AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 37 



It should be sown on well prepared land in September or Oc- 

 tober, February or March, at the rate of twelve to fifteen pounds 

 of seed per acre, and harrowed. 



In the eastern States it has been more and more damaged each 

 succeeding year by an insect killing the stems, and the same may 

 occur in the south. 



It should have been stated that in mowing, timothy should 

 be cut above the second joint as it then recovers more promdtly 

 than when cut close to the ground. 



SPOROBOLUS. 



S. INDICUS, Smut grass. 



This perennial plant from India is thoroughly naturalized and 

 at home in our southern States. In some localities it is known 

 as 'carpet grass/ But we have several other carpet grasses. 

 After blooming a large proportion of the panicles become af- 

 fected with a dark parasitic growth, which adheres to the cloth- 

 ing of any one coming in contact with it, giving it a smutty ap- 

 pearance ; and hence it is appropriately and more generally 

 termed smut grass. 



It grows abundantly and luxuriantly on many uncultivated 

 fields and commons, and furnishes grazing from April till frost. 

 It thrives under much grazing and many mowings, and grows 

 promptly after each if the soil be moist enough. Cattle and 

 horses are fond of it, if frequently cut or grazed down. But if 

 allowed to remain untouched long, they w r ill not eat it, unless 

 very hungry as it becomes tough and unpalatable and probably 

 difficult to digest. It grows in clumps producing many long 

 leaves one to three feet, and culms, the latter generally eighteen 

 inches to two feet high, though on rich land sometimes three 

 feet. July 27, I have just measured some 4 feet 8 inches. The 

 long, (6 to 18 inches) slender, compact panicles usually appear 

 like spikes unless closely examined. 



Like other grasses, especially, Bermuda, Johnson and gama 

 grass, it must be cut early and often to make good hay. But 

 under the most favorable circumstances it does not make a very 

 choice hay, although containing a large quantity of nutritive 

 principles as shown by Mr. Collier's analysis, which is here 

 given : 



Proximate analysis of Sporobolus Indicus from Mississippi. 



Oil, 2.99 Anylaceons cellulose 27.06, 



Wax, .31 Alkali extract, 14.16 * 



Sugars, 8.17 Albuminoids, 12.46 



Gum and dextrin, 2.75 Ash, 6.19 



Cellulose, 25.91 



100.00 



