180 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
Mr. Chas. Mohr, Mobile, Ala., who sends specimens, says : 
A fine vernal grass, with a rich foliage, blooming early in May; 2 to 3 feet high; 
frequent in damp, sandy loam, forming large tufts. This perennial grass is certainly 
valuable, affording an abundant range early in the season; if cultivated it would yield 
large crops ready for cutting from the Ist of May. It is called by some wild fescue or 
oat grass. It is not found near the coast, consequently I had no chance to observe its 
growth during the latter part of the summer and in the winter season, and therefore 
am not able to judge of its value as a pasture grass. 
Té grows as far north as Pennsylvania, but it is less vigorous in 
growth as it advances northward. (See Plate 23.) 
Proximate analysis of Uniola latifolia, from Alabama, ( Wild fescue.) 
Per cont. 
Oilgeese act ceee ee Ses sane peca ore eacceoeeees RAN SNS Ses oe ae 
WG Gee ese cern Cabo nea basopbossosesas PAs Sea, Se REESE See ae a> 5 2) t 3.28 
Biparsss.skcsascnaseecstsecde Sih cet es Oe eee See pete es loa 6.78 
Gum and dextrine......--- et see naiceaeceeaee isteweacoee 5 S— 4. 02 
(WoellmOseccc. .-cocein cc Se oo See iee sence eco wren peeersseeur cece ssc eee 38. 67 
Amyl cellulose -..----. ib DEN en s Sad cece cosmecee seca eee eee eee eee 10. 23 
Alkali extractras.cc..cucecweoseo mene cacene serelece ceeer eee sees cctee oem eeere 14. 40 
IAUbRMEeMOIGS o> o2-c see te. eal ee ene pee ee Sena et eee ee eee ene e =e eee 11.29 
IN aT ese, 2h CO ee a ee Sache ote ae ae eee a eas Sone eee eee ome 
100. 00 
Analysis of ash. 
Per cent. 
IPOLaSsiM OxXIde sooo]. cae sae eae = oe ea a= eee naires wee ae see ee Boe 
WO LASSLUIM s 2 ee emas ae cee a cette Ce A ene HOB CAO Se SS Oms c 5. 19 
Magnesium oxide... .-...----- ---- ---- 22-222 eee ee ee eee ee eee tenn reer 3. 02 
@aleinm Omid6 sees oe eee ee rele ee See are te ate eee ete ete te te aie onl ae 7.415 
Phosphoric acid ..--.. 22-2 -- +--+ eee n ne eee cece enn eee ne ee eee eee 4.92 
Sulphuric acid ....2. 222. ------ 02 -- oe - eee eee cee nnn ee eee ee eee ee ee ree ee 2, 62 
COUR Ta Ta eT eae bee ee ae Sa DO ere coe ea Saey oouCEesetD 26s 4.71 
CSOT or ee a eo eee scie sO SOcisos Soran oe ca OSErSERSSS Hoot o= 66. 87 
100. 00 
FORAGE PLANTS. 
LESPEDEZA STRIATA—Japan clover. 
Description —Much has been said and written in the Southern States 
concerning this recentimmigrant from Japan. Itisalow perennial plant, 
not rising much above the ground, bt spreading widely on the surface. 
It belongs to the leguminous family of plants, which incindes the com- 
mon clover, bean, pea, &c. The leaves are very small, trifoliate, and 
very numerous. The flowers are exceedingly small and produced in 
the axils between the leaf and stem, and the fruit is a small flattish pod. 
History and uses.—Professor Killebrew says concerning it : 
About the year 1849 it was noticed in the vicinity of Charleston, 8. C., the seeds 
having probably been brought from China or Japan in tea boxes. A short time after- 
wards it was discovered at a distance of forty miles from Charleston, and still later 
near Macon, Ga. It seems especially adapted to the Southern States, not flourishing 
above 36°, growing with great luxuriance on the poorest soils and retaining vitality 
in its roots in the severest droughts. It is said to be a fine plant for grazing, and, 
being perrennial, needs no resowing and but little attention. On soils unfit for any- 
thing else it furnishes good pasturage and supplies a heavy green crop tor turning 
under and improving the land. 
Mr. Samuel McRamsey, of Warren County, Tennessee, says: 
This clover made its appearance in that locality in 1870. It is fast covering the 
whole country; it supplies much grazing from the first of August until frost. It is 
short, but very hard. Sheep are very fond of it, and cattle will eat 1t. 
