32 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



fruits. The tree grows freely in rich, dry pine-land soil and, like all the other 

 species of this group, it does not seem to require much attention. To Mr. Theo. 

 L. Mead belongs the credit of having introduced this palm into cultivation, but I 

 think his specimens on rich moist land all have perished. It is perfectly hardy 

 and should be grown everywhere in the State and all along the Gulf coast 

 where the soil is suitable." {H. Nehrling, Transactions of the Florida State 

 Horticultural Society, vol. 22, p. 156 {1909), under Cocos datil.) 



43239 to 43242. 



From Burringbar, New South Wales, Australia. Presented by Mr. B. Har- 

 rison. Received August 30, 1916. 



43239. Chaetochloa nigrirostuis (Nees) Skeels. Poacese. Grass. 

 {Setaria nigrirostris Dur. and Schinz.) 



A hardy tufted grass which has made good growth. Although the 

 leaves are a little hard, there is a very large quantity in proportion to 

 the stem ; the grass appears to be a quick succulent grower, carries a good 

 quantity of seed, and grows well in New South Wales. (Adapted from 

 E. Breakicell, Agricultural Gazette, Neto South Wales, Feb. 2, 1916.) 



43240. Brachiabia BRiZANTHA (Hochst.) Stapf. Poacese. Grass. 

 (Panicum hrizanthum Hochst.) 



" This grass is a native of the Transvaal bush veldt. Capt. W. H. F. 

 Hughes, of Zeerust, writes that it grows well on the poorest sandy soil 

 and that cattle are very fond of it. The only previous record we have of 

 its value as a pasture grass is a note from a farmer near Salisbury, 

 Rhodesia, stating that it is eaten by cattle there. We have no record of 

 any vernacular name by which this grass is known." (J. Burtt Davy, 

 Agricultural Journal, Union of South Africa, vol. 1, No. 5, p. 706, June, 

 1911.) 



43241. Pennisetum ptjrpureum Schum. Poacese. Grass. 



" The great value of prolific and drought-resistant fodder plants, which 

 are generally very difficult to procure, is well known to stock owners, and 

 the above variety, which as yet is but little known, can be most highly 

 commended for both of these qualities. With me last season, which was a 

 very dry one and which was a most disastrous one for stock, this grass 

 grew to the height of nearly 11 feet and produced a large quantity of 

 succulent, nutritious, and fattening fodder, which is greatly relished by 

 the stock and is, according to analysis, much richer than green maize. 

 A reliable official says : ' There is a consensus of opinion that in this 

 plant we have found a fodder of great value, which remains green even 

 during such long periods as from six to eight months when other herbage 

 is parched up or destroyed.' It grows rapidly to a height of 12 feet or 

 more in favorable weather, thrives well in various soils, and resists both 

 frost and drought to a remarkable extent. At 7 feet high it has pro- 

 duced 12 tons of green fodder per acre, and a few months later 15 tons, 

 making a total yield of 27 tons per acre. It is everlasting when once 

 established, and the tufts or stems increase in size after each cutting or 

 when grazed off. It should prove of untold value to farmers in South 

 Africa, who suffer much loss through frequent and protracted droughts, 

 in the East Indies, and in other countries where a light rainfall and 

 semiarid conditions prevail. As a prolific and drought-resistant plant it 

 promises to prove one of the very best brought into cultivation." (Har- 

 rison.) 



