Enough seed of the cowpeas was saved for the next year's trials. The velvet 

 bean vines bloomed too late to matnre the beans before frost. An abundant 

 crop of pods formed, but no matured seed was secured. The teosinte grew to 

 be from 18 to 33 inches tall, then the drought set in and it never recovered stiflEi- 

 cient to do much good. The roots lived and it made some growth, but did not 

 mature any seed. 



I am certain that with normal amount of rain next year we will be able to 

 demonstrate : 



(i) That the ctdturc of the native sod tvith disk and tooth harrotvs will pay well 

 in this section. 



(2) That alfalfa of all kinds can be grown successfully without inigation. 



(3) That the teosinte is a splendid forage plant for this section, superior to any 

 of the sorghums so far tested. 



(4) That the velvet bean will do astonishingly well and prove a crop of much 

 value. 



(5) That all of the many varieties of cowpeas which were experimented with 

 this year are available crops for forage purposes. 



There liave been i^ractically no results from any of the grass .seeds that were 

 sown. A number of varieties germinated, but they did not develop satisfactorily 

 because the rains did not come in time. 



The data thus far secured at the close of eight months' work give 

 sufficient promise that definite, tangible results will accrue from 

 these experiments for the benefit of stockmen. It is too soon to draw 

 conclusions, but the outlook for rapid increase in the quantity of 

 grass on these overstocked pastures is encouraging. Moreover, the 

 methods in use are such as are well within the reach of any stock 

 owner, should he wish to avail himself of the results. 



FUTURE WORK. 



During the succeeding seasons experiments will be made as to the 

 practicability of sowing alfilaree, bur clover, Bokhara clover, alfalfa, 

 sorghum, and other wild and cultivated grasses and forage plants 

 directly on the sod without further treatment than to keep stock oft^' 

 during at least the first year. On an examination of the plans it 

 will be seen that a number of methods are being undertaken which 

 may be adopted at but little expense by stock owners, should they 

 prove to result profitably. 



These experiments ought to be carried on for at least three years. 



At the end of that time sufficiently tangible results will undoubtedly 



be secured to enable stockmen to decide what is the best method of 



bringing back the grasses. 



Jared G. Smith, 



Approved : Assistant Agrostologist. 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, December 27, 1898. 



O 



