Washington, May 15, 1887. 

 Hon. Norman J. Colman, 



Commissioner of Agriculture : 



Sir : In order to obtain definite information respecting certain grasses 

 and forage plants, which have been chiefly cultivated in the South and 

 Southwest, the Commissioner recently issued a circular on the subject 

 which was widely distributed in those sections of the country. About 

 five hundred answers have been received to the circular, many of the 

 replies being full and exhaustive for the particular localities reported 

 on, and many others giving more or less special information. These 

 reports have been carefully collated by the Assistant Botanist, and a 

 summary of the result is herewith presented. 



The grazing interests of the country are of the highest importance, 

 and information respecting new grasses which are adapted to cultiva- 

 tion in special localities is very much desired. 



By its much milder climate, and the greatly lengthened season of veg- 

 etable activity, it would seem that grazing interests would be much 

 more extended in the South than in the North, but such is not the case. 

 This fact is attributable to several causes, among which is the general 

 complaint of the want of reliable grasses and forage plants adapted to 

 the climate. Sufficient importance has not been given to the growing 

 season of different kinds of grasses. Some kinds grow and thrive best 

 at a low temperature, and others require the fervid heat of summer to 

 start them into activity. 



No grass can be obtained which will grow vigorously throughout the 

 entire year. Hence in the South the stock grower must provide a series 

 of pastures, some for winter and some for summer use. The great want 

 has been a reliable and productive winter grass. 



Among those which thus far are found useful in this direction are the 

 Bromus unioloides, Phalaris intermedia, Eolcus lanatus, and Boa arach- 

 nifera. Each of these has some good qualities, but all are liable to some 

 objections. Perhaps that which gives greatest promise is the Texas 

 Blue grass, or Poa araclinifera. But this, since it was brought to notice, 

 has made very slow advancement, owing mainly to its poor seeding 

 quality. If the seed of this species was matured as abundantly as that 

 of the Kentucky blue grass and could be furnished at as low a price, 



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