo-
pvrHm riolaceum is found in the Cascade
mountains and agyopyyam cd'sinum in the
Columbia valley.