IV INTRODUCTION. 



in many species of Andropogon, in barley, oats, and in the bearded varie- 

 ties of wheat. Examples of the involucral bristles occur in the genera 

 Pennisetum, and Setaria, to which bajra and kangni respectively belong. 

 The stamens, which are normally three in number, are sometimes reduced 

 to two {Plate B., Fig. 10, Plate D., Fig. 21, Plate E., Fig. 23), or one, 

 whilst in rice there are as many as six {Plate B., Fig. 7, b). 



The Nutritive value of Indian grasses. — Very little is known 

 regarding the actual feeding value of our commonest fodder grasses. 

 What we do know is chiefly of a relative nature. Close enquiry amongst 

 graziers and intelligent zamindars indicates in a general kind of way 

 what are the best available grasses in any one district, but the opinions 

 obtained from different districts are often very contradictory. Eor in- 

 stance, a particular kind of grass may be highly valued in one part of 

 India and despised elsewhere. Many widely distributed species do, no 

 doubt, vary in actual nutritive value according to the climate, It may also 

 happen, that the actual value of any particular grass remaining constant, 

 its relative value varies in proportion to the general standard of excellence 

 attained by the grasses of different districts. In these and many other 

 cases the only sure method of ascertaining the true value of grasses is by 

 chemical analysis. A large portion of an analyst's work would tend to 

 confirm by rational methods, the facts which had been empirically ascer- 

 tained. His original investigations would lead him to discover to what 

 extent the variations of climate and soil tend to alter the nutritive value 

 of certain grasses. There are many grasses in India, which, on account of 

 their being sparingly distributed, have hitherto been more or less over- 

 looked. By chemical analysis the intrinsic nutritive value of many of 

 these rarer species might very possibly be found equal to that of the best 

 known fodder grasses. Such kinds, however, to be rendered practically 

 useful, would have to be encouraged by cultivation, or by special means of 

 protection ; for the value of any particular grass for fodder or forage pur- 

 poses does not, after all, depend so much on its nutritive qualities as on its 

 being available in sufficient quantity. The prevailing spontaneous species 

 of a district will, as a rule, therefore, be found to head the list in regard 

 to utility. 



Grass Eeserves. — In a general way it is found that the periodical 

 protection of grass lands has a direct advantage. Many of our most 

 nutritious perennial grasses manage to exist on ground which presents a 

 most unpromising appearance. They seem to have acquired the power of 

 adapting themselves to withstand the trying effects of long-continued 

 droughts, and the unrestricted cropping by goats and other animals. 

 .Nevertheless, they possess capabilities of vigorous growth, and respond 



