457 



the oats sowed, in drills 14 inches apart. When the oats were 8 to 10 

 inches high the weeds were hoed out of the spaces between the drills 

 with a hand-hoe; the oats grew 6 feet high, with large healthy stalks, 

 which stood up well until the croj) began to ripen, when the whole was 

 prostrated by rain and wind and did not rise. The product weighed 

 235 pounds — a little below the standard in weight. If not blown down 

 the yield might have been a bushel or two more. From the above re- 

 sult," would it not pay to sow our grain crops in drills and hoe them! 



Gilmer County, Ga. — A package of the Schonen oats, sown March 10, 

 on low wet soil, and, though somewhat damaged by rust, the yield was 

 very good, while other varieties were almost a total failure. I have 

 great hope that this variety will do well with us. 



Blanco County^ Texas. — Sowed three pounds of Schonen oats March 

 24, on one-eighth of an acre. No fertilizer used. Yield 5 bushels, weigh- 

 ing 52 pounds to the bushel. I think one more rain would have doubled 

 the yield. 



Marengo County, Ala. — Last season I distributed the Excelsior oats, 

 and grew some myself, and in every case they grew well, much taller 

 and more luxuriant than the common oats, but rusted so badly that we 

 did not save a seed. The only oats that do not rust here are the red 

 oats, introduced since the war.*^ I would like to know the proper name 

 and the history of this variety. It seems to be really a non-rustiug oats. 

 This grain will hold its own in southern agriculture, being more valu- 

 able, all things considered, than even Indian corn. Put in properly, at 

 this season of the year, I think it pays better for the labor bestowed 

 upon it than any other crop we raise, and its extended and sucoessful 

 growth will mark a new era in our agricultural advancement. 



THE PERUVIAN CORN. 



Rayivood County, If. C. — The corn from Peru made a large flourishing 

 growth, but did not mature. 



JUTE. 



Charleston, 8. G. — Last season I received from the Department some 

 jute seed, which I planted at Summerville, twenty-two miles from this 

 city. The seed was not planted until June 10, and was on very poor 

 land, but by October 1 the plant had attained a height of six feet. This 

 fully demonstrated to me that the cultivation of this fibrous plant can 

 be a success in the South. I have preserved seed, and will plant it next 

 March for a further test. 



GRAPES IN ALABAMA. 



Lawrence County, Ala. — About three years ago I received from the 

 Agricultural Department several specimens of grape-vines for experi- 

 ment. Those that have lived and borne fruit tliis year are as follows : 



1. Rogers, No. 15. — This vine is rather a slow grower, but stout, and 

 stands the winter like a native. The fruit is pale red ; berry large and 

 round, sweet and luscious; bunches equal to the Catawba in size and 

 number of berries. This is the first year that it has borne fruit with 

 me. It was quite free from mildew, and ripened from the first to the 

 middle of August. I thoroughly sprinkled it with sulphur from the 

 first show of the bloom till tlie end of May. This is a most excellent 

 grape for this region. 



