78 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



From a seed-mercliaiit, Chicago, 111. : 



Kindly name the inclosed specimen, and let me know what it is as soon as pos- 

 sible. 



From Spartanburg, S. C. : 



I send you herewith a pod of a plant growing in this State having an abundance 

 of fine, silky hairs attached to the seed. I would like to know if this fine delicate 

 fiber can be utilized in any way. I tliink the plant also possesses medicinal prop- 

 erties, and would be glad to know if such is the case. 



The pod belongs to a kind of milkweed, botanically called "Ascle- 

 pias tuberosa" or, popularly, ''pleurisy root," because it is employed 

 in cases of pleurisy and other diseases. The silky fibers of the seeds 

 are like those of all the milkweeds, of which there is a large number 

 of species, and the inquiry as to its economic use is often made; 

 but, although very delicate and beautiful, it lacks tenacity, and can- 

 not be spun by itself into a thread. 



From Florida : 



We are alarmed here at the appearance in our fields and orange groves of what is 

 called "nut-grass," and which bids fair to double our labor in cultivation. Tearing 

 up by the roots and even sifting the soil have proved of no avail in getting rid of it. 

 May I beg that you will indicate as soon as possible the best and quickest means for 

 its destruction? 



The nut-grass, or coca as it is also called, is one of the worst pests 

 of agriculture in the South. The botanical name is Cyperus rotundus. 

 Mr. Elliott, in his "Botany of South Carolina and Georgia," says of 

 this sedge : 



It is becoming a great scourge to our planters. It shoots from the base of its stem 

 a threadlike fiber, which descends perpendicularly from 6 to 18 inches, and then 

 produces a small tuber. From tliis horizontal fibers extend in every direction, pro- 

 ducing new tubers at intervals of 6 to 8 mches, and these immediately shoot up 

 stems to the surface of the earth and throw out lateral fibers to form a new prog- 

 eny. This process is interminable, and it is curious to see what a chain or net- 

 work of plants and tubers can with some care be dug up in loose soil. The only 

 process yet discovered by which this grass can be extirpated is to plow or hoe the 

 spots in which it grows every day through a whole season. In their perpetual efforts 

 to throw their leaves to the light the roots become exhausted and perish, or if a few 

 appear the next spring they can easily be dug up. This experiment has been suc- 

 cessfully tried by John McQueen, esq., of Chatham County, Georgia. 



This account was written more than sixty years ago. The method 

 given for destroying the pest is applicable to the present time, and 

 is perhaps as good as any one known. 



From editor of the Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky. : 



Inclosed we hand you a specimen of a plant received from a correspondent at 

 Salem, N. C. Please name it for us, and give any information which there may be 

 about it of any special interest. 



From the commissioner of agriculture for Georgia: 



I will be obliged to you if you will name the grass of which I inclose a speci- 

 men, stating its economic value. The grass grows in bunches in fence corners, 

 stt>ms from 5 to 7 feet high, leaves from 8 to 13 inches long. It is sent to me from 

 Washington County in this State. 



FOREIGN INQUIRIES, ETC. 



From the Government Botanical Gardens at Saharamper, North- 

 western India: 



I am just now studying the grasses of Northern India with special reference to 

 their relative value for forage or fodder, and as many of our best kinds occur also 

 in America, the iiiformation given in your book ('i-Tlie Agricultural Grasses of the 



