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that account, even when dry, not without value : Some of the most 

 valuable grasses imported from the tropics of the Old World, 

 and cultivated in the warmer zones of this continent, belong to 

 this genus : One of our native species rivalling these in sweet- 

 ness and nutritious qualities, in my opinion, is the 



Panicum proliferum, a large succulent, annual grass, putting 

 forth its numerous tender branches throughout the latter part of 

 the summer ; it grows 3 to 4 feet or more in height, stands cut- 

 ting well, and cattle and horses are very fond of it. 



Panicum Grits Galli : Also an annual, 2 to 3 feet high, bearing 

 its hispidly awned flowers, in dense one-sided panicles, composed 

 of numerous crowded spikes ; is found growing luxuriantly, par- 

 ticularly in the low lands of the coast ; is greedily eaten by 

 horses and cattle, and makes fine hay of good quality. 



Andropogon Scoparius: Broomsedge: One of our most 

 common grasses, covering old fields, fencerows, and extensively 

 growing in the dry sandy soils of the pine woods : Much des- 

 pised as this grass is as a troublesome, unsightly weed, it has its 

 good qualities, which entitle it to a more charitable consideration : 

 In the dry pine woods, it contributes while green and tender, a 

 large share to the sustenance of the stock : From a statement in 

 the Eeport of the Department of Agriculture, (1874), I perceive 

 that in the great plains of the West, it is regarded as one of the 

 very best of the forage resources of that great grazing country. 

 East of the Mississippi, it has always been looked upon as 

 worthless. 



Of native forage plants belonging to other natural families, we 

 possess a few valuable Leguminosce, plants of the pea tribe, par- 

 ticularly of the genus Desmodium. 



Desmodium acuminatum, and D. nudiflorum, common all over 

 the States east of the Mississippi, and much esteemed as 

 nutritious, milk-producing plants, are frequent in rich, shady 

 woods through this State. Other species, peculiar to its southern 

 section, are said to be valuable, and are even cultivated in Florida, 

 but they are more or less hard and dry, the stiff stems but scantily 

 clothed with leaves. The Desmodiums are known under the name 

 of Tick trifoil, or tick-seeds, from the flat-jointed hispid seedpots 

 that attach themself to the hair and ^fleece of animals and the 

 clothing. 



The Lespedeza striata, Japanese Clover, belongs to this family; 

 introduced from Eastern Asia, it has, during the last decade, over- 

 spread the Southern States from the Atlantic shores to the banks 

 of the Mississippi. Cattle and horses are eating it. Of its value 



