SEPTEMBER, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 298 



soil, loam, gravel, or sand, and also in dry, open heavy soils; it can, besides, stand a 

 fair amount of moisture in loose soils. It forms an excellent graft-bearer for all 

 varieties of European vines, except Hanepoot, and possibly also other members of the 

 Muscat family.' (cf. J. P. de Waal, in the Agricultural Journal, Cape of Good Hope, 

 December 19, 1901, p. 838.) This variety, I am informed by Mr. Eustace Pillans, is 

 the best of all the resistant stocks yet tried at the Cape, as its ease of grafting, great 

 vigor, suitability to different kinds of soil, and grafting affinity for all but varieties 

 of the Muscat type, make it a general stock of great value. . Even those who do not 

 claim that it exceeds in vigor any other sort, admit that it is the easiest grafted of 

 any of the American stocks. The stock originated at Groot Constantia Wine Farm 

 in a lot of seedlings from seed sown in 1886. It is uncertain whether the seed came 

 direct from America or from France. This is entirely distinct, according to Mr. J. 

 Bioletti (formerly of Berkeley University, California, now at Elsenburg Agricultural 

 School), from the Metallica of French vineyardists. Its name applies to the luster of 

 its foliage. The seedling was picked out in 1894, and by quick propagation in 1901 

 yielded 687,000 cuttings, and in 1902, 864,000 cuttings were distributed. It has been 

 tested side by side with many French stocks, such as Aramon rupestris, Riparia 

 Gloire de Montpellter, etc., and takes its place as their equal in all points and 

 their superior as regards ease of propagation and suitability to the varieties of soil 

 mentioned. Mr. Pillans goes so far as to predict that it will drive all other stocks 

 out of South Africa, except for Muscat sorts. He claims for it a remarkable yield- 

 giving power, extreme vigor, and resistance to the phylloxera. Mr. Bioletti admits 

 its excellent qualities and practical growers are enthusiastic over it. This is well 

 worth the serious consideration of Califomian vine growers. The originators of this 

 remarkable seedling are Messrs. J. P. de Waal and Eustace Pillans, of the Cape of 

 Good Hope department of agriculture, and its trial in California should be made at 

 once. We are indebted to Mr. Pillans for the plants sent." (Fairchild.) 



9608. Chloris virgata. Rhodes grass. 



From Cape Town, South Africa. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fair- 

 child (No. 1131, March 8, 1903), May 6, 1903. 



"A species of pasture grass that, although scattered w r idely through the Tropics of 

 both hemispheres (according to the books), has probably not before been brought 

 into culture. Mr. Cecil Rhodes had the seed of this plant collected several years ago 

 and sown in large patches on his place near Cape Town, called ' Groote Schur.' The 

 grass has done well there, forming heavy sods of a good herbage, and the manager of 

 Mr. Rhodes' s farm has had the seed collected and distributed among the planters of 

 the colony, by whom it is called 'Rhodes grass.' From what I saw of these patches 

 on the slopes of a hillside, I do not believe this is a drought resistant form; at least it 

 is not able to withstand very severe dry weather. It has the typical finger-like 

 inflorescence of the genus and its strong, tough, creeping stems lie flat on the ground. 

 When given sufficient moisture- the grass is said to produce a mass of forage over 2 

 feet high, but what it would do if subjected to severe drought has yet to be found out. 

 I saw a single patch which had been sown with the seed and had failed to take, and 

 it was evident that the drought-resisting powers of the plant are quite limited. How- 

 ever, a grass which has attracted the attention of so keen a cultivator as Mr. Rhodes 

 and is meeting with favorable comment from many practical men here at the Cape 

 deserves a thorough trial in America. As the species is a perennial it need only be 

 tested in frostless or nearly frostless regions. Its fodder value will be much inferior 

 to alfalfa, but it Avill thrive on soil with little lime in it. This seed was given Mr. 

 Lathrop for distribution in America by the steward of Mr. Rhodes' s estate, and in 

 case it succeeds, the Chartered South African Company, at Cape Town, should be 

 notified of the success it attains." (Fairchild.) 



9609. Triticum juncetjm. 



From Cape Town, South Africa. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fair- 

 child (No. 1136, March 9, 1903), May 6, 1903. 



' 'A grass which is a native of North Africa and Europe, and is used as a sand binder 

 • here in Cape Colony. Mr. Hutchins, conservator of forests of the colony, to whom 

 we are indebted for the seed, has found this species especially serviceable in experi- 

 ments near the seashore. Von Muller remarks that it is one of the best grasses to 

 keep rolling sand ridges together. Probably this has already been tried in America, 

 but this South African seed may be of a different strain." (Fairchild. ) 



