15 



ing too old to germinate. But during the past season a neighbor of mine has suc- 

 ceeded in obtaining a few seeds which grew, and his plants have matured their seeds, 

 all of which will be planted the present year. Seed has also been matured at Fort 

 Meade, in Polk County. Thus the question can be considered as settled, so far as this 

 locality is concerned, that Teosinte will mature its seed, and the country is placed in 

 possession of the best soiling and fodder plant known to the agriculturists of the 

 world. It endures heat, drought, and rains as well as sorghum and better than corn, 

 and may be cured for hay. 



Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. : 



This tropical grass does not ripen its seeds in this latitude ; it scarcely unfolds its 

 blossoms before the advent of the first frost. It is very tender, being easily affected 

 by frost or drought. Daring a cold spring it is difficult to secure a good stand, and 

 it is only after warm weather has fairly set in that it begins to make a rapid growth, 

 affording three cuttings and over of rich fodder on well-manured ground in a season 

 of genial showers. It is too succulent to be easily cured for hay. On that account, 

 and from the difficulty in securing a good stand, and from the necessity of procuring 

 each season a supply of seed from abroad, this grass has not found the favor with the 

 cultivators of this section with which it is held in the subtropical zone. 



J. S. Newman, Director Experiment Station, Auburn, Ala. : 



Teosinte was cultivated on our experiment grounds last season with very satisfac- 

 tory results. It tillers like Cat-tail Millet, but makes a much more luxuriant growth. 

 It responds promptly and vigorously under the knife, and may be repeatedly cut dur- 

 ing spring and summer. It does not, however, withstand drought as well as Millo 

 Maize or Kaffir Corn, and it died out completely during our seventy-five days of 

 drought last fall. I have a few seeds which were matured on the grounds of Mr* 

 George W. Benson in the open air at Marietta, Ga. He ripened seed two years ago on 

 a few plants which were forced in early spring and transplanted to the open ground. 

 Last year this seed was planted in the open ground, and produced plants which ma. 

 tured the seed which I have. He seems thus to have succeeded in acclimating the 

 plant, which is therefore likely to prove a valuable acquisition. 



Edward C. Eeed, Meridian, Miss. : 



Fine for green soiling. Could the seed be ripened in Florida it would pay farmers 

 to cultivate it until it became acclimated, as did the Millo Maize. This result is cer- 

 tainly worthy of the united effort of the Department and the people of the South. 



Ed. McD. Anderson, Dennis Mills, St. Helena Parish, East Louisiana: 



My experience with Teosinte is limited to last year, 1886. About May 1 my father 

 received from the Department of Agriculture a few packages of this seed, which he 

 distributed, keeping two for himself, which were planted the second week in May. 

 The seed germinated well. Two seeds were put in a hill. The plant suckers more 

 than any variety of sorghum that I am acquainted with. Four hills were cut down 

 three times during the summer when over waist high. Horses and cattle appear 

 very fond of it. It stood our severe drought during August, September, and Oc- 

 tober remarkably well. The first tassel was seen November 1, and on the night of 

 the 17th we had a heavy frost. The Teosinte was then silking and the seeds forming. 

 I am confident that it would have matured seed had it been planted about March 1. 

 I consider it a forage plant superior to sorghum or Millo Maize. 



Johnson Grass, Sorghum halepense, PI. Y. 



This grass, which was introduced into cultivation in this country more 

 than fifty years ago, has within the last few years attracted renewed 

 attention. It is a native of the warm temperate regions of the Old World, 

 and has long been cultivated as a forage plant in the countries bordering 



