32 



ably resembles Indian corn, but is more slender, gives off suckers more 

 abundantly, and produces its seeds, a few together, in small tufts of 

 husks instead of in ears. Each seed is inclosed by the peculiar hardened 

 outer glumes, which would probably make it more difficult to digest 

 than corn. The plant has not yet been extensively tried, owing to the 

 difficulty of obtaining seed, which it was necessary to import, and 

 which was therefore expensive and liable to be of poor quality. Expe- 

 rience has shown, however, that it will ripen in southern Florida, and 

 in a few other favorably localities in the United States. Professor 

 Phares, of Mississippi, believes, from instances that have conie under his 

 notice, that the seed may be successfully grown in some locations in the 

 southern portion of that State, and over a considerable part of south- 

 eastern Louisiana, and that in all parts of the Gulf States, even where 

 it does not mature, it is destined to become a most valuable forage 

 plant. It is probable that by selection and continued trial it may be 

 made to ripen where it now does not. 

 J. G. Neal, Archer, northern Florida: 



Often tried, and with much fertilizer makes a tremendous growth, giving a large 

 amount of good forage, easily dried, and available. The seeds I received from the 

 Department of Agriculture last year were deficient in vitality, and bufcfew grew, but 

 they showed that with good seed and care the teosinte would be a valuable forage 

 plant. It will not ripen seed. I have tried to ripen it for ten years and failed. 



J. G. Knapp, Limona, southern Florida: 



Great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining live seed of this most valuable 

 fodder plant, seed obtained from seedsmen, having been imported from Honduras, 

 being too old to germinate. But during the past season a neighbor of mine has suc- 

 ceeded in obtaining a few seeds which grew, and his plants have matured their seeds, 

 all of which will be planted the present year. Seed has also been matured at Fort 

 Meade, in Polk County. Thus the question can be considered as settled, so far as 

 .this locality is concerned, that teosinte will mature its seed, and the country is 

 placed in possession of the best soiling and fodder plant known to the agriculturists 

 of the world. It endures, heat, drought, and rains as well as sorghum and better 

 than corn, and may be cured for hay. 



Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. : 



This tropical grass does not ripen its seeds in this latitude ; it scarcely unfolds 

 its blossoms before the advent of the first frost. It is very tender, beiug easily af- 

 fected by frost or drought. During a cold spring it is difficult to secure a good 

 stand, and it is only after warm weather has fairly set in that it begins to make a 

 rapid growth, affording three cuttings and over of rich fodder on well manured 

 ground in a season of genial showers. It is too succulent to be easily cured for hay. 

 On that account and from the difficulty in securing a good stand and from the neces- 

 sity of procuring each season a supply of seed from abroad, this grass has not found 

 the favor with the cultivators of this section with which it is held in the subtropical 

 zone. 



J. S. Newman, Director Experiment Station, Auburn, Ala.: 



Teosinte was cultivated on our experiment grounds last season with very satisfac- 

 tory results. It tillers like cat-tail millet, but makes a much more luxuriant growth. 

 It responds promptly and vigorously under the knife, and may be repeatedly cut dur- 



