18 
trial in the warmest portions of the Southern States. There are many other 
species of Desmodium in the eastern and southern — penis some occurring 
in woodlands, and others found only in open prair All are eaten with avidity 
by stock, and all are worthy of an extended trial in cas ation, although on 
account of their jointed pods covered with minute hooke: s they are per- 
haps liable to become weeds. The foliage produced by them is seed nutri- 
tious, and because they are strong growers they would have some value in 
reclaiming worn lands. 
Dioscorea batatas. Chinese yam; Yam. 
A rank-growing vine cultivated in all tropical countries for its edible roots. um i 
propagated by means of aerial tubers which form in the axils of the lea 
This has been introduced into tropical Florida. The pi eshy, mucilaginous mie 
serve as food for man, and are readily eaten by all kinds of stock. 
Dolichos multiflorus. Velvet bean; Banana field pea; Banana stock pea. 
A rank-growing vine with plump, velvety pods, e: containing 3 or 4 large oval 
b whie 
An ornamental, promises to become a valuable forage plant on 
sterile, sandy soils in the South. In Florida it Ain. yielded at the rate of 16,680 
pounds of green forage per acre. It is there esteemed as a winter mulch, as, 
when killed by frost, the W i remain on the vines over winter. 
Eleocharis obtusa. Tufted spike rush. 
A tufted annual spike rush with leafless stems 8 to 18 inches high. It grows in shallow 
ponds and marshes in the Upper Missouri prairie region, and furnishes a fair 
quality of forage in localities too wet for grasses and sedges. The hay contains 
10 per cent crude protein, 
Eleocharis palustris. Common spike rush. 
A spike rush with slender, eylindrical, upright tufted stems, 1 to 4 feet high, from 
perennial roots and running rootstocks. Very common in shallow water or in 
northward. The leafless stems yield a considerable amount of early pasturage 
in wet meadows. The hay contains 93 per cent of crude protein 
Erigeron canadensis. Horseweed; Butterweed; Fireweed. 
A bristly, hairy, erect, wand-like, annual composite, with numerous etae iens. 
entire, leaves, and very numerous heads of small, dirty white flow osmo- 
politan weed sinis in waste lands, fence corners, and along 8 This 
species tie reported valuable as sheep fodder in the arid regions of New 
Mexico and Tte 
odium utarium. Alfilaria; i'i Pin clover; Pin grass; Pinweed ; Fila- 
ria; Filaree; Alfilarilla. (Fig 
This weedy annual has nearly as d a distribution as the following species, but 
is of less value. This species has been regarded by agricultural writers as 
true Alfilaria, but according to Professor Greene its occurrence is rare compared 
with that of E. moschatum, and its foliage is more fragrant and less readily eaten 
by stock. 
dium moscbatum.  Cranesbill; n» Storksbill; Pin clover; Pin grass; 
Pinweed; Filaria; Filaree; Alfilar 
An annual of the 5 tane hich oecurs abundantly, and is of h value in 
i pastures over a large extent of territory on the Pacific Slope. Elsewhere in the 
United States it is ponen introduced, and usuall ly regarded only as a weed, 
