26 



southward through the central part of the State. From no grass, so 

 little known, have more favorable reports been received, especially 

 from the section in which it is most abundant. It is but little known 

 outside of Texas. Of the thirty five valuable reports in regard to it, 

 all but six were from that State, and most of them from the region 

 above indicated. 



The grass is an annual, growing usually from 2 to 4 feet high, and is 

 especially valuable for hay. It prefers rich alluvial soils, but stands 

 drought well, though on dry uplands its yield is much reduced. The 

 plant is furnished with an abundance of rather short and broad leaves, 

 and the stems, which are rather weak, are often produced in consider- 

 able number from a single root, and where the growth is rank are in- 

 clined to be decumbent at the base. It is valuable for all purposes for 

 which the ordinary millets are used, and should be tried throughout 

 the South. In Texas, where most largely grown, it generally over- 

 comes other grasses and weeds; but in some of the other Southern 

 States crab grass and weeds have interfered with its growth. It has 

 not been much cultivated in the Northern States, but is deserving of a 

 trial ; as with a good season it will probably be more productive than, 

 and of superior quality to, common Hungarian millet. (Plate 10.) 



Panicum proliferum, var. geniculatum. 



This variety occurs in the Southern States, where it is sometimes 

 called " sprouting crab grass." It is an annual, growing in low, moist 

 ground. The stems are first erect, then become decumbent and spread- 

 ing, frequently attaining a length of 6 or 7 feet, bent and rooting at the 

 lower joints. It has much the same habit as P. Texanum, but the steins 

 are smooth and more flattened ; the leaves also are smoother and longer. 

 The stems are sometimes nearly an inch thick at the base and very suc- 

 culent. The main stem is terminated by a diffuse panicle sometimes 

 2 feet long. 



Dr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, says of it : 



Iu damp, grassy places it prefers rich ground throughout the coast region. It com- 

 mences to vegetate vigorously in the hottest part of the summer, throwing out 

 numerous shoots from the joints, forming large-branched bushes. The foliage is rich 

 and tender; and the succulent, thick stems are sweet and juicy. After cutting, it 

 throws out numerous sprouts from the lower joints, which grow rapidly, so as to 

 allow repeated cuttings until frost. It is through all stages of its growth much rel- 

 ished by horses and cattle. 



(Plate 11.) 



Panicum barbinode (Para Grass). 



This species has been introduced from South America in some locali- 

 ties of the Southern States. In Cuba it is cultivated and highly valued 

 for its prolific growth and nutritive properties. It is not adapted to 

 culture in the Northern States. It is a coarse, reed-like grass, that 

 looks as if it should grow in the water; but it makes a heavy growth 

 on the high pine ridges of Florida. (Plate 12.) 



