426 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



fore for holding soil in place. It is, however, of some value 

 as a forage plant, especially in its earlier stages. 



Mexican Spear Grass {Eragrostis mexicana) is cultivated 

 for ornamental purposes. It is a slender branching annual 

 and grows from six inches to two feet high, with very large 

 open panicles and small leaves. Nothing is known about its 

 forage qualities though it seems to be well adapted to condi- 

 tions in Iowa. 



CHEMICAL, COMPOSITION. 



One sample of this grass was analyzed in the Station labora- 

 tory: 



WATER FREE SUBSTANCE. 



No description. 



CO u 



o " 

 u <o 



46 08 



Teff {Eragrostis abyssinica, L.) Is a native to northeastern 

 Africa and there is cultivated for its grain and forage. It is 

 an annual, from two to four feet high, and produces a large 

 amount of forage. Teff grown on the College farm grew 

 vigorously and is apparently well adapted to the dry climate, 

 prevailing during the month of August in this state It was 

 as green on September first as during the month of June. 



• This is a branching, leafy annual, having large capillary 

 panicles, with many spikelets. It grows rapidly from seed 

 and produces a large amount of leaves. Seeds sown in April 

 and grown on the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station did 

 not produce seed but a large amount of leafy herbage. 



F. Lamson-Scribner* says: "Teff occurs in New Mexico, 

 springing up after rains particularly in the region about 

 Deming, where it is called ' Crabgrasa. ' It is an annual, 

 growing to the height of two to four feet, with widely spread- 

 ing, many-flowered panicles, and is largely cut for hay." 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



Only one analysis of Eragrostis abyssinica was made in the 

 laboratory and the results are given below: 



* Bull. D. S. Dept. Agrl. Div. Agros. 14:36. 



