AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 99 



The name Guinea grass has often been applied to Johnson 

 Grass, (Sorghum halapense) which see on a subsequent page. 

 The latter matures seed in the United States, virile the former 

 seldom does even in Florida. The Guinea grass therefore must 

 be propagated by dividing the clumps or from seed imported 

 from tropical climates, usually from Jamaica. The tussocks 

 may be divided and set out any time of year when the ground 

 is moist enough and the temperature of the air not lower than 

 40 F. But the best time to set is late in March and through 

 April. If set in April after the ground becomes warm, the 

 plants are up in a few days and by the last of May ready for 

 the first mowing ; which with favorable weather may be repeat- 

 ed about every six weeks till frost kills it down. 



The roots are very easily killed by cold and must be protect- 

 ed like sugar cane roots in winter. This cannot well be done 

 by throwing earth on, unless it is kept like sugar cane in rows. 

 On hill Ian d I have succeeded best in preserving sugar cane 

 ratoons by covering with the cane tops and fodder. It is prob- 

 able that the Guinea grass roots might be protected in a similar 

 manner by taking off no grass later than August and then mow- 

 ing just before frost, or in October and leaving the grass as it 

 falls on the ground. It is too tender to grow at any great dis- 

 tance from the gulf shore ; but by protection might be cultiva- 

 ted successfully in the southern portion of all the gulf States. 



The subjoined analysis of Mr. Collier shows this grass to be 

 more nutritious than many others, so that with its immense 

 product of hay it is very valuable, especially near the sea shore 

 and on the sandy lands where other good grasses do not thrive. 



ANALYSIS OF PANICUM JUMENTORUM. 



Oil, 1.27 Amylaceous cellulose, 16.30 



Wax, .31 Alkali extract, 22.60 



Sugars, 5.93 Albuminoids, 8.95 



Gum and dextrin, 4.51 Ash, 8.37 



Cellulose, 31.76 



100.00 



ANALYSIS OF ASH. 



* 



Potassium, 8.57 Phosphoric acid, 4.37 



Potassium oxide, 35.93 Silicic acid, 16.51 



Calcium oxide, 10.18 Chlorine, . 7.77 



Magnesium oxide, 14.16 



Sulphuric acid, 2.51 100.00 



Although this grass will do well on rather poor sandy land, 

 it does much better on richer or fertilized land. Wherever it 

 has had proper care the crop is enormous and satisfactory. A 



