TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

 

EXFERI   ~<NT STATlONl

* E3IJIQI4ED1PIIQIIbIc» E3,

OCTOBER,1888.

GRASSES.

Agricultural and Mechanical College.

COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS CO”

TEXAS.

BY QRDER OF THE Couwcu:
F. A. GULLEY, DIRECTOR.

HOUSTON!
y].  PAsroRxzA, firarloman AND PRINTEFQ

1888.

OFFICERS.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A. & M. COLLEGE.

C. C. Garrett, Esq., President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .Brenham

Hon. L. L. Foster, State Commissioner Agriculture . . . . . . . .Austin

W. R. Cavitt, Esq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bryan

Geo. M. Dilley, Esq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Palestine

Maj. A. J. Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Salado

Prof. L. L. McInnis, Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jollege Station

EXPERIMENT STATION COUNCIL.

L. L. McInnis . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chairman of Faculty
T. M. Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agent of the Board
F. A. Gulley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Director of the Station

STATION STAFF.

F. A. Gulley, M. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Director

G. W. Curtis, M. A. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agriculturist

H. H. Harrington, M. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chemist

T. L. Brunk, B. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Horticulturist

J. H. Kinealy, D. E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Meteorologist

M. Francis, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterinarian

W. Wipprecht, B. S. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant Chemist

J. H. Carson . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant to Director

D. Adriance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant to Chemist

J. F. Duggar, M. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant to Agriculturist

J. F. McKay, B. S . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .Assistant to Horticulturist

Grasses and Other Forage Plants.

OCTOBER 10, 188s.

T. L. BRUNK, HORTICULTURIST.

The forage question in Texas is one 0f the greatest importance.
The millions of cattle and horses roaming over her vast prairies
generally indicate that if they were more properly fed by nutritious
plants that the stock-raiser would be more generously remunerated,
and the markets would be filled with a better grade of stock.
With this vast interest in view, it was thought that the Station
here could undertake no problem more practical than that of test-
ing forage plants. The plots were laid out on a piece of ground
having an even soil of a dark sandy loam about a foot underlaid
with a stifi blue clay formation. All, except the first two men-
tioned below, were raised from the seed, which was sown in rows
one foot apart. This season has been one very favorable to forage
growth on account of the unusual rainfall and humidity of the air.
The summer drouth was shorter than for several years past, and it
may be that the estimates of this season’s growth could not be
wholly relied on for other less favorable seasons. The first thirty-
nine were sown March 8, and the rest on March 13. No shade
plant was mixed or sown with any of the tests, neither were any of
them mixed. To make this bulletin of more general value, it was
thought best to add a few observations and quote some of the ex-
periences of others in different parts of the State, so far as we have.
been able to learn, on those grasses that appear to have such value
as to come into more extended cultivation.

1. Paspalum dilitatum. Roots of this and the next species
were received from C. N. Eley, Smith Point, Tex. The sets started
rather slowley, but by the middle of May the growth covered the
whole plot. By July 18 some of the stems measured five feet in

. length. Each plant stooled out heavily, as many as thirty-

two stems from a single set. It stood the drouth admirably and
grew some all summer long. If cut about the 10th of June for
hay it will make considerable and very good fall pasture. It is a

4 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

perennial, and according to H. \V. Johnson, of Dodge, Walker
county, it spreads rapidly and is relished by all kinds of stock.

S. B. Wallis, living near Galveston, says: “I consider this the
most valuable of all grasses With which I am acquainted; it is a
perennial, and grows here all the year round, furnishing excellent
green feed for stock at all seasons, except that the green blades
freeze in our very coldest weather. The grass has very strong
roots and grows in the longest drouth almost as fast as when it
rains.” _

C. N. Eley, Smith Point, says: “It is easily subdued by culti-
vation, and is not inclined to encroach on cultivated lands. It is
best propagated by roots or sets, the seed not being reliable.”
Two-thirds of the seed on our plot was worthless. This point con-
cerning the seed we would like to test further, if those interested
will send us the seed from difierent parts of the State. This grass,
with many others, is figured in Bulletin 3, of the Botanical
Division of the Department of Agriculture, which can be had by
writing to Dr. Geo. Vasey, Washington, D. C. This grass will do
better on loams than on sandy soils, as the roots do not run deep
enough to stand grazing on sandy soils. It is said by some that
even Bermuda will not run it out.

2. Paspalum plati-cauli (Louisiana Grass). This grass is much
smaller than its preceding near relative, never over a foot tall and
having very slender, slightly flattened, stems, with spikes of
flowers much like Crab grass (Panicunz sanguinale) and Bermuda
(Cynoolon dactylon) . It spreads out into a loose mat upon the
surface, rooting at every joint. It withstood the six weeks’
drouth of this summer perfectly, and covered the whole plot with a
tenacious mat of short tender leaves. It is too short for ahay
grass, but believe it to be a splendid pasture grass, especially on
sandy soils, as it could not be esily torn from the soil by cattle.
It seeded well on the plot. Dr. Geo. Vasey says: “The fact of its
being a perennial, and seeding freely, of its doing better than many
other grasses on poor soil, forming a compact tuft to the exclusion
of other plants, and of its being easily killed by cultivation will
doubtless recommend it for more extended growth.” I am inclined
to think that if this grass was mixed with PaspaZ/ztm dilitatum on
good loamy uplands it would make splendid hay and pasture lands
that would give forage the year around.

C. N. Eley, of Smith Point, states: “It will stand more tramp-
ing and grazing than any other grass in this part of the State. As
a drouth-resisting grass, it has no equal here, and on dry sandy or

EXPERIMENT STATION. 5

loamy soils its limits 0f usefulness will only be determined by its
ability to stand severe cold.”

Wm. F. Gill, of Kerr county, reports it growing in a valley,
forming the best sodded piece of land he knows of and undoubtedly
the worst tramped. He also reports it growing in patches in the
Guadaloupe and Medina valleys, and thinks, with attention, would
prove as valuable in that dry country as Bermuda does elsewhere.
This and the above species I would quite freely recommend for a
thorough trial in most any part of this State, and on most any, ex-
cept gravelly, soils.. _

3. Flestuca durinscztla (Hard Fescue). Very light growth, of
only about three inches. Shows no signs of being valuable. It is
a perennial, but the drouth here killed it.

4. Iflestuca elatior (Fall Fescue). This grass grew eight or
ten inches high and became strongly rooted, but nearly all died out
during the drouth.

5. Flestuca heterophylla (Various-leaved Fescue). Germinat ed
poorly, and what did appear died.

6. Fkstuca ovina (Sheep Fescue). None on plot July 18.

7 . Flestuca tevnnfiolia (Slender Fescue). But few plants. All
dead. l

8. I/bstuca pratensis (Meadow Fescue or English Blue Grass).
Became well rooted, but did not survive the hot sun and drouth.

9. Poa aquatica. The few that started all dead.

10. Poa memoralis. A few scattering bunches; very poor.
Dead at this writing, October 10. .

11. Poa pratensis (Kentucky Blue Grass). Made a good fair
start and a medium growth, but nearly all dead at this date.

12. Poa serotina (False Red-top). July 18 there were several
bunches, and in bloom, about a foot high, but the growth was
weak. It has since all died.

13. Poa trivialis (Rough-stalked Meadow Grass). A peren-
nial. There were several small weak bunches, about five inches
high, but is nearly all dead.

14. Agrostis canina (R. I. Bent Grass). It made a good fair
growth, but promises no value. Used for lawns in many places
farther north. Very little living at this date.

15. Agrostis vulgaris, var. Stoloizvgfera (Bent Grass). Of no
value here. It is said to be one of the best grasses for marshes.

16. Agrostis vulgaris (Red-top). Made an excellent growth,
but now there is but little living. Not promising. It may do well
in some places in Texas, especially in moist botbQms.  

6 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

17. Bromus mollis. This is one of the “chesses” or “cheats”
so troublesome in many places to wheat-growers. Did not
germinate.

18. Bromus unioloides (Rescue Grass). This is an annual that
should have been sown in the fall. It gives the most forage 1n
February and March of any grass that we have tried here. The
growth of this grass here on the College grounds last winter and
spring was heavy, and would make in April about two tons per
acre of good hay. I noticed, however, that it did much better
in protected places. It is very leafy and tender, and all kinds of
stock eat it freely, but it may be due to the absence of other green
feed at the season of the year it thrives best. It has been said by
good authority that grasses which grow largely during the winter
have but a small amount of nutrition during the cold season and that
animals do not thrive well on such grasses alone, even if they have
access to all they can eat. Some careful analysis may substantiate
this opinion. In the plot planted this spring it made a small
growth and was dying out when examined July 18. It seeds
abundantly, but in drouthy falls does not germinate till very late.
It cannot be relied on to produce regular crops where the cool sea-
sonhas irregular quantities of rain. It is recommended by some
to be valuable for fall colts, calves, lambs and milch cows. It
may be well for every farmer to have an acre or more of this
grass for these purposes. Sow thirty pounds of seed to the acre.
Cut in April, when in bloom, for hay.

20. Anthomcmthum odoratum (Perennial Sweet Vernal Grass).
This is an early spring and late fall grass, and is best sown in the
fall. It made, however, a growth of about six inches in the plot.

_ Rather shallow rooted. None living at this date, October 10.

21. Anthowanthum Puelii (Annual Sweet Vernal). Much
smaller than the preceding species. It made a fair growth, but is
not promising.

22. Aim caespitosa (Hassock or Bunch Hair Grass). None.

23. Airaflewuosa (Wood Hair Grass). None.

24. Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Fox-tail). A perennial
which does best in bottoms. On the plot it made a good growth of
about eighteen inches, but is now all dead. i

25. Alopecurus agrestis (Slender Fox-tail). It made a fair
start, but did not survive the summer heat.

26. Algropyrum repens (Couch or Quack Grass). The scatter-
ing growth was just fair. Some yet living. Not very promising.

27. Sorghum halipense (Johnson Grass). Growth of six feet

EXPERIMENT STATION. ' 7

from seed by July. A valuable grass to the South in the proper
place. For a permanent meadow, well fertilized every year, it
probably has no equal. It should never be put on farms of rotated
crops, on account of the difliculty in eradicating it and because
there are other grasses that will serve nearly the same purposes,
and at the same time can be easily controlled.

28. Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda Grass). It came on slowly
from seed, but by July covered the whole plot with a ‘thick matting
of creeping stems. It is a standard grass in the South for both
pastures and lawns. It does not seedwell in the United States,
but is easily propagated by cuttings of the roots, or rather rooted
stems.

29. Dactylis glomemta (Orchard Grass). This grass made a
strong growth and became well rooted. Nearly all yet living. I
doubt, however, that it would stand a long drouth like that of
1886-87. In moist bottom lands, or perhaps on some of the black-
waxy lands, it will probably do well. It is said by some to make
excellent winter grazing in many parts of the South.

30. Clynosurus eristatus (Crested Dog’s-tail Grass). Came up
rather scattering. Made a fair growth, but nearly all dead now.
It is said to do well on dry sandy calcareous uplands, but from our
test it does not promise to be of any value to this climate.

31. Phleum pretense (Timothy), This is the universal hay
grass of the North. It made about as heavy a growth as the
average first season growth in the North, but is now nearly all
dead. It does not promise here to be of much value.

32. Phalaris runflinaeea (Red Canary Grass). This peren-
nial grass made a foot and a half of thrifty growth, and is all liv-
ing at present. It stooled freely andshaded the whole plot. It
has strong creeping root stocks similar to quack grass (Agropyruan
repens). It is a native grass of the South, and is said to be
especially adapted to reclaiming marshy lands, where it flourishes
best. It is rather rough and gets woody with age. Dr. Phares, of
Mississippi, says that it should be cut before it is in bloom; that it
can be cut two or three times during a summer, and that it should
not be allowed to fruit or bloom because it is subject to the fimgus
disease known as ergot, which is very fatal to cattle eating it. It
is thought by some to be a good ensilage crop. It can be propa-
gated by either roots or seed, the latter at the rate of twenty-five
pounds to the acre. It has not seeded yet on the plot. There are
so many better grasses for uplands that I would I101; 16001111116115- i1}
for cultivation in quantity.

8 I TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

33. Holcus Zanatus (Meadow Soft Grass, 0r European Velvet
Grass. It has been called Texas Velvet Mesquit Grass). It ap-
peared scatteringly over the plot. All dead at this date. It does
not promise to be 0f any value in this section. Dr. Phares, of
Mississippi, says that this grass has made larger growths in many
of the Southern States than in the Eastern States or in England;
that it is not preferred by cattle, and is by no means the best of our
grasses; that it is best sown in the fall.

34. Setaria Germanica (Hungarian Grass; German Mil-
let or Bengal Grass). It made a good, fair growth, such that
would produce about one and a half tons to the acre. But I would
not recommend this millet, as the Italian millet (Setaria Iialica)
grows larger, produces more to the acre, and has a much larger
fruiting head. Several acres of the Italian millet was raised here
on the farm and produced heavily. In one field it was mixed with
cow-peas and cut together as a hay crop.

35. Ammophila arzmdinacea (Beach Grass, Sand Grass.
(Ualamagrostisa renaria of old books). Failure. Said to be a
most useful grass to resist the assaults of the ocean waves in bind-
ing together the loose sands of the beach. Of no agricultural
value here.

36. Arrhenatherunz avenaceum, Beam); Avena elatior, L.
(Tall Oat Grass). Scattering; not promising any value. Grew
about two and a half feet high. Said to be a hardy perennial that
stands the severest solar heat and drouth. Some still living.

37 . Avenaflavescezas (Yellow Oat Grass). Seattering growth;
some yet living. A perennial native of France. Some regard it a
most excellent pasture grass. Not worthy of attention here.

38. Lolium Italicum (Italian Rye Grass). This grass made a
good appearance during its growth. It is said to be an annual,
which is said by Dr. Phares to reseed itself well. It grew about
sixteen inches high and covered the plot. In bloom July 10. It
is said to do better if sown in_ the fall, and to do well in most
Southern States. Dr. Vasey calls it Lolium perenne, var. llalicum,
thus indicating—and he also states so—that it is a perennial. “It

‘occupies the same place in Great Britain that Timothy does with

us,” says an intelligent writer, “and is there esteemed on" the whole
higher than any other species of grass. It is mainly adapted to
irrigated meadows, and in these it is undoubtedly superior toimy
other grass of Lombardy, Italy.” Those prepared to irrigate may
find this grass of much value.

39. Lolium Perenne (English Rye Grass). A perennial that

EXPERIMENT STATION. 9

made a thick heavy growth of leaves, but died before blooming.
It was less thrifty than the preceeding.

On March 13, the following were sown:

40. Tréfolium hybridum (Alsika Clover). Made an excellent
growth. By September 3, after a drouth of about six weeks, about
one-third of the plants were dead. Now, October 10, all dead.

41. Zhzfolium incarnatum (Crimson Clover). Made a good
heavy growth. Firmly rooted, but by September 3 was all dead.

42. Trifolium pratense (Large Red or Pea-vine Clover). Stems
over two feet in length and numerous; covered the ground. On
September 3 two-thirds dead. October 10, very few living.

I could not recommend any of these foregoing clovers to farmers
from results of growth here.

43. Trfiolium repens (Common White Clover). Made a very
good growth and nearly covered all the space between rows, but
all dead at this date. I have found it growing spontaneously in
some parts of the state.

44. Medicago lupulirza (Yellow Trefoil or Black Medick).
Medium growth; deeply rooted; all dead at this writing. “It is a
biennial or perennial,” says Dr. Beal, “and in habit much resembles
white clover.” Dr. Phares says: “It is of too little value to require
special notice.”

45. Onobrg/chis sativa (Sainfoin). _But few plants on the plot.
Very long top root, but light amount of foliage. It is said to pro-
duce but little foliage the first year, but improves in quantity with
age. It is raised in France mostly for sheep, and is said to do best
if mixed with some grass. On a large plot on a piece of land here
that remained very wet this spring it germinated fairly well, but
was soon choked down by grass and weeds. It will need further
testing before a definite opinion can be offered.

46. Pennisetum spicata, Syn. Penicillaria spicata (Pearl, Cat-
tail or Egyptian Millet). Made a growth of eight feet. In
bloom July 5. It tillers freely and produces an immense amount
of forage and seed, which is said to be more than any other grass,
except Teosinte (Euchlaena Zuwurians). If cut a number of times
during a season it will aggregate a total length of twenty to thirty
feet of growth. It is best, according to Dr. Phares, not to plant it
too thick, as it produces so much foliage that it would cover the
ground too thick to dry well, and besides would thus injure the
stubble so as to check it too much for the following years’ growth.
It may be planted in the spring, as soon as the ground is

10 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

sufficiently warm enough to bring it up promptly, in drills two feet
apart or the same as drilled corn. One peck of seed to the acre in
drills or two pecks broadcast. Prof. Gulley is of the opinion that
it is not of the value that has been credited to the plant. We
would like to hear from those in the State that have tried it.

47. Ewchlaena euxurians-ufiyzz. Reana lumurians (Teosinte
or Guatemala Grass). According to Peter Henderson this is a
perennial, but had better be treated as an annual, as it feeds too
heavily on the soil to raise it successively and profitably on the
same ground. It made a heavy, luxurient growth of over nine
feet; looks much like corn. It can be cut several times a year
with profit. Stools out freely, making from ten to thirty stocks from
a single plant, and is undoubtedly one of the most prolific and
drouth-proof forage plants that is grown. The chief draw back in
its culture is that it takes a long tropical season to produce mature
seed. So far it has ripened seed only in Southern Florida within
the United States, so far as the writer can learn. It may be that
this obstacle can be removed by developing early flowering kinds
by a series of selections. J. C. Elston, Johnston county, in Farm
and Ranch of June 1, 1888, Writes that there is nothing that stock
likes better, and that it is a fine forage plant. I should not hesi-
tate to advise every progressive farmer to try a small plot of this
valuable grass to test its qualities.‘ Seed can be procured of most
any of our large seedmen. We bought ours from J. M. Thorborn
& Co., New York City.

48. Melilotus ctlba (Sweet Clover, or Bokhara Clover). This
Weedy plant has recently become prominent as a forage plant in
the Gulf States. The writer has seen it growing so tall and dense
in roads not much travelled as to almost obstruct the passage.
It is classed as a useless weed in the Central and Northern States, ex-
cept for pasturage, its merits have been overlooked. It is not
relished by stock at first, but they soon acquire a relish for it when
properly cured. Grown with Johnson grass it is classed by some
of the dairy farmers of Mississippi and Alabama as first among hay
plants. Here it made a promising growth of about three feet,
blooming and seeding freely. It survived the drouth quite satis-
factorily. It is now highly prized for hay and soiling. It requires
good rich soil to luxuriate profitably. I believe it a plant also well
fitted for building up a soil by plowing it under as a green manure.

49. Phalaris intermedia (Canary Grass). This is an annual,
about eighteen inches in height. The growth was rather light as
compared with Phalrais intervnedia var. augustata, which came up

EXPERIMENT STATION 1 1

spontaneously here in places and reaching a height of over three
feet with an abundant amount of foliage. This latter grass is well
worth a trial. If sown in the fall it will give early spring pasture
and a splendid crop of hay by April 21. It is an annual, but will
reseed itself in cultivated ground. I believe this grass is destined
to hold an important place among the forage plants in the South.

50. Lespedesa striata (Japan Clover). This valuable plant has
made its usual good record with us. It has completely covered the
ground and the drouth did not seem to afiect it at all. As this
plant has such a high nutritive value, and stands the drouth so
perfectly, it deserves the high commendation it has received
wherever it has been tried as a pasture grass. Ibelieve it to be
one of the best pasture plants for most any soil, especially poor
ones. After animals once learn to eat it they relish it. A few
acres of this leguminous forage plant was put out on the farm here
and has made a good stand, notwithstanding a heavy growth of
crab-grass. Geo. Echols, Longview, Gregg county, says. “It ap-
peared here four years ago, and it now has possession of all the
open idle land. It seeds abundantly and grows so densely that it
forms a mat. It flourishes with Bermuda grass so that the hay
mowed is about half and half.” The writer has observed this
clover growing along the road sides and spreading rapidly about
Tyler, Tex.

51. Medicago sativa (Alfalfa, Lucerne or Brazilian Clover).
A growth of about eighteen inches on plot. It makes a very leafy
and strong growth in many small volunteer patches over our
campus. It is certainly drouth-proof here. Since fall rains have
set in it is starting out nicely. Probably not as valuable as Japan
clover, as it does not seem to stand the warfare of some grasses.

52. Lotus comiculatus (Bird’s-foot Clover). This plant bears
a yellow flower. It made a very handsome growth of about six-
teen inches. It is yet living and starting out as thriftily as the
Alfalfa, which plant it resembles. It may come into considerable
importance as a forage plant. ‘

53. Sorghum vulture (Millo Maize or Doura). We grew a small
amount of this plant on the grounds here and found it to be per-
fectly able to stand the drouth and produce a large amount of
forage, but notwithstanding its good growth and production of two
or three crops of forage per season, I believe that common sorghum
(amber or orange cane) produces as much or more forage, of a
greater nutritive value, and resists drouth equally as well. The

a Millo produces a large head of nutritious seeds that are used by_

1 2 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL

some as oat meal, and said to be much better. G. W. Norsworthy,
of Jasper, Tex., says: “ I consider it very fine forage, both for
horses and cattle. My stock prefer it to fodder. The only ob-
jection against it is that it is troublesome to cure in wet weather.
All kinds of stock and fowls are very fond of the grain, and I think
it fully equals corn.”

From the fifty-three species tried here only the following, of
those that last over summer, can be said to have survived the
drouth satisfactorily and produce a profitable growth:

Millo Maize. '

Bird’s-foot Clover.

Alfalfa.

Japan Clover.

Sweet Clover.

Teosinte.

Pearl or Cat-tail Millet.

Red Canary Grass.

Bermuda Grass.

Paspalum plati-cauli.

Paspalum dilitatum.

Johnson Grass.

Of the annuals that are good hay plants are the following:

Large and small Canary Grasses.

Hungarian Millet.

Italian Millet

Rescue Grass.
Those of the above best fitted for permanent pastures are:

Paspalum plati-cauli, Bermuda grass, Japan clover and perhaps
Johnson grass and Paspalum dilitatum. Bermuda makes also a
good quality of hay and a fair amount of itf Johnson grass makes
a good quality and without doubt the largest yield if properly
fertilized. Paspalum dilitatum makes a good hay and pasture
grass, and it may be that if this grass was mixed with the large
Canary grass, and perhaps Japan clover, the combination would
make two excellent crops of hay per season, a good summer and
fall pasture and a considerable winter pasture. This, however, re-
mains to be fully tested. I am much inclined to the belief that to
attain the most profitable results from a piece of ground devoted
to forage culture, we must use mixtures. Some of the annuals like
canary grass and rescue grass will thrive and grow among the
roots of many perennial grasses, and at a season when the peren-
nials make their smallest growth, if any at all. These annuals are

EXPERIMENT STATION. 1 3

mature and gone by the time Paspalum dilitatum or P. laeve
simply gets started to grow. If the annuals are allowed to ripen
some seed before they are cut they will reseed themselves-which
will be about the 20th 0f April-and by the middle 0f June or July
1st a second crop can be cut of the Paspalums.

During the coming year we will test many native species of
grasses that give promise 0f becoming valuable .in some way to
man. There are several that have been cultivated to some extent
that we did not try this year which we wish also to add to our list.
The following is a partial list we desire to test, which we believe
to have some peculiar value:

Poa arachnzlfera (Texas Blue Grass). Said to be a splendid
winter grass; is propagated from seeds or sets put in some time in
fall or winter. We had this grass on our list last spring, but failed
to get seed. .

Panicum Tewanum (Colorado Grass or Texas Millet). A native

annual valuable for hay, and said to have many points superior to
other grasses.

Panioum crus-galli, var. wzuticum (Barn-yard Grass). A stout
annual that made two growths here from two to four feet this sea-
son; a hay grass.

Phalaris intermedia, var. augustata (Tall Canary Grass). An
annual two to four feet high; of excellent hay qualities.

Bouteloua oligostachya (Running Mesquit). Excellent lawn
and pasture grass.

Brovnus unioloides (Rescue Grass). We had this grass in our
test plots, but it should be sown in the fall to make a fair test.

Paspalum Zaeve. For hay and pasture. Larger than Paspalum
dilitatum.

Paspalum pubiflorzmn (Pasture Grass). Forms a heavy, leafy
matting on the surface.

Eleusine Indica (Yard or Crow-foot Grass). Pasture and hay;
stands drouth; very successful and quite tender. Very common
bunch grass of yards.

Sporobolus Indians (Smut or Bunch Grass). Grows all summer;
seeds well; easy to subdue. Good if cut young, but gets wiry as
it gets old. Fair for hay and pasture.

Chloris verticillata. Forms a good sod; probably good for
lawn and pasture; creeps on surface; proof against drouth.

Chrysopogon nutans (Indian Grass). Early spring pasture and
hay; three to four feet tall.

We desire to try all the native grasses that grow in the difierent

I4 EXPERIMENT STATION.

parts of the State that stock eat and seem to be of some value,

either for peculiar soils or altitudes or for special purposes. To ~

expedite this matter, we hereby solicit the co-operation of stock-
men and those interested in forage plants, by sending us any grass
or plant used for forage or that may grow Wild and is relished by
stock, with notes and observation. Specimens should be first dried
between newspapers, and then numbered to agree with the notes,
and sent by mail. In every instance send the full plant-flower,
stem, leaves, and part or all of root. These specimens will be
identified and the names and other information returned to the
sender.