50 RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS. 
spring furnish an abundant supply of fairly good green forage, they 
have a recognized value among stockmen. 
SmootH Brome Grass (Bromus inermis). 
So much had been said officially and unofficially in favor of this 
grass that very earnest efforts were made in the grass garden in 1898, 
1899, and 1900 to determine its adaptability to the climatic and soil 
conditions of central Texas. Seeds received from the Agrostologist 
were sown October 4 and November 15, 1898, and April 10, 1899. 
Those sown in the autumn germinated, but the grass did not survive 
the freezes of the following February. Those sown in April also 
germinated, a fair stand of grass was secured, and it lived through 
the hot and dry weather of July and August; but early in September 
it gave way, and the roots though alive did not revive after the autumn 
rains began. In the fall of 1899 a sowing was made early in Novem- 
ber, but the rainfail in that month was only 0.24 inch, in December 
only 0.30 inch, and in January, 1901, only 0.03 inch, and practically 
no seeds put in the ground after October, 1900, germinated. It is said 
to withstand the severest drought and cold, and is highly recom- 
mended as an excellent pasture grass and as a second quality hay 
grass. The tests made as above at the grass and forage plant station 
did not give such results as justify recommending it for any purpose 
to central Texas stockmen and farmers. The probabilities are that 
under normal conditions it will do well in the section, and tests on a 
small scale may be made. 
THE SORGHUMS. 
Under this general head mention will be made of several tests made 
at the grass station. In addition to the varieties well known all over 
Texas,-three not so well known were tested with gratifying results, 
namely, Jerusalem corn, Kafir corn, and milo maize. Plantings of seed 
of Jerusalem corn were made in April, May, and June, 1899, in low, 
moist land, on a gravelly hillside, and on higher, level, dry land. The 
seeds were sown in drills from east to west, beginning in the valley 
and ending on top of a rather rough hill. Excellent stands were 
secured, and the rainfall being good, the plants grew vigorously until 
about August 1. During August the precipitation was only 0.10 
inch, only 0.44 inch during September, and nothing during Octo- 
ber till about the 16th, when the precipitation was 0.01 inch. On 
October 26 the first rainfall of any consequence (2.09 inches) since 
June 30 occurred. During all these dry weeks the weather was 
extremely hot, with hot winds blowing nearly all day. That any of 
the forage plants revived is remarkable. The Jerusalem corn lived 
through the drought, and by November 1 had apparently taken a new 
lease on life, and continued to grow until a fair crop of seeds matured. 
