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Texas Blue Grass, Poa tirachnifera, PI. XI. 



This grass was first described by Dr. John Torrey, in the report of 

 Captain Marcy ? s exploration of the Eed Biver of Louisiana, as having 

 been found in 1852 on the headwaters of the Trinity in Xorthern Texas, 

 and named Poa arachnifera from the profusion of webby hairs growing 

 about the flowers. This feature is variable, however, probably depend- 

 ing somewhat on the amount of shade or exposure to which the grass 

 is subject. The seeds, besides being very small, are especially difficult 

 to sow from their clinging together by means of this lint or covering of 

 webby hairs. There has been considerable complaint of the failure of 

 the seed to grow, though some have grown it successfully. The grass 

 is propagated with less care by means of the sets or fragments of the 

 subterranean stems, and so long as the seed remains at its present high 

 price this will often be found the most satisfactory way of getting a 

 start. The time and methods of planting the seeds and sets are given 

 in the subjoined extracts from correspondents. 



Texas Blue Grass, though still but little known, promises to become 

 the best winter grass throughout the South, wherever there is good soil 

 and a fair degree of rainfall. It has been too little tried at the Xorth 

 for any satisfactory estimate to be formed of its value there. In Kan- 

 sas it has been grown successfully for several years. A plat of it 

 planted on the grounds of the Department last spring has stood the 

 winter and is now (March 1) about 3 inches high, and looking as well 

 as any of the grasses on tr:*al. The plat was grown from the sets. 

 Seeds sown at the same time failed to grow. Small quantities of the 

 seed will be sent out for trial this season from the Department. Several 

 parties in Texas and Alabama have seeds and sets for sale, but they 

 have not yet become general articles of trade. 



W. C. Lipscomb, Crockett, Tex.: 



Texas Blue Grass is cultivated here ou a limited and mostly experimental scale. 

 It lias proved to be hardy, and to stand drought exceptionally well. It prefers ele- 

 vated, rich sandy soil. The only obstacle I see in the way of its propagation is the 

 difficulty of sowing the seeds, which cling together, o wiug to a lint surrounding them. 

 Any invention or process overcoming this difficulty would be of great value to us in 

 the future. 



James Perry, TVhitesborough, Northeastern Texas: 



It seems to have sprung up here iu the last few years by chance, and is being propa- 

 gated as fast as seed can be found. It furnishes good early grazing, but is of no value 

 after July, though it conies from the root again when the fall rains set in. I have 

 had it on the same ground for ten years. It is about as easily subdued by cultivation 

 as Kentucky Blue Grass. 



S. TV. Weaver, Simpson, Shelby County, Eastern Texas : 



I have had four years' experience with the Texas Blue Grass. The older the sod 

 the thicker and better it is. It is almost worthless until about the fourth year. The 

 people are taking hold of it here in good earnest. 



