LETTER OF TRANSMinAL. 



U. S. Department op Agriculture, 



Division of Agrostology, 



Washington, I). C, July 15, 1898. 



Sir : I have the honor to trausmit herewith, aud recommend for i)ub- 

 lication as Biilletiu No. 15 of this Division, a report by Prof. S. M. 

 Tracy, of Mississippi, ou the Forage Plants aud Forage Resources of 

 the Gulf States east of Texas. This report is iu liue with the investi- 

 gations of the grasses and forage plants of the South now being car- 

 ried ou by this Division. 



The grazing and forage problems iu the South are of great impor- 

 tance; keen competition is compelliug the adoption of a more diversi- 

 fied system of agriculture than has existed iu the past. Fine cattle 

 and good milk and butter are more profitable than cotton, and there is 

 an increasing demand for good hay aud i)asture grasses and other for- 

 age crops. The climate is excellent for the growth of raauy kinds of 

 grasses, and the soils are for the most part good or readily susceptible 

 of care and cultivation. 



There are between 300 and 400 species of grasses in the five Gulf 

 States east of Texas. One observer has found in the State of Alabama 

 alone 255 kinds. A large proportion of these grasses are unknown in 

 the Northern and Western States, being peculiar to the Gulf coast 

 region. This abundance of native grasses indicates that the South 

 is naturally a good grass country, and there are wide areas in each 

 of these States which may be profitably devoted to the formation of 

 meadows and pastures. 



The value aud adaptability of these many kinds, and of foreign sorts 

 as well, to special purposes, or to local conditions, ought to be systematic- 

 ally investigated. The work of determining the most practical methods 

 of introducing and cultivating those grasses which are most likely to 

 succeed and which will at the same time be best suited to meet the 

 needs of the stock raisers and dairymen, has been approved by you, 

 with instructions to this Division to begin an investigation of the grasses 

 and forage plants and forage problems of the Gulf States. Particular 

 attention will be given to noting the abundance and value of the native 

 forage plants and the possible methods to be employed in maintaining 

 or improving the existing conditions of pasturage and forage supplies. 

 A circular letter requesting information relative to the points involved 



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