225 
4. If the experiment is considered worth the attempt seed could 
no doubt be easily obtained from the United States Department of 
Agriculture. 
I am, &e., 
W. T. THISELTON-DYER. 
Sir Chas. Les Gig m ESL, 
India Pio Whitehall, 
Kew, August 10, 1897. 
DEAR 
I am vicos to state the E in reply to your enquiry 
concerning the value of Grama grass for introduction to India 
There are quite a number of species of wah eite to which this 
term has been applied, and several of them are Pec pner by 
special prefixes, as Black Grama, White Ciraiftn a, Sand Grama, etc. 
others posses d er adaptation. He me o 
them have remained little known, while ers have acquired 
a high repute as pasture and hay s. The best known are 
B, oligostachya, B. polystachya, B. racemosa, and B. curtipendula. 
All are more or less noted for the avidity with which stock will 
in the stall. It isa peculiar property of these grasses to retain 
their a Re after drying standing, and after 
remaining for many weeks in this re Bae Be sed to the 
weather, a ean which reduces ordinary grasses to the worth- 
less condition of straws. Another notable property i is their ability, 
especially B. oligostach ya, to subsist in arid regions, where long- 
continued rainless periods destroy ordinary grasses. I have 
observed the following peculiarity of growth which dorbis 
accounts in some degree for this property. A single plant is seen 
to extend its growth in two opposite directions, forming a little 
ridge. These directions gradually change so that the ridge 
assumes a roughly circular form, enclosing a shallow basin which 
must do something to conserve eer rain-falls. A third important 
They are 
thus better adapted than ‘many grasses to grow in hose countries 
where sods or turfs will not form 
12 trial of these grasses in India is to be s trongly recom- 
ended. It is further to be recommended that a preliminary 
study should be made of the conditions of the locality where 
each is to be tried, so that failure may not result E desi 
the several species in unsuitable locations. The k Gram 
particularly adapted to rocky plac “a especia a pieni si ide 
and the slopes of valleys. The White Grama (B. Migostach 1 
is most luxuriant in the rich loam of bottom s. It doe 
well, however, as does B. curtipendula, on desert vine with 
garir or partly gravelly soil. B. polystachya is a much lower 
n the others, but makes a very — grow aias does 
ME well on sands of river-bottoms are annually 
overflowed. It is the most valuable a wider of "cA all. 
