ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS. INFORMATION. 
No. 95.] NOVEMBER. [1894. 
CCCCXX.—TROPICAL FODDER GRASSES. 
The selection of suitable grasses for cultivation in tropical countries is 
a matter of considerable importance. Few countries have completely 
mers the Lm It is evident also that a good deal of time and 
rgy is spent in the effort to Wee foreign grasses, when there ae 
oleh indigenous grasses close at hand. It is proposed to 
egere to a few grasses that nit. EA to first rauk for fodder 
purposes in the tropics, and to give particulars respecting the conditions 
r which they have been found to thrive. It is well known that the 
sate kinds of grasses do not succeed equally well in all localities. There 
are certain conditions and peculiarities of climate and soil to be con- 
sidered; but there is no reason to doubt that if careful experiment is 
i sses ca fou 
even for valuabie horses, is gathered day by day from waste places and 
jungles. Such fodder is not only poor in quality, but it is liable to be 
infected with disease from T animals. Further, during seasons of 
drought, the fodder supply is likely to fail altogether. The selection 
and cultivation of grasses, with particular reference to their grazing 
qualities, or for the production of hay, should receive more attenti nd 
- will doubtless become, before long, a lar branch of rural industry 
n the tropies, as it has been for so many years in temperate countries. 
NATURAL HERBAGE. 
In the tropics the difficuity in —— grasses is caused by the 
usually rank growth of weeds and bus These soon overrun an 
cleared area, and they have to be erig am eradicated, or the 
grass woul bé completely destroyed. The natura! herbage in 
most tropical countries would, of itself, form excellent pasture 
for cattle and horses. There is hardly any part of the world entirely 
devoid of good grasses, and these should first of all receive attention. 
Where no suitable fodder grasses are available, then, under such 
exceptional circumstances, it would be well to introduce the useful 
* Guinea grass" and * Para grass" for cultivation on land suitable for 
the purpose. In countries like Ceylon and Jamaica, there are vast 
U 84360. 1375.—12/94. Wt. 45. * 
