BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 191 



PASTURE INVESTIGATIONS. 



The high prices of market feeds have stimulated much greater in- 

 terest in the only really cheap feed, namely, pasturage. To a much 

 greater extent than formerly farmers arc practicing heavy grazing, 

 the advantages of which were proved by the grazing experiments 

 in cooperation with the Virginia Experiment Station and since 

 have been demonstrated by other investigations. 



Carpet f/mss. — The imi)ortance of carpet grass as the basis of ]ias- 

 tures on the coastal plains of the South has been emphasized. The 

 only limitation to the more extensive use of this grass is the insuffi- 

 ciency of the commercial seed supply. A campaign to stimulate 

 greater seed production is now under way, and favorable results 

 from this are confidently anticipated. 



Napier grass and MerJcer grass {Pennisetmn purpureum) . — Both 

 of these grasses have quickly sprung into popularity in California 

 and in the South, but particularly in Florida. In the last-named 

 State this grass is exceedingly productive, even on poor sandy soil. 

 From its habit, which resembles that of sugar cane, it is better suited 

 to use as green food, fodder, or ensilage, but very satisfactory re- 

 sults are reported from continuous grazing. 



Centipede grass {Ereinocliloa opliiuroides') and Hunan grass {Ere- 

 nnocliloa ciliaris). — These two very similar grasses from China are 

 about intermediate in habit between carpet grass and Bermuda grass. 

 During two years' tests in the South they have shown great promise 

 both for pasture and lawn purposes. There are indications that they 

 will be valuable on lands where neither carpet grass nor Bermuda 

 grass grows satisfactorily. 



Bahia grass {Paspalum notatum). — This grass from Brazil has 

 proved to be very valuable as a pasture plant in Florida. Its rapid 

 utilization will not be possible until the problem of seed supply is 

 solved. 



CROP UTILIZATION. 



DRUG PLANTS. 



The demand for information on the production and utilization of 

 medicinal plants has continued unabated, but with a significant 

 change in tone and character. This change indicates that the con- 

 servative attitude maintained by the Bureau of Plant Industry to- 

 ward the commercial cultivation of drug plants has contributed to 

 a better understanding of the practical considerations involved and 

 that interest in drug growing is gaining ground with firms and 

 private individuals well equipped for this type of enterprise. 



The drug gardens maintained at schools of pharmacy throughout 

 the country have continued to be centers of much populnr interest, 

 and, aside from their primary educational function, have rendered 

 a distinct public service through the dissemination of practical infor- 

 mation on drug-plant culture gained through actual experience. 



Progress has been made in the preparation of a union list or index 

 of the species grown in each drug garden and in facilitating the 

 securing and exchange of propagating material. 



The favorable market position of domestic essential oils during 

 the year stimulated unusual interest in the methods and equipment 



