596 



Among European varieties distributed by the station, St. John's Day 

 has proved best adapted to local conditions. It makes a heavj- and 

 strong growth. 



Kaffir corn and millo maize have been found valuable, and by many 

 are thoujilit to be superior to the "old variety of Sorghum vulgare^ 

 known as dhoura but commonly designated in this State as Egyptian 

 corn, whicli has for many years proved of great value in the Stat€, 

 both when cut green as summer food for stock and when allowed to 

 ripen its seed, which is widely used for i)Oultry, and to some extent a« 

 a substitute for barley as food for horses." 



Johnson grass [Soryhiim hatepense) has been found to be a great pest 

 in cultivated ground and very difficult to eradicate. "As to the value of 

 Johnson grass as stock food, there is some difference of opinion, arising, 

 to some extent at least, from the stage of growth at which different 

 growers have used it. It is undoubtedly acceptable to animals when 

 the growth is young and succulent. It is also rea<lily eaten when grow- 

 ing with alfalfa, and it is believed to obviate bloat, which is common 

 among animals turned into alfalfa fields." 



Sainfoin [Onohryvhis satira) has not don«' well at the station, and tlic 

 evidence regarding its value elsewhere in the State is contlicting. 



Snail clover [Mcdiratji) tuthinata) is a native of southwestern Spain, 

 and has been intro<lueed into California by the station as a plant hav- 

 ing the ailvantages of burr elover (M. drnticulata) and in addition a 

 smooth pod. The reports eoneeniing it received 1>\' tlie station are gen- 

 erally favorable. " It is evident that its growth will be freest anil most 

 satisfactory where moisture is abundant, and that in exceptionally dry 

 and hot situations its giow th may be small and thejdaiit of little a<'connt. 

 It also shows liability to injury by frost in some localities." 



Black medic (Medieago lupulina) is recommended only for moist^ 

 retentive soils in the iippei- coast regions of the Stat«'. 



.Japan clover yLvspciUza striatu) has jiroved a failure in California. 



Tangier pea {Lathgrun i\ngiianui<) has been distributed on a limited 

 scale since ISSO, with favorabh' resiUts. 



Tagasaste {Cytinus proUfcrus^ww. albus) in Calitbruia grows as a tall 

 shrub with woody stem and branches and is without special value as a 

 forage plant. 



Jersey kale at the station " has piodnced green fodder at the rate of 

 1(» tons i)er acre, starting (piickly again after cutting." It se<Mns to 

 have quite a range ot a'daptability to California conditions, but has so 

 far been mostly grown oh a small scale as peen fodder for poultry and 

 the live stock kept for <lomestic purjjoses. 



Salt bushes of the genus Atriplcx^ imported from Australia as food 

 for sheep and goats, do not seem to have been of much service in Call 

 fornia. 



MlSCELLANEOlTS PLANTS SENT OUT FROM THE CENTRAL STATION, 

 C. II. SuiNN ^pp. l'2L-23()).— This consists of extracts from reports of 



