4 SUDAN GRASS. 



The exact nativity of garnwi is slill a matter of doubt, nor is it clear 

 that genuine Androjwgon halepensis occurs in the same region. 



A few phints of garawi lived over the winter of 1911-12 at Gaines- 

 ville, Fla., without, hoAvever. forming any rootstocks. 



The second variety was received on December 2, 1009, from Dr. 

 L. Trabut, Algiers, xVlgeria, and given S. P. I. No. 2i>?m. Dr. 

 Trabut's original notes are as follows : 



T!iis griiss is vigorous but not stoloniferous and would 1)0 intoresting for 

 bybridiziition with soi-ghuui. It is moderately good forage like .Jobusou grass, 

 but has the advantage of not stooling (i. e., suckering). This variety is per- 

 ennial bere and pi'oduces many seeds. 



Under the conditions in the United States this variety has behaved 

 purely as an annual. In further correspondence with Dr. Trabut, he 

 writes that he believes this grass to be common in Africa and that he 

 has received it from the arid regions between Algiers and Senegal. 



The two varieties are quite distinct from each other and the name 

 " Sudan grass " has been given to S. P. I. No. 25017 and " Tunis 

 grass " to S. P. I. No. 26301. Botanically, they are both to be con- 

 sidered varieties of Aiidropogon sorghum and not of Andropogon 

 halepensis. as the three knoAvn varieties of the latter all have vigorous 

 underground rootstocks. Trials at numerous places have demon- 

 strated that Sudan grass promises high value for hay, especially in 

 the semiarid regions where no perennial grass has thus far been found 

 suited to the conditions. Indeed, it is not too much to predict that it 

 is there destined to become the leading grass for hay production. Un- 

 der more humid conditions Sudan grass has also succeeded admirably 

 and it will probably replace the foxtail millets to a large extent, as it 

 produces better hay and usually larger yields. Tunis gi\ass has not 

 as yet been widely tested, owing to lack of seed. It is slower in start- 

 ing growth and less tall than Sudan grass. As it shatters its seed 

 very readily it is likely to be of only limited usefulness unless this 

 character can be changed. 



Sudan grass has been tested most carefully in Texas (fig. 1) and 

 at Arlington Farm, Virginia, but at least one year's trial has been 

 made at many places in the Great Plains and at various agi-icultural 

 experiment stations. There is still much to be learned in regard to 

 the crop, but the data at hand indicate approximately the best 

 methods of culture. Sudan grass is a sorghum and lequires practi- 

 cally the same temperature conditions as that crop. It is, however, 

 earlier than any sorghum yet knoAvn and will probably mature in 

 jNIontana and North Dakota, as it ripened seed in 1912 at Brook- 

 ings, S. Dak. 



Individual plants of Sudan grass under favorable conditions will 

 attain a height of 8 to 10 feet and may possess 20 or more stalks to 

 a plant. Tlie stems seldom become larger than a lead pencil, even 



ICir. 125] 



