2 BULLETIN 442, U. S. DKPARTMEXT OF AGEICULTLTRe. 



Florida, and during the course of the experiments field tests have 

 been made with 13 varieties secured from eight different parts of 

 the world. 



SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS OF LEMON GRASS. 



The best results with lemon grass have been obtained on well- 

 drained sandy loam (fig. 2), but this plant also does well on light 

 sand, such as the high pine lands of the Florida peninsula. Newly 

 cleared sandy pine land without the previous application of lime has 



Fig. 1. — Two plants of lemon grass four luouihs afler plauf ing. 



also given good results. Soil which is poorl}" drained or underlain 

 by hardpan within 3 feet of the surface should not be planted to 

 lemon grass. Field tests have not been made on heavy clay lands, 

 but the successful cultivation of the crop on that type of soil is 

 regarded as doubtful. 



The climatic rec{uirements of lemon grass are subtropical. A 

 winter temperature of 28° F. has killed the plants to the ground, 

 while 24° has killed the roots. However, the crop may be planted 

 ^\'ith safety where the temperature does not fall below 25° F., and 

 under certain conditions even a slightl}" lower temperature may not 

 cause serious damaae. 



