302 NEW GRASSES FOR OLD STATIONS. 



for 1870, with regard to the jDlant required, says: ''It must be 

 one that will do for the coarse, open, and airy soil of the plains, 

 which is often dry for a long time, what Poa pratensis, Lin., 

 has done and is doing for the States east of the Missouri Eiver 

 within the same parallels ; one that will not only maintain its 

 footing, but will extend its area, and overcome competitors. 



"A strong-growing, coarse perennial, with rhizomas, or under- 

 ground root-stocks, would suggest itself as a suitable species for 

 trial ; or a perennial preducing an abundance of radical leaves, 

 and of early growth, that would cover the soil and prevent the 

 growth of annuals,' Oi thiu class he suggests : Elymus Cana- 

 densis, L., Elymiis Virginicus, L., Elymus SiMricus, Elytnus mol- 

 lis, Trin., Sporoiolus heterolepis, Gray, Ceratocliloa grandiflora^ 

 Hook. 



Of foreign species he thinks the mosu promising is Festuca 

 praterisis, Huds. 



Soon after beginning to give special attention to the agricul- 

 tural grasses, the writer in a lecture to the Northwestern Dairy- 

 men's Association in 1872, advised hunting up new grasses in 

 Mexico, Eurojie, South America and xVustralia, Japan and Cali- 

 fornia. DeiDend upon it there are treasures yet undiscovered in 

 some of those distant lands. I suggested that, likely, grasses 

 from a dry climate will thrive better than those from England 

 or other moist climates. Truly we may say that very little Drog- 

 ress has been made in this subject in forty years. 



In the extensive unwooded regions west of the Mississippi the 

 native grasses afford much pastures; but many of them start 

 very late in sjiring, and stop growing early in autumn. They do 

 not completely occupy the ground ; they are easily stamped out 

 by the hoofs of cattle and sheep. Some of the tame grasses will 

 thrive better, and afford much more pasture. Especially is there 

 great need of some forage plants better adapted to the Southern 

 States, and the dryer portions of all the United States. 



