XXVIIT REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



times clover has been the foundation of agriculture in our Northern 

 States. But with each succeeding year the difficulty of securing a 

 stand for this important crop increases, and there is a pressing 

 demand for a suitable substitute for clover. The^ Department has 

 undertaken to meet this demand by the introduction of alfalfa in the 

 clover region. The success which has thus far attended our eti'orts in 

 this direction is most encouraging. It has been demonstrated that 

 alfalfa can be successfull}^ grown in nearlj^ all the Northern States. 

 This work promises so much that we desire to push it vigorously 

 during the coming year. 



In our Southern States the cowpea is deservedly popular as a legu- 

 minous crop, l)oth on account of its feeding value and its beneticial 

 effect on the soil. But on account of its habit of growth this plant is 

 difficult to harvest, either for hay or for seed. The Department has 

 collected all known varieties of cowpeas in order to study the charac- 

 teristics of each. We have undertaken to produce varieties that shall 

 be free from the objectionable characteristics of those now grown, and 

 have reason to hope for complete success. Other leguminous forage 

 crops are being tested, both at Arlington Farm and at various places in 

 the several States. Among these is a new and promising variety of 

 alfalfa from South America that resists the rust which frequenth' 

 attacks the common form, and which grows taller than the latter. As 

 soon as seed of this variety can be obtained in quantit}' it will be dis- 

 tributed in those sections where there is most need of it. 



GRASS GARDENS. 



The grass garden on the Department grounds has been improved in 

 a number of ways, and contains a large number of valuable grasses, 

 legumes, etc. During the year this garden has been visited b}" a large 

 number of people interested in agriculture, who have thus had an 

 opportunity of observing many forage plants new to them. The pub- 

 lic has shown a lively interest in this valuable displa}', which includes 

 several valuable lawn grasses and ornamentals. An extensive grass 

 garden was also maintained by this Department on the grounds of the 

 Exposition at Charleston, S. C.,and the correspondence received from 

 Southern farmers relating to this garden shows that it was considered 

 one of the most valuable features of our exhibit. It has been the 

 means of introducing several new forage plants in the Southern States. 



RANGE IMPROVEMENT. 



The investigations in this branch of work have shown that the 

 depleted Western ranges ma}^ be brought back to their original pro- 

 ductiveness b}^ proper methods of range management. Heretofore this 

 work has been confined to small experimental areas. We have now 

 progressed to the point where it becomes necessarj^ to cooperate with 



