Washington, March, 1885. 



Sib : It is interesting to notice at the New Orleans Exposition 

 that many of the State exhibits, and particularly those of the 

 Southern and Western States, contain a prominent display of their 

 grasses, not only baled in the form of hay, but in many instances in 

 well-prepared botanical specimens. The State of Texas makes a 

 display of 200 species of grasses indigenous to that State. Califor- 

 nia and Arizona are jointly represented by an unequalled botanical 

 display which is especially rich in the variety of grasses. Arkansas 

 and Alabama have also collections of large extent and prepared 

 with great care. From Florida we find an exceedingly interesting 

 collection of grasses, made by Mr. O. H. Kelley, of Carrabelle, 

 containing some species quite new. Many other States, also, have 

 not neglected to present exhibits of their resources in the line of 

 grasses. , There is in fact throughout a large portion of our country 

 an intense interest manifested in the subject of grasses for the use 

 of stock. In the South and West particularly the question is an 

 absorbing one. What grasses shall we use to give a good amount 

 of pasturage, which shall be able to withstand the long dry season 

 of our summers ? What grasses can we depend on for winter pas- 

 turage, and what to furnish a supply of hay ? These questions are 

 being continually asked, and although something has been done 

 toward a satisfactory reply very much yet remains to be determined. 

 A faithful and continued series of experiments for the purpose of 

 testing the value of the different kinds which have been proposed, 

 and of others which give promise of utility, is perhaps the first 

 great necessity, and the next, especially among the agricultural 

 population, is the diffusion of popular and scientific information 

 respecting our native grasses, so that observing men may be able to 

 recognize the species which come under their notice, and to make 

 intelligent selections for cultivation. 



With this thought in view I have prepared the accompanying 

 Catalogue of the Grasses of the United States, with notes and 

 observations on such species as are more or less employed for the 



