SOUTHERN GRASSES 259 



and winter grazing it is excellent and the hay is of good 

 quality, especially when mixed with cowpeas. It begins 

 its growth so early in the season that it is usually killed 

 by any summer cultivation which may be given the field, 

 so that it is rarely seen in cotton or corn fields. The 

 glumes are very hairy and light, so the seed must be gath- 

 ered by stripping. Seed may be sown broadcast at any 

 time from November to April and needs no special atten- 

 tion. 



Natal-grass is valuable wherever it will continue to 

 volunteer from year to year, but its seed habits and small 

 yield do not commend it for growing in rotations. Some 

 commercial seed is grown in Australia. 



Seeds from different sources show that the plant is quite 

 variable, and some forms are decidedly more valuable 

 than others. A related species, T. teneriffce, is perennial 

 and may prove valuable for permanent pastures in Florida. 



