GRASSES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE IgI 
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 dnd 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 to 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 donot 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 hardto killas John- 
son grass, and I regard it asa 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.’’ 
