224 
DLXIX.—GRAMA GRASS. 
(Bouteloua oligostachya, Torr.) 
The following correspondence relates to a proposal to introduce 
the North American “Grama grass” as a fodder-plant into India. 
INDIA OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
India Office, Whitehall, S.W., 
SIR, ugust 7, 1897. 
I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward 
a copy of a Memo. regarding * Grama grass," and to ask you to 
favour him with your rema arks on a suggestion that has been made 
by a Scotch settler in Mexico that this fodder should be tried in 
India 
am, &c. 
(Signed) C. E. BERNARD, 
Secretary, Revenue and Statistics Department. 
The Director, 
Kew Gardens. 
MEMORANDUM by Professor Wallace. 
Grama grass intera ona which is so valuable as 
a pasture grass in Mexico, Tex other adjoining states, is 
of soil, and climate, but it has remarkable power of maintaining 
its existence in arid seimas subject to re periods of drought. 
If it could be shown that the soil and climate of India are uit 
pot to Ši fece this could be ke at little expense at one of the 
experi tal stations, such as at Poona), it would form a very 
imn. sdditon to the fo dder grasses of the coun try. It is just 
possible, however, that if it were once established in arable land, 
it might become a troublesome weed to the seul owing to 
the power its roots have of keeping possession of the s 
Royal Gardens, Kew 
August 12, 1897. 
the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your mias 
R & s. 3912 of August 7 relating to the introduction of Gram 
grass into India 
2. 1 “ad consulted upon the subject with H.H. Rusby, Esq.,M.D., 
Professor of Botany and Materia Medica in the College of Pharmacy 
of the City of New York, a well-known American botanist, who is 
I also en 
Du e “sl = Agricultural Grasses and Forage Plants of the 
it 
3. There ped be no doubt that Grama grass as it occurs under 
natural conditions affords pasture of great value. How far these 
could be imitated artificially in India is another matter, and one 
I confess, which does not appear to me likely to be attended with 
much success 
