330 



The following worthless wild grasses have been tested for three years, 

 viz.: Stipa viridula, Festuca scabrella, Glyceria arundinacea, Agropyruni 

 tenerum, Festuca rubra, Agrojpyruni repens, Panicum virgatum, Poa com- 

 pressa, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, Koeleria cristata, Sporohohis hete- 

 rolepis, and Muhlenbergia glomerataP 



Analyses of samples of short awned brome, anwless brome, orchard 

 grass, Agropyrum vioJaceuni, and cord grass cut at different stages of 

 growth showed in general that as growth proceeded there was a de- 

 crease in moisture and an increase in dry matter, and that in the dry mat- 

 ter there was a decrease in ash, crude fat, crude protein, and true 

 albuminoids, and an increase in carbohydrates and fiber. 



" The inevitable conclusion from the foregoing exhibits of the changes 

 during growth is that the younger a grass is the richer it is in those 

 ingredients which produce iiesh, blood, milk, and wool, namely, the 

 albuminoids; and that, therefore, immature grass or hay made from 

 the same is very much better feed for either growing or productive 

 animals than is the same grass, or hay made from it, when mature. 

 This conclusion refers only to quality." 



" In Iowa a faultless grass would begiu to grow early in the spring ; 

 it would endure droughts well ; it would not suffer from rust or other 

 fungous diseases ; it would be productive and grow coutiuuonsly until 

 late in the fall ; it would be palatable and nutritious (especially rich in 

 albuminoids) ; it would produce seeds plentifully; and it would not be 

 injured by our most unfavorable winters." Agropyrum glaucum, A. vio- 

 laceum, and timothy are discarded because they rust badly and do not 

 stand drought; Calamagrostis canadensis, Andropogon provincialis, and 

 cord grass, because they produce few seeds and are poor pasture grasses ; 

 Poa serotina and meadow fescue, because they do not yield satisfactory 

 quantities of hay or pasture. 



Andropogon scoparius, Chrysopogon nutans, redtop, tall meadow oat 

 grass, Keutuchy blue-grass, and white clover are considered by the au- 

 thor as useful in Iowa. Bromus breviaristatus, B. inermis, and red clo- 

 ver have given especially promising results. Alsike clover is not likely 

 to be grown on a large scale in Iowa. 



The chemical analysis of uuripe bean stalks or vines indicates that it will jiay 

 well to grow the largest varieties of pole beans on hills of com for fodder or silage. 

 The chemical analysis of flax shows also that it is a very valuable hay plant if it is 

 cut and cured when half of its seeds are ripe. 



Our experiments in the field and the chemical analyses of asparagus and prickly 

 comfrey are so satisfactory that we will try them on a larger scale for pasture and 

 as soiling crops. 



Experiments with alfalfa in 1888 on dry, sandy soil and in 1889 on 

 "ordinary, black, well-drained soil" were unsuccessful. 



Creamery and dairy notes, G-. E. Patrick, M. S. (pp. 481-489). 



8weet cream butter, keeping quality. — As mentioned in Bulletin No. 8 

 of this station (See Experiment Station Record, Vol. II, p. 53),observa- 



