GRASSES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE 191 



cities. It is brought to market fresh from the field on 

 the backs of donkeys, and peddled about the streets. 

 Para grass is much used for pasture on the islands. In 

 Florida neither of these grasses produce seed. They 

 are propagated by cuttings, and the expense of secur- 

 ing a stand greatly reduces their usefulness. Most of 

 the arable land of southern Florida is so valuable for 

 trucking purposes that farmers cannot afford to grow 

 grasses of any kind; but since these are the only ones 

 yet found that thrive under the peculiar soil and cli- 

 matic condition of the region, and since considerable 

 feed is required for the farm stock, many attempts have 

 been made to grow them. Grasses are particularly 

 needed on the few dairy-farms t<5 be found in that re- 

 gion. The amount of milk produced is far less than 

 the demand, largely for the reason that dairymen are 

 compelled to ship hay from the North. If practical 

 methods of establishing these grasses can be worked 

 out, it will render dairying a profitable industry there. 

 Prof. Frank S. Earle, of the Cuban Department of 

 Agriculture, says, regarding these two grasses : ' ' As 

 to guinea-grass, it is the best pasture and hay grass in 

 the world. I do not know how it will do in Florida 

 sands, as I have seen it only in rich lands. It is usu- 

 ally planted by slips. I have never seen the seed, nor 

 heard of its being planted. The Para grass is not as 

 nutritious as the guinea-grass, and it grows best' in 

 wet, half-swampy places. It is as hard to kill as John- 

 son grass, and I regard it as a rather bad weed. Still, 

 like Johnson grass, it is a fine thing in its place, and 

 yields enormously on lands that are too wet for any- 

 thing else." 



