i6 



distributed seed amongst coast and np-coiintiy farmers, but I 

 have not yet heard of any single instance in which they have 

 met with success. 



Peucedannm sp. " Koona." 



A packet of seeds of this plant was also received from the 

 same source as the last named one, but I regret to have to say 

 that not a single seed germinated, nor do I think that we shall 

 rear a single one, as the seeds have been a long time in the 

 ground. The plant belongs to the Order umbelliferae, an 

 Order which is not noted for yielding f )rage plants, though the 

 present one seems to be highly esteemed in North America. 



Desmodium tortuosum. " Beggar Weed." 



Seeds of this plant were also received from the United States 

 Agrostologist, and gi ew vigorously, producing plenty of seed. 

 It was noted in my last Report, and it is therefore only necessary 

 now to say again that from accounts received " It produces a 

 fodder of fine quality in large qaantities, and grows best in soils 

 containing lime. It is also used for green manuring." Nothing 

 could be better than its growth here, and it is possible that it 

 might become a troublesome weed ; it will propagate itself with- 

 out much attention ; there is, however, little or no demand for 

 it. So far as the coast districts are concerned, nature seems to 

 have dealt so bountifully with us, that forage plants which 

 require attention are scarcely required. 



Polygonum sacchalinense. " Sacaline." 



This plant has been noted in my previous Reports, and has 

 been very highly thought of in some places as a forage plant ; 

 it has long been cultivated as an ornamental plant at Home, 

 but it is only within the last few years that it has been recom- 

 mended as a forage plant. I regret to have to say that it has 

 not been found suitable for this purpose, at any rate on the 

 coast lands of Natal, and what is said of it in the Report on 

 the Saharunpur Botanic Gardens, is exactly our experience 

 here. The Superintendent says " The opinion expressed in the 

 last Annual Report on the apparent unfitness of this plant for 

 successful cultivation in this climate has been confirmed by its 

 behaviour during the past season. The greatest length of 

 stalk produced did not exceed 2\ feet, and as each plant only 

 yielded a few such stalks, the plant may be looked upon as 

 utterly worthless for forage, so far as this climate is con- 

 cerned." This is almost exactly our experience with it, but I 

 am told that in the higher districts of the colony, and in the 

 Transvaal, much better results have been obtained ; it is 

 evident therefore that the plant is not suited for cultivation in 

 a tropical, or sub-tropical climate. 



