30 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



41883 to 41900— Continued. 



41893. Arundinella agkostoides Trin. 



" An annual grass with steins 6 to 18 inches high, the leaves broad 

 and Hat. Native to India and the Philippines." 



41894. Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. 



"A perennial grass, native to southern Asia and Africa. It is 

 abundant in northern India, where it is considered one of the most 

 nutritious grasses and excellent both for grazing and for hay. In 

 Florida and along the Gulf coast it succeeds well and tends to spread 

 naturally, but the growth is sufficient only for grazing, as on sandy 

 soil the grass grows only G to 12 inches high." 



For previous introductions, see S. P. I. Nos. 33601 to 33603. 



41895. Chionachne bakhata (Roxb.) R. Br. 



" A tall, coarse, branching grass, native to the hot and damp parts of 

 India. When mature the grass is very coarse, but when young it Is 

 said to be used as fodder." 



41896. Chloris gayana Kunth. Rhodes grass. 



"A perennial grass, native to South Africa, first cultivated by 

 Cecil Rhodes in South Africa about 1895. The grass is fine stemmed,, 

 very leafy, and grows to an average height of about 3 feet. The 

 flowering head consists of 10 to 15 long, spreading spikes in a cluster f 

 and seed is produced in abundance. The grass also spreads by means 

 of running branches 2 to 6 feet long, which root and produce a plant 

 at every node. Notwithstanding this method of reproduction, Rhodes- 

 grass has at no place in the United States become troublesome as 

 a weed. Rhodes grass is completely destroyed when the temperature 

 in winter falls to about 18° F., and as a perennial grass is therefore 

 adapted only to southern Texas. Florida, and a narrow strip along 

 the Gulf coast. Farther north it must be treated as an annual. At 

 Washington, D. C, it will produce but a single crop of hay a season. 

 Farther south two cuttings may be obtained under favorable condi- 

 tions. On fertile land in central and southern Florida, however, as 

 many as six or seven cuttings are secured in a single season. A good 

 stand of Rhodes grass will yield from a ton and a quarter to a ton and 

 a half of hay to a cutting. This hay is of very fine quality and is 

 eagerly eaten by horses and cows. In Florida it is already being 

 grown on a commercial scale." 



41897. Chloris paraguaiensis Steud. 



" A perennial grass native to India. Burma, and Ceylon, but now 

 widespread in the Tropics. According to Duthie, it is considered in 

 northern India ' a good fodder grass up to the time of flowering, after 

 which time cattle will not touch it.' In Australia it is considered 

 one of the best grasses for pasturage and hay." 



41898. Chloris virgata Swartz. 



"An annual grass forming stools •_' to 3 feet high. Originally de- 

 scribed from the West Indies, hut apparently the same species occurs 

 in the Tropics of the Old World, li has been tested at many places 

 in the United States, but nowhere has it given sufficient promise to 

 warrant cultivation, other introductions under tins name, presum- 

 ably the same species, are S. P. I. Nos. 13S95, 13901. ir.335, L5337, 

 15354, 15355, and 21312, all from South Africa, where it is regarded 

 as a valuable grass. No. 21700, from Peking, is apparently a differ- 

 ent grass." 



