1897.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — Xo 83. 41 



hardy for our climate. Moreover, it is not much relished 

 by stock unless cut very young. Further, it should be 

 remembered, by any one trying it in a locality where it 

 thrives, that it spreads rapidly b}^ means of underground 

 stems, and that it is extremely difficult to eradicate when 

 once it has gained possession of the ground. 



Iris pabiiku'ia. — Seeds were sent for trial by J. M. Thor- 

 burn & Co. of New York in 1895, the statement being made 

 that it might prove valuable as a fodder crop. Germination 

 was slow, the plants grew but feebly and during last winter 

 all were killed. 



Cystisus proliferus albiis. — Seeds were received for trial 

 of this plant as a fodder crop in the spring of 1895. Germi- 

 nation was imperfect, the plants did not make much growth 

 and all died during last winter. 



Florida Beggar Weed (Desmodruni tortiiosum) . — Seeds 

 sent for trial as a possibly valual)le fodder crop were sown 

 May 4. The plants grew to l)e about 3 feet tall, with nu- 

 merous branches and leaves, which are eaten by stock. The 

 main stem is hard and woody. The amount of fodder pro- 

 duced does not equal that produced by the soya bean in the 

 same time. The plants did not reach the blossoming stage 

 and were killed to the ground by the first frost. I judge 

 that it will have no value here as a fodder plant. 



Spurry (^Spergula arvensis). — Two varieties, "small" 

 and " giant," were under trial on a small scale. Neither 

 produced fodder enough to make it of value. 



Ankee Grass (Panicum ci'us-galli) . — Seed of a variety of 

 this species (the same as that to which our Japanese barn- 

 yard millet belongs) was received from the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, with the request that we submit 

 it to trial. It was stated that it had been collected by C. R. 

 Orcutt, and that the seed was used as food by the Indians 

 of South California and Arizona. The seed was sown May 

 4, and the crop was given careful culture. The plants grew 

 about 5 feet tall, the stems were coarse, harsh and woody, 

 brown in color, quite leafy. Panicles open like those of the 

 common weed (barn-yard grass), but without awns, large. 

 Seeds did not ripen. As compared with the Japanese barn- 

 yard millet, this variety is not as tall, coarser and more 



