13 



or Texas Millet, locally known as Austin Grass -this name being given from the fact 

 that it was first utilized as hay near the capital of Texas. 



It was first discovered in DeWitt County, on the Guadaloupe River, the seed being 

 supposed to have been deposited there by wild geese. Its cultivation in some sections 

 is a profitable industry, which is assuming large proportions. It is rapid in its 

 growth, and stands a moderate drought well. It will stand almost dead for four 

 months, and then, when rain comes on, be brought to perfection. It prefers light 

 soils, but will grow in any part of the South except on black waxy land. On rich 

 sandy soil it will yield 3 tons per acre, and in favorable seasons may be cut three 

 times. It is only valuable for bay, and entirely unfit for pasture. It is easily sub- 

 dued by cultivation. After the ground has become well seeded, by one crop being 

 allowed to remain on the land uncut, it can be grown on the same land year after 

 year indefinitely. 



As a hay plant I believe this to have no superior. It js especially excellent for 

 horses, mules, and milch cows. In summer, however, cows will not eat it unless 

 forced to; but in winter they relish it, and it proves excellent for making milk and 

 butter. In Travis County large farms have been devoted to this grass alone, the most 

 of the hay being consumed in the local markets, where it sells readily at $18 to $20 

 per ton. 



To obtain a crop it is only necessary to remove the stalks from a corn-field. The 

 grass will come of itself and give a good yield of hay. Some put in a crop of oats, 

 and after these are taken off break up the ground, after which, upon the first rain, 

 the grass comes up. Some set aside plats of unbroken ground, and when the weeds 

 come up in April, break and harrow; this kills the weeds, and the grass then comes 

 up so thick that it gets ahead of the weeds and chokes them out. After cutting the 

 grass the land is broken again, when, if there is any rain, a second crop is obtained 

 with absolute certainty. It yields seeds enormously, but the seeds ripen at different 

 times, those at the top first. The grass is cut and cured like any other hay, but must 

 be left in the sun unraked at least two days. Care must be taken to cut it at the 

 proper time; if too late the seed will drop off; if too soon you will still have good 

 hay, but the seed will be chaff. Examine the seed at the top of the head ; if it con- 

 tains milk, cut it ; but if it contains green juice, wait a few days, but not until the 

 dough state is reached. 



It might be inferred, from the grass being naturally in our fields, that it would be 

 a pest, but such is not the case. It roots near the surface, indeed so shallow that in 

 raking care must be taken not to pull up the stubble. A late rain in August brings 

 it up in the cotton fields, and it frequently gets higher than the cotton, before that is 

 picked, but beyond damaging the sample a little it does no iujury. Inclosed I send 

 you a sample of this grass which is cured as it should be; some of the seeds are chaffy, 

 but most of them will germinate. I repeat, it is my favorite of all grasses for mak- 

 ing hay. 



A correspondent of Lampasas County, Texas, writing to the Depart- 

 ment in 1883, says: 



It is undoubtedly the finest forage plant in existence. For horses, cattle, and sheep 

 it is excellent. They prefer it to any other kind of hay, or even to sheaf oats. It is 

 raised in this section by plowing the land after a crop of small grain has been har- 

 vested. It is a sure crop, and produces two or three tons per acre. 



H. L. Eaven, Secretary Morrelltown Grange, Morrelltowc, Travis 

 County, Texas : 



Said to have originated in this county on the river bottom below Austin. It comes 

 voluntarily, and after the corn is cut from the field is mown and made into hay. 

 Some plant no crop, but plow and harrow the land and get two cuttings. It is not a 

 good pasture plant, as it comes late and the first frost kills it. • 



