104 

 B. E. Van Huron, Lakeside, Fla. : 



I have disseminated the Spanish clover .ill over my place, as I consider it a val- 

 uable plant for improving the laud. It is also a very good forage plant, and will 

 grow on the poorest soil without manure. 



J. C. Neal, M. D., Archer, Fla. : 



Grows rapidly, seeds itself, and makes a fair looking lawn or field, but I have not 

 found a cow or horse that would touch it green or dry. 



J. G. Knapp, Hillsborough County, southern Florida : 



Found in moist fields in this county and considered a valueless weed. It is not 

 oaten green by cither cattle or horses, and grows ilat on the ground, so that it can not 

 be cut for hay. On account of the large number of seeds it perfects it is difficult to 

 eradicate. It is spoken of in some sections as a fertilizing plant. In my opinion it 

 has no other value, and I estimate it low for that purpose. 



B. O. Smith, Cold Water, Ga. : 



Thrives only on highly fertilized soils, in the best of tilth, where it gives a large 

 yield. Mexican clover, being very similar to purslane, is very hard to cure, and is not 

 well relished by cattle or horses. 



C. Menelas, Savannah, Ga. : 



I have seen it only on the Gulf coast) where it flourishes luxuriantly without cul- 

 tivation, and is dreaded by nearly every one as a weed. Stock appear to be very 

 fond of it, and the yield per acre must be very heavy. 



Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. : 



Introduced from the neighboring tropics and perfectly naturalized. It is never 

 cultivated, but takes possession of the fields, and arrives at the period of its fullest 

 growth after the crops of vegetables, Irish potatoes, corn, and oats, are laid by or 

 have been removed, yielding spontaneous crops of hay and affording fully two cut- 

 tings during the season of from 1 to 2 tons per acre, according to the fertility of the 

 field. 



In 1874 the same gentleman sent a sample of hay of this plant to the 

 Department, which was found to be nearly as rich in food elements as 

 clover hay. In his letter he then said : 



It forms a large and important part of the pine-woods pasture in this county. It 

 is much relished by horses and mules, which seem to thrive well upon it, and sheep 

 feed upon it with great avidity. The plant is known here by the name of " Mexican 

 clover," "poor toes," or " pigeon-weed. " Seventeen years ago it was but sparse; 

 now it occurs in all our cultivated grounds, covering them with a luxuriant vegeta- 

 tion after the crops of the summer have been removed. 



Thomas J. Key, editor Southern Agriculturist, Montgomery, Ala.: 



It grows luxuriantly on cultivated, sandy lands in the southern part of the State, 

 makes excellent hay, and matures after corn has been laid by. 



James B. Siger, Handsborough, southern Mississippi: 

 Of late years Mexican clover has been introduced and grown among the crab grass. 

 It is spreading rapidly. Its habits and manner of cultivation are the same as crab 

 grass. Cattle will pick it out from any other hay and eat it in preference to any. 



Edward C. Reid, Meridian, Miss. : 



It is hardy, and grows on the poorest sandy land from the coast up to the Cretace- 

 ons formation. It stands drought and is hard to exterminate. It comes up after 

 corn is laid by. and on cot ton-land covers the cotton. It is not especially valuable 

 ns :i pasture | l;mt, as it comes up late and pasturing kills it out. In cultivated 

 lands it reseeds itself, and comes up year after year. 



