REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 73 



There are several grasses employed In Europe for the purposes 

 above indicated, but chiefly the one which is botanically called Am- 

 inophila arundinacea. It grows on the seacoast in Europe, and 

 also in North America. It has no agricultural value, being quite too 

 coarse for food for cattle. But the widely creeping and matted root- 

 stocks serve to bind the sands and resi^it the encroachment of the 

 waves. This grass has also been used at Provincetown, or Cape Cod, 

 for the above yjuri^ose, and the harbor at that place was long pre- 

 served from destruction by the care which was taken in setting out 

 this grass, through a committee appointed for that purpose. 



A correspondent from Walsh County, Dakota, says: 



The question of what is the best variety of grass to replace the native grasses, 

 which are fast disappearing in this country, is one of vital iuipoi-tance to us. Clover 

 has been a failure with us thus far; the frost destroys it so effectually that not a 

 blade can be seen in the spring. Timothy has been only partially successful; a fair 

 crop has been obtained tlie first year, but the second year it appears to get choked 

 out by weeds and foul stuff. What we need is some variety that will stand the 

 severe frosts of winter, produce a good crop of hay, and make a good, permanent 

 pasture. 



There is a very great and important necessity, not only for Dakota 

 but for many other portions of the country, that experimental sta- 

 tions should be established for the testing of all kinds of grass and 

 forage plants, in order to obtain such for cultivation as are proven 

 to be adapted to the existing circumstances. 



From Uvalde, Tex. : 



Inclosed find a stalk of a wild grass which has made its appearance in Western 

 Texas within a few years. It is a perennial gi'ass, comes up in early spring and 

 matmres about the middle of May. It seems to be adapted to this dry climate. 



This is a native grass, growingin most of the Southern States, in 

 Texas, and extending west to California. In California it is known 

 as California timothy, but is not there esteemed of much agricult- 

 ural value. In the Southern States it has been cultivated to some 

 extent, and is known in some localities as Gilbert's relief grass. 

 Doctor Phares says that Mr. Stewart, of Louisiana, prefers this grass 

 to others which he has tested, for quantity and quality, for winter and 

 spring grazing, and for soiling for milch cows. There is much favor- 

 able testimony respecting the grass in the South, and it is deserving 

 of extended cultivation. 



Again, from Texas : 



We send you this day, by mail, a bundle of grass. It is a true wmter grass, 

 coming up with the fall rains in October and November; is fine pasture all winter 

 for horses, cows, sheep, hogs, &c. No freeze affects it here whatever. Seed ripens 

 in April; it dies in May, and remains so until fall. Stock do not seem to relish it 

 much until after frost. It forms a very thick mat or sod, and is spreading fast 

 over our grounds. It kills out weeds that usually come up in the spring. Such a 

 grass is worth millions to Texas for winter pasturage. 



This is Bromus unioloides, which is sometimes called rescue grass. 

 or Schrader's grass. A full account of it is given in the "Agricult- 

 ural Grasses of the United States." Respecting this grass also an- 

 other Texas correspondent says: 



Inasmuch as Western Texas is the great stock-raising section of the Southwest 

 and considering the fact that pasturage is scanty, particularlv in Febniarv, thus 

 stunting the growth of young cattle, this gi-ass seems wonderfully adapted to 'supply 

 just what is greatly wanted, both for milch cows, calves, colts, and ewes; and, be- 

 sides, it grows weU on the thinnest soil and crowds out weeds, while not mterfering 

 with the native mesqtiite. I therefore regard it as a wonderful and most important 

 discovery. 



