GRASSES OF IOWA. 



141 



Hackel that in Brazil and India misfortune follows the sudden 

 production of such vast quantities of mealy seeds. Mice and 

 rats increase at an extraordinary rate and after having eaten 

 the bamboo fruits turn to the neighboring fields and devour the 

 cultivated crops. 



Tef. {Eragrostis abyssinica, Link). — Tef originated in 

 Abyssinia. It is believed to have sprung from Eragrostis pilosa. 

 It is now a cosmopolitan weed in temperate and tropical 

 regions. It probably oriiiinated north of the equator in Africa. 

 As a cultivated plant Tef is only used by the Abyssinians. 

 The colored seeds have the appearance of grits, and the flour 

 made from these is boiled into bread. 



CEREAL PRODUCTION. 



The chief cereal growing countries of the world is shown in 

 the foUowiog table, taken from Broomhall,* of the Liverpool 

 Trade News. 



1896. IN MILLIONS OF BUSHELS. 



♦Herbert My rick. Am. Agrl. Year Book and Almanac. 557. 

 fPifty governments according to agricultural ministry. 

 +Sixty governments according to agricultural ministry. 



