40 



The following reports will indicate the great value of Bermuda and 

 St. Lucie grass to the South: 



Mr. B. Atkinson, Waverly, Camden Country, Ga. : 



A well-drained, diked, river-bottom land was used. The soil was plowed and 

 harrowed and the seed sown in drills about 2 feet apart. This experiment proved 

 to be very satisfactory for the first year, but it is in the second year that there is 

 profit in Bermuda grass. 1 have no doubt but that next year this experimental plot 

 of land will yield at the rate of 4 tons to the acre. 



Mr, F. A. Hendry, Thompson, Lee County, Fla. : 



A package of Bermuda grass seed was received several years ago from the Depart- 

 ment. It was sown broadcast and harrowed in. The seed usually matures about 

 October, but sometimes earlier. For pasturage it is excellent, but I have never cut 

 any for hay. It stands at the head of the list on rich, cultivated, moist lands, and 

 under favorable conditions would produce at least 2 tons to the acre. It may be 

 mown two or three times during the year. 



Mr. E. O. Mitchell, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tenn. : 



A small amount of the St. Lucie grass was sent to me last winter from Florida by 

 mail. It was green when received, and in three days after it was planted we had a 

 severe cold spell, the mercury going down 10° below zero. It withstood this and 

 grew right along. A few days ago we transplanted from the parent bed a plot of 

 ground about 12 feet square, and there is at present enough to plant another plot of 

 equal size. This shows its aggressiveness. The parent stalks have thrown out run- 

 ners in some instances 4 feet long, taking root at every joint. I have also the com- 

 mon Bermuda grass, but it does not appear to be nearly so aggressive as the St. 

 Lucie. Furthermore, the St. Lucie remains green throughout heavy frosts. The 

 friends who sent the sample to us said that frost could not kill it. 



GIANT LYME-GRASS (Elymus condensatus) . 

 (Plate V, fig. 1.) 



A stout, erect, native perennial, 5 to 10 feet high, with long, flat, 

 rigid leaves, dense spikes, and strong spreading rootstocks. It is com- 

 mon in the Rocky Mountain region and on the Pacific Slope, where it 

 is found useful for holding the sand on railway banks. When young 

 it makes hay of fair quality, and when allowed to stand it aflords a 

 considerable amount of forage for stock on the winter ranges. 



Twenty-four packages have been distributed since 1896, but only 4 

 reports have been received, with 2 failures, 1 unsatisfactory, and 1 with 

 good results. 



Mr. George T. McWhorter, Riverton, Colbert County, Ala., reports 

 as follows: 



The seed was sown broadcast on a deep, smooth bed on March 1, 1899. It died 

 down during the dry summer weather, but thrived after the fall rains and now looks 

 well. 



CANADIAN LYME-GRASS (Elymus canadensis). 



(Plate V, fig. 2.) 



A rather stout, smooth perennial. 3 to 5 feet high, with broad, flat 

 leaves, 6 to 12 inches long. The inflorescence is in the form of ahead 



